Page 62 of Outlawed Treat
“I’ll see ya soon,” I tell him as he leaves me at the bar on my own.
Laura was able to make the trip here to see us for the wedding.Cali and I were going to go back to Benton Falls if she couldn’t make the trip.Laura played such a huge role in both of our lives and we couldn’t celebrate our day without her here with us.Luca actually went there to pick her up.He volunteered so Kreed could work here and help put everything together for the wedding.Kreed’s mom fell in love with the Prospect as soon as she met him and hasn’t stopped talking about him since she got here yesterday.She’ll go home with my parents and I know they’ll take all the time she needs to get back home so her health doesn’t decline.
The last few hourshave flown by.I’ve gotten ready and am anxiously waiting for Cali to get down here so I can make her my wife.I’m standing at the altar that was placed just before the hallway leading to the back door.It’s covered in sunflowers of varying colors and leaves in yellows and oranges.My mom and aunt did an amazing job putting it all together.Right now, Kreed is at my side and I see the kids at the other end of the common room with my mom and aunt.Bryce is dressed in a pair of jeans and a black button-down shirt just like me while Rory is wearing a little white dress with a headband on her head in a deep red.My mom pins a small red sunflower on Bryce’s shirt like the one I have pinned to mine.Kreed is wearing a red button-down shirt with his jeans and I made sure he didn’t have the ones with all the holes in them today.Not that Laura would have let him get away with that shit.
The music changes and I watch as Bryce lifts the handle of the wagon in one hand while holding the pillow with our rings in the other.He walks slowly down the aisle and continuously looks back at his baby sister.Rory copies my mom as she walks behind them, throwing flower petals.She’s fucking adorable with the large smile on her little face as her baby giggles sound from where she moves slowly down the aisle thanks to her brother.
When the kids get up to us, Bryce hands the handle of the wagon over to Tank who pulls it in front of him and Maddie.Their kids came for the wedding and sit in the row with them.It’s good to see my cousins.Especially Zoey where she sits with her husband, Jameson.I haven’t seen them in a very long time.The music pauses for a second again and changes toSpeechlessby Dan + Shay plays through the speakers.This is the song I chose for my girl to walk toward me today.She chose the song we’ll have our first dance to.
My eyes immediately move to Cali where she stands at the top of the stairs holding onto my dad’s arm.Tears fill my eyes as I take in every inch of her.The bruising and cuts have mainly healed leaving almost no reminders of what Darren did to her.Her arm is in a cast from the surgery and will be for a while still.Her dress is all white with red trim at the very bottom and entwined hearts sporadically all over the lower half of her dress.On top, the dress is strapless with a black ribbon tied around her waist.Cali’s long blonde hair has been pulled up into some kind of twist with a few curls framing her face.There’s hardly any make-up on her face and I notice the bracelet on her wrist and the necklace around her neck.She’s wearing the charm bracelet I got her so long ago and the necklace with my football number on it.Cali always looks beautiful.Today, she’s stunning and I can’t take my eyes off of her as they slowly make their way down the steps.
Cali’s eyes never leave me as her eyes fill with tears she desperately tries to hold back.My dad whispers something in her ear as they reach the bottom step causing Cali to smile so large it lights up her entire face.I’ve missed seeing her real smile.It’s been so damn long since she’s worn it.Usually she pastes a fake smile on and no one else can tell she doesn’t truly mean it.Kreed and I know, but we never call her out on it.Kreed places a hand on my shoulder and whispers for me to wait for them to get to us.I didn’t even realize I was starting to head for Cali.
When my dad and Cali finally stop in front of me, my dad places Cali’s hands in mine and leans in to kiss her cheek.Turning to face me, he’s deadly serious.
“You treat her like a damn queen, Caleb.I hear of one time you don’t treat her the way she deserves and we’ll all be back here to kick your ass.You don’t deserve Cali so you better work your ass off every single day to keep her and show her you love her more than anyone else ever will,” my dad states, his words a promise of what will happen to me if I ever hurt Cali in the slightest way.
“I love her with all my heart, Dad.Never gonna hurt her for any reason,” I return, turning to give Cali my full attention as she deserves.
Cali turns to Tiffany and hands her over the bouquet of flowers before turning back to face me.My papa is officiating the ceremony for us.It’s something he’s done over the years countless times and there was no one else Cali and I would ever choose anyone else.
“We’re gathered here today to finally witness the union between Caleb and Cali.This has been a long time comin’ so we’re not gonna waste any more,” my papa says as everyone in the audience starts to laugh so loud.“Caleb, speak your vows.”
“Cali, I’ve been in love with you for more than half my life.Before I even truly knew what love was, I knew you were different and special.That I felt different for you than anyone else I ever met.You’re strong, brave, beautiful, smart, and so damn amazin’.I will never deserve to be your husband or the father to our children.You’re way too good for me or anyone else.Today, I promise you that I’ll always remain faithful, will come home to you every night, and will love and protect you for the rest of our days.You will never have to doubt the love between us because I won’t let it happen.Cali, I love you always and forever and can’t wait to make a million memories with you,” I say, keeping my words short and simple because I will never be able to fully put into words what Cali means to me.“You’re the calm to my storm, the light when I’m in complete darkness, and the strength I need when things become too much.It’s always been that way with you.When I need you the most, you’re always there for me and I will ride out any storm with you.”
“Cali, you may say your vows now,” Papa says, a smile on his face as he looks at my bride.
“Caleb, I love you more than I’ll ever be able to put into words.The first time I knew I was in love with you was my fourteenth birthday.You give me butterflies with one look and always know what I need without me saying a word.You’re the strength I need when the fear and panic become overwhelming.While everyone sees the reckless side of you when someone you love is hurt, I see a man willing to go to the end of the world for those he loves regardless of the consequences to himself.You would step in front of a bullet for anyone and are loyal to a fault.There are so many reasons I fell in love with you and if I’m given an eternity, I will never be able to tell you them all.You’re my protector and best friend.Someone I’ve relied on most of my life and I will never forget the young boy who would keep me company in a field of wildflowers instead of playing during recess.I love you always and forever, Caleb,” Cali says as she smiles up at me with nothing but love shining from her eyes.
“Exchange the rings and repeat after me,” Papa says as Bryce steps up next to us and holds the pillow out.
Cali and I take the rings we had custom-made and repeat after Papa.As Cali slides the ring on my finger, I feel a lightness I wasn’t expecting.Knowing Cali is my wife, as well as my ol’ lady, fills me with love and a calmness deep in my soul that no one else will ever make me feel.As I slide the ring on Cali’s finger next to her engagement ring, her hand is steady.There isn’t a single indication that she’s nervous or regretting her decision to marry me.The two of us are meant to be together and now the entire world will know who she belongs to as she carries my last name and wears my rag.
“I nowfinallypronounce you husband and wife.Caleb, you may kiss your bride,” Papa says, the largest smile on his face as he looks between the two of us.
I pull Cali into my arms so her small body presses up against mine.She wraps her arm around my neck and goes up on her tippy toes as I lean down closer to her.Her injured arm is safely tucked between the two of us in the sling she’s wearing I hardly noticed when she walked down the stairs with my dad.Cali feels so good against me as I press my lips against hers and slide my tongue along the seam of her mouth.My wife immediately opens for me and I deepen the kiss as the world around us fades to nothing.One simple touch from Cali and the world fades to nothing leaving only the two of us together.After several long minutes, I finally pull my mouth from Cali's.I keep her in my arms as the crowd of our family and friends clap and whistle.No one will be able to remove the smile from my face today as I celebrate making Cali my wife.
Cali’s getting tiredand I know it’s almost time to take her home.The party moved outside the clubhouse in the back where more decorations have been placed under one of those large tents.We’ve eaten, had hundreds of pictures taken alone and with our wedding party consisting of Kreed and Tiffany.The only thing we have left to do is share our first dance.Even the cake Skylar made for us has been eaten as more pictures were taken.We hired a photographer who came highly recommended.It’s a man I can’t remember the name of, but he’s been discreet when we need him to be and told us what to do when it’s time for posed pictures like when we cut the cake.He seems like a good guy and I’m sure this isn’t the last time we see him around the clubhouse.
“Reina, it’s time for our first dance so I can get you home.You’ve been on your feet all day long.I know Dr.Phillips said it would be okay, but I don’t want to take any more chances.The kids are gettin’ tired too,” I finally tell her as I pull her away from my parents and grandparents.
Leading my wife to the makeshift dance floor, I hold her in my arms as Luca puts on the song Cali chose for us to dance to.Give you My Heartby BASHAM plays through the speakers as I hold Cali close while she rests her head on my chest.Looking down at her, I take in her closed eyes and sweet smell of her bodywash.Cali has never worn a ton of perfume.She doesn’t need it.
“I love you so much, Caliana.I will never tire of sayin’ those three words to you,” I tell her as she sings the song under her breath.
“I love you, Caleb.Even when you’re having the worst day possible, I’ll make sure you know how much I love you,” she says in return without lifting her head or opening her eyes.
As the song fades to nothing, Cali and I continue to remain in our own world.When I finally hear our family clapping for us, I keep Cali in my arms and lead her from the floor.It’s time to take her home.She’s fighting a yawn as I head for Tank, Maddie, Luca, Hawkeye, and Zoey.Rory is sleeping in my cousin Zoey’s arms while Bryce is talking to Kingston just beyond the group.Kingston is crouched down and has the largest smile on his face.I know they’re talking about racing.Bryce is gonna give Cali a damn heart attack with the racing shit he’s desperate to do.It’s bad enough he already has a mini bike he races around like crazy when Kreed and I are with him.Bryce has rules in place for the bike and I know he won’t break them.
“Headin’ home?”Hawkeye asks me when we get next to them.
“Yeah.Cali’s been on her feet for too long today.Dr.Phillips doesn’t want her doin’ too much.The only reason she agreed to us gettin’ married today is because Doc is here to keep an eye on her.We need to get the kids to bed so I can put my wife to bed,” I inform my cousin as Bryce races up to us and Zoey steps closer with Rory.
“Love looks good on you, Cousin,” Zoey says as Jameson steps up behind her and wraps his arms around her waist.“Welcome to the family, Cali.It’s about damn time the two of you got it together.I’m sorry for what happened to you, but good riddance to the trash who never belonged in the picture.”
“Enjoy your weddin’ night,” Hawkeye says, a twinkle in his eye as he finds his wife in the crowd.
“Not happenin’.Cali is pregnant with twins and it’s still too early.Dr.Phillips wants her essentially on bed rest for now.You saw her that night and know we have to take precautions,” I inform my cousin as he looks sheepish while apologizing to Cali.
