Page 100 of Moving to Love
“Sure, Molly. Come on in and meet everyone,” Joci said.
“Molly, this is Emily, Jeremiah’s mom. Staci, Angie, and Erin are Jeremiah’s sisters-in-law. You know Jackie and Sandi, of course. Everyone, this is Molly. I met her a while back at a class, and then again on the Veteran’s Ride. She was one of the photographers. She freelances, and I am thrilled she could come today.”
Molly grinned and said, “Hello, everyone; it’s great to meet you. Okay, let’s start getting some pictures, shall we? Then, while you’re putting on the finishing touches, I’ll go up and take pictures of the guys.”
For the next forty-five minutes, they proceeded to snap various pictures in different groupings and poses.
Molly walked down the hall and knocked on the half-open door of the guys’ dressing room. She peeked in, catching Jeremiah’s eye. He quickly waved her in, then walked over and gave her a hug. “Thank you for being our wedding photographer today, Molly. Joci’s ecstatic you were available.”
Molly smiled. “I’m happy beyond belief to be here. I love Joci.”
Jeremiah smiled. “Everyone, this is Molly Bates. Molly, let me introduce you to everyone here.” He introduced his Marine buddies, then the family. “My father, Thomas. Joci’s brother-in-law, David, and my sons, Gunnar, JT, and Ryder.”
Ryder and Molly stared at each other for a few beats longer than everyone else. Jeremiah smiled, cleared his throat, and Molly looked at him, her cheeks tinted pink.
“Okay. Ummm, let’s start over here.” She pointed to an area in the corner.
* * *
* * *
* * *
Emily Ann, Dayton and Staci’s daughter, knocked on the door. “Time to get married, Joci,” she smiled.
The girls giggled and cheered. It was time. Erin opened the boxes containing the flowers and handed Jackie and Sandi their bouquets. “Oh, so pretty, Joci. You did an amazing job on the colors,” Sandi beamed.
“When you said we were carrying orange flowers with accents of silvery-gray Dusty Miller in them, I thought you were crazy, but this works,” Jackie added.
The bridesmaids wore gray dresses to match Joci’s sash with ivory sashes around their waists. Joci’s bouquet consisted of long-stemmed silver roses with a few orange flowers tucked here and there. The corsages were pinned on, and they started down the hall.
Those not in the wedding party walked into the church and took their seats.
Jackie hugged Joci. “I love you, Sis. I’m thrilled for you.”
“Thank you, Jackie. For everything you’ve done for me over the years. I love you.”
“Thank you for letting me be a part of this. I couldn’t be happier for you,” Sandi said.
Joci laughed. “I couldn’t get married without you. I love you, too. Okay, let’s go. I’m excited.”
Gunnar came walking down the hall and stopped in front of her. He looked amazing. The guys were all wearing gray to match the girls’ dresses. With Gunnar’s dark hair and bright blue eyes, he looked gorgeous in the tuxedo.
“Wow, Mom. You look amazing. Jeremiah’s going to shit when he sees you.”
Joci laughed. “Not the reaction I’m hoping for, but I think I know what you mean. You look pretty handsome yourself, Gunnar. You clean up good.”
Everyone chuckled, and Jackie opened the door to the church. Sandi started walking down the aisle. Jackie was next. As soon as she had made it all the way down the aisle, the processional music for the bride started. Then Joci and Gunnar began walking down the aisle.
The gasps and sighs as she walked by made her so happy. She felt like a princess. She felt beautiful. But all she could see was Jeremiah. He was stunning in his ivory tuxedo, ivory vest, and an ivory cravat with thin gray stripes. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He looked perfect.
* * *
Jeremiah sucked in his breath at his first look at Joci. She had refused to let him see her dress or know anything about what it looked like. It had driven him crazy not knowing. Now, he was glad she made him wait—again. She was amazingly beautiful. Jesus, he was a lucky man. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Dayton chuckled next to him, and Jeremiah smirked. When they reached Jeremiah, Gunnar shook his hand and then grabbed Jeremiah in a hug. At the same time, JT and Ryder came up and hugged Joci. The boys sat down, and Jeremiah held his arm out.
She held on to his arm, and they walked up the three steps to the altar.
