Page 92 of 5+Us Makes Seven

Nathaniel had wanted to help decorate. He helped everyone place the chairs where they were supposed to be. He helped arrange the colorful leaves on the ground that paved my way up to the front of the crowd. He also helped seat everyone for the ceremony, making sure to hand out programs so everyone could be up to speed with the ceremony.

He was such a big help, and I smiled at him as Carter and I passed.

I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. As I stood there, listening to the beautiful vows my husband had written specifically for me, I couldn't help the tears that streamed down my cheeks. Promises of never being alone and never walking alone again struck my heart in ways I’d never experienced. Vows of always staying true and never walking away, of never going to bed angry and always loving me through the storms. It took my breath away, listening to the perfect man for me paint the perfect picture of our lives together.

Then, it was my turn.

“Carter, when I first met you, I didn’t know what to think.”

“Don’t worry. Happens to the best of us,” Logan said with a grin.

The crowd chuckled and I stuck my tongue out at my cousin.

“But really,” I said. “I’d heard about you from Logan, but I’d never encountered you until that interview. And it had been so hard to focus. There you were, in your crisp suit and your swooped hair and your furrowed brow and your stoic form… and it was hard for me to speak. To formulate words to get through that interview.”

I drew in a deep breath as I gripped his hands tightly.

“Then there was that night that changed everything. When you kissed me just before I was leaving for the day. And my entire world shifted. Tilted off-balance and spun around faster than I could k

eep up. It was igniting and fiery and intoxicating, and I knew then that it would be hard to shake you. Hard to go back to the way things were after experiencing you in that fashion.”

I brought his hands to my lips to kiss before I continued on with my vows.

“I can’t promise you I’ll always be perfect, or even bearable. I can’t promise you I won’t get upset and I can’t promise that we won’t fight. I can’t even promise that when you wake up every morning you’ll be happy to see me. But I can promise you this: I’ll never leave. No matter how hard it gets and no matter how long we fight and no matter how impossible it seems. I will always reach for you, even when I don’t want to take a look at you. I’ll always cling to you, my rock.”

A breathless giggle fell from my lips before I reached behind me for Carter’s ring. I felt Clara press it into my palm and my hand began to shake.

It was time.

I was about to have a husband.

“Carter Marshall,” I said as I slipped the ring onto his finger, “with this ring, I promise to never let go. To never forsake what we have and to always cherish the moments we spend together. It won’t be perfect, and it won’t always be good, but it will be ours. Together. For as long as I live and into the next life.”

Carter flipped my veil over, his eyes catching mine. There were tears in his eyes. Tears that threatened to spill over as he gathered me in his strong embrace. Our lips collided together and everyone erupted into applause, and we were pronounced man and wife in front of God and everyone else we could have ever wanted there as witnesses.

He carried me back down the aisle, his strong arms holding me close to him as I threaded my arms around his neck. I clung to him. Pulled him as close as I could get him. He walked me all the way out to the limo where everyone waved us off, and the two of us headed to the airport for our honeymoon.

The reception was for those who had attended. A ‘thank you’ to those who had supported us.

But Carter and I? We were ready for some time alone.

Nine hours later, we were walking into our private cabana by the beach. We had our own stretch of private sand and ocean waves, and it was breathtaking. I was still in my wedding dress and he was still in his tuxedo, and he took my hand as he tugged me towards our home for the next two weeks. We dropped our bags by the door and he carried me through the threshold, then he led us straight into our bedroom.

Where we had an oceanfront view and a panoramic view of the sunset over the horizon.

“Welcome to your paradise, my bride,” Carter said.

He settled me onto the bed before taking a step back from me.

“Where are you going?” I asked. “Come lay down beside me.”

“Just watch,” he said. “I have something for you.”

I sat up in the bed, my brow furrowing with confusion. I watched as he slowly removed his tuxedo, tossing every piece of clothing onto a chair at his side. The sun was setting behind his chiseled body as every muscle was revealed to me. Every piece of strength and every sinewy tissue as his cock throbbed for my body. He was standing naked in front of me, his body drenched in the hues of the setting tropical sun.

I reached out for him, unable to contain my need for him.

I pulled him to me and he fell onto my body. His hands ran up and down my curves, removing my dress as we rolled around in bed. I couldn't kiss him enough. I couldn't get him close enough. My lips traveled up and down his neck. His chest. His cheek. I felt alive. Beautiful, for the first time since I’d given birth.

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