Page 59 of Coming Home

“Thank you, Dylan,” she told him.

“Bertha asked one of the judges if she could conduct the ceremony in his chambers so it would be a little more private. I’m happy to escort you there, and if you let me, the short way to Jackson once we enter the room.”

Dylan looked to Gillian and nodded.

The older woman stepped forward. “Dylan graciously asked if I could also help take you to your groom since your parents aren’t here to do so.”

“I can’t think of a better pair to walk me to my man,” Ainsley said, her throat thick with emotion.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Rylie declared, and they went to the bank of elevators.

When they arrived at the judge’s chambers, they paused in his secretary’s office. Rylie went through the doors first, pausing to glance over her shoulder.

“Take a minute to compose yourself. I love you, Cuz.”

Ainsley slipped one hand through the crook of Dylan’s arm and placed her bridal bouquet in that hand as she slid her right hand through Gillian’s arm. Taking a deep breath, she slowly expelled it and then nodded.

“I’m ready.”

They entered the judge’s chambers, and she heard the strains of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, spotting Tenley holding up her phone, the music coming from it. She smiled at her friend and then turned her attention toward her groom.

Jackson wore a dark pinstripe suit with a white dress shirt and red tie. He had asked Ainsley what her favorite color was, and she had responded that it was red, noting how she loved the vibrancy of the color. Jackson wearing the red tie might be a small detail, but it let her know how in-tune he was with her. Dylan and Gillian guided her the short length of the office and handed her off to Jackson. He slipped his left arm about her waist as she clutched her bouquet, the sweet smell of roses and sweet peas wafting up to her.

Leaning over, he brushed a brief kiss against her temple. “You look beautiful,” he said softly.

Rylie came and stood to her left, and Willow went to stand by her brother’s side, Jackson having designated her as his best person. Tenley, Carter, Gage, and Gillian formed a semi-circle behind them, and Tenley slowly lowered the volume of the music until it faded away. Ainsley turned her attention to Bertha, who smiled at them.

“Are you ready?” the county clerk asked.

“Yes,” they responded in unison, and Bertha began.

Ainsley had been to other weddings and had heard the same words spoken before, but this time the significance in them moved her. Her heart beat rapidly as she listened to Bertha’s melodic voice, thinking how much she loved Jackson and what a wonderful life they would experience together. Bertha nodded and Ainsley handed her bouquet to Rylie, turning and facing Jackson, who threaded his fingers through hers. He repeated the vows the clerk uttered, his gaze never leaving hers, tenderness in his eyes. She repeated the same vows, blinking back a few tears, eager to keep these sacred promises over a lifetime to the man she loved.

Willow handed her brother a ring, and Jackson placed it on Ainsley’s finger, promising his love and devotion over the years to come.

She turned and accepted Jackson’s ring from Rylie and repeated the same sentiments, sliding the gold wedding band onto her groom’s finger. He clasped her hands in his, and they listened to the final words as Bertha confirmed they were now man and wife.

Her new husband’s lips touched hers for their first marital kiss. In it, Ainsley felt the promise of the life they would live together, full of love and joy and plenty of laughter.

Jackson broke the kiss, and she saw the tears in her husband’s eyes, as well as his love for her shining through.

“I love you, Mrs. Martin,” he said, a satisfied smile spreading across his face at addressing her that way.

“I love you, Mr. Martin,” she replied pertly

Then Jackson pulled her to him again for a longer, deeper kiss.

When he finally broke it, he squeezed her hands. Turning to the county clerk, he said, “Thank you, Bertha, for performing our ceremony and finding us a private setting for our wedding.”

“Happy to do so, Jackson,” the older woman replied, an indulgent smile on her lips.

“Let me get a shot of you two together with Bertha,” Gage said.

Gage took the photo and several more after it, having been dubbed their official photographer. He added some of her and Jackson alone and others with various friends and family.

Gillian touched Gage’s sleeve. “You need to get in a few of these,” she told him, taking the camera from him.

Gage almost seemed reluctant to do so, and Ainsley knew how shy he could be.

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