by A. Aubry
His grandmother held out her hand and I shook it, “It’s a pleasure to meet you two.”
“Oh, what a sweet girl this one is, Jack. Much different than the last one—what was her name? Jazzie?” Eleanor looked at Jackson who was chuckling and shaking his head.
“No, grandma, her name was Josie. But I know she is much sweeter. Trust me, you will love her the more you spend time with her,” Jackson turned to me and gave my hand that was still in his a squeeze, “I have to go back there. The second this ceremony is over, I am all yours.”
He gave me another soft kiss, keeping it much shorter than our previous one, and he walked away. Taking my place beside his grandparents, they proceeded to ask me anything and everything about myself and their grandson. At one point, they even asked me when we were going to give them great grandchildren because they weren’t getting any younger. They were adorable and funny, and I loved them as much as I loved my own grandparents.
Jackson’s father and the pastor took their places at the front of the altar and soon the wedding party was making their way down the aisle. Once Jackson made it to the front, we locked eyes and he winked at me. My face was probably bright red, but I didn’t care. Janette was escorted down the aisle by her father and the ceremony was underway. As much as I should have been focusing on the actual wedding ceremony, my eyes wouldn’t leave Jackson. He’d catch me watching him and would smile bigger as I would mouth to him that I loved him. Since he couldn’t exactly mouth it back, his hand would go to his hip as he’d tap two fingers against it, giving me the signal that we used when he was playing a game.
The pastor announced that Jackson’s father could kiss Janette and the crowd erupted into cheers. We all stood up and clapped as they were presented to the group and walked back up the aisle. The wedding party followed behind and Jackson’s grandparents insisted that I come to their table at least once during the reception to continue our talk. I silently prayed that it wouldn’t be about great grandchildren again as I told them I would see what I could do. They waved to me as they walked up the aisle and Jackson came to find me in the crowd.
“They look like they took to you well,” he smiled as he wrapped his arms around me.
“I would like to think that they did…but they were pressing me for great grandchildren from us,” I giggled as I put my hands on the lapels of his suitcoat.
“They were not,” his eyes went wide.
I nodded, “Indeed they were. As much as I love children, I don’t think we’re at that step in our relationship.”
“Yeah, I completely agree. Children in the future, definitely…right now, probably not.”
“Exactly. Besides, I’m not ready to share my time with you more than I already have to because of work.”
He smirked, “I’m not ready to share my time with you either. But speakin’ of time…I kind of need to go take some pictures with my dad and his new bride before the reception. Will you be okay by yourself?”
“What about Shelby?” I tugged on his coat to bring him closer to me.
“She’s comin’ with. New family pictures or somethin’ like that,” he sighed.
“Oh, okay. Well, I can go find your grandparents and talk to them,” I smiled, “Just don’t take too long…I can only go so long without your kisses you know.”
Jackson chuckled, “That was quite a long ceremony, let’s see if I can tide your lips over until I am done with these pictures.”
I grinned and put my arms around his neck as his lips brushed over mine a few times before going in for the big kiss. My heart thumped loudly in my chest as my head spun wildly. His tongue ran along mine and I couldn’t contain the moan that fought to come out. One of Jackson’s hands pressed against my lower back as he held me close against him while his other rested on my neck, holding me in place.
“Jackson William Ryder, the photographer is ready to get a move on if you’d like to stop holdin’ up the schedule,” Linda’s voice called out.
We pulled apart and Jackson shook his head as he laughed. We were not going to be able to catch a break today. Using my thumb, I wiped the lipstick from his mouth and fixed his hair after my hands were sort of tugging on it.
“I love you. I’ll see how quick I can make this go.”
“I love you too, and I will be waiting for you.”
He winked and jogged toward Linda who I could overhear chastising him for wondering off again. I followed the group of guests who weren’t involved in the pictures and went to the cocktail hour where I found Jackson’s grandparents again. We talked before being brought to a large tent where the reception would be held. It was decorated beautifully with the colors that Janette had picked out, the dance floor and the seating area all made of a removable wood. I searched for my name card with my table number and found that they had found a way to seat me at Jackson’s table. Picking up his name card, I went to our table and picked our seats. The bride and groom had their own table just off to the side of everybody. A band was setting up on a stage at the far end of the tent as the caterers put the finishing touches on the trays of food they were carrying in.
A strong pair of hands clasped onto my shoulders and I looked behind me quickly to see Jackson. He nearly gave me a damn heart attack. I hated being snuck up on and he knew that, but still he chose to do it as much as he could. Jackson was all about the element of surprise.
“I thought you were goin’ to find someone to talk to,” he teased as he sat beside me where I placed his name card, “It looks to me like you are sittin’ here all alone.”
“I talked to your grandparents during the cocktail hour. I couldn’t take any more of the great grandbaby talk so I came in here to wait for you,” I put my hand on his leg and leaned in towards him.
He kissed me tenderly, “I’m sorry, sometimes they just speak their minds because they think they can get away with it.”
“Did they ever say anything like that to Josie?” Why was I always asking questions about her?
“Not that I know of. They surely never said anythin’ to me about us havin’ kids. To be honest, I’m glad I didn’t have kids with her.”
“They do tend to make divorces more difficult,” I stuck my tongue out playfully.
Jackson shook his head, “Not because of that, she’s just not the best person in the world. The child would have had to deal with our screamin’ and yellin’ at one another and who knows how traumatic that could be for a child.”
“I’m sorry I keep bringing up your past with her…” I whispered.
“You can ask me any question you ever want to, Madeline. I am an open book for you.”
I gave a small smile and kissed his lips. Everyone found their seats around us and the bride and groom were introduced once again. As they took their place at their own little table, dinner was served. A delicious filet mignon with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables made my mouth water as it was placed in front of me. Jackson and I talked with those at our table which consisted of Shelby and her date, Brian, a few of their aunts and uncles, and Janette’s son from her previous marriage, Elliott.
On multiple occasions, I had caught Elliott staring at me and it had made me feel very uncomfortable. I felt like Jackson could feel the tension radiating off of me because after he finished up his meal, he had put his hand on my knee as he skimmed his thumb against the inside of my thigh. It should have turned me on, but I didn’t want Elliott picking up on any cues and thinking it was for him. The bride and groom cut their cake and it was then served to the guests. Jackson and I shared a piece because, by that point, I was so full after dinner that I thought I would explode. He would feed me a bite before taking a bite for himself. A few times he accidentally got frosting on the corner of my mouth and would kiss it away. Sometimes he was so cheesy, but that was why I loved him.
After the plates were all cleared away, the band announced it was the bride and groom’s first dance. Everyone watched as they made their way onto the dance floor and held each other close as More than Word
s by Extreme was played by the band. I smiled and quietly sang along to the song. It was my mom and stepfather’s wedding song, so I was very familiar with it. The second verse began to pick up and Jackson’s father waved to our table to join them. Jackson extended his hand to me and I placed mine in his, getting up from our seat.
Shelby and Brian joined us as well as Jackson’s arms came around me and my arms took their place around his neck. Jackson smiled at me as I continued to sing the song as though I was singing it to him. His forehead rested against mine as we gazed into each other’s eyes. The clicking of a camera told me that the wedding photographer was taking advantage of this moment, a family dancing together. It wasn’t only Chase and Janette’s first dance as a couple, by inviting Jackson and Shelby to join them, it was a first dance as a family. The only person left out was Elliott whom did not have a date as far as I could tell. I let the uncomfortable feeling that he was giving me earlier go as I focused on the man who was swaying with me to the music.
Jackson kissed me as the song came to an end and I felt like the earth had changed its axis, that it wasn’t spinning how it was before…it was spinning even better than before. The band began to play an upbeat song and most of the guests came to join everyone on the dance floor. Jackson spun me as I giggled and moved to the music with him. He had left his suitcoat at the table when we came up to dance and his bowtie was undone, he looked so laid back that my mouth was now watering at the sight of him. When the band took their first break of the night, the speeches and toasts were made to the happy couple. Just before the band went back on, Jackson’s father and now stepmother came to talk to us as we got a drink from the bar.
“I was right, you know,” Chase laughed as he interrupted our conversation.
“Right about what, dad?” Jackson turned to face him, a drink in one hand and his other on the small of my back.
“About the way you two look at each other. I said it earlier and I will say it again, I know what you two have is somethin’ very special.”
“How were we looking at each other?” I tilted my head to the side inquisitively. I really had no idea what he meant.
Chase put an arm around his wife, “The first dance. After you two came up to join us. Neither one of you took your eyes off the other, you were in your own world.”
Janette nodded, “And Jackson, you were so wrapped up in what she was sayin’ to you…you looked hypnotized.”
“Madeline was singin’ the lyrics to me,” Jackson laughed, “that’s what she was sayin’ to me.”
I blushed as I looked down at the ground.
“There’s no reason to be embarrassed, dear. You two had a beautiful moment, we are just both very happy that we got to witness it,” Janette reached out and put her hand on my shoulder.
My gaze went back to Jackson’s parents, “I love Jackson very much. I’m happy that other people can see how much I love him even though starting in a few weeks, we have to keep everything under wraps.”
Chase nodded sadly, “That is a shame that Josie got that added on. But the only thing that will matter durin’ those six months, is that you two know that you love one another. Durin’ those six months, focus on your relationship…make it as strong as you can…because you know that after it gets back into the public eye, there will be naysayers.”
“We will face them when we have to. For now, Madeline and I are goin’ to take a walk,” Jackson smiled at me.
We were? I didn’t know that was the plan…
Chase gave us a wink and went back to his guests with Janette in tow. I had only known them for a few hours, but I could already tell that they had a strong love for one another. Someday I hoped that mine and Jackson’s love would be that strong. He took my hand as he led me out of the tent and toward a stable.
“No way, you have horses?” I said excitedly as we walked into the stable.
“Yeah, we had them when I was growin’ up, thanks to Shelby, and my dad just sort of took a likin’ to them.” He walked us down to the very last stall where a large black horse with a white diamond shape on its forehead stuck its head out.
“I love the diamond right there, it gives the horse character,” I smiled as I gently pet the horse on its neck.
Jackson watched me as the horse stayed still to let me pet it, “This one was mine. His name is Casper.”
“As in…the friendly ghost?” I smirked.
“That’s the one.”
“You do know that Casper was literally white as a sheet and this fella right here only has a small patch of white,” I teased.
“I was eleven and he was amazingly quiet. I thought ghosts were quiet, so I named him that.”
“Aw cute little eleven-year-old Jackson,” I giggled as I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck.
He rolled his eyes and gave me a soft kiss, “You know, Casper has never taken to a girl as quickly as he has taken to you. Wouldn’t even let Josie touch him.”
I shrugged a shoulder, “I just have a way with animals.”
“Apparently so,” Jackson smirked before kissing me once more.
He tugged me over to a bundle of hay and we sat down. The music from the party softly floated into the stable from the tent. Jackson brought my hand up to his lips, his eyes locked on mine.
“So, I know we still have a few weeks until this whole no datin’ shit takes place…but I wanted to give you somethin’ from me so that you know that even when we aren’t together, I am still thinkin’ about you,” Jackson said softly as he reached into his pocket.
“Jackson, I don’t need anything for me to know that. I already know—"
My sentence was cut off when he brought out a jewelry box and opened it. A silver heart shaped charm shone up from the box and my eyes looked up to Jackson who was waiting for my reaction. He moved and flipped the heart over, showing me that our initials were engraved on the back.
“Oh my god, Jackson…it’s beautiful,” I leaned forward and kissed him tenderly.
“You really like it?” He asked once our lips parted.
“Like it? I love it. You really shouldn’t have,” I smiled as I looked at the charm once again.
Jackson took it out of the box and held it up on its silver chain. I turned my back to him and held up my hair as he put it around my neck and clasped it for me. He kissed the back of my neck when he was finished, sending a shiver down my spine. I spun around quickly and crashed my lips into Jackson’s. Everything about today was poured into that kiss. Seeing him for the first time in days, meeting his father and stepmother for the first time, watching him as he stood up at the altar in a tuxedo, him feeding me cake and kissing away the frosting, the way we danced to the first song, this gift…it was all too much that my heart was bursting with happiness.
We pulled back, barely able to catch our breath as Jackson put his hand on my cheek, “I want you to know that every second of the next six months when we aren’t together, I will be thinkin’ of you. I will still do our signals durin’ my games, I will still call you every night to tell you that I love you before you fall asleep.”
He paused, and a tear fell down his cheek, my heart stopped at the sight, “Madeline, I don’t want to lose you because of what Josie is forcin’ me to do to…”
I pursed my lips, forcing my own tears at bay, “Jackson, you won’t lose me. I love you and we will make it through this bullshit stronger than ever. We will show her that she can’t break us apart, that our relationship and our love is stronger than whatever you two had. I am yours, Jackson…for as long as you want me…”
“You’re goin’ to think I am crazy…” he started as he wiped away his tears.
“I already think you are crazy for being with me. How much crazier could you get?” I quietly teased as I helped him wipe his cheek.
“When all of this is over…this whole six months of secrecy and hidin’…marry me.”
Chapter Eleven
“Wait, what?”
“You heard me,
Maddie. I want to marry you. What we have, it is so much different than what Josie and I had. I look forward to seein’ you when I’m done with trainin’, I want you at my games to cheer me on, every night I want you there with me when we are apart, and I can’t wait to get home to see you when my travelin’ is over. You make me so fuckin’ happy, Madeline. I never thought I would have this with someone…I never thought that I would have the kind of love that my parents had. Head over heels, over the moon, love.”
I kissed him deeply, taking him into my arms and holding him as tightly as I could. One of the other horses in the stable made a noise and we slowly separated.
“So, was that a yes?” Jackson asked softly, gazing into my eyes.
I nodded and smiled, “Yes, Jackson, after all of this is over…I will marry you.”
He jumped up from where we sat and picked me up, spinning me around. I squealed and held onto him as my face buried into his neck. Jackson set me down and his smile was wider than anything I had ever seen.
“I love you, Madeline Walker.”
“And I love you, Jackson Ryder.”
We walked hand in hand back to the tent. Nobody seemed to notice that we were gone, and nobody really noticed the fact that we were grinning even wider than we were before. Jackson led me back to the dance floor and we danced exactly like the day we first met, when he saved me from my clueless ex-boyfriend. With his hands on my hips and my arms around his neck, Jackson swayed us to the beat of the music as our lips connected. Any moment with Jackson was one of the best moments that I could ever ask for, but it was moments like these where we could just act our age and have fun, that really took the cake.
The band took their next break and it was announced that the garter and bouquet toss would be coming up. Jackson and I went back to our seats, in need of drinks to rehydrate. The garter toss was fun to watch as all the guys who stood there jumped in the air for it. It ultimately ended up in the hands of Jackson’s Uncle Robert. Right before the bouquet toss, Shelby ran over to me and dragged me from my seat. She insisted that I had to participate, and Jackson encouraged me to go.