by Rhonda James
“Cassie? Baby, can you hear me?” His hand touches my face and for a moment, it’s the only part of my body that doesn’t hurt. I open my mouth to answer yes, but it comes out in such a quiet whisper I’m not sure he can hear me. “Nurse!”
“Good morning, sweetheart,” Brantley hums before greeting me with a kiss. “How are you feeling? I ran into your doctor in the hallway, and he said everything looks good. What do you say? You ready to blow this pop stand and go home with me today?”
“More than ready. I still can’t believe I’ve been in the hospital for six days. I wish I could remember more,” I grumble.
He chuckles softly and takes a seat on the edge of the bed. “Maybe it’s for the best that you can’t remember. I’m just happy you remember me.”
His comment makes me sad, and the way it’s spoken tells me that was something he’d been afraid of.
“I could never forget you.” I look away and give my head a shake. “All those wonderful memories… What a tragic loss that would have been.”
He smiles suggestively before lowering his lips to mine for a lingering kiss. “We’ve only just gotten started. I promise there are a lot more memories to be made. But first things first, let’s get you home.”
The nurse comes in for me to sign the discharge papers. She gives specific instructions of what to watch for and tells me to come back if there are any changes or concerns. She also reminds me to refrain from driving for the next two weeks.
“That shouldn’t be a problem since, according to him, I no longer have a car,” I joke before taking a seat in the wheelchair she’s placed in front of me.
Two days ago, I finally asked Brantley what happened and he filled me in as best as he could, since the only information he had came from a police officer’s report and the voicemail I’d left him. I don’t remember the voicemail, and he refuse to let me listen to it for fear it would upset me. I haven’t asked again, and I’m not sure I ever will. I’m just thankful that I’m still here and for my family and friends, who love me and have visited every day since the accident.
“That’s okay, baby. I’ll buy you a new car,” Brantley replies before giving my shoulder a squeeze for reassurance.
“Is that so, Mr. Moneybags?” My tone is teasing and maybe a touch flirtatious. “Just what kind of car are we talking about? Cadillac? BMW?”
He bends at the waist until our faces are inches apart and the look on his face is dead serious. “I’ll give you anything your heart desires. All you have to do is ask.”
I tip my head and flash him my best-dimpled smile. The one he has a hard time resisting. “That’s easy, then. All I want is for you to marry me.”
His chuckle vibrates against my lips. “Cheap date.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
B
Cassie’s been back home for the last three weeks and already she’s beyond restless. Her strength is coming back and the bruises have completely faded away. Her stitches are out, and even though I’m barely able to see the scar they left, Cassie can see it and keeps fretting about it. It’s so tiny it’s almost microscopic. I caught her just this morning with her face pressed up against the mirror, studying it. She asked if it made her ugly, and I laughed and told her it made her look badass. That earned me a kiss and got her away from the mirror. Shawn from the dress boutique called and informed Cassie that her dress was ready, and since Cassie still isn’t allowed to drive, Shawn stopped by the house yesterday to do a final fitting.
While I was at home taking care of Cassie, the Devils’ season ended with a disappointing loss to Chicago. I had to watch the game from my own living room, but the disappointment was just as strong if I’d been on the bench with my team watching it take place. I attended a post-season team meeting on Monday, where the players and coaches all made a point of asking about Cassie and reminded me that being at home with her was where I needed to be and to not feel guilty about missing the game. Hearing that made me feel better about the way my own season ended.
Cassie’s accident was like a giant wake-up call. All this time I’ve been so focused on getting everything perfect. Just like with the proposal. I wasted months trying to come up with the perfect setting and the perfect words but in the end, none of that had mattered to Cassie.
Last night in bed, with Cassie tucked up against my side and sound asleep, I lay thinking about a conversation I had with Sebastian the morning he returned to L.A. He’d come by the hospital to say good-bye and had been happy to find Cassie awake and sitting up in bed. They’d talked for a bit before I walked him down to the parking lot, where a cab was waiting to take him to the airport. We talked about the wedding and the second thoughts I’d started having about waiting until June to have the perfect wedding we’d planned. His response had been simple and spoken from the heart.
“Brantley, the kind of perfection you’re talking about won’t be found in the details or our actions. That kind of perfection will only be found in the journey you take with the one you love. It lies within the cracks and crevices where most people fail to look. It’s found in our failures, our successes, and all the bumps we encounter along the way. The first kiss in the morning or the last kiss before bed… That, my friend, is where true perfection is found.”
With Sebastian’s words still ringing in my ears, I woke and greeted Cassie with a kiss before asking her out on a date for tonight. When she asked where I was taking her, I told her the backyard. At the time she’d laughed but now, as I take her by the hand and guide her to the small bench I bought and placed directly under a crab apple that’s in full bloom, her surprised gasp tells me she’s happy with my choice of location.
“Give me one second.” I let go of her hand and pick up a remote. A press of a few buttons fires up the outdoor lights and music filters softly through the outdoor speakers.
She takes a seat on the bench and gives me a look. “Very romantic, Mr. Cage.”
With a roll of my eyes, I drop down beside her. “Shucks, it was no trouble at all.”
“Even better, because I’m just a simple girl. You don’t need all the bells and whistles to impress me. You already do that just fine on your own.” Without warning, she clambers into my lap and starts kissing my face. “Thank you for this. You’re so good to me.”
Her body stills in my arms and I need a moment to gather my composure. My heart is beating so fast it feels as if it’s stuck in my throat. This… This is all I need.
“I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you,” I confess.
“Pfft. You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Brantley Cage.” She shifts position, running her fingers up and down my back, and my body instinctively responds to the contact it’s been missing.
Pressing my lips to her ear, I give the lobe a nibble before giving in and releasing a low groan of approval. “That feels good. I’ve missed you. Missed this.” I roll my hips and brush my arousal against her center.
“Is that so? Does this mean you’re ready to make an honest woman of me?” she asks coyly.
“I most certainly am. I don’t want to waste another moment. I want to start our life together now, not later.”
A sob bubbles up in her throat and she croaks out, “Are you sure?”
I press a kiss to her nose before claiming her trembling lips. “Sweetheart, I’ve never been surer of anything in my entire life.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CASSIE
I’m standing in front of a mirror in awe of the reflection of the woman smiling back at me. Six weeks ago, I came very close to missing out on this very day. The day I’ve been waiting for.
My wedding day.
The day I finally become Mrs. Brantley Cage.
It’s almost hard for me to believe how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time. Two years ago, I’d been dating Justin and attending Minnesota State. I’m not sure what I’d been looking for when I boarded the train bound for Ann Arbor. I only know that I’d needed a fresh start.
; I found that and more the day I woke up in Brantley’s arms. He hadn’t figured it out back then, but I like to think I did. Did I believe we would be married? Probably not, but that never stopped me from fanaticizing about it.
“I’m nervous,” I admit to Laney and Skylar, who stand on either side of me. Our gazes meet in the mirror. “I swear I thought this day would never come.”
“Girl, what are you talking about? He proposed barely seven months ago,” Laney scoffs with a wave of her hand.
“True, but from the moment we first kissed, I knew I wanted to marry him. I’ve been waiting ever since.”
Skylar smiles before stepping back to fluff my train. “You think that’s bad, try waiting four years. I started writing Mrs. Scott Rivers at the tender age of seventeen.”
“Wow, I’d almost forgotten about that. Sky, remember how we used to lie out in the hammock in my backyard and talk about what it would be like to be married?”
“Yep, and remember we were worried our husbands would starve to death because we couldn’t cook like your mom?” She shakes her head and laughs. “The saddest part of that story is that I still haven’t mastered that skill, but Melanie has promised to give me a few lessons.”
“Did I just hear my name?” Mom trills as she steps into the room. We laugh and fill her in on what were just discussing. “Skylar, honey, if you want, I’ll come over tomorrow, and we’ll spend the whole day in the kitchen.”
Laney steps forward and air kisses both of my cheeks. “Sweetie, we’re going to head out and give you a few minutes with your Mom. Don’t worry about a thing. That man is going to flip when he sees you in this dress. Love you to pieces.”
“Love you, too.” I repeat the air kissing with Skylar and then Mom and I are alone.
“Baby girl, if you are not the prettiest bride in the history of brides… I just can’t get over how grown up you are. My baby is getting married. I called it. Do you remember that? When you brought him home for Thanksgiving and I saw the way he looked at you. I knew then you were destined to be together. I’m going to have the most beautiful grandbabies.” Mom’s eyes tear up, and I hand her a tissue.
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait a little bit on those grandbabies. We have a four-year plan.” I follow up that statement with a firm nod of my head.
“Pfft. I’ll believe that when I see it. Don’t think I don’t know what was going on inside that dressing room, or your bedroom the night before for that matter.”
“Momma! My goodness, you’re making me blush.”
“Sweetie, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I love you, I hope you know that, and I couldn’t be happier about the man you’ve chosen to spend the rest of your life with. That boy is so crazy about you he can hardly see straight.”
“I know, Mom, and the best part is, I feel the exact same way about him.”
There’s a knock on the door and my dad pokes his head in the room.
“Sweetheart, it’s time.” He takes a step toward me and extends his arm. “You look beautiful.”
I slip my arm through his and press up on my toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Daddy. You’re looking pretty handsome yourself.”
The venue where we decided to hold the ceremony is highly sought after and renowned for its spectacular gardens; we normally wouldn’t have stood a chance getting in on such short notice, but given that it’s a Thursday afternoon, we lucked out. When we came here last week, I decided I wanted to get married in front of the giant fountain because I love the sound of trickling water. We opted to keep things small, inviting only our closest friends and family.
We make our way through the lobby, walking until we reach the French doors, and that’s when I see him, standing under the white gazebo, waiting for me.
He’s wearing a black tux that looks as if it’s been tailored to fit his incredible body. His white dress shirt has been buttoned up to his neck and I’m pretty sure it’s driving him nuts. He’s skipped the tie and opted for a handkerchief that’s tucked in the chest pocket of his tux. The pop of color is just enough and matches perfectly with the color of his eyes and blue hydrangeas that make up my bouquet.
Two words come to mind when I look at Brantley Cage: Sex and MINE.
Daddy turns to me one final time before the doors are opened and I make my way down the white runner.
“I just want you to know that I am so proud of you. Of the woman you’ve become. I have no doubt this young man loves you and once you’re married he’ll be the man you turn to for help, but if you wake up one day and need your old man, I just want you to know that I will always be here. I love you, peanut,” he says affectionately as tears fill his blue eyes.
“Daddy, you’re going to make me cry on my wedding day.” I sniff and give him one more hug.
“I’ve got news for you, sweetheart, those won’t be the last tears you shed today. This is your day. You go ahead and cry all you want.”
The music starts, but it’s not the pre-recorded piece I gave to the event planner last week. It’s the same song, but it sounds as if it’s being played live, and when I peek through the sheer curtain, I see a piano to the right of the fountain and Sebastian is sitting on the piano bench. I have a quick moment of déjà vu and deduct that my amazing soon-to-be husband had something to do with this change of plan.
The doors are opened and I lock eyes with Brantley. The look on his face says everything. Scotty, Derek, and Jordan are at his side. Laney, Skylar, and Roni are already in place, and when it’s my cue to start, I can’t seem to get to him fast enough. At one point, Dad tightens his grip on my arm and chuckles.
“Slow down, sweetheart. That boy ain’t going anywhere, not with you coming for him.”
When I finally reach him and Daddy releases his hold on my arm, he takes my hand and places it in Brantley’s before addressing both of us. “Your life together starts right here. Make every second count.”
Never letting his gaze leave mine, Brantley leans into me before whispering, “You’re stunning.”
The music stops and the minister begins his part of the ceremony. I’m aware of what he’s saying, but for the life of me, the only think I can focus on is B. When it’s finally time to recite our vows, I can feel my hands shaking. He must be reading my mind, because he tightens his grip around my fingers and mouths, ‘I love you’ before speaking.
“Cassie, I think everyone here knows that I’m crazy in love with you, but all that really matters is that you know how I feel. We’ve both waited a long time for this day to come, but nearly losing you showed me what is truly important. The thought of facing my life without you was something I just couldn’t fathom. Loving you. Spending our lives together. That’s what matters. I vow to spend the rest of my life placing your needs before mine. To be the superhero you dream about. To always have your back and love you until I draw my last breath.” As if my heart isn’t already bursting with happiness, he gently cups my face in his hands as his eyes glisten with tears. “Not a day goes by when I don’t fall in love with you all over again. That’s what you do to me, Dimples, and I pray I never stop falling.”
When he’s finished, he uses both thumbs to wipe away my tears before brushing away his own. It’s gestures like these that serve as a daily reminder why I love this man the way I do.
“That was beautiful,” I whisper before taking a deep breath and echoing his promise of forever love.
“B, most people spend a lifetime searching for a love like ours. I consider us lucky, because love came along when neither of us had even been looking. I don’t need shiny, expensive things. All I need is you. I thank God every day for bringing you into my life, and for making you the man you are. You’ve shown me more love than I could have ever hoped for and you’ve proved to me that superheroes do exist in this world. No matter how old and grey we become, you’ll forever be my Superman and I promise to stand beside you and love you until I draw my last breath.”
The ceremony continues
, we say ‘I Do,’ and when the minister pronounces us man and wife, Brantley takes me in his arms and kisses me with more passion than I ever thought possible. People clap and there are even a few catcalls and whistles that follow.
“Save it for the honeymoon!” Davis calls out, mimicking a scene out of my favorite movie.
Brantley pulls back and smiles sheepishly, and I can’t help but laugh. The photographer steps up to capture a photo, but he holds up a hand to stop her.
“Wait just one minute. I have one more thing I need to say to my beautiful wife.” Taking a step back, he joins the guys before saying what he needs to say.
“Cassie, I know I just promised to be your hero, but even Superman is big enough to admit that he could sometimes use a little help, which is why I’ve decided the woman I love deserves more than one superhero. She deserves a whole team of them.”
The words have barely left his mouth when all four guys rip open their shirts to reveal a T-shirt underneath that represents all four of their appointed alter egos.
Derek is Ironman.
Scotty is Captain America.
Jordan is Batman.
And B is my Superman.
Brantley teases and tells me that Superman would never join forces with Ironman, but I told him it’s my fantasy and I’m the one who gets to choose the players. Besides, where’s the fun in doing things the conventional way?
The four of them stand posing in a circle around me, hands still gripping their dress shirts, chests pushed out, while the photographer captures photo after photo of the moment that will forever be burned into my memory.
The moment when Brantley proved to me that superheroes, disguised as the people I love most in this world, truly do exist.
“I can’t believe Paradox is actually here and playing at your wedding,” Laney yells over the music. “It’s pretty badass that Brantley is, like, best friends with Sebastian Miles.”
“I know! It’s pretty epic. My husband has earned himself some serious brownie points.” I lower my head to hers and giggle. “You know, I secretly believe there may be a little bromance brewing between those two.”