by J H Cardwell
After all of us girls were ready, and hugged, and cried out, it was time to be downstairs, and head out on the beach. The guys would already be down under the tents, waiting on us to arrive. Guests would also already be there by now. My mom was rushing around doing last minute things for the reception to follow. I snuck down the front stairs, on the street side of the beach house so no one would see me. I needed a moment…that was all I could say. I wasn’t having second thoughts, not at all, I was just outright nervous.
I was pacing back and forth, bouquet in hand, when I heard the crunch of gravel or something like someone had stepped on rocks behind me. Turning around, I dropped my bouquet. Staring back at me, and walking toward me was none other than John. He was gorgeous. His dark hair was tousled by the wind. His blue eyes more piercing because they were surrounded by red. He looked like he had been crying.
I sucked in a deep breath, and stood still. I was thankful Tate was already out on the beach. It hadn’t dawned on me until now that John might come here. After all, I hadn’t invited him of course. But, Maura and Chloe would have Harrison and Bret here. I should have known. I was shaking my head from side to side. I think I had stopped breathing all together. John was walking closer to me in khaki pants, flip flops, and a white t-shirt. I sucked in a big breath.
I didn’t want to cry and ruin my makeup and eyes. I needed to get away. I was walking backwards, still shaking my head. “John,” I barely got out. “You can’t be here. You have to leave.” I couldn’t walk back any further. My back had ended up against the stair railing.
He stepped up close, eyes deep with pain. “Reese,” he paused and swallowed hard, “You look…beautiful.” A tear slipped from his eyes. This I couldn’t take. “So this is really happening,” he said making a firm statement. I could feel his breath on me, that’s how close he was.
I slowly nodded my head yes, unable to speak.
“I had to see you for myself. I had to know what a gorgeous bride you would be.” More tears, this time they were from me too. He let out a deep sigh. “Reese, please don’t do this. Don’t marry him. Please!” Oh God, this was too hard. He was begging. I had to stop this before I broke down. I wouldn’t ruin Tate’s day. Somehow, the thought of Tate and all of his pain last year came to the front of my brain. John had caused that…Thank you God for making me remember.
Swallowing the lump as best I could in my throat, and rolling my shoulders back, I finally regained my composure. “John, you need to leave. I need you to leave. I love Tate. I am marrying him. I will always be loyal and faithful to him. Please…leave. You, you will find someone John. But, it can’t be me. Besides, I can’t ever trust you to have my best interest and to protect me. You caused so much of my pain, thinking you were doing it for the best. One day I may forgive you, I’m sorry, but that day is not now. You…you were wrong on so many levels.” I was praying I was getting to him. I knew I was hurting him now, but I couldn’t do this, not now…and after today, not ever. I was shaking, trembling so hard I was afraid my heart would burst.
“Reese,” His pain seemed intensified. “Please, I need you to forgive me…I need to know you don’t hate me. You said you loved me.” His voice was marked with so much pain. He grabbed me by the waist, “I love you Reese, I love you so much. I don’t think I can go on without you.” What was he saying? The door at the top of the stairs opened, and I couldn’t make myself turn around. I was scared it was Tate. He would be confused and hurt, and then he would want to kill John. But all I heard were gasps, and light footsteps running down the stairs.
“John, what are you doing here?” Elle was screaming at him. She pushed at him. I couldn’t speak. He looked down where his hands were and dropping them, he took a step back. “You can’t be here John. You have to leave. I can’t believe this shit. You’re upsetting Reese today! Stop! Get over it already…move on! How dare you come here?”
She was right, how dare he mess this up. I know why, he was hoping he would change my mind. But he couldn’t. I was in love with Tate, I was about to become his wife. I picked up my bouquet and ran around the house toward the beach. My mom was coming down the stairs at the back of the house. She looked so beautiful, so young. She caught my expression and came running over to me.
“Reese, what is it honey, what’s wrong? Are you hurt? What is it? Are you having second thoughts?” She was holding my shoulders giving me a good look over.
“Oh Mom, it’s John. He’s here. He just approached me in front of the house. He’s trying to talk me out of marrying Tate…he wants me to forgive him for all he did.” I was trying not to sob. I knew if I got to a certain point of no return, my eyes would be swollen, and it would be hard to hide the fact that I was upset. I couldn’t have Tate see me like this. This was his special day too after all. I wanted our memories of today to be the best ever, not laced with heartache.
“Sweetheart,” she hugged me tight. Then lightly rubbing underneath my eyes she said, “Hey, listen to me…you are a gorgeous woman with a heart of gold. You are going to have other guys vie for your heart, trying to conquer you. John won’t be the only one. And as gorgeous, wealthy, and sweet as he can be, he is not your true love. Tate is. He stole your heart, he nurtured you when you were shot, he protected you, he forgave you for not believing in him, he only has eyes for you Reese. You have to remember that after today, he is and will always be your husband Reese. Love him, cherish him, and enjoy each other.” Ahhh, I let a soft sigh escape. My mom, my mentor, she knew what she was saying. I was sure there had been times in her life she was pursued. She loved my Dad whole-heartedly; she was teaching me how to do the same. “By the way honey…you look beautiful. Your dad will cry as soon as he lays eyes on you, so beware. And Tate…Tate will be head over heels all over again. I love you. Come on, let’s go and get my only daughter married.
I was smiling now. The moment from earlier tucked away from the present. I heard laughter behind me. Elle and Maura were coming up to me.
“What’s so funny?” I said, “and where’s Chloe?”
“Nothing Reese, let’s go find Tate. Chloe will be here momentarily.” They both looked at each other. “We can talk about this later…much later.” I was curious, but I didn’t want to push it. All I really wanted to do was see my handsome groom.
could hear the music playing. I could feel my heart beating so hard and fast that blood must have been rushing to my ears. I suddenly felt I was in my own little world, and everything was playing out in slow motion in front of me. I was walking closer, my girls beside of me. We stopped at the back of the tent. The girls were walking down one by one.
I stood by my dad, my tearful eyes locked on his. He looked so handsome and so young too. I was thinking about the gorgeous picture he and Mom would make at my wedding for the mantle of my new home. As I got closer, I could see his emotions written all over his face. My dad’s face was red, his cheeks slick with lost tears. But he was looking at me with pure, honest love.
“Reese my baby girl, you’re breathtaking.” He hugged me gently, careful not to mess up my hair. “I can’t believe this is the day. You won’t be just my little girl any longer,” he paused to swallow the constriction that was fighting to take over his speech. “You’ll be someone’s wife. I’m not sure how I feel about that yet.” Then he chuckled. “But, I’m so proud of you honey. So proud of all of the decisions you’ve made along the way. It hasn’t always been easy, I know. I was young once remember?” He winked at me. “Tate is one lucky young man Reese. I love you.” He hugged me again, “always and forever.” His shoulders were shaking with emotions. I was so fortunate to have a Daddy’s love, unconditional and protective. I loved him so much.
“Oh Daddy, I love you too,” and I hugged him hard. I was fanning my face to help keep the tears from falling. I wiggled my promise ring off my right ring finger. Grabbing my dad’s tanned, weathered hand, I gently placed the ring in his palm. “I think it’s time to replace this Daddy. I hope you don’t mind?” I said with a
little smile.
Unable to speak, he wrapped a tight fist around my shiny virtuous reminder and then stuffed it in his pocket. With another wink, he reached for my elbow.
Straightening out my dress, trying not to cry, my eyes caught the man in front. Tate. Oh. My. God. He was absolutely divine. He had on a dark beige suit with a white shirt underneath, the first two buttons undone. My pastor was standing just behind him in the middle.
My breath caught. This gorgeous man would soon be my husband, to have and to hold…and to do everything else with. I couldn’t help but be a little giddy. The makeshift carpeted isle seemed to take forever to walk down. I think I held my breath the entire way. Tate never took his eyes from mine. The smile on his face spoke a thousand words. When my dad put my hand in Tate’s, I felt it…electricity…love…lust. You name it, we had it.
{Tate}
I stood at the front of the tent, waiting for Reese. She truly was a vision. She looked like a far away queen whom all of the villagers worshiped. Her dress…shit it fit her like a glove. Her hair, her walk, her smile. God I loved that smile. I couldn’t take my eyes from her. She had cast a spell over me a long time ago…I was still entranced. She would forever be mine after today. I dare anyone to try and change that. I will protect her, love her, and adore her until the day I die. I can’t believe she agreed to marry me. I just want to kiss her now, throw her over my shoulder, run out of here, and threaten anyone to come after us. I wonder if they would notice? Oh God, has she even taken a breath. I know she’s nervous. Hell, I would be nervous marrying me. I’m so glad the media didn’t catch wind of our little beach wedding. It wasn’t for their lack of trying. But, I know Reese isn’t used to that part of my life. I hope she’s okay with all of the attention she’ll get in San Diego due to my crazy MLB status. With her beauty and sexiness, she is sure to have it. I know she can handle it. The question is, can I? She’s moving closer, closer to being my wife. The charge between us is literally making my hairs stand on end. God, I love this woman…thank you for bringing her into my life. I have to stop these tears.
The vows, the music, crying, cake, toasts, champagne, dancing, anticipation, we experienced it all! I’m so lucky to be Mrs. Tate Justice. I have never been happier in my entire life. Although in the next few hours, I may have to retract that statement to add a new happiest moment; at least a most fulfilling and happiest moment.
It was late Saturday evening, and still beautiful out. The weather held out for our special day. We were leaving for a surprise location tomorrow morning. So, for tonight, we were staying in a newly built ocean front beach bungalow on the other end of the island. Tate said we couldn’t have any interruptions from people just stopping in. Who would do that anyway on the night of someone’s wedding? But I agree. No need to take chances. A car service had dropped us off; that way we wouldn’t have any vehicles here. We would just take a cab to the airport in the morning. From our secret honeymoon destination, we would take a flight straight to California at the end of next week. Tate was smack in the middle of baseball, and couldn’t take more than a week off. My parents were shipping the majority of my clothes, and a few other items out this week so they would be there when I arrived in my new home. MY NEW HOME! I still couldn’t believe it.
This was my life now. I was married (soon to be twenty-one years old) to a Major League Baseball superstar, whom I am deeply, madly in love with. And…he is staring at me right now like he wants to rip my clothes off.
“Mrs. Justice. Are you in deep thought…again?” He said coming over to me. Because, if you are, I want your brain to take a vacation. I am only interested in your body right now.” I laughed out loud, throwing my head back.
“Is that so? Well, I happen to feel the same way about you Mr. Justice. Maybe we should just not speak, tear each other’s clothes off, and make wild, passionate love for the next…oh…10 hours or so?” I said pretending to look at the watch I wasn’t wearing. Tate jumped on top of me, scaring the ‘t’ total shit out of me.
“Now you’re talking…or not talking.” His words were muffled as he was speaking between smashed kisses.
“Okay, okay.” I laughed. “Now you listen here Mr. Justice. Your new wife has some preparing to do. I have waited and made you wait for entirely too long! Too long to get it on now in a matter of seconds. Got it? No peeking. I’ll be out soon.” I said sauntering in to the bathroom in the master bedroom suite, my overnight bag in hand. Halfway there, I paused.
“Actually, you know what?” I came back and sat on the bed, throwing my feet up crisscross and leaning back comfortably against the headboard. I grabbed the remote. “On second thought, I wanted to catch the game. Let’s do that first.” I said as serious as I could possibly be. It took Tate about three seconds to stand there with a heavily confused look on his face before he jumped on me on the bed.
“Oh hell no, if your ass is on this bed, you are SO getting laid.” He was already trying to undress me. God he was hot! I was squealing and trying to get out from his grasp
“Okay, Okay, I was joking…I’m going…I’m going.” I laughed all the way to the bathroom.
I had brought one of my favorite lingerie gifts from my party. It was a completely see- through white gown that had satin and lace trim and came to about mid-thigh. The other gowns were beautiful too, I couldn’t wait for Tate to feel them and see them on me. I freshened up, brushed my teeth, and put on Tate’s favorite perfume. After pinching my cheeks for a little color, I didn’t know what else to do, except psyche myself up that this was finally happening.
When I stepped into the bedroom, I heard music, Van Morrison’s ‘Have I Told You Lately’ was playing and I smelled Tate’s cologne. The musky scent was so manly and so fitting of this moment. The covers were turned back, the lights down low, and Tate was sitting on the bed with his boxer briefs and his shirt completely unbuttoned now. Holy Crap! My man was hot! I heard him take in a sharp breath. He looked a little nervous, I felt a lot nervous. This was it. Would I know what to do? Where to touch, how to move? I couldn’t imagine being more ready though. I had waited so long for this moment.
Tate stood up and walked over to me with a most delectable grin on his face. “Reese, I have never seen anything more amazingly beautiful in my life. I mean the wedding gown image will be forever engraved in my mind, but this…this is without a doubt trumping all other pictures I have stored up here.” He said tapping his head. I wasn’t wearing a bra, so he could see the entire outline of my breasts and my nipples through the sheer fabric. He ran his hand slowly over the right breast causing me to gasp out loud. He turned me around and I heard him sigh when he saw the back of my gown. It was plunged down low, like my wedding dress, but he could see my white thong completely through it. This time he cupped my rear cheek with his other hand then ran it up the inside of my thigh. I let out a low moan. I was feeling the sensations already low in my belly. And luckily, we were just getting started. When he reached the top of my thigh he said, “Oh Reese, you are so ready for me,” with a catch in his breath.
Tate pressed himself up to me from behind; pushing my hair to the side he began trailing soft kisses on my neck. My heart rate had picked up, and I could feel his heart thumping into my back. “Oh Reese, I just want to devour every inch of you…Every. Single. Inch. He said between deliciously wet kisses across my shoulders. Turning me back around, he was staring in to my eyes. “I love you Reese. I want to stay here in this room with you forever…” He kissed me with such passion. We both sucked in a deep breath. Our tongues were fierce with fire, rolling against each other, dipping and taking one another for all we had. Tate nipped at my lips. I loved when he did that. It made the kiss seem that much more sensual. He was walking me over to the bed. If it was possible for my heartrate to spike further, it just did. My hormones were suddenly raging. I wanted Tate so badly, but I was incredibly nervous. I knew the first time (at least my first willing time) might hurt and pinch a little, and I wanted to enjoy it as much as I could. T
he anticipation was almost unbearable.
“I love you too Tate. I can’t believe we are getting ready to make love.” Those words caused him to moan out loud.
“Oh God, I can’t get enough of you saying that…’making love’. That’s exactly what we are going to do.” After easing me back on the bed, he sat up and just stared at me, raking his eyes up and down my body. I was doing the same to him, but I couldn’t quite peel my eyes from his. Having him worship my body like this was so…erotic. I wanted more…much more. Tate was still kissing me all over. Every chance I had access to his neck, ears, and shoulders I was kissing on him too. Then his hands were moving down low. Holding himself up on his left arm, he was exploring my backside, my stomach, and then…oh God, me. He paused kissing long enough to remove his boxer briefs, and my panties. Oh! Tate in all his glory was standing naked in front of me. He was obviously ready…at least I was hoping he was. If not…oh God I was in trouble. When he climbed back on top of me, his arousal was pressing into my side. I had to take short, quick breaths to keep my head from swimming. Then his hand moved back down, his fingers slipping into me. I let out a gasp, and he was circling my very sensitive spot…Oh… that feeling was indescribable. I was circling my hips, letting him know how much I liked, no loved what he was doing.
My mind was going numb, my muscles were tightening everywhere, I just wanted to scream suddenly, and then I did. I let out a loud cry, and my body was reeling from the explosion. Tate groaned out loud too. Then he laughed. “Holy shit Reese, I want to do that to you every minute of every day. I can’t believe you did that. Watching you was… Ahhh, there are no words.” He was shaking his head. His body was trembling.