by Rae, Alicia
I shifted my eyes back in the other direction, wanting to take a moment to myself before the ceremony. Now was a good time since Caroline was still doing a recap. I wandered a few feet around to the other side of the lake. The only things in my view were grass leading up to the water, a narrow wooden dock with two small sailboats anchored to it, and trees outlining the opposing side on the north.
Kyle had rented out the entire banquet building for our ceremony, so there would be no interruptions. At this moment, I was very thankful for the quiet peacefulness.
My thoughts shifted to my family—my sweet loving mom and dad, knowing how much they would have wanted to be here today, and my sister, Annie, who would have been laughing while chasing around a two-year-old now.
I looked up to see the clear blue sky beaming down on me from above. I knew I would miss them all dearly at times. I’d lost a mother, father, sister, and a baby niece or nephew all in one day. I would always ache over the profound loss of them, but in my heart, I understood without a doubt in my mind that they would want me to be happy and live my life to the fullest while they watched over me.
Today was one of those days that I felt they were looking down on me with nothing but tears of joy and love in their eyes.
“I love you,” I whispered into the sky to my family while feeling the light wind blowing around me.
I turned my head at the sound of footsteps behind me to see Jason staring at me with a sad expression. He stopped next to me and wrapped his hand around my shoulder as we looked out into the sky together.
After a moment of silence, he turned his head to me. “Your family would be so proud of you, Lily…and they are all here with you today. You know that, right?” he asked gently while squeezing my shoulder slightly.
I tipped my head up to see his eyes. “Yes, it took me a while to figure that part out, but now, I know that without a doubt in my mind.” Reining in the sorrow I felt, I let the positive feelings flow freely again.
“Okay,” Jason answered. After a few seconds, he grinned. “We better make our way to that altar before your man comes to get you,” he said, lightening the mood.
I laughed as I envisioned Kyle throwing me over his shoulder and carrying me down the aisle. “With his overbearing ways, it’s totally possible,” I chortled.
“Oh, I can see that, so we better get a move on.” Jason winked while leading me back to my position in the walking line.
Butterflies tingled as Brooke and Ryan stepped forward, arm in arm, first. The sensation increased as Damon held his arms out for Abbey and Kate, and they followed behind the maid of honor and best man.
Jason looked at me one last time. “Last time…ready?” he asked softly.
I nodded, knowing my feet could not carry me fast enough. “Ready,” I said with a smile.
I laced my right arm with Jason’s as he led me around the bend of the building. My pulse thrummed louder as I heard the bridal entrance song start to pour from the speakers. The ceremony sight came into view as everyone rose to his or her feet.
My eyes glanced to the left, watching the sun reflect off the waters of Lake Tahoe, and then I looked back at our family and friends all standing with their gazes on me.
I could only see the top of the white wooden arch of the altar. A beautiful arrangement of wildflowers, including all the different kinds that Kyle had sent to me over our time together, was intricately woven around the top of the posts. It was more beautiful and perfect than I had ever dreamed of.
With every step forward, my heart skipped a beat, and my anticipation rose beyond reason.
We neared the walkway down the center of the guests, and white and purple rose petals filled the aisle as my sandals breached the threshold of the sand.
As soon as Jason spun us to the right, facing the center of our guests, all my thoughts were of Kyle as I searched for him. He was standing tall beneath the altar with his hands crossed over one another. He was dressed in a white dress shirt and khaki slacks.
Ryan and Damon stood to his right while Brooke, Abbey, and Kate held their bouquets in front of them as they all stood to the left of the aisle.
Kyle’s eyes locked on mine. The most loving smile shined across his features as he saw me for the first time. His expression reflected the way I felt inside.
The rest of the world seemed to fade away. All that mattered was making it into his arms. I squeezed Jason’s hand, urging him to walk faster, while my eyes never left Kyle’s.
My heart skipped a beat as Jason and I finally came to a stop in front of Kyle.
“Who gives away this beautiful bride today?” the pastor, Jim, asked kindly.
“I do,” Jason said with pride in his voice as he smiled at Pastor Jim.
Jason bent forward to kiss my cheek. I reached up on my toes and hugged him tightly. As we drew back, he reached for my hand again and then he took Kyle’s. He placed them together, and Kyle and I intertwined our fingers. Jason tapped Kyle’s shoulders good-heartedly before making his way to stand in the space between Ryan and Damon.
Kyle and I stood rooted in our spots, taking in the sight of one another. He lifted his other hand and ran the backs of his knuckles down my cheek. Like a gravitational pull, our bodies closed the slight distance between us. His lips were only a mere inch from mine.
“You look breathtakingly beautiful today, Lily,” Kyle whispered quietly, so only I could hear.
I could tell the split second he decided to lean forward with the intention of kissing me.
“Not yet,” Pastor Jim cut in.
Kyle groaned and lifted his head to kiss my temple anyway. I inwardly laughed at my impatient sexy alpha.
“You’ve got ten minutes, Pastor Jim, before I’m kissing my bride, so you better make it count,” Kyle said, so only the three of us could hear.
I was pretty sure I heard Ryan chuckle from behind Kyle.
As Pastor Jim quickly recited passages from the Bible, I listened while gazing into my favorite brownish-green eyes. Kyle’s eyes reflected back at me with so much love that it was just as hard for me to resist pulling his lips against mine.
Pastor Jim motioned for me to start my vows. I took a deep breath while catching sight of Kyle’s white shirt blowing across his shoulders and chest from the slight breeze, then I glanced back up to see his eyes boring into mine.
“I, Lily, take you, Kyle, to be my loving husband from this day forward. In front of God and our families and friends, I promise to love you with all I have to give and all that I am in the only way I know how—completely and forever. I promise to laugh and cry with you through all the good and bad life brings us.” I paused, taking in more air to continue, as I told my heart to keep beating. “I promise to share myself with you for richer or poorer, in sickness and health. I promise to make our separate hopes and dreams become ours together,” I said while looking into the depths of his eyes and stroking my thumb over his to calm my nerves. “You have brought nothing but happiness and love into my life, and it is my sincerest wish to fill you with the same. I love you more than life itself,” I breathed to him.
Kyle smiled tenderly at me as Pastor Jim gestured for Kyle to say his vows.
“I, Kyle, take you, Lily, to be my wife. I solemnly swear to you before God, our families, and friends to have and to hold you from this day forward. I swear to share my life, my secrets, and dreams with you, to love and cherish you beyond eternity.” He smiled tenderly while opening his heart to me. “I promise to stand by your side through all the good and bad, health and sickness, for richer or poorer, to protect you from all darkness, and keep the beautiful ocean blues eyes of yours shining brightly. From the first moment I laid eyes on you, you stirred a yearning within my soul, and I knew I wanted to make you mine.”
He hesitated while lifting his hand to caress my cheek, making my fluttering heart nearly stop.
“You’re my forever, Lily. Your heart makes mine beat. I love you, beautiful,” Kyle finished.
Tears flowed
freely down my face. I barely heard Pastor Jim tell Kyle he could kiss me because all of my thoughts were of Kyle.
His eyes burned into mine as he lifted his hand and ran his fingertips along the curve of my jaw while his other wrapped around my back, pulling me closer. I threw my hands around his nape, tugging him near. I smiled at my husband and parted my lips before his mouth captured mine.
Our first kiss as husband and wife was passionate and tender and full of love.
I nearly forgot that we were surrounded by guests until Pastor Jim discreetly cleared his throat.
“I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Madison!” he announced.
Kyle spun me around to face our family and friends, never letting go of my waist. I could not help but reciprocate his feelings after not seeing him for nearly twenty-four hours.
Brooke hastily handed me my flowers before Kyle and I walked down the aisle as husband and wife. We were both glowing with utter happiness as our friends and family cheered while blowing bubbles into the air.
Back at our house, our reception was flowing wonderfully as all our guests danced outside to the music the DJ was playing. After making our rounds to greet our family and friends, I walked out onto Kyle’s back patio to take in the full effect of the decorations.
Centerpieces of wildflowers in clear vases with three floating waterproof lights inside of each were displayed on every round table. Kyle arranged for the outer perimeter of the yard to have posts with clear light bulbs strung across them. It had the most stunning effect.
The portable wooden dance floor and DJ were the farthest from the house. However, with all of the speakers, I could still hear the music very clearly.
Kyle and I had already cut our cake. I had given him a serious warning what would happen if he smeared cake on my face. Of course, he took it as a challenge and rubbed a slight amount across my upper lip. Just as I was about to cream him with a good amount in return, he swooped in and kissed me senseless, making me forget about the frosting altogether.
The DJ announced that it was time for our first dance, and I looked across the room for my husband. As I spotted him, Kyle tipped his head up at me. The look he gave me took my breath away for the hundredth time today. I had no idea how my heart was going to survive seventy-five years of this man’s handsome looks.
He made his way to the steps of the patio while I did the same. As the distance between us lessened, the lights radiated around his face, and I could not help but feel like he was an angel sent to me.
On the third step from the bottom, Kyle outstretched his arm. “May I have this dance, Mrs. Madison?”
“Yes, you may, Mr. Madison,” I answered.
I placed my hand in his before he led me between the tables and all the way to the dance floor.
He twirled me once before pulling me tightly against him. My arms lifted to his shoulders, and my fingertips caressed his nape while I gazed up at him.
“How is your night going, beautiful?” he asked, full of love and happiness.
Nuzzling my neck, he started to move us to our song that we had chosen together. I cherished this moment as Christina Perri and Steve Kazee sang “A Thousand Years.”
“More perfect than I ever dreamed,” I answered truthfully while letting him lead me around the floor.
“Mine, too,” he said while staring down at me with those luminous green over brown eyes that I loved endlessly.
As he continued to sway me around the dance floor with such grace, I wished I could freeze time and stay in this moment forever. I lowered my head and let him lead the way while thinking that I was truly living my happily ever after.
Our reception was still in full swing by ten o’clock in the evening. Our families and friends were all laughing and enjoying each other’s company. It was a sight to behold.
Kyle and I were dancing to another slow song as my attention caught on Jason. He was casually leaning against a table while his eyes zoned in across the room. I followed his gaze to see who he was staring at.
I gasped when I saw it was Abbey.
“What are you looking at there, Mrs. Madison?” Kyle asked while drawing me nearer.
“Shh! I’m spying,” I answered to Kyle while holding on to his bicep. I peeked my head around his ridiculously wide arm that was blocking my view without being noticeable.
Kyle chuckled. “Who in the world are you spying on…at our wedding?” he asked in wonder while I tried to get another look.
John twirled Brooke around and shifted her enough just in time for me to see Abbey and Jason make eye contact. I sucked in a sharp breath, feeling the attraction between the two of them. I felt like I was eavesdropping on an extremely intimate moment as their eyes scorched into one another’s.
Nearly blushing, I answered, “Abbey and Jason.” My gaze was still locked on the two of them across the room.
“What?” Kyle said. He pivoted me, so he could scope them out. “No way. They are complete polar opposites.”
I shook my head in denial. “Sometimes opposites attract,” I said, feeling the palpable energy brewing between Abbey and Jason.
As the evening came to an end at nearly midnight, Kyle and I hugged and thanked each of our guests for attending. It meant so much to me that everyone important to us had been able to witness the beginning of our marriage.
Kyle and I were outside in the backyard with only the hanging lights glowing around us. It felt so quiet compared to the last several hours, and the evening air was much cooler now.
Kyle took my hand in his, pulling me into him. He nuzzled his head along the side of mine. “Will you dance with me one last time tonight?” he asked quietly while starting to move us from side to side.
I chuckled softly, lifting my arms to hold him close as I followed his lead. “But there’s no music.”
Kyle shook his head. “I don’t need any music. I just need you in my arms, like this.”
I smiled and rested my cheek on his chest. “M’kay,” I breathed in response, reveling in the feeling of being in my husband’s embrace.
“Was today everything you dreamed of?” Kyle asked after a few moments.
I nodded, lifting my head to see his eyes. “Yes, and so much more. Thank you for making this day so special.” I smiled.
He tightened his hold on me while leading us around. “Lily, we made this day special together.”
I gazed into the depths of those brownish-green eyes I loved so much, letting fond memories fill my mind—the first time I’d seen him staring at me from across the beach, the way my insides had filled with butterflies during our first kiss, the first time he’d told me he loved me, and when he had known I loved him, too. I thought of when he’d asked me to marry him and the way I’d felt when Pregnant flashed across the screen of the test. Those were moments when I’d known we were building a life and family together.
And it all led the way to our wedding today filled with love and happiness from our family and friends. I remembered how I’d felt seeing Kyle waiting for me at the altar as he was ready to make me his wife, so we could begin the rest of our lives together. I planned to treasure the meaningful vows we had spoken to each other in my heart forever. The way he’d held me in his arms for our first dance was the same way he was holding me now, tightly, with adoration displayed across the beautiful features of his face.
With all the heartache and loss that had consumed my thoughts over the last few years, I felt like I had finally found my place in life. With Kyle by my side and our unborn baby growing inside of me at this very moment, I knew my life was full and complete.
He was mine, and I was his…forever.
“I love you,” I breathed, my heart nearly overflowing with it.
“And I love you,” he whispered. “Forever.”
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read my book. I hope you enjoyed Kyle and Lily’s story as much as I loved writing it. I look forward to each one of your comments and reviews, and
I thank you in advance for sharing your feedback with me.
For the most up-to-date information, please follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aliciaraeauthor and Twitter @AliciaRaeAuthor.
I have so many wonderful people to thank. Each person has truly been a blessing throughout this new chapter in my life.
First and foremost, I cannot express enough thanks to my remarkably talented editor, Jovana Shirley, at Unforeseen Editing. She was the first person I met when I started this journey of writing, and I’m forever grateful for her friendship, advice, and the endless late nights she shared with me while perfecting every single word of this series. She took my original manuscripts and made them shine. Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work!
To my husband, Travis, my three boys, and family, who have always supported me with unconditional love, even during the past year when I practically lived in my writing cave—Thank you, and I love you all more than words can ever express. *Hugs*
To Colin Wayne, fitness model and athlete—Thank you for serving our country and for sharing one of your personal stories from serving in Afghanistan. Kyle’s experience described in Chapter Five is factual, except for the date, which actually occurred on May 3, 2012.
To Colin, his wife, Megan Erwin, and photographer, Golden Czermak, at Furious Fotog—Thank you for working together with me on the cover photo shoot and for creating such amazing photographs. You all did an amazing job!
To Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations—Thank you for taking all the photographs and creating a work of art for The Beautiful Series. I am in awe of your extraordinary talent, and I absolutely love the beautiful final covers.
To my betas: my dear husband, Travis; my sister, Kelsey; Shirley; Tammie; and Sherri—Thank you for your countless hours of reading the series and for giving me that push I needed with your kind and encouraging words. I love you all!