Now Until Forever
Page 24
“Yes.” Ryan gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Yes.” She moved to the corner of his mouth. “Yes.”
Keir deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue between her lips and tasting her.
He muttered, “I love you, Ryan.”
Chapter 35
Ryan and Keir chose September 1 for their wedding. Since they both had had previous marriages, they decided to keep the ceremony small and intimate. The attendees consisted of their immediate families and close friends.
Emily and Adam had ushered Ryan into Keir’s bedroom to dress. Ryan sat on the end of the bed, rolling the second cream stocking over her knee and securing it around her thigh.
Panic set in as she considered her fate. In less than an hour, this would be her bedroom, her home, and Keir would be transformed from boyfriend to husband. Was she truly ready for this transition? As she reached for a cream-colored shoe, a soft tap on the door broke into her troubled thoughts.
Helen poked her head inside the door. “Need any help?”
With a wave of her hand, Ryan beckoned her sister into the room. “Come talk to me.”
Her older sister entered the room and shut the door, moving across the floor to where Ryan sat. She tossed her purse on the bed and examined Ryan’s face for a second. “What’s up?”
“I’m not ready,” Ryan answered in a worried tone.
“Sure you are.” Helen sank into the soft mattress next to Ryan and massaged her shoulders. “Calm down. This is what you want.”
“I guess. Maybe.” Ryan shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Laughing, Helen wrapped an arm around Ryan and hugged her. “You two are way too happy together. Stop worrying and get married.”
Giggling nervously, Ryan gazed at her sister. “You’re right. This must be a case of the pre-wedding jitters.”
“Mm-hmm. You’re entitled. This is a whole new life for you.”
Ryan watched her sister move around the room, taking the garment bag from the closet and removing the dress inside, gently placing it on the bed.
“Helen, are you okay with the way I arranged the ceremony?”
“Honey, this is your wedding. Everything should be the way you want it. It was the right choice. Don’t worry about me. Besides, the last time you got married, I was the maid of honor. I like the idea of being a spectator.”
“As long as you’re all right with it.”
“I am.” She gave Ryan a gentle nudge and helped her to her feet. “Let’s get you dressed so that we can start your wedding.”
Helen picked up the cream tea-length dress. The beaded bodice fitted tightly around Ryan’s small frame and flared from the waist into a full hoopskirt. Ryan stepped into the dress, and Helen zipped up the back.
The sisters stood before the mirror, admiring Ryan’s wedding dress.
“You look beautiful,” Helen said.
“Thank you.”
Helen wrapped a hand around Ryan and advised, “Love each other, and the rest will follow.”
“Did it work for you?”
Grinning, Helen replied, “Absolutely.”
The organist began to play.
“He’s playing your song,” Helen said. She picked up her purse and headed for the door. “It’s time for us to go.”
Nodding, Ryan grabbed her bouquet of white roses and trailed her sister out the door and down the stairs. Emily greeted them when they reached the main hallway.
Earlier, after making Ryan promise to shut her eyes and not peek, Emily and Adam had led Ryan upstairs from the back of the house. Now she got her first look at the downstairs and the great room.
She gasped, stunned by the transformation. The great room looked magnificent.
Flowers of every size, shape, and color dominated the room, creating a bouquet of scents. An arch had been set up near the patio door. The white arch was decorated with multiple colored flowers.
Ryan’s brother, Tony; his wife, Michelle, and their two kids stood near the entrance. Helen, Larry, Andre, and Gee waited alongside Tony. Keir’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Southhall; Phil Berger; his wife; and Glo were all present for the event.
Emily ran up to Ryan. She was perfectly attired in a tea-length, beaded Empire-style dress in ocean blue. White patent-leather shoes covered her feet, and baby’s breath, secured by a ribbon, held her hair in place. A bouquet of multicolored roses filled the girl’s hands.
In the great room, Keir stood tall and handsome in a dark gray tuxedo. At his side, Adam wore an identical suit as they waited in the patio archway with Reverend Aisha Wagner.
The wedding march began.
“Come on, maid of honor,” Ryan encouraged. “Do your stuff.”
Emily started down the three stairs into the sunken room, just the way they’d rehearsed last night. With all the elegance and grace of a seasoned runway model, the girl strolled to her father. Ryan followed at a slower pace, pausing after each step. As she drew near Keir, the small band of guests moved closer, surrounding the couple.
Ryan’s thousand-watt smile refused to go away. Helen had been right. She did want to marry Keir and spend her life with him. When she stole a quick peek in his direction, the same jubilant expression beamed back at her. Keir took her hand, and they stood side by side. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, “I love you.”
Reverend Wagner stepped before the couple as the music softened and slowly died away. “Welcome, family and friends. We’re here today to witness one of God’s greatest gifts, the holiest of occasions. The sacred union of Ryan Mitchell and Keir Southhall. Two souls that now come together to create a holy bond.”
Emily slipped her hand in Ryan’s and squeezed. Ryan looked down at the girl and winked. The child grinned back.
“As in many cases, the road to love and happiness is not a straight path; there are twists and turns,” said Reverend Wagner. “You stand before God and each other to enter into the hallow institution of marriage. You can proceed with your vows.”
Keir turned to her. “Ryan, from the moment I spied you running around One Leaf Studio, I knew you were going to change my life. It didn’t take long for that to happen. It’s true, the important things in life are never easy. But loving you was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. Convincing you to take a chance on us was the most difficult. Now that you’ve learned to trust me, I promise you this. You and our life together will always be my first priority. I will protect you with everything in me. And I will love you, now until forever.”
“Ryan,” said the minister as she waved a hand in Ryan’s direction. “It’s your turn.”
“Keir, I have learned so much in the time we’ve been together. You taught me how to open my heart and to never be afraid to receive and give love. I promise I’ll be the best wife that I can. I’ll be at your side and will support you through whatever endeavor you choose. I will love Emily and Adam and any children we create. I promise to love and cherish you, now until forever.”
“What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. I now pronounce you husband and wife,” said Reverend Wagner.
Keir reached for Ryan, and she went into his arms, kissing him with all the love in her heart. The soft murmurs of the audience penetrated the happy fog surrounding them. Embarrassed, they stepped away from one another.
With a child on each side of them, Ryan and Keir turned to the audience.
Reverend Wagner closed her Bible and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Southhall family. Keir, Ryan, Adam, and Emily.”
Dear Readers;
Welcome to Now Until Forever. I hope you like the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I’ve carrried Keir and Ryan’s story in my head for several years. It felt wonderful to finally have a chance to explore the characters’ personalities and work through their problems.
Writing can be a frustrating and lonely job. It warms my heart to hear from readers who have interesting comments about the stories and the characters that I create. Don’t be a strang
er. Feel free to e-mail me at romwriterkwo@yahoo.com or drop a note at P.O. Box 40366, Redford, MI 48240. I love hearing from you.
Happy reading!
Sincerely,
Karen White-Owens
I would like to dedicate Now Until Forever to my family and reading audience. Without both groups’ unwavering encouragement and support, I’d probably give in to my lazy side and sit in the center of my bed watching soap operas and eating popcorn instead of writing. Thank you.
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ISBN: 978-0-7582-8167-8