Uncovering Peace

by Steffy Rogers

  “I’m full of surprises, baby.” I wink at her. A smile crosses her face and I see a twinkle in her eye. I meant it when I promised her that she’d never have to wonder about how much I love her. I’m gonna show her every day for the rest of our lives. The concierge takes our suitcases from us and we follow him to the elevator up to our room. When we step inside of our room I hear Faith take in a sharp breath. Our room overlooks the city that is buzzing underneath us. The view is breathtaking. I tip the concierge and see him out the door. The room is almost as big as a two bedroom apartment. The living room area has red plush sofas, a small kitchen area and a minibar. Walking over to the dining area I see our champagne has already been delivered. I grab the cooler and two glasses and follow Faith into the bedroom where she’s still taking everything in. In front of us is a massive California king bed that is covered in red rose petals. Faith turns around to me and tears are glistening in her eyes.

  “Why are you crying, Peach?” I ask her carefully. I hope I’m not overwhelming her.

  “This. It’s all so... perfect. I never thought I’d experience anything like this.”

  “Like what?”

  “Our love. You spoiling me. You being the most attentive fiancé I could’ve asked for. Sometimes I want to pinch myself and make sure I’m not dreaming. You make all my dreams I never realized I had come true. You’re everything to me and then some. I love you so incredibly much, Seth Jacobs.”

  “Baby, I’d give you the world just to see that smile on your face. I’ll never take what we have for granted. I love you too, babygirl. Now why don’t you take a bath and relax? I have scheduled for someone to come and do your hair and makeup in the morning. Also, a lady from the bridal shop in town should be here in about an hour to help you pick out a dress.”

  “You really did plan all this through in the last three days, didn’t you?”

  “Why yes I did, my love. Just because we’re not sticking to the original plan doesn’t mean I don’t want to give you the best wedding possible,” I say and kiss her gently. I want her to feel like a princess when we get married tomorrow.

  “Can I request one thing?”

  “Anything, baby.”

  “I want Elvis to marry us. I mean, this is Vegas after all, right?” I bust out laughing. Leave it to my fiancée to want to have the cliché Vegas wedding.

  “Of course, we can. I’m gonna call around and see what I can do while you take a bath.”

  “Thank you, Seth.”

  While she’s relaxing in the tub I make a few phone calls and am able to get us the Elvis pastor my soon-to-be wife requests. At eight p.m. tomorrow night, I’ll be a married man. Again. But this time around it’s different. Faith is everything I ever wanted and more.

  “May I join you?” I stroll into the bathroom. Faith looks so lost in the huge bathtub that can easily hold around five people. Well, that should give us some room for what I have in mind for the beautiful woman in front of me.

  “Isn’t it bad luck to see the bride the night before the wedding?” Is she being serious right now? Does she really want to stick to traditions? I mean, it would suck but I’d do it if that’s what she wants. I look at her and see that she’s stifling her laughter.

  “Are you laughing at me, Miss Livingston?”

  “I would never, Mr. Jacobs.” Without answering her I rid myself of my clothes and walk over to the iPod dock that is sitting on the vanity. I plug my phone into it and scroll through my songs. I stop at “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding and press play. It’s the perfect song for us. Ellie’s voice fills the room and I climb into the tub with Faith. I pull her close to me nuzzling her neck. She kisses me in return and immediately my dick hardens. Only Faith can turn me on with something as simple as a kiss. She climbs on my lap looking into my eyes. I feel like she can look straight into my soul sometimes. I’m bared to her.

  “Make love to me, Seth,” she whispers with a low, seductive voice. She doesn’t have to ask me twice. I gently pull her hair and her head drops back exposing her neck to me. I start licking and sucking my way down to her perfect tits. She’s so damn beautiful and I all I can think of is burying myself inside of her. She arches her back once I reach her nipples and suck on them one at a time. Slowly lifting her up from my lap I position myself at her entrance. She eases herself down on me and I have to control myself at the feeling of being inside of her or I’ll come on the spot. She’s so hot and tight I could easily lose myself in her. This is not about me though.

  “Do your worst, baby.” I hand over control to her. Not taking her eyes off me she starts lifting herself up and down my cock at a fast pace. Water splashes around us and threatens to spill over the tub but I couldn’t care less. The woman of my dreams is riding me and her breathing and clenching pussy indicate she’s very close to the edge. I thrust up into her regaining control while she meets me thrust for thrust.

  “You’re so fucking tight. You fit my dick like a damn glove. I’ll never get enough of you and your sweet pussy. Right now I feel how you’re clenching around me. You’re close aren’t you, baby?”

  “Yes.” She breathes out barely able to talk. I gently pinch her nipple and that’s when she explodes around me. Before she can come down from her orgasm I push into her twice more and empty myself into her. Once we come down from our high she leans her head on my shoulder letting her breathing calm down.

  “Let’s get you washed up. Your dress lady should be here anytime now.”

  “Shit. I almost forgot about that. This is what you do to me – you make me drown out my surroundings and forget reality. Now get out of here so I can get ready for this.” I laugh and climb out of the tub wrapping a towel around my waist.

  “You sure you don’t want to go for round two, baby?”

  “Out!”

  After about twenty minutes she exits the bathroom dressed in only a bathrobe. I want to peel it off her so bad but I know I have to behave. All in good time. A knock on the door announces that Mrs. Calier is here, ready for Faith to pick out her dress.

  When I open the door I see the concierge from earlier pushing a cart full of dresses followed by a short woman I guess to be in her mid-thirties. She has a very friendly aura around her and I know Faith will be in the best of hands.

  “Hello, Mrs. Calier. Thank you for coming here on such short notice.”

  “Of course, Mr. Jacobs. My boss is waiting for you at the store to pick out your suit.” She smiles at me. That’s my clue to get the hell out of here. Seeing the dress before the wedding is bad luck and I really don’t want to jinx anything. Not this close to making Faith my wife. No way Jose. Straying away from tradition is one thing, but I’d be damned if I put some bad mojo on our marriage.

  “Ah yeah, I’ll leave you two ladies to it. Faith is in the living area. I’ll see you later.” And with that I’m out the door leaving my soon-to-be-wife to find the dress of her dreams. I can’t wait to see her in whatever she chooses. It’s going to be perfect, I just know it.

  Faith

  I watch Seth walk out the door leaving me behind with Mrs. Calier. Just thinking about looking for a wedding dress is giving me severe anxiety. Can’t we just get married naked? Now I know why Skye didn’t enjoy picking out her dress. To think I was giving her so much shit for it too. Oh well, she doesn’t need to know that I feel the same way.

  “Hello, Mrs. Calier, how are you today?”

  “I’m doing great. Please call me Lora.” She smiles at me. I instantly feel comfortable around her.

  “I brought a different variety of dresses. If you don’t like any of the ones I have picked out I can have more delivered here from the store. Shall we start?”

  I spend three hours trying on dress after dress. I’ve about had it with this damn wedding already. I’m so glad we’re not doing the whole big wedding thing anymore like we originally planned. I’d be going insane.

  “Well, I have one more dress then I’d have to get more from the store.” I feel bad for
Lora. I’m sure I’m one of her most difficult customers ever. I tell her as much.

  “No worries, I’ve had way worse. At least you’re not yelling at me for not having the dress of your dreams right away.” She is laughing.

  “People actually yell at you? That’s just ignorant.”

  “You’d be surprised. Do you want to try this one on? If it’s not for you we can take a break while we wait for the delivery of more dresses.”

  More dresses? Ugh. I’m so done. Why is getting married so exhausting?

  “Sure, I’ll try it on.” I slip out of the dress I’m currently wearing while Lora unzips the bag of the last dress. When I’m undressed she helps me into the last dress and ushers me to the floor length mirror in the bedroom. Looking back at myself I gasp. This dress is perfect.

  She explains to me that it is a strapless princess dress. The gown is floor length and has a natural waistline. It’s laced up on the back with ruffled embellishments. The style of the dress with its chapel train is glamorous, yet simple enough for me. I’m in love with it.

  “You look stunning in this dress. From the tears in your eyes I take this is the one?”

  “Yes, I love it,” I all but whisper. I’m rendered speechless. Seeing this dress, wearing it, makes it all the more real that tomorrow I’ll start the rest of my forever with Seth. The thought doesn’t overwhelm me but gives me a feeling of peace. Could it possibly be that I finally uncovered the peace I have been looking for for so long?

  “Can I invite you to dinner, Lora? You’ve been such a tremendous help and I would like to show my thanks.”

  “That’s really not necessary. I was just doing my job,” she responds.

  “But I’d really like to. I’m sure my fiancé will be gone for a while longer.”

  “Okay.”

  We order dinner from room service and fall into easy conversation. Lora has been married for five years and has two children. Her eyes shine with happiness when she talks about her family. I’m so excited for her and can’t wait to have what she has. One day in the near future Seth and I will have children of our own. If it was up to me that day can come sooner rather than later. I’m ready to be a mother.

  “Thank you for dinner, Faith. I really have to get back to the store now so we can close up for the day. It was so nice to meet you and I hope you have a wonderful wedding tomorrow.”

  I walk her out the door just in time for Seth to return. Luckily, the dress is hidden in one of the closets. I don’t want him to see it before the wedding. Bad mojo and all that.

  “Did you find a dress?” He greets me with a kiss.

  “No. I think we may have to get Elvis to come here and marry us in our naked glory.”

  “Huh? That bad?” His eyes are widened in shock.

  “I’m kidding. Of course I found a dress. In less than twenty-four hours I’ll be walking down the aisle towards you. I can’t wait.”

  “Me neither, my love. Me neither.”

  I’ve never been happier as I am with Seth. Just when I thought I didn’t deserve happiness he came in and swept me off my feet.

  Chapter 28

  Faith

  -Five months later-

  Seth and I have been married for five months now. Our wedding in Vegas was beautiful and all I could’ve ever hoped for.

  I walk around my backyard putting the final touch to the decorations on the tables. Today is our reception/New Year’s party. We decided to combine it and make it one big party. My mother, John and the boys flew in last night and are currently also running around the yard helping to get everything ready. I put down one of the last flower arrangements and decide to take a break. I look around at all the people I love when I spot Seth playing with Jaden and Trevor. Over the last five months we’ve become close to the boys and my relationship with my mom and John has also improved. While I sit staring at my family I think back to the day Seth and I got married.

  Around seven thirty p.m. the front desk calls the room to let me know my driver is here. Seth has already gone ahead leaving me with the hairstylist. Giselle has done a wonderful job on my makeup and hair. My brown hair is falling into loose curls and is pinned back on the right side. I still can’t believe I actually chopped off my long blonde hair, but most days I don’t even miss it. She’s kept my makeup to a bare minimum only accentuating my eyes with eyeliner and some eye shadow. After we finish up, she helps me into my dress. I kind of wish Skye was here to be part of this as my maid of honor but I do want this. I don’t want to wait any longer.

  I head down to the car and when I walk out there’s a limo waiting for me. Of course Seth would go all out. The driver comes around to open the door for me. He helps me into the car and I’m greeted with a squeal. Skye!

  “Skye, what are you doing here?”

  “Did you really think Seth would let you get married without me being here? I can’t believe you actually considered doing this secretly, you bitch. On top of that so fast that I barely had time to find a suitable dress. You owe me big time, woman.”

  “Where are Braden and Abigail?” I ignore her complaints.

  “Abby stayed back with my parents. Braden is already at the chapel with Seth and Caige.”

  “Caige is here?”

  “Yes.”

  I can’t believe Seth pulled this off in such a short time without my knowledge. I’m a lucky girl and so excited to have my best friends here with me on this day.

  We arrive at the chapel where Seth and I are going to get married. When I walk up I see Aunt Martha waiting for me. Tears spring to my eyes. How in the world did he get them all here? My soon-to-be husband sure is full of surprises.

  “Aunt Martha, I’m so happy to see you here.”

  “Young lady, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Since you don’t really have a relationship with your father I was wondering if you want me to walk you down the aisle?”

  “Would you do that?”

  “Of course. You’re like my daughter, Faith Livingston. I’d do about anything for you.”

  Words fail me so I pull Aunt Martha into a hug. I’m so thankful that she came into my life when she did. She saved me when I didn’t think I deserved saving. Who knows what would’ve happened if she didn’t welcome me with open arms. I owe this woman so much.

  “No crying. We don’t want to ruin your makeup. Now let’s get you inside to that wonderful man of yours.” She lets go of me and puts out her elbow for me to hold on.

  Skye leads the way and once she’s inside Martha leads me inside. When I see Seth my breath hitches. He looks so handsome in his black slacks, blue dress shirt and vest. I’m glad he didn’t opt for the usual tuxedo. As if he’s sensing me, he looks up and when I see the look of admiration on his face I know I made the right choice with this dress.

  When I reach him he pulls me to him and gives me a big, sloppy kiss.

  “Screw traditions,” he whispers only for my ears to hear. The Elvis pastor coughs behind us and we turn to face him. I don’t know where Seth found this guy but he looks hilarious. Ever seen Bobby from Sons of Anarchy as Elvis? Yeah, that’s what he looks like. I have to control myself not to burst out laughing.

  “Seth has prepared his own vows and will now read them,” Elvis announces.

  “Peach, I’ll never forget the day I first laid eyes on you at the bar. You were and still are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. But it wasn’t your looks that drew me in. It is your strength, your love, your outlook on life. It doesn’t matter how broken you think you are, you always come out on top. I love everything about you. You’re my sunshine on a rainy day, the reason I breathe. When I found you I finally found myself again. We’ve both worked hard to overcome our demons and no matter what trials life throws our way we will always make it through together. I’ll spend the rest of our lives making sure you never forget how much you mean to me. I want to watch your belly grow with our children and I want to see them grow up with you by my side. But most of all, I want to wake up each
morning next to you. I love you, Faith Livingston. More than you’ll ever know.”

  I can’t help it, but his words open the floodgate that is my eyes. Tears are streaming down my face as I try to gather myself to say my own vows.

  “Seth, my world was dark before I met you. I was consumed by unhappiness thinking no one would ever want someone as broken and damaged as me, but you made me see the beauty in life. You made me believe in life, love and fairy tales. You’re the Prince Charming my mother always told me about when I was little. And against popular belief you don’t have cooties.” Everyone starts laughing. “I don’t know what I’d do without you by my side. When I’m down you remind me how beautiful our love is and that some things are worth fighting for. I’m glad you never gave up and fought for me when I was too stubborn and scared to believe in us. You’re my hero, my savior, but most of all my one true love. Life wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for you and I’d still be lost in darkness. Thank you for saving me and showing me the light. I’ll forever treasure our love. I love you with every fiber of my being, Seth Jacobs.”

  Finally, Elvis pronounces us husband and wife and in an act of celebration, Seth does a fist bump into the air. Silly husband of mine. Then he kisses me and oh my, if I thought his kisses were passionate before, nothing would ever top this moment. He was finally and officially all mine.

  “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” Seth interrupts my thoughts.

  “I was just thinking about our wedding day. I can’t wait to celebrate with our friends and family tonight. Have you heard from your parents?”

  About two months ago Seth decided to reach out to his parents in an effort to make amends with them. He informed them about our marriage and invited them for the reception tonight.

  “No. Nothing. It’s no big deal though. I’m used to it. Maybe if I would’ve told them that I was out of the Army they would’ve come, but then again law enforcement wasn’t exactly what they had in mind for my future either.”