Mistaken Identity
Page 11
“Now I get to play devil’s advocate.” Sky smirked. “Behind door number two.” Kansas held her breath as the bag was unzipped. A cream colored tea length lace dress with a v-neckline, full sleeves, and a pink bow embroidered in the dress was flirty, fun, and a nod to vintage style. It’d be perfect for the impromptu summer wedding.
“Oh, I like this one, too!” Kansas cried.
“I love the pink bow,” Sky said.
“I’ll try it and see how I feel. I think that’s what it’s going to come down to. How I want to feel.”
Another trip to the bathroom with Mya and she was dressed to the nines in pick number two. She felt flirty, fun, and joyous. This was a dress for celebrating and spontaneity, which summed up her and Jett up in a way.
“You look like you stepped right out of the fifties.” Lorraine shook her head.
“I think Mom’s having a flashback.” Sky gave a playful toll of her eyes.
“I am,” Lorraine admitted.
“I feel fun, hip, and excited in this one.” Kansas twirled around. “I love the shorter length and the unique style with this.”
“Now just to make things harder.” Mya shook her dress. “Last pick.” A few moments later she revealed a cap sleeved, off the shoulder, champagne gown that was by far the most decadent. Its clean cut lines and silk material spoke of sophistication. When she tried it on it fit like a dream.
“How do you feel in this one, Kansas?” Lorraine asked.
“Sophisticated ... bridal.”
“You have a tough choice ahead of you,” Sky said.
“I know. Will Jett be wearing the suit he picked me up in?”
“No, he’s wearing a black tux,” Mya said.
“Hmm.”
****
Jett smiled for his pictures with the men in the wedding party, and wondered if time was moving as slowly for Kansas.
“I think you’re the only man I’ve known who’s been this eager to get married,” Scott said in between shots.
“I know, I got it bad. But hey, one day you will, too, and you’ll understand.”
“Don’t jinx me, dude. I’m fine right where I’m at.”
The panicked expression on his face made Jett and Aiden laugh.
“I think you scared him,” Aiden said.
“It’s not as bad as you’re making out to be, son.” His father patted Scott on the back.
“Let’s just get through this wedding first before you start plotting ways to tie me down,” Scott said.
They posed for a few more pictures and then headed over to the ceremony space. Jet looked over the set up with pride. A white canopy had been erected to enclose the space and keep away prying eyes. They’d hung glass vases with colorful tulips, roses, and Gerber daises, from the trellis beneath the tent, along the fence. A row of chairs was set up on either side of the aisle. Instead of a runner, pink rose petals covered the ground. Mason jars full of baby’s breath and pink peonies hung from the chairs on the end of the rows of chair they’d done two by two.
The photographer took the down time to capture the space. Gauzy lengths of curtains attached to the trellis separated the ceremony from the reception area. They’d all banded together and done an excellent job. Even his future father-in-law, Reginald, helped. After telling his wife he was going away to look at some new equipment for his practice he’d joined them in Eaton. Jett found he liked the man when he wasn’t swallowed by the drama that surrounded his wife.
The back door opened, and his mother appeared, dressed in a flowing white dress. Unconventional.
“We’ll be starting in the next five minutes.” She took her seat in the front row, beside Reginald who looked sharp in a tailor fitted navy suit, and matching tie. Jett straightened, clutched his hands, and took a deep breath.
“You okay, man?” Aiden asked.
“Oh yeah, feels like I’ve been waiting for this moment forever.”
Anxiety spiked with every new face that didn’t belong to Kansas. First Sky, then Mya. Music began to play. Everyone at the ceremony stood. His palms grew sweaty, and blood rushed to his head. Inhaling he focused his entire being on the empty doorframe. Her appearance took his breath away. The beading along the spaghetti straps and her empire waist sparkled in the sun. She was a muse come to life in the flowing pink number. Her hair was loose and curly, tumbling down her back like black silk. She clutched a bouquet of pink flowers, wrapped in a dark pink ribbon. His mind registered all the details, but his gaze never left hers. The love that shone in her eyes humbled him. She was open in a way he’d never dared hope for. Water welled up in his eyes, and he blinked it away. Her father met her at the end of the aisle, and walked her up.
“Who gives this woman away?” his father asked.
“Her mother and I.” Reginald placed her hand in his. “Take good care of her, son.”
“I will.”
Her hand trembled, and he squeezed offering up support.
“Wow,” he whispered.
“Double that.” She scanned him.
“This old thing?” He winked. In his black tuxedo and black bow tie he was nothing more than adornment. They turned to face his father.
“I’m new at this, so we’ll keep things short, sweet, and traditional. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to today in the presence of God to join Jett Beauregard Walker and Kansas Karri Collins in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
“Do you have the rings?”
“We do,” Aiden and Mya said in unison as they stepped up. He took the cool, gold ring from his best friend and took Kansas’s hand in his.
“Repeat after me. I, Jett, take you, Kansas, to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children and my wife. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger. Tears rolled down her face, and she hiccupped. Her voice shook as she repeated the words.
“With the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Jett pulled her into his arms, dipped her, and stole a passionate kiss before he righted her. Cheers filled the air.
“Ladies and gentleman, Mr. And Mrs. Jett Beauregard Walker!”
We did it. Oh my God, I’m someone’s husband. Finality slammed into him like a brick wall. They walked down the aisle to a spray of bubbles. From the moment they reached the end the aisle the night was nonstop, pictures, dinner, dances, and toasts. Sprawled across the bed in their wedding finery, their fingers entwined he’d never been so grateful to be home in his life. There were no words accurate enough to describe the awe and unconditional love he felt for the woman who lay beside him.
She turned to look at him with sleep heavy eyes. “I love you, husband. Thank you for today. I never thought much about my wedding day, but it would’ve looked incredibly similar to this.”
“Anything for you, wife.”
Epilogue
A thin blonde in a two piece black suit and an electric blue tank top spoke into the camera. “Breaking News, you’ll only hear on Scoop. Jett Walker, star of the hit show, Paranormal Investigation, is off the market! The stunning actor married his lady love, Kansas, in a private ceremony over the weekend. They’ve released a photo spread to us, which we’ll be printing this Tuesday. For now, here’s a sneak peek.” The screen switched to an image of the dirty-blond haired man in a tailor made tuxedo with a black bowtie dancing with his curvaceous, brown-skinned wife in a gorgeous, scoop necked,
strappy, pink, wedding dress. After a few moments the blonde anchor returned on screen.
“Lovely aren’t they? They weren’t the only celebrities with big news this week!”
Jett turned off the television and glanced around the room where his wife and Aiden sat.
Aiden clapped. “Well done.”
“What do you think, Sas?”
“I think my phone is about to blow up, but you’re a genius!” He hugged her and chuckled.
“We’ll do the pregnancy announcement the same way. I think with the fans and paparazzi it’s just easier to stay one step ahead of them. Give them what they want, so they don’t obsess on getting that first shot.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and Aiden cleared his throat.
“I think I’m going to call Mya, see if she saw it.” He hurried from the trailer, and Jett and Kansas laughed.
“Think a romance is in bloom there?” Kansas said.
“Hmm, you may have something there … now, I have thirty minutes before I have to be back to set.”
“What did you have in mind, Mr. Walker?”
“It’s easier to show you.”
He pressed her down onto the couch, covering her body with his. A lifetime with this woman would never be enough.
The End
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