I run my hand over the cold headstone and rub the smear away from my fingers before standing up.
“See ya soon Dad.” I pat it twice before reluctantly walking away, looking back twice. I definitely won’t leave it so long next time.
Cinders is tidying up some other plots when I come up behind her and wrap my hands round her waist. She lets out a little squeak that’s cute as fuck and turns around in my arms.
“Feel better?” She asks.
“Yeah,” I frown. “I guess I sort of do.”
“Told ya so.” She sings with a face splitting smirk on her face.
I swear , since that storm she’s gotten feistier. I love it but the girl sure has got some sass going on now. I don’t know if it’s because she’s more sure of herself or because she’s been spending too much time with Liv. Personally, I’m thinking it’s the latter.
They’ve been on Mission get Liv and Noah down the aisle since the storm wrecked the whole town. Luckily, nobody got hurt other than my dumb ass but at least that stupid cast came off two days ago. Of course if they hadn’t have taken it off, I was ready to get the saw out and take it off my damn self. I was sick of the fucked up looks people kept giving me.
Yeah, anyway six weeks since hurricane dipshit went all loco, the girls have been crazy. It was like some CIA shit. Mrs. P was banned from all wedding planning which went down about as well as a lead balloon. That woman lost her damn mind when they told her she couldn’t do shit. Who woulda thought such a small woman could have such a nasty ass mouth? I think she even shocked herself.
This time, Liv and Noah are gonna have the wedding they want. The girls have been working round the clock to make it happen while me and my boys have been watching and drinking beer. I like to think the support we’ve been giving is more spiritual, you know - like positive thoughts and shit. Who knew so much fucking work went into a wedding anyway? I was tired as hell just watching the girls running around like headless chickens, panicking about flower arrangements and table settings and shit.
“Finished.” Cindy huffs, throwing the dirty cloth into the trashcan by the gate.
She grabs my hand and presses a hard kiss to my mouth. I quickly hold the back of her head and give her some of the same treatment. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of her. I'll be ninety-years-old with a cane and a hearing aid and still prowling round the house looking for her ass to get me some loving.
She ducks her head when we pull apart, a blush spread ing s up her neck and face.
“We’ve got a wedding to get to.” She says breathlessly with her eyes shining.
“They’ll wait.” I grab her legs and throw her over my shoulder before heading towards my newly repaired truck.
“Brady!” She squeals, hitting my back. “Brady! We haven’t got time.”
“I told you, they’ll wait.” I laugh.
After a few more hits that barely even sting, I place her on her feet, holding her steady until she can regain her balance.
“They’re gonna wonder where we are, we said we would only be half an hour.”
“Fine.” I sigh. “Just so you know though, as soon as Noah and Blondie are man and wife, your ass is mine. I don’t care if we gotta use one of the fucking dinner tables.”
“Ok.” She rolls her eyes. See what I mean about the damn sass?
***
I got ninety-nine problems and a bitch is most definitely one of them. A bitch called Noah that is.
“Stop pacing.” I pull on the ends of my shortened hair because apparently according to Blondie, I can’t fulfill my best man duties looking like a “Shaggy dog.”
“I’m not pacing.” Noah growls, spinning on his heel for the hundredth time and retracing his steps back to the other side of the white tent.
“Yeah you fucking are and you’re making Brian nervous.”
I stroke the head of the little guy , sitting at my feet. He looks sharp as hell in his little jacket and bow tie. He’s my assistant best man which just about sends Tucker into a fucking meltdown every time I mention it.
“Brady, I’m gonna kick your ass if you don’t shut the hell up.”
“Alright.” I shrug. “I just don’t get what you're so damn nervous about. The guests are all in their seats and the girls are on their way. What’s the issue?”
“What if she chickens out?” He sighs, looking at me with panicked eyes. Great, I gotta deal with a groom that’s got cold feet now.
“After the shit she’s gone through to get this show on the road? Nah, Blondie wants to marry you. Why , ? I don’t know but for some fucking reason she loves you. What’s brought this on?”
“I watched the first half of Runaway Bride last night. Fucked me up.” Wait, what?
“Ok, I’m not gonna say shit because you’re getting married in like ten minutes but we are totally discussing that another time.” I snort. Runaway Bride? What a sap!
Tucker comes walking through the open door of the big ass white tent, one of three dotted on the field. This one is the one we got ready in. One of the others has all the tables in for the reception and the third has some huge dance floor that my Mom rented them as a wedding present.
“Ok, I feel violated.” The ass holds his hands up in the air looking pissed as hell the hell off . “Your Grandma just pinched my ass dude. That is not ok.”
“Oh fuck I don’t need to hear this shit right now, Tuck!”
I laugh my ass off imagining Noah’s snooty ass grandma making a beeline for Tucker.
“She’s got experience at least.” I chuckle, holding onto Brian to stop him falling off my shaking lap.
“It’s not fucking funny. And you’re a cop, you should be taking it seriously. I wanna make a complaint. I got sexually harassed by a hundred-year-old.”
“Calm down Tucker. She’s just playing.”
“She called me… She called me peachy” He shudders.
Now Noah’s seeing the funny side, his shoulders bouncing up and down. The tears are falling from my eyes as Tucker carries on yelling some shit about assault and not being “an old broads bitch”.
“Thanks a lot man.” Noah sighs. “I needed a good laugh.”
“It’s not a joke. This is serious. I could have been attacked. I saw all the oldies looking at me like I was their dinner. One of them actually took their teeth out!”
“Oh Christ, I can’t breathe.” I wheeze.
“Fuck you all.”
“Is that all you came in here for princess?” Noah asks with raised eyebrows.
“No actually, I was coming to tell you the girls are here but you can fuck yourself now.” He flounces out the room like a diva as Noah goes deathly pale.
“Ok let’s not panic, they’re here now. She didn’t chicken out.” I push Brian from my lap and stand up.
“I’m getting married. I think I’m gonna be sick.” He collapses into one of the white wooden chairs and rubs his hands up and down his face. What is this? The day for drama queens?
“Now , pull yourself together dickhead. You love Liv remember. She’s your forever love, whatever the fuck that means. Now stop thinking of the wedding shit and start thinking of the wedding night. If that’s not enough reason to get married, I don’t know what the hell is.”
“You're right. Not about the wedding night, that’s just stupid. But I love Liv, she’s everything to me. She’s my whole world.” He starts smiling. “And I’m gonna marry her.”
“Damn right you are. Now get your ass out there.” I point to the open doorway and straighten the jacket to my tux out.
I pick Brian up from under his belly and walk out behind officer douchebag to take my place at the end of the aisle.
The sun is beating down on my back and I can feel the sweat building under my arms, but I feel pretty good. My boy is finally getting married, I’m not far behind him and everything’s perfect. While girl pants over there is panicking and shit, I’m cool as a cucumber. Nothing could break my calm mood.
The music b
egins and everyone goes quiet. Shit, I spoke too soon. Just when I think nothing can break me, my Cinders comes floating round the corner. Her hair is down around her shoulders, a daisy chain lying on top of her head and the green dress she’s got on shows just enough tit for me to be curious, but not enough for me to wanna poke anyone’s eyes out. She looks like a fucking angel. She looks like a princess.
Some people go their whole lives without finding what me and Noah have found. They never get to feel what it’s like to have your other half, to feel so damn full of love that you’re at risk of bursting any second . I got my woman though and Noah got his. I don’t know if there’s any hope for Tuckers ass but I’ll get one of the old church ladies to pray for him.
I can guarantee one thing though, that girl drifting up towards me with a nervous smile on her face and clutching a bouquet of daisies is my whole damn universe. She’s the reason I wake up in the morning. She makes me wanna be a better man, wanna be a good husband and a good father. And there ain’t no other feeling like it.
Cindy
Everyone is looking at me. Some are looking at me with happiness in their eyes, others with tears. There’s only one pair of eyes I’m searching for though and they’re right at the end of the aisle . A pair of dark chocolate colored orbs stare at me so intensely, so hungrily that it’s as if we’re the only people here.
Every step I take is towards him. Every breath I take is for him. Cheesy maybe, but completely true.
I take my place opposite Brady who happens to have an adorable looking Brian in his arms as Liv follows close behind. There are no words to describe how she looks. Her hair is piled on top of her head with blonde spiral curls framing her beautiful face. I don’t think I’ve ever seen eyes contain so much happiness as she looks towards Noah who focuses on her with an equally devoted look. Mr. Preston has a look of complete pride on his face as he passes his daughter to her future husband.
She has the same dress on that she was always planning to wear, Trina holding the train in the air and away from the dry grass.
When Liv told me where she wanted to get married, I wasn’t too sure. Nobody can deny how beautiful it is out here surrounded by the Phlox and the trees though. The sun is low in the sky, ready to set and it bathes everything in a hazy glow.
As soon as Liv is in Noah’s arms, she’s pulled in for a melting kiss that I think gets everyone a little hot and bothered. It’s about five second s from getting completely awkward and the few whispers and the sound s of women oohing and aahing are starting turn into gasps and snickers.
“Ok, break it up people, break it up.” Brady says, pulling Noah back a little. “Let’s get you two married first.”
Neither one looks even slightly embarrassed, too busy staring at one another. The justice of peace lets out a hearty chuckle before opening his little black book and ordering everyone to hush.
“Well, I have to say that’s a new way to start a wedding.” He quips in a deep rumbling voice before clearing his throat. “Dear friends and family. We are here to celebrate the union of Noah Rambo Travers-”
“Stop, stop, stop!” Brady bursts out. His face red and eyes animated. “Your middle name is Rambo?”
Even Liv looks slightly surprised and Tucker is in a whole other world as he holds his side and leans over giggling like a girl.
“Brady.” Noah growls at his best friend.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He holds his hands up in surrender and steps back. “You can carry on. We’ll talk about this later, Rambo.”
“Ok.” The man carries on, looking unsure. “As I was saying, we are here to celebrate the union of Noah Rambo Travers,” There are more snickers but he carries on regardless. “And Olivia Caroline Preston. We are here to celebrate their love and their commitment to each other for the rest of their lives. True marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony's end. A brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting. Today you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends. Your yesterdays were the path to this moment, and your journey to a future of togetherness becomes a little clearer with each new day. May you forever love one another, may you forever bring one another happiness and fulfillment. Now, ladies and gentleman, Noah and Olivia have written their own vows for this special day which you are about to hear. Noah…” He gestures towards Noah who looks incredibly nervous as he pulls a crumpled piece of paper out of his inside jacket pocket.
He clears his throat before looking towards Liv who gives a beaming smile with unshed tears filling her eyes.
“Liv, the moment I saw you I knew you were it. I knew you were gonna be my wife, the mother to my children, the woman I’d spend the rest of my life worshipping. Now, you didn’t make it easy but we got in there in the end. I’m not saying it’s never gonna be hard, I’m not saying that we’re never gonna fight and I’m never gonna mess up, but I can promise you without a doubt in my mind that you’re my one and only. I can promise that I’m never gonna stop loving you. I can promise that I will never ever betray you. I can promise that when times are hard I’m always gonna have your back no matter what because you, Olivia Caroline Preston, are my entire world. You’re my reason to exist, you’re the first thing I think about when I open my eyes and the last thing when I close them. You’re my one and only babe and I love you more than life itself. I can’t wait to make you my wife Liv, I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment forever.”
Tears drip down my cheeks and I wipe them away with the back of my hand. The only sounds to be heard are the occasional sniffles and sobs from the crowd of loved ones gathered. Even Brady looks a little emotional as he bows his head. I don’t miss his hand wiping under his eye either.
The justice nods towards Liv who has a single tear running down her face as she whispers words to Noah that I can’t hear. I have no doubt that she’s telling him how much she loves him though.
“Noah.” She takes a deep breath and Trina starts sobbing next to me, balling her eyes out into her hands. “Before I met you I felt like I was wandering aimlessly through my life, but you changed me. You healed me in so many ways and took away my every fear. Every single day you give me another reason to love you. Every day you do something to embed yourself in my heart a little more. I promise as your wife to never let you go, to protect you as you’ve protected me, to hold your hand through every difficult moment. I promise to love you unconditionally, to show you the happiness you’ve shown me. I promise to forever support you in everything you do, in every step you take because you are my forever love, you are the string that holds me together. Noah Travers, I will always love you and always be thankful for you giving me the greatest gift of all, your love.”
Ok, now I’m gone. I’m just a mess. Trina sobs into my shoulder and I do the same to her. I can hear Mrs. Preston bawling and even Noah has got tears streaming down his face as he cups Liv’s cheeks in his hands.
The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur as the rings are exchanged and Noah and Liv have take that final, magical kiss. You can feel the love everywhere as their noses rub and their eyes drift shut.
I catch sight of Brady looking at me and give him a smile that splits my face. His eyes twinkle at me and I take a moment to bask in the feelings he brings me.
Brady may have messed up before but he’s shown me this Summer that he’s more than willing to fight for us. Seeing Noah and Liv get married having overcome every obstacle that’s been thrown their way at them shows just how powerful love can be. It shows that if you fight for it, it can be never ending.
***
“You smell like strawberries.” Brady mumbles over my head as we sway to the sound of Ron Pope’s ‘A drop in the ocean’.
“It’s my shampoo.” I sigh.
“Hmmm I like it. You know what I like even mor
e?”
“No.”
“You. I gotta say Cinders, you walking down that aisle took my breath away.”
“It’s the dress.” I giggle, embarrassed at the complement. It’s something I’ll have to accept one day though because I don’t think Brady’s gonna ever stop doing it. “Everyone looks really happy. Look at your Mom and Bob.”
Rachel and Bob laugh at each other attempting to dance and it’s one of the few times I’ve ever seen the hard assed businessman crack a smile. Even so, there’s no doubt that he’s head over heels in love with his wife. I don’t know what it is about weddings but it seems to bring Cupids arrow out to play. My parents are each taking turns swinging Bailey around on the multicolored dance floor, Aiden’s holding onto a pretty blond with stars in his eyes. Even Avery’s being swept about by Chase Travers, looking as if she’s halfway through planning her own wedding in her head right now.
Forever Together (Forever Love #2) Page 29