by Kris Nacole
Mrs. Chesney Thomas
It was early in the morning, and in a short time, my house would be filled with people helping me get ready for my big day. The only disappointment was that Erik couldn’t be here for it.
This was it. Everything I had ever wanted and dreamed of.
The wedding march—this is it. It’s time.
Chesney stepped around the corner of the house in her long, flowing wedding gown, and I forgot how to breathe. She looked absolutely stunning, and my entire body ached to hold her in my arms forever. There was no doubt in my mind that she was the one for me. Her eyes met mine, and they shined bright as she held onto her dad’s arm.
I was caught off guard by a tear rolling down my cheek and quickly reached up to swipe it away. I wasn’t expecting that. Then again, nothing with Chesney had been expected.
Once she joined me at the arch, her dad handed her off and shook my hand. With tears in his eyes and a shaky voice, he leaned over to me and said, “Take care of my little girl and my grandbabies. Protect their hearts like they’re your own.”
“I will. I promise,” I said back to him and then turned to face Chesney. “You look beautiful, babe. Breathtakingly beautiful.”
She smiled through wet eyes and drank me in. “You look incredibly handsome.”
Standing there looking into her honey-brown eyes, I never thought this would be my life. Not in a million years. But now that it was happening, I wouldn’t change anything about it. This was our life. Our love story.
The sky behind us painted a beautiful picture as the sun made its descent behind the ridge. The fiery orange orb of light slowly sank beneath the horizon, leaving streaks of crimson across the sky.
Standing there, looking into Zane’s eyes, I could feel the love emanating from his soul. He looked at me in a way that let me know he was serious about us and loved me more than life itself. It was a powerful feeling that made me shiver. The chemistry that radiated between us was still palpable. There was no doubt in my mind that Zane was the man I truly wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
The preacher asked for our vows, and we’d both decided to say our own. Zane insisted that I go first.
Looking up at him, my hands in his, I took a deep breath and spoke from my heart. “Zane, I remember being so angry when I was given orders to England after tech school. However, now I’m thankful for that one piece of paper that changed the course of my life forever,” I said, smiling up at him.
He squeezed my hands in his as I continued, “I’m so thankful you came back into my life. We’ve both been to hell and back, but we never gave up. You’re an amazing man, my best friend, my lover, and a wonderful father to our children. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to be your wife.” I slid the titanium wedding band onto his finger.
“I love you,” Zane mouthed as he wiped a small tear from my cheek. Then, he looked deep into my eyes, cleared his throat, and started to speak, “Chesney, I remember grumbling that May morning when I had to go teach your in-processing class. I would’ve rather watched paint dry all day than to do that. However, I’m so glad I went that day and met you. When I walked into the classroom and saw you there, I didn’t know my life would never be the same. You’re the first woman in my life who confused the hell out of me, which made me want you even more,” he laughed.
An echo of laughs came from our guests, followed by a few sniffles from our parents.
“Chesney, the truth is, you loved me back to life. You saved my life.” He stroked a gentle finger across my hand. “I promise to love, honor, and cherish you for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life as your husband.” He gingerly slid the wedding band onto my finger.
Grabbing him with such intensity, I pulled him to me without thinking and crushed my lips against his.
“Ahem,” The pastor cleared his throat and whispered, “I didn’t say you could kiss yet.”
My face reddened with embarrassment. Oops. Each of our guests were either laughing or crying.
Zane gently pushed me away, chuckling. “I’m sorry, pastor. Please say what you need to so I can kiss my beautiful bride…again.” He winked at me.
The pastor smiled and continued, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your lovely bride, again.” With a grin, he closed his Bible.
“Gladly,” Zane said, softly touching my face and bringing his lips to mine.
Cheers rang out all around us, and the sound of our family and friends warmed my heart.
“Ewww gwoss,” Alayna said, looking up at us. She was the cutest flower girl in her shimmering “pwincess dress” as she called it. Her long, brown hair was curled in ringlets around her face.
And Dylan was the most handsome ring bearer in his suit with his hair slightly spiked up in front, smiling from ear to ear. Looking at both of my kids, Zane by my side and our family and friends before me, I realized, once again, how truly blessed I was.
It was dark, and our wedding reception tent was wrapped in twinkling lights that looked like hundreds of lightnin’ bugs floating through the air. It made me smile because I knew Zane was my firefly. I’d found him, fought for him, and he was mine.
As we headed for the tent to join our guests, I stopped and looked up into the night sky. The colors of the sunset had subsided and glittery silver stars sparkled down on us.
“Chesney? What’s wrong?” Zane placed a hand on my cheek.
“I’m wonderful. Just letting everything sink in and enjoying the beautiful night.”
He smiled and let me have my moment.
***
In the tent, everyone blew bubbles at us as we made our way to the dance floor. Alayna and some of the other kids were giggling and spinning under the soapy bubbles as they floated through the air.
The deejay introduced us once again as husband and wife, and then we had our first dance. “Love of a Lifetime” by Firehouse, of course, our song of choice.
Wrapping my arms around Zane’s waist, I lay my head on his chest. His even breaths and heartbeat was soothing. I’d never been so at peace.
The deejay made an announcement that it was time for the father-daughter dance. “Zane, may I cut in?” my dad asked. He looked dapper in his gray suit and tie. His peppered hair was trimmed, and his brown eyes still sparkled with youth.
“Of course.” Zane gave me a kiss then released me to my dad. A second later, I saw him grab his mom and twirl her around.
The song “I Loved Her First” by Heartland played through the speakers as I hugged my daddy tight. We swayed back and forth to the music.
“I’m so proud of you, Chesney.” He grabbed his handkerchief from his front pocket and swiftly wiped his wet eyes. “Watching you grow into a strong woman with a beautiful soul has been the most rewarding experience of my life. Your mom and I are very happy for you, Zane, and the kids.” He kissed the top of my head, bringing my cheek to his chest.
“Thank you, Daddy. I love you, too.” Hearing my dad say those things to me was very fulfilling. I’d made some decisions in life that I wasn’t proud of, but I’d fought like hell to get to where I was today, and my life was finally in a place of happiness and contentment.
Once the dance with my dad ended, he grabbed my cheeks in his hands and looked into my eyes. “You may have changed your name today, but you’ll always be my little girl.”
He kissed my forehead and turned to go dance with my mom. I watched as he reached for her and pulled her to the dance floor. Her dark hair and bright smile reminded me so much of myself. She looked beautiful in her sparkling, blue gown.
The song “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith came on, and I scanned the crowd of people looking for Zane.
“May I have this dance, my lady?” I heard from behind me.
I gasped and turned around quickly. “Erik!” He stood there in his black suit and looked as handsome as ever. I threw my arms around his neck and gave him a hug. “I thought
you couldn’t come?” I asked, confused.
He shrugged and scanned the tent full of guests. “And miss the opportunity to flirt with all these single, Southern women? Pffft. No way! Everyone knows the best place to pick up chicks is at a wedding,” he said, making me laugh.
“Well, are you gonna dance with me?” he asked, bowing and holding out his hand.
“I guess…” I said with a giggle. I looked up at him as we were dancing. “I’m so glad you’re here. Tonight wouldn’t have been the same without my bestie.”
He frowned. “I would’ve been here sooner, but my plane was delayed. I hate I missed the actual wedding.”
“Are you kidding? I’m just happy you’re here now. It’s okay,” I said reassuringly.
His face grew serious. “I’m happy for you Chesney. I’m glad you found your happily ever after. You deserve to be loved deeply. Zane’s a lucky man,” he grinned.
Whoa. Who is this guy standing before me?
I started to tear up. “Thank you, Erik. That means a lot. Nothing with Zane and me has been easy, but it’s been worth it.”
I glanced over at Zane, and he smiled at me softly. He knew Erik was my best friend, and the jealousy he used to have had disappeared.
The song ended, and we stopped dancing. “I guess I better share you with your husband now,” Erik said with a chuckle. “Thanks for saving me a dance.” He pulled me into a hug and then continued, “Now, where’s the bar?”
Still a man child. Not a lot has changed over the years.
Erik strolled over and started flirting with a few of my friends who were sitting at the bar. I rolled my eyes and laughed.
I walked over to the deejay and asked him to play the one song I thought was very fitting for my and Zane’s entire relationship.
Grabbing Zane by the hand, I led him back onto the dance floor. “We’re not finished yet, mister.”
“Loved Me Back to Life” by Celine Dion suddenly blared through the big, black speakers. Pulling Zane to me, I kissed him, and as our lips connected, our tongues entwined with passion. I didn’t care who was watching. Then, breaking the kiss, I looked up at the handsome face before me and bit my lip.
“How fitting,” he said, listening to the lyrics of the song and knowing it could be our theme song after everything we’d been through. “And if you don’t stop biting your lip, I’m going to cut this reception short,” he growled into my ear, his warm breath tickling my sensitive skin, making me shiver with elation.
“I’m glad Tate was able to make it. I know how much you wanted him to be here,” he said softly.
“Yes, it was a nice surprise. Everything about this day has been perfect,” I crooned.
“What’s this?” he asked, dragging his fingers over the shiny hair clip that was holding my bangs back above my ear. “Is that?” he started.
“Yep, it’s a lightnin’ bug,” I said, making him chuckle.
“You mean firefly, just like you.” He nuzzled my hair gently with his face and breathed me in. “It’s perfect.”
“There is one thing we need to settle, though,” I said as I leaned back and looked up at him.
His eyebrows twisted in amusement. “Okay.”
My lips curled up into a teasing smile. “I told you I’d love you back.”
He grinned and twirled me around as we danced. “That’s one argument I will gladly let you win, Mrs. Thomas.”
“Hmmm, Mrs. Thomas. I like the sound of that,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. I pulled my body tighter against his and kissed him on the neck below his ear.
His eyes became seductive, igniting a fire inside of me. He lowered his head, and his mouth grazed my neck as he whispered, “I’m ready to get you out of this dress and into bed.” He pulled back and grinned. “Time for the honeymoon,” he moaned then pressed his lips to mine.
I gladly surrendered my body and soul to his kiss once again—but our lips weren’t the only things connecting. I could feel the connection we shared all the way down to my heart, threading our past, our present, and our future together with a single kiss.
SITTING UNDER THE SHADE TREE in the yard, Alayna squealed as Zane chased her around, trying to catch her to tickle her. It had been almost a year since the wedding. Watching them both smiling and laughing together made me so happy. My life was just how I’d hoped it would be.
“Watch out, sweetie,” I said as Alayna came to a crashing halt by my side. “I’m feeding the baby.”
“Mommy, when’s Luke going to be big enough to play with me?” she asked, rubbing his bald head. He was almost three-months-old and my first child born without a head full of hair.
I laughed. “He’s just a baby right now, sweetie. Give him a year or two, and he’ll be up running around with you and Dylan.”
Just then, Dylan came around the house with a bucket full of rocks. “Dad! Come on, let’s go to the creek. You promised,” he pouted.
“Okay, I’ll be down there in a minute,” Zane said, sitting down beside me and rubbing Luke’s tiny toes.
Alayna and Dylan headed down to the edge of the yard and started to play in the creek. I glanced over my shoulder and noticed Zane staring at me.
“What?” I asked.
He laughed. “Nothing, I just love you and our little family, that’s all.” He kissed me lightly on my shoulder
“I feel the same way,” I said as we both looked down at Luke and then at Dylan and Alayna.
“Daaaaaad, come on!” Dylan yelled.
“Duty calls,” Zane chuckled as he gave me a quick kiss and ran off to play with the kids.
Dylan started skipping rocks and was frustrated when Zane’s rocks would just plop and sink to the bottom. “Like this, remember, you have to flick your wrist when you throw it,” he said, skipping a rock four times across the water.
Zane picked another rock out of the bucket and did exactly as Dylan told him.
“You did it!” Dylan shouted, pumping his fists in the air. “Awesome!”
“I did it.” Zane laughed as he picked up Alayna under one arm and Dylan under the other. All three of them hooted hysterically as Zane ran around yelling, “I did it!” over and over again. He looked carefree, like a little kid. It was refreshing.
I couldn’t help but giggle. “You’ve got a pretty amazing daddy, kiddo,” I said to Luke, glancing down into a familiar pair of bright-blue eyes staring back at me. “The best.”
Our lives had been far from perfect, but I was okay with that because it was our kind of perfect.
The End.
Thank you so much for reading Love Him Back by Kris Nacole.
For more information on Kris Nacole, see contact information below:
www.krisnacole.com
www.facebook.com/authorkrisnacole
www.goodreads.com/book/show/24461759-love-him-back
Twitter: @KrisNacole15
Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorkrisnacole/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorkris/
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
To my super supportive husband: Thank you so much for putting up with my crazy antics and going on this journey with me. Thank you for always reminding me that this is MY story and I should write it for me, no matter what anyone else thinks or says about it. Thank you for loving me and going on this journey with me, even through the times I about drove you crazy. You’ve stood by my side and never once discouraged me from following my dreams. I love you to the moon!
To my loving children: Thank you for giving mommy the push she needed to follow her dreams. I’ve always told you both to follow your dreams, no matter what anyone says, and you reminded me that I needed to do the same. I probably wouldn’t have written this book if it wasn’t for you reminding me that I need to practice what I teach and lead by example. The day you both told me you were proud of me was the best day of my life, other than the day you were born. I’m so proud of both of you, and I hope I’m proving to you
that you can do anything you set your mind to. Mommy loves you both to Heaven and back!
To my readers: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for taking the time to read Love Him Back. I hope you were as touched by reading Zane and Chesney’s love story as I was writing it.
To my beta readers: I can’t even begin to thank you enough for your suggestions, criticisms, and support for Love Him Back. You have all truly helped open my eyes as a writer and an author, and I thank you for that. Lori: Thank you so much for going above and beyond, helping me when so many others wouldn’t. I appreciate you and your advice!
To my editor Megan: Thank you so much for helping me not only make Love Him Back the best it can be, but for also helping me grow as a writer. I’ve learned so much about myself while editing this book. It’s because of you that I’ve gained knowledge on how to be even better next time. As a writer, it’s sometimes hard to hear that certain things you love may not be working in the story. However, you gave me the strength and confidence I needed to follow through and make the changes. You rock and I can’t thank you enough!
Author Melanie Dawn: How in the world did I ever get so lucky to have a friend like you in my corner? You’ve been my rock during this process, and I can’t thank you enough. You’ve listened to me when I was in the middle of a breakdown, you’ve encouraged me not to give up when I was ready to throw in the towel, and you’ve not been afraid to tell me like it is and have given me so much advice. I’m so thankful for you and your friendship as it grows each and every day. You’re an inspiration to me. Thank you for just being you, a beautiful person inside and out.
To my Silent Branch girls: Thank you all for being so supportive of me through this journey. You’ve encouraged and supported me in so many ways. Most of you have been in my life for many years. You’ve been there for me through every deployment, move, TDY, homecoming, celebration, heartbreak and many other ups and downs in my life over the years. I know I always have you ladies to fall back on when I need someone to catch me at my weakest points. You’re more like sisters to me than friends. I love you girls so much, thank you again for always having my back. Meghann- I can’t thank you enough for helping me with my teasers and any scenes I had questions about, and for reminding me that commas are evil, and I suck at them. Haha