“I’ve never been surer about anything in my life. It’s him, Mac. It’s always been him.”
Soft lips press against my temple, and he steps back, tears now filling his eyes.
“Okay then, let’s do this.” His hands have a slight tremble as he reaches behind me to pull the thin white netting over my face. “If he ever hurts you....”
“Thanks, but Drake would kill him first,” I say, my smile growing bigger by the second.
It’s finally here. The day we’ve been planning for weeks. It’s not much but exactly what I always wanted. Surrounded by our friends and his family, which over the past few months have become my own as well. The other members of his team are the big brothers I’ve never had and his sisters - tears well at the swell of emotions thinking about them invokes. Those four, plus Mya, have soothed the jagged anger I harbored for too long. They took me in as one of their own and loved me. Truly loved me and taught me what being a family truly means.
Unconditional love and support.
Nash and I might fight, which we often do, but I know they’re there. Always. They’ve also all mentioned they like me more than him. Which pisses him off every time, yet every time a soft smile pulls at his lips and pride also shines through his brown eyes.
Hand on the back-door handle Mac turns with a final glance back. I roll my eyes and nod.
The mudroom fills with light as he pulls it open. The fresh sent of spring floats through on a cool breeze erupting goosebumps down my bare arms. My dress isn’t anything fancy just something I picked up at a vintage shop in D.C. Off-white lace that comes just over my breasts in a snug fit before cascading down to my ankles in a looser fit and longer back. It's perfect. Along with my makeup, Liza styled my hair leaving it in large loose pink curls down my back.
The pure notes from a lone violin play at the end of the aisle Mac and I step down. Everyone rises to their feet at the preacher's request and turn toward us.
But for me, my eyes are only on him and his are locked with mine.
Tears well threatening to ruin the makeup Liza spent over an hour applying. But I don’t care. Nothing matters but the man who’s doing everything he can to not shed tears of his own. We’ve been through a lot together, more than any couple ever should, and I know without a doubt we’ll be able to handle anything the world might throw at us. Which it will considering his job and my inability to back down from seeking justice when those who can’t stand up for themselves need additional support.
A foot from my future husband Mac and I stop.
“Who gives this woman to this man,” asks the preacher.
Mac’s gaze finds mine before sweeping across the stage and turning to the few people in attendance.
“We do,” everyone except Nash and the preacher says in unison.
Shit. The tears I’d been holding back stream down my cheeks. I bite my trembling lip and look to Nash who’s doing the same. When I look to my bridesmaids, Nash’s sisters plus Mya, they all smile their eyes shimmering in the bright sun. My gaze sweeps to the twelve beaming men at Nash’s side. At my back Drake, his family and Nash’s parents grin.
Right. They all know what this means to me. To have people. Family. Protectors. Nash wouldn’t let anything happen to me, ever, but knowing I have this new family surrounding me, loving me is overwhelmingly perfect.
My hands tremble as Nash’s strong hand wraps around mine urging me closer. Face to face we smile as the preacher begins the ceremony.
Nothing else matters except us as we stare into each other's eyes. I see it, feel it. The love and desire.
The preacher clears his throat drawing both our attention.
“You two prepared your vows, correct?”
In unison, we nod. The preacher waves a hand to Nash for him to begin.
And for the first time, I notice the tremble in his hand as he slides the gold wedding band down my left ring finger. Meeting my gaze once more he clears his throat.
“You’re mine. Forever and always mine. And I’m yours. My life begins and ends with you. You’re the reason I get up in the morning, the reason I breathe and fight to come home. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I’ll spend the rest of our lives showing you how grateful I am you chose me. I’ll love you, cherish you and protect you with each breath I take. No matter what happens know you’ll never have to question my love and devotion to you. It’s you. It’s always been you. It will always be you.”
Wow.
A light tap has me turning to Liza who’s reaching his band toward me. With steady hands, I slide the ring on his finger and take a deep calming breath to look up to the man I love.
“I love you Nash Bartley, and I’m beyond honored to spend the rest of my life with you. You saved me. Not just from the obvious but from living a hollow life, alone and sad. I never knew I could feel this way, feel so loved and protected and needed all at the same time. You do that for me. You woke me up. Showed me that fairy tales do come true. I promise you I’ll spend the rest of my life loving you and only you. I’ll be there when you come home and be anxiously waiting while you’re gone. It’s you. It’s always been you. It will always be you.”
Everything falls silent. Deliriously happy tears trickle down my check. While the preacher continues with the ceremony Nash’s sturdy hand cups my cheek and wipes away each tear with his thumb.
“I love you,” he says barely louder than the chilled breeze.
The soft chuckle of our friends and family pull both our love-sick gazes back to the preacher.
“Guess I need to repeat it,” he says with a smile. “You may kiss the bride.”
“With pleasure,” Nash says loud enough for everyone to hear as he lifts my veil behind my head.
The lightest brush of his lips against mine sends a chill down my spine. This kiss is different. This kiss is a husband and wife. Hoots and cheers, maybe a cat call or two, ring out as his lips press harder against my own. An arm snakes around my back hauling me against him.
The pressure releases a fraction when he pulls back but keeps his soft lips skimming over my own. “Mine,” he states.
“Yours.”
“Forever.”
I glance around the group of men and women who love and support us before zeroing back in on him.
"You say forever and I say....”
His eyes narrow and a fake scowl pulls at his lips.
“Kidding. You say forever, I say forever and hopefully a bit longer.”
Acknowledgments
I always save this part until the end because so many people influence a novel through the creation phase and I want to acknowledge every who’s made this book great. So first, of course, are my two besties, Emily and Christine. This novel wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for all your late-night messages, constant encouragements, and being honest with your feedback. My journey started with you two, and you both continue to make the writing process fun. And of course, Nan at Chasing Away Reality Book Blog, you’re my go to and I can’t thank you enough for all the feedback and many, many encouraging texts. You’re awesome in so many ways and I’m so glad the book gods were in our favor and linked us together.
This go around I also had some extra love in the writing process with my new friend Trilina. She beta read gave fabulous feedback and continued to support me through social media on a daily basis. Thank you, friend, for being so supportive and encouraging! I’m so glad we were paired together!
This book I used Hot Tree Editing and had a fantastic experience with their team. You guys were so professional, responsive and the product FANTASTIC! I look forward to working with you again!
And last but not least thank you to everyone who’s read this story. It came to me after watching The Greatest Showman and wouldn’t leave until I had it all written out. And you can thank the Christine and Emily for Nash not dying at the end... that was my original ending.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
My Playli
st
The Script – ‘Arms Open’
LANCO – ‘Long Live Tonight’
The entire The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
Taylor Swift – ‘New Years Day’
Hans Zimmer & Richard Harvey – ‘Chevaliers de Sangreal’
Sia – ‘Breath Me’
Elle King – ‘See You Again’
Bryan Adams – ‘When You Love Someone’
Monica Marie – ‘To Get Me To You’
Monique DeMoulin – ‘What Makes You Stay’
Bob Seger – ‘Chances Are’
Amos Lee – ‘Wait up for Me’
Trisha Yearwood – ‘Broken’
Chris Janson – ‘Drunk Girl’
Muse – ‘Madness’
Don't miss out!
Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever Kennedy L. Mitchell publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.
https://books2read.com/r/B-A-UFFF-DUOU
Connecting independent readers to independent writers.
Also by Kennedy L. Mitchell
A Covert Affair
Finding Fate
Watch for more at Kennedy L. Mitchell’s site.
About the Author
I devour books :) I don't just read books, I fall into them. Before I started writing I would go through about 2-4 books a week. It got to the point where my friends were tired of me going on and on about the books I loved so I decided to start a book review blog. That blog jump started my love for writing. Being creative, making people laugh and want to read the books I loved was exhilarating.
Falling for the Chance came to me one day during a Pure Barre class when I heard B0RNS 'Electric Love'. The whole day I thought the song was so wonderful and deserved a story that went along with it. That night, after too much wine, I sat down and started writing that story and 70K words later I had a book.
Currently, I am working on a new romantic suspense which I'm super excited for you to read and love as much as I do!
One day I would love to be on the NYT Best Seller's list, but until then I'm enjoying creating books that entertain my readers.
Read more at Kennedy L. Mitchell’s site.
Finding Fate: An Intense, Fast-Paced Romantic Suspense Novel Page 29