Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
By the time she reaches me, I’m practically halfway down the aisle to her. I shake her father’s hand as he passes her to me and places a kiss on her cheek. I know how much she loves her family and how much today means to her. Which is why I knew I needed to give her this. She deserves all of this and so much more.
The officiant begins and I try to listen to the words, but I’m a little distracted by the love of my life standing in front of me. When it’s my turn to say the words, Willow has to squeeze my hand to make me pay attention. She smiles at me as I say the words he tells me to, but then I pull out my piece of paper for the vows that I wrote. Her eyes are wide as I read it aloud.
When I’m finished reading, she’s crying and I lean down to wipe her tears away and kiss her on the lips.
“We’re not at that part yet,” she giggles while trying to keep herself from tearing up again.
“I don’t care. I love you,” I say.
“I love you, too. I didn’t write anything special,” she says, looking to the officiant and then to me.
“You don’t have to. The only thing you have to write is your name on our marriage license.”
The crowd laughs and I lean down, kissing her again. After a moment, the officiant continues and we place rings on one another’s fingers. Seeing my wedding band on her hand goes a long way to settle my heart. We may have not known each other for long, but it feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for Willow to walk in. As soon as she did, my soul found its other half and I knew how the rest of my life would go.
The crowd erupts in cheers when the ceremony ends and I scoop Willow up in my arms. She laughs and wraps her arms around my neck as I carry her back down the aisle and to our reception. I wish I could carry her to the limo that’s waiting to take us on our honeymoon, but I have to remind myself that it’s not just about me anymore. And I’m okay with that. Somehow giving Willow what makes her happy makes me happy.
“Can we cut the cake yet?” she asks as I take her to the banquet room where the photographers are set up.
“Are you ready for it to be over so fast?”
“No, and yes. Can’t I be excited to celebrate but also ready to go? Where are you taking me? Can you tell me now?”
She’s like a kid on Christmas morning, and though I hate to deny her anything, I promised that our destination would be a surprise. What she doesn’t know is that it’s not just one place. I’ve got a private plane rented for the next four months, and we are going to travel the world before we come back home and start a family. We might even have already started one, so I want to make sure she gets to experience as much as possible before then. Although I can’t wait to be a daddy, so I’m going to be fighting myself just as much as her to not rush this time together.
“Good things come to those who wait,” I say, placing a kiss on her lips.
She sighs but looks at me with loving eyes. “You’re right. I waited long enough for you.”
I rub my nose against hers and think about how someone tried to take her from me, but I stopped it from happening. I’ll always be with her to protect her and cherish her. And the sheriff I had arrested has been run out of town so her family doesn’t have to fear him coming back.
I place Willow on her feet and hold her how the photographer tells me to. We sneak in kisses where we can, and sometimes I hear the camera going off when we do. But as guests arrive, it’s time to move on to the dinner and dancing portion of the night.
“My feet are going to be killing me,” Willow grumbles as we walk toward the doors.
“Not if I have anything to say about,” I tell her, and I scoop her up in my arms once more and carry her into the crowd.
Everyone cheers as we walk in and the band begins to play. It’s a perfect day and a perfect night—the makings of a perfect life.
Chapter 10
Willow
The night goes on and on, and though I feel tired, I also feel energized. I’m full of excitement and as the hours fly by, I don’t want the party to end. My parents are so sweet and loving. They’ve been on the dance floor for hours, too. Even Bebe brought a date and she looks happier than I’ve ever seen her.