I’m standing in a beautiful bungalow in Tahiti, in front of a full-length mirror and I don’t even recognize the woman staring back at me.
I love my wedding dress. It’s long and billowy. It’s white chiffon with a beaded bodice and spaghetti straps and the skirt falls from the empire waist all the way to the ground. I won’t be wearing shoes today. My makeup is classic and simple, perfect for a beach wedding, and my hair is curled and pinned into an intricate bun behind my left ear with a red rose pinned to it.
I’m wearing my pearls.
“You are stunning.” Jules kisses my cheek and I smile at her nervously. She is also stunning in her simple pink chiffon gown. I look around the bungalow and smile in happiness and warmth and love. I am surrounded by beautiful women. Luke’s mom Lucy and Jules’ mom Gail have their heads together in a corner. They both look lovely in their pretty pink dresses.
Samantha and Stacy are cooing over little Sophie, who is simply adorable in a soft pink dress with a pink headband.
Jules is, of course, my maid of honor, and Stacy and Sam are my bridesmaids.
Sam and I seemed to have buried the hatchet after Luke’s accident, and we have become good friends. She did most of the legwork on planning this fantastic wedding.
“Are you nervous?” Stacy asks.
“I wasn’t until I put this dress on, now I’m a little nervous.” I smile and look back in the mirror. Holy shit, I’m getting married!
Neil walks through the door and smiles widely when he sees all of us.
“I’ve been sent in here to give you this.”
He hands me a wrapped box with a card attached and kisses my cheek.
“It’s almost time.”
“Are the boys ready?” I ask.
“Yes, and your soon-to-be husband is a nervous wreck. He is ready to make you his wife.”
I laugh and kiss Neil’s cheek, “Here, take this back to him.” I hand him a wrapped box, also with a note. “And tell him I’ll meet him in a few. I’ll be the one in white.”
I walk into the bedroom to open the gift in private. My man does enjoy spoiling me. As if renting out this entire beautiful resort for our family and friends to enjoy for a whole week and our beautiful wedding weren’t enough, he’s given me little gifts every day.
I’m crazy about him.
Luke has written on the envelope of the card Open the box first, then read this.
He’s so bossy.
I unwrap the beautiful white paper and there is a small Tiffany blue box. Inside, nestled in the satin is a pair of amazing diamond earrings. They are soft pink princess cut diamonds with teardrop diamonds dangling from them. They take my breath away.
I open the card and sit on the side of the bed.
My Love, When you read this, you will be minutes away from becoming my wife.
I can’t express to you how honored I am that you are mine. I am ready to love you for the rest of my life, as your husband.
I love you, with all that I am.
-Luke
Well, isn’t he a charmer?
***
Natalie decided that returning to Tahiti with our family and friends was where she wanted to get married, so I’ve flown everyone here and booked the resort for the week, just for our affair. I hope it’s everything she ever dreamed it would be.
I button my white shirt and check my reflection in the mirror of the master bedroom of my parent’s bungalow. Nat wanted the guys to wear khaki pants with white shirts for the ceremony, so that’s what we’re wearing.
She’s the boss.
My hair is a mess, as usual, and it doesn’t make sense to fix it because Nat’s fingers will be in it as soon as she sees me.
I smile as I think of my bride. I am one lucky son of a bitch. Natalie is, without a doubt, the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen, all long dark hair, beautiful green eyes, and smoking hot curvy body.
But her heart is what caught me. Her gracious, loving nature, and sassy mouth are what I can’t ever imagine living without.
And I don’t have to.
“Hey, Williams, stop mooning over yourself and get in here for a celebratory shot!” Jules’ brother, Isaac, calls from the main room of the bungalow.
All the guys are here: My brother, Mark, Jules’ – and Nat’s – brothers, Isaac, Caleb, Matt and Will, and their father, Steven. My dad raises his glass as he hands me mine in a toast.
“To my son and Natalie. Thank God she said yes.”
“Here, here!”
Everyone slams down the shot and the room erupts once again in chaos, men yelling lewd jokes and throwing insults.
It does not calm my nerves.
I’m not at all nervous about marrying my girl, I’m just ready for it to be over already.
“Dad, I need you to take something over to Natalie.” I hand my dad a small blue Tiffany box.
“No problem, I need to check in with your mother anyway. Are you about ready?” He smiles and pats my back.
“Yes, I’ve been ready. Let’s get this show on the road.” My dad laughs as he heads over to the bridal suite and Isaac approaches me with another shot.
“No, man, I need a clear head for this.” I wave off the shot and look out the door toward Nat’s bungalow.
“This isn’t for you, moron, it’s for me.” He grins and slugs back the tequila and winces. “Fuck, that’s good. Are you ready for this?”
“Everyone keeps asking me that. Yes, I’m ready. I’m past ready.”
“You’re good for her, you know.”
I look over into Isaac’s face, shocked. All of Natalie’s family have always been welcoming and friendly with me, but I know the brothers have had reservations, and as a brother myself, I can’t blame them.
“How so?”
Isaac shrugs and looks back over at the other guys, then back to me. “She’s opened up more, laughs more. Hell, I don’t know, man. She’s just happy. I’ve known her for a long time and I don’t remember ever seeing her smile this much.”
“I’m glad.” I nod and smile to myself.
“But if you hurt her, or that baby,”
Isaac continues, and I know what he’s going to say, “I’ll fucking kill you.”
“No need, I’m not going to hurt her.” I hold my hand out to shake his and he takes it, then pulls me into a guy hug.
“Welcome to the family, bro.”
“The girls are ready,” my dad stalks back into the room with a wrapped gift in his hand. I told her not to get me anything. She and the baby are everything I need. “This is for you.”