“It will work. She may think something is going on, but I guarantee you she’s not thinking she’s about to get married.”
“We’re already married,” I mutter, and she grins, patting my chest.
“Yes, you are. Now go, and we’ll see you there,” she says, giving Parker and the boys a wave before leaving the room.
“Ready?”
Looking at my brother, I nod. I was ready the first time I married her, and I’m more than ready this time.
*
“She’s out front,” Cash mumbles, looking from his cell phone to me before tucking it into the front pocket of his suit pants.
“I’ll head out back and let them know.”
Lifting his chin, he heads toward the front of the house while I make my way to the backyard where everyone is now waiting.
Opening the door, I step out into the grass and take in the people mulling around, the white chairs lined up in rows, and the large gazebo decorated with colorful flowers and white tulle. “She’s here,” I inform the DJ as I pass him, and he nods then turns down the music, which causes a hush to fall over the crowd and people to immediately take their seats like planned. With the sun sitting high in the sky, I step up the two steps into the gazebo as Parker joins me.
“I love you, man. I wish Mom and Dad could be here for this.” He pats my back, and I close my eyes briefly and turn to hug him. “Don’t get mushy and start crying,” he grumbles, hugging me back, and I grin, patting him once more before letting him go.
As I turn to face the yard and the people sitting in chairs below, my lungs tighten as my eyes land on my beautiful wife standing at the end of the aisle with her eyes covered. Watching Lilly untie the blindfold, my breath comes out in a rush as her gaze moves over the yard and her mouth forms a small “O” before our eyes lock for one brief moment that seems to last a lifetime.
Hearing “Thinking Out Loud” begin to play softly in the background, I watch Michelle come forward carrying a bouquet of white roses, placing them in Ashlyn’s shaking hands before kissing her cheek. It takes everything in me not to rush toward her as the tears filling her eyes spill over when her dad takes her hand and wraps it around his bicep with a pat.
I thought nothing would ever be more beautiful than the moment she became mine in Vegas, but watching her walk down the aisle toward me with her face soft, love shining in her eyes, and a cream-colored dress that skims the curves of her body, I know I was wrong. Once she’s a few feet away, I step down from the gazebo and meet her and her dad, taking her hand he offers me.
“Take care of her,” Cash says, looking at me before dropping his gaze to his daughter and leaning down, kissing her cheek, whispering something there for only her to hear, and letting her go. Leading her back up the steps, I take her hands in mine and direct her to stand in front of me as the officiate begins to speak.
“As I’ve been reminded on numerous occasions by Mr. Keck over the last few days, Mrs. Keck is already his wife, so this is not a wedding,” he jokes, and the crowd laughs as Ashlyn smiles a watery smile up at me. “When Dillon came to me, he asked that today be a show of his devotion to his wife. And a moment for him and Mrs. Keck to share with all of you.” He pats my shoulder. “I believe you have a few things you’d like to say to your wife.”
Nodding at him, I drop my gaze and look into Ashlyn’s eyes.
“I stand before you, our family, and our friends and ask you, Ashlyn Keck, to be mine always,” I say, looking into her gorgeous face, feeling her pulse beat against my fingers wrapped around her wrists and I pull her closer, resting my forehead against hers. “For the rest of our lives, I will work at making you happy. In sickness, I will nurse you back to health. In health, I will encourage you to follow your dreams. In sadness, I will find a way to make you happy. And in happiness, I will be there to share your joy. There will never come a time when you are alone, because for the rest of our days, I will be by your side as your anchor, your strength, and the carrier of your heart, like you are the keeper of mine,” I whisper the last part, and watch tears fall from her eyes.
“Oh, God, there is no way I can top that,” she sobs, and I grin, swiping away the tears that have trekked down her cheeks.
“You don’t need to top it. All I ask is that you love me, baby,” I say softly, watching her eyes slide half-mast and her face soften even more.
“Forever,” she whispers, dropping her forehead to my chest before tilting her face up to look at me. “There will never be a day I don’t love you. There will never be a time I don’t choose you. Thank you for giving me this.” She rests her hand over my heart and my jaw clenches. “It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received, and I’m honored you trust me with protecting it.”
“Christ.” I blink back the wetness in my eyes and take her left hand in both of mine. “This was a symbol of our start,” I state, toying with the plain white gold band around her finger. A band I put there on a wish that came true, a band I had no idea would mean everything to me. Then I reach into my pocket and take out the ring I’ve been carrying around since the moment I picked it up. “And this is a symbol of our forever,” I murmur, sliding the four carat diamond solitaire ring on her finger then lifting it to my lips, resting it there.
Her eyes move from mine to her hand and she covers her mouth, shaking her head. “I… I can’t believe you did all of this.”