“Are you sure you have everything?” Shepard asks as we head for the door.
“Yes, I’ve gotten my travel game down. I have everything we need.”
“The marriage license?”
“Got it.”
“The rings?”
“Yep, them too.”
“And the hotel is booked, right?”
“Yes, my assistant booked it. We have the best suite in the hotel.” I hand over my bag and he throws it into the back of the truck.
“And the chapel is booked?”
“Yes, would you calm down? You’re making me nervous.”
“I’m sorry,” he breathes out. “I just… I want everything to go right.”
“We’re getting married. It doesn’t matter how many things fall apart on our journey. All that matters is that we work together to put them back where they belong.”
Shepard smiles and leans in, pressing his mouth to mine. “Let’s go.”
The two of us load up into the truck and make the drive to the airport. This last month has been jam-packed and busy. We started planning a traditional wedding, then decided against it. Neither of us wanted to make a fuss. Our whole relationship has been rather quiet, and we wanted our wedding to be the same way. If we had planned a big wedding, we knew that it would be all over the internet as Shepard lost his Most Eligible Bachelor title. He’s more than ready to give it up, but he wants to do so privately, not surrounded by drones and press.
That’s when we decided to just have a shotgun wedding in Vegas. A weekend away, where no work is involved. We travel a lot, but it’s always for work, and that leaves little time for us to just be together, relax, and enjoy the destination. This trip is only us, and I can’t wait to start the rest of my life with him.
The flight doesn’t take too long, and when we land in Vegas, we rent a car to get to the hotel. We check in and make it up to our room. It’s absolutely amazing, and the far wall is one giant window overlooking the glamor and glitz of Las Vegas. We have our own pool and hot tub. There’s a large sitting area, a bedroom, and a massive bathroom that may as well be a spa. The fridge is fully stocked with snacks and alcohol, and the table is littered with private passes and tickets to local shows. This will be a weekend that neither of us ever forget.
We arrive on a Friday evening, and we decide to keep things low key. We have dinner in the hotel restaurant and then spend a little time in the casino before we make our way back to our room to call it an early night. Neither of us want to be tired or feel like crap on our big day. We take a long shower together and hop into bed naked to cuddle and watch TV like we’re already some old married couple. Sleep finds me easily and I don’t wake up until the following morning with the bright sun streaming through the glass wall.
One of the best things about this type of wedding is that you don’t have to dress formally and be stuck in uncomfortable clothes. I brought a white dress, but it’s not big and puffy. It’s a simple summer dress that hugs my breasts and waist and flairs around my legs. It ends just below the knee. Shepard is wearing a pair of black pants and a white button up shirt. He’s gotten so used to wearing casual clothes that I almost never see him in a suit anymore, unless he has an important meeting. I love our lives and I can’t wait to get started on the next chapter.
“Are you ready?” Shepard asks from the bedroom while I look myself over in the mirror.
“Yep,” I reply, walking out into the bedroom.
He looks me up and down with his icy, blue eyes and a smile forms. “You look beautiful,” he says, pulling me against him and kissing me senseless.
I giggle as I pull back. “Save some for the wedding,” I joke.
“What wedding?” he asks, trying to pull me back in.
I laugh and smack his hands away. “Let’s go before I change my mind and back out.”
He grabs my hands and pulls me toward the door at a faster pace.
I laugh as we leave the room and head down the hallway for the elevator. We load up in our rental and he drives us across town to the chapel we’ve chosen. We sign some papers, and everyone gets into place. Shepard walks into the chapel while I wait in the lobby. An older lady holds up two bouquets.
“Which one, dear?”
One is roses and the other is wildflowers. I smile as I take the wildflowers from her and hold them in front of me. The music starts playing and the doors in front of me open. I start walking forward, taking in the rows of empty seats. There’s just Shepard at the end of the aisle and the Elvis impersonator officiant. I smile as I walk toward Shepard, and he doesn’t take his eyes off of me.
When I finally reach the end, Shepard turns to face me. “Wildflowers. Fitting,” he whispers, and I smirk.
“We’re gathered here today to bring these two together in holy matrimony,” Elvis says. “Shepard, would you like to recite your vows?”
