“Thanks, Jude. I figured you’d be okay with it, but you know. If it was my ex, I’m not sure I’d be alright with my friend takingherout.”
“I'm just happy, man. When you meet your Olivia, everything else in the world seemsinsignificant.”
Cade nodded. “I know. I met my Olivia fifteenyearsago.”
* * *
Jude's propertybacked into the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. On a clear night, he could see the lights from the Santa Monica Pier, and it reminded him of how good life had been to him. Today was the culmination of a life he knew he was lucky to have and refused to share with anyone but his closestfriends.
Shortly after moving in, Olivia had an old-fashioned wooden gazebo built between several palm trees in a back corner overlooking the ocean. Both Olivia and Jude spent hours in the gazebo admiring the view while writing songs. It only made sense the gazebo was where they would exchange theirweddingvows.
Chairs were lined in front of the gazebo in one group instead of the traditional bride and groom split. Jude stood in front of the gazebo, now draped with sunflowers, daisies, and roses, dressed in his tuxedo and motorcycle boots with Olivia's family ministerbesidehim.
Having been there when Jude and Olivia met on her first tour, the band asked to be a part of the wedding. Although they didn't want a big wedding or anything traditional, Olivia couldn't imagine a wedding without music, so she agreed. The band was set up next to the gazebo on a small stage where they began playing Here Comes theBride.
Olivia walked along the pathway to the gazebo, the sun glistening against her long, light brown waves. Her hair swayed freely with a crown of pale pink roses and gerbera daisies that matched the simple bouquet shecarried.
Jude couldn't take his eyes off his bride as she made her way towards him. Wearing an ivory chiffon, vintage-inspired dress with a deep V neckline and hand-beaded crystals that lined the cap sleeves and bodice, Olivia looked angelic. Smiling as she reached him, she let out a small laugh when she noticed hisboots.
"You don't like them?" Jude asked,grinning.
Lifting the hem of her floor-length dress, Olivia stuck her foot out, revealing a pair of white Converse. "At least mine are new," she said,laughing.
"Olivia," Jude said, "I know we didn't talk about this, but I wanted to say something to you in front of all our family and friends." His expression grew serious and as he looked into her dark brown eyes, the rest of the world fell away. She was all that mattered. "My life was good before we met. I could do whatever I wanted with whoever I wanted. I didn't have to worry about anything or anyone. I was happy. At least I thoughtIwas.
"I didn't realize how dark my life had become," Jude said as he took Olivia's hands in his. "I have my demons, we all do, and at times I've let them control me more than I've controlled them. But when I met you, all of that changed. You were the light that shone through thedarkness.
"You're the other half of me. Before you I was nothing, but with you I am everything. I love you more each day, and being with you has been the happiest time of my life. It just keeps getting better. I can't wait to begin the rest of my life with you asmywife."
Olivia sniffed and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye as she smiled. "Damn you, Jude," she whispered. "How am I supposed to speak after that?" She tried to clear her throat, but more tears came to her eyes. "I love you too, I didn't think love existed until I met you," she choked out before her tears spilled onto her round cheeks. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice getting squeaky before shelaughed.
Jude laughed and kissed her lips. "You don't have to say anything,"hesaid.
The minister stepped forward, smiling. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You already did it, but go ahead and do it again, you may kiss thebride."
Jude pulled Olivia close and then quickly dipped her, making her drop her bouquet as she grabbed onto him, giggling. Holding her in his arms, he kissed her as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Pressing his nose against hers, he whispered, "From the moment I met you, I knew you would be my happily ever after. They might call you Lucky, but today you made me the luckiest and happiest manalive."
Olivia smiled and shook her head, still choked up. "No, I'm still lucky. I married the man of my dreams and my best friend. We'll be together forever, and that still won't be longenough."
He lifted her in his arms and kissed her again as the small crowd applauded. Looking out at their family and friends, he saw his bandmates and wished for them the kind of happiness Oliviabroughthim.
Continue reading for theEpilogue.
