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Without skipping a beat, she told me, "Don't worry, I'll leave the whore makeup for your wedding night." Leaning in she added, "By the way, I asked a nurse for you, and you guys will be able to start knockin' boots again in four to six weeks."
Even though she'd just done my mascara, I closed my eyes in embarrassment as all the girls in the room tittered, our mother included. TMI, Anna. T. M. I.
Seeing my mortification, Anna giggled and merrily stated, "You're welcome." A laugh escaped me, and opening my eyes, I gave my sister a warm smile. I suppose that was information I needed to know.
Mom helped me slip into my dress when the girls were all done beautifying me. Anna and I had found a very simple satin, tank-top dress. It was a brilliant white color that had a bit of a shimmer to it-it was elegant and modest, but stunning too; Anna said it suited me to a tee, but I personally thought it suited Kellan to a tee. They were no frills on it-no lace, no beads, no ribbons, no elaborate sleeves. It was beautiful simply because it was beautiful. Like Kellan, the dress didn't need any enhancements.
I slipped on a pair of simple white shoes, then turned to look at myself in the mirror. I almost couldn't believe it was me I was looking at. With bouncing curls, moderately smoky eyes, and a gleaming white dress, I looked like something straight out of a fairy tale-the princess about to marry her prince. Except, instead of a crown, this princess had a sparkling guitar necklace draped around her neck. Even I had to admit . . . I was gorgeous.
Mom had tears rolling down her cheeks as she snapped pictures of me on her phone with one hand while juggling Gibson with her other. If she was crying already, she was going to be a wreck by the actual wedding. She might need a Valium. Good thing we were going to a hospital. Feeling my eyes start to fill, I warned her, "Stop it, you're going to make me cry and ruin my makeup."
Mom sniffed as she made a valiant attempt to control herself. "Sorry, honey, you're just so beautiful."
Grabbing her elbow, I inhaled a deep, calming breath. "I'm ready. Take me to my husband so I can finally marry him."
My dad had arranged for a limo to pick us all up. It was a plain one, clearly on the bottom of the rental scale. There were no real frills on the inside except a shelf in the wall holding bottled water. It was perfect, and I greatly preferred this simplicity to the overdone elegance of Sienna's limo.
The limo dropped us off right in front of the hospital. The fans outside went ballistic when they saw me. They tossed out such flowery compliments that my cheeks felt heated, but I smiled and gave them a gracious curtsy anyway. I even waved for the paparazzi. Let them splash my face all over the magazines. It would only give me more photos to use for my wedding album.
Our entourage walking through the halls had to have been a strange sight, but all I saw everywhere I looked were smiles. The nurses, the doctors, the other patients-everyone seemed as excited about this moment as I was. Well, maybe not as much as I was. I was nearly bursting at the seams as I clung to Mom's arm. When we got to Kellan's floor, rose petals were scattered along the ground. My eyes misted up just seeing the bright red velvet. My vision watery, I followed the path marked in flowers.
When I reached the hallway that led to Kellan's room, the moisture in my eyes grew disastrously thick. Dressed in gray slacks and a dark blue button-up top, my dad was waiting for me at the end of the hall. He looked ten years younger as pride filled his face. New tears spilling from her eyes, Mom handed me off to Dad. Whispering, "I have never been more proud of you," in my ear, he enclosed me in a warm hug. It took everything in me to not start crying.
Holding on to Dad for dear life, I looked down the hallway toward where the injured love of my life was waiting for me. The corridor was lined with at least a dozen nurses, doctors, technicians, and other staff members, and all of them were holding the softly glowing vigil candlesticks that the fans outside were using. Some patients' doors were open, with curious faces peeking through the cracks, but I didn't care one tiny little bit if strangers were watching this bizarre spectacle. I was getting married today.
The hallway floor was also littered with red rose petals, and at the end of the hallway, standing right in front of Kellan's door, was Deacon. He had Kellan's acoustic guitar strapped around his neck. The minute he saw me, his face split into a wide smile. "You're beautiful," he mouthed, then he started to strum my favorite D-Bags song. I just about lost it. My mother did.
Carly handed Anna and Jenny small bouquets that had been gifts from Kellan's fans; she gave Kate, Cheyenne, Rachel, Abby, and Hailey flickering candles. She handed me a bouquet of white and yellow Cala Lillies. I hadn't seen these in Kellan's room. Seeing my confusion, she shrugged. "I ordered them this morning."
Awed and impressed, I gave her a swift hug as each of my bridesmaids started drifting across the petal-strewn tile; their dresses perfectly matched the roses. Once they disappeared into the room, Deacon's song shifted to the traditional wedding march. I couldn't stop the tears then, and Mom quickly dabbed my eyes before running to the end of the hall so she could film my father walking me to my husband.
I had no idea how I did it, but I made it to the end of the hallway upright. I was shaking so bad, I was sure Dad could feel it. He patted my arm in reassurance as he helped me along. I gave Deacon a brief smile, then turned toward Kellan's room. Even though I'd helped set it up, the room marveled me. Long, silky tablecloths were hung from the ceiling all the way around the sides of the room, hiding the telltale signs that we were in a hospital. Strands of tube lighting were hung along the tops of each sheet-curtain and in between the seams. It bathed the dimly lit room in warmth.
The hospital had placed red industrial carpets from the door to the other end of the room where the minister, dressed in a sharp black pantsuit, was waiting by the wide window. Linens wrapped with tube lighting and flowers were hung in a way that framed the window, like an altar; outside the window, I could see the swarms of fans in the background. The floor was covered with the rest of Nick's ostentatious floral arrangement. The remainder of the bouquets lined the windowsill.
Except for Kellan's bed, all of the furniture had been removed from the room, creating space for the guests to stand. As my eyes drifted around the area packed full of witnesses who loved Kellan and me, each of whom was holding a flickering candlestick, I was overwhelmed with love.
The remaining members of Holeshot and Avoiding Redemption were here, clustered near the door. Still playing the guitar, Deacon moved into the room behind me. Jenny and Anna were standing to the left of the minister; both of their cheeks were wet. Evan was standing on the right side, and Denny was standing in a spot of great honor beside him. Grinning ear to ear, Denny nodded at me and minutely lifted his candle.
The rest of our massive wedding party was lining the carpet leading to Kellan's bed, boys on one side, girls on the other. Faces full of pride, Matt and Griffin were standing beside Justin, Gavin, and Riley. Opposite them were the rest of my girls, Rachel, Kate, Cheyenne, Abby, and Hailey. Griffin was rocking Gibson back and forth, the tiny baby fast asleep in her father's arms. And much to my relief, Griffin was dressed similarly to the other boys in a solid black dress shirt with matching black slacks that I'm assuming had a back to them.
My blurry vision drifted to my husband as my father and I passed by the bridal party and stepped to the foot of the hospital bed. Kellan's eyes were glossy as he stared back at me. "You're breathtaking," he murmured. While I'd been gone, someone had helped Kellan put on real clothes. He was lying on top of the covers and had on a loose, white button-up shirt draped over dark black slacks. And he was barefoot. Even a little banged up, I thought he looked pretty breathtaking too.
I stood at the end of his bed, fully prepared to climb in with him and get married lying down, but Kellan held his hand up to stop me. "Wait."
Preparing himself for pain, he started to sit up. I immediately took a step away from my father. "No, Kellan, don't. You're still weak, you can lie down. You don't have to stand for this."
Cringing in discomfort, he grabbed onto his IV stand with white knuckles. "I've been waiting my entire life to marry you, Kiera. I think I'll stand."
Gavin instantly handed his candle to Riley and rushed to Kellan's side. It almost made me laugh that both of our fathers were helping us to the altar, but I was too touched by Kellan's actions to do anything but cry-a happy, pride-filled cry.
After Kellan jerkily made his way to the nurse marrying us, his father stepped back. My dad kissed my cheek before letting me go. Fearful of Kellan toppling over, I rushed in to take the void left by Gavin. Kellan smiled down at me, then let out a low, controlled exhale. "I'm okay."
Wanting to match Kellan, I kicked off my shoes and tossed them out of the way; rose petals stuck to the soles of my feet. Aside from the IV stand Kellan was holding on to for support, we looked like we were getting married on a beach, and I could easily imagine the sound of the ocean in the background-although that could have been the rustling of all the people trying to pack themselves around the door so they could watch.
Kellan laughed as I curled my toes on the carpet, and he didn't cringe as much as he had yesterday. While the minister thanked everyone for being there, Kellan reached into his pocket and placed something in my palm. Discretely looking, I saw a rose petal with the words Forever Your Husband written in bold black letters.
I clenched it in my hand as the tears mercilessly rolled down my cheeks. I wanted to lean up and kiss him, but we weren't at that part yet, so I restrained myself. Not kissing Kellan Kyle is very hard to do, especially when he was looking at me like I was the most miraculous thing he'd ever seen.
I clasped Kellan's free hand with both of mine as the minister directed her speech toward us. "Kellan Kyle, Kiera Allen, your friends and family are gathered here today to watch your two separate lives merge into one. From this point forward, you will face the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of life as one being. You will be bound together, body and soul, and the desires of the one will be forsaken for the needs of the two. But there is strength to be gained from this bond, for each of you. Where one might break, two can stand tall. Where one might fold, two can hold firm. From here until the end of your days on earth, you will have someone to support you during times of weakness, comfort you during times of grief, encourage you during times of fear, and celebrate with you during times of joy. That is a gift, one that should never be abused or taken for granted. Cherish each other as God cherishes you, and you will both know peace."
I squeezed Kellan's hand as I glanced up at him. We'd been through so much already, but she was right-we were strongest when we were together. We lifted each other up, brought out the best in each other. We were better people together. From somewhere behind me, I could hear my mother sobbing.
Looking to the Best Man and Maid of Honor, the minister asked, "Do you have the rings?"
Anna nodded as she wiped her tears away with a knuckle. Kellan and I had handed over our rings while decorating. I was a bit relieved that Anna hadn't lost Kellan's. Motherhood had done wonders for her responsibility. Her eyes swimming with more tears waiting to fall, Anna handed me Kellan's promise ring. Evan's face was equally emotional as he handed Kellan my wedding ring.
As Kellan and I faced each other, the nurse leaned in and asked, "Do you want me to say the standard vows, or would you like to say your own?"
Looking deep into my eyes, Kellan immediately responded with, "I'd like to say something."
Lost in his dark blue depths, I deflated the encroaching ball of nerves in my stomach, nodded, and said, "I'd like to say something too."
Looking pleased, she indicated for Kellan to start. Letting go of his stabilizing IV stand, Kellan wobbled on his feet for a second. Evan looked ready to hold him upright, but, face pale, Kellan managed on his own. Grabbing my left hand, Kellan tenderly opened my fingers; the warmth of his touch shot up my arm.
Placing the circle of metal at the end of my ring finger, his soft voice filled the space between us. "Kiera Michelle Allen, my life was empty before you stepped into it. I thought I had everything I needed, but only because I didn't let myself want anything. And then I saw you, and you burned a hole straight through me. I have never wanted anything more in my life. And I have never been more terrified in all my life. In all my life," he repeated.
