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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
BLAKE
If at first, you don't succeed...
That's how I approached my upcoming wedding with Lily. Her first wedding didn't end happily ever after, but I plan to have ours be the best yet. I love her so much. Just doing the simplest things with her brings me joy.
I wanted to have a big obnoxious wedding to show her how much she means to me. I got shut down; she explained to me the big over-the-top spectacle wedding wouldn't do. She instead wanted a small, intimate wedding in a small church with only friends and family. Both our mothers fought it for a little while until they realized my bride was very serious, so small and intimate were the key words. It's kind of nice.
We breezed through the whole wedding planning stage. My mom didn't get too upset when we weren't going big, but at least we were getting married at a church. My brother Noah took his bride to Vegas. My mother gave him an earful until she found out they were expecting. Then all was forgiven.
I thought I would be nervous on my wedding day, but I'm quite calm. I want to get the ceremony over with so she will officially be mine. Not that I have any worries. Lily is my life. I can’t think of ever being without her. The best thing about her is that she doesn't let me grump around too long before calling me out.
I look around to see both of my brothers waiting with me. The Dalton boys used to be labeled as playboys. Now we are all settling down. Even my little brother, who was the worst of us all, seems to have slowed down considerably in the last year.
I get a slap on my shoulder and realize Rob is trying to get my attention.
"It's time, bro," he tells me.
I give him my cheekiest smile and head out the door to watch my girl walk down the aisle toward me.
I adjust my cuffs one more time and look at my brothers. They are probably as shocked as me that I'm getting married today. I'm so calm, not nervous at all. Wild horses couldn't stop me today.
"About time," I say, heading through the door to the front of the church.
I don't have long to wait before the music starts, cuing the bridesmaids to begin their walk down the aisle. Lily chose Jenny and Sarah as her two bridesmaids to match with my two brothers. Something has been off about Sarah the last couple of times I saw her. She's always been private, but even more so now. I’ll have to dig further into that sometime.
The girls take their spots across from us. Everyone turns to watch the bride, but she doesn't come. For a quick second, I think maybe she got cold feet and skipped on me. No, that wouldn't happen. I laugh to myself. Anyway, Jenny is here, so there's no getaway driver to make her great escape. The thought is fleeting because in the next instant, she glides toward me. I let out the breath I've been holding waiting for her to appear.
She is the most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes on. Her dress is a simple white gown that shows off her curves without being too sexy. She found it in a vintage store and fell in love with it. The dress really didn't matter to me. She could be decked out in a burlap bag, and I’d still think she’s beautiful.
This wonderful woman takes my hand, and the minister starts the ceremony. Most of it's a blur. I just keep staring at her until my brother gives me a little nudge so I can say my own vows. Then it's time for me to kiss the bride. I'm so lucky I made it without making too many mistakes, at least I hope so. I wasn't paying attention. The only thing I do know is that I have the biggest grin on my face because I couldn't be any happier.
While walking down the aisle, Lily leans into me. "Were you worried?"
The relief when I finally saw her walking toward me must have shown on my face. I will never admit to her that I had a moment of doubt.
"No, I was never worried. Anyway, your getaway driver is already occupied," I jokingly reply.
She gives me a nudge with her elbow. When we reach the end of the aisle, I pull her into my arms and give her another kiss.
"We were meant to be. I knew you were the one the minute I laid eyes on you."
I pull her into my arms and plan on never letting her go. I wasn't looking for love, but it still found me. I know that I'm the luckiest guy in the world.
