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A week later…
I’m dressed once again in my wedding gown, my sisters are in their dresses from the sewing circle, and we’re walking down the stairs just as we did last time. Except this time I’m getting married for real.
Hank waits for me at the bottom of the stairs and offers me his arm.
Since this is the real deal this time around, I called my dad to let him know I was getting married, but he couldn’t make it here on such short notice. I was less disappointed than a daughter probably should be. But I honestly don’t feel like I’m missing anything when I look at Hank’s smiling face while he waits for me.
It’s literally like someone pressed rewind on the entire last three weeks, except this time there’s no debate in my head. I’m completely at peace with what I’m about to do.
Neither Noah nor I thought we should waste any more time just being engaged. And I really wanted to be the first one married under that arbor. So, we planned this wedding with a very small guest list and scheduled it on a weekday.
I walk out to the balcony that overlooks the bay and see the rows of white chairs and one gorgeous man at the end of the aisle, waiting for me under the arbor.
When Noah looks at me, his smile is everything. I never dreamed about what the man I would marry would look like. All I know is that he possessed everything Noah does. He’s kind and generous and loves me for me. He desires me, craves me, and constantly tells me how much I mean to him. I’m not sure I ever really thought I could find a man like him.
We walk up the aisle, and Hank puts his hand on mine to slow me down a bit because this time I’m eager to reach my groom. Eager to have his hands in mine. Eager to become Mrs. Noah Winters.
What feels like a lifetime later, we reach the end of the aisle. Hank lifts my veil, kisses my cheek, and hands me over to Noah. Noah takes my hands and holds them tightly.
“You look stunning… again.”
I grin. “You look handsome… again.”
We both laugh and the preacher stops speaking for a moment.
“Sorry,” we mumble and look at each other, trying not to laugh again.
This time, I listen to the words the preacher says about how we need to love and cherish each other. Then we say our vows, exchange rings, and are announced as “Mr. and Mrs. Noah and Amanda Winters.”
And then the best part. Noah’s warm hands on my cheeks. My head tilts to look up as he bends down to kiss his bride. His kiss, as always, comes with promises, and this one tells me he’s going to love me all of my life.
We walk down the aisle, and at the end, he lifts me off my feet, twirling me around. When he kisses me again, his tongue parts my lips, silently telling me to just wait for tonight.
Of course, we’re not staying at the inn. I’m giving my team another chance to show off how they can manage without me, because we’re leaving on a surprise honeymoon. Noah refuses to tell me where we’re going but gave me a list of five things to bring. A bikini, flip-flops, a casual dress, lingerie, and my favorite sex toy.
“Mrs. Winters,” he says and stares at me, “I love you.”
“I love you.”
Our brief moment of privacy gets interrupted by my big family and Noah’s smaller one offering their congratulations. Even baby Noah gives Noah a high five, but still says he’s not Noah, to which everyone laughs.
“Time to eat!” Francois announces.
Everyone shuffles into the dining room. I closed it for anyone other than wedding guests.
I stop Chevelle when she and Derek start toward the exit of the dining room. “Where are you going?”
“I’m just saying goodbye to Derek. He has to get to work,” she says.
“Not sure who plans a wedding during the week,” Derek grumbles.
“Stop it,” Chevelle says. “How about a thank you?”
Derek doesn’t say anything in response to Chevelle. “Congratulations,” he says to me.
It’s all I can do to not lay into this guy. But I won’t make a scene at my wedding, so instead I say, “Thanks. Sorry you can’t stay.” Not.
“I’ll be right back,” Chevelle says and squeezes my hand.
