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Aiden
There are few moments in a man’s life they considermagical. It’s a whimsical sentiment, usually left for and expressed by women. Watching Luna walk down the aisle was just that. Magical. I’m not a man who envisioned his wedding day. I never gave it much thought at all if I’m honest. Sure, I felt nervous anticipation while I changed into my suit, and had my photo taken with Jason, Devon, and Leslie, and in a private moment with Leslie, I felt the magnitude of what he was entrusting to me. His daughter’s happiness, his grandchildren. However, I will admit that before I turned around, and looked at Luna, I thanked my lucky stars for the life she’s given me.
The opportunity she’s given me to prove my worth, and be the kind of man she deserves. The kind of father my children will deserve. The kind of man who will protect and love her and our children for the rest of my life. Then I turned and saw her, and everything in my world felt right. We exchanged vows in front of those we love, and I promised to give her my heart, my soul, my everything for the honor of being her husband. I promised to love her until my heart gave out, and vowed to honor and respect her, no matter what life throws at us. She cried, and I wiped her tears, sealing our forever with a kiss. Now, she’s in my arms, and we’re swaying in the center of our make-shift dance floor for our first dance as man and wife. With our friends and family watching we sway to Ray LaMontagne’s “You are my best thing”.
Her gaze is wide, and filled with adoration, and I wonder to myself what I did, in this life or a past one, to deserve this woman.
“Are you happy, Mrs. West?”
She grins up at me, licking her lips. “Irrevocably,” she replies quietly. “Are you happy, Mr. West?”
I grin and press my lips to hers. “Irrevocably,” I repeat. Luna faces me and wraps her arms around my neck. “Today was perfect,” she sighs, and in that sigh, I canfeelher absolute contentment.
“It was,” I admit, even if we experienced our day a little differently. “Are you feeling okay?” I ask. She’s been fatigued lately, both from her recovery and her pregnancy.
“I’m perfect,” she says. I give her a chaste kiss just before we’re interrupted. Leslie steps up to us, Adaline at his side.
“May I cut in?” He asks, gesturing for Luna’s hand. Luna steps into his arms, and I open mine for Adaline.
“I don’t think I ever thanked you,” Adaline says, looking up at me. “For saving Luna.” I glance over at my wife, and then back at my mother-in-law. “Would you believe me if I said she’s the one who saved me?” Adaline gives me a knowing smile. “She has that way about her, doesn’t she?”
“She’s the strongest woman I know,” I reply earnestly. “And I’m the lucky one, Adaline.”
“I wouldn’t be happy parting with her with a lesser man, Aiden.”
Her sentiment roots itself deep in my chest and stays there. We dance until the song changes, and then the dance floor is flooded with people. Fairy lights turn on, lighting up the whole of town square. Guests mill about, seated at overturned barrels. I check my watch. I have an hour before our limo arrives. Luna and I agreed we wouldn’t do a honeymoon, but I called in some favors and will be flying her to Bora Bora tonight. I search for Liv and give her a nod — our sign for her to move things along. the women gather for the bouquet toss, and then I’m sticking my head up Luna’s dress to pull her garter down her thigh with my teeth. Both are traditions IknowLuna had no say in when she got married the first time, which is why I enlisted Liv and Gabby’s help to ensure we have both, much to the delight of our guests. Luna’s busy talking to Liv when I approach from behind and wrap my arms around her waist. “I have one last wedding gift for you, Mrs. West.” She twists her head, and looks up at me, confusion knitting her brow. I point over my shoulder at the limo. “Start saying your goodbyes.” I kiss her nose. “We need to get home and change before our flight.”
“Our flight to where?”
I grin. “It’s a surprise.”
Luna and I make our rounds, greeting and thanking each and every person who joined us today. The party will continue once we’re gone, of that, I’m sure. I slip into the back of the limo and Luna follows. “Where are we going?” She asks.
“Home,” I tease, directing the driver to our house. I help Luna climb out, and when we’ve changed out of our wedding attire, I grab the two suitcases I packed while Luna was asleep last night and take them out to the limo.
“What about the bar and the bakery?” Luna asks, stepping back into the limo.
“Taken care of,” I reply, slipping in behind her. I tell the driver to take us to Atlanta Hartsfield airport. It’s just over an hour’s drive, and by the time we get there, Luna is even antsier. We unload our bags, and only when we get to the boarding gate, do I tell her where we’re going.
“Bora Bora?” She squeaks, her eyes wide with excitement.
“We’ll be in transit for about twenty hours, but yes, a week in Bora Bora for our honeymoon.”
She slaps my arm, and laughs. “We said no honeymoon.”
I shrug. “I lied. After everything we’ve been through, Luna, we need a vacation. I real one. And it starts now.”
Fifteen hours later, we land in a rainy and wet Bora Bora, the island overcome with wet weather. Poor planning on my part, but it’s the best I could do last minute. The porter loads our bags onto a trolley while I check us in at hotel reception. We’re both exhausted from traveling for two days, but once we get to our villa, Luna hops in the shower, and I join her. To wash off the grime from being in transit. The water slides down her body, and all I can do is stare at my wife’s luscious body in appreciation. I push off the door frame, and strip before stepping into the large, glass-encased shower. I wrap my arms around her waist, kissing her shoulder. I’m too tired to initiate anything else, as much as I love touching Luna. She turns in my arms and slips her hands up my arms and around my neck. “You didn’t check the weather, did you?” She laughs.
I suck my lips into my mouth and shake my head with a sigh. “Nope, but it won’t be the worst thing if we’re stuck in this gorgeous villa for a few days, would it?” We haven’t had much time alone since we arrived home from Massachusetts. Between planning our wedding, and Luna’s recovery, we’ve been rather preoccupied.
“I certainly don’t think so,” Luna replies, pressing her mouth to mine. We stand under the stream of water like that for long minutes, and I savor the feel of our wedding bands on our skin. A novel feeling for me. I help Luna wash her hair and lather my hands with some soap before rubbing my hands over her wet flesh. We find a rhythm in the way we touch, one that’s unlike anything we’ve had before. This woman is my wife, to have and to hold for as long as we both shall live. The thought of which ignites a different kind of love and affection. I want to give her the world, and everything her heart desires. We get ourselves cleaned up, and while Luna walks around in nothing but a robe, I order some room service. It’s still early-ish, but I’m ready for bed, and I think Luna is too. The rain sets a beautiful backdrop while we eat, and when we crawl into bed a while later, Luna curls herself into my side, and I’m reminded of just how far we’ve come. From a rocky beginning to a forever I can’t wait for. Finding out we’re going to be parents, to having as close to perfect a wedding we’ll ever have. And now, to this moment, where we can breathe the same air, and just be. I never imagined my life would look like this, but Luna walked into my life, flipped it on its head, and showed me what is possible. I can’t picture life without her.
“What are you thinking about so hard?” She asks quietly. I feel her gaze on the side of my face and turn to face her. “You,” I reply. She smiles, and I can’t help myself when I roll her closer and kiss her. Because I can. And because she’s everything. Luna lets out a content sigh, and we doze off, just like that.
Epilogue: Welcome to Parenthood
Luna
