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The grey uniform with rows of gold buttons, patches with stripes, and the fancy embroidery along the sleeves, collar, and chest were a sight to behold. He had a deep red belt combined with stark white trousers that looked immaculate… and suddenly, she couldn’t wait to see their photograph together.
Taking her place, she tried to act evasive, but could still feel Michael’s eyes on her… causing her to glance towards him – only to see the cur wink knowingly. She fought back a laugh at the mischievousness that was there, lurking beneath that stoic visage he was presenting… or at least trying to.
The music changed and Ruby found herself watching Rose and her father walk towards the pastor, fighting the urge to look at Michael… and failing. As she met his dark, hazel eyes, everything seemed to fall away.
“Dearly beloved,” the pastor began. “We are gathered here today to join this young man and woman in holy matrimony. Who gives away the bride?”
She faintly heard the conversation as she and Michael just continued to look at one another, lost in their own thoughts. She was drinking in the vision of him there in uniform, trying to fight her imagination as she found herself wondering what it would be like to be marrying him.
This was craziness!
Michael’s gaze was intense as he suddenly looked away, breaking the spell between them. She let out her breath nervously, and tried to focus on the wedding before them all.
“It’s our turn, my love.”
“For our fairytale…”
“Our chance to live happily ever after,” her brother Ben whispered tenderly, his eyes focused solely on the woman before him.
“Forever,” Rose whispered silently,
“I, Benedict Ryan Merrick, do take thee, Rose Elizabeth Griffin, for my wife…” Ben began hoarsely, his voice shaking with emotion as he gazed at Rose tenderly. Ruby couldn’t help the smile that touched her lips as she realized her sappy, emotional brother was holding back tears.
“I, Rose Elizabeth Griffin, do take thee, Benedict Ryan Merrick, for my husband. To have and to hold, to love and cherish…” Rose said openly, proudly speaking her vows in a strong, clear voice.
“I love you,” Ben whispered, uncaring that he was speaking over the pastor.
“I love you, too,” she replied softly.
Ruby had to look away as her brother literally swept his new wife into his arms, swooping in and kissing the woman passionately, causing her to grimace.
Did the big dork have to be so open about it?
She chanced a glance over to Michael and saw he was making a face too. It was sweet, yet, weird to see her brother and Michael’s sister French kissing… and maybe she would feel different someday, but for now?
Ughhh, no.
“I am proud to present Mr. and Mrs. Benedict Merrick.”
The bride and groom turned and walked down the aisle towards the reception hall in the distance, with the rest of the wedding party following behind them. She stepped forward to take her place at Michael’s side and saw him immediately extend his arm.
“My sweet unicorn…” he murmured – and she practically preened at the affectionate nickname.
“How’s it going, peep?” she whispered, smiling up at him.
“You look lovely.”
“You aren’t so bad yourself.”
“Okay, I’m completely lying,” he chuckled nervously, his voice dropping to a whisper as they walked up to the building, catching her by surprise. “You l-look incredibly h-hot in that dress. I mean, seriously smokin’ h-hot, Ruby, like ‘Jessica-Rabbit-hot’.”
Ruby couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the way his voice cracked and the bluntness of his unexpected statement. She heard one of the girls behind her gasp in shock, as another guy chortled.
Meeting his eyes as he held open the door for her, she reached up to touch one of the buttons on his chest… and hoped it came out how she intended her words to be.
“Guess I should tell you that I lied, too…” she practically purred, walking past him, and saw his eyes roll back in his head as he groaned aloud.
“Every dance?” he croaked.
