Chapter 20

Even though my stomach was fluttering like crazy, I was steady on my towering heels as I took the first steps to Jay. To the rest of my life.

Nothing could have taken the enormous smile off my face. I forgot all about my sheer dress and lack of wedding vows and walked to Jay with nothing but confidence.

He looked amazing. Beyond gorgeous in a black tux with gray vest and bow tie. Most of all, the massive smile across his face melted my heart.

We stood facing each other, two feet apart, and the officiant at our side.

Jay stared into my eyes and said, “Abigail Marie White, beautiful. From the moment I first saw you, I knew we were meant to spend our lives together. You’ve brought laughter and fun into my life, filled a void I didn’t even know I had. You are the most amazing person I’ve ever known, and I will support and protect you through everything that might happen to us. I will never do anything to hurt you, ever. I will give you everything you could ever want and above all, I will never stop loving you. My life couldn’t exist without you in it, and I’m honored to have you as my wife, to fill the rest of my life with your amazing spirit. I could never be without you.”

A lump formed in my throat. I gripped my lilies so hard the stems were crushed. Tears wet my cheeks as he took my left hand and slid a plain wedding band onto my finger.

The official smiled and waved his hand from me to Jay. I cleared my throat, still unsure what I would say.

“Oh, golly gee damn!”

Jay laughed. Of course I’d channel Audrey Hepburn at a moment like this. I gathered myself.

“James McAllister, Jay. A few months ago I never thought I was capable of loving ever again. And then you appeared in my life, and filled me with so much love that I learned I could love. I could do anything for you. Would do anything for you. I love you, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” The words flowed out of me like water from a tap. Or blood from my heart.

The official held a ring out between his index finger and thumb. With unsteady fingers, I took it and placed it on Jay’s left ring finger.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

I dropped my hands to my side. Jay put one arm around my back, his skin connecting with mine where my bra strap would normally be. He pulled me to him and with his other hand, cupped my cheek.

Our eyes locked as he leaned over and kissed me. My eyes closed, and he became more forceful. I parted my lips to allow him into my mouth and we kissed, fully possessing each other.

* * *

A man in a black suit held a door open for us, and Jay led me through. I caught the sign on the way in, Picasso. Every table in the restaurant was empty. And it wasn’t a little restaurant.

Jay led me to a table at the window, the Bellagio fountains dancing on the other side. He held out a chair for me and I sat down.

“Why are we the only ones here?” I didn’t know why I was whispering.

“Because our wedding reception is an exclusive affair.”

A waiter with bottle of Dom Pérignon pink Champagne appeared at our table, and he poured a glass for each of us.

Jay picked his up. “To the most beautiful bride the world has ever known. I love you, Mrs. McAllister.”

“I love you, Mr. Mickle.”

He laughed, his smile lighting up his face. Jay clinked his glass to mine and started to say something else.

“Stop it, don’t you make me cry,” I knew from the crease of his eye that he was going to make an earnest comment. To tell me something far too kind.

“I’m not going to make you cry. But I need you to know how much I love you, so you’ll never forget that, no matter what happens.”

“Why? What’s going to happen?”

“Life.” Jay said.

* * *

A five-course dinner along with too much Champagne had come and gone. Jay stood and held his arm out to me.

“Come, we need to dance.”

I took his arm, and he led me to a clearing in front of wide glass doors, the fountains on the other side. He held me close, with one hand in mine and the fingertips of the other pressed into small of my back.

Music started. I knew the song in three notes. “Moon River.” I pushed my face into his chest when Audrey Hepburn’s voice started singing and I breathed deep.

Jay held me up as we slowly moved in a circle. He stroked my back.

“I love you, beautiful.”

I tried, but couldn’t respond. I wanted to tell him how much I love him. How amazed I was that anyone would ever do something for me like he has done today. There could never be any doubt over how much Jay loved me.