3 months later
The past three months have been wonderful. After the night that he claimed me, he went full speed ahead with everything. He demanded that I move into his place, because he said there is no way he was moving into something my father paid for. Even though, we would be moving out immediately.
Apparently, when his parents died they left each of them money in a life insurance policy. He got access to his when he turned 18, but had been waiting on a reason to use his and apparently, I gave him the reason. The following week he contacted Elsa, the realtor and had her looking for a house for us. I tried to tell him that I didn’t need it, but he kept saying it wasn’t for us. It was for our family. Swoon.
I went and got my hair dyed pink just like I wanted. I love it!! It is not a bright pink, but a subtle one that goes with my skin tone perfectly and I did get ALL the tattoos discussed that night.
We started the construction on the sanctuary the week after we bought the land and I have never been so excited about anything in my life. I finally get to see one of my dreams come true. Well maybe more than one. Chip is definitely my first dream.
But the most important thing I get more than anything else is the love of the best man I know. He is everything. Attentive, loyal, and my fiercest fan. He defends me no matter who it is against and I love him more than I ever thought possible. He is my life. He has given me the strength to be someone I love, and I will spend my life giving him what he needs. ME.
Of course, his family and the whole town is surprised to find out we are together. When it became too much for me because I felt them judging me Not for being with him, but for him being with me. He stood outside the animal shelter and said in his loudest voice possibly, “Fuck them dove.” Double swoon.
He asked me to marry him two weeks later down by the lake. He knelt down on the ground and said to me.
“Let me stand in front of you always dove. I will always stand between you and the world.”
“I know, Sir. And I will proudly walk behind you and go where you lead. I love you.”
“I love you too. Little dove. Marry me.” And of course, I said yes.
When my family got wind of the things going down, of course my father tried paying Chip off and that backfired in the worst way possible. It took Miles and Dex to hold Chip off my father when he came to his apartment and declared him a nobody, who would use me and take all my money. No matter how much I told him to the contrary. Once the guys got Chip in hand I told my father to go fuck himself and I didn’t need anything from him. Nothing he is willing to give anyway and shut the door in his face.
Four weeks after later I found out I was pregnant. As young as he is I thought he would be upset at having a baby or at least nervous. He looked me in the eyes, kissed me, and cried. He thanked me for giving him everything and made love to me until the sun came up.
Once we had recovered from our marathon love session we discussed baby names, even though we knew it is too soon. The one thing we both agreed on is that if it is a boy his name should be Miles Christopher Heart. After the brother/dad that raised him and the father that gave him life. We spent the rest of the night whispering our dreams and love for one another, knowing that whatever came next we would handle it together.
We closed on our house five days later.
One day, he came home and found me melancholy and upset surrounded by wedding books. When he asked me what was wrong, I told him that I never imagined I would be planning a wedding alone. With no friends or family, nothing. He kissed me on the forehead and walked out of the room. Of course, this miffed me a bit. I expected him to hold me or something, because I am emotional and pregnant with no one to talk to of the female persuasion.
The miffiness, only lasted a very small second, because less than an hour later the doorbell rang and in walked his sister Kitty, his brother Dex, Ava and Hamm, Kennedy and Sterling and Rose and Max and Miles and Jacquie. Confused is not the word I can even describe as my reaction.
“What are you all doing here? Not that you’re not always welcome of course.”
“Chip called. Said you were planning a wedding and needed some help. So here we are. The guys, well they never let us go anywhere without them, so they brought beer and video games.” Ava said rolling her eyes. I was baffled. I mean none of them owe me anything. In fact, I probably owe most of them an apology and here they are doing this for me. Unable to control it I bust out in tears and when I feel his arms go around me, I grab onto his shirt and cry my little heart out. When I had finally calmed down, I turned to the room full of amazing people and told them what was in my heart.
“I am so sorry for the way I hurt you, Hamm and Max. And for the way I tried to hurt you, Ava and Rose. I have no excuse and I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I am so sorry.” And then I cry again. I don’t’ know if it is the baby or what.
“You guys have to excuse her. She has been really emotional since the baby.”
The collective gasps in the room are more than audible and then suddenly I am being pulled from Chips arms and whisked away to the kitchen.
“Oh my gosh, your pregnant? That is so awesome. Congratulations!!!!” That came from Kennedy.
“Do you know what you’re having? I found out, but I didn’t tell Max. He hated it. It was so great finally having something over that damn man.” Rose says with a giggle.
I can’t stop the words before they leave my mouth. “Why are you all doing this?”
“Chip explained everything to us over time and everyone deserves a second chance. It all worked out as it should have. So, what is the point in holding grudges?”
Then they all hug me and from that moment forward in one way or another they made me part of their group. Together we planned my wedding down to the very last detail. That was one month ago.
The day is finally here, and I am more than ready. There will be no family on my side, but that’s ok. I have all the family I need.
Looking in the mirror, I hardly recognize the girl staring back at me. She looks different. On the inside and outside. She looks…. happy. I am glowing, and it feels good to know I will not go into this new life alone. I will have my partner, best friend, Master, and protector in front of me.
My dress is beautiful. I had to get it let out a bit, but it is everything I dreamed of. It is an off the shoulder floral applique dress with a neckline and it flows beyond the waist with applique overlays over the chiffon bottom. I feel like a delicate feminine princess.
Chips loves my hair down, so I have it braided in a crown around my head with the rest down. Miles asked me if he could walk me down the aisle and I said yes. I cried that day and to my surprise so did he. He told me how happy he was that Chip was able to find someone who could give him the life he didn’t get to see with their parents.
Meeting Chip at the altar, I can tell by the redness in his eyes that he has been shedding tears of his own and it enders him to me more.
“Chip and Elizabeth have chosen to write their own vows. Elizabeth, would you like to go first?”
“Christopher. When I use to dream of my wedding day I only thought of flowers and colors, because in my mind no one would able to love me the way I needed. Then you came along and showed me that the reason I could never put my groom in the picture was because I hadn’t found him yet. The moment we locked eyes you were all I could think of, near and far. Thank you for chasing me and making me stay. Without your unconditional love and perseverance, we wouldn’t have this life out in the open or tucked safely in the place you planted it. I will love you and serve you in this life and the next. Forever.” When I finished and looked around us there was not a dry eye in the room.
“Elizabeth. I grew up with the best brothers and sister in the world. They loved, protected, and showed me what it was to stand in front of fear and the people you hold dear. I always knew I wanted to do this with the woman meant for me. When I saw you across the room looking lost and alone my heart soared, because I knew you were waiting for me. Even if you didn’t know it yet. You have given me more than I ever hoped to find, and I will forever be grateful for your love and devotion. The life we created together will be all the better, because he will have two parents that will stand united in front of him. Thank you for finally not moving and for seeing me. I will stand in front of you in this life and the next. Forever.”
“Chip and Elizabeth. What God has created may no man put asunder. I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride.”
The End