Kiptyn

This is it, the moment my life changes. My palms are sweating so badly, I feel like if I look down, I’ll see a puddle on the ground where they’ve been dripping. I don’t look. I don’t take the chance of missing the moment Skila walks through the doorway.

Butterflies take flight in my stomach when the music starts. I can’t decide if I need to swallow, throw up, or both. I need a drink of water, I think, but I can’t move. Jordan slaps me on the back and clasps my shoulder. I think he’s holding me in place. Do I look like I want to run?

I might.

I look over at him, but he just grins and nods back at the front of the church.

Lisa’s nephew is the first one down the aisle. His cuteness makes everyone smile and say, "Awwwww". As soon as he sees his grandma, he runs down the aisle as fast as his cute, slightly chubby legs can carry him until he falls right into his grandma’s arms.

From what Skila tells me, Lisa’s mom was always the cool mom. When Sky’s mom was taking chemo, apparently Gwen was always there for them. Sky loves her, and they're like one huge extended family. Next comes Lisa, Sky’s only bridesmaid and maid of honor, in a flowing blue dress. Sky isn’t the only one who notices the way her brother is eyeballing Lisa. I’ve seen that look a hundred thousand times before. Those two are up to no good.

As soon as Sky steps in, I lose it. My heart is stuck somewhere in the base of my throat. I don’t even know how I'm able to breathe around it right now, but I manage. Her flawless mocha colored skin glows next to the creamy white hue of her dress, and as she walks down the aisle, her brothers each on one arm, I can’t believe this is really happening.

She is everything, and now our forever is on the horizon.

Gorgeous.

Amazing.

Beautiful.

Stunning.

Extraordinary.

I can't find one word that would suitably describe her at the moment.

As she reaches me, she smiles a sultry smile that makes my knees nearly buckle. I'm definitely the luckiest man alive. Pastor Michaels begins his speech, but all I can focus on is the remarkable woman standing next to me.

"Dearly beloved . . ."

That's the last thing I remember. I'm so lost in Skila’s eyes, I don't hear a thing until Pastor Michaels clears his throat.

"Time for your vows," he whispers, and since we made the decision to write our own, it's especially emotional. 

“Skila, the day I first laid eyes on you, my world came crashing down around me. Everything I thought I knew was changed in that moment. My universe that had once revolved around only me now had a new center . . . YOU. You’re like a bright star who attracts others, none more so than me. I was drawn to you. I still am. You are my light, my moon, my diamond in the Sky. You are my North Star, and with you, I know I'll always be home. Thank you for choosing me, loving me, and giving me the chance to be the man you deserve.”

I’m barely able to finish, but the love I see reflected in her eyes gives me the courage and strength I need to go on. Raising her left hand to my lips, I kiss her ring finger before sliding the gold band onto her delicate finger and lowering her hand again.

As soon as Skila begins her vows to me, I can feel the tears pooling and I'm trying to hold them back. The look on her face is filled with more love than I have ever witnessed, and for the millionth time, I'm thanking the Lord for the blessing she is in my life. I still don’t know what I did to deserve her, but I hope that I can be the man she deserves for the rest of her life.

“I wasn’t looking for a man when I found you. I wasn’t looking for anything, and I’m glad, because then I might have missed the chance to meet you and fall head over heels, helplessly in love with you. You shook my entire foundation, Kiptyn Price, and I hope the tremors of our love never settle. Before you, I had gaping hole in my heart from love lost and pain too great to conquer, but because of you, my heart is once again whole, and I know that as long we have each other, nothing will ever break me again. I love you, Kip, today, tomorrow, and every day until the sky darkens overhead, and even then, I’ll love you.”

She slips her band on my finger, and I pull her to me again, unable to resist the urge to have her in my arms. I need to feel her body against my own. If I could, I'd have her stripped bare right now and I’d be worshipping every inch of her luxurious skin, but I can't.

Not yet.

We have a crowd of people watching us and waiting for the ceremony to end. A few more hours at the most, and then I’ll have her all to myself once again. Releasing her, I take her hand in mine, and we pause as the preacher asks us the customary questions, followed by our “I do”.

I can't help but smile while looking into her glistening chocolate eyes, knowing that I just married the most amazing woman God ever created. We stand there for a moment after he pronounces us husband and wife, letting it sink in. I'm amazed, stupefied even, that I got her. I got my Midnight Sky.

Behind us, I hear the sounds of clapping and a sharp whistle that could only have come from Jaxon, Skila’s younger and much more exuberant brother.

"Well, kiss her already!"

Bo shouts from the back of the room. If I'm not mistaken, his words sound a little slurred—no doubt from the moonshine he told me he did not bring into the church.

Ignoring the catcalls, I lock eyes with my bride and slowly, taking all the time in the world, I lower my lips to hers, and I worship her mouth the way only I'll ever be able to from now on. Skila is breathing heavier and leaning into me when I let her lips go. I rest my forehead against hers for a minute and give us a few to gather our wits, and then we turn to face the small gathering of people.

We walk over and join Nana and Jordan at their table. Jordan stands and slaps me on the back before pulling me into a hug and then doing the same to Skila. He catches her off guard, but after a quick twirl, she’s laughing and clinging to his arms. I’m kind of thankful Chris couldn't make it, even if his excuse was total bullshit. I just don't think he and Sky get along that well, and the more I’m around him, the less I think we do too. One thing’s for certain: if it had been his hands on my brand new bride, right now I'd be feeling some entirely different emotions.