Luisa
The sun is shining as I look out the window of Jasmine’s childhood home, watching all the guests arrive. Today is Jasmine and Quill’s wedding, and I’m nervous. I don’t know why, it’s not as If I’m the bride, but Jasmine is my best friend and I know how much this day means to her.
The garden has been decked out with rows of chairs, roses pinned at the end of each row. Petals are scattered along the length of the aisle, all the way to the white silk wedding marquee, vines of flowers surrounding it. I watch as Quill, Hawke, Blaze, and Gunner make their way to their positions. Quill looks nervous, but my eyes are locked on Hawke. He looks so goddamn yummy with his hair down and combed back, and he’s wearing a black suit with tails, and a silver bowtie. I swallow hard at the image he’s presenting, and for one brief moment I allow myself to picture us as the bride and groom getting married. I only hope that one day it will be. I love Hawke, and I want him in my future. I can’t imagine not having him in my life.
“Earth to Luisa.”
I move my gaze to Tess, who’s walked up beside me. “Wow, they scrub up well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Blaze in a suit before.”
I giggle. “Never?”
“Never,” she repeats shaking her head.
“Do you think you and Blaze will ever get married?” I ask, giving her my full attention, curious to hear what her response is.
She sighs. “He’s asked me, but I said I wanted to wait. One day we will, but for now I’m happy being his old lady.”
I gasp. “You mean he asked you to marry him, and you said no?”
“That about sums it up.”
I’m shocked, completely shocked. “But why?”
“That, Luisa, needs time, and lots of alcohol,” she explains, smiling and peeking out the window again.
Tess looks beautiful. Her bronze skin against the silver silk gown she’s wearing makes a stunning contrast, enhancing her beauty. Her hair is quite short, but the hairstylist was able to pop it up in a stylish bun, highlighting her cheekbones. Her blue eyes pop, lined with black, and her lips look full with the pink gloss she’s chosen. She’s stunning.
“I’ll hold you to that,” I say, walking past Tess to go see if Jasmine is ready. I make a mental note to one day have that drink with Tess.
“You look gorgeous, Jazz.”
Jasmine looks over to me with tears in her eyes. She’s just been hugging her dad, and he said how proud he is of her.
“Here, dry your eyes. You’re going to ruin your makeup if you keep crying like that,” I say holding out a tissue to her. “You look gorgeous, Jasmine.” I’m struggling to contain my own tears on the verge of falling.
“Don’t you dare cry, Lu. If you cry, then I’ll cry again, and then we’ll both have to fix our makeup.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, my chin quivering.
“Get it together, Lu,” Jasmine teases and we both dab gently at our eyes.
“I love you like my own sister,” I admit and bring her in for a hug.
Jasmine hugs me in return, then pulls back. “I love you too, Lu. You’ve always been here for me. We may not be related through blood, but to me you are my sister.” She leans in and kisses me on my left cheek. “Now, let’s do this,” she says, glancing at herself in the mirror one last time.
Her father, Jackson, holds his arm out to Jasmine, and he smiles down at her as she takes it. Her mother walks beside her, and I quickly lift Jasmine’s train off the floor, ensuring she doesn’t trip over it and fall.
Hailey and Tess meet us in the hallway off her parents’ bedroom, and they both look at Jasmine, their emotion over the moment clear on their faces. Jasmine stops just before she reaches them. “It’s happening, ladies. I’m getting married.”
Hailey and Tess both laugh, and kiss Jasmine on the cheek. “Yes, you are. And you make a gorgeous bride,” Tess adds.
“Thank you, Tess.”
Jasmine begins to walk down the stairs, and once we reach the bottom, me, Hailey, and Tess take our places behind one another at the back door that leads to the garden.
There is a hush from the crowd outside once the door opens, and nerves start pooling in the pit of my stomach. I wonder how Jasmine feels, if I’m a nervous wreck.
The song “All of Me” by John Legend begins to play, and that’s Hailey’s cue to walk down the aisle. She looks back at me. “Here goes nothing.”
I smile and watch as she takes slow and steady steps, just like we practiced. I look ahead and see Hawke at his place beside Quill, standing proudly as Quill’s best man. He stands strong and tall under the marquee, and I inhale deeply. The image of raw but refined perfection has goose bumps covering my whole body.
Hailey enters the marquee and smiles back at Tess and I. Tess takes her turn walking down the aisle, and once she’s at the marquee she nods at me, as if to let me know it’s my turn. Walking toward the marquee I feel nerves in the pit of my stomach. Trying to concentrate on my steps so I don’t trip, I listen to the words of the song playing. They’re beautiful.
As I get closer, Hawke steps forward and holds out his hand to me. I raise my eyebrows at him, wondering what he’s doing, but he ignores my look of confusion. His warm hand grasps mine, and he walks with me up the steps to the marquee, escorting me to my place beside Hailey. His scent hits me and I look into his light blue eyes. I smile. “Thank you.”
He leans in and whispers in my ear, “You look beautiful, Lu”. I blush and take a minute to admire how his strong arms are stretching the material of his jacket, and how he’s trimmed his whiskers so they only cover his jawline. He looks good enough to eat.
“Uh-hum. Sorry to interrupt, but I’m getting married here.”
I look over Hawke’s shoulder and find Quill watching us, smirking.
“You’re just jealous I look better than you,” Hawke says to Quill, and takes his place back beside him.
“You wish, brother. You know I’m better-looking.”
Quill and Hawke laugh, then Quill freezes when his eyes land on Jasmine, taking her first steps down the rose-scented aisle.
I watch Quill’s facial expression shift, and my heart warms watching him follow his bride’s progress down the aisle toward us. He’s biting his bottom lip, inhaling and exhaling deeply. His eyes are shimmering with unshed tears, and I feel one of my own roll down my face. Just seeing Quill like this, it makes me realize how much I want the same from Hawke. Quill loves Jasmine. You would have to be blind not to see that. But now, observing Quill become undone as he gets closer to marrying the love of his life, only shows how deep their love is for one another. It doesn’t matter that his club is here watching him, right now it’s about them. I almost feel like we’re intruding as I witness this intimate moment between them.
Quill reaches for Jasmine as soon as she’s near. Jasmine’s dad whispers to Quill, “Take care of her, son.” Quill nods, and helps Jasmine up the steps to the marquee where the marriage celebrant is waiting.
Just as the celebrant is about to speak, Quill holds Jasmine’s face in his hands and kisses her. Hoots and whistles from the crowd surround the garden, and I giggle as I turn and look out at the guests. My laughter soon ceases when I notice Hawke watching me, desire evident in his eyes. They sweep over me, then stop to linger on my mouth. To tease him, I bite down on my bottom lip, and smile when he discreetly adjusts himself.
My attention returns to the bride and groom when I hear Jasmine say, “Quill, stop it, we’re getting married.”
“Don’t care, Jazz. That dress is coming off as soon as I get you to myself.”
I cover my mouth, laughing behind it, and watch as the celebrant begins to speak.
It’s not long before Quill and Jasmine are saying their vows, and I have to admit, Quill sure knows how to bring a tear to a girl’s eye. I can hear sniffles from the guests, and I try and hold back tears when Quill tells Jasmine she’s the reason he breathes every day, how he loves her, and will always protect her until his last breath. He also speaks of their unborn child, and how it is the greatest gift she could ever give him.
Damn it, Lu, there goes your promise not to cry anymore.
Once Quill finishes his vows, he looks to Hawke for Jasmine’s ring. I don’t know what’s said, but I see Quill elbow Hawke. Hawke laughs whatever it is off and grabs a velvet-covered black box out of his breast pocket.
Quill places the ring on Jasmine’s finger continuing his vows, and once it’s on he lifts her hand to his mouth kissing her there.
It’s now Jasmine’s turn to say her vows, and I quickly walk up to take the bouquet out of her hands. We’re all listening intently as Jasmine begins.
“Quill, you came into my life at a time I wasn’t expecting you. You have taught me love has no boundaries, and that when you find your true soulmate, nothing else matters.” She sniffles, but continues. “You have given me your love, and proved how much I mean to you. You make me feel safe and whole, and I can’t imagine life without you. I promise that I will be here for you, and love you until my last dying breath.”
Jasmine takes a moment to breath. “You have given me life again, and although you’re a little bossy”—laughter erupts all around—“I wouldn’t want you any other way. I can’t wait for us to begin our future together as a family.” Her hand reaches down and rubs her belly, and a tear falls from Quill’s eye. “I know you will be the best father our baby could ever wish for, and I thank God for the day he brought you into my life. Thank you for not giving up on us, Quill. I love you, and will cherish you with my body and soul for the rest of our lives.”
Yep, that just did it. Hailey and Tess both join in, and as we cry I accept a tissue from Tess that she’s pulled out of the top of her dress. “I knew we’d need these.” I laugh and quickly straighten myself. Jasmine turns to me and holds out her hand for Quill’s ring. I undo the ring tied to Jasmine’s bouquet and hand it to her. She smiles then faces Quill and places the ring on his finger, also lifting his hand to her mouth and kissing it.
The ceremony comes to an end when the celebrant says, “Quillentine and Jasmine, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The happy couple turn to face everybody, and cheers and clapping surround us. I move in quickly, and kiss Jasmine and give her a hug. “Congratulations, Jazz. That was beautiful.” I dab at my eyes and move to Quill, and give him a hug and kiss too. “Take care of her, Quill, she’s special.”
Quill pulls back and smiles down at me. “I intend to do exactly that, Lu. I got her.”
I smile back, and then I’m pulled back against a very hard body. “Hawke,” I whisper over my shoulder.
“Wait here, I’m just gonna go and congratulate them.”
Hawke walks up to Jasmine and hugs her, lifting her up off her feet. I laugh when I see him twirl her around. “Put her down, man, she’s pregnant,” Quill orders, and grabs Jasmine, keeping her close to his side.
Hawke pats Quill on his back and shakes his hand. “Congratulations, brother. I wish you guys the best.”
“Thanks, man.”
Quill and Jasmine make their way down the steps after the bridal party have offered their congratulations, and are stopped by Jasmine’s mom and dad with more hugs and kisses. Quill’s mother is here and she embraces her son. She clings to him, crying in his arms. “Hijo, I’m so proud of you. If only your papa was here to see you.”
Quill’s face straightens at the mention of his father, but he soon masks his hatred for the man, and smiles at his mom.
Hawke wraps his arm around my waist, and whispers in my ear, “Baby, have I told you how beautiful you look?”
I smile up at him. “Yes, you did, but you can say it again. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“I do scrub up well in a suit, don’t I?” he states proudly, looking down at what he’s wearing.
“That you do.”