When all was said and done, Molly Ramsey Delancy’s wedding could only be described as beautiful.  The press would later deem it the event of the year, but Molly and Devil would just refer to it as the happiest day of their lives.

True to her word, a half hour after Devil forced himself away from her, Molly appeared at the back of the church’s sanctuary on her flustered father’s arm.  Swathed in yards of satin, her dress clung to her curvy frame, highlighting the assets the Lord had bestowed on her without being too ostentatious.

She took her future husband’s breath away.

His bride glided down the center aisle toward him and Devil hadn’t been able to remain still.  He hadn’t even bothered trying.  Breaking with tradition (not for the first time, of course), he strode toward his intended and met her halfway down the aisle.

“I was coming to you,” she whispered as she offered him a soft look and he reached for her hand.

 “Believe me, I would have tripped her if she’d tried to bolt,” her amused father interjected (not in a whisper).

Devil ignored the amused laughter that had surrounded them and focused on the only person in the world who mattered to him at the moment.  “Wasn’t gonna risk it, darlin’.”

And so it was that Molly was guided down the remainder of the aisle sandwiched between the two most important men in her life.  Her father’s hand rested on her elbow while Devil kept his fingers laced tightly with hers.  In her free hand, she clutched a bouquet of slightly wilted red roses.

None of that mattered to her anymore.

She was standing in a church among her friends and family marrying the man that she’d loved over half her life.  She was living her dream.

It felt like coming home.

From the beginning of the ceremony to the end, it didn’t escape the gathered congregation’s collective notice that Pastor Travis Davis managed to perform the entire service without once looking in the bride’s direction.  No one was sure what exactly the groom had said to the young man to keep those eyes riveted to the Holy Bible, but no one looked more relieved than the good Pastor when he pronounced the overjoyed couple as man and wife after the solemn vows were said.  

It might have been because Pastor Travis Davis had not held any doubt that the groom would commit mass murder inside God’s house if anyone interfered with his wedding ceremony.  Or it could have been because there was a senior citizen that had aimed a wooden spoon like a weapon at the gathered guests when he’d asked if anyone objected to this  man and woman being united in holy matrimony.  Either way, there was no mistaking the obvious relief that the junior pastor felt when he closed the Good Book. 

In yet another departure from tradition, Devil didn’t wait for the invitation to kiss his bride.  Instead, as soon as Travis announced that Molly was his, he’d hauled her into his arm and lowered his head, giving Molly a sizzling kiss that had even the oldest, most staid members of the congregation fanning themselves.

As applause thundered in the sanctuary and Devil lifted his lips from Molly’s mouth, he met her smile with one of his own.  “Well, you’re stuck now.  You’re mine in the eyes of God.  There’s no getting out of that promise,” he whispered against her cheek. 

Staring up at him, Molly just shook her head.  There was nothing to say.

She intended to keep her promise until she drew her last breath.

~~***~~

Two long hours later, both Molly and Devil were looking for a way out...not of their brand-new marriage, but out of what had to be the longest reception in all of eternity.  They’d smiled, greeted their guests, and accepted what felt like a million congratulatory hugs and kisses.

They were done now. 

Leaning against Devil’s strong side, Molly let out a not-so-patient sigh as she muttered, “How many people did my Momma manage to invite to this thing, Devil?  I’ve been on my feet for what seems like ages, and these shoes were made with style in mind, not comfort.”  Holding up one slender leg, she glared at the spiked heel.  “It’s like Mr. Blahnik wanted to torture brides when he made these.  Seriously, if one more person wants their picture made with us and I have to smile, I swear to God I’m gonna kick them in the shins with these god-awful heels, wedding presents be damned.”

His brow furrowing, Devil wrapped one strong arm around his new wife.  “Babe, I was all for absconding with you as soon as I got the Lord’s blessing.”  Glancing over his shoulder, he searched the crowd for a moment before catching the eye of his best man and Molly’s brother.  A quick jerk of Devil’s head had Grant heading quickly in their direction.

Grinning as he approached the couple, the loud chatter of the gathered group around them nearly deafening, Grant asked cheerfully, “What’s up, man?  You two ready to open gifts?  I heard that Momma and the three bridesmaid Furies were sorting and stacking.”

“Gifts can wait.  My new wife can’t,” Devil replied succinctly, drawing a gasp from Molly when he suddenly bent and scooped her into his arms. 

Her dress billowing around her, Molly felt her arms automatically wrapping tightly around her husband’s strong neck and shoulders.  “Devil!” she exclaimed, eyes widening.  “What in the world are you doing?”

“I’m taking my new wife and going to our suite,” he replied easily, dropping a soft kiss against her pursed lips. 

“But all of our guests....”

“Will be listening to Grant when he explains how we appreciate them very much, but they aren’t the most important thing on my mind right now.  Most of them are married.  They’ll get the picture.  If not, I don't really give a damn."

"Me?" Grant all but yelled, eyes narrowing as he glared at his somewhat-best friend and now-brother-in-law.  "Why me?" he yelped.

Molly grinned as she felt Devil start to move.  "'Cause Momma's less likely to kill you, big brother.  You always were her favorite."

“I do not have favorites, Margaret Ellinor,” Anne Ramsey declared, stepping in front of the newly wedded couple and halting the groom’s progress toward the nearest exit.  “Devil Delancy, drop my daughter right now,” she ordered, her hands on her hips as she glared at her new son-in-law.

“Oh, lass,” Devil’s grandmother chided from beside Anne, “It’s romantic.  He’s tryin’ to spirit his bride away for a wee snog.  You can’t blame the lad.”

While there was nothing wee about the snog he intended to give Molly, Devil smiled.  “Thank you, Nana.  Miss Anne…”

“Momma,” Anne corrected with a stern look.

“Momma,” Devil amended instantly, “I’m sorry, but Molly’s exhausted.  We have an early flight tomorrow and she needs to rest.  I’m sure that you can make our excuses, can’t you?” he asked, hitching Molly up against his chest while her arms tightened around his neck and she hid her face in his throat, giggling.

“I suspect she’ll find her second wind shortly.” Nana winked at them both.  “You’ve made a fine match, Willy, my boy.  I couldn’t have asked for a better lass to be my new granddaughter.  Let the children go, Anne.”

Smacking Katy’s arm, Anne rolled her eyes.  “Fine.  I expect lots of pictures when you two get back from the Emerald Isle, though,” she warned, stepping forward to kiss her daughter’s cheek and squeeze Devil’s arm.

“And a pint of that Irish whiskey would be much appreciated,” Molly’s father added, joining the group and taking his turn kissing his little girl’s cheek.  “Take care of her, William.”

“I will, sir,” Devil assured the other man seriously.  “We’ll see you all in a couple of weeks.”

The cheers of their guests followed them as Devil carried her out the door of the reception room and into the lobby of the five-star hotel.  Ignoring the knowing grins and chuckles of those around him, he headed toward the elevator.  “Penthouse,” he growled to the uniformed attendant inside the elevator as he held his wife against his chest and the steel doors slid shut in front of them.  Gazing down at her, he smiled wickedly.  “Let the honeymoon commence.”