“We loved a love,

that was more than love.”

~ Edgar Allan Poe

 

Vegas is crazier than I ever imagined. When people say this city doesn’t sleep, they aren’t lying. I thought New York was busy, but compared to here, New York is a sleepy little city!

I walk down the strip, hand in hand with Mason. We’ve just picked up our marriage license from the county clerk. I can’t believe we’re actually getting married! We arranged it all with the hotel where we’re staying; we’re using their chapel.  I know that not everybody is going to be pleased about the way we’ve gone about it, but we’ll throw a wedding party to celebrate when we get back home.

“Are you happy?” Mason asks, looking down at me pensively.

“How could I be anything but happy? I am about to marry the love of my life.”

“I meant because Monica isn’t going to be there. Jamie, Scottie, Charli…”

“I’ll have you there, that’s what counts. We’ll see everyone else once we get home – but this is our moment. Ours. Nobody else’s. As long as it’s you and me, that’s all I really care about.”

“You, Erin Michaels, are one of a kind.”

“Takes one to know one.” I rise on tip-toes and press a kiss onto his neck. He stops walking and pulls me into him, holding my waist tightly with his hands as he lowers his head until his lips are so close to mine I can almost taste them.

“You are everything, Erin Michaels. Never forget that. Always.”

“Forever,” I whisper as he crushes his lips against mine. I forget we’re in the street with people brushing past us, because nothing exists but him and me.

“Let’s get back to the hotel, and let me show you just how much I love you.”

 

***

 

I’m getting married today. In exactly one hour – and I’m not freaking out. In fact, I am calmer than I’ve ever felt in my life, and happier, too. I’ve not seen Mason all day; he left at about eight this morning, to do whatever it is he’s been doing, but he told me this was my time, to find a dress, to go to the spa, do, “all of the girly things.” His exact words. I couldn’t help but laugh at how clueless he looked before he left.

I pull my hair back from my face. It’s in soft curls, which cascade down my back.  The salon I went to have done my makeup, too. My eyes look so bright against the shimmer she’s put on them, but she told me that was the effect of love, not eyeshadow. 

I take a deep breath before staring at my dress hanging in its bag on the door of the wardrobe. It’s so different to what I thought it would be, but as soon as I put it on, I knew it was right. I take a step towards the mirror to check my eyeliner, when there is a knock at the door. I open it to find Charli stood in front of me.

“Holy shit!” She goes to give me one of her infamous Charli hugs but stops just before she reaches me and grabs my hands.

“Don’t want to mess you up,” she says by way of greeting.

“What…?”

“I cannot believe you were going to get married without me!” She squeals. There are tears in my eyes but I will not cry, dammit!

“I am so glad you are here, but how?”

“Well, your husbott to be is sneaky, that’s how. He called me as soon as you guys decided on Vegas – right after you phoned me to tell me this life-changing news,” she says, giving me the eye, because I didn’t call but just sent her a picture of my hand.

“Hey, you must have forgiven me because you’re here.” I smile, sticking my tongue out at her.

“Of course I do; now let’s get you married!”

“Does this mean you’ll be my maid of honor?” I ask.

“You’re damn straight it does! I packed a dress. We’ve been talking about us getting married since we were three. I am fully prepared,” she says, clapping her hands. I squeeze her one last time and then wave over to my dress.

“Oh my God, Erin. Is that it?” She asks.

I nod.

“Let’s get this bad boy on you!” she says unzipping the garment bag. “Oh my…. I literally have no words. This is just… stunning,” she says, her voice breaking a little.

She swipes away her tears as she takes in the lace, trumpet-style dress.

“Where are your shoes?” She asks, and I point to the white, sparkly chucks on the floor. She barks out a laugh.

“Of course you’re getting married in chucks! Why aren’t I surprised!” She laughs as she pulls the dress from the bag. She undoes the corset back, and helps me step into it, and get the lace neck piece over my hair as I slip my hands through the lace arms and popping the lace rings over my middle fingers as she re-ties the corset.

“You look beautiful, Erin,” she says, taking a step back, looking me over. I watch as her eyes fill.

“Don’t you dare start crying, do you have any idea how long it took them to perfect this face?” I laugh, and she hugs me.

“Fine, no tears. Now let me go and slip into something a little more glamorous and we can go get you married to the most perfect guy on earth. I’d ask if he has any friends… but I already met Rico,” she says with a wink before grabbing her suitcase and ducking into the bathroom. She comes back out about ten minutes later in a pastel lavender dress, her hair in loose curls like mine, and muted makeup. How she did all then in ten minutes is beyond me.

“You look beautiful!” I say, hugging her tight.

“Something old,” she says placing her nana’s antique hair comb into my hair. It’s beautiful, sparkling in the light, making me feel like a fifties silver screen starlet. 

“Something new,” she takes my wrist and fastens a beautiful woven silver bracelet, fastened with an infinity sign. “From Mason.”

“Something borrowed,” she takes off her necklace, the friendship one I sent her for her birthday the year she left.

“And finally, something blue,” she pulls out a white garter with a blue ribbon running through the middle.

“You literally think of everything,” I tell her with a smile on my face. I’m beyond happy that she’s here.

“And… you need to slip your engagement ring over to the other hand so he can put the wedding ring on. Right, come on, otherwise he’ll think you’ve stood him up!”

I follow her out of the room, still hardly daring to believe that this is all happening. She runs ahead of me down the corridor towards the chapel. Music starts up and the doors open. Charli walks down the aisle, blocking my view but then I see him, and the sight takes my breath away. Mason Knight should always wear a tux. It’s not just the tux, it’s everything; the way he looks at me, like nothing else is important.

I walk down the aisle towards him, and I realize, nothing else is important. Not right now. He looks at me like I’m the center of his universe, and I know that regardless of what some people might think or say, this right here is my path in life.

“Hi,” I whisper as I reach him. 

“Hi,” he says with a smile.

He takes my hand and we turn to the minister, who asks if we’re ready. We’re as ready as we’re ever going to be.

His words pass by in a bit of a blur; I’m transfixed by the sight of Mason, until I hear him say we’re saying our own vows. Oh shit. I didn’t know that.

“Erin,” Mason starts, pulling me from my daydream. My stomach flips with excitement and nerves.

Mason smiles and I see that he’s blushing. “Erin, I knew I loved you the moment I sat next to you, with that snarky little look on your face, and your get-the-hell-away from me attitude. I loved that girl, and I love the woman you are becoming. With this ring, I promise to keep loving you, through the big and the small, the good and the bad. You are my partner, my best friend, my one true love. I promise to inspire you, to laugh with you. To pick you up when you are down, and to keep you grounded when the world gets too much. Always.” He slips the ring onto my finger and I hold out his ring.

My hand trembles, giving away my nerves. “Mason, I was so not prepared for this; this speech, or for you to come into my life. Our time has been a whirlwind; good, bad, and damn right terrifying.”

My breath snags in my chest but I will not cry. “But we made it through. We balanced on the precipice and came through the other side stronger. The day you came into my life was the day my life truly began. You showed me what love was, what happiness meant, and I will spend my entire life showing you just how much that means to me – and just how much I love you.”

We both turn to the minister who nods at us, as if seeing the perfection of our union. “Go now in peace and live in love, sharing the most precious gifts you have the gifts of your lives united. And may your days be long on this earth. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Charli squeals as Mason kisses me. Charli has been videoing the whole thing for Monica, and so that we can play it at our wedding party when we get back.

“Now then, Mrs. Knight. How about that honeymoon?” Mason whispers low in my ear.