Chapter Twelve

His plan of marrying Tiffany on Christmas might not have panned out, but as Blake stood in front of the full-length mirror in his dressing room, he thought things had worked out for the best. What were a few months when you loved someone with all your heart?

“Are you sure this is how you want to do this? You’re not the kind of guy who makes a scene,” his sister said as she adjusted his tie.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Every once in a while you have to be the front man, right?”

She laughed at him and kissed him on the cheek. “Seriously, though, you look ridiculous.”

He checked himself in the mirror. A bow tie and a cummerbund seemed appropriate with his leather jacket.

When the door opened, Warner poked his head in. “Okay, man. You’re totally throwing this show for a loop.” His hair was wet with sweat and he still had his guitar strapped to him. “Before Jake’s solo is over, let’s go.”

He gave him a nod and followed him out on stage.

Blake picked up his guitar right on cue for his solo. Oh, he’d never be Eddie VanHalen, but damn, tonight, he sounded better. Once he’d finished his solo and Warner had introduced him, he changed the tune.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you don’t mind a detour from the normal concert venue,” Warner said and it echoed through Bridgestone Arena. “My very good friend here met himself a woman.”

The catcalls came and the applause.

“It just so happens to be the best friend of my wife, Clara’s cousin.”

Again, the arena cheered as he continued to play.

“So if you don’t mind. We’re going to have ourselves a little wedding.”

The lights went down and the music nearly drowned out the sounds of the thousands of adoring fans. Blake handed off his guitar to a stagehand and met Warner center stage. The Internet was a wondrous place. Only there could Warner and Spencer both become ordained ministers so they could both perform the ceremony.

When she was instructed, Tiffany slipped off the robe she had worn which covered her ivory, knee length dress. There was no time to go traditional. Besides, a full-length dress would only cover the amazing shoes she’d purchased for the occasion.

With Julie by her side, she walked out on stage. Chills ran over her as the crowd screamed and cheered when they saw her. She’d never been so nervous in her entire life.

She saw the tears already forming in Blake’s eyes as she approached.

“Oh, God, you look beautiful,” he said on a breath.

“And you look like a bad boy,” she teased.

“It’s all part of the image,” he said as he gave her that signature wink she’d fallen in love with.

The music began to die to a low hum so that Warner and Spencer could be heard over the thousands of people who still cheered. It wasn’t going to be a long ceremony, but damn, it was going to be the best one.

“Do you, Blake, take Tiffany to be your wife?” Warner emphasized the words just as any performer might.

He gazed into her eyes and the crowd’s sound seemed to fade away as she looked at him. “I do.”

It wasn’t quiet for long. The arena sent up an enormous roar of approval.

Spencer stepped up to her. “Tiffany, do you take Blake…”

She couldn’t wait to answer. “I do. I do. I do.”

The crowd was on their feet. She couldn’t help but laugh aloud at the moment.

Blake looked at Warner and Spencer. “C’mon, wrap this up. I wanna kiss her.”

Warner looked out to the crowd. “What do you say?”

The approval was overwhelming and Tiffany’s knees were beginning to go weak from the nerves of thousands of people cheering her name. How did he do this every night?

“C’mon man, kiss—your—bride.”

Blake gathered Tiffany in his arms and dipped her back. His mouth took possession of hers and she heard nothing but the sound of her own heartbeat pumping blood from her heart—the heart that surrendered to this man unconditionally.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Blake Wilson.”

The thousands of people were on their feet and the music began to beat and blare behind her.

Blake pulled her to the side of the stage and kissed her again.

“I know we agreed no rings. I can’t buy you one more lovely than you can create.”

“Let me see it.” Her cheeks hurt from the smile that had been present since she had awakened that morning.

Blake slipped his arm out of his jacket and there prominently displayed on his arm was her name, from elbow to wrist.”

“There’s a little diamond above the ‘I’.”

“I love it.” She kissed him quickly, knowing he needed to get back on stage. “Here’s mine.”

She turned her back to him and moved her hair to reveal the name Blake on her shoulder in the shape of a guitar.

“Oh, honey, that is the sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.” He pulled her in close and kissed her one more time. “Here. I do have one more gift for you.”

Finally, the smile that nearly had paralyzed her face faded. “I thought we said nothing else. No gifts.”

From his pocket, he pulled out the leather bracelet he’d made all those years ago in home economics class.

“It’s the one piece of jewelry I’ve always adored. I can’t think of anywhere it should be than on the arm of the woman I love even more.”

He slid the bracelet on her wrist and suddenly diamonds and pearls would never mean as much as the faded piece of leather with her husband’s name on it.

“I have to go back to work now.”

She pulled him close one last time. “Hurry. There’s a party waiting for us after.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day, my husband.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day, my wife.”