Twenty-Nine

Allison

I feel soft kisses on my neck. I turn and my head goes deeper in the pillow that feels like a cloud. “Hmm,” I say as I reach out to hold him only to find the bed empty. I open my eyes and see that he’s standing over me while he kisses my neck.

“Hey,” he says in a whisper. “I didn’t want to wake you, but it’s almost noon.” I look at him shocked.

“No, it’s not.” I look to the side and see that it’s a quarter to twelve.

“This bed is heaven. We need to get one like this for home,” I say as my eyes close again as I dig deeper in the covers.

“Come on, I ordered you pancakes,” he says as he presses the button on the iPad and the drapes open slowly, letting the sunlight come in.

I roll out of bed, grabbing the white robe I was wearing last night. I walk into the room to see that all the shades are up and there is a table set up outside on the terrace.

“I thought we could eat outside.” He points to the table as I follow him.

I sit in the chair, picking up the cup of coffee that is already poured for me. “You’re the best.” I smile at him as he sits in front of me and we eat, discussing what we are doing today. I grab my coffee cup and get up to go lounge on the outside couch, seeing that the fountains are starting. Max follows me, sitting down, putting my legs on top of his. “Want to go visit the shark reef?” he asks as I look at him. “Supposed to be something to see,” he continues.

“You want to go to the aquarium?” I ask him, smiling. “Okay.” I watch his smile come out.

“Let’s go.” He throws my feet to the side and holds out his hand to help me up. “I already got us tickets,” he says with glee. “And they are closing it for an hour, so it’s only us. That Andre can do so many things.”

I laugh as we go into the room and I slide on my white tight fitting jeans, torn in the knee with a white tank top that flares out, tucking it in the front. I take my lilac-colored knitted sweater. He comes into my closet as he is dressed in black shorts and black button-down short-sleeved top, a cap on his head.

“Ready?” he asks as I look at him, smiling, nodding.

I put my gold flip-flops on and grab my cream purse as we leave the room. We take the elevator downstairs and walk out holding hands when he stops mid-step and I stop with him. “What’s the matter?” I ask him, thinking he might have forgotten something, when he lets go of my hand and his hands go to my face.

“Nothing,” he says the second before his lips find mine, as my hands go to his arms. His kisses leave me dizzy, wanting more.

“I’ve never had the chance to kiss you in public.” He grabs my hand again and continues walking to the door. “Well, after next week you can kiss me every single time you want,” I tell him as the driver opens the car door for us. He stops us.

“I want to kiss you every single day.”

I get in and turn to him after he gets in the car. “I want to kiss you also, every single day.” I nod as he puts his hands around my shoulder, bringing me close to him as we look outside and see the sights as we drive all the way to the end of the Strip where Mandalay Bay is. We get out and follow the signs to the aquarium as we walk through people, our hands always linked. We stop at the entrance where it is written closed for the day.

“I thought you said we had this for an hour?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I didn’t want to rush.” He nods at the guy as he gives his name and I watch as the man moves aside and we take the escalator up and walk down the hallway that looks like stone.

“It looks like real rock,” I say as I touch it. “It is real rock.” I turn as he watches me. “It sounds like we are going into a jungle,” I say to him as I look up at the trees hanging from the ceiling. I look down and jump when I see what looks like a crocodile. “Oh my God.” I hide behind him as he stands there looking at him, pointing out little things about him, but I see nothing but the crocodile. We walk through another hallway, this one darker, with ponds at the bottom, but the dry rock on the top, and I see a snake. “Seriously you said aquarium not fucking jungle rock.”

He laughs as he puts his hand around my shoulders. “I’ll never let anything hurt you, angel.”

I lean back, looking at him, seeing that in his eyes. His lips come down to mine softly. We continue walking down the path, looking at the tropical fish, some turtles. Till we get to a circular pillar in a dark room that has jellyfish floating in the water. “This is so cool,” I say as I place my hand on the tank as the jellyfish float all around the tank as I watch Max watch them.

We continue walking as we enter a tunnel. The side and all the way to the top is all glass as we see sharks swimming above us. I stop in the middle, turning around as I watch all the fish just swim around. “I always wondered if sharks could be tamed,” I ask as I look around.

“Do you know for them to mate the male has to bite the head, or the gill?”

I throw my head back laughing, shaking my head. “Of course you would know how they have sex.” I look at him as he puts his head back and laughs also, crossing his arms over his chest. The muscles in his arms make his tattoos look huge, making his sleeves of his shirt stretch. I walk to him, the sleeves covering half my hand as I reach for his face. “I would like you to bite my head to mate with me.”

Smiling up, he leans down and kisses my lips. “Marry me,” he says and my hands drop.

“Wha—” I say as I step back, not sure I heard him. My hand goes to my mouth as I take in Max, who is now bending down on one knee as he holds my left hand.

“I have no idea what I’m doing right now,” he says with a nervous laugh, and continues, his voice soft, “but this morning, when you said we should get this bed for home it made me feel complete, like all the pieces in my puzzle are finally all in place. You’re my home. Wherever you are is my home.” He shakes his head now as I see the lone tear come down his face. “You, Allison Grant, are my home.” I smile as he says this as tears are now running down my cheeks. “I’ve done despicable things, and I’m not the nicest person out there, but with you I feel like I’m worthy. With you I feel like everything I did just led me to you. You make me want to be that better person.” He shakes his head again, looking down and then up. “It’s crazy, right? We just met, we just started dating. Fuck, your family doesn’t even know about us, but I don’t give a shit because I want you as my wife. I want to build a home with you, I want to come home to you, I want our kids. Fuck, I want kids with you. This has to be the most unromantic proposal of all time. But I love you, heart, body, and soul. It’s yours, angel. Forever. Marry me. Be my home. Let me be your home. Till my last dying breath I promise to be your home.”

I stand here looking down at this man who I started off hating, who got under my skin, time and time again, who weaved his way so far into my heart I don’t think it would beat without him. So I do what any normal, sane person who has been dating a man for a month does. I nod. “Yes,” I whisper as I get down on my knees in front of him and bury my face into his chest while he holds me and he waits for me to raise my head so he can kiss me.

“I love you,” he says against my lips. “What are you doing tonight? Want to wake up a Horton?” he asks jokingly, but I get up and just go with it.

“Yes.”

He gets up, taking me with him as he picks me up, and spins me around. “I have no idea how we are going to do this. But I think Andre has an idea.” He kisses my lips, puts me down, and drags me out of there, my laughter echoing the whole time. We get outside where the driver is still waiting for us. He gets out of the car when he sees us coming, opening the door as Max tells him to bring him to the best jewelry store in Vegas.

“First thing we need to do is get you a ring.” Max takes out his phone and calls Andre. “Allison and I are getting married tonight. I need the best jewelry store in all of Vegas,” he says and listens to what Andre says. “Tonight, think you can make it happen?” he says into the phone as the driver drives down the Strip to our hotel. “Which jeweler are you taking me to?” he asks the driver.

“Joes on Beverly Hills.”

I’m sitting there and the rest of the day is almost a blur of happiness.

We walked into the jewelry store and Max asked for the manager and said he needed a rose gold engagement ring and wedding band. I sat down in the chair in front of a woman who brought out a black cloth, putting them all down on them. I picked them up, but I didn’t go past the second ring when Max picked up the last ring in the long line. A rose gold square diamond ring with white diamonds on the side.

“This one,” he said, looking at me. “Do you like this one?”

I looked at it as he slid it on my finger and it fit perfectly. I looked back up at him, nodding. He then asked for the matching wedding band that was a simple band with white diamonds.

“Are you getting one?” I asked him as he nodded and asked for a silver band. But I knew exactly which one I wanted to slip on his hand. I got up from my seat and pointed to the black thick band, outlined with rose gold. “That one,” I said as I waited for her to give it to me. Taking his left hand, I placed it on his finger to see if it fit, and it was perfect for him. “Made just for you.”

I said as he looked at his finger, nodding his head. They wrapped up the rings in record time and by the time we made it back to the suite Andre was there waiting with a man and a woman. He nodded when he saw us.

“This is Isabelle and Henry. Henry has tuxes for you in one of the guest rooms and Isabelle is here with dresses. Your makeup and hair will be here within the hour. You have an appointment at eight-thirty this evening. I have all the papers here. I just need a signature in order to speed things up,” he said and pointed to the papers on the table as Max stepped in and signed and so did I.

“This is really happening,” I said with a smile. And then I was taken away to my room where there were four racks of dresses, everything from Cinderella style to stripper style. But one dress caught my eye. They say you know when it’s your dress and I knew just by running my hands over it. The flower details in the halter part had been crocheted by hand. Tiny pearls were around them. It was short all the way down with a chiffon wrap starting at the waist with two slits down each leg.

“This one,” I said as I picked it off the rack, seeing that it was backless, which made it more romantic. “That is my favorite also,” she said then asked me, “Which shoe would you like?”

But it wasn’t even a choice. It had always been my dream to have the blue shoes from Sex in the City. “Do you think you can get me the blue Manolo Blahnik?”

She nodded as she took her phone and asked me my shoe size.

There was a knock on the door as the hair and makeup people came in and looked at the dress.

“I would do a low loose bun, let it flow around your face,” the hairdresser said and the makeup artist had already set her things down and opened it on a neutral palate. By the time I was done, there was a knock at the door.

“Five minutes.” I heard Andre say as they all waited for me to get up.

I slipped the dress on, the back fastened by Isabelle, who held the chiffon part in her hand and tied it around my waist. I sat down as I slid my feet into the shoes that arrived ten minutes ago.

“I’m ready,” I said as I turned and finally saw myself. My hand went to my stomach as the butterflies started, and tears started to form with happiness. I blinked them away as I turned to open the door and there he sat in his black tux that looked like it had been tailored for him. His blue eyes clear, his hair perfect, and the best part was the shock and awe on his face when he saw me. The smile that came out as he took me in as I stood here in front of him wearing my wedding dress. His eyes glazed over with a sheen of tears that he blinked away as he walked to me and I walked to him, meeting him halfway. He stopped right in front of me as he got down on one knee again. “This time with the ring,” he said as he slid my engagement ring on my finger. I looked down and I knew I would never take it off.

“Sir,” Andre said, “the car is waiting in the garage in order to not draw attention.”

I wrapped my fingers into his as we walked out of the room, the chiffon flowing all around my legs. I picked up the side of the dress as the elevator arrived and we got in. Once the door closed, he turned as he looked at me.

“I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride in my life.” He touched my cheekbone with his finger. “Is this real? Are you real, angel?” he said as his thumb traced my face to my jaw, all the way to my lips. “Forever,” he whispered as I placed my hand on his.

“Forever,” I repeated his vow.

The doors opened as we were swept to the little chapel.

So here I am standing behind the closed door as Max waits for me on the other side. “You’ll be fine, dear,” the lady says as she grabs my hand and squeezes. I’m sure she is grossed out by the clamminess.

“Excuse me,” I say as I open the door, peeking my head in. “Psst,” I whisper to Max, who looks at me, and I motion at him with my hand to come here. He walks down the aisle to me, a worried look on his face.

“Are you okay?” he asks as he takes me in and I start walking back and forth, pacing.

“I…” I start to shake my hands.

He comes to me and grabs my hands. “Angel.” His voice calms me.

“I don’t want to walk down the aisle alone. I know I get the whole I’m walking to you and blah.” I throw one hand in the air. “But I want to walk down together, both of us, giving ourselves to each other.” I look up at him. “Is that stupid?”

“No, angel,” he says, bending to kiss my lips. “Let’s do it together,” he agrees and the butterflies slowly slide away.

The nerves settle in my stomach as I wrap my hand into his arm and we walk down the aisle together. I turn my face to look at him as I find him looking at me. It’s the moment I think I will remember forever. It’s like it’s just the two of us. We get to the front of the aisle where the judge is.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the joining of Max Horton and Allison Grant,” he starts saying as I stand here looking at him. The smile I’ve grown to love, the smile I dream of at night. The smile that I want to keep on his face forever. “Allison, will you repeat after me,” he starts and I stop him.

“I know that we said traditional vows, but I want to do my own.” I look at the judge and then at Max.

“For as long as I could remember I’ve always wanted to be a princess. I had every single princess dress that you could possibly think of. I had the bed, the room, the shoes. I had it all but the prince. I would sit in my gown and dream of my prince. That he was tall and handsome. I would dream that he would kiss me like a princess should be kissed. He would fight for me, hold me, cherish me, and most of all love me. Then I grew up and I waited for that feeling. Each and every single day I waited to see if it was a myth or a reality. I saw my mother fall in love with her prince, I saw my brother find his princess, and there I was waiting, dreaming, hoping that my fairy tale would come true. Then I bumped into you,” I say as a tear rolls down my cheek, and he wipes it away with his thumb, “or you ran into me. But either way it was fate. I mean, I didn’t like you.” I smile thinking about it. “You were a big ass.” I shake my head. “There were many times I wanted you to suffer horrible things.”

He smiles at me.

“But then you came out, the real you.” I take my hand, pressing my palm on the tears. “The soft Max. The Max who opens my door, the Max who makes my coffee without me asking. The Max whose kisses make me want to lift my foot like a princess. The Max who holds me all night just because. The Max who will fight for me and will fight with me. The Max who loves me. Loves me so much I feel it all the way to my soul. The Max who treats me like a princess.” My breath hitches now as the tears flow freely. “I promise to be true to you. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you till my last breath. I promise to be by your side, holding your hand in good times and protecting you in bad. I promise to share my life with you and be the best wife and mother that I can be.”

He leans down and kisses me, as the judge clears his throat.

“I promise you all that, my prince. My happily ever after. ”

“Okay, then, Max, if you will repeat after me,” the judge says and Max shakes his head.

“I know we said traditional and after hearing all that”—he points to me—“I”—he takes a deep breath—“I’m known for a lot of things, but none of them ever good. From when I was growing up to my teenage years, it was all ‘oh, Max, he’s the wrong type of kid. Don’t play with him, don’t go next to him.’ I kept my head down and my heart cold. I had one goal and one goal only, to show them I would be better than them.”

I squeeze his hands.

“I tried but then the bitterness took over.” He shakes his head, blinking away tears. “I never thought anyone would want me or that I could love, only because I didn’t know what it was. I didn’t know how. Till you.” He brings my hand to his mouth. “Till you bumped into me. And then called me an asshole.” He smiles. “Then you were everywhere, in my face, in my thoughts, in my dreams,” he sighs out. “I fought it for so long, thinking there was no way that someone so perfect could love me, could want me. But you stood there, in front of me, giving me a chance, showing me how to love, showing me what it felt like to love someone, showing me that for the one you love you sacrifice. I would sacrifice everything that I have to make you happy, to see a smile on your face. I watch you when you sleep. Not in a creepy stalker way, but just to make sure you’re real. Just to make sure you’re there with me. I promise to be true to you. I promise to love you till my last dying breath. I promise to provide for you and our children, and I promise that you will never go a day without knowing how much you are loved. I promise that I will never take you for granted. I promise that I will strive to be the man you deserve, the man you are worthy of, the man you can be proud of. I promise to make you not just a princess but to make you my queen. I promise to give you your happily ever after you deserve and to be the man worthy of you.”

“You are that and so much more,” I tell him as I look back at the judge. “Can I add to mine? I promise to make sure you see how worthy you are of me every single day.”

“Are we done?” the judge asks us as we both nod. “Great, now the rings,” he asks as Max takes them out of his pocket and hands them to him. Giving him my ring, he says, “Repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed.”

Max takes my hand and slides the ring onto my finger. “With this ring I thee wed.” Then the judge hands me Max’s ring and tells me to repeat, so I take the ring and place it at the tip of his finger and repeat.

“With this ring I thee wed.” I smile as it sits on the base of his finger.

“By the authority vested in me by the State of Nevada, I pronounce you to each other, husband and wife.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the judge says right before Max grabs my face in both of his hands. His hard-big hands, holding my face gently.

“I love you,” he whispers right before his lips land on mine, soft, gentle, and full of love. My hands go to his waist as I close my eyes and take in the safety of my husband.

“I love you with everything that I am,” he whispers against my lips as I smile and look into his crystal blue eyes. “I love you more,” I say as he lets go of my face and we shake the judge’s hand. He grabs my hand as we walk out of his chapel while my chiffon train trails us.

As soon as the door to the chapel opens, my chiffon dress blows up almost like Marilyn Monroe, the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas almost non-existent since we are off the Strip. I see someone in the distance snap a picture because his flash goes off.

“I think someone just took a picture of us,” I tell him while we make our way to the car that is waiting for us.

“Angel, it’s Vegas, everyone is taking pictures.” He waits for me to get in before climbing in after me. “So, my wife, where do you want to go?” Max turns to me and smiles while his thumb rubs the hand he’s holding.

“Back to our room,” I say, looking at our hands. “I want to go back with you, lock the door, and just be with my husband.”

“I was hoping you would say that.” He pulls me to him as his arm goes around my shoulder, and I fit perfectly in the crook of his arm.

We watch the city lights come into focus again once we get on the Strip. Walking through the lobby, I hold on to my husband’s hand as I watch his ring glisten in the light. I watch as Max unlocks the door for us. Walking in, I head for the living room that is now turned into what looks like a small reception. Gone are the couches, and in their place is a cast iron square with blush pink roses wrapped all around it. Tea lights make it across. I go into the middle of the room as I turn around and see that all the furniture is gone. The only thing in this room are blush roses, which are my favorite.

“This place looks like a fairy tale,” I say as Max walks to me holding a bouquet in his hands.

“For you.” He hands it to me as our song “Dive” comes on.

“Dance with me?” I ask him as I walk to him.

“Every single day of my life,” he says as he wraps a hand around my waist.

He takes his phone out and raises his hand as he snaps a picture of us. I’m looking at the camera while he looks at me. “Stunning,” he says quietly as his phone starts pinging.

“Angel, don’t freak out.” His voice is curt, tight.

I don’t have the time to say anything because my phone buzzes with a text from Matthew.

Allison, when you get this you better call me.

“Oh my God.” I look at him. “What did we just do?” He looks at me shocked and steps back and away from me. “Max,” I say, reaching out to him while he dodges me.

“A mistake!” he whispers, his voice trembling.

I don’t know if he’s asking or telling. My heart hurts as I see his eyes go dark as he turns and walks out of the room as the front door slams after him. As I stand here in my wedding dress, a tear rolls down my face and I look down and see my glistening wedding band.