Chapter Eighteen

Ashley

 

“You look breathtaking, sweetheart.” My mom stands arm’s length gushing over my wedding dress like it’s the first time she has ever seen it. “I’m just so glad Giselle was able to get the seamstress to bring it out more. I need to hurry up and get married before my belly grows again!”

We are sitting in one of the rooms at the amazing wedding venue Kaden and his mom picked out. Parkside Mansion is gorgeous on the inside and outside. The ceremony will be held outback under a huge white tent, which will shield the blazing Colorado sun, and the reception will be held in their ballroom.

Most of our guests flew in yesterday, some early this morning. Since it’s a tradition for the bride and groom to not see each other the night before the wedding, the girls planned a spa day for us yesterday with lunch. It was the perfect bachelorette luncheon. The guys all stayed at Bentley’s cabin and spent the day skiing, returning this morning.

 Earlier this morning, Kaden’s mom brought me by the venue so I could see everything before the wedding. She told me that it will all feel like a blur once the wedding gets started so she wanted me to take it all in now. The outside is simple. White wooden back chairs that lead up to the front where we will say our vows. Light pink petals are littered along the walkway and upfront.

The ballroom is filled with large circular tables with light pink linens all covered with sterling silver vases that are filled with fresh gardenias. It’s all simple and elegant and I love it. The linens even match the bridesmaid’s dresses.

“Oh Ashley, you look beautiful!” Hayley comes over and gives me a one-handed hug since she is holding something in the other. “This is for you, from Kaden.”

I take the wrapped box from her hand and unwrap it. Inside is a puzzle box with the image of what the puzzle will be when it’s completed. It’s a picture of Kaden, Tristan, and I holding up the sonogram we got last week at my appointment where we found out the sex of the babies.

“A thousand-piece puzzle?” Kayla chortles. “That’s more like work than a gift.”

“No, it’s perfect.

Inside the box, there’s a note on top of all the pieces.

 

Ashley,

Love is like a puzzle, hard to piece together, but beautiful when all the right pieces are put together. I can’t wait to spend my life putting all our puzzle pieces together, baby. I love you.

Love always,

Kaden

 

“Don’t you cry! You can’t go messing up your makeup until he at least sees you!” Rose pulls me into a hug. “Thank you, my darling girl. You took my broken grandson and pieced him back together.”

“What did you get him?” Hayley asks. I feel the blush hit my cheeks.

“I did a boudoir photo shoot…”

“Nice!!” Kayla exclaims. All the women giggle. I look over at Rose, embarrassed that I just admitted to doing a sexy, naked photo shoot for her grandson, but she just smiles and winks.

“You ready?” My dad opens the door extending his hand to me. “Yes, I am more than ready.”

Once we get to the backdoors of the mansion, Bella and Tristan walk down the walkway first. Bella is the flower girl and Tristan is the ring bearer. Next, Hayley, Liz, and Kayla all walk down the aisles escorted by their husbands. Once they get to the end, the wedding march begins and my dad walks me down the aisle.

As my dad kisses my cheek giving me away, Kaden takes my hand in his. “There are no words, Ash. You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you. You look handsome yourself. Thank you for the puzzle.”

“Do you know what it took to make my dick go down after seeing those pictures of you right before having to come out here?” Kaden whispers making me smile.

We stand in front of the Ordained minister and say our vows to one another. We have decided to create our own vows but decided to keep them simple and begin and end them the same. I couldn’t memorize mine to save my life so I pull the paper out of my dress. Kaden chuckles.

“I, Ashley, choose you, Kaden. To stand by your side and sleep in your arms. To be the joy to your heart and the food for your soul. To learn with you and grow with you.  I promise to respect you and cherish you as an individual, a partner, and an equal. I vow to support you, push you, and inspire you, and above all love you, for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, as long as we both shall live.”

I take the ring Tristan hands me and put it on Kaden’s finger. He looks down at it for a moment then back up at me with unshed tears in his eyes.

“I, Kaden, choose you, Ashley. I promise to choose you every day, to do the hard work of making now into always. To laugh with you, cry with you, grow with you, and create with you. I promise to protect you and above all love you, for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, as long as we both shall live.”

Kaden takes the ring from Tristan and slides it onto my finger.

“Kaden and Ashley Scott, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Kaden bridges the gap between us and kisses me like it’s going out of style. Everybody claps and cheers.

After we take way too many pictures, we make our way to the reception where the DJ announces us as Husband and Wife.

After we enter, we are called to the dancefloor for our first dance. Kaden insisted since he was planning the wedding he would also be planning the song to our first dance. Then by Brad Paisley comes across the speakers and tears hit my cheeks.

“May I have this dance, Mrs. Scott?” Kaden puts his hand out for me to take and I nod yes because words can’t be spoken.

He pulls me into his arms and my face goes to his chest as he softly sings the lyrics of the song to me. When the song ends, Kaden stops moving and lifts my chin so I am looking him in the eyes. “You’re my whole world, baby. My missing puzzle piece. Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world.”

We spend the rest of the night celebrating our wedding with our family and friends. I dance with my father and father-in-law several times, as well as with all the girls. The night is amazing and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

As the night comes to a close, Kaden lets me know the valet has pulled our vehicle up. He has a surprise for Tristan and me and is driving us to it tonight. We decided since Tristan was off school for a week, we would bring him along with us, and honeymoon family style.

“Thank you everyone for joining us.” Kaden, Tristan, and I wave to everyone then get in the car to head to the secret destination.

“The wedding was amazing. Thank you.” We are driving down the dark highway to wherever it is Kaden insists we will love.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, baby. It was fun planning it with my mom but I’m glad I don’t ever have to plan another one.” He squeezes my hand. I turn in my seatbelt to check on Tristan and Kaden stops me. “I can see him in the rearview mirror. He’s fine. Don’t even think about taking your seatbelt off.”

I turn back around and reach down to grab my iPad to read, since I don’t know how long we will be driving for. When my head pops up, I see a set of bright lights coming toward us as Kaden’s hand hits my chest to protect me.

There’s a flash of something, I don’t know what but it looks like beautiful angel wings, and then everything goes black.