Hawaii had always been a place I wanted to visit, so being here for two weeks was beyond any of my expectations.
“Love, you have to stop with the tears. You keep messing up our work,” Tiff complained while Val tried to fix my mascara. Again.
“Well, I told you to bring waterproof mascara.” I’d known today would be emotional, because I’d been a mess the past few weeks as we worked on final preparations for the wedding.
“It is,” they said in unison.
“Sorry. I’ll try to stop crying.” Today was meant to be perfect and filled with joy. Okay, these were happy tears, but I could try to smile more. I didn’t know what to do with myself.
“We have fifteen minutes to get you in your dress and shoes.” Nix carried the dress closer and my tears bubbled up again. At this point, I was getting mad at myself for being so out of control.
“I’ve never seen you cry like this in my entire life. I know you’re not hurting, but geez, Bekka, you are an emotional mess.”
I nodded, because I was.
“Maybe she’s got number three in the oven,” Tiff joked, and I blanched.
“Stop already, this isn’t the time to be funny. I have to get into the dress.”
“If it still fits,” she added, and although it made me angry for a second, the girls thought it was hilarious as they all laughed.
Tiffany grew quiet first, her eyes going wide. “Wait, you’re the only one not laughing. Could it be true? Are you pregnant? You have to do a test now, if you have any doubt. You know, clear your mind.”
“No. I don’t know.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m not, okay?” I stood to put my dress on while Val and Nix continued to think Tiff was the funniest person alive.
Being pregnant wasn’t an impossibility, but I doubted it was the case. I’d had two babies back-to-back and my hormones were out of whack, that was all. Plus, my body needed the break, so I couldn’t be pregnant. Both times, I had managed to lose the baby weight, but it was clear I’d been through two pregnancies. The possibility of having a third one, now... I didn’t know what to think. Tyler would be stoked. He’d been mentioning wanting three, or more, since we started having kids. Three was fine, but more? For me, that was a no.
“Okay, girls, she needs to get this dress on or she’ll leave Tyler waiting at the altar.”
Thank goodness for Nix trying to get us all back on track.
She removed my dress from the bag and a smile drew my lips up at the sight of my version of perfection. Pure white, the off-the-shoulder dress fit like a glove. Its trumpet style hugged my body until mid-hip and then flared, and would be perfect to dance in later on. A mix of sexy and classic, I’d fallen in love with the dress the second I saw it. This moment, getting to wear the beautiful garment to accept Tyler as my husband, had me beyond thrilled.
“Okay, it’s time. Take off the robe. We’ll help you put the dress on.” Tiff had taken control of her giggles.
“Holy Sh— Bekka, that’s the sexiest lingerie I’ve ever seen.” Val’s mouth was gaping.
My entire face blushed. I had never worn anything like this. My sheer, white strapless bra was paired with a delicate G-string and the garter belt which held my stockings. Simple, but sexy. Sometimes less is more, and today, that applied.
“I see a wee little bump, maybe you should do a test now,” Tiff insisted. “I have two with me. Kyle and I, well, we had doubts before we left, but you can use them.”
“I think you should do it,” Val encouraged then turned a pointer finger on our friend. “And you, Tiff, will need to explain later. We want details.”
With a groan, I accepted. “Okay, but we have to hurry. I don’t want to leave Tyler waiting at the altar.” Tiff hurried to her room while we waited. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“It’ll be the best present if you are, think about it.” Val sniggered.
“Oh, Tyler will be so proud.” I laughed. “He still has that dream about a big family. Three will have to be enough, though, because I’m not going for four.”
“Okay, I got them. Hurry because the guys are already outside and ready.” Running into the room with her heels in one hand and the pregnancy tests in the other, Tiff passed me the kits.
Taking them and ripping the boxes open, I locked myself in the bathroom and did what I had to do. A minute later, I was back with the girls while we waited for the longest two minutes of the day so far to pass. For the record, there is nothing more nerve-wracking than doing a pregnancy test right before getting married.
“Okay, I think it’s been two minutes.” Reaching for the test sitting on the small table, Nix couldn’t wait to find out, but Tiff stopped her.
“It’s been like thirty seconds, you cheeky muppet. We have to wait a little longer.”
I started laughing because of all the things we had planned today, this wasn’t one of them, and yet, we were all thrilled to find out if I was pregnant or not.
Not waiting any more, I got up to get the results. As I picked up the first test, the girls crowded around me. “The first one says pregnant.” Tears were flowing again. “The second one isn’t quite ready yet, but I think it says pregnant, too.”
“Don’t cry, please.” Tiff brushed the little tears from under my eyes before hugging me. “Congratulations, Mummy.”
Nix and Val jumped in, and we all hugged.
“Okay, girls, we have to get rolling. I don’t want Tyler to wait forever. Where’s my dress?”
“I know but this makes your wedding so much more meaningful now.” The emotions in Val’s eyes meant everything. We were family.
Nix and Tiff lowered the gown and held it while I stepped into it. Val had her fingers locked with mine to make sure I didn’t fall down or tear the dress.
“Thank you, girls. I’m so excited that we’re all here together. This is a day I’ll never forget. I couldn’t do this without you.”
“We love you,” Val said, and Nix added, “Where else would we be?”
“There we go,” Nix said as she worked the dress up using a delicate hand, helping it hug my body. “Okay, I think we’re good now,” she added after adjusting the fabric. “Let’s zip you up.”
This was the moment of truth. With the chaos leading up to the wedding, I hadn’t been watching my diet since the last fitting, and now I knew why, so whether it would it still fit or not remained to be seen. Regardless, we had to zip it up or the day would be ruined.
An age seemed to pass while Nix inched the zipper up to my hips, and then all the way to the top of the dress without too many problems. It was a bit tight at the waist, but nothing I couldn’t deal with.
“Girls...” I tried to speak but my voice went quiet as I fought the tears. With my hair and makeup done, and the dress on, the emotions became too much.
“Bekka, stop crying already, mate. Smile instead, or laugh, anything that doesn’t ruin your makeup. I don’t know how many more times I’ll be able to save your pretty face,” Tiff complained while Nix handed her one of the spongy things they’d been using for my makeup.
“I’m sorry,” I sniffled while my friends cleaned the tears away and fixed the small mess I’d had once again made of my makeup.
“Time to get going now,” Nix said.
“Yes. I’m ready. So ready.” It had been three months, almost four of planning, and now, we were minutes away from marrying each other. I couldn’t wait to see Tyler. His suit had been kept a secret from me. No one had given any hints as to the color or any style details. Would he wear a necktie or a bow tie? Or no tie at all?
“You are gorgeous.” Val seemed to have taken over the crying as she was the one shedding tears now.
“Thank you.” I looked at each of them in their own fancy dresses and made up faces and hair. “We all are, girls.”
Our guests sat outside, under the shadows of palm trees, in white chairs. Melody, adorable in her blue Hawaiian sarong dress, opened the ceremony with pure cuteness. She was dropping flower petals all around her as she walked to her father. My girlfriends walked next, and were accompanied by their boyfriend or husband. Everyone was dressed to impress. I hadn’t seen all the details until now, but each couple wore a different shade of blue. Dark for Levi and Nix, medium for Kyle and Tiff, and a light, baby blue for Miles and Val. The girls’ dresses were belted with sashes which matched their man’s shirt.
At last, I was walking toward Tyler on my father’s arm. The slow cadence of the music and my father’s strong hold reminded me not to run to him. Our guests watched me approach and I noticed all manner of emotions in the sea of faces. Tyler’s family was sitting in the first row, next to mine, and I smiled at them when I got closer. Colorful orchids decorated each side of the aisle. They’d remembered my mention of the flowers.
Smile full of emotion, Tyler looked at me as if I were a precious diamond. My dark and mysterious man looked stunning in his cream-colored linen trousers and shirt. The same shade as my dress. His skin looked darker against the beige, that or he’d gotten a little tan since we’d been here. A beach wedding in Hawaii was the best idea ever. Tyler looked relax and comfortable, and god, so damn sexy.
We were a few inches apart when Dad offered my hand to Tyler.
“Thank you.” Tyler’s hand closed around mine and squeezed while my father, proud and happy, gave him a hug.
It was so out of character for Dad, but I loved that he’d done it.
Melody, all giddy, offered us each a lei, which we accepted and wore for the ceremony. White and blue flowers all threaded together made them the perfect, traditional accessory. Melody also had a small one matching ours. We both kissed her cheek at the same time, more than ready to reach the next step.
“You are beyond beautiful.”
There was no way I was going to be able to wait to kiss him and hold him close in my arms. It felt like an eternity since I had last seen him, but in reality, only a few hours had passed.
“Mommy,” Melody said as her arms went up, happy to see me. Tyler had gotten the kids ready himself. Of course, Melody was our flower girl, and as our little Hawaiian belle, she was precious. She started toward me, wanting to be in my arms, but Lillian came to get her while we performed the ceremony.
We’d found an officiant who took his job quite serious and was intense in his delivery.
“Welcome to the family, friends and loved ones. We are all gathered here today, with these mesmerizing views and emotion-filled moments, to celebrate the union of Rebekka and Tyler. You have traveled all the way here, away from your homes and jobs, to bear witness to the commitment they are about to make to one another. Thank you for offering your love and support on their special day, and for allowing Rebekka and Tyler to start their married life together surrounded by the most important people in their life.”
Get to the point, please. I was growing impatient, but kept a smile on my face. This was an unforgettable moment, and each second deserved to be recorded for safe keeping in my heart and mind forever. Now wasn’t the time for impatience.
“Rebekka and Tyler, thank you for your presence here today.” He paused. “As you know, marriage is a promise between two persons who love each other, who trust that connection of love, to commit. You promise to honor one another as individuals in this union of love, and to spend the rest of your lives together. In marriage, a woman and man share their desires, their longings and dreams, memories, even their joys and sadness. You are there to help each other through all uncertainties of life. You are agreeing to share strengths, responsibilities, and love. Nowadays, we understand that making a relationship work often takes more than love. It also takes devotion, understanding, and trust. Knowing in your heart that you want the best for each other. That you want to grow as a couple and as human beings.”
The moment to say I do was closer, and the anticipation in my whole body grew so strong, I was afraid I wouldn’t know what to say when the time came.
“Tyler, please take Rebekka’s hand, and repeat after me.”
Tyler’s hand was warm and trembling when it closed around mine. I wanted to hold him in my arms and calm him, instead, I mouthed three magical words at him: “I love you.” In return, I got a stunning smile as his eyes filled with tears. Oh, Tyler!
“Rebekka, I promise to take you as you are, loving who you are now, and who you are yet to become. I promise from this day...”
Tyler continued speaking, but I was on such a high, I no longer heard anything. I was basking in the feel of the moment. Living on the joy swirling around us. The voice of the officiant became a whisper in the background while Tyler and I stared into one another’s eyes, promising so much more than anything the officiant was mentioning. Spending my life with Tyler was my choice, my goal, my aspiration, and I would do anything to make us work. I knew Tyler would, too.
“Bekky?” Tyler asked.
“Huh? Oh, yes! Yes, I do.” Our guests started to laugh, even Tyler and the officiant, too. What did I do? “What?”
“That’s not exactly what you had to say, but I guess it’ll do.”
“Oh, no, no. I promise to love you, take you as you are, and be there for you for as long as we live. I promise to encourage you in everything that you do unless it’s something really...” What was I saying?
The officiant nodded, and I felt my face burn with embarrassment.
“Tyler, do you take Rebekka as your wife?”
“Hell, yes, I do.” A few guests giggled behind us.
“And Rebekka? Do you take Tyler as your husband?”
Now it was time to say it. “Yes, I do.” Not another second passed before I was jumping into the arms of my husband. Our mouths collided as our lips connected, and god, it was so good to be able to kiss him at last.
After our first kiss as husband and wife, we hugged for a very long time, and I decided the timing was perfect to tell him the surprise. My lips next to his ear, I whispered, “Tyler, you did it. Baby number three is on its way.”
He pulled back, and stared me down, his eyes filling with tears. “What? Did you say—?”
“Yes, you heard right.”
“You make me so damn happy, my wife.”
After the ceremony, we were directed to a flower garden for a photo session as husband and wife. Melody and Skye were in the majority of the pictures with us. This day was celebrating our love, and these would be a great way to remind Melody, Skye, and our little bump of it when they grew up. Our friends and families joined us toward the end of our session. It was important to me to have a souvenir of everyone who’d been there for our special day.
“Okay, on my count of three, you say Hawaii…” the photographer crooned at Skye, Melody, and Lia. Melody and Lia laughed together, but Skye was still too young to understand. I loved watching the friendship between Melody and Lia even at such a young age. “One... Two... Three—”
“Hawaii,” we all said in unison.
Miles and Val’s twins, Lola and Lisa, were napping in a small basket filled with wedding leis. So tiny and adorable, they didn’t even move or wince at the sound of our voices. The new parents were doing great. Although I had no doubts it was rough at times for Val, nursing twins and all. With the grin she wore on her face every day she made it look easy, though.
“Thank you, I think I have everything now.”
I shook hands with Luis, our hired photographer. “Thank you. I can’t wait to see the final product.”
“It shouldn’t be too long. With this scenery and all the beautiful smiles I got, there won’t be much to fix.”
Luis was right about the scenery. It had taken my breath away when we got here, and again this morning. The ocean, the dark sand, the colorful flowers and palm trees, everything about this place left me in awe. I’d been so relaxed yesterday. We’d sat on the beach with the kids and enjoyed the breeze along with the crash of the waves breaking up on the shore. This place was amazing, and the perfect getaway for a family vacation and wedding in one.
I’m married. I couldn’t believe it.
“Wife, are you lost in your thoughts?” He chuckled, but I loved the sound of him calling me wife. “The cocktails are waiting on us, and I’m thirsty.”
“I am, too. Although, mine will have to be a virgin.” His arms wrapped around the back of my shoulders, and I leaned my head against him. “We should come back here every year.”
“I was thinking the same thing. With the kids growing up, they’ll make great memories here, and we could use the time to relax away from home as well.”
“I won’t say no to that.”
He smiled. “Is everything perfect so far?”
“Tyler, it’s beyond any wedding I ever imagined. Everything is incredible, from Melody’s dress to the orchids to the location so our ceremony faced the ocean. You did great planning this.”
“You planned it, too. You’ve been sharing your dreams with me since we met, so I had a good idea of what would make you happy.”
I had to think, had I ever mentioned Hawaii? Yes, I guess I did a few times. It had always been a destination that interested me, but one I could never afford while in school or working at the club. Tyler had listened. I’d give him the credit.
“Thank you, I’ll never be able to say it enough.”
Everybody we loved was waiting for us when we arrived at the reception as husband and wife. Tyler lifted me in his arms while Levi welcomed us with a round of applause, “Here come the Hawaiian lovebirds we can’t live without, Mr. and Mrs. Wright.”
If my heart could have taken more happiness, it would have, but right now it was filled to capacity with love. Tyler put me down, spun me around, and our lips locked together long enough to make me hyperventilate.
“Jesus Christ, Tyler.” My face flushed under the eyes of our guests.
“I know, babe.”
To my surprise, Tyler started dancing, and soon had me twirling around in a waltz. My feet followed without stepping on his toes; I impressed myself. We danced, grinning at each other the whole time with the knowledge that this first dance as husband and wife would stay in our hearts forever. His hand left a warm imprint on my skin. Toward the end of the song, my parents joined us, and then so did Val and Miles. One by one, everyone joined in on our first dance, and it was everything I wanted.
And more.
Needing to cool down, I was beyond grateful when Levi came over with watermelon cocktails. They were to die for. Sweet but not too sweet, paired with the right amount of ice and a chunk of a fresh pineapple to add more flavor. “Can I get another one?” I asked having sucked the first one down. They were refreshing and alcohol free so Val could enjoy them, too. Levi had thought of everything.
“Sure.” Taking my empty glass, he handed me another one and I lifted it up overhead.
“Guys, I want to say something before we get too deep into this marriage celebration.” I wiggled the cocktail in my hand and waited while champagne was served to everyone. “I’ll try not to ruin my makeup again or else Tiff is going to ask Kyle to permanently tattoo it on my face. They must have fixed my eyeshadow or mascara at least half a dozen times.”
The group laughed, and I took a deep breath before I started with my speech.
“It all started with Nix, Val, and me. We wanted to move in together and start living our adult life. To have experiences of our own and learn from our own mistakes. Of course, we hoped there wouldn’t be too many of those, because there’s only so much one can endure at twenty-one. It was a huge bonus that we all got jobs at The Black Shakers together.” I laughed, nervous. “Nix felt like she was free for the first time in forever, Val traveled to the other side of the country, and me, well, I was trying to ignore the crush I had on my boss.”
That Tyler had been my boss wasn’t a secret, and now everyone really laughed. I smiled.
“He was older, but so mysterious and sexy. Tyler was the best boss I ever had, but he didn’t stay my boss for a long time, something else happened. Just like when Nix met Levi and neither of them could ignore the pull they felt, I couldn’t ignore the effect Tyler had on me, and neither could he. Then, a little later on, Tiff joined us with her kick-ass attitude, finding her place in our odd little family. Kyle and Tiff played hide and seek for a while, but now, they’re the happiest I’ve ever seen either of them. A year later, Val came back with a cowboy running after her. We all knew he was her forever, it just took her longer to see it.”
More laughs.
“That’s who we were, and this is who we’ve become. I’m so happy to have you all here today. Not only is our group growing as we have kids, but I’m hoping with all my heart that our kids will have what we have. A strong forever friendship, and knowing that with you guys by my side, I can do anything. With that being said, I hope you are all having a good time, because we sure are.”
Tyler boxed his arms around my waist. “So, I’ll have to make the toast to us, and to a continuation of all our happiness. Cheers!” Tyler lifted his glass of champagne with a gratified smile before adding, “I’m also thrilled to announce that we have a third baby on the way. So, please no alcohol for Mrs. Wright.”
Cheers could be heard around the resort but it didn’t equal the cheers I had in my heart. I had never been this happy.
We were now married, happier than ever before. This past year had been hell on earth but now, the good life had found us again. Today was proof of that. I was ready for the married life, for being the best mother I could be without putting too much pressure on myself. The journey had taught me it was okay to break down sometimes, because I would always have the best people around to help me back up.
This story started with three best friends, a club, and a star tattoo. Then three bachelors swept in and became their soulmates, and now, nothing was impossible.
Nothing.
~THE END~