Kara
The following December…
Zoey fusses round me, making sure everything is running like clockwork. I’m glad I asked her to be my matron of honour, but she’s flapping like a headless chicken and it’s driving me a bit stir-crazy.
Tina, the hairdresser, has just added the finishing touches, and as I glance in the mirror, I look like a different woman. She’s curled my long blonde hair and pinned some of it up, held in place with a gorgeous crystal fascinator, but she’s left most of the curls falling over my right shoulder. There are a few tendrils framing my face and I have to say, it’s the best it has ever looked.
Lucii, my makeup artist, is ready with brushes and a wintery palette of colours. I don’t want to be overly made up, I prefer a more natural look, but I want her to make my eyes pop.
“Now, Kara, you don’t want false lashes, do you?” Lucii asks as she sets to work with the concealer.
“No, honey, I don’t want anything to be false and over the top.”
She takes her time applying the foundation, using contouring techniques that she says are a must to show off my ‘gorgeous cheekbones’. I don’t really bother with all that normally, but today is a special day and I want Reid to be unable to take his eyes off me.
Once she’s finished, Lucii sprays my face with a fixing mist, which is meant to keep my makeup in place. I’d never heard of the stuff until today, but she swears that it’s a great product.
I take a long look in the mirror. A different version of Kara stares back at me. I look at her and see her eyes highlighted with shades of blue, silver and white eyeshadow, all blended to perfection. There’s a little bit of blue eyeshadow underneath her lower lid, and though I’ve never tried that before, I have to admit it looks amazing. Mascara and liquid eyeliner complete the look, and her bright blue eyes really stand out. She can’t be me. She looks too perfect. Something I’m definitely not.
“Oh Kara, sweetie, you look absolutely knock-out,” Zoey croons as she takes in my hair and makeup.
I see the blush creep across my cheeks at her compliment before I look away from the mirror.
“Thanks. I don’t feel like me.”
“You look like the very best version of you. It’s how you’re supposed to look on your big day. Lucii has done an amazing job. Now can you see why I recommended her? I mean, she did my makeup when I got married.”
“Yeah and you looked like perfection personified.”
“Well, that’s how you look. Whether you like to admit it or not, honey, you are beautiful.”
Wow, Zoey doesn’t give out compliments. Or at least she never used to. It all used to be about her. I must admit, she’s really changed since being with Brock. He brings out the best in her. And becoming a mother really changed her.
Motherhood changed me too, I guess. I’ve always been quite laid back, but I think something about becoming a parent mellows you out more.
“Thank you, Zoey. Have you seen yourself in the mirror? You look amazing. The turquoise dress really brings out your eyes.”
“It’s the most beautiful dress, Kara. I’m so glad we chose this one in the end. The sweetheart neckline really flatters my figure. The material is soft and comfortable too.”
“You don’t mind the bow on the waist so much now then?”
She had not been keen on the bow when we saw the dress the first time. She said bows belong on the back of dresses, not the front.
“Actually, it looks better than I thought it would. I wasn’t crazy about it on the hanger, as you well know.”
“Okay, Zoey, I’m ready to do your makeup now,” Lucii says.
Zoey takes a seat and lets Lucii get to work. Tina has already done her hair and it looks so soft and elegant. I’m truly glad Zo recommended both Tina and Lucii, they’re amazing at what they do.
It’s time to step into my dress. I look at it on the hanger and see all the little details that made me fall in love with it. It’s a mermaid style dress, which I’ve been told flatters my body shape. I tried on lots of different styles, but when I saw this one, I fell head over heels for it. I knew it was ‘the one’.
The sweetheart neckline is covered over with a sheer piece of white fabric so that you can still see the neckline of the dress underneath, but this way, I’m a little more covered up. It has one strap over the left shoulder that turns to flowers trailing down the back. Those same flowers cover the rest of the dress and it all ties in perfectly. I love the back too, the long train and the lace that makes it look a little like the back of a corset—Sophia Tolli really knows how to design stunning gowns.
Zoey and Lucii help me into my heavenly dress and Zoey tightens the lace a little. It looks better on than it does on the hanger.
I turn to look in the mirror and swear I’m not looking at myself. If I thought the hair and makeup made me look different, the dress certainly does.
As I slip into my shoes, a gorgeous sparkly pair of Louboutin’s that Zo bought for me, I take in the breath-taking view in the mirror. The woman before me sure looks ready to get married.
My heart rate increases and I struggle to hold back tears. I can’t believe this day is finally here.
When I gave birth to Grace last year, I knew there and then that it was one of the happiest days of my life and today I cannot compete with that, it’s a whole other ball game, getting married. They’re both amazing for different reasons. When Grace was born, I felt unconditional love wash over me. She’s part me and part Reid, a man I have loved for a very long time. I will always protect her and love her. Now it’s finally time to marry her daddy and I am a nervous wreck. What if I mess up my vows? What if I stumble in these heels and Liam can’t catch me? He’s going to have to hold on tight as he walks me down the aisle.
There’s a knock and Zo peeks her head round the door of the Bridal Suite to check that it isn’t Reid.
“Hey, let me in, I want to see my gorgeous bride!” Liam says as he barges into the room.
He stops dead in his tracks as he looks at me. Breaking into a mega-watt smile, he rushes to take me in his arms and holds me close.
“You look so beautiful,” he whispers.
“Thank you. I’m giving you fair warning that I might trip in these heels. I haven’t worn heels since Grace was born, except to practice walking in these once or twice.”
Liam guffaws at me, a proper belly laugh and I nudge him in the ribs for being a dick, which makes him laugh harder.
Once his laughter subsides, Liam straightens up and looks serious.
“Do I look like a penguin in this suit?”
“What would you do if I said yes?” I ask, trying to sound serious.
“I’d still wear it because you chose it for your big day, but I’d probably trip you down the aisle on purpose.”
He sticks his tongue out at me and I laugh. It’s a good job he’s here. I wouldn’t want to do this without him.
“It’s not as gorgeous as the suit you wore when you married, Jason. Mr Marks, but it looks damn good on you.”
“Thanks. If I were straight, I’d do you. That’s how stunning you look today!”
His words warm my heart. Every girl needs a best friend like Liam Marks. He’s the most wonderful person. I trust him with my life and that of my daughter, hence why he’s her godfather.
I’m sat on the bed staring at Bertie, the bear that the staff left on the bed for us. He’s so soft and I love the blue hoodie he’s wearing that has the Blakelands logo on. I stroke him as I think about the journey I’m about to embark upon. In a short while, I will be Mrs Kara Marks. That frightens me in some small way—I’ve always been fiercely independent and I don’t want being a married woman to change that in me—but I know Reid will be by my side and support me in everything I do. I know he’d never want to take my independence from me. Things are going well at the store and I’ve made Liam the manager while I take my maternity leave with Grace. I’ve opted to take as much time as I need and only go back when I feel ready. Jason and Reid’s business is also going well, they’ve taken on a major construction contract recently. I guess we are both independent of each other in some ways, but co-dependent in others.
“Time to go,” Zo says as she taps her watch.
Those three words pull me from my reverie.
“Oh man, I’m not ready.”
“Yes, you bloody are, woman. Get your arse out there and marry your second best friend. You can’t marry your first best friend, for one, he’s married already and that would be bigamy, and two, he’s gay. So you’ll just have to marry the man who’s waiting at the bottom of that aisle,” Liam says as he steers me towards the door to exit my suite.
“You’re a clown, you know that?”
“Come on, Kara, you’re going to be late, and not in the fashionably late sense,” Zo pipes up.
“Oh hell. I’m really doing this,” I say as I reach for my bouquet.
Pretty off-white calla lilies with the stems wrapped in blue and silver ribbon to go with our theme, make up my bridal bouquet. Zoey carries a single calla lily, I didn’t want two bouquets of them because they’d look too alike.
We leave the safety of the suite, and I wish I’d brought a sick bag. I don’t know where these nerves are coming from. I’m about to marry the man of my dreams, the man of my reality, all I’ve ever wanted. But my palms are clammy and my pulse is racing like a formula one driver on the track.
Liam holds my arm, and Zoey walks behind me to make sure my train doesn’t trip me. As I walk towards my future, I think of my past.
Once upon a time, I lusted over Reid from afar. He was meant to marry my best friend, but fate intervened and sent them both on different paths. Zoey’s led to Brock and Thea, Reid’s to me and Grace. How things have changed. I can’t say I’m unhappy that everything happened like it did. We may have had some obstacles in our way, but Reid is my soulmate and he finally found his way to me. If things hadn’t happened the way they did, then I wouldn’t be the woman I am today. The past moulds us into who we are. The ups, the downs, everything made me stronger.
It seems like forever, but at the same time, no time at all, before we’re standing at the door to the future. I hear the “Wedding March” begin to play and the door opens into a very regal looking red and gold decorated room. The open fire is a beautiful touch to a very classy room. But the best thing about it is actually in the form of my fiancé, stood in front of the registrar, waiting for me.
Liam is at my side, holding my arm in his as I begin my walk down the aisle. Looking around at the faces of our family and friends, tears begin to blur my vision. I pull myself together until I see Jason holding Grace. A single tear finds its way down my cheek, so I raise my hand to brush it away.
Before I know it, I’m stood next to Reid. Jason stands beside him as his best man, and Zoey is to the other side of me as my matron of honour.
The registrar welcomes everyone and says a few words which I don’t really hear because I’m so focussed on the face of my groom. I feel like I’m grinning like a loon, and I see Reid has his own Cheshire-cat type smile as he looks at me. Looking into his eyes, I notice unshed tears glistening. They make his eyes sparkle like the brightest emeralds.
It’s time to say our vows and my throat is suddenly as dry as the Sahara.
Reid is first to speak. He looks me in the eye as he holds my hand in his.
“Kara, I’ve loved you since the moment we met. For me, it was love at first sight. You were the most beautiful girl in the world, until Grace came along. We’ve always had a chemistry between us, even when we were just friends. I am like a jigsaw puzzle, you and Grace were the last pieces that complete me. Your love strengthens me in ways I never knew possible. From the day you stole my heart, I knew I’d never want to take it back. We may have had obstacles in our path, but we’ve overcome them together and that’s what matters. We are more than the sum of our parts, together we are whole. You and Grace are my world, and I would give you anything and everything your heart desires. To get to spend the rest of my life with you will make me the happiest man alive. We have a future to look forward to where anything is possible. When you have a love like ours, nothing is impossible.”
I look into his eyes and see the glistening of unshed tears. I find it hard to swallow past the lump that’s formed in my throat. He continues to recite his vows and my heart feels happy and light.
“There is so much I want to say to you, I’ve rewritten my vows a hundred times. I could never find enough words to express my love for you. My whole world is right here in front of me and I can’t wait to explore it with you as my wife. To be called your husband will be the biggest honour anyone could bestow upon me. With all that I am and all that I ever will be, I pledge to love, honour, respect and worship you forever and beyond.”
The tears in my eyes finally fall free as the last word comes out of his mouth. The entire time he spoke, he held my gaze with his. Reid’s own tears are falling silently now and he smiles at me, a smile that touches his eyes and my soul.
He places the gorgeous white gold band on my ring finger and I marvel at its elegant beauty for a moment before looking at him and beginning my own vows.
***
Reid
Kara’s eyes glisten with tears as she begins to speak. I dry my own tears with my free hand as she holds the other in hers.
“Reid Marks, I remember the day I met you. I saw you and fell hopelessly in love. You weren’t mine to love, but I couldn’t help what I felt in my heart. You worked your way under my skin and left a blazing trail across my soul. When we finally started dating, I was overwhelmed with emotions that I cannot begin to describe. The day you proposed is emblazoned on my mind forever. I love you with all that I am, and all that I ever will be, from now until my dying day. You and Grace are my whole world. With the two of you by my side, there is nothing I cannot do. They say nobody is perfect, but you are perfect for me. I want you, all of you. Your flaws and imperfections. Your kindness and love. The best kind of love is one that makes you a better person, and Reid, you make me a better person. You’re the first thing on my mind every time that I wake, the last thing on my mind as I lay down to sleep. As I keep loving you and you keep loving me, the rest will fall into place. We have the rest of forever to explore the depths of our love and I can’t wait to explore it with you.
You’re my best friend, my lover, my soulmate, and from this day forth, you’ll be my husband—something I never thought you would be. How I ever got lucky enough to deserve your love, I do not know, but I’ll never let it go. I promise to always cherish you, to remind you each day how much I love you. All that you are is all I’ll ever need, and I vow to prove that every single day. In front of our family and friends, I vow to always be the woman you see before you today, only changed by the love you give me, changed for the better, not the worse. You complete me and a piece of your soul will always be ingrained in me.”
A few tears escape from her beautiful blue eyes. Eyes that look right into my soul and see the real me. I will never again hide my love for this woman. I will show her every day of our lives that my heart made the right choice when it chose her to love.
I look down as she places the ring on my finger. The hearts engraved into the band are exquisite. There’s one to represent Kara, one for Grace, and one for me.
We’re finally pronounced husband and wife, and at long last, I am allowed to kiss my bride. My wife.
I take Kara in my arms and claim her luscious lips with mine. It’s a soft kiss, but Kara has other ideas, and she slips her tongue into my mouth. I’m lost in a haze as our tongues dance together and I pour all the love in my heart into our first kiss as a married couple.
Liam wolf-whistles and we break our kiss. I look at Kara and see she’s blushing slightly. She’s never looked more beautiful.
We walk over and sit at the table to sign the register, making our marriage legal and binding.
A few minutes later, the wedding photographer takes some photos of us with a dummy register, as you can’t photograph the real thing.
***
We walk into the Blakelands barn and I am blown away at how amazing it looks. I knew that Kara and Zoey were thinking of a Winter Wonderland theme, but this is just…I don’t have a word for it. I’m gobsmacked. The walls are draped with a fabric that shimmers blue and silver. There are snowflakes dangling from the ceiling. White tablecloths cover the ten tables and they seem to be sprinkled with crystals, a bit of fake snow, and some snowflakes. I pick up a place card which has a silver snowflake on the left side and the guest’s name handwritten in silver. I recognise the writing and realise Zoey must have had a cramp in her hand by the time she got through with the hundred cards she had to do. I put the card back down and take Kara’s hand as we walk to the top table. I notice every table has a beautiful centrepiece, and I stop to take a closer look at ours. It’s a clear glass vase filled with fir cones sprayed with fake snow and a few sprigs of green that look to be pine needles. There’s navy blue and silver ribbon around the top and three large white snowflakes glued to the vase. It’s placed on a mirror that is sprayed with yet more fake snow; the effect is so pretty.
“Zo and I spent hours making all of those,” Kara says as she notices where I’m looking.
“You made these by hand?”
“Yes, why? Do you not think we’re capable?”
She tries to hide her smirk but I see the corners of her lips turn up.
“Of course you’re capable, Mrs Marks. I wasn’t suggesting you weren’t. Merely making an enquiry because they look professionally made.”
“Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
I pull my wife into my arms and place a chaste kiss against her lips. I inhale her scent and notice she’s wearing my favourite of her perfumes.
“You most certainly should take it as a compliment, darling. They look amazing, as does the rest of the room. This Winter Wonderland thing has turned out to be more elegant and beautiful than I could have imagined.”
“You haven’t seen the best bit yet,” she says as the guests start to enter the room.
Everyone appears to be looking around in astonishment. And so they should. I hope we get a lot of photos of this because I never want to forget what my wife and her matron of honour pulled off.
Kara was very hands-on when it came to the wedding. She isn’t the type of woman to let a wedding planner do the job. Zoey was more than pleased to lend a helping hand whenever and wherever she could. I’d often see the pair with their heads together. They even made a model of the room with Styrofoam tables so that they could plan everything to the minutest detail.
“What’s the best bit?”
“That’s a secret for now.”
Kara smiles at me and my heart melts. She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met and I can’t believe she’s all mine.
As everyone is seated, I look to see the servers coming out with the starters and flutes of champagne. Suddenly my stomach growls and I realise I am starving. I had an entirely different type of hunger on my mind until now.
Kara had asked everybody for their preferred food option before the wedding so that it was more efficient and we were served more promptly.
We both have beetroot and feta crispy risotto balls with orange and tarragon salad. I take my first mouthful, unsure what to expect. It simply melts in my mouth and is a flavour explosion. The caterers have surpassed my expectations.
When the plates from the starters are cleared, they bring our main meal of shoulder of lamb with seasonal vegetables in a mint pan gravy. If I thought the starter was tasty, then this is simply divine. The lamb is so tender and just falls apart at the touch of my cutlery.
I look to see if Kara is enjoying her meal and she gives me a huge grin when she sees me watching her.
The main course is polished off rather quickly, so I guess the guests must have enjoyed it as much as I did. When the dessert arrives, I see what’s called the Death by Chocolate Trio, which is made up of a milk chocolate and raspberry mille-feuille, a dark chocolate and orange delice, and lastly, a white chocolate and Bailey’s mousse.
When I am full to the point of bursting, I sit back and look around the room at our family and friends. They all seem to be smiling and chatting away. It fills my heart to see so many of our loved ones here, celebrating our special day.
“Hey bro, that was some meal, huh?!” Jase exclaims from next to me.
“It really was. I’ve never known you be so quiet, so you must have been enjoying it,” I say as I grin and slap him on the back.
“The dessert was like a piece of heaven itself,” Liam pipes up from the other side of Kara.
“It was. There were some hard choices to make when it came to pudding. The caterer gave me so many options,” Kara says.
I take her hand in mine, resting it gently against my thigh.
“Wait until you see the surprise, Reid,” Zoey says from the other side of Liam.
“I can’t wait. Whatever it is, I’m sure it will be exquisite.”
***
Kara
We enter the barn for the second time this evening only this time there’s a few differences. The DJ is set up and waiting for us. There’s also a small ‘wish tree’ with bare branches, ready for the wishes. In a box on the table next to it, there are some heart shaped cards with a piece of blue and silver ribbon to hang them on the tree. Every guest is going to write something and tie it to the tree. Later on, those wishes will be collected and put back into the box as a keepsake for me and Reid.
I look at Thea as she toddles over to the tree, and I can’t help but smile. She’s eighteen months old now and she looks like a little doll in her dress the same colour as her mommy’s. The groomsmen all have ties to match. The men are all wearing white calla lily boutonnieres to match my bouquet and I love how they look.
I take Reid’s hand and walk to the top table. This time, we’re here for the speeches.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Liam. I am the best man’s husband and the bride’s best friend. I promise not to bore you with a long speech. When I was thinking what to say, I asked friends what their experience of speeches was and they said to start with a joke or a funny anecdote. Honestly, I’m not that good at jokes, so I’ll get straight to the point.
I watch as he smooths his hands down his jacket and pulls at his tie a little; sure signs that he’s actually nervous. He’s so cute, the way he shuffles from one foot to the other before continuing with his speech.
“When Kara asked me to give her away, I was honoured. It’s not every day you get to walk your best friend down the aisle to the man of her dreams. She was so excited at the prospect of me being by her side on her big day and I was jumping around like a fool when she asked.
“Today, I was by her side, making sure she didn’t face-plant, thanks to her gorgeous Louboutin’s—seriously, how you women walk in those things is beyond me. I walked with her towards a man I knew would give her the world and more. Kara and Grace are Reid’s everything, it’s as clear as day when you look at them together that there really is such a thing as ‘the perfect family’.
He looks at Reid, then his gaze lands on me and a broad smile takes over his face.
“Kara is an amazing woman with a whole lot of love to give to the right person. I knew this from the moment I met her. She gave me a job at her store and we became fast friends. It was then that I decided to set her up on a blind date with Reid, knowing how much they loved each other, but wouldn’t tell each other. The night of the date, they phoned and gave me an…ear-bashing—I won’t swear as there are children present—boy did they chew me out for my devious plan.
“When they finally realised that their love wasn’t unrequited, they got together and have been happy as anyone can be, ever since. There have been a few things to come along to test them, but they’ve risen above it all and have come to see that love really does conquer all.”
Emotions make his voice crack and I see a stray tear fall down his cheek.
“I would like to say just how much I love Kara, she’s the most loyal, loving, warm and genuine woman I have ever met. Kara, I wish you love every day for the rest of your life. Know that you are loved by us all. Not just Reid; you have me and Jason, Zoey and Brock, and of course Thea and Grace. If your grandmother is watching over you right now, she’ll be proud of the woman you have become. She showed you morals and values in life, and she would be happy to see that you have come such a long way. If she were here today, she wouldn’t stop crying all day. She would be so grateful to Reid for giving you all the love in his heart and she would love her grandson-in-law as much as she loves you. But as she isn’t here, I’ll say this; Reid, I know you will take care of Kara until your dying breath. You’ll protect her and love her and you’ll give her and Grace the best life you know how. I’m so glad you finally saw sense and married the right woman—no offence, Zoey—because you two are the other half of each other. If it were possible for two people to be one, then that is you and Kara. I wish you love and luck together. And if you ever hurt her, just know that I will be there with a baseball bat.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in raising a glass to the beautiful bride and her handsome groom. To Kara and Reid.”
As everyone lifts their glass in a toast, my eyes won’t stop leaking salty tears everywhere. I’m hoping the fixing mist Lucii applied earlier really works and doesn’t let my makeup run.
I smile at Liam as he sits down beside me.
“Were you serious about the baseball bat?”
He laughs quietly. We both know he doesn’t own one. The only games he plays involve an X-box or PlayStation and a controller, not actual sports equipment.
“Well, maybe I’ll just have to go and buy one now so I can show him I’m deadly serious.”
The look on his face makes me burst out laughing and everyone looks our way, trying no doubt, to guess what’s so funny.
“I love you, Liam.”
I lean over and kiss his cheek. He’s a faithful friend and has become very dear to me. I don’t know where I’d be without him. But I probably wouldn’t be Mrs Marks if it wasn’t for his meddling.
***
Once the speeches are over, I make my way to the ladies’ room to check my makeup. Reid’s words were spoken to my heart and seared their way into my soul. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room when he told me how much he loved me and that his life had gotten brighter from the moment we first kissed. He said if his love for me continued to grow, he was sure his heart would burst, but I was worried that my own heart would burst right there and then.
I walk out into the barn and take a good look all around me. I’m astonished that Zoey managed to capture my vision and made it into a reality. Yes, I’d made some of the arrangements myself, but Zoey had taken on most things, saying that she didn’t want me to have to stress.
The DJ calls over the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, will you please be upstanding for the bride and groom as they have their first dance.”
I don’t know what song Reid chose, he wouldn’t tell me even if I begged. So I make my way to the dancefloor and into his waiting arms.
The opening bars began to play and I know immediately what the song is. Reid chose one of my favourite songs, one he sings to me often. He leans his head close to mine and begins to whisper the lyrics directly to my heart. “Tenerife Sea” is his reference to my eyes.
We dance wrapped in a bubble of love and adoration. I never want this moment to end. I know it has to, but I’m not ready. In this moment, nothing exists but me and my soulmate.
People begin to gather on the dancefloor as the DJ plays the first part of his set-list. We asked him to play some Christmas songs considering it’s only nine days until Christmas. He puts on Michael Bublé’s version of “Winter Wonderland.”
When it comes time for the cake to be brought in, I’m just hopeful that Reid will love it as much as I do. I’ve only seen photographs of it so far and they were only progress shots, not the finished cake. The initial sketch Dave drew for it had me falling head over heels, and as Reid had chosen the wedding song alone, I had chosen the cake.
I remember being so nervous when I emailed the guys over at Choccywoccydoodah. I watch their show all the time, and I was desperate for them to create my cake. Christine Taylor herself emailed me back and said they’d be happy to create something for our big day.
Reid and I are stood to one side as the door opens and Barry—who is nicknamed Breaky Bear by the rest of the Doodah team—wheels the cake towards us. Henry from the London store is with him and looks very dashing in his shirt and trousers that go well with our theme.
“What the…” Reid begins to ask.
“Surprise, darling,” I say as I lean over and kiss his cheek.
Looking at the cake, I see it’s even better than the sketches. It’s possibly the best cake I’ve ever seen. There’s a large deer’s head at the top, with an array of flowers flowing down below it. The colours are blue, silver and white and they shimmer beautifully. The deer looks like he’s in a snowy forest. I’m floored by the exquisiteness and for once, I have no words to say.
“You must be Kara,” Henry says as he extends a hand for me to shake.
“Henry, it’s so good to meet you. I’m speechless, this is above and beyond what I imagined.”
“Dave really outdid himself, didn’t he? And look, Breaky Bear here didn’t break anything.”
Henry laughs and it’s infectious. Soon Reid, Barry and I find ourselves laughing out loud too. Our guests must think we’re nuts, but I don’t care. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as happy in my entire life as I do this day. Well, actually, there was one day; the day I gave birth to Grace.
We stand back so all the guests can admire the cake. I take the microphone from the DJ and stand in the middle of the dancefloor.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this cake was made for us by the wonderful team at Choccywoccydoodah. Can we please have a round of applause for Henry and Barry who are here to deliver it for us? Also a big cheer for Dave and his magic hands that actually sculpted this work of art. I’m not sure whether to eat it or buy it a display case.”
Everyone cheers and hollers. They clap loudly and the odd wolf-whistle can be heard.
One of Blakelands staff hands me a knife and Reid and I pose for photographs with the cake before and during cutting it. It feels like sacrilege to cut into it, but I keep a smile on my face as Reid closes his soft hands around mine and we cut the first slice.
Reid picks up the slice we just cut, he breaks some off, and offers it to me. As I lean in to eat it, the thought enters my mind; he wouldn’t dare miss my mouth on purpose would he? It would ruin my makeup.
Turns out I thought wrong, he doesn’t care about spoiling my makeup, and so I pick up a piece of cake and smear it on his face too. The smiles on our faces as the camera flashes tells it all. Nothing beats the feeling of love.
To love and be loved in return is all I can ask for in life. Reid proves every second of every day that he loves me and Grace with all of his heart and soul.
I take Grace from Jason’s arms and pose for a few more photos. Today is a day I shall carry in my heart until the very last breath leaves my body. Today I know that I am truly, deeply loved.
Reid
I know it’s tradition to carry your wife over the threshold of your home, and I chose to carry Kara into our suite too. She laughed as her shoe fell off and I couldn’t bend down to retrieve it without dropping her.
Now we’re sitting in the Bridal Suite. I haven’t been able to see it until now, but it really is outstanding. The four poster bed is the best feature, and my mind can’t help but stray to thoughts of tying Kara to the posts and devouring her.
I help my bride out of her gown and see her stood before me in a gorgeous strapless bra and matching panties. She’s got legs that seem to go on for miles and I notice the stockings and suspenders she’s wearing. It’s a good job someone else is looking after Grace tonight because I intend to have my wicked way with Kara more than once.
She catches me staring and offers me her beautiful Hollywood smile. Kara Marks is the most beautiful woman I have ever known. Inside and out, she is absolutely stunning. Her heart is kind, loyal, giving, and she has a lot of love to give. I’m just glad I’m the man she’s giving it to.
We may not have had the easiest of starts to our relationship. Hell, we might not have an easy relationship for the rest of our lives, but I know that what doesn’t break us makes us stronger. And nothing in this world will ever break us. I know the statistics for marriages ending in divorce, but we aren’t a statistic. We are a man and woman, a husband and wife, a father and mother that will pour our hearts into the bond we have together. The three of us, Kara, Grace and me, we are a family unit, and nothing will ever get in the way of that.
Hopefully, one day soon, we’ll be making baby number two. I’d really like to give Grace a brother, but I don’t mind if it turns out to be a sister. As long as it’s happy and healthy, I don’t care.
I look at Kara as she lies on the bed before me. She’s reaching for something in the bedside drawer and I can see the globes of her perfect arse, thanks to what little material she’s wearing. I want her so much it hurts. This amazing woman is the purest kind of beauty in every way possible. She makes me feel alive, and in this moment, time stands still, the world stops turning, and I smile from the heart as I stand at the foot of the bed, watching her every move.
She catches my stare and a blush creeps over her cheeks. Her eyes tell me all I need to know. She wants me to take my time with her. To really make love to her. Now isn’t the time for sizzling hot sex, there’ll be time for that later.
I notice what she pulled out of the drawer; two pairs of white fluffy handcuffs. She flashes me a grin as she puts one cuff around each wrist. I move to help cuff her to the two top posts of the bed and her salacious smile widens. I lean down to place a chaste kiss on her lips. She tries to deepen the kiss, but I move back slightly. The look on her face tells me how disappointed she is that I didn’t allow her to control the kiss. Her eyes follow my movements as I undo my tie and throw it on the chair beside the bed. I undo the buttons of my shirt slowly and deliberately. As I discard my shirt and reach to undo my trousers, Kara’s eyes light up. I pull my trousers and boxer shorts down before reaching to stroke my cock slowly for her pleasure and mine.
My aim for the rest of tonight is to cherish my wife with all that I have. She is all I’ll ever need and I want to show her one thing; just how much she is loved.
~The End~