“I can’t believe he did this!” I exclaimed. “He’s insane!” I peeked out the window again. The florists and caterers were just putting the finishing touches on their wares. My mind was completely blown. In a few short minutes, I was going to walk downstairs and marry Carter Strickland. “I really think he’s lost his mind.”
Ok, so it wasn’t legal. We’d have to say our vows over again after the mandatory three-day waiting period for the marriage license, but where I was concerned, we were getting married
“I think it’s romantic,” Coop pondered. Her hand floated to her chest. She smiled demurely, her cheeks flushing with color. “Damn it! I think I’m going to cry!”
“Please don’t,” I begged. “I’m barely holding it together myself.” I didn’t know whether I should laugh or cry. It was a little unnerving. “Maybe I’m the one that’s lost my mind. I’m going to wake up in the hospital bed and realize this is all a hallucination.”
Paisley walked over and pinched my arm, a little harder than necessary. I winced and yanked my arm away. “Ouch!” I complained, rubbing the sting away. “What the hell did you do that f-f-for?”
“To prove you’re not dreaming.”
“You didn’t have to pinch me so hard!”
Paisley shrugged, unperturbed. “I wanted you to be sure.”
“Sadist.”
There was a knock at the door. Coop walked over and cracked it open. Tate peeked his head in, scanned the room. He paused and winked when he reached me. “The babies are getting fussy,” he told Coop.
“We’re almost done here. I’ll be down in a minute.”
Tate beamed as if she’d declared her love, and stole a kiss. “See you in a few, Strawberry Girl.”
Coop closed the door and leaned against it, her eyes hooded and dreamy.
“You’re crazy to ever have thought of resisting that,” Em observed amusedly. “He’s the definition of irresistible.”
“I was highly delusional,” Coop admitted. She grinned widely and opened her eyes. “That was our signal. Any last thoughts? Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
My stomach spasmed. I steeled myself and smoothed my dress out. “Do I look ok?” My only concern was my hair. I wished I’d had time to grow it out, but it was fairly irrelevant in the bigger picture.
“You look beautiful,” Jess assured. “Carter’s heart is going to stop when he sees you.”
“Wait,” said Coop quickly. “Let’s go through the list first. Something old?” I looked over myself, held up my hand, wiggling my finger wearing the god-awful ring. Coop nodded. “The dress is new and borrowed. That leaves something blue.”
Everyone looked around the room for something suitable.
“Earrings?” Em suggested.
Coop shook her head. “I don’t have anything blue.” Thinking, she drummed her fingers against her arm. Her eyes brightened. She smiled. Her fingers stilled. “I’ve got it!” Hurrying to her dresser, she slid the top drawer open and rifled through the contents. Her hand came back out with a pair of pale blue lace bikinis. “These are brand new,” she assured. “I bought them a few weeks ago during that whole fiasco with Paisley and Jake in the dressing room…”
“Works f-f-for me,” I agreed. “Just so you’re aware, you’re not getting them back.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Taking the bikinis from her hand, I slid them on under my dress. I’d been alfresco, considering my panties were soaked along with my dress after our dive in the pool. “What do you think? Can you see them through the dress?”
“No—they’re perfect,” Coop approved. She looked me over, measuring my appearance, and nodded with approval. “Not bad for such short notice.”
“I can’t believe you had a white dress handy.”
“I think Nora was hoping Tate and I would renew our vows with a more traditional ceremony,” Coop theorized. “Something she, Nolan, and my parents could attend.”
“Are you going t-t-to?” I asked.
Coop shrugged. “Not anytime soon. We have Sophia’s baptism to attend. And the twins’ baptism to plan. Then Paisley’s wedding, and Em’s wedding after that.” And she was hoping to take the stage sometime in between, she didn’t say. “Trust me—we have plenty to celebrate. Besides, today is all about you!”
“Oh my God.” This was it. The moment of truth. It was surreal. Maybe it was a joke. Carter had a wicked sense of humor. He once said he’d go to prom with me, and in my excitement, when I asked if he was serious, he’d said no and laughed at me.
“It’s no joke,” Jess assured. She grasped my hand reassuringly. “He loves you.” Her eyes were kind, empathetic. I realized I must’ve spoken my ruminations aloud again.
“We already warned him we’d have his balls on a platter,” Coop added, “and Carter knows from experience I can do it.”
“I’m f-f-fine,” I said—what I hoped was firmly. “They’re just f-fleeting thoughts that everyone has. I happen t-to think them aloud.”
“So do I,” Coop admitted. “Of course, I woke up—hung over—on a return flight from Vegas. So I was a little vociferous when I spotted the ring on my finger.”
“Who are you kidding?” Em snorted. “You’re the most contained person I know. You’re like the antithesis to Mattie’s mental rambling.”
“Not anymore,” Coop argued. “With the twins, I don’t have the time to let my mind wander.”
Jess’s phone chirped. She pulled it from her pocket. “Groom’s getting restless,” she warned. “He’s spotted the missing curtains. He knows Mattie knows.”
Everyone looked at me. I flushed with color. “I’m ready as I’ll ever be.”
“This is your shining moment!” Coop said. “Let’s get this show on the road!”
Coop was the first through the door. I followed her down the hall. As we descended the stairs, I noticed a woman standing at the bottom. She held in her hands a crown of lavender and pale green wax flowers. “You must be Mattie,” she surmised. “Do you have a preference on how you’d like to wear it? On an angle? Across the forehead?”
“Across the f-forehead, I think.”
“It’s good,” she approved. “Classic.” She placed the flowers on my head, shifted it slightly until it sat firmly in place, and then slid a few pins into my hair, securing it. From the hall table, she passed me a matching bouquet. “That should be it.”
“Thank you for working with us on such short notice,” Coop said. Stepping forward, she shook the woman’s hand. “We’ll be in touch.”
“I look forward to working with you again,” said the woman. She turned to me and smiled politely. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Paisley approached at the woman’s departure. She leaned in and gave me a light hug. “See you outside.”
“Me too,” said Em. She had Sophia, sleeping, resting on her shoulder, so she opted for a cheek kiss. The two headed for the rear door leading to the garden.
Jess approached next. She kissed my cheek, her eyes swimming with tears. “I know you haven’t actually said ‘I do’ yet, but let me be the first to welcome you to the family.”
“Thank you,” I managed, fighting my own tears.
Jess swiped at her cheek, and then patted absently at Iain’s bottom. “I just can’t believe it. Carter’s getting married. I never thought the day would come.”
The thought was mutual. I never thought the day would come.
“Lord, I’d better go,” Jess said. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. I don’t want to make you cry.” She pressed another kiss to my cheek. “Good luck.”
“Thank you, Jess.”
Jess laughed as she walked away. “I should be thanking you. You’re marrying him.”
Coop and I giggled. “She’s right,” Coop agreed. “You’re a saint.” Lifting her hand, she spun her finger in a circle. “Turn for me. One last look.”
I spun in a slow circle. Coop gave me a cursory once-over. “Hold your flowers lower. Lower. Just above your hips.” She smiled when I finally got it right. “Perfect!”
“Really?” I was admittedly nervous.
“You look beautiful!” Leaning in, she pressed her cheek to mine in a kiss. “Hang tight. I’ll send Jake in.”
Watching her walk away, I fidgeted nervously. Seconds stretched into minutes. I ambled down the hall, stole a glance in the mirror. I felt overwhelmed and unprepared.
“I’m going to hold you to it,” Jake warned. He was in the living room. I heard Paisley’s throaty laugh and the door closing. A second later, he came through the living room and into the hall. He was wearing a pair of khakis and a white oxford. The ankles were rolled. His feet were bare.
“You look nice.”
Jake looked down at himself. “All weddings should be this casual.”
“All weddings should be impromptu. Much less stress.”
“Then you shouldn’t look so nervous.” Jake looked up from straightening the sleeves of his shirt.
“I’m not used to being the center of attention. That’s you.”
“So, you’re not having any second thoughts about the idiot outside smiling like a loon?”
I smiled in answer. Not a chance in hell. “He looks happy?”
“As a fuckin’ lark.”
I giggled. “I wish I could see him. Is it weird or unlucky if I peek out the window?” I had to stop myself from doing just that.
“You’re going to step outside in two minutes and he’s going to smile twice as wide. You look beautiful.”
“Damn it, Jake.” The tears I was holding back began to fall.
“Well shit. That didn’t take long.” From his pocket, he pulled a tissue. He unfolded it and then passed it to me. “I’ll have to thank Paisley for arming me. Just make sure you tell her they’re happy tears if she asks.”
“Was she expecting worse?”
“Everyone is taking wagers on whether I’ll forever hold my peace.” He held his hands up when my mouth skewed into a frown. “I said my piece earlier, Matt. If you’re happy, I’m happy. That’s all I ever wanted.” Stepping closer, he wrapped me in a hug. “Seriously.”
“Thank you.”
“I love you, Matt.”
A fresh wave of tears fell. “You’re determined t-to ruin my makeup.”
“I was told to tell you to blot and not wipe. I’m assuming they meant your eyes. I hope they meant your eyes.”
I laughed, which is what I’m sure he intended.
“Really, though; if you could tell Paisley that they’re happy tears. We have a reward system going. As long as I don’t say anything bad about Carter…”
“Do I even want t-to know?”
“Probably not.” He grinned waggishly. Lifting his arm, he turned his wrist and checked his watch. “I think our two minutes are up. Are you ready?”
“Are my eyes running? Do I look ok?”
“You’re devastating.”
“Devastating?”
“When Carter sees you walking toward him, smiling like an angel, those cheeks flushed with tears, his heart’s going to stop dead in his chest.”
“You’re killing me.” I blotted my eyes. I wasn’t going to have any makeup left at this rate. I’d turned into a weepy mess.
Grinning, Jake lifted his elbow, offering me his arm. “Come on, Matilda Mae, let’s go make all your wishes come true.”
I stared at Jake, my eyes narrowed. Surely Carter wouldn’t have told him my secret. They were only just burying the hatchet. When Jake cocked his head to the side and lifted an eyebrow, I hooked my fingers around his bicep and let him lead me through the house.
There were pails and vases of flowers everywhere. On the tables. Along the hall. Draped over the door frame. The house smelled of lavender and something sweeter, maybe lilac. I couldn’t believe that they’d gotten so much done on such short notice. I was genuinely impressed. They’d turned Tate’s house into a virtual English garden in a matter of hours.
“Just line them up across the kitchen table,” Em instructed. “Light the braziers to keep everything warm. Check the hors d'oeuvres in an hour, start trading the trays out with the main dishes. Champagne—keep it flowing.” Em glanced up, noted us watching her work her magic. “Merda! I gotta go. Now.” She held up her finger as she passed. “Give me five seconds. Just five. Sorry!” She slipped out the door. Outside, the piano started a grand entrance piece and then quickly transposed into “That’s Amoré.” A crowd of cheers sounded, a round of applause. A few hoots of laughter.
“Her timing was spot on,” Jake noted.
“I think she meant t-to be outside already.”
“I meant Paisley. I told her to count to five before she started playing. Give you both a moment to take everything in before you start up the aisle.”
“She did well with the improv t-too.”
Jake grinned widely, clearly enamored with his fiancée.
“We could make it a double wedding,” I suggested.
Jake’s smile fell. “Don’t I wish. We already have everything planned. Five groomsmen, five bridesmaids. Five too many if you ask me.”
“So, elope.”
“She’s the oldest daughter,” Jake snorted. “The first of the Shaws to be married. Her mother would have an aneurism.”
It was fair to say, her mother wasn’t footing the bill, but I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth to keep from voicing it aloud. “She has t-twelve other children t-to pamper. You’d think she’d t-take the consideration of each child’s individual desires.”
“She’s a good person,” Jake allayed. “Besides, I owe her for ruining their Easter dinner.”
“What happened?” I inquired. “And why haven’t I heard of this before?”
“I choked on a baby carrot, and Paisley had to give me the Heimlich,” Jake explained. “The carrot ended up somewhere in a side dish. I think. I’m not sure. I left so fast, I didn’t take the time to notice.”
Laughing, I shook my head, trying to dispel the image. I’d never seen Jake discomposed. Don’t get me wrong, he had a good sense of humor and was a master at sarcasm, but to have choked on a carrot during his girlfriend’s family dinner, I couldn’t imagine what had possibly overcome him.
“Now,” Jake appraised. “We’re ready.” Placing his hand over mine, he squeezed it gently then led me toward the door. He paused a moment, pushed it open, and stepped down. He paused again, allowing me to take everything in.
Flowers bedecked every corner, softening the stark lines of the lawn and the immaculately trimmed shrubs. They wrapped the posts of the pergola and billowed down between the beams. Pails of blossoms stood at the center of the tables. Large frothy bows wrapped the backs of the chairs, their tails ruffling gently in the breeze. Lights twinkled overhead, promising a hint of magic in the approaching evening.
But nothing compared to the man waiting in the small grove of trees. His blue eyes outshone a thousand twinkle lights. His smile outstripped a garden of flowers. His love…it was well worth waiting for. When he flashed me his signature smile, my heart skipped a beat. It was all I could do to keep from sprinting toward him.
To my left, Paisley’s fingers danced over the keys of the piano in a grand entrance. I almost died when it morphed into a tricked out version of “Happy Birthday.” It was elaborate and drawn out to accommodate my walk up the aisle, but there was no mistaking the song.
My face turned eight shades of red. If Jake hadn’t guided me forward, I might’ve stopped and gave in to my humiliation. As it stood, I took another step forward and watched Carter bend over in laughter. He glowed, absolutely glowed with exaltation.
He looked delectable in his khakis and white oxford shirt. Of course, he looked delectable in shredded jeans and a worn-out t-shirt. In fact, after our swim, he probably took a towel to his hair, changed his underwear and tossed on whatever the guys handed him in lieu of a tux. That was the extent of his preparation. But to me, he looked like a fucking rock star.
My rock star.
My entire life had lead up to this moment. He’d stolen my heart as a little girl with his innocuous winks, flattering smiles, and teasing tugs of my ponytail. I’d never stood a chance against his flirtations. I was young, and he was tall, handsome, and downright irresistible.
Now, years later, he’d stolen my heart again, despite my qualms. His patience and persistence paid off. Slowly, he’d chipped away at my icy resolve and eased his way back into my life. Ok, not so much as eased, but rather with a force of a hurricane. Carter didn’t do anything quietly. But in all honesty, it would’ve taken an act of God to break through to me.
Reaching the makeshift altar, Jake grasped Carter’s hand in a firm shake. The two locked eyes for a length of time in some unspoken exchange before Jake finally let go. He turned, clasped my face gently between his hands, and kissed either cheek. My eyes filled with tears.
“None of that,” he chided. Pressing the pad of his thumb to my cheek, he wiped a tear away. “I’m short of quips right now. I have nothing to make you laugh.”
I mustered a smile. “You’re not that f-funny anyhow.”
Jake leaned in close, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “Then I’ll leave you with the clown. He does a fine job of it.” He angled his head in Carter’s direction.
I looked up, meeting Carter’s gaze once again. A smile spread across my face, as wide as the sky was bright. He held out his hand as Jake stepped away. I took it, let him tug me forward until I had to move my bouquet from between us lest it be crushed. He dipped his head, took my mouth in a fervent kiss. He was warm and sweet. He tasted like sugar. Icing, perhaps.
Beside us, Richard cleared his throat. “Getting a little ahead of yourselves, aren’t you?” he said wryly. He was the acting officiant.
Laughing, Carter concluded the kiss, his breath bursting hot against my lips. “Could you have resisted her, Richard? Just look at how beautiful she is.”
What blood that didn’t rush to my face during the kiss, rushed there now, spreading across my cheeks in a bright pink flush. I looked up from under my lashes, taking in the man staring back at me. He looked as bewildered and… captivated as I’d felt for the larger part of my life. Besotted. In love. I relished every moment, basking in his undivided attention.
“I’m going to have to ask you to step away from the bride,” Richard warned. “Try this a second time.” Carter smirked and rolled his eyes, but took a step back. Richard cleared his throat, fighting a smile, and began the opening remarks. “Dearly…beloved,” he said slowly and concisely, “we… are… gathered… here… today… to… witness… the union of… Carter Strickland… and… Matilda Whalen… in… holy… matrimony…” Just those few words felt like a lifetime. He was drawing out every word, almost comically. Everyone around us was sniggering.
When Richard inquired if anyone had just cause on why we shouldn’t be lawfully joined together, everyone’s eyes wandered to Jake—who promptly flipped us all the bird.
“Ok then,” said Richard, his tone wry. He angled himself toward Carter. “If you could repeat after me: I, Carter Strickland, choose you, Matilda, to be my wife. I promise to love and cherish you, for better or worse, and will keep you in perfect health under threat to my life. I promise to laugh with you, never at you. I promise I will never post pictures to social media without your written consent. I promise to love and respect you, and above all else, make sure I’m not just yelling because I’m hangry.”
Upon repeating the last line, Carter’s nose wrinkled. He turned to our throng of guests. “You all know I have low blood sugar!”
“Sure sure,” Coop taunted. “You even have a medical bracelet. We’ve heard it all before.”
“Matilda,” Richard prompted, gathering my attention. “I, Matilda Whalen, take you, Carter, to be my husband even though you ain’t got an ounce of common sense. I promise to love you despite your many flaws. I promise to laugh when you’re funny. I promise to keep my pimp hand warm when you’re not. I promise to keep you company during the long months on the road. I promise to keep the fridge stocked at all times so you have no excuse to be hangry. Above all else, I give my most solemn vow, to forgive you, no matter how many times your bandmates get drunk and pass out on the bus.”
“Who wrote these?” I laughed. Almost everyone raised their hands. “Ya’ll are under the misimpression that we’re sharing a bus. If you want t-to pass out on the body bag, that’s f-fine with me, but Carter will be buying me my own.”
“I am?” Carter said dumbly.
“Unless you want t-to share a bus with Jake and Paisley,” I pointed out. I turned to aforementioned persons. “No offense.”
“None taken,” Jake assured.
“Would you like me to add that to the vows?” Richard inquired. “Addendum one point zero to the legal binding nuptials between Carter Strickland and Matilda Whalen?”
“That’s unnecessary,” Carter declined. He glanced at Jake and Paisley. “No offense, but I think I’ll be buying Matilda a new bus.”
“It’s for the best,” Jake assented. He acknowledged Carter with what would’ve been a three-finger salute, if he had used all three fingers.
“Should we move on?” Richard prompted.
“Please,” Carter agreed.
“Do you have a ring for the bride?”
“Let’s take care of this first…” Reaching down, Carter lifted my hand in his and gently rocked the absurdity from my ring finger. He dropped it in his pocket and fished inside for what I assumed was my wedding band. I was almost afraid to see what he came up with on such short notice. Surely it had to be better than Gram’s molar.
“I know you had your heart set on your gram’s ring,” he explained, “but this one was my mother’s.” He pinched the band between his thumb and forefinger. It left me breathless. Three quarters of the white gold band was comprised of emerald cut diamonds, each nestled within a bed of smaller, brilliant cut diamonds. Truth be told, as relieved as I was that it wasn’t atrocious, it wouldn’t have mattered. He could’ve held a tin cigar band and I would’ve said “I do.” It was his mother’s ring, and he was the man I’d always dreamed of marrying.
“Please place the ring on the bride's finger and say: With this ring, I thee wed,” Richard instructed.
Carter repeated the words, and with a triumphant glimmer in his eyes, he slipped the ring onto my finger. His chin dipped ever so slightly, his lips slightly parted. I thought he was going to kiss me again, but Richard spoke, breaking his chain of thought. Carter blinked, and smiled sheepishly, momentarily deterred.
“And the ring for the groom,” said Richard. He dipped his fingers into his own pocket, extracted a large, stainless band, and passed it to me. The rim was polished with a thick band of brushed steel and an inlay of ebony along the center. There were notches scattered across the surface, giving it an industrial and edgy appeal. “Please place the ring on the groom's finger and say: With this ring, I thee wed.”
Slipping the ring over the tip of his finger, I repeated the words and attempted to push it over his knuckle. It refused, the skin of his knuckle bunching along the edge of the band.
“None of this counts if the ring doesn’t go on!” boomed a deep, male voice. “I can step in if you’d like!”
“Not a chance, Marshall,” Carter scoffed. “It’ll go on. Did earlier.”
This was so going to count if I had to force it on. Lifting his hand higher, I smirked and slipped his ring finger into my mouth, wetting it thoroughly. A wide smile spread over Carter’s face. The guests roared with hoots and laughter. I removed it slowly, sweeping my tongue over the edge of the ring.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Carter swore, his grin reshaping into a wayward smirk. I tried again. The ring gave with triumph. I lifted his hand high above my head and pointed to it.
“It counts!”
It wasn’t until then I joined them in laughter, my cheeks flushing with a fresh burst of color. I pressed the back of my hand against them, letting the coolness seep into my skin.
Richard waited patiently until the noise died to an acceptable decimal before he attempted to continue the ceremony. Raising his voice, he spoke over the dying laughter. “Let these rings be given and received as a token of your affection, sincerity and fidelity to one another. In as much as Carter and Matilda have consented together in wedlock and have witnessed the same before this company, and pledged their vows to each other, by the authority vested in me by the State of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He turned to Carter, pointedly. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Beneath the shade of the Sweetgum tree in Tate’s back yard, Carter lowered his head and kissed me. This kiss should have been our first, a mutual affection rather than my revelation and his discovery. Nonetheless, I couldn’t regret my duplicity or the ensuing conflict, not when I was standing here in his arms as Mrs. Carter Strickland. In the end, everything had worked out.
Wishes did come true.
True love did exist.
Happily-ever-afters were not mere myth.
And that…that was something worth writing a song about.
The End