23. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tasha
I stare at my reflection in the ornate mirror of the hotel suite, barely recognizing the woman looking back at me.
The white dress I’m wearing is simple yet elegant, hugging my curves in all the right places.
It’s nothing too fancy, but it’s perfect for today. Jasmine really outdid herself. My caramel hair falls in soft waves, and it's pinned back with delicate clips that shimmer when I turn my head. She spent nearly an hour making sure every strand was in place.
I can’t believe it’s only been two days since Brody proposed in that hospital room.
When he first suggested that we get married right away, in Vegas of all places, I almost laughed. I told him no, it sounded too rushed, too trashy.
But he looked at me with those earnest eyes and insisted it wasn’t about the glitz. It was about us, starting our life together on our terms.
“Fine,” I’d said, relenting, “but only if Elvis isn’t the one marrying us.”
Brody had laughed, kissing me on the forehead. “Deal.”
And here I am now, butterflies in my stomach, wondering if I made the right choice. But as I glance down at the diamond sparkling on my finger, I know I wouldn’t want it any other way.
The past few days have been a whirlwind. Josh and Gemma drove down from Chicago, and Jasmine, of course, agreed to be my maid of honor without a second thought. I didn’t bother inviting my own family.
Why would I? They’ve never been there for me, and I don’t need their disapproval hanging over what should be the happiest day of my life.
Jasmine is buzzing around the room now, checking my veil, fluffing out the hem of my dress, and making sure I have everything I need. She’s a ball of energy, practically glowing with excitement.
“Okay, Tash, we’ve got the bouquet, the rings, and the tissues, because you know you’re going to cry,” she teases, giving me a playful wink.
I smile at her, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. “Jaz, are you sure this isn’t crazy?” I ask, my voice soft and unsure.
Jasmine pauses, her eyes locking onto mine. “Are you sure this is what you want?” she asks seriously.
“When Brody came and saved me from that man...I knew,” I say, my voice steady with newfound confidence. “He’s the love of my life. He gives me something I’ve never had before: security and love. I hope I can give that back to him.”
Jasmine’s eyes soften, and she hugs me tightly. “You already do, Tash. More than you know.”
The drive to the chapel is surprisingly quiet, the Vegas skyline fading behind us as we head to a small church just on the outskirts of town.
I half expected one of those cheesy, neon-lit chapels with Elvis impersonators and a drive-thru window, but this... this is something entirely different.
The chapel itself looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a storybook. It’s quaint and charming, with ivy creeping up the old brick walls and delicate white roses lining the cobblestone path to the entrance.
As soon as we step out of the car, the scent of fresh flowers fills the air, heady and sweet. I breathe it in, feeling my nerves begin to settle.
Jasmine looks around in awe. “This place is gorgeous. Did you know it was going to look like this?” she asks, her eyes wide as she takes it all in.
“No, I didn’t,” I admit, a smile tugging at my lips. “But I love it.”
As we enter, Gemma rounds the corner with a beaming smile. “Come on, bride-to-be,” she says, taking my arm. “Let’s get you to the makeup room for the final touches.”
I follow her, feeling a little lighter with each step. The atmosphere here is magical, and for the first time today, I feel truly excited.
Gemma and I step into the cozy dressing room filled with soft lighting and bouquets of flowers. She turns to me, her eyes sparkling. “I heard the news: triplets! I’m so excited for you,” she says, rubbing her own small baby bump.
I place my hand over my belly, feeling a surge of warmth and happiness. “Yeah, it’s still sinking in,” I admit with a laugh. “But it’s kind of amazing, isn’t it?”
Gemma nods, her eyes shining with joy. “We’re going to be pregnant together! Our kids will grow up so close. I can’t wait.”
I can’t help but smile at the thought. For so long, I’d felt alone in the world, like I didn’t belong anywhere. But here I am, surrounded by people who care about me, people who are about to become my family.
Gemma places her hand on my shoulder, looking at me with genuine affection. “You make Brody a better man, you know that? I’ve never seen him so happy, so at peace. You’re exactly what he needed, and I’m so happy to call you family.”
Jasmine, who’s been watching from the side, sniffles and dabs at her eyes with a tissue. “Oh my God, you’re going to make me cry before we even get to the ceremony!” she laughs.
I reach out and squeeze both of their hands. “You guys have no idea how much this means to me. Brody’s family...it’s everything I never had. And now, it’s mine too.”
Tears well up in my eyes, but they’re tears of joy. For once in my life, I finally feel like I’ve found my place.
The door opens, and a tall, distinguished man with a kind smile steps inside. “Hello, ladies,” the officiant says, his voice warm and welcoming. “I just wanted to let you know that the last of the floral arrangements and crystal glasses are being set up as we speak. Everything will be ready in about ten minutes.”
I blink, taken aback. “Wait... floral arrangements? Crystal glasses?” I had expected something simple, maybe just a few chairs and an arch, but this sounds like an actual dream wedding.
The officiant nods with a smile. “Yes, Brody wanted to make sure everything was perfect. He’s quite the romantic, isn’t he?”
Jasmine nudges me with her elbow, grinning. “See? I told you he’s a keeper.”
Gemma laughs softly, leaning in. “He hired a whole team to make it happen. I helped him with some of the calls, but all the ideas were his. He wanted this to be completely stress-free for you.”
My heart swells. I had no idea Brody could be this thoughtful. I can hardly believe he pulled all of this together on such short notice. I feel a lump in my throat as I realize just how much effort he’s put into making today perfect.
“Let’s get you married, Tasha,” Jasmine says, her voice full of excitement as she hugs me. The butterflies in my stomach turn to joy.
The music starts out as a soft, lilting tune from a violin that fills the air with elegance. Jasmine and Gemma walk down the aisle ahead of me, their dresses fluttering as they move gracefully away from me.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself before I step out.
The scene before me takes my breath away. A magnificent crystal chandelier adorned with cascading white wisteria and ivy hangs above the center of the room, sparkling as it catches the last rays of the setting sun.
The aisle is draped in a champagne-colored runner, sprinkled with white rose petals that seem to glow in the soft candlelight. Gorgeous floral arrangements burst from every corner, and candle sconces of varying heights line the empty pews, casting a warm, intimate glow.
I swallow hard, my eyes stinging with tears. This is more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. And there, at the end of the aisle, stands Brody. He’s waiting for me, looking impossibly handsome in a black tuxedo.
His smile is bright, his eyes soft as they meet mine. The look on his face tells me everything I need to know: I’ve made the right decision.
With each step I take, I feel like I’m walking into a dream, a future I never thought I could have.
The officiant welcomes everyone and begins the ceremony, his voice strong yet soothing. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Brody and Tasha,” he says, smiling warmly at us. “Today, we celebrate love, commitment, and the beginning of a beautiful journey together.”
When it’s time for our vows, Brody takes my hands in his, his thumbs gently brushing over my knuckles.
“Tasha, from the moment I met you, my life changed. You brought light and laughter where there was only darkness. You’ve taught me that love doesn’t have to be perfect to be real. I promise to be by your side, to support you, and to love you, no matter what life throws our way.”
My tears spill over as I begin my own vows, my voice shaky but full of emotion. “Brody, you’ve given me things I never thought I would find: safety, security, and unconditional love. You believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. I promise to cherish you, to be your partner, and to love you through every joy and challenge we face.”
The officiant smiles. “With these vows and by the exchange of these rings, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Brody, you may kiss your bride.”
Brody leans in, his hands cupping my face, and when our lips meet, it feels like everything in the world has finally fallen into place.
I’ve never been happier in my entire life.
As we drive away in Brody’s rental Corvette, the wind whipping through my hair, I can’t stop grinning. The bouquet of white roses is still clutched in my lap, and I can’t stop staring at the sparkling ring on my finger.
It feels like I’m living in a fairy tale.
Brody glances over at me, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours, Mrs. Thorne?”
I laugh, still giddy from everything that just happened. “I was just thinking…do you want to play some slots? You can’t get married in Vegas and not hit the casino at least once.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “I’m not much of a gambling man, Tasha.”
I raise an eyebrow, giving him a playful look. “Oh, really? Because you definitely took a gamble on me.”
He laughs, his deep, warm chuckle making my heart flutter. “All right, you’ve convinced me. Let’s go see if our luck holds up.”
Hand in hand, we walk through the glittering lights of The Strip, ready to take on whatever comes next. Because no matter where we are, as long as I’m with Brody, I know I’ve already hit the jackpot.