Devotion - Chapter 14
Saturday
"Perfect!" the photographer said and took what seemed like the millionth shot. "Are there any other pictures you want before I move on to all the candid shots of the reception?"
"Please no," Rob groaned as he loosened his tie.
James laughed. "I think we're good. Right?" he asked me.
I nodded and clasped my hands behind his neck. "So good."
"Stop looking at me like that," he whispered.
"Like what?"
"Like you want to make love to me." He smiled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"I'm just looking at you like I am in love with you.
" I took a second to savor this moment. We had been walking all over Central Park taking pictures and now we were outside the restaurant again.
I could hear the buzz of excitement of our cocktail hour behind us.
James had his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I couldn't believe that we had finally gotten married.
I was officially Penny Hunter. Nothing could compare to how I felt in this moment. Secure. Happy. Complete.
"Come on, you two," Melissa said. "They're about to announce the happy couple."
I looked over my shoulder to see Jen and Matt already walking into the reception area and people cheering.
James touched the side of my face so that I'd look back up at him. "Thank you, Penny. For all of this."
"You helped plan it too."
He shook his head. "I mean for taking a chance on me." His hand slipped to my shoulder. "For trusting me with your future."
"It just so happens that there is no future without you."
"I'm not going to mess this up. I promise you, baby. I know I almost fucked everything up last..."
"It's okay. It was my fault too."
"No." He closed his eyes as if he was in pain. "You were right about what you said in your speech." He opened his eyes again, but his brow remained furrowed. "The doubt had always been there. But I'm not going to slip, Penny. We're going to grow old and gray together."
"Hmm." I ran my hand along his jaw line that was already getting a 5 o'clock shadow. "I think you'll look very handsome when you go gray."
He laughed. "And you'll look beautiful when your hair turns white." He lightly tugged one of my loose curls. "It's just you and me, baby."
"It's always been just you and me."
He nodded and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. "Thank you for believing in me."
"James, there isn't any part of you that I don't believe in. And even when you have pushed me away, I knew it was because you cared about me. I'll never stop believing in you. Never." I placed the side of my face against his chest.
"Time is going by too fast. I want tonight to last forever."
"For the first time ever, may I present, Mr. and Mrs. James Hunter!" the D.J. said from behind me.
James pulled back and smiled down at me. "Are you ready for this?"
"I've been ready for this ever since we met."
He smiled. "Come with me, Penny Hunter," he said with a wink.
We walked into the space that had been designed for our ceremony.
It had been completely transformed for the reception.
Tables with elegant centerpieces had been arranged around the area that would be used for dancing later.
I knew the restaurant had been hesitant to let us do this.
They usually held receptions inside, but I had really wanted it to be outside.
Justin said he could make it happen. He had definitely delivered.
James lifted my hand in the air as everyone started cheering and clapping. All our friends and family were around us. Hugs, smiles, and applause. We were so completely surrounded by love.
"Penny!" someone called from behind me.
I turned around to see my fellow interns walking toward us. Sierra and Zach were holding hands and she was pulling him toward me. Tavon was a few paces behind them with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
"I thought you might want them here," James whispered. "One of the many surprises of tonight."
"Many?"
"Oh yeah. You're going to love Rob's speech."
I laughed. "Thank you." I had felt so guilty that I had finally gotten to know the other interns on the day that I left. I knew they had wanted to come. James was so considerate.
"Congrats, Fight Club," Zach said and gave me a swift hug. He shook James' hand.
"That was the most beautiful ceremony I've ever seen," Sierra said and gave me a hug. "I haven't been to many weddings, but I know I'll never experience one like this again."
I laughed. "I'm glad you're having fun."
"So much fun." She nodded her head discreetly at Zach.
I smiled. I had already seen them holding hands. I was glad that she was happy.
"Ugh," Tavon said from behind her.
Sierra stepped out of his way to give James a hug.
"Congrats, Penny," Tavon said. "Although, I still think you're way too young to get married. Too late now, I guess."
James laughed.
"No offense to you, of course," Tavon said. "Congrats," he said and shook James' hand.
"I think they're about to serve dinner," Sierra said. "We should probably go find our seats. Thank you so much for inviting us." The three of them walked off together.
"You're amazing," I said to James.
He kissed my cheek and escorted me through the crowd of people. There was a long table where the altar had been earlier. The bridal party was already seated and salads were being passed out by the waiters. James pulled my seat out for me and I sat down next to Melissa.
"You really know how to throw a party," Melissa said and picked up her fork. "I know speeches are about to start, but I'm starving."
"I can't wait to see what you have to say."
Melissa took a big bite. "When I'm not stumbling over my words, it's good."
I laughed. "I'm sure you'll be great."
"Can the father of the bride, maid of honor, and best man please meet me up here," the D.J. said.
"Do I have any lettuce in my teeth," Melissa said and smiled.
"You're good."
"Remember, I'm totally getting you back for this when I get married. I know how much you love public speaking." She followed Rob over toward the D.J.
"Any idea what your Dad or Melissa are going to say?" James asked as he put his arm around my shoulders.
"None. At least you know what Rob is going to say."
"I was just kidding earlier. I wanted him to surprise us."
"So he's uncensored?"
James laughed. "What, are you afraid he's going to embarrass you?"
"Of course he's going to embarrass me. It's like his life goal to mortify me as much as possible."
"That's why this is going to be so much fun."
I scrunched up my face and James laughed again.
My dad cleared his throat. "Pen, you know how much your mother and I care about you.
And all we've ever wanted was what was best for your future.
The road that you took with James swayed a little from the path we wanted for you.
But I'm so glad that you veered right. I'm so proud of you for following your heart.
Thank you, James. Thank you for making our daughter happier than she's ever been.
We couldn't have asked for a better son-in-law. Even if you are a Giants fan."
Everyone laughed and Mason yelled, "the Eagles suck!"
My dad laughed. "We'll see about that this year, Mason.
" He smiled. "I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.
And I'm confident that you'll have it. The two of you can get through anything together.
That's the sign of lasting love, having each other's backs through thick and thin.
You two have it. Savor it and never let it go.
Welcome, officially, to the family, James.
" He lifted up his glass of champagne. "To the newlyweds! "
James and I clinked our glasses together.
"I'm glad you veered right too," James said and squeezed my shoulder.
I leaned toward him and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for being there to catch me when I fell."
He smiled at my reference to his vows. "Always, baby." He placed a soft kiss against my lips.
"And there they go again," I heard Melissa say into the microphone.
A few people laughed.
I'm sure my cheeks were red when I turned toward Melissa.
"For those of you who don't know me, I'm Penny's best friend. We met freshman year of college. And I have to tell you, when we met, I was almost certain she was doomed to a lifetime of being a cat lady."
Oh please, God, no.
James laughed.
"Don't encourage her." I playfully hit his arm.
"I had to drag her out to parties and had to actively push her to be social," Melissa said. "And actually, without poor influence, I'm not sure Penny and you ever would have hit it off."
"Thanks, Melissa," James said.
She smiled. "When Penny told me she was dating her professor, I didn't even believe her. I thought for sure she was joking. I didn't understand how such a goody two-shoes could take such a crazy leap. But then I met James. And it instantly made sense. These two were made for each other.
"Penny, you're my best friend in the world. You deserve the absolute best and I know that James is that for you. And James, I'll say this again because sometimes you don't take me seriously. I will literally kill you if you hurt her. So stop doing it. I'm serious this time." She pointed at him.
He held up his hands, showing his innocence.
Melissa laughed. "But seriously, the second one is for keeps. I believe that counts for marriages too. Except for in Penny's case. One is definitely enough. Because you two couldn't be more perfect for each other. Here's to the happy couple." She raised her glass in the air.
"I'm so sorry," I said as I clinked my glass to his.
James laughed. "I loved her speech. I wouldn't have expected anything less from her."
"She called me a cat lady and threatened to kill you."
"It's the future lawyer in her."
I shook my head.
"How's everyone doing tonight?!" Rob said into the mic.
"I'm sure I'll have to apologize to you after this, though," James whispered to me.
"Man," Rob said. "I'm so much happier doing this the second time around. For a girl that James is actually in love with and excited to be married to."
I couldn't help it. I found James' mother in the crowd. She was absentmindedly picking at her salad with her fork. She couldn't have looked any more bored. I turned back to Rob. I wasn't going to focus on any of that negativity.
"My brother is a hard person to get to know," Rob continued.
"All of you probably think you know him, but you don't. Just a handful of people really do.
Me, Jen, Mason, and Matt, and that's just because we grew up with him.
The lovely Penny is the only person to get to know him recently.
She was the first person to ever break down his walls.
It's probably the really kinky weird sex they have. "
Holy shit.
A few people laughed.
"Or maybe the fact that she's sexy as hell."
Fucking stop.
"Or maybe it was the whole student/professor relationship they had going on. I mean...that's fucking hot. The sneaking around. The forbidden aspect of it all. I mean damn, that will get anyone turned on. I bet James went into the class he taught her in with a hard-on every day."
James cleared his throat.
"Oh, sorry, I got distracted. Right, right.
Obviously it's deeper than just a physical connection.
I've never seen a couple that cares so unconditionally about each other.
I thought my brother was crazy when he left New York.
Especially for Delaware. I mean, what the hell is in Delaware?
Well, drum roll ladies and gentleman. Penny was in Delaware.
He was meant to go there to meet her. And I truly believe that.
Because without Penny, I'm not sure I would have ever gotten my brother back. "
I didn't think most people knew what Rob was referring to. And it didn't matter, because I did. James said I had saved him. I knew Rob thought I did too. Maybe it was true. I liked to think that I helped.
"I love you Penny. Not in a weird way. As a sister and most importantly as a friend. I'll always have your back. So don't you ever doubt that again." He turned to James. "And now James. My favorite sibling."
"Hey!" Jen said.
"What? He's getting married, Jen. Let him have his moment."
Everyone laughed.
"Seriously, James. I love you, man. I look up to you.
You've always been there for me. I'm so grateful for everything you've given up for me.
And I'm so happy that you finally found someone that makes you happy.
Because that's what you deserve. A smoking hot girl that makes you happy all day long, if you know what I mean. "
James laughed.
This was so inappropriate in front of our families.
"From a professor and his student to one of the most adored couples in the city, you two are quite sensational. And I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. And I cannot wait to be an uncle to all the kids you're certainly going to have since James never wears a condom." Rob winked at me.
My face had to be scarlet. Why? Why did he think this stuff was okay to say in public?
James' arm seemed to stiffen around me. Just the thought of kids entirely freaked him out. Rob was going to be waiting a long time to be an uncle.
"I bet fifty dollars that they're going to sneak off at some point during the reception to get it on. Talk to me if you want in on the pool. And here's to the happy couple," Rob said and lifted his glass.
James laughed and clinked his glass against mine. "Wow, I'm sorry about all that."
"How do you not get mortally embarrassed whenever he talks like that? Our parents are listening."
"We've been living together for over two years, Penny. Everyone knows we're having sex."
I shook my head. "Still."
"And that's why I apologized on behalf of him."
"That was way more embarrassing than Melissa's speech."
"Maybe I can make it up to you and let Rob win a bunch of money all at once?"
I laughed. "There's people everywhere."
"Leave the details to me. We can probably sneak away for a bit when the dancing starts."
"You don't want to just wait until we get back to the hotel?"
"I'm pretty sure this will be more memorable." He was staring at me so intently.
I still couldn't say no to him. I'd bend over backwards to make sure he was happy. And he was right, too. Sneaking away somewhere here would be more memorable. "As long as it's still romantic."
"When have you and I ever not been romantic?" He lightly bit my earlobe.
I was completely, hopelessly in love. Just his words made me want him right here on this table.
I took a bite of my salad to distract myself from the desire to rip off his tuxedo.
I looked out at all the people that had come to celebrate with us.
Everyone was laughing and smiling. Today couldn't be more perfect.