22. Kissing Her
KISSING HER
REX
Patience was never one of my virtues. I waited all day and soon the moment would arrive when I’d see Chelsea walk down the aisle. And it still wasn’t soon enough.
Richard barely made it back in time from a special mission I’d sent him on, but he was here now and people were arriving at the church.
“Was Operation: Cake successful?” I checked in with him while Sam regaled the groomsmen with a story from his recent travels to Asia. Vivian’s van broke down halfway to New York City with boxes of cakes and cupcakes. I asked Richard if he could rescue her and rescue our cake.
“Yep. I saved the day. The cake has arrived, only you didn’t tell me how beautiful the woman was I’d be playing hero to.” His eyes twinkled more than I’d seen them do over the past few years.
“The first time I saw her, I knew she’d be your type. She’s staying for the reception And she has the cutest little girl?—”
“Whoa. Stop right there. I enjoy women, but I make a particular rule to avoid single mothers.” Whatever was in his eyes left, returning to the dull hue that had occupied them far too long.
“Come on. Don’t you think you’ve kept that wall of yours up long enough? Tear it down and start fresh. It might amaze you to find something really special with someone.”
“Yeah. Thanks for the pep talk.” He raised his glass of Macallan. “Guys, join me with your glasses. Here’s a drink for my brother. About to make the stupidest decision of his life.”
The men laughed, and I almost knocked the glass right out of his fist.
“Just kidding. Don’t turn all red on us now.” Then he sobered. “Actually, Chelsea is one lucky woman, because she’s getting you. And I know she must be amazing because she’s putting up with your ass.”
I couldn’t let my brother’s joking go. “Oh yeah? Well, I have a feeling you’ll need two more glasses of these before we walk out of this room because now that I’m marrying, Miriam’s pressure on you to marry will double, no doubt.”
His smile faded. “Shit. Listen, can you and Chelsea keep her busy a few more years, like to have children or something?”
I choked on my drink. “I’m just getting married. Let’s not rush things.”
“In all seriousness, here’s to you, Rex. I’m proud of you and happy for you today, brother, and I think Dad would be, too.”
I wasn’t prepared for the tear that threatened the corners of my eyes.
“Thanks, man.” We hugged it out. No matter what he was going through, we’d always be there for each other.
“Ready?” Richard asked.
“Hell yes. I’m getting married, boys.” I responded with a smile so huge, my face hurt. My cheeks would burn by the end of the night.
“Here, here. As the first among us to do so, lead the way, my man,” Brody stated.
“I cannot even image this. Things are so new yet between me and Merry, marriage doesn’t even register,” Xander said.
“I’ve got a hundred says Xander will be the next to get married, since he’s fallen fast for every girlfriend he’s ever had,” Gage shouted, always the one to get us into trouble with betting on stupid things. Love, though, wasn’t stupid, and I couldn’t wait to see any of these guys fall for someone someday.
“I’ll take that bet,” Xander replied.
“Can he bet for himself? Is that allowed?” Richard asked.
“Hello. Are you all decent?” We heard Miriam’s voice through the door. I walked over and let her in. She looked me up and down and beamed. “Look at you. Breathtaking. Handsome as ever.”
“Mom, come here.” I didn’t care about her hair or kisses in the air. I gave her a genuine hug, even lifting her slightly off her feet.
“Put me down, enough,” she laughed. After righting herself and straightening her gown, she handed me a box. “Here’s a gift from Chelsea.”
I read the note in my bride’s handwriting aloud. “ Do Not open in front of others. Hm. What could be in here?”
“Let’s not take chances and find out.” She took the box back. “You can open it in private with Chelsea tonight.”
“No way. I’m opening this now.” I grabbed the box, stepped aside, and ripped the paper and ribbon off, another thing I had little patience for, wrapping paper. Inside, beneath the white tissue paper, was a silver photo frame. A quick peek beneath the layer of tissue and Chelsea was there posing for me in a provocative photo that had blood rushing quick to my groin.
The last thing I needed was a stiff cock at the altar. I closed the lid on it and tucked it into my suitcase. “You’re right. It’s very personal and can wait until later.”
“Now, I have a little something for you, from your father,” Miriam said, her eyes wetting. “A letter he wrote to you after he found out he had cancer. Richard has one, too, and I promised I’d give these to you both on your wedding days.”
I sucked in a deep breath, holding back a tremble in my lip and swallowing the lump in my throat. “Thanks, Mom.”
It was all I could manage, and if I read the letter, I’d be too sad to walk down the aisle. Instead, I put it in my jacket pocket so he’d be with me all night. Any time I needed to, I could feel the outline of the letter just below my lapel and know he was right there with me.
Someone knocked on the door. Agnes popped her head inside the anteroom of the church where the men and I prepared for the ceremony. “It’s time,” she announced.
“Yes,” I shouted and fist pumped the air. “I’m ready.”
The church was packed with guests, probably four hundred. The guys each shook my hand and walked up the aisle to the front. Richard ushered Mom to her seat, then took his place up front. I nodded to Brooks and Archer at the back of the church, doing their ushering duties. Finally, it was my turn, taking the walk up to the red rose covered arch.
Once again, patience was the word of the day, standing there smiling at the guests and trying not to panic, while Chelsea was a few minutes late. She had me sweating it, but I had nothing to worry about.
The bridal march sounded and the doors of the church opened. The march of the bridesmaids down the long aisle began as they slowly tread one foot at a time. I wished they moved faster.
Finally, my bride came into view, walking arm in arm with her mother on one side and her brother on the other. But all I could really focus on was her. She glowed from the inside out.
Her bouquet had fifteen red roses, one for each month we’d known each other. Her gown was white, but she told me it had lace and beads as well, and the train draped behind her several yards. I barely noticed these details, only her radiant beauty. She could wear a bikini for all I cared, and I’d marry her without hesitation.
She was about to become mine.
Finally, the trio reached me, her mom and brother handing her to me. I took her into my arms and I kissed her, to the sounds of gasping from the guests. A tiny moan hit my ears, one she reserved only for me as we parted.
The pastor cleared his throat. “Son, you’re supposed to do that after I tell you to kiss your bride.”
“Consider that my last kiss as her boyfriend, then.” Everyone in the church heard that and laughed with us, and it was a beautiful start to our wedding.
* * *
Later at the reception, we danced our first dance; the photographer flashing his bulb and clicking his camera the entire time.
“You were full of surprises today, Mr. Buchanan. First the gift of a few acres in Holly Creek. And this ring? I never expected it when you put it on my finger during our ceremony.”
I loved seeing her face when I placed on her finger the new custom diamond ring I had made for her. She switched Mom’s emerald ring to the other hand and proudly word the new ring on her left.
“The night isn’t over. When can I get you alone, Mrs. Rex Buchanan? I fucking enjoy calling you that,” I whispered into her ear. Our song was a nice slow one, giving me plenty of time to hold her close.
“Soon. And I love hearing that, too. First, we have to put on the big show to make Miriam happy, remember?” We kissed, our lips lingering together while the guests clapped for us. She was right, of course. “And we’re not scheduled to leave until some time after the cake is cut. Can you be patient a while longer?”
I glanced around the ballroom, taking it all in, the beauty of our wedding reception, the cheerful people everywhere, all our family and friends. I breathed the moment in deep, and suddenly wished for the night to slow down, not so impatient anymore. Wanting every second with my wife to last a lifetime.