Blue
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
" Y ou look like a princess," Thea murmurs as I step out from behind the curtain.
"Except this time, prince charming isn't a two-timing asshat."
"Big facts, babe." Thea grins and passes me a small wrapped box. "From Griffin."
"What is it?" I wonder aloud, as I pull away the ribbon and tear at the paper. My breath stalls when I see the necklace nestled in the box. It's a bar necklace, gold and dainty on a long chain. Upon further inspection, I see there's something engraved on the bar. 20.4230° N, 86.9223° W
My nose crinkles in confusion, that is until I read the note in the bottom of the box.
Baby doll,
Today's the day and I couldn't be any more excited. A lot of guys talk about getting cold feet, but I'm as hot and ready for you now as they day I met you. You're my forever Blue, my something exceptional, my whole damn life.
Some days, I can hardly believe this is real, that you're real. God knows, I probably don't deserve you, but I vow to spend every day of the rest of our lives showing you just how much you mean to me.
I'm sure you're reading this with your lips turned up in a cute little grin, all the while wondering about the necklace.
Well, let me explain. It's coordinates, for Cozumel to be exact, which is arguably the most important place in the world.
After all, it's where we met and where we're about to exchange our vows.
So put on the necklace and meet me at the altar.
Love, Griff.
My voice trembles as I ask Thea to help me put it on. Who knew the cocky playboy who crashed my should-have-been honeymoon would end up being my whole world?
My bestie steps up behind me and I hand her the necklace before moving my hair to the side. She clasps the delicate chain and steps back. "You really do look beautiful."
A wistful sigh escapes me as I take in my reflection in the full-length mirror.
My blue hair falls in soft waves down my back and my lips are a shiny peach color.
The necklace Griffin sent is perfect for my dress, which is a short little chiffon number with a deep V-shaped neckline.
It has long bell sleeves and the hemline flutters around my thighs.
Oh, and it's blue, so definitely not your traditional dress, but Griffin and I aren't your traditional couple either. We're fast and loud and wild and so damn perfect for each other it almost hurts. But like, the good kind of pain.
My feet are bare since we're getting married on the beach, but I have a pair of sandals stashed away for the reception.
"You ready?"
I suck in a deep breath and blow it out slowly as I nod.
"Good. Let's go find that husband of yours."
GRIFFIN
"You nervous, man?" Dane asks.
"Not even a little," I reply honestly.
He nods his head, in that way of his and I have to bite back a grin.
I won't lie, I was a little intimidated when I met him; after all, as a professional surfer he's Palm Bluff's very own hometown celebrity. The guy is loved and adored by the masses.
Now, he's my best fucking friend and my gym is one of his sponsors.
"I'm glad she ended up with you."
The grin I was fighting breaks free. "Me too, man. Me too."
The second the drumbeat of 'Into You' by Chet Faker begins to play through the speakers, I straighten up, my eyes laser focused on the end of the aisle.
There's a concrete partition keeping my bride out of view, but the second the heady guitar joins in, she steps around it and my jaw damn near hits the sand.
Even with her hair in a knot on her head and no makeup on, Blue is stunning. But right now, she's...I don't know the words to describe it. She's almost ethereal, like an angel or something.
I grin. Yeah, I like that. She's my dirty baby doll angel and I can't hardly wait to get her alone. To show, her for the first time as a married couple, just how much I love it.
I can't wait to strip that soft blue dress off of her body and...
"You look so handsome," she whispers, drawing all of my focus back to her instead of our plans for later.
Instead of replying with words, I lean in and kiss her softly, whispering an I love you as I pull away.
"Pretty sure it's not time for that," Blue stage whispers, earning us more than a few chuckles.
"It's always time to kiss you."
Her cheeks turn my favorite shade of pink, even as she rolls her eyes and tries to play it cool.
Our officiant begins the ceremony, and we go through the motions until finally, it's time to exchange our vows.
"Blue, you're everything I never knew I wanted and everything I needed.
You complete me in a way I didn't know was possible.
You're my light, my laughter, my love and my joy.
I promise to always, in all things, honor you first. To treat you with the love and respect you deserve.
For the rest of our lives, I promise you'll always come first."
I slap my palm over my mouth to cover my laughter and Blue's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates. "Griff!" she hisses.
Shrugging, I carry on. "Not how I meant it, but still valid.
" I shoot her a wink. "Your happiness and your health will always be my priority.
Because of you, I'm the happiest damn man on the planet, so thank you baby doll.
Thank you for loving me, for giving me a chance.
You're the best thing that's ever happened to me and I love you. "
The officiant does his thing, and then Blue's up.
"Well," she laughs nervously. "Don't really know how to top that, so why try, right?"
I arch a brow at her, wondering what she's up to.
"Seriously, Griff, you took the words right out of mouth. Except about coming first. That vow is all yours." Now she's the one winking at me, leaving me utterly speechless.
Thank God we opted for a private ceremony and the only people here with us are Dane and Thea. I'd be horrified to exchange dirty vows in front of my mother.
"I can't wait to see where our life together takes us. Regardless of where we end up, I know we'll be just fine, because like you told me when we met, you're my something exceptional and I love you, so fucking much."
THE END