Thirty Three
April Sixth
Whitney
Whitney had showered, and her hair was curled and swept into a soft, oversized bun just above the nape of her neck. Two loose strands framed her face, tucked neatly behind her ears. Her makeup was dark and glamorous, bold eyes, flawless skin, and a striking red lip.
“I remember last year when Fade had me custom-make this for you,”
June said, tugging the small zipper that stopped just above Whitney’s hips. The dress fit perfectly. June was good at her job. The front hugged Whitney’s body with a daring slit up one side, and delicate straps crossed over her shoulders, trailing down the open-back cut. A short, sweeping train added just enough drama without taking away from the sleek elegance of the front.
“It’s perfect,”
Whitney whispered, twisting slowly from side to side, her eyes never leaving the mirror as she inspected every inch of the gown.
“Have you tried it on before?”
June asked, slipping on her heels to go with her simple black dress.
“No,”
Whitney said, her face glowing with delight just as Brittanya walked in. “I tried once, but I couldn’t get the back tied up.”
Brittanya’s eyes widened as they trailed up from the hem of Whitney’s dress to her face. “You look absolutely stunning. If Fade’s dumb enough to say no, I’ll marry you. At least the party wouldn’t go to waste.”
“He’s not going to say no,”
June said, standing up and smoothing her dress. “What shoes are you wearing?”
“I didn’t want to wear shoes. It’s a beach wedding and with this bum hip? I’ll wear sandals to the car.”
Her phone beeped. She grabbed it off the dresser, and the screen flickered on.
Fade: I’m here. There’s flowers, cake, and people. No bride though.
Whitney fired off a quick response and announced to the room, “Fade’s there, we need to hurry. Any word on when my brothers are showing up?”
“They’re already in the living room,”
Brittanya said, slipping Whitney’s phone into a small bag along with lipstick, mints, and perfume.
“Oh,”
Whitney said, slipping into her casual sandals and heading out the bedroom door.
In the living room, her brothers were waiting. Aldous stood up, buttoning his tux jacket. “You look beautiful, Whitney,”
he said, his rare smile softening his face. “You look like Mom.”
“You really do,”
Orion agreed from behind him, adjusting his cufflinks.
“Thank you.”
Whitney beamed. “I’m so glad you’re both walking me down the aisle. I’m not sure how well the sand and my pelvis are going to get along.”
She stopped at the kitchen counter and reached for a bottle. “Let’s do one last round before the main event.”
June and Brittanya followed eagerly, watching as she poured five shots. “I liked the toast from last night,”
Whitney teased, side-eyeing Brittanya.
Brittanya grinned, lifting her glass. “To Mrs. Fade Zemanek.”
The liquor burned, but Whitney hissed through a smile. “Feels good.”
Brittanya’s eyes glimmered a little too long at Aldous. “Let’s go.”
They took two cars to the beach. Whitney rode up front in her roommate’s car, her knee bouncing with nervous energy.
“I can’t believe it’s finally here,”
she said softly. “In an hour, I’ll be married.”
“I’m happy for you,”
Brittanya said as she pulled into the parking lot. “You and Fade are perfect for each other.”
“Thank you,”
Whitney whispered, her stomach twisting with anticipation. “You’ll hold my bag through the ceremony, right?”
“Of course. Me or June. And you know we’ve got your back and if you want to run, just say the word.”
Whitney shot them both a look. “I can’t run, remember?”
Brittanya chuckled, throwing the car into park and reaching over to squeeze Whitney’s forearm. “I love you, Whitney. You and Juniper, you’re my best friends.”
Whitney’s lips curved in a soft, grateful smile. “I love you too. Let’s get me married.”
Fade
He spotted the two cars pulling into the lot and smirked. There’s my girl.
Fade had been the first one here, and waiting wasn’t his strong suit. He’d watched every guest show up, including some people he wasn’t entirely sure mattered to Whitney and the anticipation was killing him. Wolfgang had shown up early too, claiming he had nothing better to do without June around to distract him.
The ocean breeze tousled the loose baby hairs that had escaped Fade’s low bun, brushing against his forehead. His stubbly beard was neatly lined, not quite Wolfgang’s level of grooming, but good enough. And for once, he didn’t mind the suit.
Then he saw her.
Whitney walked slowly between her brothers, and though he couldn’t fully see her yet, he knew she was beautiful. He didn’t need the dress or the makeup to know that. It was the way her eyes always told him how much she loved him, the way her laughter tilted her head back and rolled out when she teased him. She was his fireball, his firecracker — a blue flame that both hypnotized and healed him. She was his goddess.
As the group got closer, June and Brittanya slipped into their seats, and then Whitney stepped forward, escorted down the aisle by Aldous and Orion.
Fade’s breath caught. She wore the dress he’d had June make for her and he’d nearly forgotten about it, expecting her in white. But his soon-to-be wife was breathtaking in any color.
His eyes flicked down, noting the limp she carried with far less strain than before. She was healing, stronger than ever and still every bit as fierce.
At the end of the aisle, she turned to her brothers, kissing each one on the cheek and hugging them tightly before they went to sit with their girlfriends.
Then she looked up at him a rare moment, since they were the same height when she wore heels. Beach wedding was a great idea, he thought.
“You look beautiful, my love,”
he whispered, taking her hands and guiding her to stand in front of him, between the officiant and the crowd of friends who had become family.
His lips brushed over each of her knuckles, and her smile only grew. “You look so hot,”
she murmured, stepping closer.
“Thanks,”
he deadpanned. “The mortuary had a sale on suits.”
Whitney smirked, and his heart soared. The officiant, Travis, their part-time bus driver, cleared his throat. “It is Whitney Blu and Fade Zemanek, correct?”
“Yes,”
Fade confirmed without taking his eyes off her.
“And on the application, you put, ‘Get to the point, as little as possible. We have an afterparty to enjoy,’ correct?”
Whitney laughed, remembering how she’d filled out most of the application without Fade. “Yes.”
“Okie dokie.”
Travis stepped back into position. “I’d like to begin by welcoming and thanking every one of you for being here on this day that’s so important to the bride and groom. Each of you was invited because you represent someone meaningful in their lives. They asked me to keep this short, so without further delay, let’s begin.”
He turned to Fade. “Fade Zemanek, do you take Whitney Blu to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto her forevermore?”
Fade’s eyes twinkled as he smiled at Whitney. “I do.”
Travis shifted to her. “And Whitney Blu, do you take Fade Zemanek to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him foreverm—”
“I do,”
she cut in, nodding eagerly. “I do.”
Travis grinned at her impatience. “Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Fade stepped closer, resisting the urge to pull her into him too roughly. His feet slotted between hers, and he cupped her face, tilting her chin up as she gazed at him. Their lips met, and the small crowd erupted in cheers. As his hands slipped down to her waist, he pulled her into him fully, deepening the kiss just enough to make her breath catch before he pulled back.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m pleased to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Fade Zemanek.”
Whitney
They grinned at each other before turning to the cheering crowd. Fade took her hand, helping her down the sandy aisle toward the tables set up inside a large canopy. The setup was simple, just how she’d wanted it. No extravagant centerpieces, just good company and good food. A solo guitarist strummed in the corner, the music soft and warm.
Margaret intercepted them on their way in. “I can’t stay, but I wanted to say congratulations. And I hope you two have many babies.”
Whitney glanced at Fade, amused. “Thank you,”
they said in unison.
The food was exactly what she’d requested, burgers, chicken tenders, and fries. She hadn’t been sure they’d take her seriously until she spotted their wedding cake: a colorful, sprinkle-covered masterpiece. She was finally his wife, and she wouldn’t have changed a thing.
“Congratulations.”
Amy and Marilyn stopped by their table, smiling.
“Thank you,”
Fade said, his attention shifting right back to Whitney as they walked away. He leaned into her ear. “You look so gorgeous, babe, but it’s a shame that even if your brother does something stupid, you’re still on pelvic rest.”
She rolled her eyes but smiled, letting her gaze trail down the line of his suit. “Be patient, Fade.”
He brushed his thumb along her arm, his touch warm and slow. Emma and Thomas passed by with their well-wishes before taking their seats. When they were alone again, Whitney whispered, “I’m scared.”
Fade’s head snapped back. “Of what?”
“You can be… aggressive sometimes. What if it refractures? What if it’s uncomfortable? What if I never enjoy it again?”
Before he could answer, Shianne and Elodie approached with bright smiles. “Best wishes to you two! I hope you get the house close to me, they just moved out.”
“That’d be awesome,”
Fade teased while Whitney cooed at Elodie.
As they walked away, Whitney sighed. “That’s another thing. We’re going to need help moving. I’ll be no help at all.”
“That’s not a problem,”
Fade assured her, his tone softening. “The real problem is you thinking I’d ever hurt you, intentionally or unintentionally, for my own pleasure.”
“I’m not worried about you hurting me,”
she murmured. “I’m afraid I’d be so focused on your needs that I wouldn’t ask you to stop.”
“Perfect timing to discuss this,”
Fade muttered as June and Wolfgang headed their way.
“Congrats!”
June beamed, waving.
“Thank you,”
Whitney said with a grateful smile.
“You look beautiful,”
June added. “And Fade, you clean up nicely too.”
“Thanks,”
he said, his lips twitching as he kept his fingers grazing Whitney’s arm.
Wolfgang grinned. “We’ll see you guys at the afterparty.”
“Sounds good.”
Whitney’s eyes sparkled.
As soon as they were alone again, Fade leaned into her ear. “I’ll be as gentle as you want me to be, for the rest of our lives, until you tell me not to be.”
He pressed his lips against her temple. “Is that better?”
“Yes.”
She tilted her face up, brushing a soft kiss against his lips. “By the way, I stopped taking my birth control.”
Fade exhaled sharply, his eyes flashing just as a waiter approached with their plates.
“Excuse me,”
Fade said quickly. “Can she get two sides of ranch dressing?”
The waiter nodded and hurried off.
Before they could continue their conversation, Orion broke away from Rachel and strode up to their table. “Congratulations,”
he said with a rare softness before raising his hand toward Fade.
Fade shook it, standing briefly. “Welcome to the family,”
Orion said, his smile just a little too mischievous.
“Thank you,”
Fade replied, settling back down next to Whitney as her brother sauntered off.
She turned to Fade. “Are we doing the whole dance and cake thing? Because I don’t think I can stand and sway for three and a half minutes.”
“We don’t have to.”
“What about the cake? You have your three-tier birthday cake over there. It won’t get eaten if we don’t cut it.”
Fade’s eyes softened. “If that’s what you want, Whitney. I’m here to do whatever you want.”
She grinned, her heart full. “Alright, let’s cut the cake and get the hell out of here.”