Chapter 25
25
Kruger
Bros. Don’t tell anyone this, but I’m starting to think Arsen had the right idea. He skipped over everything and went straight to the marriage. He didn’t even have to wear a bowtie.
Bro, why didn’t I think of that?
I mean, for real, if my bride took any longer, we were gonna have to apply for social security at the same time we filed the marriage certificate.
I glanced over my shoulder at Bennett Andrews. “She’ll be here,” I told him. “This isn’t one of those left-at-the-altar situations.”
“Brides arrive in their own time,” he replied as though he did this all the time.
“You’ve only been standing there for two minutes,” Arsen put in from right beside me.
“When P comes out, you better move down,” I told him.
“Who?” he wondered.
I rolled my eyes. “Keep rubbing it in that you’re already married.”
Arsen smiled, floating his fingers over the newly wrapped tattoo on his ring finger. Got P’s— I mean, A’s— name right there around his finger.
Everyone was outside on the massive deck of the chalet. The afternoon weather was a crisp thirty degrees with the sky slightly overcast. The freshly fallen snow from the night before made the landscape look untouched, and all the tree branches were freshly capped with white.
The portable heaters we rented were spaced out around the deck, putting out a surprising amount of heat. The string lights were on, and I stood waiting beneath a large evergreen arch filled with white flowers and lights.
Leading to the back door where I was willing Jess to appear was a white runner lined with flickering candles. We didn’t bother with chairs, opting to let everyone stand with us. I wasn’t putting on a show, know what I mean? I was locking down my bride, my happy-ever-after. Family wasn’t spectators. They were participants.
Since we didn’t have to have a bunch of useless chairs around, we opted for balloons. Large transparent ones wrapped with LED lights. To keep them anchored, we attached weights to the strings (also wrapped with lights) and positioned them around the deck. It was kinda cool, like floating lights.
Beneath the overhang, Arsen had his DJ equipment set up, music already playing through the speakers.
A few high-top tables also sat around, draped in white tablecloths with champagne on ice and glasses. The food was inside and would be served after I had an official wife.
Speaking of… What the ever-loving fu ?—
Arsen slapped me on the back, cutting off my impatient thoughts. “It’s go time,” he said.
He started away, but I grabbed the sleeve of his jacket.
He turned back.
“Tell me I’m not going to be a shitty husband,” I said, suddenly panicked.
He smiled. “Bro, you are one hundred percent husband material.”
I nodded. “Hell yes, I am.”
He left me there to go switch the music, and I turned to focus on the door. The song changed, and the door opened. My breath caught, and I leaned forward, too anxious for a glimpse of the girl who’d been denying me all day long.
I groaned the second Rory stepped out. “Come on!” I complained.
Rory’s feet stuttered, and Ryan gave me a death glare.
“No offense,” I called. “You look nice.”
She smiled and started walking again, a small bunch of flowers in her hands.
Next was Madison. Then Landry.
Shouldn’t they already be out here? Why did I need to watch them wandering around in the same dress? Whose wedding was this?
Suddenly, the music changed, and my heart skipped a couple beats. When it started back up, it was pounding against my ribs.
Everyone turned to look.
The door opened, and my whole life realigned.
The reason I did all this stupid waiting, put balloons everywhere, and let her forbid seeing me for the morning… It was this moment right here.
Jess stepped out, and, bros, I felt sorry for every other man on this planet. They missed out. They missed out big time. But goddamn was I one lucky bastard.
She started forward. The skirt of her dress was ruffly and moved around in the breeze. The long white veil floated out behind her, and the dark curls lying against her chest swayed.
“That’s my wife!” I hollered and sped away from the makeshift altar and down the aisle to collect her.
Pretty sure some people laughed. I didn’t listen. I was too busy eating up every inch of my forever. She looked like an angel. Even her hair sparkled.
Her eyes never left mine, lips curling up into a smile.
Just as I reached for her, I was intercepted. A body dressed in a classic tux stepped between us, keeping me from what was mine.
“Don’t make me become a criminal and a husband on the same day,” I warned, trying to lunge around the block. “I’ll do it.”
A hand collided with my shoulder and pushed me back. “Back off.”
I glanced up. “P! I mean, A! What the hell are you doing, Matt?” How many names did he have now? How was I supposed to remember them with Jess standing there looking like that? “You trying to keep me from my wife?”
“She’s not your wife yet.”
“Brooo,” I threatened.
He pointed down the aisle. “You’re supposed to wait down there.”
“I’m tired of waiting,” I grumped. “Been waiting my whole life.”
“Five more minutes won’t kill you.”
“It might you.”
“Ben!” Jess gasped, popping her gorgeous head around him. “How dare you talk to your brother like that.”
“Why are you so pretty?” I asked, getting a little misty-eyed. “Come over here. Let me see you.”
She started forward, but Matt got between us. “I didn’t give her to you yet.”
I sputtered. “Excuse me?”
“I asked Matty to walk me down the aisle,” Jess explained.
“The groom doesn’t walk the bride down the aisle,” Matt confirmed. “That’s a brother’s job.”
I glanced between my brother and my girl, pursing my lips. “This some tradition?”
“Yes,” Bodhi called from nearby.
What was he, the tradition police?
“Fine. But hurry up.” I started away, then turned back. “You look real pretty, baby.”
Her lip wobbled.
“Fuck this,” I muttered and charged her again.
Matt pushed me back. “Go,” he said, pointing down the aisle.
“You’re lucky I love you, A,” I told him, and his lips twitched. I muttered the whole way back to the archway.
Andrews offered his elbow to Jess, and they started forward again.
God, she was beautiful. Floated like an angel right down the aisle.
“About time,” I said when they made it to the altar. I stepped forward, but Andrews shook his head.
“You know, that new name of yours came with a whole hell of a lot of audacity,” I told him.
He smiled.
“Who gives this bride to the groom today?”
Andrews cleared his throat. “I do.”
“Finally,” I said, reaching for Jess.
He caught my hand. “Take care of my sister, Ben. Promise me.”
I was about to throw down, but beside him, Jess sniffled and laid her head on his shoulder. I sighed. “I promise. And if I don’t, you’ll know because you’re still my ride-or-die so you can kick my ass.”
Andrews smiled and took Jess’s hand, holding it out to me. I could have made some more jokes, but, bro, I was getting married.
I took her hand and drew her forward, everyone else falling away.
One of the curls lying against her chest ruffled in the breeze, and I grabbed it up, rubbing it between my fingers. “Angels should be in heaven. How’d you escape?”
She ducked her head.
I pushed her chin back up. “You were so worth the wait. I love you so much.”
She swallowed. “I love you too.”
“Save it for the vows,” Bennett murmured.
Taking her hand, I led her in front of the senator as Andrews came over to stand right beside me. Jess handed her bouquet to Madison, and I took both her hands.
“Dearly beloved, we are here today to join Jessica May Park and Benjamin Hayes Kruger in wedded matrimony.”
“Wedded bliss,” I corrected.
“In wedded bliss,” Bennett repeated. “This is not a bond to be entered into lightly, and I remind everyone here today that love, loyalty, and patience are foundations of a happy home.”
“Jess will need all the patience she can get,” Max muttered.
I didn’t even turn to glare at him. I was busy looking at my bride.
“Does anyone have any objections to this union? Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
No one said anything, and Bennett nodded.
“Do you, Jessica, take Benjamin to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” Jess said.
I bounced on my heels. “Now me. Ask me.”
Bennett laughed. “Do you, Benjamin, take Jessica to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?”
“Hell yes, I do!” I exclaimed.
Elite laughed and cheered. They were some good bros.
“The couple will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment,” Bennett said.
Taking the rings Andrews offered, I slid the new diamond band on her finger and then the two engagement rings after it. When I was done, I kissed them.
Jess slid a silver band on my finger, kissing it the same way I’d kissed hers.
“That’s the stuff,” I said, glancing down at my new accessory. Been waiting on you a long time.
“And now the vows.” Bennett gestured to us.
I cleared my throat. “You know, I had a word salad with some witty croutons and swoon-worthy dressing all ready to serve, but now that I see this ring on my finger, I’m just fucking grateful. Grateful you love me, grateful to have people who support us, and grateful to be locked down. I spent a long time wanting you, Jess. A long time hoping you’d deem me worthy of someone as good as you. And here we are. I’m looking at this ring you put on my finger, and it’s better than anything I could say. I just want you to know you will never regret choosing me, deciding I’m worthy, or being my final girl. I won’t ever stop loving you. I won’t ever stop trying to be the best husband. As long as I’m around, you won’t ever be alone.”
“You won’t ever have any quiet either,” Max cracked.
“Bro, I’m trying to get married.” I scolded him and turned back to my wife. “The best part about life is that we get to choose our people. I choose you. All those years ago, right now, and for the rest of my life. I’m so ready to start our life together. I can’t fucking wait.”
Jess smiled, and when she reached up to dab the corner of her eye, the rings I’d stacked her finger with nearly blinded me.
Gonna have to get some sunglasses.
“When I was young, I used to dream of a better life. I’d whisper wishes into the dark in the middle of the night. But even the wishful heart of a little girl couldn’t dream up something as good as this. As you. Thank you for choosing me, Ben. For loving me even when it was hard, even when my brain forgot you.”
I scoffed.
“But my heart never could because my heart chose you.”
Damn . Was the wind picking up? My eyes were watering.
“I promise to love you every single day, even when it’s hard. To be not just your wife but your friend and supporter. I believe in you and us and am excited for the life we’re going to create. So let’s skip to the good part already. Let’s skip to the rest of our life together.”
I reached up to brush a tear off her cheek, and she smiled, reached up, and did the same thing to mine.
Bennett cleared his throat. “And so, by the authority granted to me by the great state of Virginia, it is my honor and pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. May I present Benjamin and Jessica Kruger.”
“Kiss already!” Bodhi yelled.
I really liked that bro.
Bennett chuckled. “Ben, you may now kiss your bride.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice,” I quipped, lunging forward to sweep her close and lean down, bending her over my arm. Her veil and long curls stretched to the ground, and her grip was strong on my arms.
“ Wife ,” I rumbled, satisfaction filling me like none other.
“ Husband ,” she whispered back.
I licked that sweet word right off her lips, my tongue invading her mouth as I kissed her long and deep. Her body went boneless over my arm, and I pulled back gently, lifting us upright where she swayed a little on her feet.
I kissed her again because I could, and then we turned to our friends who stood there whistling and clapping.
“About time!” Win hollered.
“Congratulations, Ben.” Even though Matt’s voice was quieter than everyone else’s, I still heard and turned to where he stood and grabbed him for a two-armed hug. “Thanks for being here for this. For us.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he replied.
“Look at us,” I said, pulling back. “Married.”
“Married.” He smiled.
I had to admit marriage was a good look on him.
I hugged him again. “You’ll always be my brother.”
He squeezed me a little tighter. “Same.”
Grabbing Jess’s hand, I gave her a little tug. “C’mon.”
“Where are we going?”
“Who cares? It’s with your husband.”
She laughed and nodded.
We took off down the white aisle while everyone threw rice.
“Don’t drink all the champagne!” I yelled behind me and then pulled her through the house and to the front where a horse-drawn carriage sat waiting.
“Oh my God.” She gasped. “Is that for us?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Kruger,” the driver said, gesturing to the stairs leading to the inside. “Would you like to go for a ride?”
“You did this?” Jess asked.
“I’d do anything for you.”
A tear slid onto her cheek, and I wiped it away.
“So how about it? I want some alone time with my wife before we head back inside to our reception.”
“I’d love to.”
Once we settled inside with faux fur blankets piled high, I snatched the two mini bottles of champagne off the seat across from us and popped the cork on one, handing it to her before popping the cork on mine.
“I’m sure there will be more than one toast later,” I said. “But this one is just for us.”
She nodded.
“To friendship that turned to love, and may our love turn into forever.”
“ Benji .”
Ooh, I got a Benji. I was so getting laid tonight.
The bottles clinked, and we both took a drink as the carriage pulled away from the chalet. It started to snow slowly, fat white flakes fluttering lazily from the sky.
“By the way, we leave tomorrow for our honeymoon.”
“ What ?”
I hummed, leaning in to nuzzle her cheek. “You’re going to look so good stretched out in the sand.”
“You booked us a honeymoon at the beach?”
The beach, she says . I smiled. “Hawaii.”
“ What ?”
“You’re gonna scare the horse,” I scolded. I wasn’t mad, though. My final girl was cute as hell sitting there all in white with snow in her hair, acting like she wasn’t excited about Hawaii.
I knew better. Mmhmmm.
“Benjamin Hayes Kruger, what makes you think you can just book us a trip to Hawaii without consulting me?”
I tilted my head. “Probably because your name is now Jessica May Kruger.”
She grabbed my face, squishing my cheeks together. I made a sound, but it was more like a flub.
“Exactly. You have a wife now. You can’t just do whatever you want.”
I moved my lips like I was a fish.
Oh, I kinda was.
Funny even when I’m not trying. I looked good in a bowtie too.
Giggling, she let me go. “Do you have something to say?”
“I love you.”
She sighed. “I love you too.”
“You gonna love me when we’re in Hawaii?”
She groaned. “Will we be home in time for Christmas?”
“Of course.”
“Then yes, I’ll love you in Hawaii.”
Score.
“Come over here and kiss your husband,” I said, pulling her closer.
She leaned in and kissed my cheek, jaw, and neck. Pulling back, she pressed a kiss to my shoulder and the lapel of my jacket.
“That’s a good look on you,” she told me.
“What is?” I asked, glancing down at the pink lip prints contrasting the black fabric.
“Me.”
I tackled her back into the seat, both of us getting lost in the blankets and the skirt of her gown. “You ever have secret sex in the back of a horse-drawn carriage?” I whispered.
She giggled. “Can’t say that I have.”
“Would you like to?” I asked, wagging my brows.
“Well, since you’re wearing me,” she mused, tapping one of the kiss prints she’d left on my cheek, “I guess it’s only fair that I wear you too.”
I pulled the blanket over our heads and found her lips.
So yeah, thanks for coming to my wedding, bro. It wouldn’t have been the same without you here, but now that we’re wedlocked, I think I can take it from here.
I promise we’re gonna be happy. Every last one of us. Because anything less?
I forbid it.