36. Thirty-Six
Thirty-Six
Jake
M y breath hitches when the double doors open, and the first note of the organ filters through the room.
Straightening my shoulders, I glance at Carter, who stands at my side looking like a GQ model in his tailored tux.
We exchange a nod before I turn my attention to the empty doorway at the opposite end of the chapel.
It’s all I can do not to run down the length of the aisle, find Tessa, throw her over my shoulder, and carry her back down here at breakneck speed.
The desire to make her mine is so strong, I would’ve married her in the hospital had she agreed.
It was her who insisted we wait until I was one hundred percent back on my feet, claiming she didn’t want me to risk hurting myself while carrying her over the threshold.
As if. I’ve carried bags of concrete that weighed more than her and probably would’ve been able to lift her tiny body two weeks post-surgery.
Anna and Chase are the first to appear, and I give my baby sister an affectionate smile.
She winks at me like she knows a secret I’m not yet privy to before she takes her place beside the altar.
Megan and Jude follow, and I take a moment to place a soft kiss on her cheek before it’s time for the bride to make her entrance.
And then she’s there. Looking like a goddamn vision.
The sight of her quite literally takes my breath away. Good Lord, the woman is stunning.
I’m not even embarrassed when a lone tear leaks from the corner of my eye and rolls down the side of my face.
I’m about to marry the girl I once thought lost to me forever.
I would have to be dead inside not to feel emotional about finally getting what’s been denied to me for seven, long, agonizing, and lonely years.
Tessa’s radiant smile mirrors my own as her father leads her toward me.
When it’s finally time for him to hand her over, I clasp her trembling hand in mine and pull her to my side, nodding at the older man in gratitude.
“You look so damn beautiful, baby,” I rasp, completely enamored.
“You don’t look too shabby yourself,” she returns my compliment with an equally wondrous expression.
“What do you say we get this show on the road? ”
Tessa gives the most adorable giggle before she pins me with a look bursting with love and adoration.
“I say let’s do it before I change my mind.”
Grinning widely, we turn to the official, and I give Father O’Brien a single nod, letting him know we’re ready to begin.
“We are gathered here today to join Jake Eric Nelson and Teresa Elizabeth Davidson in holy matrimony,” he booms in his deep, commanding voice, and that’s about the time I stop listening. I’m mesmerized by a pair of honey-colored eyes.
My memories take me back to the first time I saw her, looking both incredibly lost and so damn pretty.
Then on to the first time we made love. I was the lost one then, as I came to terms with my mother’s tragic passing.
The first time I told her I loved her with a full heart and dreams of a shared future.
And when it finally comes time to exchange our vows, I gaze at the love of my life, and blow out a shuddering breath.
“Teresa Elizabeth Davidson,” I croak, clearing my throat once to rid myself of the lump of emotion sitting at the base.
“It’s been a fucking ride, hasn’t it?” I start and immediately cringe at my poor choice of words in the house of God.
“Shit, sorry,” I hurry to say, shooting the minister an apologetic look .
The tips of my ears warm when Tessa and half the audience laugh at my continued use of profanities. I briefly squeeze my eyes shut and pull myself together before I try again.
“From the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one. I’d written this whole drawn-out speech about how you saved me.
How you were always there for me growing up, and how my only regret is that I didn’t fight for you harder when it counted.
But when you walked toward me just now, I realized that this day marks the beginning of our new life, and from now on there’s no more room for guilt and regret.
The only thing that matters now is that you and I are exactly where we were always meant to be.
I love you more than life itself. The day you agreed to become my wife was the happiest day of my life, and I promise to keep loving you with everything that I am until the day I die. ”
Tessa sniffs back tears, taking a minute to compose herself before her soft voice floats through the silent room.
“Jake Eric Nelson. When I look at you, I truly see you. I see what lies beneath the surface, and I love you with a fierceness I never thought possible. You are the strongest, kindest, most caring man I’ve ever known, and when I’m with you, I don’t just feel loved but valued and safe.
From the moment I was old enough to understand my feelings for you, all I ever wanted was to be yours.
Nine weeks ago, I almost lost you for the second time in my life, and today I’ll make sure that will never happen again.
I can’t wait to call you my husband. I gave you my heart when I was just a girl, and today I’m asking you to cherish it for the rest of our lives.
Just as I promise to cherish yours. I love you, Jake. Now and forever.”
We stare into each other’s eyes, both of us breaking into smiles that threaten to split our lips before it’s finally time to exchange rings.
“Jake Eric Nelson,” Father O’Brien prompts.
“Do you take Teresa Elizabeth Davidson to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” I state with utter conviction as I gently slip her wedding band past her knuckle and into its intended spot. Tessa holds up her hand to admire the sparkling diamond adorning her finger before she looks to Father O’Brien to continue.
“And Teresa Elizabeth Davidson. Do you take Jake Eric Nelson to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage?
Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him, so long as you both shall live ?
“I do,” Teresa all but shouts, beaming up at me as she slides my wedding band into place and gives my hand a firm squeeze.
“Then by the power vested in me, and as witnessed by friends and family, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I pounce on my wife with such fervor our teeth clack together.
Bending her backward, I proceed to kiss the ever-loving shit out of my bride, only letting her come up for air when Father O’Brien awkwardly clears his throat.
I reluctantly pull back and help steady my dazed wife as she sways on her feet.
And as the world comes back into focus and the loud cheers and whistles of our family and friends erupt around us, I can hardly believe we’ve finally made it.
We may have taken a few detours to get here, but, in hindsight, I believe it was all meant to happen exactly the way it played out.
We were so young and impressionable back in the day.
Selfish, insecure, and driven by jealousy.
Maybe the time apart was exactly what we both needed to find ourselves and grow into the people we are today as individuals.
All I know is that we’re absolutely perfect for each other now.
My time without Tessa has shown me that I never want to be without her again.
And I’m certain that the man I am today appreciates her a hell of a lot more now than the jaded kid I used to be.
I have to trust that everything happens for a reason and simply be grateful for every day I get to spend with this incredible woman.
Tangling my fingers with hers, we turn toward the exit as one.
We leave the church to the sound of congratulatory whispers paired with a good amount of backslapping.
Stepping into the bright afternoon sun, we must look like a couple of love-drunk fools.
But I don’t care. I want the world to know just how smitten I am with my beautiful bride, and when we take that first step toward our forever, we do so knowing that our trials are finally over.