Chapter 18
Millie
I look in the mirror. My long blonde hair cascades down my back. I’m wearing a crown of woven flowers and baby’s breath. My only jewelry is my grandmother’s simple gold cross necklace. I never take it off. The simple Edwardian-style wedding dress falls to the floor. My bare toes peek out from under the white lace, showing my pale pink pedicure.
“Are you ready?” Lisa asks.
“I am.”
I walk outside with my friends and my breath catches. Soldier is waiting for me all decked out in white, silver, and blue.
“He hates traveling,” I whisper.
“He wanted to be here for your special day,” Dad says. “He loaded on the first try. Didn’t balk, even once.”
“Come on, sis, I’ll put you up there.”
I nod and walk to Tyler. He lifts me up and puts me on Soldier’s back.
My dad takes the reins and leads us past the cabins and into the woods. The woods open into a clearing. There’s a wedding arch of wildflowers sitting in front of a few rows of filled chairs. A massive white tent sits off to one side. I can smell food coming from there. My stomach rumbles. I can hear dad chuckle.
A photographer starts taking our pictures the moment I walk out of the communal building. Soldier took the flashes well as we proceeded to the end of the aisle. Dad helps me off and takes my arm. Music starts and my best friends head down the aisle before.
I take a few deep breaths.
When it’s my turn, I lock eyes with Wrath. My heart flutters with each step. I feel like this is a dream and any moment now I’m going to wake up.
Wrath
M y breath catches in my throat the moment I spot Millie coming out of the trees. Brian is leading her on Soldier. The horse is all decked out like he’s ready for a parade. Saber, Decker, and Blue are standing up with me. My biological brothers flipped a coin to see who got to be the best man. Saber won.
I swear I don’t breathe her entire walk down the aisle. Brian’s smiling from ear to ear, though I’m certain I see tears in the corners of his eyes. Tears prick at mine as I spot my parents and sister in the front row.
When Millie arrives, the pastor speaks.
“Who gives this woman away?”
“Her mother and I do,” Brian answers.
Millie takes her spot beside me. I look deep into her eyes and mouth the words ‘I love you’. The ceremony goes by in a blur. After the pastor pronounces us man and wife, I kiss her until I think my cock is going to bust out of my pants.
The photographer takes a fuck ton of pictures and finally releases us to the reception. Lisa got two of Millie’s favorite restaurants to cater. Huck Finn’s and the Loveless Cafe.
I hear her gasp as she takes in the tent's interior.
Millie
W e walk hand in hand from the reception into the large white tent. The sight that greets me takes my breath away. The interior is draped with flowing white fabrics, creating a sense of ethereal beauty. Hundreds of strands of white fairy lights add to the effect.
The ceiling of the tent is draped in white chiffon with white fairy lights and thin silver ribbon. Crisp white linens cover the round tables. At the center of each table is a beautiful floral arrangement in striking cobalt blue vases. White roses and hydrangea are interspersed with silver foliage and forget-me-nots.
Silver Chiavari chairs sit around the tables. Each adorned with sashes done in varying shades of blue, from the palest sky blue to the deepest midnight blue, adding color and depth.
Pops of silver are seen throughout the tent and the bridal table has a hint of pink. The effect is even better than what I have in my dream book. It’s like Lisa took my innermost thoughts and made them a reality and in less than forty-eight hours, time.
The smell of fried catfish and hushpuppies hits my nose.
“I’m starving,” I announce.
“Let’s get you fed.”
Wrath leads me over to the bridal table and pulls out my chair. Our party is quickly seated around us. Soon servers come by with a variety of food: Fried chicken, fried catfish, meatloaf, country ham, fried pork chops, gator bites, frog legs to start. Followed by bowls and platters of hush puppies, coleslaw, green beans, mashed potatoes with white or brown gravy, turnip greens, and baked mac n cheese.
Wrath
W hen the first notes of Can’t Help Falling in Love starts, I offer my hand to my wife. Holy fuck, my wife. Now those are words I can get used to. I lead my bride out onto the dance floor. I even sing along with the words, low enough for only Millie to hear me.
When our song ends, I Loved Her First begins. Brian meets us on the dance floor. I find my mom and draw her onto the floor. Halfway through, other couples join us.
The song ends and I kiss Mom on the cheek and head for Millie. Hand in hand, we head to the dessert table. We don’t have a traditional cake. Lisa made Millie’s favorite lemon chiffon cake with wild blueberry filling for us to cut. In addition to the cake, there’s a ton of cobbler. Apple, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, and pecan. All my woman’s favorites. She prefers cobblers to cakes and pies.