Prolouge
Megan
Tonight’s the night I go from being Miss. Megan Monroe, the little librarian with big dreams to Mrs. Megan Carter, wife of a detective who has a huge heart and cares for those he doesn’t even know. I’ve had my dreams taken from me years ago, a life I planned ripped away from me. I never thought that I would find true love again, I thought I would have to settle with the man who I thought was good for me, but who only used me. I was lucky. I got a second chance. Matty, I’ll see you on the other side, but for now I’m going to live this life with the man who has my heart now.
A knock came at the door before Ally and Alice walked in. Alice was wearing a cute brown dress she said she found at a local thrift shop, which fit her perfectly and looks amazing. Ally looked stunning in her maid of honor dress; the burnt orange I was worried would clash with her skin tone, but it didn’t.
“You both look so beautiful!” Alice exclaimed pushing me and Ally together to take a makeshift wedding day photo. “I know you’ll have your real photos done next weekend, but this is for us.”
Ally tossed her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I hugged her back; she really had my back almost my whole life. I couldn’t imagine having anyone else by my side tonight. I mean, aside from my sister, but she gave the honor up to Ally.
“Are you ready to marry Officer McHottie?” Ally teased me. I grinned widely at her.
“Fuck yeah! Let’s go get hitched!” I yelled. I could hear laughing from outside the door. Tony poked his head and grinned.
“If Max was in the house he would be dying at that,” he laughed. “If you’re ready, I am here to walk you both downstairs and out safely to the beach.” Tony held his arms out, one for me and one for Ally. I looked back at Alice who had her phone all out and ready to take a million pictures.
I looped my arm through Tony’s, and we headed down the stairs. I was practically running outside when our feet hit the floor. I couldn’t wait another second to see Max all dressed up in a tux. I mean, seeing him in a uniform made my mouth water, I could just imagine what the tux would do.
Jason was standing at the end of the aisle, all dressed up nicely in tan pants and a white button-up shirt. He had tan suspenders and an orange bow tie which fit with our wedding colors perfectly. Tony stopped next to him and passed me off to my brother. Him and Ally continued down the aisle.
“You good sis? I got the keys to the car in my pocket if you want to run,” he chuckled. I knew he was serious, but he knew I didn’t need or want an escape plan from this wedding.
“I’m more than good. Max is a good guy. I know you’ll like him,” I beamed. Jason knew I was happy. Alice had told him great things about Max, she listed everything off as I was getting ready.
“I know, I spent most of the day setting up with him and the guys. He loves you; I can tell,” Jason said, monitoring Ally and Tony’s slow ass walk down the aisle. “Well, it’s too late now to run away, so let’s get going.” Tony teased me and held his arm out. I looped my arm through my brothers as he walked me down the aisle, noticing I had a quick pace. I’ll slow it down for the big wedding, but for now, get me to my man.
Max looked so handsome in his tuxedo; he matched my brothers outfit except he had a brown jacket on. His hair was slicked back, but it won’t stay like that once we get done with this wedding.
He took me in, drinking me up and down with his eyes. I looked at the person officiating our wedding and almost died. Ethan Malarkey was standing there dressed absolutely fabulous with a shit eating grin on his face. Max reached his hand out as my brother placed my hand in his, announcing that he was the one giving me away tonight.
“As you all know, Megan has never been one for wanting a lot of attention on her, and I as her bestie, won’t keep her on the spot long since we know next weekend she will not have a choice but to have a long attention drawn out ceremony. I know you both have vows you wish to speak next weekend, but do you want to say your own vows here tonight?” Ethan was the most unprofessional officiant, and I loved it. I nodded at him, so he stepped back and let me go.
“I promise I will keep this short. Max, I can’t say enough good things about you. You have saved my life more than probably any one person should have their lives saved. You have rescued me from peril, watched me go face to face with a political nightmare and you’ve seen me at my lowest, but somehow you saw something in me. You saw someone worth taking as your wife. You saw me for me and haven’t once asked me to step away from my life over the bullshit that’s been going on. I am grateful to you, and the friends you’ve brought into my life. Without you, I wouldn’t be here. I love you with all of my heart. I can’t wait to be your wife,” I vowed, wiping a tear away from Max’s cheek.
“Your turn Max,” Ethan announced, before stepping off to the side again to let him speak.
“Megan, you’ve made my life interesting again. I haven’t had a dull moment since meeting you,” everyone laughed, but only a few really knew how true that statement was. “You have been a breath of fresh air in my life and one that I never though I deserved. My life has been so much better since having you in it. Your smile lights up my life, your laugh is infectious, and your attitude keeps me on my toes. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I just hope you’re ready to be stuck with me for the rest of your life because once you’re mine, I am not letting you go.” His vows were perfectly like him, serious and humor wrapped in a hot package.
“With the power vested in me by the online site of officiants, I know pronounce you husband and wife. I don’t even need to tell you to kiss your bride,” Ethan said, moving out of our way as we grabbed each other and kissed probably a little more passionately than anyone here would’ve wanted to see. When he broke our kiss and turned us to see our friends and family, there wasn’t a dry eye under the canopies.
“Let’s go party Mrs. Carter,” Max whispered to me. I giggled at the name but had to tease him one more time.
“Yes, let’s go party. Mr. Monroe,” I kissed him on the cheek and dragged him down the aisle to head off to the small little dance area that they had set up. I don’t know how the hell they put this all together in a week, but I love every one of them.
The night went on with dancing and partying. Before throwing out the bouquet, I talked to Alice, Lexi and Gwyn. We planned on staging it for Ally to get the it, let her and Tony freak out a little. By the time we gathered everyone together, Tony was already sweating. Ally was refusing to get into the mix, but Ethan didn’t give her an option.
Sure enough, Ally caught the bouquet and the look of pure panic on her and Tony’s faces was priceless! I made sure Ethan got it on video so we could rewatch it a few more times before I confessed that I set it up. The two of them are good for each other. I just hope they take their relationship serious.
Lexi had asked Roark to dance with her a few times, but it wasn’t until he was slightly drunk that he finally caved. Andy had the balls to ask Gwyn to dance which was cute. I felt bad for Pete because I thought he was going to ask her, but who knows. A dance is just a dance.
Max pulled me into his chest and kissed my neck. “I say tonight was a success.”
“I must say, you got me. I wasn’t expecting to be getting married a week early and on a beach. I love it.” I replied, resting my head back on his chest as we watched everyone dance and party the night away.
“I hope you are ready for forever, because tonight is just the beginning,” Max whispered in my ear. I spun around and kissed him, a deeper more passionate kiss that filled me with his scent.
“Forever won’t be long enough, but it will do,” I replied. We kissed again, letting the music dance around us as we danced the rest of the evening away.
I’m not sure what the future holds for us, but I know this is just the beginning. “I love you until the sun stops shining,” I whisper.
“And the stars are all that’s left.”
The End