Chapter 18 #2
"Probably." He claps me on the shoulder and walks toward the microphone.
The music fades. Jake taps the mic, and the room quiets. "Good evening, everyone. For those who don't know me, I'm Jake, Bennett's long-suffering best friend."
Laughter ripples through the crowd.
"I've known Bennett for our whole lives," Jake continues. "And in all that time, I've never seen him as happy as he's been these last six months. Hannah, you've done something I didn't think was possible, you've made this workaholic actually leave the office before midnight."
More laughter. Hannah covers her face, grinning.
"But seriously," Jake says, his tone softening. "Bennett is one of the best men I know. He's loyal, dedicated, and stubborn as hell. And when he loves someone, he loves them completely. Hannah, you're lucky to have him. But Bennett, you're even luckier to have her."
I feel my throat tighten again.
"So here's to Bennett and Hannah," Jake raises his glass. "May your life together be filled with love, laughter, and only minimal coffee spills."
Everyone laughs and raises their glasses. "To Bennett and Hannah!"
Hannah crosses the room to me, her eyes bright. "That was sweet."
"He's not usually that sentimental." I pull her close. "Must be the champagne."
"Or maybe he's just happy for us." She leans up and kisses me softly.
Then Mara appears at Hannah's elbow, champagne flute in hand. She catches my eye and gives me a small nod before turning to Hannah. "Come here for a second."
Hannah looks confused but lets Mara pull her toward the edge of the dance floor. Mara taps her glass gently, and a few people nearby turn to listen.
"I just wanted to say something quick," Mara says, her voice warm.
"Hannah's been my best friend for years, and I've watched her believe she wasn't good enough for so many things.
But then Bennett walked into that coffee shop, and I watched her believe she was good enough for him.
For love. For happiness." Her eyes glisten.
"So Bennett, thank you for seeing her the way she deserves to be seen.
And Hannah, I'm so proud of you. You deserve this. "
She raises her glass. A few people around us do the same, murmuring agreement.
Hannah's eyes are wet. She pulls Mara into a tight hug, and when they break apart, she's smiling through tears.
"Dance with me?" Hannah asks, turning back to me.
"Always."
We move to the dance floor as the music shifts to something slow. I wrap my arms around her waist, and she rests her head on my chest. We sway together, surrounded by friends who became family, and everything feels perfect.
"I can't believe we're married," she whispers.
"Believe it." I press a kiss to the top of her head. "You're stuck with me now."
"Good." She tilts her head back to look at me. "I don't want to be anywhere else."
We dance for what feels like hours. Other couples join us on the floor.
Hannah's friends pull her away for photos.
I talk with colleagues and shake hands and accept congratulations.
At one point, I catch sight of Jake and Brittany laughing together near the bar, and I'm grateful they're here.
But my eyes always find Hannah, no matter where she is in the room.
Eventually the reception starts winding down. Guests begin leaving, hugging us goodbye and wishing us well. Mara is one of the last to go. She pulls Hannah into a long hug, whispering something that makes Hannah laugh through tears, then turns to me.
"Take care of her," she says quietly.
"Always," I promise.
When everyone's gone and it's just us, Hannah kicks off her heels with a sigh of relief. "My feet are killing me."
"Come on." I hold out my hand. “Let’s go home, wife.”
The house is quiet when we arrive.
I carry Hannah over the threshold for real this time, and she laughs, clinging to my neck. "You know I can walk, right?"
"I know." I kick the door closed behind us. "But I've been waiting to do this all day."
I carry her straight to our bedroom and set her down gently. She stands in front of me, still in her wedding dress, her hair slightly mussed from the long day. She's never looked more beautiful.
"Hi," she whispers.
"Hi." I step closer, my hands settling on her waist. "How are you feeling?"
"Happy." She reaches up to cup my face. "So happy I could burst."
"Good." I lean down and kiss her softly. "Because I plan on making you even happier."
She smiles against my mouth. "Is that a promise?"
"It's a guarantee."
I kiss her again, deeper this time, my hands sliding up her back to find the zipper of her dress. She helps me, reaching back to guide my fingers. The zipper slides down slowly, and the dress pools at her feet.
She's wearing white lace underneath, a delicate bra and matching panties that make my mouth go dry. I take a moment just to look at her, memorizing every curve, every freckle, every detail.
"You're staring," she says, her cheeks flushing.
"I'm admiring my wife." I echo my words from earlier. "There's a difference."
She laughs and reaches for my tie, loosening it with practiced ease. "Your turn."
We undress each other slowly, taking our time. There's no rush tonight. No urgency. Just us, finally alone, finally married.
When we're both bare, I guide her to the bed and lay her down gently. I settle beside her, propped on one elbow, and just look at her.
"What?" she asks, her voice soft.
"I'm just... taking it in." I brush a strand of hair from her face. "This moment. You. Everything."
Her eyes soften. "I love you."
"I love you too." I lean down and kiss her, slow and deep. "So much."
I take my time exploring her body, relearning every inch of her skin. My hands map the curve of her waist, the swell of her hips, the softness of her thighs. My mouth follows, pressing kisses to her collarbone, her breasts, her stomach.
She arches into my touch, her breath coming faster. "Bennett?—"
"I know." I move back up to kiss her mouth. "I've got you."
When I finally slide inside her, we both go still. Her eyes lock on mine, wide and full of emotion. I stay there for a moment, just feeling her around me, feeling the weight of this moment.
"Okay?" I ask softly.
"Perfect." She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me deeper. "You're perfect."
I start to move, slow and deliberate. Every thrust is a promise. Every kiss is a vow. This isn't just sex—it's a celebration. A claiming. A joining of two people who chose each other and will keep choosing each other for the rest of their lives.
Hannah's hands slide into my hair, her nails scraping lightly against my scalp. "I love you," she whispers. "I love you so much."
"I love you too." I press my forehead to hers, our breath mingling. "My wife."
"My husband." She smiles, tears gathering in her eyes again. "That sounds so good."
"It does." I kiss her deeply, swallowing her moan as I move faster. "Say it again."
"My husband." Her voice breaks on the words. "Bennett. My husband."
I feel her tighten around me, her body trembling. "That's it," I murmur against her mouth. "Let go. I've got you."
She comes with my name on her lips, her body arching beneath mine. I follow moments later, burying my face in her neck as pleasure crashes through me.
We stay like that for a long time, tangled together, hearts racing. Eventually I roll to the side and pull her against my chest, wrapping the blankets around us.
"Best day of my life," she whispers, echoing her words from the night I proposed.
"Mine too." I press a kiss to her forehead. "And it's just the beginning."
She tilts her head back to look at me, her eyes soft and full of love. "I can't wait to see what comes next."
"Me neither." I brush my thumb over her cheek. "But whatever it is, we'll face it together."
"Together," she agrees, snuggling closer.
I hold her as she drifts off to sleep, her breathing evening out, her body relaxing completely against mine. And I think about how far we've come. From a spilled cup of coffee to this moment. From strangers to lovers to husband and wife.
Everything changed because she was brave enough to hand me that coffee. Because I was brave enough to come back for her. Because we both chose to believe in something neither of us expected.
I look down at Hannah sleeping in my arms, her ring catching the moonlight streaming through the window. My wife. My partner. My home.