Love Me (Trust Series #2) (6 page)

“I know, sweetie. I put a picture of your parents in the Bible, so they will be right there with you the entire way. Wait until after the ceremony to look at it. The picture is yours to keep.”

Chandra’s eyes are a lighter shade of green than Sam’s, and her face is beginning to show laughter wrinkles from her years. One day, I hope that all of the years of happiness will be shown on my face.

I nod at her response.

Chandra grabs my hand and gives it a light squeeze. “There’s one other thing, and then I swear that I’ll let us recover from our near emotional breakdowns because, Lord have mercy, we know those makeup people will have our hides. If you want Dean to walk you down the aisle, he will. There’s no pressure, but he wanted you to know he would be there for you if you needed him.”

I am overwhelmed by the offer, but that is something that should be saved for Sam.

Knowing they would disagree, I go another route. “I really appreciate the offer. Instead, when the preacher asks who gives this woman away, I would like for all three of you to respond that you do. You are all my family now.”

“Oh, honey, nothing would please us more.” She starts to sniffle when she says, “I think it’s time to get this girl married. Her future husband is about beside himself, waiting to get her down the aisle. And no, Allison, I’m not giving you any more details.”

Oh, she is so sassy.
It’s amazing how much Sam is like her sometimes.

I laugh as we head down the stairs to the door. As we step out, a driver greets us, and he gives me another white linen envelope and black velvet box. Behind him is a white stretch limo. It’s my carriage to take me to my prince.

I open the note and read.

Words cannot describe the amount of love I feel right now. It’s not for the materialistic gift I’m about to open. It’s for Damien’s written words that express his true and undying feelings for me. I open the box, and in it sits a beautiful eternity band in platinum. A single row of square cut sapphires wrap around the entire ring. Surrounding that row, matching square cut diamonds look as if they are fused with the sapphires.

Absolutely stunning. Like Damien. I am about to make my vow of forever.

I slide it on my right index finger, and it’s a perfect fit.

Sam and Chandra both say in unison, “It’s time to get you married, Allison.”

With a smile on my face, I simply respond, “I’m ready.”

A calmness completely comes over me as we pull up to the church
. Right inside those doors awaits the love of my life.
I’m about to be reunited with him.

Bane, the head of security, lowers the partition from the front seat. “Miss Scott, security is in place, and we will be heading up to the church. Once we arrive to the front entrance, Mrs. Matthews will go inside, and Miss Matthews will follow. After both of them have made it to their seats, you can then enter.”

From this position, I can see his tribal tattoo peeking out from underneath his collar. He really is quite the badass with his muscular look and bald head.

Chandra, I think, is still in shock from all the security. I’m still getting used to them myself. If we had gotten married with everyone knowing, I honestly couldn’t imagine the mayhem and drama that would have ensued.

I respond to his directions, “Thank you, Bane. We’re ready when you are.”

Immediately, he gets out of the car and comes to the back door of the limo on my side. We get out one by one, and Sam and Chandra help me with my dress. A team of three security men surround me as we walk to the front of the church.

Seeing the security again brings the situation Damien and I are facing to the forefront of my mind. There is a killer out there on the loose.

Pushing the thought away, I focus on enjoying this moment.
Whoever is out there is not going to take this away from me.

Finally, after what seems like a tortoise’s pace, we make it.

Sam and Chandra give me one final hug as they both say in unison. “We love you, Allison.”

“Love you guys, too.”

With that, Chandra and then Sam disappear behind the door.

Wow, this is it. This is the moment I have been waiting for all day long.
I know brides normally wait months for their wedding day.
I’m so glad I don’t have to.
I think the planning with all of the endless choices and the anticipation would have driven me batty.

Bane approaches. “Are you ready, Miss Scott?”

He opens the door, and I begin to walk down the aisle.

As I cross the threshold, I look up to find my love on the other end, waiting for me. He’s the most handsome, breathtaking human being I have ever seen, and he is about to be mine—forever. He’s in a simple black suit cut just perfectly for his body with a white shirt and a skinny black tie. He has the largest smile I have ever seen on him. His crystal blue eyes are dancing with love, joy, and excitement. His coal black hair is artfully done in that messy, sexy beast sort of way.

I have to remember to keep a normal pace.

The rest of the church comes into focus, and I stop for just a second. My gasp is audible as I take it all in. Currently, I’m walking under a tunnel of solid white flowers with the most heavenly smell. Damien has used my favorite ones—gardenias, peonies, and calla lilies. I cannot believe I was so wrapped up with Damien that I didn’t see or smell the flowers.

He has completely transformed this church. Behind the altar at the front of the church, I see large extravagant white flower arrangements. If I hadn’t been here just yesterday, I would have thought that the church had undergone a major facelift. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine something so perfect.

Damien’s lapel has a red rose, which reminds me of my birthday dinner when he put one red rose in every arrangement to symbolize his love for me.

As I make it to the pew at the front of the church, Damien closes the gap. He’s apparently as anxious as I am to feel reconnected with each other. The moment his hands encapsulate mine, I feel a stronger than ever electricity zing between the two of us. I know Damien feels it, too, because his smile continues to get bigger, if that were even possible. We stand there, lost in each other’s gazes for a few moments. This is our moment.

Enjoy. Savor. Remember.

I speak first in a whisper, “This is so beautiful. Thank you. I love you.”

Softly, he speaks for only me to hear, “Oh, Alli, you are such a beautiful, exquisite sight. You take my breath away. I’ve been counting down the seconds all day to have you back in my arms. I love you, too, baby.”

While basking in our love, his hand tightens infinitesimally as we make our way to the pastor. I look to my right and see Sam and her parents sitting there, already with tears in their eyes.

The pastor asks, “Who gives this woman away?”

Sam, Dean, and Chandra all proclaim a resounding, “I do.”

Grabbing both of my hands, Damien begins rubbing soothing circles with his thumbs as we continue to stare into each other’s eyes. In our bubble, we are lost in one another as the ceremony continues.

I cannot believe I know when to respond because I am so caught up in this man.

I know we must be coming to the end because Damien starts squeezing my hands in little pulses in anticipation. We are actually about to become husband and wife, united as one.

The preacher breaks through my trance when he announces, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

I think I hear clapping in the background, but I am locked in Damien’s gaze while he comes down to claim my lips as his wife for the first time. It’s a gentle and almost reverent kiss. I want to deepen the kiss, but he pulls away before it can go anywhere near the too-far line.

The pastor says as Damien has a triumphant smile on his face. “I would like to present Mr. and Mrs. Damien Wales.”

We turn around and face our family as husband and wife.

Immediately, Chandra and Sam envelop us in a hug. They are speaking over each other, babbling about the details of the wedding.

Dean breaks through the girls’ voices as he gives Damien and me a hug. “We are so happy for you guys. Welcome to the family, Damien.”

Sam, in typical Sam fashion, gives Damien a playful slap on the shoulder. “Wales, you better do me right when it comes to taking me to football games.”

“I promise.” Damien embraces Sam.

Glasses of champagne are brought in to us.
Perfect doesn’t even begin to describe this day.

Damien holds his flute up in the air. “I would like to make a toast. First, to my beautiful bride, thank you for becoming my wife today. Loving you is as easy as breathing. I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love, cherish, and honor you.”

He leans down and gives me a sweet kiss before he turns to the rest of the family. “To Sam, thank you for being there for Alli all those years and for seeing her through the good and tough times. I wish I could have been there, but I am so thankful she had you.”

He pauses as Sam comes up to give him a hug.

When she pulls back, he then lifts his glass to her parents, continuing on despite all the teary eyes in the group. “To Dean and Chandra, for loving my wife just like a daughter and for being there for her. I can never thank you enough. I will be forever indebted to you because you kept her safe and loved while fate was working on bringing us together.”

By the time he is finished, there is not a dry eye in the house. He brings me to his side, and I fit perfectly.
I am so thankful he’s mine.

Dean is the next to clear his throat and raise his glass. “To Allison and Damien, we are so happy that you have found your other half. Allison, we know that your parents would be overjoyed at your union. You’ve always been like a daughter to us, and we are so proud of the woman you’ve become. Always remember that you two are what matter most in your marriage, not anything else. Keep each other as number one in your hearts. Live each day like it’s your last. Damien, it will be nice to finally have another man in the family. Chandra and I already love you like a son.”

Even though they have only known Damien but for a brief time, knowing they trust my decision and welcome him with open arms warms my heart.
Wow, just wow.

I think Damien is a little taken aback by the love he’s already receiving from this family. His family doesn’t strike me as the affectionate type.

As I am about to discreetly ask Damien when we can leave, Chandra chimes in, “Oh dear, look at the time. Dean, Sam, we need to get a move on, so these two lovebirds can get on with their honeymoon. Don’t want the little dearies to be late.” She gives us a wink as everyone embraces us in one last hug.

As I hug Sam one last time, I whisper, “Thanks for always being the sister I never had.”

She squeezes me tighter and whispers back, “Don’t be a stranger now that you’re a married woman.”

“No worries about that. You’re stuck with me forever.”

We all make our way to the door.

Right before we get to the door, Damien holds me back.

I look at him questioningly. “I thought we were leaving.”

His finger comes down to run across my jawline. I automatically lean into his touch.

“We will in just a second, baby. Today was the longest day of my life, but it was so worth the wait. How does it feel to be Mrs. Allison Wales?”

“Incredible. This is the best moment of my life.”

Taking off his black tailored jacket, he slips it around me.

“What’s this for?”

“There’s one last thing we need to do before we leave. I don’t want you to get sick.”

We walk outside and turn to the left instead of the right. Instantly, I know where we are going. I lay my head against him as we slowly make our way to my parents’ grave. It might seem odd, but I know I will find comfort in telling them what’s going on in my life. I want them to be a part of it.

We stop in front of the tombstone, and Damien increases his grip on me.

“You don’t have to worry about her anymore. I’ve got her, and I will never let her go. I’ll love and protect her with every ounce of my being.” Damien solemnly says, as if it’s an oath.