Perfectly Mixed (14 page)

John patted his back, “No thanks necessary, my brother. We have your back. Let’s go eat dinner.” They walked back in the house. Shane couldn’t be more content than he was at the moment.

Shane’s sisters did a great job, decorating the small church. Teal colored ribbons hung from the end of each pew, with two beautiful arrangements at each end of the aisle. White and teal rose petals were scattered starting at the door and going up to the altar. Shane twisted his neck, feeling uncomfortable in his black tux; he pulled the teal colored bow, trying to loosen it.

“We are gathered today in the presence of friends and family to celebrate the love that Shane and Larissa have for each other, to give social recognition to their decision to commit their lives, and accept each other completely.” The pastor mentioned as they waited for the bride to arrive. “If any of you has anything to say that might change their minds, Shane and Larissa… don’t want to hear it,” the guests laughed. “They do want to know that you will always support and encourage them as they become husband and wife.” Mrs. Edwards assured him the ceremony would be short and sweet. Why was it taking so long?

Beads of sweat rolled down Shane’s forehead. He was nervous rubbing his hands together.
Dammit, palms, stop sweating
. He’d dreamt of this day, and he couldn’t wait to make Larissa his wife. Her mother sat in the front pew, wiping her eyes with a napkin. She’d been crying since they drove up to the chapel. John passed him a handkerchief and he wiped his face.

“I know the feeling.” John patted his shoulder. “She’ll be your wife in no time. You did good, brother.”

“I did more than good. She’s amazing.”

“Please rise,” the pastor said as the doors to the church opened. Shane swallowed as everyone stood looking toward the entrance, and then the music started playing.

Larissa and her father strolled up arm in arm, and his breath caught in his throat. He didn’t know Larissa could look more beautiful than she already was, but today she looked angelic. Tears shimmered in his eyes; she was breathtaking, holding a colorful bouquet. He looked at her, “Good God she’s beautiful, I’m the luckiest man alive” Shane said out loud.

John chuckled. “Yes he is.”

The second he saw her, the nervousness and anxiety he felt was gone. Shane was ready to commit his life to Larissa. He’d never felt the love he now felt for her before, and he could not have been happier than he was at that moment.

Her black hair was up in a fancy bun with diamond buds wrapped around it; her make-up was naturally beautiful, her sparkling mink brown irises gazed back at him, mirroring what he was feeling, overwhelming love.  Larissa was his best friend, and the woman he was spending the rest of my life with.
Oh, no
, he said to himself. 
Don’t cry, babe. 
He gazed into her tear filled eyes as she took a deep breath
. If you cry, I’m gonna cry.
Keep it together, man.
Her silky, radiant mocha skin looked stunning in her long ivory, sleeveless dress; it was tailored to her body. Shane couldn’t wait to slip it off of her, and make love to his wife.

“Wow... Rissa!” Grayson’s jaw dropped when he saw Larissa slowly walking down the aisle. Everyone in the small church started laughing. “Daddy,” he tugged on Shane’s tux, and pointed. “Pretty Rissa,” he grinned from ear to ear. From the moment Larissa and her dad stepped into the church, his eyes were glued to his wife to be. The tears burned his eyes.

“Fucking gorgeous,” he whispered.

The pastor raised his eyebrow, and Olivia cleared her throat, “You’re in church.”

Shane smirk “Yes ma’am,” never once breaking eye contact with Larissa.
She’s all mine.

~~~

Larissa’s eyes stung with tears, staring at the love of her life.
Don’t cry, you’re going to mess up your makeup
.  It was so surreal, she was having an out-of-body experience. Walking down the aisle everyone seemed so calm, and her heart was beating a mile a minute. She couldn’t believe she was getting married. Larissa never knew she yearned to be a wife and a mother until Shane got down on his knees. Who would’ve known that she would be marrying the arrogant man that had her blood boiling from the moment he opened his mouth and pushed his way into her heart? How did she get so lucky? She held tightly to her father’s arm. She was excited, nervous, anxious, and happy all at the same time, her stomach was turning in knots.

“Don’t be nervous, sweetheart,” her dad whispered in her ear as they slowly made their way to the altar. “That man loves you.”

Larissa and her dad finally made it to Shane. Her dad cupped her face, and kissed her forehead, “You’ll always be my little girl.” The guests sat down.

She hugged her dad tight. “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you more,” her father gave her one last kiss, and extended his hand to shake Shane’s, but Shane gave him a bear hug.

“Mr. Edwards, thank you.”

“Take care of my precious jewel,” he reared back, and went to sit with her mother.

“Mommy.” She winked, “I love you.” Larissa and her mother spent the entire morning crying together. Her mom was her support system, her world, and she finally realized that Shane never had the love of a parent that always had your back, but now he had five people who already proved to him that they had his back. Her mother and Olivia hit it off well, and had planned the whole wedding in less than a week. She was beyond thankful.

Shane took her hand in his and everyone else in the church ceased to exist.  As soon as Shane touched her, she suddenly felt calm and at peace. They were meant to be together. He bent his head and started kissing her, his tongue swiping her lips.

“Yuck,” Grayson said covering his eyes, again making the guests laugh.

“I haven’t said you may kiss the bride,” the pastor blurted out. “The groom and bride have asked for this to be short and sweet,” he announced. Shane and Larissa didn’t take their eyes off of each other. His eyes mirrored hers, brimming with happiness, joy, and love. Finally they would be one. “So let’s begin folks. Larissa, do you take Shane Morgan, to be your wedded husband, to share your life openly, standing with him, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and to love, so long as you both shall live?”

“Yes, yes I do,” she chirped.

“Shane, do you take Larissa Edwards to be your wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing with her, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and to love, so long as you both shall live?”

“I f’ing do,” Shane smiled, never breaking eye contact with his bride.

“May we have the rings?” The pastor watched as Grayson untied the rings from the pillow.

“Here, Rissa, Daddy,” Grayson said proudly and handed the rings over.

“Thank you, buddy,” Shane took the rings.

“Shane, place the ring on Larissa’s finger, please look at her and repeat after me.”

“I, Shane Morgan, promise to love and cherish you, Larissa,” he slipped her diamond ring on her finger, and then kissed it. “To give you strength, to help you in good times and in bad. To respect our individuality, to make our home one of love and understanding. I promise to be faithful to you, giving you all of myself, all of my tomorrows, all of my life.”

“Larissa, as you place this ring on Shane’s hand, please repeat after me,” the pastor continued.

“I, Larissa Edwards promise to love and cherish you, Shane,” she repeated what the pastor said, slipping on his wedding band, and also kissed his hand. “To give you strength, to help you in good times and in bad. To respect our individuality, to make our home one of love and understanding. I promise to be faithful to you, giving you all of myself, all of my tomorrows, all of my life.” She wiped at his fallen tear. “Shane, you are my everything, my yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I will always be yours.”

“Only you,” Shane gazed into her eyes, and in that moment tears freely rolled down her cheek. “As a little boy, I prayed for God to send me an angel, a miracle, and he didn’t then.” He cupped her face, and with his fingers he gently wiped her tears. “But years later he did more than answer my prayers when he sent me you.” He took her hands in his. “You, my love, have changed me. I’m a better man when I’m with you. Thank you for accepting me just the way I am.”

Larissa squeezed his hands, “You are my heart, and our kids will provide the beat.” Her lips curled up into a smile glancing at Grayson. “Everyday that passes, I love you more and more than the day before. We’ve been through some major trials, but we’re still standing strong. In all of the madness he has blessed us in so many ways.” She twisted around, waving her hand in front of her, “Look around us, our families are here to celebrate our love.
Your family is here
.” She squealed excitedly making his sisters laugh through their tears. They both glanced at his family sitting with their families, his cousin with her boys, Lorenzo and his wife, and then she pointed at her parents.  “Mom and Dad, without you I wouldn’t be the woman strong enough to stand by my king. You instilled in me that I needed a man who would treat me like a queen, and believe me he does,” she turned her attention back to Shane. “You, my love, have shown me what true love is. You don’t hold back any punches when you go after what you want, and I’m glad you didn’t on that Valentine’s Day.” Larissa grinned, gazing at Grayson. “Buddy, you are a part of me too,” she bent down to his level.

“Yes,” he pumped his fist in the air.

“I love you as if you were my own son. You’ve taught me how to be a mother, you’ve made me want something I never thought I ever wanted, because of your prayers I’m going to be a mommy.”

She heard gasps around the church.

“Really, Rissa?” Grayson clapped. “I big brother?”

She giggled, “Yes…” and he wrapped his small arms around her, and gave her a feather kiss on the cheek.

“I love you.”

“Me too.” Larissa stood straight, and Shane’s eyes shined with unshed tears. She was a bit nervous sharing the news this way, but the other day when she hinted it, he seemed to be happy. “Surprise!”

Shane wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up. “Our baby seals our love,” he kissed her, placing her down.

The pastor cleared his throat, “Congratulations, but you have to let me finish.” He smirked. “Mr. Morgan, you may kiss the bride.”

Shane cupped her face with his hands, and she inched forward. He bent his head and their lips met for the first time as husband and wife.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to present to you, for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. Congratulations!”

They faced the crowd. “We’re having a baby!” Shane shouted.

“When one story ends, another one begins.” Larissa whispered.

THE END

“Barely Breathing…” John whispered. “For Only You.”

Thank you for reading. I appreciate you!

Ancelli’s Books
:

My Best Friend

Stronger Than Ever

If Only We Knew

Forgiveness & Second Chances

Love In Strange Places

Barely Breathing

Love Through Pain

Love’s Sacrifice

Not Always

Perfectly Mixed

About the Author

On my spare time, I love scribbling and making my words come to life. I love writing romance stories about couples that go through trials and come out stronger. Love is never easy, but it's worth all the hard work. I would like to hear your opinion whether good or bad, you can leave your comments at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Interracial-Romance/423055121069489

https://www.facebook.com/writer.ancelli

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