“What do you mean?”
“Are we ready?” Ellen asks, her voice bright. “Come on, over here, everyone.” She ushers us toward the double doors that lead to the banquet room, and gestures for Selene to stand in front.
“Wait, we can’t start yet,” I say. “Braxton, you’re supposed to be in there. We rehearsed this.”
Ellen opens the doors and Selene walks in.
Braxton produces a silver cane and hands it to my dad. “Like I said, change of plans. You ready for this, Mr. Winters?”
My dad takes the cane and plants it on the floor. Braxton takes his arm and helps him stand.
My mouth drops open. “Dad.”
“Are you steady?” Braxton asks.
My dad straightens his back, standing tall. My eyes fill with tears. I haven’t seen my dad stand in over a year.
“Dad, how did you do that?”
He smiles. “I’ve been working with Braxton on my strength. I wanted to be able to walk my little girl down the aisle.” He holds his arm out for me.
“Oh, Dad.” I take a shuddering breath and tuck my hand in the crook of his elbow.
Braxton puts his hand on my arm. “Sorry I was late, baby girl. I had to go get his cane. I need to walk in with you in case he needs help. Is that okay?”
“Of course it’s okay,” I say, trying very hard not to let more tears spill down my cheeks.
Ellen gestures again, and the three of us start down the aisle. I keep my hand on my dad’s arm, and he leans on his cane. Braxton walks on his other side.
I’m so overwhelmed, I’m not sure how I make it up the aisle.
When we reach the front, Dad turns to me. He has tears in his eyes and all hope of not ruining my makeup is gone. “I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too, Dad.” I hug him, careful not to make him lose his balance.
Braxton keeps him steady with a hand on his arm. Dad pulls away. Braxton still has his hand on Dad’s arm, and Dad places his hand over the top of Braxton’s. “Thank you, son.”
Braxton’s eyes glisten. He blows out a breath and smiles, wrapping my dad in a gentle hug. Dad’s nurse has his chair ready for him, and he takes careful steps to the side and sits down.
I hand my flowers to Selene, and Braxton stands in front of me. He takes my hands, his eyes never leaving mine. I’m vaguely aware of the officiant speaking, and I know there’s a small group of people watching from their seats, but it all falls away. Braxton is everything.
Our vows are simple, and I say mine first, looking up into his eyes. When it’s Braxton’s turn, he shifts closer, his face tilted toward mine. His words are only for me.
“I, Braxton Taylor, take you, Kylie Winters to be my wife. I promise to love you, honor you, and cherish you from this day forward.” He places one hand alongside my face, swiping away a tear with his thumb. “I love you, Ky. I always have. I want nothing more than to be yours for the rest of my life.”
I take a trembling breath and smile up at him.
I hear the officiant say the words—“By the power vested in me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you man and wife.”—but I don’t see anything but Braxton.
I think he’s supposed to say you may kiss the bride, but Braxton doesn’t wait.
He slips his hand around to the back of my head, threading his fingers through my hair, and brings his mouth to mine. He holds nothing back, kissing me with all the passion I’ve ever felt from him. His tongue caresses mine with tenderness, lighting me up inside. I melt into him, feeling his strength, his warmth. He’s always been my rock, my safety, my soft place to land. His hands are steady and strong, his lips so soft against mine.
He pulls away and hesitates, his nose brushing against mine. My eyes flutter open, and he smiles. Our little crowd of guests clap, and I think we’re supposed to walk back down the aisle now, but he surges in again, kissing me hard. I wrap my arms around his neck and he lifts me up off my feet, holding me tight against him. I’m so light, I could almost fly.
He’s here. He’s real. He’s everything.
Always.
~~~
Her brother married her best friend, but can Selene find true love? Always Will is coming in November!
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About the Book
Sometimes a story comes out of nowhere and knocks me upside the head and won’t leave me alone until I write it. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, it’s creative gold.
ALWAYS HAVE was that story. There were times when I’d wake up in the middle of the night with words knocking around in my brain, and I’d have to get up and write so I could go back to sleep. I remember wandering through the grocery store one day, my head so full of these characters, it took me twice as long to get my shopping done because I had such a hard time focusing on reality.