2. I DO?
2321 Words
When the car pulls up at the wedding venue the first thing I see is Nash who is right behind a tree, his brother Merrick and lawyer Danny holding him back to keep him from punching a smirking Kace. Marley is on the side with his phone probably waiting to record the whole thing if a fight does break out.
I can't believe Kace would do this crap today of all days. Like why would my best friend even think to record this like seriously.
"Who in the world is that guy?" Hannah asks.
"Oh that's-" Jeanie starts to say.
"Nash's employee. He's sort of been causing trouble in Nash's company" I cut in.
Can't risk anybody else knowing how Nash and I went behind Kace's back and started dating after leading him on the way I did.
"You know what I think I saw him at the rehearsal dinner. You invited him?" Lori gives me a questioning look.
"He was actually my date" Jeanie winks at me.
She's such a lifesaver.
"I thought Marley was your date" Eva raises a brow.
"Let me open the door for you" Jeanie is quick to exit the car.
I notice Merrick and Danny have let go of Nash and all eyes are on the car we're in. They can't possibly see inside as the car has tinted windows.
"And you think a man acting like a fool in your absence would leave you for a gold digger that's supposed to be dead" Lori looks at me chuckling before exiting the car followed by her sister.
"What's that about?" Hannah points at the door the twins just used.
"I'm just as clueless as you are" I turn to look out the window at the dramatic scene we witnessed earlier.
I watch as Nash hurries to the alter his eyes never leaving the car. Does Nash love me so much that he wouldn't bet an eyelid if Ember Blue showed up right this moment. I'm not holding my breath when it comes to that that's for sure.
"Where in the world is that lying cheating son of a biscuit. He promised he'd help me out the car" Hannah types frantically on her phone.
"Why do you need him when dad is right outside" I put my phone in my purse just as my dad opens the door for me.
"There she is" dad beams.
"Hey dad" I feel my cheeks heating up.
"Don't she look lovely Chandler" my mom appears from nowhere with Lily in one arm and a wedding umbrella on the other.
Does she like have a super power or something. Didn't we leave her back in the hotel room.
"Oh yes she does. Nash is a lucky man" dad helps me out of the car.
"Lucky? Chandler we don't believe in stars so don't be talking about luck. That man is blessed to have our lovely Claire" mom hands me the umbrella.
"Blessed. Yes he is blessed" dad gives me a knowing look.
I give my niece a kiss on the cheek. Lily looks cute in her lilac flower girl dress, tiara and pumps. It would have been nice if Nash's daughter Sophie could walk down the isle with Lily but Coco wouldn't allow it. She had no choice but to let her son Parker be a part of the bridal party with his brothers but she was like hell no when it came to little Sophie.
"Hello. Can you help your pregnant daughter out the car dad" Hannah sticks her hand out the car.
"Of course. Of course" dad does just that.
"Where is that husband of yours anyways?" mom asks.
Mom has always liked Shawn but after he double crossed me with my sister that completely changed. It got worse when she discovered that he's been cheating on Hannah while she's pregnant.
"Who knows" Hannah rolls her eyes.
"He's actually sitting over there. See him with his red hair on the second row with your cousin Ryan" dad says.
At this point nobody cares about Shawn anymore. We're just tolerating him because Hannah still has hope that he'll change which I doubt.
"Hey Lily" I pinch her chubby cheeks.
"Bootifull Clair" Lily points at me with her little finger.
"Your aunty is beautiful" Hannah fixes Lily's tiara.
"Awww thank you Lily" I grin.
"Time to walk down the isle now Lily" my mom puts her on the ground.
"Oooh" Lily coos and we laugh at her cuteness.
"Come on" Hannah hands her a basket filled with purple flower petals.
"Flowers" Lily points at the flowers.
"Yes flowers. You are going to throw them on the ground can you do that?" I ask.
"Yes"
We all give each other a look. We don't know how this is gonna go but we're hoping for the best. You can't predict kids that's for sure.
The five of us make our way to the alter entrance. I stand there watching Nash hiding behind the bridal party till only dad and I are left. I look down unable to look at Nash.
"I'm proud of you Claire. You exceeded my expectations of you" dad starts.
I want to say Me Too but instead say "Thank you dad"
My love life is not as glamouros as it might seem. There's so much baggage weighing me down I don't know how I'm still standing.
When the song I picked starts playing and there's still no sign of Ember Blue I almost do a happy dance.
'Don't celebrate too soon Claire. She might show up while you're standing right there in front of Nash. Imagine the embarrassment when he runs off with her' a voice says in my ear.
"Ready?" dad asks.
"Yes" I half whisper.
"Don't be nervous. I'll be right here just hold on tight" dad gives me an assuring smile.
"Thank you dad" I return his smile.
I'm shaking as I walk down the isle my slender arm hooked tightly around my dad's big muscled one trying to maintain my balance. I'll not be surprised if at some point I tripped and fell because my knees too are shaking uncontrollably. My heels are comfortable but it's as if they weigh ten pounds.
My gorgeous wedding gown feels itchy and so so heavy. I'm hoping that my professionally done make up won't be ruined by the time I reach the alter because I'm sweating like a bear. Right now I wish we'd opted for a ceremony with fewer people, I'm already picturing all these eyes looking at me with pity when Nash runs off with Ember.
"Are you alright?" dad asks.
"I'm good" I force a smile.
My eyes go to the alter and there is the man I'm about to marry waiting for me looking breathtaking in his tuxedo. I study Nash's face and to my surprised he has unshed tears shining in his eyes. Seeing the emotion in his eyes I feel my own tears start to form at the back of my eyes. This man really loves me now I have no doubt about that and he's about to be my husband.
If he runs off with Ember at least I had a chance to experience pure love. It's better than not having have been loved at all.
"Hey" I stand in front of him smiling.
"Hey future wife" he chuckles " You look beautiful"
"Thank you" I blush.
Like I'm minutes from being his wife now.
"Dearly beloved, we're gathered here today to witness the joining of Nash Jay Stone and Claire Nicole Miller in holy matrimony" Father Kain swallows hard loosening his priest collar around his neck.
He's sweating he looks like he might pass out. Is he hot or something.
"Father Kain are you alright?" I ask in a whisper so that only me, him and Nash can hear.
He briefly looks at Nash whose standing opposite me and I mirror his action.
"Yeah is there anything wrong Father Kain?" Nash looks back at Father Kain then at me.
I can sense the irritation in his voice.
"No no. Nothing is wrong let's continue" he clears his throat then continues the whole speech of what marriage is all about.
The whole time I'm holding my breath and keep looking at the alter entrance waiting for someone to interrupt.
"If anyone is against this union may they speak now or forever hold their peace" Father Kain says the last part in barely a whisper then fishes through one of his pants pocket and comes up with a hanky and wipes at his forehead.
The place goes silent as we wait for somebody, anybody to ruin this day for us. I look at Hannah whose sitting next to Shawn on the front seat together with my parents and the rest of my family. Hannah gives me an assuring smile seeing the worried look on my face and I smile back at her.
The sound of footsteps coming from the alter entrance causes everybody to look who it is entering and my heart starts to beat fast hoping and praying that it's not Ember coming to subbotage my wedding. I feel Nash's hands tighten around mine and I look up at him and he looks as anxious as I am.
This is it, the end of my happily ever after before it begins.
I'm hyperventilating now, sweat rolling down my neck. I can't even bring myself to look to see who it is. Maybe this is a sign that me and Nash are not meant to be together after all.
"Hello family, friends, enemies, gate crushers and anybody else I haven't greeted" Aiden's voice says.
Aiden. I look at him like 'What are you doing' to which he only smirks.
I'm thankful that I told Nash about the kiss but I wouldn't want everybody knowing that I kissed my fiance's son. That would be embarrassing.
"Am I late?" Aiden eyes our entwined fingers and when he doesn't see any rings on our fingers he grins.
My chest starts raising and falling as my heart beats even faster.
"Looks like I'm right on time. Last chance to walk away Claire bcause once you're in it'll be game over for you trust me" Aiden shoves his hands in his pocket like he's discussing the weather.
"Nothing you do or say will stop me from marrying your father today Aiden" I tighten my grip on Nash's.
If he's gonna separate us he'll have to drag me out of here. I'm not letting go that easy. Well unless Ember...
"Wait until you find out why this man chose to marry you in the first place. The two of you have secrets that you're keeping from each other and I'm only here to reveal them so you should be thanking me" Aiden flashes a sick smile.
Is he for real right now. He's about to stop our wedding from happening and he's claiming that he just wants to help us. This guy really has a loose screw up in that head of his. He's totally insane. He looks hung over and reeks of alcohol.
"I thought you said he wasn't coming" Nash looks over at his brother and best friend Merrick.
"That's what he told me. Big Mike, Pitt Bull take him back to his room and make sure he doesn't come out until the ceremony is over" Merrick commands.
In a heartbeat Nash's bodyguards drag Aiden away from us kicking and screaming.
"Let go of me you giant gorillas" Aiden shouts at Big Mike and Pitt Bull.
Lola is on her feet in an instant probably to make sure they don't hurt her son. Did I mention she did an amazing job on my hair. She's good at what she does.
"Let him say what's on his mind" Coco says in a loud voice dramatically getting off her seat.
Can't she like sit her behind down and shut her trap. She's so pathetic trying to keep a man that doesn't care about her one bit from marrying the love of his life.
"He's drunk. Let him sober up then he can say whatever he has to say. The wedding has just started" Merrick says to her.
Coco huffs and pouts like a five year old before stomping away following Aiden, Lola and the bodyguards.
Within seconds of their departure there's order again. The silence breaks and I hear sighs while others start whispering to each other and my Aunt Tami requests for a hand fan as she's feeling dead hot and I know she's feeling hot from what could have happened just like me.
Even as I say my vows my voice is shaky and so is the rest of my body. Will our wedding still count when Ember comes back. I mean she married him first so basically she's his wife.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride" Father Kain says a decade later.
"Finally" Nash announces before giving me a passionate kiss that makes my toes curl.
Laughs are head from the guests. The kiss goes on and on as they cheer. When we finally pull apart my head is spinning and my body is humming in excitement. That was one intense kiss to seal the deal.
"You've made me the happiest man in the world" Nash whispers in my ear.
Yeah but how long will this happiness last. Till Ember Blue comes back.
"Ladies and gentleman I present to you Mr and Mrs Nash Jay Stone" Father Kain announces.
Smiling Nash threads his hands through mine and raises our joined hands. Our guests go wild. Good thing Ember didn't show up to ruin this moment.
Wait how long will it be before she shows up. I really should search for her. Waiting on her to come will give her the upper hand. Not if I can help it.
- Writer
