I swallowed hard. Spencer and I had written our own vows, and while I’d run over my words with Carly a hundred times, butterflies still floated around my stomach as I worried I may forget them.
I looked at Spencer as he took both of my hands in his. He looked at the ground and then up at me, looking me directly in the eyes.
“Ainsley, my love. It is with great pride I take you for my wife. We have proven to each other that together we can weather any storm that life presents.”
I watched as he swallowed hard, his eyes looking a little glassy.
“In you, I have found my forever partner.”
I blinked hard as my vision became blurry, and I reached up to dab under my eyes before I had tears and makeup streaming down my face.
“In a short time, you have become my lover, my companion, but most of all, my best friend. With you by my side, I know I will never be lonely again. I get to have you every day and night for the rest of eternity as my lover, my wife, and soulmate. You’re my love and my light.”
Spencer turned to Max and held his hand out. Max reached down and untied the ring from the small pillow that Nikki held and handed it to Spencer.
Spencer turned back to me and took my hand in his, sliding the ring partway onto my finger. “Ainsley, I give you this ring as a sign of my love, that it is forever, eternal and never-ending,” he said, gently placing the ring on my finger.
I swallowed hard as I met his eyes. I took his hands in mine again, hoping that he couldn’t feel them shaking.
“Spencer, I am so lucky to call you mine. You are everything that I dreamed of, and all that I will ever need. I’m so madly in love with you, and I promise that my love for you will only grow stronger with each day that passes. I promise to be your friend and partner every step of the way, no matter what we may face.”
Spencer’s eyes were glued to mine as I swallowed hard, willing my voice not to shake.
“Today I give myself to you in marriage. To share my life in good times and bad. When our love is simple and when it’s an effort, through whatever may cross our paths, I promise to cherish you and always hold you in the highest regard.”
I turned to Carly, waiting while she removed the ring from the pillow and placed it in my hand.
I turned back to Spencer and met his eyes. “I vow to be here with you and for you today, and all the days of our lives. Spencer, I give you this ring as a sign of my love, that it is forever, eternal, and never-ending.” I slipped the ring onto his finger and met his eyes. He smiled down at me as I smiled up at him.
“I would like to take this opportunity to present to everyone Mr. And Mrs. Spencer Brooks. You may now kiss your bride.”
Spencer took a step closer to me and wrapped me in his arms, pulling me against him. He brought his hand to my cheek and met my lips, kissing me for the first time as my husband.
Ainsley
The room erupted with laughter as Carly said a few words at the end of dinner. She took her seat beside Max and whispered something to him.
Spencer had arranged for all of us to share a private dinner in one of the resort restaurants. We’d just finished eating and were waiting for dessert to be served. I slid my hand into his and met his eyes.
“I love you,” he mouthed.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“Who’s up for dancing?” Carly questioned, looking around the table. “It’s a wedding. Hell, we must dance.”
“Oh, well, I think we are going to retire for the night after dinner,” my father and Jane said in unison.”
“Yeah, us too. It’s been a long day,” Mike and Trina replied.
“Spencer, Ainsley?” Carly questioned, looking at us, “It’s your wedding, you guys have to dance!”
We both looked at one another and shook our heads. “Not tonight,” Spencer answered.
“Jesus, it’s their wedding night, for god sakes. I’m sure they have far more exciting things to do than go dancing,” Max quipped, pushing into her with his shoulder.
“Also, aren’t you supposed to be watching Nikki?” I questioned, looking at my best friend. “She needs to get to bed on time.” I giggled, knowing full well it was already way past her bedtime.
Carly looked at me, smiling. “Yes, she can go with me.”