Page 36 of Ryder

I slipped off to the side and let Ryder have his time with the puppies and get any info he wanted. The puppies were just so cute, and I knew if I went and sat down I’d fall in love with them and want one even though I had my Teddy.

I don’t know how long I watched Ryder and the pure joy he was having, not only playing with the puppies, but talking to Rose. I knew it had been longer than an hour when my feet started hurting and before I could leave, a seat appeared courtesy of Chad. After only having the cast off a couple of days ago my feet were getting used to standing again. I didn’t stand for long with the cast.

The puppies were sleeping by the time Ryder came over to me. “I think I have decided. Rose said that you’ve organized with my brother Tyson to come and pick the puppy up as we’ll still be on our honeymoon.”

I stood and stretched. “Yeah. He’ll only have the puppy for week. You okay with that?”

“Sure. He’s staying at our house looking after Teddy anyway. This will give them time to bond too.” Ryder winked. “Great. Just what I need another puppy to piss and chew on all my things.”

“Ha, ha. This will be your dog. I know you’re not a fan of Teddy.”

He shrugged. “You love him.”

I went to him and wrapped my arms around him. “I do. Thank you so much for him.” I snuggled against him for a moment before turning to Rose. “Thank you so much for having us today and taking my calls and answering my questions. I look forward to seeing you in the future.”

“It was nice to meet you two, too.”

“Thank you.” Ryder shook Rose’s hand. “I’ll see you when we get back from our honeymoon to train the puppy. Thanks for the web link. I look forward to watching the puppies.”

We walked back to the car and Ryder reached for the keys and kissed my cheek. “I love you. Thank you. This has been the best birthday I’ve ever had.” He brushed his lips over mine. “I know you’re tiring easily with the pregnancy.” He grinned. He always smiled at the mention of my pregnancy. He was so excited about the baby and becoming a father. “If you fall asleep I can carry you inside. Thanks for today.”

I was tired. I still wasn’t a hundred percent and being pregnant was taking a lot out of me, too. Ryder had been considerate, loving and caring from the start, but since being hurt and finding out I was pregnant, he was to the extreme, and I’d never admit it to him, but I loved it. I loved that he was so happy about the baby. It might have been early in our relationship to have a child, as we hadn’t even had a year together, but I already loved our baby and I felt even more in love with its father every day.

I got in the passenger seat and Ryder leaned in and put my seat belt on me giving me a quick kiss again. I was so happy and content. I settled in for the ride home.

I STARED INTO THE EYESof the love of my life. My father had just walked me down the aisle. Everything was perfect. My hair was curled, in a half up and half down elaborate do with a sparkly crystal tiara holding my veil. My dress was just how I dreamed it, a white version of Belle’s from the ballroom scene inBeauty and the Beast, and my shoes were white lace vintage style wedding high heels. The aisle was covered in white rose petals and there were white, pink and yellow lilies, along with roses and baby’s breath everywhere. Ryder looked devastatingly handsome in his crisp black suit with cream shirt, all clean shaven and his hair cut and slicked back.

I was in heaven, at my dream wedding and marrying the love of my life. I was so lucky.

The celebrant said my name and I blinked out of my dreamy haze. “Divinity and Ryder prepared their own vows. Divinity if you will?”

I nodded, but didn’t take my gaze from Ryder. “When I first met you, you told me about soul mates and how I was your other half. I thought you were crazy. I didn’t believe you and I denied what we had. I know that hurt, that I didn’t believe you and I’m sorry I doubted you. But as time went by, your love made me believe. I promise to always believe in you and the love, devotion, and happiness we bring each other. I stand before you, Divinity Stamon, but as we turn around and walk down that aisle I will not just be Divinity Silverman, I will be complete, because having you in my life makes me whole. You are my soulmate. I love you Ryder Silverman and I take you as my husband today and look forward to our future."

The look of absolute devotion that stared back at me from Ryder’s gaze had my heart drumming faster and soaring to new highs. He beamed at me as the celebrant said, “Ryder.”

“From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one. My soulmate. From the start, I knew that I would pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor to you. Upon meeting you, I couldn’t help but become your greatest fan and the more time we spent, your friend and lover. You made me work for it and I love that you can stand up to me and be my true counterpart.

“I love the support and faith you have in me and every day you deepen my ever-growing love for you. I look forward to every new day with you in our adventure and am forever grateful to our blessing of finding one another. I promise to love, hold you and honor you and I will try in every way to be worthy of your love. I love you more, Divinity, than any words I can ever say. I’m overjoyed that I am taking you as my wife today.”

“Thank you both.” The celebrant said. “You may exchange the rings.”

Ryder slid my white gold diamond wedding band on and then my engagement ring. Lucy tapped my shoulder and I half turned as she passed me Ryder’s ring, and then I turned back and placed the ring on his finger.

The celebrant spoke more but I wasn’t listening my focus was on our hands linked and our rings shining. This was all real.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Holy moly—argh, I was really struggling with my promise of no swearing to get ready for my baby—I was a wife.

Ryder took my lips gently at first and then his mouth claimed mine with a deep passionate kiss that had our friends and family hooting and cheering loudly. Reluctantly I eased away and beamed up at my husband. I held my soulmate’s hand and squeezed it in excitement. He gave me a squeeze right back and a calming peace settle over me. We turned to face our friends and family, hand in hand, and begin our first steps as husband and wife.

I STARED AT MY PERFECTlittle man. He was a replica of his father. His was a big boy, too at nine pounds. Quinten Ryder Silverman. I liked having his daddy’s name as his middle name. It was a tradition I liked and hoped my sons would follow.

Yes, even after pushing a huge baby out of me I was still willing to have more. The reason why nursed contentedly. My boobs where huge. I was a decent size before, but thanks to being pregnant and now breastfeeding they were just obscene. Ryder loved them and practically drooled every time he saw them.

Darting my gaze up from my precious bundle, I beamed at the man who, with the dawn of every day, makes me fall deeper in love with him.

“I love you, Ryder Silverman.”

The love that shone in his gaze was unmistakable. I was a lucky woman.

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