Page 47 of Cherish

The bride walks down the aisle, on the arm of her brother-in-law, a vision in a form fitting fit and flared dress that shows off her trim body. The entire dress is lace and the top is covered in rhinestones. Her veil is as long as the train following behind her. When Sandy walks past, I finally turn and catches Jason’s eye. He winks at me and tilts his head toward Jake, who now has tears running down his face.

It’s a typical Catholic wedding; the only exception is the couple has decided to say their own vows. Jake has wiped his eyes three times since the wedding began. By the time it’s his turn to speak, I’m doubtful he can get through it without breaking down, but he surprises us all.

“Sandra,” he says, his voice breaking, “I had my vows memorized, but the minute I saw you, every thought I had flew out the window.” Everyone in the church chuckles. “As eager as I am for us to start the rest of our lives together, I want to live in this moment forever. The sight of you walking down the aisle to me, looking like a vision, is something I’ll never forget. When I’m old and on my deathbed, that moment is what I’ll see. As beautiful as you are on the outside, that’s nothing compared to what’s on the inside. Nothing compares to your heart. To me, you are the single most perfect woman, created by God, for me. I knew it the minute I saw you. Nothing else mattered but you since the second I saw you in my parents’ living room. I ask myself how an imperfect man like me could be lucky enough to have an angel like you fall in love with me. I think I figured out the answer. Neither one of us had a choice. We were made for each other, destined to spend eternity together. Sandra Etienne, I promise to love, protect, and cherish you. I will be your friend, lover, and confidante. In times of joy and in times of sorrow, I will be by your side, loving you. When the world goes dark, I will be your light. For as long as we live, you will want for nothing. I will love you until I take my last breath and beyond.”

It wasn’t until someone handed me a tissue that I realized tears were falling down my face. When I look around the church, hardly anyone has a dry eye, including some of the men. I catch Jason swiping at his eyes, and when he catches me, he mouths “dust” before looking away.

The tears start over again when Sandy says her vows, and when the groom finally gets to kiss his bride, the entire church goes wild. He holds her face and kisses her long and deep. It’s a kiss much too intimate for a church. Neither the cheering nor the clapping of the guests deter the couple from this intimate moment though. When Jake finally pulls away, he wipes tears from Sandy’s eyes with his thumbs as she wipes his.

He kisses her again, causing a raucous in the church. He’s dramatic this time, as he dips her. When he’s done, he lifts her and spins her around the room before taking her hand in his, raising them, victorious.

CHAPTER 31

JASON

“This was so beautiful.” I hold Alex close as Selena sings about falling in love. “This place looks completely different than it did yesterday.”

She’s right, but I’m unable to focus on anything other than the beautiful woman in my arms. “You’re the most beautiful woman here.”

“Even more beautiful than the bride? Look at them. They haven’t stopped dancing all night.” I turn my head to find the newlyweds holding each other close. Jake whispers something in her ear, and she laughs.

“Yes, Alex, you’re even more beautiful than the bride.” She smiles and looks away from my intense gaze and lays her head on my shoulder. When the song ends, she takes my hand and we walk over to the bar.

“What the hell is this?” I ask when Alex hands me a frothy pink drink.

“It’s the pretty pink princess, named after my pretty pink princess.” Jake is all smiles as he walks over to us, his arm wrapped around Sandy’s waist. The bartender hands him two of the same drinks and he hands one to his wife.

“Aww,” Sandy says, smiling widely as she looks into her husband’s eyes, “he loves me.”

“No shit, Sherlock,” I say as I finish the drink in one gulp. Before Alex can take the first sip of her drink, I grab it from her. She only laughs before reaching for another.

“So,” Alex says, “where are you two going on the honeymoon.”

“I have no idea,” Sandy responds. “He won’t tell me.”

“I know,” I say smugly. “I know everything.”

“What? He knows and I don’t.”

“Okay, I’ll tell you,” Jake says to his wife. “I’m taking you to Italy for three weeks, and Paris for the last week.” He was about to say more but stops when she shrieks in disbelief. She hands me her glass and wraps herself around him. He lifts her off the ground and spins her around before putting her down and kissing her.

As we’re discussing all the places Sandy wants to go, the DJ announces that the photographer needs every Mrs. Clark in the garden for a photo. The announcement doesn’t register for Sandy as she continues to talk about her honeymoon.

“Wife,” Jake says, “do you hear that?” The DJ repeats his words.

Sandy looks around. “Do you want me to go find your mom or something?” Then the penny drops. “Oh, shit! I’m Mrs. Clark now.”

“That’s the whole point of this thing, baby.” Tash walks over and dabs Sandy’s nose to remove any shine before adding lipstick. Sandy tries to shoo her away, but Tash only runs behind her while holding a tube of mascara.

“Women,” Lucas Clark says as he approaches us with Troy. Mellie and Ananda call Alex over, and she leaves our group to go dance.

“You have a wife, Jake,” Luke says. “What are you going to do now?”

“Impregnate her!” I yell just as Vivienne is walking by our group. The smile she had on her face slips, and she looks at me with shocked outrage on her face. She stomps over and points at me.

“Impregnate her? Is that all she’s good for? Does she get a say in the matter or does marriage strip my cousin of her free will?” She points her little finger in my face, and I really try not to laugh but fail. “Don’t you laugh at me. And here I thought someone like you would be more progressive.”

“Oh, will you shut up?” Luke says. “And Sandy does get a say. She said yes.” He smiles in victory. Jake groans and Troy slaps him lightly upside the head.

---