As her gaze catches mine, I find myself staying lost in those eyes until my father nudges my elbow, passing me the ring. He is the most perfect best man ever. I think it’s all because of Riley. He welcomed her with open arms as much as she and her family welcomed him.
Riley slides the ring on my finger and…I think I blacked out from excitement, because the next thing I know, the minister is saying those words I’ve been waiting to hear all day, “You may kiss the bride…”
When Riley leaps into my arms, as the crowd cheers, to plant a kiss on my lips, I know we are more than right. This is everything I’ve ever wanted.
As the applause dies down, I step away from her. I’m aware there’s a crowd of people around us. Our wedding party is enormous, between her friends and my teammates, we knew it would be a sizable group. But when I pull away and spot Georgie, as well as Riley’s good friends Dylan, Etta, and Amelia, all dancing with their bouquets over their heads, I can’t hold back the laughter inside. I’ve gotten to know this crew very well over the past year, and they are epic.
It reminds me that since I met Riley, one thing I’m doing more of these days is laugh.
Laughing. Laughing with Riley.
Laughing with my wife.
My wife. It feels good.
“Ladies and gentleman,” the minister announces after he clears his throat, “may I present Mr. and Mrs. Jake December.”
Riley takes my hand, but I change tactics. With one swoop of my arm, I have her hoisted over my shoulder as we go back down the aisle. Two words run through my mind.
She’s. Mine.
We make it to the lobby outside of the ballroom before I set her down and pull her back into my arms. Laughing, she hands her bouquet off to Travis, who is closest to us as she threads her arms behind my neck and stands on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek.
“I’m your wife.”
I can’t even stand it with this woman. From the moment we met until now, she’s kept me hopping. She inspires me, has opened me up to a new way of thinking and at the end of a long, tough day, she is my calming breath. The fact I’ve convinced her to move to River City aside, she’s amazing. How does a guy like me get this lucky?
Using my forefinger, I tilt her chin until her lips are in the most kissable angle before I allow mine to press down on her mouth. This kiss is more than me saying I love you. It’s morethan showing her, Riley Richards December, that she has my heart in her hands. It’s a kiss that says I am yours and yours only. Biting her bottom lip oh-so-gently, I follow it up with a tiny peck on her top lip, right at the center of that perfect Cupid’s bow she has.
“I’m so lucky that you picked me,” she says with a whisper, laying her head on my chest and letting out a giant sigh. Wrapping my arms even tighter around her waist, I hold her tight. Never letting go.
“We both know who wears the skates in the family. You chose me.”
Riley giggles as the wedding photographer calls us over, reminding us we’ve got things to do. Holding out my hand, I look into those beautiful eyes once more.
“Ready?”
She places her hand in mine, grinning as she calls Posh and Becks to our side. “You bet I am.”
This is us. A family already…and if this is how we stay, I’m good with it. As long as she’s by my side, and I can keep that smile on her face always, I’m content.
Riley
“This dress is tighter than it should be,” Georgie mumbles as she hops up from the dinner table. She turns and points a finger in Levi’s direction. “I blame you and all of those dinners you make me go to with you now that your loyal plus one has a man.”
When Levi looks at me for help, I hold my hands up in mock surrender. “Don’t look at me. You wanted a replacement, and I delivered.”
“Ha,” Levi says with a chuckle as he stands up with Georgie. “Lucky for you, she’s a fun date to have. And one that apparently needs to go dance off her dinner.”
Beside him, Georgie bobs her head. “Yes please. Before I have any cake, I need at least five songs under my belt.”
I watch the pair stroll arm and arm, heads together conspiratorially as they head out to the dance floor. I’ve noticed a sweetness to his actions recently that I wasn’t aware of before, and even though we joke that she’s my ‘replacement’, there’s something different going on there.
“Hey.” Strong hands wrap around my waist as Jake pulls me over from my chair beside him onto his lap. Gotta admit, I kind of like this big, strong, man stuff. He’s never whipped me over his shoulder like he did today. I’m looking forward to getting him alone later to see what other surprises he has in store for me.
“Hi.” Fluttering my eyelashes, my heart skips a beat when I make him laugh. I love making this man smile. Note to self: do this every day.
“Good day, huh?” he asks, his eyes scanning the head table as he grins. I follow his gaze and don’t even fight the grin creeping its way across my lips. It’s a blend of our worlds; his teammates, all giants that look like they came from a Disney film, crowd around one end with his dad and Travis.
