Page 28 of A Happy Endings Wedding
Chapter Eight
Josh waited by the altar with his best man, Jake, and his groomsmen, his brothers, and let out a breath he felt like he’d been holding all day. It was finally here. And this wedding was not cursed because there was no such thing. There was only him getting mission wedding done. Bam. Jake had confirmed the furries were out of the ballroom and the preparations for his and Hailey’s reception were moving forward efficiently. The rings were securely zipped into a pocket of Max’s blue velvet cape. And the word from Mad was that Hailey was doing great.
The chapel was magnificent with its soaring ceiling and an abundance of gold trim and hand-painted stucco. A truly awe-inspiring space for their wedding. The chapel had once been closed to commoners and now they’d be married there. Unbelievable! The sides of the chapel held multiple apostle figures and various royal markings. Hand-carved pews, a long aisle for his beautiful bride, and three elaborate gold-trimmed organs with long silver pipes too. Fit for a princess like Hailey and, by God, he would be her prince as best he could.
He smiled to himself in anticipation of Hailey’s surprise over the flowers. Mission flowers accomplished too. Gone were the leftover, wilting flower arrangements the florist had tried to pass off on them. Early this morning, he’d had Mad find some willing volunteers to scour the island for wildflowers and anything that looked beautiful and in bloom. The resulting vibrant bouquets worked in a cheerful contrast to all the white and gold trim of the chapel.
While Mad was busy rounding up the flowers, Josh had recruited a crew to join him in the kitchen to prepare the reception food. They had all the ingredients; they’d just needed extra hands. Of course, he’d only done that for their wedding. The furries could fend for themselves.
The majestic pipe organ began the processional march. Hailey’s bridesmaids were his brothers’ wives. It was easier to match them all that way to keep the bridal party even. One by one, his sisters-in-law walked slowly down the aisle, but his eyes kept to the very end of the aisle, waiting for the moment when Hailey finally emerged.
He straightened, the blood rushing through his veins in anticipation as Mad took her trip down the aisle, holding Max and Rose on a leash. That meant Hailey was next. The dogs wore matching blue velvet capes and appeared to be smiling, if dogs could smile. Rose had a white sprig attached on top of her cape, more of a symbolic flower girl. She’d probably eat flower petals given the chance.
Mad reached the end of the aisle, passed off Rose to Sabrina, scooped up Max, and took the rings from his cape. She handed them to Jake and stood in place on the bridal side with Max at her feet. Max barked to go see Rose, and Mad let go of his leash. Max ran straight to Rose, where Sabrina quickly scooped him up.
The music changed to the traditional wedding march, and he finally saw her. His eyes unexpectedly stung, overwhelmed with the love he had for her, his heart thumping hard. She’d chosen to walk down the aisle alone. Her dad had passed long ago and she didn’t want or need a substitute. She’d always been very independent, his warrior princess.
He swallowed over the lump in his throat. Her veil didn’t cover her face. Her pale blue eyes fixed on his, smiling just for him, glowing with happiness.Yes.This was what he’d wanted for her. Her veil hung in a long trail down her back. The gown was white satin, sleeveless, snug to her body above the waist and then tapering to a soft bell shape. A long train trailed behind her. His beautiful bride.
She reached him, finally, and he couldn’t help but touch her, cupping her cheek. “Hailey, love.”
She leaned into his hand. “Josh, my forever love.”
His chest ached. He’d never known he could love like this, so deeply he felt it in his bones. He loved her more every single day.
The minister began the ceremony, the words tumbling around them. Josh’s focus was solely on her. He moved as if in a dream, vowing to love her for all time, the words a formality to him. He’d committed heart and soul the moment she’d agreed to spend her life with him. He slid the plain gold band on her finger and gazed into her eyes. She was crying, but they were happy tears.
Finally it was official. Husband and wife.
She threw her arms around his neck with a happy cry, and he kissed her with all the love he felt, tenderly, reverently, like no one and nothing else mattered more to him than her.
Their friends and family applauded.
Hailey beamed at him. “We did it! I love you, husband.”
He hugged her and spoke near her ear, his voice rough with emotion. “I love you, wife.”
She pulled back to look at him. “Party time. Ready?”
He nodded, took her hand, and they walked back down the aisle together. He couldn’t help his wide smile as he took in all the smiling cheering faces of the friends and family they loved. Time for the next step in their journey. United by love, nothing would stand in their way.
He’d make sure of it.
~ ~ ~
Hailey arrived with Josh in the gorgeous ballroom and merely gaped. The room itself with its glossy inlaid wooden floors, crystal and gold chandeliers, frescoed ceiling paintings, and gold leaf wallpaper was already stunning, but the thing that made her gape were the long buffet tables full of food.
She turned to Josh. “I thought the caterers went on strike and the chef refused to cook.” She lowered her voice. “I really thought we’d just have some cold appetizers.”
Josh smiled proudly, his chest puffing out. “I organized a crew to work the kitchen this morning. Sabrina was a big help. She knows cooking. We had the food; we just needed extra hands.”
“So that’s where you were this morning!” She hugged him and pulled back, smiling and admiring the food again. “Thank you! Let me know who did what, so I can thank them personally.”
“Sure. Mad did the flower crew.”
“Really? I thought maybe Bonnie’s florist came through at the last minute.”
Josh snorted. “Not likely. These flowers were all local and handpicked.”
