Page 118 of Wed to You-
“We’re not at that part yet.” Lexie laughed.
Chelsea didn’t care. As far as she was concerned, it was always time to kiss Jagger. To show him how much she loved him. To help him see he deserved to be loved.
She turned to the minister, who began the proceedings. The first time, they’d gone the traditional vow route. How could they have done anything else when love and commitment hadn’t been the goal? This time, they had each written their own vows.
The minister directed Jagger to start. He looked at her, his eyes watering, his voice choking up, forcing him to start over. There was anaudible sigh from the guests. Chelsea sighed too. There was nothing sweeter than a man overcome with love. Even better, was that it was her man and his love was for her.
“Chelsea, a year ago, I stood here and spoke many of these same words. At the time, they were empty, and I’m ashamed of that. I had no idea that love and happiness existed. You showed me that. You loved and protected me, even though I didn’t deserve it. You brought love and light and laughter into my life, and I’m forever grateful that you said yes a year ago so that we could be here today, having you say I do again.”
Chelsea smiled, wanting to kiss him again as his words wrapped around her.
“I promise to love you forever and beyond that, if God will let me. You’ll never want for anything, and especially for love. I vow to make sure you know everyday how beautiful you are, how much you are loved, and how thankful I am that you’ve given me a life and Annabelle, and a future I never dreamed possible.” He looked down and bit his lip. Returning his gaze to her, he shrugged. “I just love you. I always have, even when Mitch tried to run me off.”
There was a laugh and Mitch, sitting with Sydney, had the good grace to look chagrined.
“I will always love you, Chelsea. Always.” He lifted her hand to his lips.
Annabelle made gurgling noises, snuggling into Jagger as she settled deeper into sleep.
“Chelsea?” The minister directed her to proceed with her vows.
She’d worried over her vows because the words to express her love and devotion didn’t seem to exist. She’d finally put a few things together and hoped he understood the depth of her love for him.
“Jagger, as beautiful as your eyes are, so is your soul.”
An “aww” sounded from the congregation.
“You have shown me what true love is. How deep and pure it canbe.”
He shook his head, so she reached out and pressed her palms to his cheeks.
“You have. I want to spend every day for the rest of my life showing you just how much you’re loved and appreciated.” She looked down, again feeling like her words were falling short. She let her hands fall from his cheeks to rest over their baby. Looking up at him, she finished her vows. “You will never feel alone or abandoned as long as I’m with you. It will be my goal every day to remind you what a treasure you are. I love you, Jagger, with everything inside me.”
They exchanged rings and finally, the minister was announcing them as husband and wife. Jagger’s fingers brushed her cheek as they made their way to cradle the side of her head.
“I love you.” He dipped his head, brushing his lips over hers.
Careful not to crush or wake Annabelle between them, Chelsea kissed him back, hoping beyond hope he could feel the depth of her love. Around them, friends and family clapped and cheered.
Jagger and Chelseamade their way up the steps of the Beemer home. They’d left the party, which was still going at the Talbot estate, to start their honeymoon. Annabelle was spending the night with Lexie and Drake.
Jagger opened the front door and swept Chelsea into his arms to carry her over the threshold of their home. Since the day Jagger had shown up in August to declare his love for her, they’d lived together in the house she’d grown up in and loved. The home he’d saved and renovated for her. Since that day, they’d built a nursery and fixed up a room for Kaden during the days he lived with them.
“I love you.” Each time he said it, her heart filled.
She reached out a hand and stroked his cheek. She was going to return the sentiment but then decided to act instead. She leaned toward him and pressed her lips to his.
Without another word, he carried her up the stairs, to the room they’d made their own since they’d reunited. The room in which they learned they would be parents. The room they’d make more children in. The room they’d share for the rest of their days.
The moon shone through the window, casting enough light to see while still keeping the room dark and seductive. Jagger set her on her feet near the bed and pulled her into another long, slow kiss as his fingers unzipped her dress.
They hadn’t made love since Annabelle was born, which was two weeks beyond what their doctor said they had to wait. Granted, they’d done it a day before her birth, but eight weeks was a long time to wait. There had been some difficult moments avoiding the temptation, but Annabelle’s intermittent sleep schedule and the desire to make their official wedding night special had helped them both put off sex. Now the wait was over.
Jagger slid Chelsea’s dress off her shoulders, lips trailing on her skin as the silky fabric slid away. “When I saw you at the end of the aisle, you took my breath away.”
She smiled, letting her fingers run through his hair, as his lips continued to caress her shoulder and then back to her neck.
“You did the first time too.”
