Page 115 of Use Me
“I figured that, but can’t something be done? This is my wedding.” A tear started to roll down my cheek. Fuck, I couldn’t cry. This was my wedding day … at least I hoped it was.
“Let me see what I can do.”
I hugged him then I went back to Rhys and everyone. “He’s going to call a guy who knows a guy,” I joked.
Dad spoke up. “He’ll just get the okay from the arresting officer.”
And that was what he did. “Everyone will be interviewed on the way out after the wedding, or they can do it during the reception. During the ceremony, they are going to get the statements of the security guards you hired and staff.”
“Thank you!” I hugged Ethan again.
“Okay,” Mason said. “Let’s get everyone seated and start again.”
Rhys turned to our friend and family. “Everyone, if you could please take your seats again, I want to marry the love of my life now.”
People hesitated for a split second, but then they moved back to the room that looked as though nothing had happened. Rhys walked me back down the aisle, and then we grabbed each other’s hands and stared into the other’s eyes. The girls and guys resumed their places on either side of Rhys and me.
Mason cleared his throat. “All right, where were we?”
“No one objects!” Kenny stated from beside Rhys.
I chuckled without sound, and Rhys grinned. At least we could laugh about the situation. We stayed silent as Mason continued.
“Let’s just cut to the chase, shall we?” We nodded. “Will everyone please rise?” Everyone did. “Will you, who are present here today, surround Rhys and Ashtyn in love, offering them the joys of your friendship, and support them in their marriage?”
Everyone said, “We will,” and Mason instructed them to sit back down.
“We’ve come to the point of your ceremony where you’re going to say your vows to one another. But before you do, I ask you to remember that love will be the foundation of a long-lasting and deepening relationship. No other ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred than those you will now undertake. If you are able to keep the vows you take here today—”
“I thought we were cutting to the chase?” Rhys asked, cutting Mason off.
I chuckled because I was thinking the same thing. This ceremony was probably longer than a Catholic ceremony.
“Okay, then say your vows.” Mason shook his head and smiled.
Rhys grinned at me, and I instantly became nervous because I never knew what was going to come out of his mouth. And I was right.
He started to sing.
“You came in like a wrecking ball …”
Everyone started to laugh, and I rolled my eyes, but he continued. “Kidding! But seriously, Cupcake. I could sing you every love song written and none of them would ever tell you how much I love you. You’re my slice of heaven, my infinity, my universe, and nothing will ever change that. No crazy ex,” he waved in the direction of where Corey had made his grand entrance, “no stalkers. No one. No one will ever take you away from me. Today, tomorrow, when we’re eighty years old, I’ll still be loving you. And I vow to you that when I’m six feet under, I’ll still be loving you because you, Ashtyn Valor, are my life and nothing will change that.”
Tears started to stream down my face at how real his words really were. Three times he was put in a situation that could have ended with him six feet deep, and just the memory was enough to close my throat and prevent me from speaking.
“Ashtyn?” Mason said after a few seconds.
I swallowed, and Rhys wiped the tears from both of my cheeks, and just his touch was enough to remind me that he wasn’t taken from me and he was there standing in front of me confessing his heart out.
“Today and every day, I think about how lucky I am that last year we both thought alcohol was the answer. But looking back, the answer wasn’t drowning our sorrows. The answer was finding each other. You brought the light that I needed to see my future, and here we are, about to officially be husband and wife, and all I can think is that nothing can change it because this is how it was meant to be.”
I took a breath and wiped the tears that continued to fall. “Forever will never be long enough because as long as there are stars in the sky, I will love you. You may be six feet under still loving me, but I will be right beside you. Without you, I wouldn’t be whole, and I vow I’ll need you for as long as I’m breathing.”
“May we get the rings?” Mason asked.
Kenny and Jaime handed us each the proper rings, and then we repeated after Mason about the rings being a reminder of each other’s love and then we slipped the band on each other’s left hand.
“By the power of your love and commitment, and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss each other!”
