Page 46 of False Start
On the other side of Bryant is Ben, his best man, and Zina stands as my number one on my right.
“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in Viva Las Vegas in the name of burning, burning love. The King knows a thing or two about love, uh-huh.” Elvis does his famous dance move and freezes with his fingers out like pistols. Zina snorts behind me. “If there’s anyone that opposes this marriage let them speak now or forever hold their peace, but don’t be cruel.” The impersonator pivots his hips again. “Who gives this woman away?”
My mom stands from the front bench in the small chapel. “Her sister and I.”
“Thanks, Mama,” Elvis replies. “And little Sister, I’ll be your teddy bear. Uh-huh.”
I hand Zina my bouquet and turn to face Bryant. He takes both of my hands into his and inhales a shaky breath. And then whispers, “I love you.”
I mouth it back as Elvis says, “Bryant and Zhanna are here because they can’t help falling in love. Bryant Aiken Hudson, do you promise to honor, love, and cherish Zhanna as your wife for all of eternity?”
“I do,” Bryant says as he squeezes my hands and smiles wide.
“Zhanna Rhea Hale, do you promise to honor, love, and cherish Bryant as your husband for all of eternity?”
“I do.”
“Do we have the rings?” Elvis asks.
“The ring is a token of your love and commitment to each other. Do you promise to forsake all others and support one another?”
“I do.”
“I do.”
“You may exchange rings.”
Neither of us have seen the wedding bands yet, so I’m pleasantly surprised when he slides a beautiful diamond encrusted band on my ring finger. I’m nervous to slide the rosewood ring on his finger. I hope I picked the right ring. We both take a look at our bands once they’re on and grin at each other. Maybe, it means I chose well.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Bryant doesn’t waste a second pulling me into his arms, dipping me, and leaning down to kiss me. I can’t believe I’m kissing my husband. I can’t believe I’m married.
“That’s my boy!” Ben says.
“Get her, bro,” Zina adds.
Someone claps, two women (most likely our mothers) giggle uncomfortably, and his father clears his throat, but Bryant doesn’t stop kissing me. And when he finally does, I’m out of breath and horny as hell. He sets me up straight and presses a kiss to my forehead.
“I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Aiken Hudson.”
We turn to the small group behind us, hook our arms, and walk down the aisle together as husband and wife. All the fears I had in the moments leading up to the ceremony are gone. I feel whole, and like I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
“What are you thinking about?” my husband asks me.
I turn to him as we enter the foyer of the chapel. “I can’t imagine being anywhere but here.”
“I love you, Coach.”
“I love you, too, QB.”
When we leave the chapel, we leave in a limo his parents rented to take us out afterward. I’m not a gambler, so I’m not into the whole casino scene, but it’s one of the biggest reasons people come to Vegas. So we do the tourist thing and take in a few casinos, sit at a few blackjack tables, and lose about a hundred bucks before we both decide we don’t like losing our money.
We eat a late dinner with Ben and our family, and by the time it’s over we’re both anxious to get away from everyone. But my mom insists on finding somewhere for us to dance as husband and wife. We give in and find a piano bar not far from the restaurant. Bryant and I instantly fall in love with the vibe of the place, and then we get lost in each other as they play “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” and “Love Me Tender” while we slowly dance in each other’s arms.
THE NEXT MORNING, I wake completely sated and hungry. Perhaps, it’s the smell of bacon in the air that has my tummy rumbling. Or it could be the sheer amount of energy my new husband and I expended together last night in the honeymoon suite.
“Bacon,” I grumble.
