Page 20 of Saving St. Nicolas

“Are you sure you’re ready? It’s not too late,” I say one more time.

“Will you stop. Or course I’m ready,” she replies, putting her arm around mine, and smiling brightly.

“Let’s do this,” I say as the doors open. Everyone is standing as I walk Leia to the front of the church.

I look down and see her eyes have found Noah, and when I look at him, I can see he only has eyes for her.

I have to admit, I couldn’t have picked a better man to marry my sister, though I will never tell him that outright.

I see Mr. Strauss, Krista and Leia’s father, sitting in one of the pews. I can only assume Leia decided to invite him after all.

We get to the front of the church, and the preacher asks, “Who gives this woman to this man?”

“Her family does,” I respond, before shaking Noah’s hand, and then placing Leia’s hand in his.

I step up beside Noah and into my best man role. I look beyond Leia and see Riley for the first time since she snuck out of my hospital room. I take in the long green dress she is wearing, with a slit up to her thigh, her hair is pinned up with small curls to the side, and she’s holding two bouquets of flowers, hers and Leia’s.

I’m unable to take my eyes off Riley, while I listen to the preacher talk about marriage and unity. As if she can feel me, she looks up, and her eyes lock on mine. I somewhat listen as Leia and Noah say their vows, then hand Noah the rings, never once taking my eyes off Riley.

Finally, the preacher tells Noah he can kiss the bride, then announces to the church, “Mr. and Mrs. Ashton.”

Everyone claps, and the happy couple makes their way down the aisle. Riley puts her arm in mine, causing electricity to race up my arm and straight to my cock. We walk down the aisle together, and I can’t help but notice how well she fits perfectly next to me.

“You look beautiful,” I whisper to her.

“Uh, thanks,” she says, sounding shocked.

Once we get outside, she breaks off to go with the girls, and I chuckle. If Riley thinks she can run away from me, I will have to show her that’s impossible.

I head over to the hotel where Leia and Noah are holding their reception. Ironically, it’s the same hotel I am currently staying at. I didn’t want to stay with mom and Tom while in town, and there was no way I was staying with Noah and Leia in his apartment.

I walk into the event room and see the makeshift dance floor, where I am sure everyone will be doing the electric slide and the cupid shuffle later tonight.

All the guests are starting to come in looking for the table they will be sitting at. Half the police force is here, including the Chief.

I take in the decorations of the room, noticing Leia went simple, but elegant, complete with a Christmas tree in the corner, everything screamed happy, just like her. She or Noah hired a DJ for tonight instead of a band, and he seems to be playing some good music as we wait for the married couple to show up.

I turn in time to see Riley gliding into the room, the slit in her dress showcasing her leg as she walks straight to the DJ booth. I watch as she says something to him, and he nods his head, picking up his mike. Riley looks toward the doors, and I see Emily and Krista standing there. The newlyweds must be getting ready to make their entrance. I take notice of the wedding party table and see Riley’s seating card is next to mine, that brings a small smile to my face.

The DJ turns down the music, lifts the mike, and says, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the newly married, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Ashton.”

The room explodes in hand claps, watching Leia and Noah walk in together. Leia hands her bouquet off to Riley again, as Noah leads her to the dance floor for the first dance. The DJ starts the song, and I’m surprised but not surprised by the choice, it’s ‘All of Me’ by John Legend.

After about two minutes, the DJ calls out, “Wedding party. Please join the newlyweds on the dance floor.”

I walk over to the dance floor, as Riley gets there, and I pull her into my arms, fitting her close to my body. I hear the gasp she lets out but continue swaying on the dance floor like I never heard her.

The song ends, and I’m shocked by what happens next, Leia motions for Mr. Strauss to come on the dance floor, as the DJ calls for the father/daughter dance. He begins playing the song, ‘Dance with my Daughter’ by Jason Blaine. I look over at my mom and see the tears falling down her face, and she’s not the only one, Krista is crying too, though none are sad tears.

I catch Leia’s eyes and can see the happiness shining through the tears, and I smile back at her, knowing she needs this, and it was right. How mom and Mr. Strauss handled things may not have been right, but this moment is, and that’s all I can ask for.

Once the dance is done, everyone takes their seats, and the meal is served. Riley sits in the chair between Leia and myself. I purposely keep rubbing my leg against hers throughout the meal, though she pretends it doesn’t affect her, I see differently. I also notice when any of the males come close to her, she pushes against me, and I enjoy it.

Once dinner is over and the cake is cut, Leia and Noah give their speech.

“We want to thank everyone for coming out and celebrating our very special day with us,” Leia starts.

Someone yells from the back, “Only Ashton would choose to get married on Christmas Day.”

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