“Okay, Abby, it’s time.”
Unable to form words, I merely nodded. My arm trembled slightly as I slipped it through my father’s. “I’ve got you, sweetheart,” he said, as he smiled down at me. The quartet changed music, and the sound of Here Comes the Bride filled the air. This was really it—the moment I became Jake’s wife.
As the crowd rose from their chairs, I put one barefoot in front of the other. Craning my neck, I desperately tried to catch a glimpse of Jake. I could see Brayden, AJ, and Rhys in their island casual khaki pants, crisp white, button-down shirts, and pink vests. But there was no Jake. Finally, as we curved around the last row of chairs to start up the aisle, my eyes met his. The smile that spread across his lips caused my heart to still and restart.
I couldn’t remember a time when he had looked more handsome. His dark hair was perfectly slicked back. His vest hugged his muscular frame while his biceps bulged against the fabric of his shirt. Even from my place down the aisle, I could see his deep blue eyes sparkling in the twilight. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be marrying this gorgeous man. But it wasn’t what he looked like on the outside that mattered to me. It was his caring heart and sensitive soul that made the true attraction for me.
My mind was on sensory overload as I tried to take in every detail of my walk down the aisle. The smiling faces of friends and family, the gentle breeze that rippled through my hair, the way the warm sand squished between my toes, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore below us.
When I reached Jake’s side, the sun had started its descent into the west, sending an array of reds and oranges across the deep, blue sky. In the fading sunlight, thousands of candles and twinkling lights lit our perfect piece of heaven on the shore.
Kissing my cheek, my dad then left my side to take his place at the head of the altar. He was pulling double duty giving me away, as well as performing the ceremony. “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony…”
I couldn’t help tuning my dad out to glance over at Jake. I was rewarded with a pleased grin from him. Leaning over slightly, he whispered, “Oh Abby, you look like a dream…like my true angel.”
Gazing up at him, I mouthed, “Thank you.”
When my dad cleared his throat, both Jake and I jumped and then quickly gave him our full attention. “It’s normally at this part of the ceremony when I ask who gives the woman in marriage. Of course, I already know the answer to this question.” Smiling at Jake, my dad said, “Laura, and I, along with her brothers, proudly and happily give Abby’s hand to you, Jake.”
“I gladly take it, sir,” Jake replied, with a grin.
“You know, from the time Abby was born, Laura and I prayed that God would send her a companion. Someone she could spend her life in love with. Someone to support her in the good times and bad and be her true soul mate. Of course, we didn’t expect him to come in the package of a tattooed rock star.”
Laughter echoed around us. When it had faded away, my dad’s expression sobered. “Two years ago when I first met you, Jake, I don’t think I could have ever fathomed being in this place today. I wanted Abby to marry someday—one day long, long in the future. But our time isn’t always divine, and I have no doubts that you two are meant to start your lives together at this very moment in time.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jake said softly.
Dad nodded at my brothers and Micah. Jake and I had argued over what song to have played at the ceremony. Finally, after months of discussion, we finally decided on God Bless the Broken Road. As Micah began singing the familiar lyrics, Jake took my hands in his. He squeezed them tight before giving me a beaming smile. As my brothers’ voices harmonized, Jake’s thumbs rubbed circles over the back of my hand. Not once did he take his eyes from mine.
When the song faded to a close, my dad opened his Bible to begin the vows. “Jake, repeat after me,” he instructed.
Jake nodded and turned his attention away from my father and back to me. “I, Jacob Ethan Slater, take you Abigail Elizabeth Renard to be my lawfully wedded wife…” As he started to echo the words my father said, he blinked back the tears. Considering how Jake was usually so cocky and so sure of himself, his vulnerability broke me completely.
When it became my turn, I could barely contain my sobs as I repeated my vows. I was a shaking, stuttering mess, but somehow I made it through them. “Love you,” Jake mouthed with a smile.
“Love you more,” I replied.
“And now, for the giving and receiving of rings,” my father said.
I turned to Allison while Jake turned to AJ. “With this ring, I thee wed,” I murmured as I slid the platinum band on Jake’s left hand. After Jake slid mine on, we turned to my dad.
“By the power vested in me by God’s holy ordinance and the state of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” With a little less bravado, he glanced at Jake and added, “You may now kiss the bride.”
A smile curved on Jake’s lips as his hands came to cup my face. Tenderly his thumbs stroked my cheeks before he leaned in to kiss me. While our lips lingered together, Jake dropped his hands to then wrap me in his arms. He squeezed me tight against him. When he pulled away, tears shimmered in his eyes. “I love you, Mrs. Slater,” Jake whispered into my ear.
No matter how many times he said the words, I simply couldn’t grow tired of them. I knew I wouldn’t for the rest of my life. “I love you, too. So, so much,” I replied.
My father’s booming voice cut us off. “I’m happy to present Mr. and Mrs. Jake Slater!”
Applause cut through the air as everyone rose out of the chairs. The quartet struck up the Bridal March as I took my bouquet back from Allison. With my cheeks stinging from smiling so broadly, I slipped my arm through Jake’s, and we started down the aisle as man and wife. As corny as it sounds, it felt just like I was walking on air. I couldn’t remember a time when I had felt such joy, such love, and such contentment.
Chapter Five
After an evening filled with dinner and dancing, I stood on the dock with Abby as we waved good-bye to the last of our wedding party. With one arm wrapped securely around Abby’s waist, she snuggled tighter against my side. We watched the lights of the catamaran get further and further away. Finally, we were alone. Just us. With an entire island all to ourselves.