“Jax, since as early as I can remember, I always wanted to feel loved, to feel wanted, and feel safe. There’s no other place I feel more loved and safe than within your arms. You’ve loved me when I felt unlovable and you’ve loved me when I didn’t feel like I deserved it. Thank you. Thank you for being the very best friend I could ever hope for. Thank you for coming into my life.”
I saw the emotion well up in Jackson’s eyes and I knew my vow had touched his heart the same way his had touched mine.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” the Officiant declared.
Jackson didn’t even wait for him to finish the sentence before he pulled me into his strong arms and kissed me passionately, stealing my breath away as I melted into his embrace.
Jackson
“Well, we did it, Mrs. Pierce.” I grinned at Chloe and watched her eyes light up when she heard me call her by her married name for the first time.
“We sure did, Mr. Pierce.” Chloe smiled back at me and kissed me.
I had always known that Chloe was beautiful, but when she was walking toward me down the aisle at the lake, I was blown away by how stunning she looked. Her face was glowing, her eyes were like gemstones, and her smile had never been lovelier. It had taken all my restraint not to run toward her and sweep her into my arms.
The reception hall was located fairly close to the lake and all our friends and family were already there by the time we’d finished getting our pictures taken with the photographer by the lake.
“Congratulations! I trust you’ll take good care of our girl.” I felt a friendly tap on my shoulder and I turned to face Chloe’s Uncle Tom and Aunt Betty, both of whom were grinning broadly.
“I promise.” I gave Uncle Tom a hearty handshake, but Aunt Betty insisted on a hug.
“I’m still going to cook extra food for you, so whenever you need a hot meal just come and visit us. You don’t even need to call first,” Aunt Betty said.
I stood back as Chloe hugged Aunt Betty and Uncle Tom while they gushed about the ceremony. Then Chloe looked around anxiously and asked, “Where’s Charlie? I hope the ceremony wasn’t too much for him and he had to leave.”
“Are you kidding?” Aunt Betty said with a laugh. “We can’t get that boy to take it easy now that he’s in love. Ever since he’s met Kendra, nothing is too much for him anymore.” Aunt Betty laughed heartily and jerked her head in the direction of the dance floor.
We all looked to find Charlie dancing exuberantly in his wheelchair, popping wheelies and spinning in circles with a lovely girl, who was laughing and smiling as she twirled around him. I glanced at Chloe and saw the look of relief in her eyes just before they started to fill with tears of joy. I knew how deep her feelings ran about her cousin’s accident and I hoped seeing him look so happy and healthy would finally put her guilt at ease and give her the peace she deserved.
As the D.J. got ready to play a new song, I held my hand to Chloe, bowed with exaggerated chivalry and said, “You know, Mrs. Pierce, we haven’t had our first dance as husband and wife yet. What do say Clo, shall we?”
“It’s about time. I thought you’d never ask.” She grinned at me playfully and followed me to the dance floor. I nodded at the D.J. and he put on the record I had specifically requested.
As “At Last” by Etta James filled the air, I held Chloe close into my arms as we moved through the dance floor.
“I love you, Clo,” I whispered in her ear. “Whenever you look at me, I see everything I know I’ll ever need in life. I’m so thankful that this day has finally arrived.”
“I love you too, Jax.” She looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. “You’ve made me happier than I ever thought was possible for me.”
“Baby, I know it took us some time to get here. When we were thirteen, I promised to marry you when we turned thirty,” I said as I gazed into her eyes. “I’m sorry I’m about two years late.”
“No, Jax.” She smiled up at me and pulled my head down to her. And just before our lips met in a long, tender kiss, she whispered, “You’re just on time.”
EPI
LOGUE
Jackson
One Year Later
“How did a year pass us by so quickly?”
“Because we’re so happy. Time flies when people are happy.” She looked over at me with a smile as we walked the familiar path next to the lake that held so many memories for us.
Chloe stopped when we got to the middle of the bridge, and I looked at the love lock that was secured to the railing.
“Can you believe it’s been here for fourteen years?” I held the lock and flipped it over to see the inscription I’d had etched on the back: