C&A Novella (Marked Heart #2.5) (8 page)

23

Charlotte stood with her arm hooked around Emerson's, waiting to make her way down the aisle.

  Looking down at her with a compassionate smile, Emerson asked, "Are you alright?"

Charlotte nodded, realizing her feather bouquet was shaking in her hands.

  Emerson cleared his throat as he shared, "I'm proud to have had some small part in the woman that you have become. I consider it an honor to give you away today."

Feeling tears well in her eyes at his words, Charlotte opened her mouth to reply but couldn't when she heard the music start to play.

Her heart swelled in her chest as a warm sensation travelled throughout her entire body.

 
'I can hear her heart beat from a thousand miles.'

Crazy Love by Brian McKnight was the song Auggie chose to be their wedding song.

 
'Hear the heavens open every time she smiles.'

Unable to stop herself she lunged forward.

  "Whoa, there," Emerson laughed, pulling her back before informing, "Not yet."

All of Charlotte's anxiety was gone and replaced by an almost unbearable anticipation to be by Auggie's side. Every part of her being needed to be with him.

~

Standing up tall as he waited for Charlotte to make her way down the aisle and stand at his side, Auggie gave a quick nod at Kieran as he stood next to him. As Braden took his place next to his cousin, he noticed an unpleasant expression on his brother's face.

Wondering what the hell his problem was, Auggie stared at Braden. Barely noticing Ailin make his way over, he tapped Kieran on the arm and motioned for him to get Braden's attention.

"Hey." Auggie quietly snapped as Kieran nudged Braden.

Braden glared as Kieran took a step back and Auggie gave him a questioning look.

  "Braden." Auggie bit out in a hushed tone.

  Taking a step towards his brother, Braden whispered, "Like you give a damn."

  "What the f..." Auggie started before he caught himself remembering where he was at, he swore, "You're my brother."

  With a slight shove, Braden griped, "Not your best man though."

Auggie couldn't help shoving him back.

Instantly in his face, Braden gritted out, "Brother? If Will was here you'd of picked him."

Before Auggie had a chance to say anything, Braden swung at him.

Tackling his brother to the ground, Auggie tried his best to not to fight Braden, but he wasn't about to get his ass kicked at his own wedding either. Barely avoiding getting punched in the eye, Auggie caught Braden's wrists pinning them to the ground and sat on him.

While Braden struggled to break free, the music stopped causing Auggie to look up. He swore his heart stopped beating for a full minute, the moment he saw Charlotte standing in front of him.

  "Just another Caffrey family gathering." She declared, looking down at him.

Smiling wide, at the only woman on earth that could own him, Auggie let go of his brother and stood up.

~

Once everyone was back in their positions, Emerson continued to escort Charlotte down the aisle.

Charlotte found it hard to keep a straight face after Emerson laughed, 'This is the best wedding I've ever been to,' right before he gave her away. It also didn't help that it took him longer than necessary to compose himself enough to say; 'Her mother and I do.'

She could tell that Reverend Gary was a bit irritated by the way he was glaring at them.

  He stated, "Dearly beloved we are..." Then stopped and stared directly at Penny.

Charlotte threw her hand over her mouth when she turned and saw Seth kissing Penny right there in front of everyone. Stunned by what was happening, Charlotte watched as Seth professed his love for Penny then took a knee and proposed to her.

In awe of their moment, Charlotte was thrilled for them.

  Just as Seth stood, waiting for her answer, Auggie cleared his throat and said, "You know, when I said you had my blessing, this isn't what I meant."

Turning her focus to Auggie, Charlotte took his hand and kissed him on the cheek. Silently thanking him for this moment.

As Auggie smiled at her, Reverend Gary finally lost it.

Slamming his hand down on the altar, he shouted, "This is supposed to be a solemn occasion!"

Charlotte instantly burst into laughter, causing the Reverend's face to turn bright red.

"That's it! This is the last family wedding I'm doing!" He swore before snapping, "Auggie, you gonna marry her?"

  Glaring at him, he replied, "Yes."

  "Charlotte, you really want to marry into this?"

  Smiling wider than she had thought possible, she answered, "Yes."

  "Then kiss her, your married." He griped before stomping off saying, "I need a damn drink."

  "I think we broke Reverend Gary." Braden blurted, causing everyone to start laughing.

Auggie wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close as their laughter faded. Sliding her hands to the sides of his face, Charlotte brushed her thumbs against his beard.

  "Kiss me."

She could feel Auggie's jaw tighten and his body tense as he held himself in reserve, placing one small soft kiss against her lips.

  "Mrs. Caffrey." He stated, letting go of her and taking a slight step back.

"Yes?"

  Caught off guard, Charlotte yelped as he swiftly picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, assuring, "You're comin' with me."

Everyone stood and cheered their congratulations to them as he carried her. Doing her best to smile and wave as they made their way down the aisle, when they passed Liv she reached her hand out. Charlotte high-fived her, thinking 'Hell yeah!'.

Auggie set her down when they reached his truck.

  "Are we going somewhere?"

  "About a mile that way." He replied, pointing behind them before opening the passenger side door for her.

  Surprised, Charlotte laughed, "You can't be serious."

"Oh, I'm serious." He stated before lifting her into the passenger seat of his truck.

"Augustus, we can't just leave." She shared, finding it difficult to be stern with him.

  "This is our day. We can do whatever we want."

24

Stopping his truck when they reached the old barn, Auggie could feel Charlotte staring at him. Without an explanation, he opened his door and got out. He tried his best to be serious and hold back a smile, finding it impossible as thoughts of her reaction to his surprise entered his mind.

After making his way around the front of his truck, Auggie opened the passenger door. He leaned in, sliding his hands around Charlotte hips as she turned to him.

  "Are we going to see the peacocks?" She questioned as he lifted her out.

  Shaking his head, he tugged her close, whispering, "Close your eyes."

A soft smile formed as she obeyed.

Auggie scooped Charlotte up off of her feet and carried her to the doors. Shifting her in his arms to open the door, he held her tight as he dragged it open.

  "Keep 'em closed." He encouraged, kissing her on the cheek while stepping in and setting her back on her feet.

  With eyes closed Charlotte asked, "What are you doing?"

  Stepping back to look at her, he replied, "Making up for every time I let my pride get in the way."

  Tilting her head down, Charlotte shared, "I have a surprise for you too."

  "Mine first." He said, stepping up to the work bench.

Auggie struck a match and lit a lantern before carrying it with him as he closed the barn door.

Taking her hand in his, he carried the lantern, leading her to the back left corner of the old barn.

  "Don't open yet." He warned, letting go of her hand and setting the lantern on a small table.

Proud of the way his surprise for her turned out, Auggie took a minute to make sure the queen size bed with a high square frame and sheer fabric netting draped over the top was perfect.

  Back at Charlotte's side, he took her hand, saying, "Okay."

Watching her reaction carefully as she opened her eyes, he felt her smile in his heart as the glow from the lantern lit up her expression.

Appearing as though she had something to say but couldn't get the words out, she stood there staring at the bed.

  "I'll take it down and bring it home tomorrow." He shared before suggesting, "I thought we could stay the night out here."

"This is ours?" She breathed with tears in her eyes.

Nodding at her, he took her face in his hands.

  Auggie placed a long slow kiss against her lips before leaning his forehead to hers offering, "We can try it out right now."

"Help me with my dress." She urged as her face went flush.

Hating to pull away, even for a second, Auggie let go and stepped to the end of their bed.

All along he had planned on leaving it up to her, but at the same time, Auggie knew Charlotte wouldn't want to wait any longer than he did.

Picking up one of four hangers off of the chair he bought, that would also come home with them, he hung it from a partition he used to block the only window in the barn.

  "I figured you would want us to look presentable for pictures at the reception," he informed, letting her know he had taken the time to think of everything.

  There was a slight laugh to her tone as she replied, "You first."

Smiling at her he complied with her request.

Standing behind her in his boxers, Auggie ran his fingers across the white ink peacock feather tattooed across her shoulder blade. Slowly unzipping the back of her white satin wedding dress was torture as he forced himself to be thoughtful and take his time. When Charlotte held her arms high in the air, he gathered her dress in his hands and gently pulled it over her head.

Turning back to her once he had hung her dress next to his jacket, he wasn't sure if he was going to make it. Charlotte's skin, a pair of white satin panties and sparkly blue high heels almost pushed him right over the edge. Auggie gritted his teeth as his entire body flexed at the beautiful sight before him.

Charlotte slowly turned to face him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she had a mischievous look in her eyes.

  Glancing down between them, she uttered, "Two feet."

  Moving his hands to her hips, he reminded, "And a quarter."

  "That quarter's important." She laughed, as he nodded, saying, "Damn right."

Leaning in, he eagerly kissed her.

As Auggie held Charlotte against himself, the need to christen her under her new title provoked him to break their kiss.

  Seeing her eyes flutter open as she sighed, he placed his hand against her cheek, vowing, "I, Augustus Carrick Caffrey, promise you, Charlotte Persephone Caffrey, the love I have for you will never fade. My desire for you will only grow. And the life we share together will make every day worth living, because..."

Charlotte placed her fingers against his lips preventing him from finishing his declaration. Scowling as she took a step back from him, he concentrated on the loving expression on her face, instead of wondering why she stopped him.

Charlotte brought her finger's that were against his mouth to her lips and kissed them. He watched intently as she drug them down her chin to her chest. His heart was racing as her fingers traveled down between her breasts, across her stomach and stopped when they reached the inside of her hip.

Auggie glanced at her face just long enough to see her pull her lips into her mouth as she took a deep breath. Returning his focus to her fingers, resting against the inside of her hip, he watched her run a finger inside the band of her silk panties as she tugged one side of them down.

In an instant everything stopped. His heart, his breath, his being, everything escaped him as he went down on his knees in front of her. With a deep scowl Auggie clenched his back teeth together, almost unable to carry the weight of emotion inside him. Reaching his hand out, he wrapped it around her hip. As he brushed his thumb over the tiny letter A that was marked on the inside of her hip, Auggie gazed up at her. Kneeling in front of her, Auggie kept his eyes focused on Charlotte’s as he placed a soft kiss against the inside of her hip. Slowly, he stood, taking her in his arms, swearing, “Because… You own me.”

25

Hours later, the afterglow of making love to her husband was far from wearing away. Swaying back and forth in Auggie's arms, while the wedding DJ played 'Fooled Around And Fell In Love' by Elvin Bishop, Charlotte reflected back on their moment.

In the midst of the slow steady rhythm, that satisfied her every desire, she could feel Auggie handing himself over to her. With each stroke, they grew closer. As his movements intensified, so did her feeling of ownership. When the moment came, Charlotte was more than complete, she was whole.

Brushing her lips against his, she wished the night was over and it was just the two of them.

  "I love you."

  Tightening his hold on her, he repeated, "I love you."

  "Would it be wrong for us to sneak out of here?"

  With a slight laugh, he replied, "After this song."

  Smiling, she teased, "Because this is your theme song?"

  "Our theme song." He clarified with a wink before asking, "You sure you're alright staying in the barn tonight?"

  Curling the corner of her mouth into a smile, Charlotte replied, "Only if I get to wear the rubber boots."

Auggie appeared confused at first, then quickly took her by the hand and led her off of the wooden dance floor.

Making their way through the wedding guests, with polite nods and smiles, Charlotte noticed Braden standing by himself outside one of the party tents.

Tugging on Auggie's hand, she suggested, "We should see if he's okay."

Nodding, he agreed as they made their way over to him.

The closer they got the more it became clear that Braden was not okay.

  "Hey, Braden." Charlotte greeted, causing him to look over at her and Auggie.

"Hey, Charlotte." He replied with a wide smile while reaching out to shake Auggie's hand.

  Shaking his hand, Auggie asked, "Ya alright man?"

  "Always." He assured, patting his brother on the back before turning and walking away.

As they continued to the truck, Charlotte glanced at Auggie and saw him shaking his head with a deep scowl.

By the time they made it to his truck, Charlotte couldn't keep quiet.

  "He's not okay."

Opening the passenger door for her, Auggie scowled, saying, "I know."

  "Do you need to talk to him?"

  Shaking his head, he admitted, "I'm thinkin' I should listen instead."

  "It's alright if you want to talk to him now."

  Wrapping his arms around her waist, he kissed her before saying, "It can wait."

  "You sure?"

  Pulling her closer, Auggie shared, "Right now, there's a pair of rubber boots callin' me, and they've got your name on 'em, Mrs. Caffrey."

  "Is that so, Mr. Caffrey?" She questioned with a laugh.

  "Ya damn right." He confirmed, tossing her into the passenger seat of his truck.

The End