Loving Kate (Acceptance #3) (30 page)

He places a kiss on my forehead. “Anything for you, Kate. And to prove it, I also brought you this.”

It’s a diamond pendant on a silver chain; it’s simple and goes perfectly with my dress. It was also my mother’s.

“He gave this to you? I didn’t even know he still had it.”

“I asked him if he could find me something, anything, of Lila’s so a part of her would be with you today. I’ll give it to him on this, he opened his desk and it was right in the top drawer, next to a picture of you. He didn’t hesitate for a second when I asked for it, either.”

I’ve got a piece of my mom with me on my wedding day.

“You know, you’re the very best friend a girl could ever have, right?”

“I know, but I love getting my ego stroked so you can tell me as much as you want.”

Misty walks in and quickly apologizes. “Sorry for interrupting but I drew the short straw. New girl and all, I guess. I don’t know the tricks yet. Anyway, I’ve been ordered to tell you that ‘There’s no such thing as natural beauty and that masterpieces take time to create, so please hurry up.’”

“Jess,” Mike and I both say in unison and laugh.

Mike kisses Misty goodbye and leaves the room. It’s time to get ready for my big day. I can’t believe I’m actually getting married!

Daniel

“I still can’t believe you hijacked my graduation party and turned it into
your
wedding and I actually helped,” Connor says with a pout.

“What are you whining about? You helped happily so stop your bitching,” Jake snaps back at him. 

“Well, she
is
the best person I know, so how could I
not
help? Especially since it took Daniel so long to figure out she loved him,” Connor retorts but he’s smiling now.

Mike comes back with a big shit eating grin on his face. “She said yes.”

And I’m so relieved she did.

“I’m getting married today, I still can’t believe it.”

Jake looks right at me and says “Been there, done that.”

“Well, I guess that’s better than been there, hit that?” Connor says and then, immediately realizing what he said, looks to Mike.

“Oh, hell no, I’m not touching that one. I
do
value my life.”

“What? You’re afraid Daniel will kick your ass?” Sometimes Connor just really isn’t all there.

“No, I know
Kate
would kick my ass when she found out.”

“Oh yeah, she totally would and Jess wouldn’t be too far behind her.”

“Speaking of…” I turn to Connor and ask, “What is going on there?”

“Man, I don’t know. One day she’s hot and the next she’s cold. I love her but I’m tired of it. I’m going to talk to her tonight. It’s time to go big or go home.”

Mike pats him on the shoulder and then asks him what we’re thinking, “You’re not going to actually say that particular phrase, right?”

“Do I look like I have a death wish? No, I’m just going to have the ‘I think I want more’ discussion.”

“And
do
you?” Jake asks him seriously.

“Yeah, I do. I love her. I’ve loved her for a while, I’m just not sure she loves me the same way. But enough with this sappy shit. It’s time for a toast before we put on the monkey suits.”

Connor pours everyone a shot of Brian’s finest whiskey.

“To Friends,” Mike says, raising his glass.

“To Family,” I say, raising mine.

“To Love,” Jake follows, raising his.

“To getting laid,” Connor says with a smile. “Just kidding. To Daniel and Kate.”

These men are my brothers. Any of them would lay down their life for me and I would do the same. Maybe to some people three friends doesn’t seem like a lot, but they’re all I need.

An hour later, we’re all dressed in our tuxes once again, but this time we’re banished to the guest house. I guess a bride needs more space so the girls got the house this time. I don’t care where I get ready as long as I’m taking Kate with me at the end of the night.

“Nervous?” Mike calls out from over my shoulder and I look at both of our reflections in the mirror. The men looking back at me now are not the same boys who met four years ago.

“Not a single bit,” I reply truthfully.

“Good answer because if you’d have said anything else, I’d be duty bound to kick your ass.” He smirks like the cocky bastard he is and I finally turn around.

“You know, for someone who is supposed to be my best man, you sure act a lot like hers.”

“That’s because I am. You get me by gender default, and maybe because a small part of my loyalty lies with you. Mostly, it’s because I look better in a tux than a dress.”

“Fucker,” I reply good naturedly.

“You know, all kidding aside, I wouldn’t be anywhere else right now. I’m truly happy for you guys.”

“Thanks, Mike, your blessing means the most to me. I never thought the day would come that we’d fight over a girl and come out on the other side better than we were when we went in.”

“Come on, you guys, it’s time to take your places,” my mom calls out. “Normal girls, probably not,” Mike continues, “but Kate was worth the fight. If I wouldn’t have fought, we wouldn’t have gotten our friendship back and that is what makes me the loveable guy you see in front of you. Now come on, you heard the lady, let’s get you hitched.”

My mom, Maryanne, Linda, and Bev jumped into these wedding plans with full force. Linda jumped at the opportunity to have the wedding in her backyard like she wanted to do for Jake and April. It turned out amazing. Everything is silver and white, and gardenias are everywhere. The chairs are all tied with silver ribbons, and twinkling lights sparkle throughout the yard. It’s a beautifully, warm summer night and there’s a full view of the stars and heavens above.

Jess and April paid for all of Kate’s things the day they went shopping and did an excellent job frustrating the hell out of her so she had no clue what was really going on. Misty and Mike took turns with Hailey, practicing flower girl duties off and on all day. They didn’t want to start earlier because they were afraid she’d somehow slip to Kate.

Since Lucas is so young, we decided to skip the ring bearer so Mike and Jess have the rings for safe keeping instead. Jess even managed to get Kate to fall in love with a ring she thought might be good for me. The only thing that kept Kate from buying it was she didn’t have my size. But Jess did, so we’re good there, too.

The music begins to play and after all the parents walk down the aisle, Hailey perfectly executes the dropping of the petals, giggling all the way. Then she takes her seat right between my mom and Lucas’s stroller. As the girls walk down the aisle, one by one, they are each breathtaking in their simple silver gowns. Misty, April, and finally Jess. By the time Jess makes it to the altar, she’s crying.

When Kate and Mike walk around the corner, my heart stops beating in my chest and time around me stills completely. My eyes are locked on her and she’s
never
looked more beautiful than she does in this moment. I realize the vision in front of me is getting closer, but it’s not until she’s inches from my face that I realize I’m crying, too.

Kate

“It’s go time. Are you ready to do this?” Jess asks me for the tenth time in the last five minutes.

“Daddy! Auntie Kate’s a princess!” Hailey exclaims, spinning around in her own princess dress. She matches the bridesmaids perfectly except her dress is much frillier.

“She is, Hailey, and she looks beautiful.”

Misty quickly gives him a peck on the cheek and ushers Hailey out to start her flower march. I’ve never seen anything so adorable; she does it perfectly.

I’m trembling and Mike tries to steady me. There are so many people here and it’s all gorgeous. It’s so strange that I have everything I could have ever wanted and didn’t have to plan anything.

“Are you sure you want to marry him? This is your last chance to back out before it gets really awkward.” He’s made me smile since we were kids and I’m positive he always will. “I told Misty not to worry. If you throw me the bat signal, I’ll profess my love for you and sweep you off your feet. She’s supposed to run and get the car ready and waiting.”

I’m trying so hard not to laugh right now as we slowly inch forward. “You saved me, Mike, again and again. I am who I am
because
of
you
. Thank you for loving me.”

I’ve already lost a tear but I’m allowed to cry all the happy tears I want to today.

“You’re not the only one who was saved. Until you, my life sucked.”

This time I
do
laugh, “We were seven.”

“Yeah, and being seven sucked. I had no friends and you brought me into your world and I’ve been there ever since. Maybe we saved each other. The place in my heart that is reserved for you is locked and there’s no key. You’re stuck being my best friend for life.”

We’re up next and my nerves are out of control. “And you’re mine, Mike.
Always
.”

We walk slowly up the aisle and I notice some familiar faces but that only lasts for a second because the minute my eyes meet Daniel’s, I’m gone. He’s always filled out a tux nicely but tonight it’s different. Tonight he’s promising me forever. As we reach the altar, I clearly see the tears falling from Daniel’s eyes. There’s nothing but love, devotion, and lust in his gaze.

“Who gives this woman to this man?” the minister asks.

“I do,” Mike says, placing my hand into Daniel’s. “They both have my blessing as well as her father’s.” Mike takes his place next to Daniel and his eyes lock on Misty, as they should.

“Let us begin.”

To be honest, after those words I completely faded out. Until Daniel says he’d like to say his own vows. I nod because what else am I going to do? But I’m totally freaking out inside because I’m horrible at public speaking. Thankfully, he goes first.

“I never thought I would find someone who makes me a better person. You came into my life full of sarcasm and a pure love for life. I’ve never met anyone who has been through the kinds of things you have and wasn’t jaded by it. The kindness, happiness, and love you give on a daily level
inspires
us all. Being able to call you my wife doesn’t even seem to be a justifiable word because it’s so much more than that. You are my lover, my co-parent, my best friend, my soul mate, and my conscience when mine sometimes fails me. You are my Aphrodite. I promise today, in front of all of our friends and family, to honor you, to love you and
only
you, to protect you from as many evils as I am possibly capable of, and to make our house a home filled with love and friendship and lots of babies to make sure our love spreads far and wide. You are
the love
of my
life
. Marry me, Kate, for today and always.”

“Yes,” I answer, trying to hold my sobs down even though I lost control of my tears when he started his vows.

“Katherine, please say your vows.” I look him in the eyes, hoping he will feel the weight of my words.

“I only ever knew how to love with my heart. I thought that was the only way possible to love someone until I met you. The first night we met, I caught a glimpse of it but as our relationship continued to grow, it hit me all at once. The reason why you’re so easy to love and impossible to let go is because you love with every inch of your soul. Your love wraps me in a cocoon and weaves its way into every part of my being. There’s not a part of me it doesn’t touch. There are no walls I can put up to fight it even if I wanted to because your love has knocked them down. It’s only been seven months since we met and I’m sure people who don’t know us would think we’re crazy. But we’ve been through a lot in that time. You and Vanessa gave me our son who I love more than I ever thought possible. Somehow, the time suddenly seems unimportant. My heart began its journey to forever the night yours said hello. We’ve got the best friends anyone could ever ask for. They’re our family and such an important part of this journey we’re taking. We would have never made it here without them. I consider myself blessed to have you in my life, a life that’ll be surrounded by the love of our families, our friends, and the angels who watch over us from the heavens above. Marry
me,
Daniel. Grow old with
me
, love
me
, and yes, let’s make beautiful babies that can spread our love far and wide. I am
so
in love with
you
. Say yes.”