My Only Regret (Twisted Fate Book 1) (34 page)

“Babe, you don’t need my permission to get ink, but I don’t want you marring up your beautiful chest. Those are off limits,” he declared.

The concert was another success and ran the full time as scheduled. The rest of the tour seemed to fly by. By the time they wrapped up the last show in Seattle, we were all ready to settle in and hide out indoors for the next month, and that is exactly what we did.

T
he last remnants of winter had disappeared and green had slowly taken over the yard. Pansies and daffodils reclaimed their places in garden beds that lined the downtown sidewalks. Steve's trial was scheduled to begin in May and I felt safe knowing that he was locked up and Jesse was watching over me. He'd seen Steve at the arraignment, and it had taken both David and Tyler to keep him from leaping over the seat and throttling Steve as he sat there looking smug in his two thousand dollar suit. My lawyer did her best to try and convince me that he would likely remain in prison for the next five years. Even though I dreaded testifying, May couldn't come soon enough.

Wedding plans were coming together, and Mel took me shopping for my wedding dress. We were renewing our wedding vows in less that two months and I had yet to find the perfect dress. Mel had brought at least thirty into the dressing suite and none of them had the wow factor I had been looking for. I had carted countless bags around the mall containing the perfect shoes, make up and accessories. I had even managed to find a few items to take on our belated honeymoon. Still, I couldn't find a dress.

“I give up!” I exclaimed, placing the last dress back on the hanger. “I can’t do this anymore. I’ll have to look another day. I’m tired and now all of them are starting to make me rethink this whole idea.”

“Let’s get out of here then. Don’t worry, you still have time,” Mel assured me. As we drove home I called Jesse to see when he would be home.

“Hey babe, any luck?” he asked, hopefully.

“No. I’ll keep looking though. There has to be one out there that makes me feel special.”

“I’m sure you will baby, but just so you know I would marry you if you were wearing a sack. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Come home and we can spend the night watching movies like old times. I’ll even take care of dinner,” he offered sweetly.

Later that evening, after a delicious dinner from our favorite Chinese restaurant, we were sitting on the sofa watching a romantic comedy. It came to the part where the couple was getting married and the bride appeared on screen wearing a dress that strongly resembled the one I had worn the night we said “I do” for the first time.

“That’s it!” I sat up quickly and pointed at the television. “That’s the dress I’ve been looking for.” I flopped back against the sofa, sighing heavily.
 

“I’ll be right back,” Jesse muttered, as he stood and left the room. I must have been driving him crazy with all of my complaining about the dress. Maybe he was right. Maybe I should just keep it simple and be done with it. After a few minutes I heard him calling for me. “Rhyann, can you come into the guest room for a minute?”

“What are you doing in the guest room?” I asked, as I made my way down the hall. I entered the room and lying on the bed was a replica of my original wedding dress. “How did you get this?” I whispered, running my hand over the delicate fabric.

“I made a few phone calls last week,” he shrugged his shoulder. “You’ve been so stressed out about finding the perfect dress, and I remembered how beautiful you were in this one.” He fingered the material lightly and chuckled. “Remember how I tore it trying to get it off you that night? Man, that was a wild night. I know how special you felt in it when we were at the gala, how sexy it made you feel. I want you to feel that way again. If you don’t want to wear it that’s fine, but it’s here if you need it.” He put his arms around my waist and pressed his forehead to mine. “I don’t care what you wear, I just want you to be happy.”

“It was perfect the first time, and it’s even more perfect now,” I smiled, wiping away a tear. “Thank you. You know Mr. Montgomery, have I ever told you just how much I love you?”

“I think I have an idea, but tell me again,” he said, playfully.

“Oh, I think it’s better if I show you.” I replied, pushing him back onto the bed.

“Damn, I love it when we play show and tell,” he growled.

EPILOGUE

T
he sun was shining brightly the day before our ceremony. Mel and Stefani spent the afternoon decorating Bill and Cheryl’s backyard. When they got back to Seattle they stopped by the house and surprised me by taking me out for a few drinks, well drinks for them and water for me. I was now five months pregnant and beginning to show. If I had to wait another month for my wedding I would have had to buy a new dress. Mel informed me that she never got the chance to give me a proper bachelorette party the first time around so she and Stefani wanted to spend time with me before my big day. I reminded both of them on multiple occasions that I was already married and this was just a formality. But they insisted, so we spent the better part of three hours at a nightclub dancing.
 

Tyler brought Sam and David over to have a guy’s night with Jesse while we were gone. Before I left Jesse hugged me tight and told me how much he would miss me. The way my emotions had been all over the place these days I wanted to shove everyone out the door and just crawl up onto his lap and stay there all night. We had only been at the club for three hours when I told the girls that I wanted to go back home. I was tired. It didn’t take a whole lot to wear me out these days. Stefani teased me and called me a party pooper, but they obliged and dropped me back off at the house. I found Jesse sound asleep in our bed. It was obvious that he had been waiting for me. The room was aglow with candles and there was a large vase of red roses and a note on the bedside table.
 

Mrs. Montgomery,

There is a rose for every time I thought of you tonight. I can’t wait to renew my promise to spend the rest of my life loving you.

Love, Mr. Montgomery

 
My heart warmed after reading his note. I quietly undressed and climbed into bed. His breathing was slow and steady and I leaned in to place a chaste kiss on his lips. He moaned and pulled my body against his warmth.

“I can’t wait to marry you tomorrow,” I whispered into his neck. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he mumbled, groggily. “Night.”

“Good night,” I smiled, closing my eyes and sleeping peacefully the night before my wedding.
 

R
hyann, honey, may I come in?” Cheryl knocked softly on the door before stepping through. I was in one of her guest bedrooms, standing before a full-length mirror, admiring my wedding gown one last time before Sam walked me down the aisle.

“Oh my, aren’t you a vision. That dress is spectacular honey.” She leaned forward and hugged me gently, not wanting to mess up the dress or my hair. I had left my hair down; the way Jesse preferred it, in long curls that cascaded down my back. Mel had come over early to help me get ready.

“Thanks mom,” I kissed her cheek. Back when we announced to the family that we were having a baby, Cheryl and Bill had insisted that I call them mom and dad from now on. I hadn’t complained, in fact I welcomed it. My own mother had basically written me off after she remarried. I did call her, back when Jesse first mentioned renewing our wedding vows, and invited her to share in our special day, but she politely refused. Her excuse was that they had a trip to the Caribbean planned for that month, in other words she would rather lay on a beach than watch her only child get married. I hadn’t been surprised, not even the slightest bit disappointed either. Jesse had been pissed, vowing to never let her lay eyes on her grandchild. I made it clear to him that I never had any plans to allow that to happen, regardless of her decision to join us.

“Are you ready for Sam to come get you? It’s almost time dear.”

“I’m ready, just remembering the first time we did this. Cheryl, is it possible to love someone too much?” Our eyes made contact in the mirror, and her expression was soft and kind.

“I don’t think so. Although, I will admit that when I look at Bill, even after all this time, I realize that I love him so much it hurts. I would do anything for that man. Oh, you’ll probably feel that way even more after your little one is born. Kids have a way of filling your heart with so much love that you think it’s literally going to burst open. But I don’t think you can love too much, if you feel that way it’s most likely because you’ve been given that same love in return.” She kissed me once more before turning to leave.

“Do you think he’ll be happy being married to me for the rest of his life? Will we have the same happiness that you share with Bill? Or Tyler and Stefani? I’m scared that I can’t be everything he needs.”

“My dear Rhyann, you two already have what you need. He loves you very much. You complete him, and he completes you. That is the happiness that I share with Bill, and Tyler with Stefani. Just be there for each other, through the good and bad, and everything will work out. And remember, we will all be here for you. You will always be our family. We love you,” she blew me a motherly kiss and strode gracefully down the hall. Not long after she left, Sam entered and held out an arm for me to hold.

“You sure you want to do this darlin’?” he winked, playfully.

“Without a doubt,” I smiled, broadly.

"You know that man loves you more than anything else in this world. He's one lucky son of a bitch, and he knows it." Sam gave me a warm, brotherly hug and I fanned my face frantically trying to hold back the tears.

"Let's just make sure he never forgets that." I jabbed him softly with my elbow. "Thanks, Sam. I love you." I gave his hand a squeeze and for a brief moment I saw his right eye glisten.

"Thanks little momma, I love you too. Now, let's do this."

The ceremony began promptly at three in the afternoon. Sam walked me down the aisle to a new song that Jesse had written for me called Three Little Words. I stood facing him as the last of the song played over the sound system.

Do whatever it takes to prove to you

No matter how much it hurts

Cause I love you

Oh baby, I love you

I’ll spend the rest of my life repeating them

Cause I know it’s the least you deserve

I’m no longer afraid of those three little words

I’m no longer afraid to say three little words

“I love you baby,” Jesse mouthed to me.

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today…” The Pastor moved forward with the ceremony, stopping only when it came time for us to say our vows.

“I, Jesse, promise to honor and cherish only you. I promise to comfort you in times of need, and cry with you when you are sad. I promise to make you laugh, and try not to get mad when you are laughing at me. I promise to support you, and help you fulfill all of your dreams. I even promise to keep raw cookie dough in the fridge for monthly emergencies. I promise to always put you first, and to never go to bed angry. I promise to love you today, tomorrow, and always, till death do us part.”
 

My heart swelled fully inside me, almost as if it were about to burst. I smiled as I thought about what Cheryl had shared with me. I looked in her direction and saw that she and Mel were both crying tears of joy. I held Jesse’s hands firmly, afraid that if I let go I might float away.
 

“I, Rhyann, promise to honor and cherish only you. I promise to comfort you in times of need, and cry with you when you are sad. I promise to make you laugh, and try not to get mad when you are laughing at me. I promise to support you, and stand beside you as you live out your dream. I promise to watch scary movies with you, and always keep peanut butter in the house for midnight cravings. I promise to always put you first, and to never go to bed angry. I promise to love you today, tomorrow, and always, till death do us part.”

“Jesse, you may kiss your beautiful bride.” Jesse grinned devilishly before dipping me back, planting an all-consuming kiss over my parted lips. Ever the performer, he put on quite a show for our family and friends to see.
Oh boy, can my man kiss.
The crowd erupted in applause and cat calls. He righted me and I fanned my face dramatically, blushing from the display of affection.
 

“Aw baby, you’re so cute when you blush,” he winked.

T
he weather held off and didn’t start raining until we were in the tent finishing up dinner. Throughout the evening we made our rounds, thanking everyone for coming. I was exhausted and ready for a nap. The last guest pulled away and Bill and Cheryl headed inside. Cheryl had instructed us to leave everything for the cleaning crew in the morning. We were alone at last. I sat down on Jesse’s lap and leaned my head against his shoulder.

“My feet hurt,” I whined. “Take me home, husband.”

“I’d like to do something first. Come with me,” he slipped an arm under my legs and stood with me in his arms. We walked outside and he carried me over to a large oak tree that held the tree house Bill had built for his boys. Jesse looked up at the tree and pointed. “I want to take you up there, but I’m not exactly sure how to do that in this dress.”

“I’ve got an idea,” I said, turning and lifting my hair for him to unzip me. “I don’t need it anymore.”

“I like your thinking Mrs. Montgomery,” he laughed wickedly and pulled down the zipper. I stepped out of my dress and shoes, placing them back under the tent. I stood there in my lacey bra and panties and let my husband get a good look. He gave me a cocky grin and held out a hand before motioning toward his back, telling me to “hop on.” He climbed the short distance to the base of the tree house and I scrambled off his back. He had decorated the small space with lots of roses and candles. He lit a few candles while I went to wait on the plush down comforter he had spread over an air mattress on the floor.