Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) (12 page)

“No, that’s where you are wrong. Alanna doesn’t love me and she never has.
The truth is that I have known that from the start, but because I loved her, I
pushed her into thinking that she felt something for me. I knew that she cared
about me, so I twisted her mind into thinking all sorts of things. I haven’t told
you this and I am ashamed to my core, but I had a plan to mess with Alanna’s
head. I wanted to harass her into loving me and I wanted to rip her from you.”
Michael says smugly. I feel my body heat rising why was he telling me this and
today of all days?

“What did you do?” I snap.

 

“I lead Alanna to believe that she could have feelings for me. Every time that I
saw her – alone I would say things that were totally out of order.”

 

“What things,” I shout.

 

“Adrian don’t get mad at me, you know what I am like so why are you acting
surprised?”

 

“These things that you did, did Alanna ever encourage you?”

“No, she fought me back and she always told me that she loved you. Alanna
hasn’t put a foot wrong. Everything that has happened has been my fault. She
loves you and in a matter of hours she is going tobe your wife. I am happy for
her and I have moved on, Emma is my life now and Alanna is yours.” Michael’s
words ring in my ears and I would love to rush overand punch him for the way
that he has behaved, but, I resist as he is right.Alanna is going to be my wife
and Michael does seem happy with my sister. I need to act in a way that would
make Alanna proud, I need to accept what has happened and I need to forgive
and move on. Michael is my brother, my best man and my best mate. Alanna is
my world and without her I would die.

(Alanna)

I take a deep breath as I clutch my bouquet. Guestsare starting to pile in and
my heart is now pounding. The wedding is less than twenty minutes away and I
can’t help but wonder if Adrian is here yet. I don’t want to think of the
altarnative, so I begin to hum as I try to clear away my negative thoughts. My
mom walks over to me and she stands behind me as I glare out of the window
at the garden below. I feel my mom’s hand gently brush against my shoulder
and I turn to face her. She is beautiful in her custom lavender, Vera Wang
dress. Her hair is pushed back from her face in a large swooping bun. Her eyes
are stunning behind her thick mascara. She smiles at me as a gentle tear falls
from her eye. I quickly caress her cheek as I wipe away her tears. My mom
places her hand on mine.

“Sweetie, I can’t believe that you are getting married. How did you get so
grown up?” I laugh at my mom’s words.

 

“I am asking myself, that very question.”

 

I am alone in the room as I wait for the last ten minutes to count down. I gently
pace around the room until I hear a soft knock at the door.

“Come in,” I shout. The door pushes open and my dad enters the room. He
looks smart in his black, Armani tux and I can’t help but smile as he glides over
to me. My dad kisses me on the cheek and then he hands me the bouquet of
white roses from the dressing table. I clutch his arm as he leads me out the
room and down the staircase. The house is breath taking, as we glide through
the wide hallways. White rose petals guide us to the back door of the house. I
can see through the glass that everyone is seated and awaiting my arrival. I ask
my dad for a minute, as I take in the view from inside the house. The aisle and
the archway are now completely covered in flowers. White and black drapes
loop over the skyline of the aisle and our guests are seated comfortably on
white leather chairs. The music from the band begins to play softly and the
sound alerts us to get ready.

(Adrian)

I am standing at the altar waiting for her. The scenery is stunning and I can’t
believe what a wonderful job Alanna and her mother has done. I couldn’t have
imagined a better setting for our wedding. The music begins to play and this
alerts me that it’s time for the wedding to start. I turn and gaze out at the aisle
and as I look out at our guests, I spot my family members. Charles and Tabatha
are seated at the front and few rows back is Alice and her husband. On the
other side sits Alanna’s mother and her grandma. The music plays louder and
then Penelope glides down the aisle sprinkling rose petals as she walks. She is a
beautiful little girl and she reminds me of Alanna in so many ways. She has the
same huge brown eyes and the same curly blonde hair. Penelope reaches the
altar and she runs over to me. She catches my hand and places a rose petal
into it. She smiles up at me and then she takes her seat next to her mother. I
turn my attention to the aisle again and one by one, the bridesmaids begin to
walk down the aisle. Katharine leads, followed by Emma and then Sophie. They
reach the altar and they quickly take their places at the side. There is a brief
pause and then the music plays the wedding song and the guests stand as the
bride is about to walk down the aisle.

(Alanna)

This is it the moment that I have waited for all day - I am about to walk down
the aisle. I clutch my dad’s arm tightly as he begins to lead me in the direction
of the aisle. My heart is beating when I am faced with the long walk towards
the altar. We step out into the garden and now my dad is gliding me towards
Adrian. The walk is slow and I can’t catch my breath as everyone stares at me. I
shyly smile at the faces I know and then when I am halfway there, I see him. He
waits for me as I slowly make my way to him. I have never seen him look so
good. I love his choice of suit and I hope that he likes my dress. As I get closer, I
can really appreciate his looks. His suit is tailored to fit his muscular body and I
love his slicked back hair. His deep green eyes are piercing through me as I
finally reach him. Adrian holds out his and I gently kiss my dad on the cheek as
I grip my fingers through Adrian’s. The music slows down as Adrian leads me to
the altar. I can hear the crowd settle down as the reverent begins to talk.

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sign of God – and in the
face of this company – to join together this man and this woman in holy
matrimony, which is commended to be honourable among all men; and
therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but
reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two
persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why
they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their
peace.”

My heart races as the crowd is silent. I turn to look at Michael who stares back
at me. He gently winks and then he turns his attention back to the reverend.

“Through marriage, Adrian Mathew Black and Alanna Louise Hart make a
commitment together to face their disappointments – embrace their dreams –
realize their hopes – and accept each other’s failures. Adrian Mathew Black and
Alanna Louise Hart will promise one another to aspire to these ideals
throughout their lives together – through mutual understanding – openness –
and sensitivity to each other.”

“We are here today – before God – because marriage is one of His most sacred
wishes – to witness the joining in marriage of Adrian Mathew Black and Alanna
Louise Hart. This occasion marks the celebration oflove and commitment with
which this man and this woman begin their life together. And now – through
me – He joins you together in one of the holiest bonds.”

“Who gives this woman in marriage to this man?”

 

My dad stands and gives his answer.

 

“Her family and friends gathered here today do.”

 

Adrian smiles at me and I feel my heart melt. We are actually doing this Adrian
and I, are getting married.

 

(Adrian)

As I stand with my hand clasped onto hers my life feels complete. She almost
took my breath away when she walked down the aisle,in that gorgeous dress.
I have never seen such beauty and I can’t believe how I lucky I am to have her.
As Alanna smiles at me my fears from earlier disappear. By standing in front of
me, she is proving her love and my worries are slightly beginning to ease off.
My body temperature is perfect and my head is clear. I remember this morning
when I couldn’t think straight because I had not seen her, but now with her
perfect smile beaming at me, my head is straight and my heart is open to her. I
love Alanna with all my heart and she is my – forever.

(Alanna)

The reverend rambles on for a life time and I can’t wait any longer to say my
vows. I want to pledge my love to Adrian and I need it to happen right now. It’s
almost as if god has heard my wish as the reverend asks us to make our vows.

“Exchange of Vows”

“Do you Adrian Mathew Black take Alanna Louise Hart to be your wife – to live
together after God’s ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love
her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sicknessand in health, for richer, for
poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually
bestow upon her your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep
yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?”

“I will,”
“Do you Alanna Louise Hart take Adrian Mathew Black to be your husband – to
live together after God’s ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you
love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, for
richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and
continually bestow upon him your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all
others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?”

“I will,”
“Would you place the rings in my hand?”

Michael steps forward and places the rings into the reverend hand. Adrian
looks at me and then he mouths.
“I love you,”
I smile at him and I want the ring
on my finger. I can’t wait any longer, I need to kiss him.

Adrian Mathew Black, in placing this ring on Alanna Louise Hart’s finger, repeat
after me: Alanna Louise Hart, you are now consecrated to me as my wife from
this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the
symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed.”

Adrian lifts my hand as he gently places the ring onto my finger. His voice is
strong as he says his vows.

“Alanna Louise Hart, you are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day
forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of
our unity and with this ring, I thee wed.”

He smirks as he sees the ring on my finger; I grip his hand - it’s my turn now.

“Alanna Louise Hart, in placing this ring on Adrian Mathew Black’s finger,
repeat after me: Adrian Mathew Black, you are now consecrate to me as my
husband from this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love
and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring,I thee wed.”

I slide Adrian’s white gold wedding band onto his slim finger as I say my vows.

“Adrian Mathew Black, you are now consecrate to me as my husband from this
day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol
of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed.”

I glance down at my finger and I gently stroke my ring with my thumb. It feels
strange, but in a good way. It feels like the missing piece that’s finally been
found. My smile is beaming and I can’t believe that we have actually made it to
the wedding. For months now I have been rushed and pulled into decisions
about flowers and cakes, wedding bands and food. Now that everything has
come together and now that Adrian and I are here saying our vows and getting
married, I can honestly say that it’s been worth every inch of the torment.

“You have pronounced yourselves husband and wife but remember to always
be each other’s best friend.”
“What – therefore – God has joined together – let no man put asunder.”

“And so, by the power vested in me by the State of New York and Almighty
God, I now pronounce you man and wife – and may your days be good and
long upon the earth.”

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Adrian pulls me gently towards him as he places his lips on mine for the first
time in our marriage. Our guests cheer and I begin to lose my breath from
Adrian’s kiss. He loosens his hands from around my face and then he
reluctantly pulls away from me. My bridesmaids quickly greet me with a kiss on
each cheek as they congratulate us. Michael swiftly shakes Adrian’s hand as he
makes his way over to me. I smile up at him as he leans down and kisses me on
my forehead.

“Be happy, Alanna,” he says as he takes Emma by the hand. I watch as he leads
her over to his family. I don’t have time to think or breathe for that matter,
when my parents rush over to me.

“Alanna,” they chant as they both grab onto me at the same time. I begin to
sweat under their affection and I kindly push themaway, so that I can breathe
once again. Adrian is now back by my side and he instantly greets his in-laws.

“Mr and Mrs Hart I want to thank you for everything and epically you, Belle.
You have done a marvellous job in planning this outstanding wedding. I really
cannot thank you enough for helping Alanna and I.”My mom has to hold back
her tears as she takes in Adrian’s words. Adrian surprises me - and everyone
around us when he reaches out and gives my mom a hug. He pulls back from
her and now he is by my side once again. I grip onto him as he spins me around
to face him. My parents have disappeared along with every other guest and I
am ecstatic that I am finally alone with Adrian. He pulls me closer to him with
one swift embrace. His hair gently flops onto his forehead and he quickly
pushes it back into place. His hands are sliding down my back as he leans in
towards me. His deep green eyes are staring into mine and I melt at his touch.
He wickedly smiles at me and then his lips are on mine. I grip him harder as his
kisses become firmer. Soft music is playing in the back ground and I can hear
cheers coming from inside of the marquee. I know that we should be in there
celebrating, but I can’t drag myself away from him. I love him and I am in
heaven. After everything that we have been through and after months spent
apart, Adrian and I have weathered every storm and now we have to enjoy our
– forever.