“Then talk to me. What’s happening?”
“I’m pregnant.” I blurt the news out without even thinking about the consequences. His body tenses underneath mine while he processes my words.
“Darlin’.” His hands come up and cup my face. “Are you fucking with me?” I shake my head. “You have my baby inside of you?”
I nod.
“I just found out. Like ten minutes ago. I took a test.”
“This why you panicked?”
I nod again.
“This is what you want, right? Why you stopped taking the pill?”
“It is, but I wasn’t expecting it so soon.” I only stopped taking the pill last month, thinking we would have some time to enjoy married life before I would be peeing on sticks.
“You having second thoughts?” His brows dip low as he tries to figure me out. It’s not like we haven’t discussed it. As soon as he put his ring on my finger, he’s talked about starting a family. I just wasn’t expecting to find out right here, on my wedding day.
“No. Never. I want this so much. I just think with everything happening I’m a little overwhelmed. You know?”
“I know, darlin’. Things have been hectic, but that’s all gonna change. Life is settling down now. Missy’s place has found its pace, and you have my baby inside of you.” He pulls me tighter against his chest, and wraps his arms around me in a tight embrace. “I’ve got ya, darlin’, whenever you need me. Even minutes before you’re meant to be marrying me.” He chuckles when I groan. I’m never going to live this down. I just know it.
“I love you, Beau.”
“And I love you, darlin’.” He holds me for a little while before pulling back, “So, you still wanna marry me?” The corner of his mouth rises, waiting for my reply, and I smile back at his playfulness.
“Yeah.” I nod, letting him kiss me briefly.
“Come on. I’ll walk you down the aisle.” He stands, taking me with him.
“You can’t do that.” I wasn’t planning on having anyone walk me down, but now he’s offered, the thought actually sounds appealing.
“I can do what I want. My wedding.” He moves to the door, opens it, and almost has to catch Holly and Kadence as they fall forward.
“Sorry.” They fight to hold their laughter in as they look from me to Beau. Bell hangs back, holding her own laugher.
“We’re ready. We’re walking down together, so go take a seat,” Beau tells them, unimpressed they were eavesdropping, but he doesn’t call them out.
“Does she need to be fixed up?” Holly peaks past Beau for a better look. “Yeah, she needs me.” She pushes past him and comes to me.
“Rule one, no crying before the ceremony.” She shakes her head and sets about making me pretty again. It only takes a few minutes, before I’m back to being presentable. Holly and Kadence leave, but not before Beau warns them to keep their mouths shut about anything they heard. They both act like they have no clue what he’s talking about. That is until they both give up their act and embrace us with congratulations and hugs.
Something tells me our news will be public before the night ends.
“You ready?” Beau asks when we’re left alone.
“Never been more ready.” I take his hand, letting him guide me out of the room, down the hall, and through the empty clubhouse. The soft hum of Hunter’s guitar grows louder as we exit the clubhouse and walk toward one of the large marquees Beau rented. It’s just gone dusk, and the fairy lights hanging from the marquee glow against the warm sky, setting the mood,
Everyone comes to a stand as we walk hand in hand down a small aisle covered in white rose petals.
I know it’s not traditional with Beau walking me down the aisle and with no bridesmaids, but it couldn’t be more perfect. Just the two of us, doing this together.
We come to a stop and face each other in front of Brie, our social worker and friend who works with us at Missy’s, who also happens to be qualified to officiate weddings. Our wedding.
Over the last four months, Brie and I have grown close. When she found out I was looking for someone to marry us, she offered herself.
I couldn’t think of anyone or anything more perfect.
“Welcome to all who have gathered here this evening to share in this marriage ceremony of Beau McIntyre and Mackenzie Morre,” she begins as everyone takes a seat around us. Most of our guests are from the club, with a few new faces from Missy’s Place.
“These words, spoken today between Beau and Mackenzie are indeed important and sacred, but they are not what joins these two together, nor is this marriage ceremony. We are not here to witness the beginning of their relationship, but to acknowledge and celebrate a lasting bond that already exists between them. Beau and Mackenzie have already joined their hearts and chosen to walk together on life's journey, and we have come to bear witness to a symbolic union and a public affirmation of the love they share.”
She pauses, letting it all sink in, but I’m too lost in Beau and his eyes on me. I’m barely keeping up.
“Mackenzie and Beau, the pledge you make today expresses your devotion to one another and to the love you share, and the words spoken here will support your marriage if you are able to sustain your commitment through the inevitable hardships you'll face together. Today, in the presence of your families and friends, you pronounce your love for each other and make a commitment that will define the next phase of your journey. The vows Mackenzie and Beau recite today have been written by them. Written from the heart and spoken to the soul. Beau, would you like to go first?” She looks to Beau first. Beau nods, then clears his throat before beginning.
“Mackenzie, you know me better than anyone else in this world and somehow you still manage to love me. There’s still a part of me today that can’t believe I’m the one who gets to marry you.” He reaches forward and wipes away a lone tear as it falls down my cheek. “When I held you in my arms that night in the back of the van, something in me clicked. It’s as if my body knew you were mine before my heart did, but then I let you go. I drove away when every part of me told me to stay. I’m never letting you go again, darlin’. Today, I choose you as my family. I promise to love you without reservation, and communicate fully and fearlessly. To never hurt you in anger and to always hold you with care. I have no greater gift to give but my word. As your trust is my strength, accept my heart as your shelter and my arms as your home. I give you all I am, and all I shall become.”
“Oh God, that’s so beautiful.” I lean forward and whisper so only he can hear.
“No, you’re beautiful.” He smiles down at me before I’m told it’s my turn.
“Mackenzie, please recite your vows,” Brie interrupts our chat, causing a soft chuckle from our guests.
“Beau,”—I steady my voice and hold his hand tighter—“because of you my feet dance, my heart beats, and my eyes see. I laugh, I smile, and I dare to dream again. You’ve saved me in more ways than one.” My voice wobbles and I take a second to gather myself.
“You’re doing good, darlin’,” Beau encourages, bringing me back.
“You showed me what love feels like and because of that, I choose you to be none other than yourself. Loving what I know of you and trusting who you will become, I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, and my tender care. Through the pressures of the present to the uncertainty of the future, I promise to always be faithful, to love you with actions, not just words. From this day forward, you won’t ever walk alone. As you have given me your heart to hold, I give you my life to keep.”
“I love you,” he whispers leaning down and kissing me before he’s meant to.
“The rings?” Brie shakes her head at our inability to stick to the rules. Nix steps forward and hands Beau the rings.
“Beau, please take Mackenzie’s hand and repeat these words after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of our love.”
Beau takes my hands and looks down at me. “Mackenzie, I give you this ring as a symbol of our love.” His rough voice washes over me as he slides the gold band down my finger.