Gramps let out a chuckle. “Drew listen to me son. Love like that, the love that you feel for Ellie and she feels for you. It’s very rare. Only a lucky few will ever experience it and when you do, you fight for that love every single goddamn day of your life. You will both fight; make each other mad as hell. You might even think it won’t work out but it will son, trust me it will. When you share a love so strong you can weather any storm.”
“Like you and Grams? Did you think it wouldn’t work out ever?”
“Yes, not long after we got married. I can’t even remember what the fight was about but I remember packing up a bag to leave. The moment I reached for the door to open it, I was hit by this realization that if I left, if I walked out that door I might not ever be able to get her back. It was not worth risking it so I put my bag down turned to see her crying and walked up to her.”
Good lord what the fuck was wrong with me? My heart was beating a mile a minute as I hung onto every word.
“What happened?”
Gramps laughed. “I kissed her, picked her up and made love to her in the kitchen. It was one of the best fucking moments of my life.”
Oh god……I think I’m going to be sick…...I didn’t need that fucking image in my head.
“Ahhh shit Gramps……I don’t want to hear about that…...man.”
Gramps laughed. “I’m just saying Drew; don’t ever give up without a fight. She loves you son. She needs you more than I think you know. The fact that only your touch calmed her down earlier was a testimony of how much she loves and needs you.”
When Ari came screaming in the house for me I thought something horrible had happened. The moment I saw Ellie sitting there…...my only thought was to get to her. When I touched her and saw her almost immediately relax, I thought I was going to burst with happiness. Knowing I was the one she needed, not Jeff or Ari or Grams, it was me who she needed.
“Drew when you see her walking down that aisle, watch her every move. Don’t look around to anyone else but her. Memorize how she looks, how she is smiling, how her hair looks, the dress she is wearing……every single thing. Tuck it away in your heart and never forget it. It will probably be one of the most amazing sights you will ever see. And when she walks up to you, tell her immediately how she just made you feel.”
I nodded my head and turned to look at the most important man in my life.
“Gramps I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Teaching me about the ranch, giving me the opportunities to be able to go to UT, play football and get my degree in something I loved. Thank you for teaching me to respect and be grateful for the love that I have found with Ellie. Thank you for loving me and believing in me. I love you more like my father than my grandfather.”
Gramps stopped and turned to face me. He had a smile on his face and he just shook his head.
“I love you Drew, you make me so fucking proud son I want you to know that. You will always make me proud. Now let’s go get you married!”
Jeff leaned over and looked at Ellie sitting in the carriage. Then he looked at me.
“You fucking bastard……a carriage, you got her a carriage? Jesus you’re killing me here!”
I just smiled. He was still pissed about having to pay Jenny and Aaron so much to help out with his first night with Ari.
“Do you want me to make your sister happy or not Jeff?” I asked as I struggled to see my beautiful girl.
“Fucker…...I knew you’d pull that card out. What the fuck are you going to do when she tells you she is pregnant for the first time? Fly her to Paris.”
Just then the preacher coughed and looked at us. Hmm Paris? I’ll have to remember that.
Jeff turned and looked at me and then went white. I just smiled at him.
“THAT was MY idea! I claim that one……you cannot have it dickwad! Paris is my idea Gunner.”
“Boys!” Preacher Roberts said as Jeff instantly took a step back and looked down the aisle. Little Lauren and Matthew were walking down the aisle. So fucking cute! Lauren was skipping as Matthew was looking around at every one holding the pillow and snapping his overalls. Yep……I taught him that. Then I saw Heather walking. I took a quick peek at Josh and I thought he was going to break his face he was smiling so goddamn big. Then came Amanda and I heard Brad let out a cuss word that I’m pretty sure Preacher Roberts would be talking to him about later. Then I saw Ari. Jeff took in a breath of air and just stared at her.
“Holy fuck……she is beautiful.” Jeff said at the same time he released all the air he sucked in. I had to agree, Ari looked breathtaking.
Then I saw her. Gramps had his arm around her and they started to walk. Our eyes met and I couldn’t breathe. Oh. My. God. She looked……beautiful. Like a princess. She was looking me up and down checking me out and man did I like it. It looked like she was about to stumble and Gramps had to hold her up. She looked back up at me and I smiled even more at the thought that I just made her weak in the knees.
Then she giggled. I raised my eyebrow at her wondering what she thought was so funny and she giggled more. If I didn’t know any better it looked like for a moment she was starting to walk faster. Then Gramps laughed and whispered something to her.
It took forever for her to walk up to me. Once she got there and Gramps placed her hand in mine that familiar shot of electricity took off in my body. We stepped up to the altar and I leaned over to do just what Gramps told me to do.
“You look so beautiful Ellie; you take my breath away sweetheart. I love you.”
She looked at me and her eyes filled with tears as she smiled at me.
“Drew, I love you too.” Her voice was cracking and I knew she was having a hard time talking. I squeezed her hand and we both turned to Preacher Roberts. I smiled as the thought occurred to me for the first time that day.
Another first………
CHAPTE R SIXTY ONE
E llie……
“The ceremony was beautiful darling. Just beautiful! And you……you are the most precious thing I have ever seen!” Aunt Lacy said to me as she kept pulling me in for a hug and then pushing me out again to do a once over. I was starting to feel sick from the constant pushing and pulling.
I was finally able to break free from her and tried to sneak over to grab some sweet tea.
“ELLIE!”
SHIT! Dammit! I was just five feet from my sweet tea! I turned around to see Shannon and James standing there. Oh I still felt so bad about everything that happened. Gunner actually missed their wedding because of the car accident. I felt my face burning up.
Shannon leaned in and whispered in my ear. “Don’t you even think about it Ellie! I know what you’re doing and you will not feel guilty do you hear me?!”
I smiled as she pulled away and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“Have you met my sisters yet?” Shannon said as she put her arm in mine and led me away from my sweet tea. I looked around for Gunner. Where the hell was he?
Then I spotted him. He was playing horse shoes with a few of the younger kids. He looked up at me and we smiled at each other. I just wanted to leave…...start our lives together, that and I really wanted some fucking sweet tea! If I had to talk to another person and thank them for coming I think I was going to hurl.
Shannon introduced me to her two sisters, Lynda and Clare. We talked for a bit and then I slowly started to make my way back to the sweet tea. I saw it……oh thank god my mouth was so dry!
Just as I was about to reach for a mason jar and fill it up with nice cold sweet ice tea that only Emma can make…...I was stopped again by someone saying my name. Mother fucker…...now I was going to go off on someone.