He shrugged. “I already have so much; it felt excessive that I wasn’t happy already. But I knew that if I could wish for just one thing, it would be my perfect match. My other half. And the next month, there you were.”
Katie’s smile was shy as she pulled him down for another kiss. “Here I am. And I’m not going anywhere.”
His phone ringing startled them both. When he pulled it out of his pocket, his mother’s face was on the screen.
Katie winced.
“Actually, on that note, I am going somewhere. Back to the house before your mom freaks out. See you at the altar, handsome.”
She kissed him lightly on the cheek and hurried out the door. Bennett stuck his head out to watch her progress. She was met at the back door by his mother. He ducked back inside before his mother could see him.
Only one more hour to go …
?
“Are you ready, Katherine?” Her mother reached over and made a minute adjustment to the placement of the crown of white roses on her head. For once, Katie didn’t mind her mother’s fussing over her. It was nice, actually.
The last time her mother had walked her down the aisle, it hadn’t felt like this. She’d been nervous and her mother had been apprehensive. It turned out they were both right to have reservations but Katie didn’t regret it at all. She’d gained her two amazing children and a lifetime’s worth of experience about what kind of marriage she didn’t want.
Katie glanced over at her mother who was positively beaming with pride. This time they were both excited. Her mother had been just as charmed by Bennett over the past week of her visit as everyone else in her family. He’d decided to call her ‘Mama Sheila’ and treated her with the same reverential respect that he gave Julia. Katie wouldn’t have thought it possible but she’d fallen even deeper in love with her
shy, awkward fiancé after watching how hard he’d worked to make her mother and siblings comfortable.
Her sister, Mari, in particular was a huge Bennett fan. Katie still laughed thinking about her loudmouthed sister’s response to seeing the smorgasbord of perfection that were the Alexander brothers. She’d been blushing furiously the whole time as Katie introduced her to everyone.
Then she’d winked behind Bennett’s back and pointed at his butt. Katie had almost choked trying to keep her laughter in.
Their brother, Nelson, had rolled his eyes at their antics before inviting Bennett out for a drink. They’d come back that night half drunk but in great spirits. Her brother had finally said that Bennett was “all right” which in Nelson-speak was about as good as it got.
“Are you two ready?” Tiana, the ever-perky wedding planner hovered beside them. At Katie’s nod, and then Kaylee’s, she gave them both a thumbs up before speaking into her earpiece.
A few moments later, the sound of the iconic wedding march played through the sound system. Katie clutched her mother’s arm tighter and took a deep breath.
Sheila patted her arm comfortingly. “You have nothing to be nervous about. You got it right this time, baby. You really did.”
Kaylee walked out first on the arm of her father. Katie watched as they made their way up the white runner leading to the altar.
Leading to the future.
Once Kaylee took her place next to Elliott at the altar, the wedding planner motioned for Katie and her mom to start. She took a deep breath and then walked out. All the eyes on her were intimidating until she got close enough to see Bennett.
From that moment on, all she could see was him.
Her mother hugged her and then set her hand in Bennett’s. He squeezed her hand gently before bringing it to his mouth for a gentle kiss. They walked up the two steps to the altar where Kay and Eli were waiting.
The minister cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved … ”
All through the ceremony, Bennett held her eyes, sometimes making faces that caused Katie to blush because she knew it meant he was thinking something dirty. They watched with affection as his brother and Kaylee were led through their vows before it was time to say their own.
The minister looked at Bennett. “Repeat after me. I, Bennett Mark Alexander, take you, Katherine Anne Mason…”
Bennett repeated the sacred words in a strong, clear voice. They’d opted for the standard vows because he’d been stressed about forgetting what he wanted to say. But even though she’d heard the words before, Katie would forever cherish the memory of Bennett reciting those iconic words to her and the unbelievable thrill of saying them back to him.
After the exchange of rings, the minister faced the assembly of family and friends with a huge smile. “And it is with great pleasure that I present to you, Elliot and Kaylee Alexander and Bennett and Katherine Alexander. Gentlemen, you may now kiss your brides!”
There was an explosion of cheers and whistles but Katie couldn’t hear anything. Her entire world condensed to the moment Bennett’s lips met hers. She didn’t close her eyes, wanting to see and commit to memory every moment of this special day.
Bennett ended the kiss with a little nuzzle against her nose before he opened his eyes. “I love you, Katie.”