Surviving (Surrender 2)

The pictures a

re actually a lot of fun. After my brother had gotten over the initial shock of seeing me, he goofed around for most of the time and made the time fly by. Before I know it, it’s time for us to go upstairs. Abbi and Ella give me hugs and wish me luck. They are going to be with Declan until the ceremony.

Now I wait and repeat my vows over and over in my head.

*****

Declan

“You nervous man?” Finn asks me as we wait for the photographer in the lobby.

“No. Just ready.”

He hands me a beer, and I see my sisters and Robbie coming our way. Ember is holding his hand, and I grin thinking about them staying in our room tonight. It may have been a while ago, but I remember those first few times I slept in the same bed with Raven. My dick twitches in my pants thinking about the night she got home from her parents after her migraine.

Laurie leads us to the beach, and seaside area reserved for our pictures. Even though they bitched about wearing the tuxes, my band looks good. After Ember had helped them with their ties, I had to listen to endless banter back and forth. Finally she explained that the Groom was generally the best looking on the wedding day. That’s right motherfuckers!

“Dec, you look amazing.” Abbi tells me as she hugs me. She steps back, and Ella does the same.

“You two look beautiful. How’s my girl?”

“She’s doing fine. Nothing has her frazzled except the vows. I hope her mom gives her a shot of something to calm her nerves.”

“That bad?”

“You perform for a living. She doesn’t. She’s scared she’ll mess up. But we think she’ll be fine.”

I try to get more information, but Laurie comes over and we start our pictures. When we’re done, we line up in order. All our friends are already seated. I’m surprised to see Ryan with his guitar stringing some soft notes.

Laurie gives me the go ahead, and I lead the group forward to where we will stand at the front. As it worked out height wise, Robbie is standing right next to me. Dad walks Jenna down the beach and leads her to her seat, then he surprises me by walking up and giving me a hug. I look over my shoulder and see Robbie and the rest of the guys eyeing me nervously.

The girls start walking towards me, and each of them gives me a slight smile. My sisters both point to my pocket. I reach in and feel a wad of tissue. Seriously? They think I’m gonna cry? Maybe it’s for Raven.

Ryan stops for a brief second, and I hear the famous chords of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” fill the air. Everyone stands up, and all I can see is the back of people’s heads. What the fuck? Robbie leans in and tells me to scoot forward.

Nothing in my life could prepare me for the moment I see her. My heart starts racing, my ears ringing, tears sting my eyes and my knees buckle. Robbie has to steady me. She is breathtaking and smiling through tears as her dad leads her to me. For the rest of my life, I will swear there was a halo surrounding her as she walks down the sand with the sun hitting her just right. There’s a few chuckles behind me but mostly hisses. I don’t take my eyes off of her wanting to memorize this moment. This is the moment I will think about her being mine.

Her dad stops, and she is inches away from me, I suck in a breath and silently thank God.

The officiate asks who gives her away and James answers in a broken voice. When he places her hand in mine, I break out of my trance. James takes his seat next to Jenna and the man starts talking again.

“We are here to celebrate the union of marriage between Declan and Raven. The love and commitment promised here today is the beginning of their life together as husband and wife. This is a partnership that will inevitably see trials and tribulations, but by devoting yourself today, you are taking the challenge and pledging your lives together as one. I understand you have your own vows?”

We both shake our head to confirm. I can tell how nervous she is, so I go first.

“Last summer while I was on the road, I had a lot of time to reflect on accomplishments and mistakes I made in my life. We all know how awful I felt without you so one night instead of writing my normal stuff down, I wrote you a love letter. Today I want to recite that letter to you.

“I was not a good man before I met you. I may have been a good son and great big brother, but I was not a good man. I didn’t think too much outside of myself, my band or living a hard life. The term forever wasn’t in my vocabulary. That day in the park when I landed on top of you and our skin touched, I saw flashes of my life in front of me. Those images included you. At first, I thought it was pure luck you were my sister’s new roommate, but now I know it wasn’t luck at all. It was fate. I’ve told you this before, but love isn’t a strong enough word for my feelings for you. I’ve fallen so hard and so deep for you that you are actually a part of my beating heart. If you’re hurt, sad, worried, or upset, then so am I. If you’re happy then so am I. I will work for the rest of my life to make sure you are surrounded by my love, devotion, and support. You will never, ever doubt me again.

“I have selfishly asked you to be a part of this crazy life I chose, but I promise you and our future children a good life. Our home will always be filled with love and laughter. Our relationship will be what others are jealous of because my feelings will never be questioned again. I hope one day, you will read this letter and understand how much I regret hurting you.”

I wipe the tears falling down her cheek and cup her chin. “Raven, I consider myself the luckiest SOB on the planet having you by my side. You and your love made me the man I never thought I could be. There has never been anyone as devoted and committed to anything as I am to us. I take the honor of being your husband very seriously. I will go to the ends of the earth for your happiness. For the rest of our lives, Ravenel James, you will always be my light, my inspiration, and my reason for breathing.” I finish and stare into her beautiful blue eyes still shining with tears. She clears her throat softly and then threads her fingers through mine.

“Declan, I don’t write for a living like you do, but when you asked me to say our own vows, I immediately thought of a word that describes how I feel about you. It may be a simple word to some people but to me, it’s the only way I can express the depth of my feelings. The word is love.

“L equals the loyalty and lifelong commitment I make to you here today. In front of our family and friends I promise to always be by your side. In good times and bad, you will have a partner. When life gets complicated and hard, we will get through it together.

“O equals openness. You will always have access to my heart. I will be honest and sincere and never again allow a miscommunication to break our bond.