It's Our Time (Carolina Rebels 3)

“Don’t be an ass, Ian.”

Savannah gasps. “Mommy!” It’s rare for her to hear me cuss, so I’m not surprised at her surprise.

“Sorry, buttercup. Your daddy is a bad influence. Are you ready for the wedding tomorrow? Excited to wear your dress?”

“Yes!” Savannah might be the most excited of us all. We’ve told her that Mommy and Daddy love each other so much we’re getting married and that means she gets to wear a dress. Then, we’re spending a week at the beach. She’s also excited about that.

I turn back to Ian. “Are you sure you don’t want Mom to keep her so we can honeymoon alone?” He’s been insistent from the beginning that wherever we go, she’s coming with us. It’s been so odd that I keep asking if he’s sure.

“Yeah. She’s never been, right?” I nod. “Then no way am I not taking her. Honeymoon or not. It’s not like we can’t still have us-time.” I must look skeptical because his voice lowers. “It’s my first summer with her, babe. I’m not leaving her behind, even for a week completely alone with you.”

That turns my heart to goo. My eyes water and I lean forward to kiss him softly. “I love you.”

“Hope so. You’re stuck with me, remember? If you change your mind, you become my hostage.”

I laugh. He knows as well as I do that I’m not going anywhere.

Today, we’re getting married.

When deciding where to have our wedding, we discovered that EJ had a gorgeous backyard. He is letting us use it for the day for our small and short ceremony. The only people here are Savannah, my dad, Chris, Mom, Logan, Carey, Zane, and Ian’s dad, Jimmy. He still hasn’t been able to get on good enough terms with his mother, and he didn’t want anything to taint today, so he made the decision not to invite her or his sisters. She’s yet to meet Savannah as well, but Ian said she hasn’t asked either.

I’m standing just inside the house, which is ridiculously beautiful, and I’m peering through the sheer curtains. Everyone is watching Savannah, laughing and smiling, as she dances around and tosses her flower petals up into the air.

This moment reminds me of a plane taking off, which reminds me of first kisses and how Ian described them both to me. It’s like a first kiss you’ve been waiting for and it’s finally happening. Our entire relationship has been building up to this moment. There’s nothing but anticipation and excitement for what’s to come. My heart is beating a million miles an hour, and I’d bet that Ian’s is too. If not, it will the moment I start to open this door.

I’m nervous, but not worried because it’ll be perfect and we’re beyond ready. Not to mention that Ian looks yummy in his tux. EJ has a large tree, which is providing some relief, but it’s still hot, even though it’s late afternoon and there are fans outside that are aimed at everyone. Even from here, I can see his hair sticking to the edges of his face.

All of a sudden, Zane pulls Savannah over to him and they all look to the door. That’s my cue. I can hear the soft music playing, but it’s louder when I open the door. My eyes are on Ian as I reach behind me to close the door. He’s grinning the biggest grin I’ve ever seen.

His arm moves, my eyes drop, and his hand is out, waiting for me. My feet move faster until I’m standing in front of him, my hand in his. My dress flaps against my legs and I realize there are two fans aimed right at Ian and me. They don’t want either one of us getting overheated.

Ian leans forward to whisper in my ear. “Fucking gorgeous, babe.”

I beam a smile. “You’re handsome, too.” I reach up to push some of his hair away from his face. He’s probably even hotter with that beard.

The officiant clears his throat and begins to speak. That triggers my tears. It’s taken so much for us to get here. So many mistakes. So many arguments. But so many right things. So much love. We’ve been resilient, even when we didn’t realize it. Thank god for this man in front of me because he’s definitely held us together.

“Ian,” I blurt out. Tears are steadily streaming down my face.

He eases his hands onto my cheeks, flicking a quick glance at the surprised officiant since I just interrupted him, and then focuses on me. “You okay, gorgeous?” he asks carefully.

“I love you so much.”

He puffs a laugh and pulls

me against him in a hug. “I love you too, babe, but you’re being rude. Let the man finish talking and you can tell me you love me all you want during your vows, okay?”

“All right. I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help it.”

Ian kisses my forehead. The officiant begins to talk and then Ian starts reciting his vows. This day is too perfect. Every moment, I wonder if I’m going to fall apart with a happy sob that this moment is finally here. It’s happening. We’re together once and for all. The moment we say I do and have our first kiss as husband and wife, we’ll be soaring. Flying high, coasting, savoring, and enjoying our life and the fact that it’s finally our time.