Slowly, Laney stepped forward, face beaming, cheeks painted in a soft pink color.
God.
She really was perfect.
Curves thick and delicious, filling out every inch of that white dress, making me want to take a bite out of her. Sweetheart neckline that accentuated her full chest. Her mounds jiggled slightly with every step, threatening to spill out at any moment.
Mouthwatering.
I wasn’t sure how much longer I could control myself. This was almost torture. How could anyone be so gorgeous? On our wedding day, no less.
But eventually, the girl reached the foot of the altar. I held out my hand, and as soon as our fingers locked together, I helped her to my side. Together, we stood hand in hand in front of the prison chaplain who began reading out of a worn-out, three-ring binder. The skinny man was the size of an elf, but his voice was a deep baritone, commanding yet melodious.
“Dear beloved,” he intoned. “We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s happiest moments, the joining of two hearts in the sacrament of marriage. With my blessing, I shall unite this couple in marriage.”
The chaplain looked up and smiled as if addressing a full congregation, even if it was actually just us.
“Is there anyone here who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage?” he intoned.
Crickets.
C’mon, get on with it you old geezer. Come on, come on. She’s mine. I want her to be mine sooner and not later.
Laney looked at me with a confused expression on her face.
I squeezed her hand, rubbing my thumb against it. No matter what happened, this was going to be the central moment of my life. Nothing could ruin my marriage, even if the whole world came down crashing down. So long as Laney became my wife, I would be the king.
And finally, the pastor continued.
“Today, we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. One man, one woman, melding together to become husband and wife. A good marriage will be created, unshakeable and everlasting.”
As he said these words, I looked into Laney’s big brown eyes. And the longing for a family with this beautiful female began to burn in the pit of my stomach. I’d run my hands along her pregnant belly, caressing those smooth curves as a baby grew within. Hold her hand in the delivery room as she labored and delivered, the miracle of a child born of love.
Or more than one baby. I was willing to have a dozen with this beautiful, fertile female, so long as Laney was willing. But that was only one stage. Because as the children grew and matured, we’d grow old together, faithful companions and spouses. We’d become gray and bent, dependent on walking sticks, loving each other until the very end.
I was sure of it.
There was no other woman for me.
The priest cleared his throat, eyeing my lost form over the rim of his glasses.
“Dearly beloved, let us begin the vows.” He turned towards me. “Mr. Evercore, are you ready?”
I nodded mutely.
“Then please repeat after me.”
Subtly, I took a deep breath.
This was it. This was the moment of truth.
“I, Mason Evercore, take you, Laney Miller to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our relationship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.”
And never were any words so true. The sentences flew from my lips with ease, my heart swelling with pride as I gave myself up to this woman.
The pastor then turned to Laney who looked a bit nervous. But with luminous eyes, she turned towards me and repeated the same words, cheeks slightly pink, her voice just a tad breathless.
God, she was adorable. And all mine.
“And now, for the final part of our ceremony. The rings. Wedding rings are an unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this couple in marriage.”
That’s right. I wanted the world to know she was mine.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get her a proper ring. My fuck-up of a lawyer had forgotten to buy even the simplest circlets. He was going to pay for that just as soon as I was a free man.
So without a choice, I took out a pair of matching rings made of rope. Yeah, during the arts and crafts hour, I braided the two golden circles, my big fingers clumsy and fumbling. But it was my most important project yet, even if the rope was really nothing more than a piece of string.
Shit. This was embarrassing.
And yet, Laney accepted the ring on her finger as if it was made of the most precious gold and platinum, diamond studded and dripping with rubies.
Her smile lit up the room, the humble string tied around her finger.
“By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife,” the pastor declared proudly. “You may now kiss the bride.”