My sister got into town Thursday morning, and she and Summer have made fast friends. I have a feeling that if Addison wants it bad enough Crews will move them down here. Summer insisted on spending the night apart and as much as I tried to tell her no, in the end, what is one night apart? Tori, Addison, and Summer stayed the night at Summer’s old apartment doing whatever it is women do the night before a wedding. I made Tori and Addison promise me no strippers and no clubs. They rolled their eyes but agreed. Thank fuck.
While the girls did their thing last night, I went out with my crew from Fire and Rescue to grab a beer. I even brought Crews along, and he didn’t bitch about being away from Addison nearly as much as I thought he would. Am I as intolerable with Summer as he is with my sister? Fuck it if I am. I love her so goddamn much, I would do anything to protect her.
Summer wanted a beach wedding, so that is what I gave her. Since my backyard is the beach, we rented some chairs and a pergola and set up the ceremony. Thank god my area of the beach is secluded, and most people don’t know about it. The girls decorated early this morning and made it everything Summer envisioned for our special day. With light blue and lavender hydrangeas hung from the pergola, I stand beneath it with Chase and Crews beside me as I wait for my bride. Tori and Addison walk out first and stand off to the side, but I couldn’t tell you what they were wearing. My sole focus is on Summer. Then suddenly she is standing at the end of the aisle, all by herself, in a short dress made of white lace, barefoot, and seemingly floating towards me. Her smile is from ear to ear, and I know that it must mirror my own.
When she met my parents yesterday, it was like they’d known each other forever and I wanted that for her. She will have a family now. I have heard in-law horror stories, and I am thankful that won’t be the case here.
When she reaches me, the preacher clears his throat, and I take her hands in mine.
“You look beautiful,” I whisper. I am in awe in that all this beauty is about to be mine forever.
“Thank you. You look handsome yourself,” she says, eying my khaki shorts with a dress shirt that has the sleeves rolled up. It’s about ninety degrees today, so it’s a scorcher out here, with the sun reflecting off the water the way that it is.
“Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join Drake Marcus Winston and Summer Irene Jones in holy matrimony,” the preacher begins, and I take a deep breath. This is what I’ve wanted since the moment I laid eyes on her all those weeks ago.
A few short minutes later, Summer is my wife, and the rest of our lives can begin. Our first kiss as husband and wife lingers, bordering on inappropriate, but sue me. Her lips under mine are always perfection.
We set the reception up on my huge patio, so hand in hand we walk up the beach.
My parents had a catered lunch brought in, so we dig into the chicken piccata before our first dance. She chose “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri because Twilight was her favorite movie growing up. I don’t think she’s chosen another, but I am not sure she’d admit that this was still her favorite. I’ve caught her watching it several times over the last few weeks. I can only chuckle since I know it’s only a matter of time before she cons me into watching it with her.
During the reception, I find Chase and Tori arguing heatedly in my kitchen. I want to ask questions, but I don’t get the chance to before he’s carrying her down the hallway to one of the guest rooms. I remind myself to tell Summer about it later.
Later, we head to the airport. I’m surprising my wife with a honeymoon in New Zealand, as she wants to go somewhere cold and it’s winter there. Luckily, she went to Cancun for her senior trip, so her passport was in order. I have a lot of family in Canada, so I’ve always had one as well. This is the first time either of us are leaving this continent, though, and we couldn’t be more excited.
The lodge at Lake Wakatipu is nestled in the Alps, Queenstown. It’s breathtaking actually. The first thing she wants to do is skydive, so I’ve set that up for in the morning. Tonight, I am going to make love to my wife.
Our suite is on the top floor of the hotel. We have a great view. I go into the bedroom with the bags, and when I come back out, Summer is standing in front of the window, looking out. My wife is looking beautiful in a floor-length black dress that ties in the front and a thick cable knit sweater. I push the sweater down her arms and pull her closer to me by the tie of her dress, opening it. Baring her to me.