Something Worth Fighting For

by McNiel, Ashley

  “You guys really pulled some strings, didn’t you?” I nudged Atlas.

  “We have your father to thank for that. He used every trick in the book I think.” He raised his beer bottle to my dad who nodded in acknowledgment.

  “Who else is coming?”

  “Tara and Caleb, Jacks, Katie, and Reid.”

  “I’ve been wanting to see Reid! She sent me pictures and oh my goodness he’s a doll.”

  “Maybe we can have one of our own one day.” Atlas whispered in my ear causing a smile to spread across my face.

  “At least one.”

  “How many do you want?”

  “Two, I think two would be good.”

  “I was holding my breath hoping you wouldn’t say twelve or something.” Atlas chuckled.

  “Hell no, that’s not a production line down there.”

  “Crazy girl, come on, people have presents for you.”

  “You were the best present ever.”

  “Good answer.”

  We surrounded ourselves in friends, family, and everyone who mattered to us. Atlas was home, Adam was home, and I was getting married tomorrow. I had no idea how everything was going to turn out but it didn’t matter. For once, I felt invincible.

  ❋❋❋

  “I’m getting married today.” I laughed staring at the ceiling.

  “Yes you are.” Katie was standing in the doorway to my bedroom. They had forced Atlas to at least sleep downstairs.

  “Katie!” I jumped out of bed, hugging her. “You look amazing, you did not just have a baby.”

  “I did!” She spun around in a small circle.

  “Where is he?”

  “You’d have to pull him away from Uncle Atlas. I think he fell in love at first sight.” She laughed. “Felix is on his way, Atlas doesn’t know. That was our surprise for him.”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “Nope, Jacks went out there and told him he’d burn his house down if he didn’t show up.” She shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Felix would have come either way but Jacks apparently has a flare for the dramatic.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me? Can we go see him?”

  “Yes, I’ve been away from him long enough.” Katie laughed as I followed her downstairs.

  “Give him to me, Atlas Ryker.” I demanded, my heart seizing seeing him with the baby in his arms.

  “You’ll have to take him from me!”

  “Fine,” I walked over, scooping the tiny bundle of baby out of his arms. “Hi Reid,” I kissed his forehead as his eyes fluttered open. “Well aren’t you handsome.” The eight week old cooed at me. Atlas stood up, putting his hand on the small of my back.

  “A baby looks good on you.” He said softly in my ear as he smiled at the two of us.

  “Funny, I thought the same thing about you.”

  “Hmm.. Let’s get married first.”

  “Isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see the bride the day of the wedding?” Jacks said with a mouthful of food.

  “Isn’t it bad luck for someone to be eating my leftover cake?” I stuck my tongue out at him.

  “It is if he doesn’t want to get his ass kicked.” Atlas smirked.

  “Language, Atlas Quinn, there’s a baby.” I covered the side of his head with my hand as Katie laughed.

  “Oh yeah, she’ll be a good mama. Give me back my baby. You two have to get ready.”

  “Fine, I’ll just have to play with him later.” I handed her the wrapped baby as she sat down on the couch.

  “I have to go make myself beautiful. I’ll see you at the alter.”

  “I look forward to it.” Atlas smiled as I went over and hugged Jacks.

  “Thanks for coming.”

  “We wouldn’t have missed it. His surprise will be here in about twenty minutes. You better save me a dance.” He whispered in my ear as I let go.

  “I’ll come back down and see. Will you guys send Darcy up if she ever gets off of Adam long enough to show up?”

  “Will do.” Jacks gave me a thumbs up as I ran back up to my room. I held my breath as I opened my closet. My dress was wrapped neatly in a white garment bag. I picked it off the rack, laying it out on my bed. With a deep breath, I tugged the zipper to a shower of white.

  “Oh my...”

  “Is it the right one?” Darcy asked as she closed the door behind her.

  “It’s so perfect.” I ran my hand over the lace. “Oh wow, I love it.”

  “Go get showered and we’ll get you dressed. The ceremony is in a couple of hours. I’ve already put all the guys to work putting together the reception.”

  “You are the best maid of honor ever.”

  “I know, now go get clean. No more coming back downstairs, I don’t care if Atlas’ father is here or not.”

  I did as I was told and took a nice hot shower, shaving, and washing my hair. With my towel wrapped around me I went into my room to find everything set out and waiting on me. I pulled on my undergarments, standing in front of the mirror as Darcy came back in. “Put on the button up shirt, we have to do your hair and makeup first.”

  “Yes ma’am.” I put on the shirt I recognized as Atlas’. Darcy sat me next to the window as she began her magic, blow drying and pinning curls up in intricate twists. When she was done she handed me the mirror and let me inspect. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Good because I was not about to take all that down and redo it. Makeup and we’ll get you in that dress.”

  “How was seeing Adam?” I asked as she started working on my face.

  “Amazing,” she smiled, “he’s such a sweetheart.”

  “That he is.”

  “I can’t believe Atlas actually pulled off the proposal. We’ve been working on it forever. It was all his idea, he set it up perfectly. Everyone was talking about it afterward.”

  “He’s incredible,” I sighed dreamily. “I’m so happy.”

  “You deserve to be, Ellie. You always told me that you didn’t date because you couldn’t trust anyone. You impressed me by letting Atlas in. I knew he was something special as soon as you said a boy was coming. He has to be because you sure are something special.”

  “Dammit you’re going to make me cry and ruin all your hard work.” I laughed.

  “Don’t you dare screw it up, it’s perfect. Let’s get you into that dress.” She pulled the tea length sweetheart cut dress out of the bag.

  “It’s beautiful,” I slid out of Atlas’ shirt, stepping into the dress as she held it open. “You guys did an awesome job.” Darcy zipped the faux button up back, pointing to the bed. I sat down as she helped me put on a pair of dainty white heels. “Could you get my dad? I’d like him to put the veil on.”

  “Of course, put on the garter while I’m gone.” I opened the box holding the blue garter with the Marine Corps emblem dangling from it. It couldn’t have been more perfect if I had picked it out myself. Carefully maneuvering it over my shoe, I slid it up my leg until it was snugly placed against my thigh.

  “Ellie Belle...” Dad’s voice caught me off guard as I stood up. He was in his Dress Blues along with Keller and Tobias. “Wow, baby girl.”

  “I look okay? I wanted you to help me put my veil on.”

  “You look beautiful, baby.” He came over taking the veil from me. “I’m not real sure how this goes on.” He admitted as Darcy walked over showing him where to pin it.

  “It’s time, guys.” Jacks called from outside the door.

  “You ready?” Dad asked.

  “Absolutely,” I said confidently but underneath my dress my knees were shaking. I couldn’t be nervous, I was marrying the best thing that ever happened to me. I hooked my arm through his as he escorted me down the stairs.

  Katie and Adam were waiting in the living room, smiles plastered all over their faces as I came down the stairs. “Oh Ellie...” Katie wiped her eyes. “Atlas is going to die.” She laughed.

  “Let’s go get my man!” They laughed, all walking out before
me and dad.

  “Penelope, it has always been a privilege being your father. You have made me so proud. You are strong, smart, beautiful, and a grown woman but you’re still my little girl, my princess, and you always will be. I love you endlessly.” I choked back my sob as dad looked away wiping stray tears.

  “I love you too, Daddy. I will always be your little girl and you will always be my hero and my first love.” I reached up on my tiptoes kissing his cheek. We stepped out onto the porch as I got my first look of the ceremony.

  There were white chairs lined in deep purple tulle and bright colored daisies hanging at the end of the rows. The arch was in front of the water letting the sinking sun do all the decorating that we really needed. Candles lined my pathway from the stairs to where there would have been a runner in the sand.

  I didn’t dare look at Atlas, not yet.

  Darcy was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for us holding my bouquet of daisies. I took them as she turned around and walked down the aisle staring at Adam. By the looks they were exchanging they would definitely be next.

  We walked together across the sand, my birdcage veil barely fluttering against the wind. When we reached the rows of chairs, everyone rose to their feet as the music started.

  I looked up to find my groom staring back at me. He looked up at the sky then back down at me, his chest rising and falling faster. I was holding my breath, steadily crying. He was once again in his Blues, holding his hands together in front of him. Ares leaned over, whispering in his ear, and he nodded. The smile on his face was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen in my life.

  As we got closer I realized he was trying his best not to cry. He took a step toward us as my dad pulled back. “I know this is where I’m supposed to give my Ellie away but I have a few things to say first.” Dad said as I shook my head, putting my hand over my face. “Now I’m going to be real honest here Atlas, I didn’t want to like you. Not even a little. For my own selfish reasons, mainly this reason right here. You taking my baby girl away from me. But the truth is, I do like you Atlas and you’re the only person I would ever trust with her. I’ve come to realize that I’m not losing my baby girl, in fact, it’s just the opposite. I’m gaining another son. Take care of her, love her, cherish her, and most importantly remember if you make her cry you have to deal with me and son, for your sake, you don’t want to do that.”

  Everyone was laughing as dad took Atlas’ hand, shaking it and then putting mine in it. “Who gives this woman away?” The minister stepped forward, speaking.

  “I guess I do, if I have to.” Dad said, chuckling.

  “Very well then, you may all be seated.” Atlas and I walked together to stand in front of the minister. “Today we are gathered here to unite Penelope Noelle Grant and Atlas Quinn Ryker as husband and wife.” I zoned out, staring at Atlas. He was the only thing I could see, since he came into my life he was the only thing I could see.

  “Do you Penelope Noelle Grant take Atlas Quinn Ryker to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor and cherish faithfully until death do you part?”

  “I do.” I said with a shaky voice.

  “Do you Atlas Quinn Ryker take Penelope Noelle Grant to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor, protect, and cherish faithfully until death do you part?”

  “I do.” Atlas said, smiling at me.

  “You better.” I smirked as everyone started laughing.

  “Then by the power vested in me by the state of North Carolina I now pronounce you husband and wife. Atlas, you may kiss your bride.”

  “It’s about time.” He laughed, raising my veil, and sealed my mouth with his. My hands on his face as his fist raised in the air in triumph. Our friends and family around us were a mixture of tears, laughter, and cheers.

  “I am honored to present to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Atlas Ryker.” The minister announced as everyone stood up and we walked down the aisle together, hands clasped together, raised in the air.

  “Mrs. Penelope Ryker you are stunning. I think I started to hyperventilate when I saw you.” Atlas spun me around, then pulled me to him, kissing me lightly. “Thank you for spending the rest of your life with me.” He said against my mouth.

  “Thank you for choosing me. I love you.”

  “Always, Ellie.”

  He kissed me once again as our guests started to come by and congratulate us. Ma and Celeste directed them toward the covered tent a few yards down the beach as a photographer came over to whisk us away for pictures.

  It was all a well ordered chaos.

  Forty-five minutes later we were walking into the the tent to whistling and applause. “Mr. and Mrs. Atlas Ryker, ladies and gentlemen!” The DJ called from a booth at the front of the tent. We walked hand in hand to the center of the dance floor.

  “Wait! I at least get to pick the first dance!” I let go of Atlas, running up to the DJ as best I could in my heels, much to the amusement of our guests. I whispered the name of the song in his ear. He nodded and gave me a thumbs up as I went back over to Atlas.

  “As requested by the bride.” He announced as the guitar riffs poured through the speakers.

  “Metallica,” Atlas laughed as he pulled me closer to him. My hand in his, the other on the back of his neck as I rested my head against his chest. “God you couldn’t get anymore perfect.” His hand rested against my lower back, as we danced underneath the twinkling lights strung from the top of the tent.

  “It’s the perfect song for us.”

  “Yes it is.”

  “Thank you, for today, for yesterday, for allowing me to spend every day with you, for the rest of my life.”

  “You know I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  As the song ended we went on to do our obligatory bride and groom duties. Pictures, cutting the cake which I smashed all over Atlas’ face, and dancing with our parents. But we all stopped in our tracks when Ares took the stage.

  “Hey everyone, I’m Ares, Atlas’ younger, better looking brother and it’s my duty as best man to make an embarrassing speech about my brother. The truth is, I really don’t have anything embarrassing to say about Atlas.” My arms around Atlas’ waist tightened as I looked up at him. “Atlas has always taken over where others left off, a born leader, and while he probably wasn’t always the best person to be following after, he led me anyway. He stuck up for me, looked out for me, beat me up when I needed it and sometimes when I didn’t, was my counselor, best friend, and became my role model. Despite those few years he decided he wanted to be an outlaw. I might be his best man today but he’s the best man I’ve ever known. It was an honor to stand by your side today and watch you marry the only woman that could ever do you justice. Congratulations on your happily ever after, I love you both.” He raised his glass as everyone began to clap. Atlas met him at the bottom of the stage and I watched as he hugged Ares, talking in his ear.

  “Oh lord,” I shook my head as Darcy walked past me and right up taking the microphone.

  “I heard that, Ellie. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to follow the heartfelt sibling love going on but I’m going to try my best. I don’t have any brothers or sisters so Ellie is the closest thing I have to that. I’ve known Ellie since our very first day of college our freshman year. She was all wild red hair and bad attitude and I loved her instantly. I ran into her, literally, I wasn’t paying attention and she gave me some rather choice words that I won’t repeat because there are children present. But if you know Ellie I’m sure you can guess. We have been best friends ever since. I’ve always been a pushy person and was constantly trying to get her to date and she never would. Imagine my surprise last year when she told me a boy was coming over to barge in on our beach day. I knew right then he had to be something special. It wasn’t until I saw Atlas watch Ellie that I knew this was a forever type of thing. He didn’t just
look at her, he saw Ellie. All the way to her core. It has been an amazing thing to watch two incredible people fall in love. You two give me hope that true love is real and not just in fairy tales. Congratulations and may you have many, many, happy, wonderful years together.”

  I raised my glass to her with a smile as he came down and hugged me tightly. “Thank you, Darc, for everything.”

  “You are so very welcome. Hopefully you will be doing the same for me one day.”

  “Count on it.”

  “Wait!” She turned to Atlas, “Does this mean my Saturday beach days are over?!”

  “No Darcy it just means you’ll have me and Adam there now.” He laughed, giving her a one armed hug. “Thank you for all of your help.”

  “I guess I can live with that. Happy to do it, Atlas. I’m going to go find my man now.” She walked off to the group of guys standing around drinking beer.

  “Dance with me, Mrs. Ryker?” Atlas smiled down at me.

  “Gladly.”

  We danced through two songs as he told me how he managed to pull the entire thing together. I was impressed by him knowing me well enough to know exactly what I would have wanted. He admitted to getting Darcy and Katie to ask me certain questions to make sure it would be perfect.

  “Can I cut in?” Jacks tapped Atlas on the shoulder, grinning.

  “Alright but people are going to ask questions watching you two slow dance together.” I said, laughing.

  “I’m sure we’ve done worse.” Jacks laughed as Atlas stepped aside. “Wife swap, Katie is over there.” He nodded to his wife holding their sleeping baby boy.

  “Did your man do good or what?” Jacks asked as he spun me gracefully around the dance floor.

  “He did, I’m impressed.” I nodded, looking around the room. Katie had finally handed Reid over to Andy as she stepped onto the floor with Atlas.

  “Mind your hands, Jackson.” Katie called over to him.

  “Oh come on, you know Atlas would share with me.”

  “Not on your life, buddy.” Atlas laughed.

  “You should sing for him.” Jacks suggested as a smile played at my lips.