Finding Beautiful

by Amanda Kaitlyn

  Come find me when you’re done unpacking. I want to take you somewhere.

  I’m smiling as I make my way to his office that’s connected to the hallway that connects the bedroom, half bath and a small room Gavin uses for his business away from the business. If he can, I know he’d rather work from home. I peek my head in the door to see him looking down at his cell phone. I knock twice and his eyes sweep to mine.

  “That was fast,” he says, coming around the desk and wrapping me up in his arms. A contented sigh passes my lips at the feeling.

  “I didn’t have much to unpack, actually. Most of my stuff was left here.”

  “Hmm,” Gavin hums under his breath and places a kiss to the top of my head.

  “Are you ready, Beautiful?” he whispers against my head and I nod, eager for his surprise.

  Gavin puts my fleece jacket around my shoulders to ward from the harsh winds outside and leads me out to the garage. I expect to find the Lexus parked in its natural spot but instead, Jasmine is there. The sight of the sleek car with a blue pinstripe down the side of it elicits wonderful memories for me. The ride we took just before our first date, how the engine felt like slow and passionate sex underneath me.

  “I love this car.”

  Gavin takes my hand and I see the teasing smile he’s trying to hide.

  I sit on the passenger side and leave the door open as Gavin looks down at me with heat filled eyes.

  “What?”

  “You’re turned on by this car, baby. Aren’t you?” His gravelly voice is the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard and I feel the blush come to my face at his words.

  Hell yes, I’m turned on. Have you seen this car?

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  I hear the rich chuckle come from my man standing over me and I hastily close the door before I admit he’s right. The moment I feel the engine come to life underneath our seats, my insides become curled in excitement. Yes, I love the hum and roll of this car, the smooth, unaltered shift as Gavin takes a turn. The leather seats feel perfect as I sit here and toy with the strands of my hair. But none of that is why I’m filled with anticipation right now. I know wherever he is taking me will be special and I’m filled with curiosity as to what it could be.

  “See? I knew it. You’re blushing. Your cheeks have the most beautiful glow to them right now, Aria,” Gavin murmurs, reaching over to take one of my hands in his. He grins knowingly and kisses my knuckles as he drives.

  “Well, I saw this car first you know. When we met.”

  I smooth my other hands over his and trace the lines in his palm.

  “Oh, really? You love this car more, don’t you?”

  I pretend to think about it for a minute and then moved forward and kissed the dimple on his left cheek.

  “I like this car, I’m not sure if I love it, quite yet.”

  His blue gray eyes take me in for a moment before they fill with amusement and he emits a small laugh. God, I love his laugh.

  “There’s one thing I want you to do before we get to the place I’m taking you. I want it to be a true surprise,” Gavin says and he tells me to close my eyes. As I do, I see the slight shake in his hand against the wheel that tells me he’s nervous, too.

  “I have a surprise for you, Aria. Turn around,” he whispers low in my ear and I comply, biting my lip and closing my eyes as I hear him take something out of his pocket and then I feel smooth fabric-maybe a scarf?—cover my eyes and he ties it loosely behind my head. He kisses my temple and then turns me to him. I smile happily and wonder how he could possibly top last night.

  “Gavin, I can’t see!” I squeal as he takes my hands and guides me a few steps and then stops short. He’s silent and all I can feel is his hand holding mine while his arm is secured around my shoulders as he guides me. He chuckles and then lifts me into his arms before sitting me on a plush leather seat, oh, I must be in the truck.

  “Patience, Beautiful. You’ll love it, I promise,” he whispers, kisses my cheek gently and then closes the door before I can say anything else. I sit back and sigh, wondering how I ever deserved a man like Gavin Thomas.

  * * *

  “How much longer?” I ask for the third time in twenty minutes. I feel Gavin squeeze my hand and then finally, the engine cuts off and he lifts me out of the car. He holds me tight for a few seconds, kissing the breath out of me and then lets me down, wrapping his arm around my waist as we walk onto what I’m guessing is either a meadow or a yard from the grass and leaves I hear under my shoes. Gavin guides me maybe halfway down the area, twenty five steps, and then stops, turns me to face him and cups my cheeks gently. He skims my jaw with his thumbs and my skin tingles at his touch. It’s my undoing. And, it only excites me more.

  “Can I look now?” I whisper. I can almost see the smile on his face through the silky fabric.

  “Yes, but just keep in mind that this isn’t all there is to see. This is just the beginning, baby.”

  I nod and then he reaches behind my head and undoes the blindfold, allowing it to fall to the floor.

  A gasp escapes me as my eyes take in what’s around me. A seemingly endless meadow of freshly cut grass where we stand, an old oak tree stands beside us maybe 10 feet away and in front of us is a beautiful gazebo made of Chester wood painted white. It’s breathtaking. There are four steps going up to the floor of it and it’s the largest one I’ve ever seen. I can’t help thinking that it would be perfect for a wedding and as I turn around and see the endless yards of grass and land for a home. I see that picture from my dream last night. Gavin standing beside a white house with green shutters, a wraparound porch and endless grass as far as the eye can see on one side of it and on the other is the most breathtaking view of Lake Michigan. The clear blue waters turning reddish gold with the sunset. A beautiful little girl with brown hair and blue-gray eyes is holding out a single red rose for me and she smiles up at me, wearing a yellow sundress with white sandals like mine. I turn back towards Gavin and picture a little boy with his messy brown hair and my emerald green eyes running alongside him. Oh my God, a family. This, is ours. Tears stream down my face and immediately Gavin reaches for me and lifts my chin until I meet his blue gray eyes filled with such unbridled love. He gazes down at me trying to read my expression and I smile, out of happiness and sheer joy knowing the dream now. Us. Gavin, he’s my dream.

  “It’s so beautiful, Gavin. Is it ours?”

  He grins, kissing my nose and then my lips softly before pulling away and nodding.

  “I told you I’m going to give you my whole world, and then some. When I saw this property, the oak tree, the land, the meadow, the beautiful views of the Lake I grew up with, I knew this was perfect for us. I want to treasure you, to make all your dreams come true, this is just the beginning, baby.”

  He wipes my tears away and then kisses me, covering my mouth with his and as I grasp locks of his hair and he parts my lips with his glorious tongue, I know this is forever.

  “Gavin, when did you do all of this?” I whisper seconds later as we walk up to the gazebo and Gavin stands beside it before taking my hands and kissing each of my knuckles in turn.

  “Yesterday. I’ve been waiting and waiting to do this ever since I laid my eyes on yours, baby. But now, the time is right.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see people approaching from the far edge of the meadow and I turn towards them with curiosity. What is going on?

  Gavin wraps strong arms around me from behind, brushes a strand of my hair away from my neck and puts his lips to my ear.

  “I want you to know that we don’t have to do this now. We can wait for as long as you want. We can have a big wedding with all the bells and whistles, but I didn’t think that would be what you’d want. We’ve missed so much time with each other and I think this is the perfect winter day for me to ask you to marry me. Right here, Beautiful. Marry me in front of all your family and our friends. My mom, your parents, Farah and her family are coming a
nd isn’t that all the people we need?”

  His firm but tender voice trails off as he releases his arms from around my waist and lets me process all he’s said. I begin to recognize people that are approaching. My dad, dressed to the nines in a black suit and tie. My mom, Kel, Farah, her sister Melanie and even Jenna with her younger brother, Damon are walking towards us. They are all coming. Joy and uncertainty fill my chest as the possibility of truly getting married today unravels in my mind. Did I want this? Even with the lingering questions in my head about how Gavin arranged this without me knowing, had my dad given him his blessing and who would officiate—all those questions seem to disappear the moment I turn around and meet Gavin’s hope-filled eyes.

  “Oh, Gavin. We’re getting married, here? What about a big affair or a reception? Your family and—“ Abruptly my outbursts are halted by the crash of his lips on mine, his tongue seeking passage into my mouth and the suppressed groan he gives me through our kiss. His hands come up to hold my head and I feel his smile against my mouth.

  “My mom is here and so is Callie. You are here. I want to do this, to fully take you to be my wife in every sense of the word so that everyone here, in our lives, will know with complete certainty that you are mine. I will love you for the rest of our lives and if it’s possible, I’ll love you past forever, Aria. Just say yes.”

  The sincerity in his voice and the unbridled, unhindered affection in his gaze disintegrates all my doubts and questions, except for one.

  “Did you ask my dad for his blessing? I know it might sound traditional, but respect is very important to him and for you to ask me without his consent, I—“

  Gavin’s face splits into a warm smile and he lifts me into his arms again.

  “I did. He said all he asked was that I never lie to you or hurt you intentionally. He also said that if I ever hurt you in any way, made you feel inadequate or as if you’re not enough, he would kill me with his bare hands.”

  My mouth drops open in surprise, though truly I know how protective my dad has been since last year and even before that, he’s always protected me to the best of his ability.

  I’m not all that surprised that he would threaten my future husband in his efforts.

  Tears prick at my eyes and I lace my fingers around his neck and press my head to his chest.

  I love him so much.

  “I love you,” I whisper and I feel his smile against my hair.

  “Is that a yes, baby?”

  I nod eagerly and he gathers my mouth to his and kisses me breathless.

  “I love you so much, Beautiful.”

  Thirty Eight

  KEL PULLS ME AWAY from the arms of my man moments before I see Elizabeth wrap her arms around him and speak softly to him. I know they deserve some time and I know I have to thank my sister and truly, everyone for helping make this wonderful day happen.

  “Are you sure you want to do this, Honey? You can always change your mind. I know how much you guys have been through and we all just wanted to help make this day as special as possible. I hope you’re not mad at me for keeping the secret from you.”

  My sister’s big brown eyes fill with worry and I shake my head hastily.

  “No! Please, Kel this is so wonderful for you to do for us. But how? Buying this land, getting an officiant and everyone to be here, today. How did you all do it?”

  I watch as she worries her lower lip between her teeth before she grins knowingly and shrugs her shoulders.

  “Honestly, Mom set a lot of it up. I helped schedule everyone’s flights back home and ordered the dresses for us all. I picked one out that I think you’ll love, come take a look.”

  I let her lead me over to the opposite side of the gazebo and when I see the white tent in the center of the land, I know she must have set these up for me. Gavin and the groomsmen can easily change into a shirt and tie without a tent or enclosed space but a bride needs her own space to dress and feel beautiful before she walks down the aisle. Will there even be an aisle? Somehow, with everything Gavin made happen to surprise me, to give me the world as he’s said a hundred times over, I know there will be. I’m really getting married today. Joy and nervousness curl in my stomach and I have no doubts at all. I know this is the day I’ll become Gavin’s wife. The thought of that fills me with overwhelming happiness.

  “Oh!” I gasp, Kel opens the tent for me and the first thing I see is an ivory white wedding dress hanging on a hook in front of where we stand. It has a laced bust and no sleeves. The fabric has to be either satin or something close to it, the details in the stitching are exquisite and I know that if we had gone to the bridal store ourselves, I would have chosen this exact dress. My sister kisses my cheek and her vibrant smile brightens her face. She’s happy for me.

  “I’ll see you out there. Daddy will come soon, OK? Any doubts?”

  I pull her into a hug and kiss her cheek gratefully for making this day happen.

  “Not one. Thank you so much, Sis. I love you.”

  She grabs her purse and gives me one last squeeze.

  “Love you back.”

  * * *

  Daddy takes my hand and begins to lead me to a slow walk as my body begins to hum with excitement. The aisle is covered with red rose petals and each row of pews across the land is decorated with white silk and baskets of roses and lilacs. My dad secures his hand around my waist and I place my hand in the crook of his elbow. He wears the same black suit with gray tie that he wore to my sister’s wedding. He looks so handsome.

  “Thanks for coming, daddy.”

  He smiles warmly down at me as we start down the aisle towards the love of my life.

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, pumpkin. You look beautiful today.”

  I kiss his cheek and then dart my gaze to Gavin’s smoldering blue grays. He’s wearing a gray suit jacket over a white button down shirt that showcases every line of the perfectly toned muscles of his chest and arms. His messy light brown hair is slicked back away from his face and his lips turn up into a wide smile the moment his eyes meet mine. Simmering heat fills the grays in his eyes and I know mine reflect the same love I see. My dad kisses the hand he’s holding as we stop only a foot away from the steps leading to the gazebo where a beautifully decorated trellis adorned with lilacs and lilies is placed to make a breathtaking altar. It’s dusk now, and the sunset reflects in Gavin’s eyes offsetting his blueish gray with hues of deep oranges and reds.

  “Be happy, pumpkin. I love you to the moon and back,” My dad murmurs. Tears build in his eyes and I can’t help the moisture that threatens in mine. I grasp his hand and kiss his cheek.

  “I’ll always be your little girl. I love you back, daddy.”

  He sniffs and wipes his eyes before leading me up the three steps painted a sheer white and places a firm hand on Gavin’s shoulder.

  “Remember what I said, Gavin. Take care of her.”

  My handsome man takes my hands in his and lifts them to his lips.

  “I will, Mr. Morgan.”

  The moment my dad places my hand in Gavin’s, electricity shoots through me. His eyes capture mine as he takes me in his arms and whispers into my hair.

  “You are so beautiful, baby. You take my breath away.”

  I smile and lean back, squeezing his hands in mine. I mouth I love you and his answering smile would make my knees give out on me if it wasn’t for my dad’s strong arm secured around my middle. I smile up at him and kiss his cheek.

  My dad smiles and retreats back to his seat as I step under the trellis with Gavin and stand before Reverend Jones, Farah’s dad and the pastor who married Kel and Lucas. He also married my parents and I’m so happy that he’s marrying us now. I look up into Gavin’s deep blue eyes and see such love in them.

  “I love you,” he mouths to me and I feel his hand tighten in mine. A tear falls down my cheek as I mouth my love back to him. God. How is it possible to love someone so completely like this?

  His smoldering blue gray eyes m
eet mine then as we stand before the pastor and all our family and friends. Somehow Kel and my mom were able to get seating for everyone to enjoy the ceremony.

  I take a deep breath just as the pastor begins speaking.

  “We are all gathered here today to celebrate the blessed union of Gavin Andrew Thomas and Aria Georgia Morgan. Everyone, please take your seats.”

  I hear the bustle of about sixty people taking their seats and then the pastor asks for the rings. He blesses them and then tells Gavin to say the vows he wrote. His answering smile is ruggedly handsome, just like the first time we met. I wanted him then, maybe I even loved him and now, I love him even more. I can’t imagine my life without him.

  “I Gavin Andrew Thomas take you Aria Georgia Morgan to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward. To love and to cherish, through joys and through sorrows, in sickness and in health, for as long as I shall live. I will love you unconditionally, I will laugh with you and I will cry with you. I’ll support you in all things and I’ll never stray from our love. Aria, I’ll be your world as long as you’ll be mine.”

  He lays a hand on the side of my face and it feels as if his love is pouring into me in this moment.

  As he finishes his vows, I grip his hands in mine and squeeze tightly as he gazes down at me with such love I could burst with it.

  “Please place this ring on her finger and repeat after me,” the pastor says, placing the golden wedding band in Gavin’s palm. My breath catches in my throat when I see it. Emeralds encompass the band and its design is hued with golden swirls, all intersecting around to become one. It takes my breath away. Gavin smiles warmly down at me, never taking his eyes off mine as he speaks to me only.

  “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity.”

  He murmurs and slips it on my ring finger right behind the engagement ring he’d placed there only three weeks ago. Tears course down my cheeks as I squeeze his hand. It’s my turn. I speak from my heart as I gaze up at the only man I’ve ever truly loved.