The Happily Ever After Search

by Amanda Kay

  After Jordan left, it took Tai a minute longer to pull herself from the floor, “How many more signs do you need?” her mother asked with her arms crossed.

  “What?” Tai questioned.

  “Jordan came down for you. Raiden didn’t,” she hissed. Was she fucking kidding?

  “Mom, I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that. Raiden needs to be with his dad,” Tai seethed before heading up the stairs far away from her mother.

  The Night Before the Wedding

  Raiden

  “Playboy?” she called from behind him. He almost didn’t hear her because he was staring at his phone. Kai Lukas wanted to meet and Raiden agreed, but he was nervous. He would kill Kai if he had to. However, something in Kai’s voice told him this was different.

  “Hey, sweetheart,” he said holding out his hand.

  “Who was on the phone?” she questioned as he proceeded to tug her towards him.

  “Kai.” She looked up him and he saw the shock and confusion in her eyes. “He wants to meet me tonight.”

  “Oh, what about?” he shrugged.

  “He didn’t say, but he sounded different.” He replied still trying to figure it out himself.

  “Hmmm....well don’t be late.” She smiled. That was his girl.

  “I going now, wait up for me.” He winked before heading to the door.

  ****

  He was standing against a tree in the park when Raiden arrived staring out into space. He looked different, more like the guy he was when they were eighteen and nineteen before everything changed.

  “What do you want, Kai?” Raiden’s voice was firm letting his guard down not yet.

  “I wanted to talk about Elder Roy.” It was strange to Raiden. This was what Kai wanted mostly because Raiden knew it was Roy who wrote the document that forced Tai to change and his reaction regarding Tai’s pregnancy prior to her change didn’t go unnoticed.

  “What about him?” Raiden asked folding his arms in front of staring at Kai and waiting.

  “He’s playing both sides.” Raiden’s gaze widened. “He gave me the document and he’s been calling me more regarding doing something to harm Tai’s pregnancy.” Raiden saw red.

  “Kai Lukas, I swear if you touch her, I will kill you!” Raiden yelled not considering there could be others around to hear his threat.

  “Hold on, man, not going to do a damn thing to her. Wanted you to know where Roy was at.” Raiden’s anger was being replaced by confusion.

  “I don’t get it.” he said barely above a whisper.

  “We were friends once, man. I know things have changed, but I miss that person I once was and now...” Raiden watched him run his fingers through his hair. “Well now I get it. I get what I could be. I want what you have with Tai and I found the person I want to have it with, but that comes at a cost. I have to change my ways.” Kai said no more he just walked away leaving Raiden dumbfounded.

  Raiden knew after Roy suggested that they abort the baby Tai was carrying, he would need to be watched, but the information Kai gave was far worse than he thought Roy was capable of and now he knew he would have to practically keep Tai locked up till they could handle Roy.

  Shit, Fuck! He’s coming tomorrow.” Raiden yelled as realization hit him. He had to get to Tai and tell her she needed to be sharp tomorrow, a day he wanted to be perfect for her and now could be possibly tarnished, but he was glad for the heads up maybe Kai and Gloria would find a way to get their shit together for each other. It was a sobering thought.

  Tai

  She knew she had to get the rest of things she would need for tomorrow moved to her old room before Raiden came home. He wasn’t going to like it when she told him they wouldn’t be sharing a bed tonight. Right on time she heard footsteps coming up the steps. She hurried towards the door of her first room. An arm snagged around her waist and she was tugged against his warm chest. “What are you doing, Tai?” he questioned, amused. Tai noticed he didn’t look on edge which she was expecting after his meeting with Kai, maybe it wasn’t so bad.

  “Getting what I need, moved in here, then going to bed,” she said lightly.

  She was turned and met with sad confused eyes. “What do you mean? Are you mad at me?” She shook her head at him and smiled.

  “Playboy, our wedding is tomorrow, it’s bad luck to see each other before the wedding.” She spoke slowly and she watched as he realized what she was saying. A seductive smile replaced his sadness.

  “So, we have till midnight then.” It wasn’t a question and Tai saw the determination in his eyes. “We never got to make love in this room and since it was where we shared our first kiss...” He raised his eyebrows and wagged them at her. She laughed at him but he silenced her giggle with the heat of his mouth and the swirl of his tongue.

  She gulped when his hands began unbuttoning her blouse. He was lighting her on fire, he always did, but tonight the eve of their wedding had her experiencing a whole new level of heat.

  She pushed back, “Raiden, stop.” He met her eyes with confusion as he tried to catch his breath.

  “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Nothing was really wrong, but with everything that had been going they hadn’t made love in over three weeks, and Tai missed his body, but it was the eve before their wedding.

  “Nothing is wrong, but we’ve already gone over three weeks,” he sighed a heavy flustered sigh and she laughed. “Playboy, we can wait one more night.” His demeanor changed as her words sunk in.

  “Okay, sweetheart, but tomorrow night, you’re mine.” His suggestive tone made her hot and bothered and she almost lost her control. She almost begged him to throw her onto the bed and make love to her all night long, but tomorrow they were going to have forever. She blew him a kiss, knowing her willpower was crushed. “Goodnight. Tai. I love you,” he said throwing his hand up like he was catching her kiss.

  “Night, Raiden, love you too.” He closed the door of her first room and she fell onto the bed. How she stopped him she didn’t know, but she knew tomorrow night would be worth it.

  Wedding Day

  Raiden

  “Shit, man, if you don’t stop pacing I’m going to strap you to something,” Jordan snapped.

  Raiden stopped his pacing on the patio and glared at Jordan. “Shut up, fucker,” he hissed as his pacing resumed.

  “Raiden, what are you worried about?” Jordan questioned.

  “Nothing,” Raiden sighed. “Just nervous. Is my dad in his seat?” Jordan just nodded. “Does Dale have the locket, from my mom?”

  “Yes, dude. Stand still, relax.” Jordan grabbed Raiden’s shoulders. “Tai loves you. She’s walking down the aisle in about twenty minutes. Bethany texted me and said she is ecstatic.” Raiden nodded taking a deep breath and releasing it. Jordan was right, everything would be okay. Well almost everything.

  “If it isn’t my future son-in-law, the blood sucker.” Raiden glared Meredith’s way and went to say something but Jordan butted in first.

  “Meredith knock it off. Tai’s a vampire, too.” Meredith gasped and Raiden slapped his hand on his forehead.

  Jordan looked to Raiden, “Fuck, man! A little warning about who was privy to that information.” Jordan seethed as Meredith stormed off.

  “Well Jordan, since she hates everything about me, I thought it would be obvious. Tai and I didn’t tell her,” Raiden snapped back.

  “Boys!” Dale hollered. “Quit it, so Meredith knows now. It changes nothing, she’s stuck in her viewpoints. Tai being a vampire or human doesn’t matter, she thinks Tai and Jordan belong together. Forget her. Focus on why you’re standing here, Raiden.” Raiden smiled at Dale.

  “Because I get to marry your daughter, sir.” Dale nodded and walked into the house. Raiden watched him climb the stairs before heading towards the makeshift altar in the middle of the meadow. It was perfect, just like Tai.

  Tai

  She was nervous, but excited. “Did Jordan say how Raiden was?” she asked her maid of honor, Bet
hany.

  Bethany chuckled, “Yeah, he’s nervous as shit and pacing like a madman.” Tai stared at her on the bed through the mirror.

  “Why is he nervous?” Her nerves now starting to strangle her.

  “Calm down, Tai. Of course he would be nervous, he’s marrying his soul-mate today.” Tai nodded.

  Tai was feeling the jittery exciting nerves when her mother threw open the door. “You’re a vampire now?” Her voice echoing through the house, good thing all the guests knew this about her and Raiden already. They had opted for a small guest list. Her dad, Lee, Bethany, Jordan, Grace, Tom, Devon, Roy, and of course the woman now screeching at the top of her lungs, her mother.

  “Yes and....?” Tai threw back.

  “He told me the first time we all talked nothing for you would change,” she hissed.

  “Mom, it wasn’t his fault there was a law, so to speak, that he was unaware of.” Her mother said no more, but just stormed away. Tai secretly hoped she would just lock herself in her room and not attend the wedding, however that was wishful thinking.

  “Jordan let it slip. He was trying to protect Raiden from some dumb comment.” His voice smooth and the other voice besides Raiden’s that she absolutely loved. Her dad.

  Tai shrugged, “It doesn’t matter who told her, she knows now.”

  “Exactly, baby girl. But it’s time to focus on you and Raiden so how about we start with a gift from him?” Tai’s eyes lit up.

  “What is it?” her joy increasing.

  “It was his mom’s, Melanie’s locket. It’s your something old and blue.” Her dad said dangling the locket from his thumb. It was beautiful, it had a small blue stone and it certainly was an antique if Lee bought this for Melanie the man had taste. “The chain is from me, I went and got it, because the original chain was broken, the chain is your something new.” Tai’s smile grew.

  “And my something borrowed?” She questioned.

  “I have that covered,” Bethany said.

  “Jordan and I discussed this with each other and with Raiden. He bought this for me for my birthday a few weeks ago.” She said holding up a delicate bracelet with a small heart and arrow charm. “Jordan and I wanted you and Raiden to know we feel blessed to be a part of your wedding and that we are truly happy for you considering how we all connect.” Tai nodded and felt the tears in her eyes.

  “Thank you both so much, I love you.” Bethany wrapped her arms around Tai and they embraced. “We love you, too,” she whispered. Her dad clapping his hands made them pull apart.

  “Let’s get you down the aisle.” Tai nodded, and soon the necklace and the bracelet were being fastened to her. She looked at herself in the full length mirror one more time and smiled at the woman staring back at her, she was getting married.

  “I’m ready,” she whispered.

  Raiden

  He was waiting for her. The music had started and everyone, but Meredith Coretti, was in their seats. That was either a really good thing or bad thing, but no matter what, he wouldn’t let it ruin the day for Tai.

  When Bethany appeared in her knee length coral dress Raiden watched Jordan’s whole body shift. His eyes would be locked on her all night for sure. It was just after dark and the lights that lit the pathway to the altar and adorned the altar were just perfect, they were simple, but beautiful much like the woman he was about to commit the rest of his life to. Bethany took her spot across from Jordan and her eyes danced. Raiden smiled at the sight but when “Lost in This Moment” by Big and Rich, a country band from the States. Tai secretly loved his eyes traveled to the end of the aisle and at the end was the most beautiful woman in the world.

  They began a slow, even walk up the aisle towards him. He felt his breath catch, she was breathtaking and she was his.

  “She looks great and happy,” Jordan whispered to him.

  “Yes, she does,” Raiden replied choking up as he spoke. At this rate he wouldn’t make it through his vows without becoming a full on sap.

  When she reached him he waited as her dad kissed her cheek, shook his hand, and then handed his daughter over.

  “You look breathtaking,” he said softly.

  “You look pretty amazing, too,” she replied tears glistening in her eyes.

  Tai

  When she reached him, the shining tears in his eyes only choked her up more. “Who gives this woman to this man?” The minster’s voice echoed in the meadow.

  “I do, I do.” her father spoke, locking his eyes with them and smiling.

  “Very good. We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Tai Coretti and Raiden Wyrick in holy matrimony. If there is anyone present who objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.” The minister said the words, but Tai never expected to actually hear an objection.

  “I object!” A female voice that she was growing to utterly hate, boomed from the other end of the aisle. Tai noticed she wasn’t sitting in her chair, but she hoped she had just locked herself in her room after learning about Tai now being a vampire.

  “Mother!” Tai snapped.

  “Meredith!” both her dad and Jordan snapped. Raiden was taking even breaths, but he looked like he was going to explode. Tai focused on him. ‘No one.’ She mouthed and clasped her hands in his and nodded.

  “Continue.” Raiden told the minster. The minster nodded as her mom found an empty seat in the back. She could feel her glare the whole time but the only thing that mattered was the touch of Raiden’s hand and the loving look in his eyes as he stared at her.

  Raiden

  Raiden was close to exploding when Meredith said she objected. “Raiden and Tai you have chosen to come together on this day to commit your lives to each other. Have you come here freely, and of your own will?” The minster had begun the ceremony and Raiden was joyous again, Meredith’s outburst in the past.

  “We have.” They spoke together.

  “Raiden, do you take Tai Correti as your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and health, for richer or poorer, in good times and bad, from now until death parts you?”

  Raiden stared deep into Tai’s eyes, her tears cascading down her face. “I do.” he choked out. His eyes probably mirrored hers he knew he had tears forming.

  “Tai, do you take Raiden Wyrick as your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and health, for richer or poorer, in good times and bad, from now until death parts you?” He watched her suck in a breath which made him nervous. He squeezed her hands, apparently a little too tight because she shifted a little and his grip loosened. ‘Sorry’ he mouthed and she smiled.

  “I do.” Her face lit up, and it ended Raiden. The tears poured out of his eyes. She was really his.

  “The rings?” the minister said, breaking Raiden from the moment. He turned to Jordan for Tai’s ring and the amused look on Jordan’s face earned him a glare.

  “Tai, my love, my world, with this ring, I thee wed.” She watched as he slid her wedding band up past her knuckle her engagement band snuggly on the right hand for now.

  “Raiden, my love, my world, with this ring, I thee wed.” He was in awe as she slid the ring up his left ring finger.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The words barely exited the minster’s mouth before Raiden had Tai’s lips pressed against his, her tongue finding his. Every emotion he ever felt for her he made sure she felt. This was it. They were married, she was his wife.

  Tai

  She was dancing to “Butterfly Kisses” with her dad when she noticed her mom approach Jordan and the two of them enter the house. “Hmmm...mom doesn’t give up,” she said.

  “One day, Tai, she’ll come around,” he sighed.

  “Well, when that day comes I might not want her to be around,” Tai snapped.

  “Baby girl, don’t say that. I know...”

  “No, dad, she doesn’t approve of Raiden and she never will, she’ll never approve of our children.” He sighed.

  “Well, I approve. I love you, b
aby girl.” She smiled.

  “I love you, too, daddy.” She wrapped her arms around his neck tighter and they continued their dance.

  She was lost in the moment when the song ended she didn’t even notice. “May I steal your daughter again, Dale.” His voice was filled with unending joy.

  “She’s all yours.” Her dad said, kissing her cheek and leaving her with her husband.

  “Damn straight, you’re all mine.” She laughed and slapped his arm.

  “Don’t be cocky, playboy.” He laughed with her.

  “I love you, Tai Correti-Wyrick.” She liked the sound of that.

  Her and Raiden were joking and laughing. She had forgotten about her mother until Bethany came from the house quickly and grabbed her purse running towards the side gate of the house. She didn’t make it because Jordan caught her. She was shaking her head as he spoke.

  “What are you looking at?” Raiden asked.

  Tai nodded her head towards the gate and Raiden’s eyes followed. “My mother drug him inside while dad and I were dancing, whatever they talked about I’m guessing Bethany heard.” Raiden nodded.

  “They’ll be okay.” Tai returned his nod with one of her own. They would be. Jordan was a good guy and she knew how he felt about Bethany. She would be glad when her mom was gone so their lives could return to normal, whatever that was.

  Raiden

  He was dancing with his wife. Jordan and Bethany had left and by the looks of things they had a long night of talking to do. Whatever Bethany overheard between Meredith and Jordan was going to take Jordan a bit to explain. That however, wasn’t what had his focus. What had captured his attention was Elder Roy over in a dark portion of the meadow talking on his phone and by his body language he was pissed.

  “Excuse me, sweetheart,” he said kissing her cheek and heading towards Roy.

  As he got closer, he heard what he was expecting to hear. “What do you mean you told him? Damn it, Kai, I could’ve saved you. I only asked one thing of you and you told him what I did and what I wanted to do. Fuck you! Kai Lukas you are doomed! What do you mean you understand now?” Raiden stifled his laugh. Kai really had meant what he said the night before. Damn, Gloria Keller had gotten to him and badly.