Knight in Shining Suit: Get Up. Get Even. Get a better man.

by Kaye, Jerilee

  Then they led me out to the front of the mansion. Ryder met me by the stairs. He too has changed. The suit was gone and he’s now wearing a pair of pants and loose long-sleeved shirt.

  He took my hand and kissed it. Then he leaned forward and kissed me thoroughly on the lips. Our guests were around us, clapping their hands, cheering for us.

  “I love you, Mrs. Van Woodsen.” Ryder said. Then he motioned for me to look at the skies above me.

  Suddenly a streak of light sparked in the sky. Followed by a loud sound. And then the whole sky burst into a million different colors. It was beautiful and breathtaking… just like the man beside me.

  Tears brimmed my eyes. I stared up at him. I completely crossed out fireworks in the list and exchanged it for the starlit dome in the garden. Ryder didn’t tell me that I was going to have fireworks after all. I forgot that this man really listens to me. When I dream out loud, when I talk about the things that I wanted… things that will make me happy... this man is listening and he remembers every single thing.

  “Thank you for the fireworks.” I said to him.

  “Thank you for marrying me.” He whispered and then he kissed me again.

  Immediately, after the fireworks display, we heard a loud sound from the sky. I looked up again and found a helicopter descending in front of the huge garden.

  “Our ride is here.” Ryder said.

  “Seriously?” I asked. “Where are we going?”

  “To the airport. We can’t miss our flight.” He replied. Jake handed him our bags and then he pulled me away with one hand.

  Again, everybody congratulated us and sent us their love and well-wishes.

  “Astrid, my only wish is that when you come back, you already have something baking in the oven.” Ryder’s mother whispered to me.

  I laughed nervously and looked at Ryder. He smiled at his mother. “I will try my best, Mother.”

  Then Ryder took my arm and led me towards the helicopter. Now, I realized why Nicole insisted that I wear shorts underneath my dress. Ryder guided me up and then he climbed in himself. Our guests and relatives waved us off. As the helicopter ascend to the sky, tears were rolling down my cheeks. I waved back at them and threw them flying kisses.

  Everything was just surreal… perfect. Even if I planned the wedding well, Ryder managed to make it even more perfect for me. He still managed to throw in a couple of surprises for me. I leaned my head on his shoulder. I felt a kiss on my forehead and I closed my eyes to savor the warmth, comfort and security that I feel in his arms… where I know I will forever belong for as long as I live.

  When we arrived at the airport, Ryder told me that he’s taking me to Maui.

  “We’ll stay five days there, then we’ll go to Tahiti. Then to the Caribbean, then we’ll head off to Asia. On the way back we’ll pass by France and Italy.”

  My eyes widened. “Seriously, Ryder?”

  He grinned. “Seriously.” Then he leaned forward and kissed me thoroughly. “Why did you think my mother was so hopeful that she’ll have a grandchild when we get back?”

  I laughed. “How long are we going to be gone?”

  “A month…”

  My eyes widened. “A month!”

  “And two.” He added.

  “What?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Three months? Who goes on a honeymoon for three months?” I asked him.

  He laughed. “Us, honey. Us.”

  “What about Oil Rig?” I asked.

  “Paris will take care of that. And I’ve asked Adam to look at the reports twice a month.”

  “And Ever After Malibu and Manhattan?”

  “Relax. Nicole is taking care of that. And… Dannie and Garrie are helping as well. Plus Janis is practically not working. So on her spare time, I think she’ll also give a hand.”

  “Wow! They really love us, don’t they?”

  Ryder nodded. “Yes. Plus, they’re being well-compensated for it, don’t worry.” He chuckled.

  Then his face descended towards mine and he kissed me thoroughly again. He only needed to do that and I would do anything and go anywhere with him.

  I smiled at him. “I’m glad I ran into you at the jewelry shop that day, Ryder. And I’m glad you served me margaritas at Oil Rig that night. You… are everything I dreamed my Prince would be… maybe even more. You are… wonderfully surreal.”

  He chuckled. “I’m glad that you still believe in fairy tale romances.”

  I stared up at him. Then I tiptoed and kissed his lips. “Of course I do.” I said. “I am in one.”

  And with one happy smile, Ryder said, “I love you very, very much, my sweet Princess. Thank you for choosing me to make your ‘ever after’ come true… I promise to make you happy… now and for the rest of our lives.” Then he bent down and gave me a thorough kiss on the lips.

  I closed my eyes and kissed Ryder back.

  I thought that if this is what was in store for me from the very beginning, I would gladly go through all those heartbreaks again. Because I know I would never trade my life with Ryder for anything else. What I had with Bryan was a good thing for a while, but what I have with Ryder now… is a blessing, a reward, a present… a miracle that I would treasure forever.

  Had I known this at the time I found out Bryan was cheating on me or when Ryder has lost his memories of me… I would not have cried rivers of tears… I would not have lost hope. I would have had the courage… Because this man in my arms now… my Prince, my Knight in Shining Armor… is absolutely worth everything I have been through.

  And I will thank God everyday that this time… no more heartaches, no more pains. This time, I get to spend the rest of my life with Ryder Van Woodsen… This time I truly get to keep him in my ‘ever after’.

  About the Author

  Jerilee Kaye was born under the sign of Leo in the year 1979.

  She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Management, and with post-graduate qualifications in the fields of Product Management, Project Management and Procurement.

  She is currently managing a global vendor portfolio for a multinational company based in the City of Gold.

  She is married to her first love, Sam, who has been her boyfriend since the age of 16. They are blessed with a beautiful four year old daughter, MarQuise.

  When she’s not buried under stacks of paper at work, or engrossed with her writing, Jerilee Kaye spends some down time playing golf, kicking her husband’s butt on a judo match, and learning to play the piano.

  Other books by this author

  Almost Un-reel

  Sinfully Seriously

  Desperately Yours

  Coming Soon:

  Intertwined

  Connect with Jerilee Kaye

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