I pull the small, white gold band from my right pocket that frosted with round diamonds across the top, showing it to him in my palm.
"Slide it on the edge of her finger, recite your vows, and when you finish slide it in place."
I look back at Kinzleigh. This is the moment I've been waiting for since I knew she was going to one day become my wife. Today is that day.
"Kinzleigh, from the first day I met you I knew there was something different about you. From the beginning you bewitched me when I was in your presence. Before you, I was on a path to destruction and heading for a life of emptiness, but you changed me. I would have never in a million years thought I was going to meet my wife at seventeen, but yet here we are. I stand here today with so much love in my heart for you that I can't even begin to measure it, but know that each and every day it only increases in magnitude. I know that we're young, and that we're only just starting on our journey through life, but I promise to always love and protect you no matter what crosses our path. I have watched you transform into the most amazing and strongest woman I know. I'm honored to call you my wife and I'm so glad that you chose to love me. I know there will be times when we may struggle in some way or another, there will be times when I make you mad, and there will be times when you want to give up, but I'm begging that you don't. I promise to always be your driving force when you have none, to support you in everything you do, and to love you through every circumstance. You own every part of me. No matter what anyone says you are my soul mate, Kinzleigh, my best friend, and the love of my life. Like that circle around our names on our tree and this band I'm about to place on your finger, my love for you will never end."
I slide the silver band down her left ring finger, leaving it in the place it will stay forever. "With this ring, I thee wed."
Tears begin falling from her eyes as she continues to scan my eyes. I want to kiss her so bad. This and the birth of my son are the two greatest days of my life.
Kinzleigh
I was not prepared for how his vows would make me feel. I'm temporarily stunned. I'm so glad I finally stopped fighting us. There was never a moment that I doubted he was the one for me, but the fact that I almost let him go is a tragedy; a mistake I'll never make again.
I'll remember those words forever. I've locked them away in the safe that is my heart and will forever be the keeper of the key.
I'm an emotional mess already and I haven't even started my vows to him.
"Kinzleigh, do you have your ring?"
I look at the preacher and let go of Breyson's hand long enough to remove the titanium band wrapped around my thumb. I chose one of the strongest metals, because to me it represents our love for each other. It can withstand anything, and it's not penetrable by an outside force.
Taking his left hand I slide it on the edge of his finger and look him in the eyes.
"Breyson, you are the most amazing man I've ever met. You have strength about you that I can't explain, because I've never seen it before in anyone else. You're rough when you need to be, but then you know when to be gentle. Since the beginning you've put up with more crap from me than most guys would. I started off as a selfish person, but without knowing, you have guided me to become a woman that I'm proud of. I never thought that by giving you a chance I would find the love of a lifetime, but I'm so glad I did. Giving you my heart was the best decision I've ever made. Not only have you taken care of it, but also you've guarded it with your life, literally. I trust you implicitly. Today I'm making a promise to you that I will guard yours with the same respect that you have mine. I know things will get tough at times, I know there are a lot of things we have left to learn in life, and I know there will be things that try to tear us apart, but I want you to know that no matter what and from this day forward I'll never again give up on us. With one look into the depths of my eyes you can read my deepest secrets. My love for you overwhelms me at times, but it keeps me alive. You are an addiction I never want to fight. I vow to you that I will always put your needs before my own no matter what they are. The only thing I see in my future is a life with you, because that's the only part that matters. The best part of knowing that you love me is that you'll never stop. I want you to know that not only will I never walk away from you, but also that I can't. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me, and not only have you given me the greatest love I’ve ever known and a road leading to a lifetime of true love ahead, but also you gave me an amazing little boy. You are my best friend, the other half of my heart, and only mate. I feel worthy to be chosen as your wife. You are someone that is worth loving with the greatest amount of effort forever. I love you with a fierceness I can’t explain."
I push the ring down his finger, setting it in place. "With this ring, I thee wed."
"It is with the power vested in me and with God as my witness that I now pronounce you husband and wife. Breyson, you may kiss your bride."
Breyson's face matches mine; starting as a tear stained mess to the huge smiles we are now wearing.
"And this, Mrs. Abercrombie, is what I've been waiting for..."
He pushes his hands into my hair, leaning into me. His lips touch mine, and that amazing little tingle returns. Things I use to never notice or things that scared me are now my primary focus. The simple things are sometimes the most important things.
This is the most beautiful moment there could ever be. I meant every word and then some. I love this man with all that I am. I will never stop loving him. Some things aren't meant to have an end, but only a continuous flow: like our love, like that amazing circle he carved in our tree, and like the beautiful bands that now wrap around our left ring fingers, all are symbolizing the beginning of an amazing life to come...
Chapter 17
Breyson
I make it to practice just in time. I dropped Kinzleigh off at her parents’ house and came straight here. I offered to drive her and Bryce back home, but she said she wanted to spend some time with her mom and to start making wedding arrangements. It should all be downhill from here. I got what I wanted.
"What put that big ass grin on your face?"
I look over at Fisher as he puts on his helmet, standing beside me on the sidelines. Coach is doing some shit on the field with defensive line, giving us a few minutes before we have to take the field.
"I got hitched."
"No shit? When?"
"This morning."
"Damn, Son, you work fast."
I shrug. "You know what they say. When you find the one you want you better put a ring on it, so I did. We went to California for the weekend. It was the place we met, so it just felt right."
"Well, congratulations. When do I get to meet her?"
Actually, that's a brilliant idea. I feel really guilty, because all Kinzleigh does is stay home with Bryce all day. Sure, she goes shopping occasionally, but all of her friends are now gone off to college. She's already postponed college and cheerleading. I've met a few friends since I got on the team and through my classes, but I don't like to talk about them much for fear of upsetting her.
I slap him on the back, lightly shoving him forward. "Why didn't you mention that earlier, dipshit?"
"What the hell?"
"That's the best idea you've had yet. Don't you know girls?"
He raises his brow. "Didn't we have this conversation already? Besides, what does me knowing girls have to do with meeting yours?"
"Do I really have to explain?"
He looks out at the field and back at me, pulling his helmet up to clear his face, but never completely removing it from his head. "Yes, but make it quick."
I shake my head. "I knocked her up, so she pretty much stays at home all day with our son for the time being. She’s not from here, so all of her few friends have left for school. Maybe if she meets some girls our age it'll be easier for her to start school in the spring. Didn't you say you were in a fraternity now? That's like easy access to the college female population, right?"
&nb
sp; "Ah, I get it. Yeah, I am. I figured it was an easy way to meet people in a new place, and actually, Thursday night we are having a costume party since Friday is Halloween. I could introduce her to a few people. Thursday nights are frat party nights. You guys should come. Frat row. Biggest house on the left. You can't miss it. You should have enough time to get a costume between now and then. It doesn't liven up until around ten."
"Where's my offensive line? Get your asses out here!"
He pulls his helmet back in place and inserts his mouth guard. I follow behind him onto the field to take position for the play. I don't care much to go to a party and I hate to be away from Bryce for another night so soon, because I feel like we are dumping him off on our parents, but if it helps Kinzleigh meet some new friends it'll be worth it. She really needs to have a girl to talk to when I’m not always around.
***
I'm sweating from a hard practice as we walk into the field house to shower and leave. I open my locker and pull out my cell phone, hitting Kinzleigh's number. It only rings once before she picks up.
"Hey, baby."
"Hey, where are you at?"
"I'm still at Mom and Dad's house talking wedding stuff. Why?"
"Do you want to come meet me in town?"
I hear Bryce in the background making noises. It's funny how much I miss such a little person.
"Sure, but what for?"
"There's a guy on the team that's become one of my friends. I’ve mentioned him a couple of times. I think you'd like him and he wants to meet you, so we're going to a costume party Thursday night, but we have to get costumes. I figured you could meet me at that place across from campus and then we can get a bite to eat after we find something. What do you think?"
"You want to go to a party? Like at school? With other people our age?"
She is stuttering and forgetting what she's trying to say. She only does that when she's nervous. I've never been able to figure out why she's so shy and awkward around big groups of people as gorgeous and friendly as she is. There are girls that don't look half as good as her with a plain personality and they can be complete bitches, stuck up to most people that come in contact with them. I've only met a few people that didn't like her and they were jealous girls.
When Kinzleigh gets like this you have to push her or she will lock down in her comfort bubble. "I do. I think it will be fun. I'll even get Mom to watch Bryce. Aren't you going to be starting school in January? I think it would be good to start meeting people now so when you start classes you'll already know some students in case our schedules don't work out exactly right."
She takes a deep breath into the phone. "Okay. If it's something you want to do. I don't know if there will be a costume I'll feel comfortable in, though. I've been working my butt off, but my body didn't transform back exactly like it was before I got pregnant, even though I'm back in my old size."
"That's because it's more beautiful now than it was before. You have a few more curves, but nothing more. I want you to look and feel sexy, but not like last year. You're my wife. Some things are for my enjoyment only. I don't want drunken frat guys gawking at you. Murder isn't beneath me when it comes to you and you know this. I can handle short, but if it's not too much to ask, keep the midsection covered please."
"Okay. I wanted to find Bryce a costume anyway, so I can sit with Mom and give out candy to the neighborhood kids. Where do you want to meet?"
"That small house across from campus that has them. It's the only yellow house on the street. You can't miss it. I'm about to shower and then I'll head over. We should get there around the same time if you leave now."
"Okay. I love you."
I will never get tired of hearing those three little words from her. I always thought they were overrated and overused until they were used in the correct context.
"I love you too, beautiful. Be careful, okay?"
"Okay, bye."
I listen as the line goes dead. That last phrase will probably be one I use too often. The world becomes a scary place when you have people that you're terrified of losing. I could lose it all, hell, I already have once, but I could recover from the loss of anything except them.
I place my phone back inside my locker and grab my shower bag. It's time to go meet my wife...
Kinzleigh
I shut off the engine to my car and look around. I don't see Breyson's truck yet. I cannot believe he wants to go to a party where I will know no one. I feel like I have done exceptional with keeping my anxiety under control for quite some time, but this has it on edge; I won't lie. I know I need to find new friends, but I guess I didn't give much thought to how that would happen. I can't just expect it to happen for me.
I grab my purse and keys, opening my door. I step out and walk to the back door to lift Bryce's carrier from the base. I might as well start looking around while I'm waiting for Breyson.
I lock the doors and walk toward the store entry, causing the bell above the door to chime as I open it.
"Hey, Darlin'. Is there something I can help you find?"
I haven't heard an accent quite that thick in a while; not since Adalynn left. I follow the sound of the voice until I spot the person it belongs to.
It's a blonde girl about my age. She has the same platinum shade, falling straight to the middle of her back, but her skin is darker as if she tans. She's wearing a pair of tight jeans and cowgirl boots with a neon pink tee shirt that has the store name and logo on it.
She's beautiful, but the first thing I notice about her is the color of her eyes. They are light, but the color is hard to decipher. I'm not sure if they fall in the blue family or the green, because they aren't absolute in either. My guess is they change color. The way her makeup is done to perfection makes them stand out even more.
She's squatted in front of a shelf unloading the contents of a cardboard box. She smiles at me, showing off a pair of dimples, and stands. "I would have to say I don't normally get female lookers, but I'm flattered nonetheless."
She waves me inside. "Come on in, sweetie. I promise not to bite...too hard." She winks.
I like her. I don't know why, but she makes me feel comfortable...except for the fact that I'm standing inside the door staring at her like an idiot. Awesome, Kinzleigh.
"Oh, sorry. I'm looking for a few Halloween costumes."
She scans me entirely. Her smile never breaks. I'm guessing she wears it often. "I think I can find something for you. You got a name, Darlin'?"
"Kinzleigh Ba- I mean Abercrombie."
"Well, okay then. Kinzleigh, I'm Karsyn. Are you thinking sexy, knock his socks off or something to wear with the little one on your hip?"
I laugh. I actually laugh within five minutes of meeting someone. I can't help it. She seems so carefree and nice. I've never been so comfortable with someone I don't know.
"That a girl. I knew we would loosen you up eventually. I'm going to say by that ring on your finger we might need to settle somewhere in the middle. Follow me to the back. I think I have a few things."
I follow her towards the two doors with a curtain hanging in each doorway, but pulled to the side revealing they are dressing rooms. "You can set little bit down on the bench while we get you a few things to try on. I'm sure your arm is getting tired and I'm the only one here, so I keep the back locked. The front door will sound if anyone comes in."
I walk in the small square room and set the carrier down along with my purse. Her heels are tapping against the hardwood floor with each step. I follow her to the section of the store completely devoted to the array of costumes hanging from racks and the large wall. "Your eyes are really pretty. What color are they?"
She grabs the metal pole from the hook it hangs on, used to get items out of reach. She is holding it like a staff. "What color are they not would be a better question. Some call them blue and some call them green, other days they are somewhere in between. It depends on what day you catch me on. They change colors depending on the colors close by
like my clothes and eye shadow. They never get real deep of any one shade, though. They stay a light hue."
She is back to looking at the costumes on the wall. I'm not sure why, but I want to know more about her.
"Do you go to school across the street?"
"Second year; sophomore. You?"
"I'm starting in January. My husband does though. He is on the football team. He's the one that suggested we go to this costume party Thursday night."
"Oh, you're going to the one on frat row? Well why didn't you say something. My sorority is little sister of sorts to the fraternity that is throwing it."
"Really?" I suddenly get a big smile on my face. "I was kind of nervous. Breyson is good at meeting new people. Me, not so much. I'm more reserved upfront. I'm not originally from here and all of the people I became friends with senior year of high school has left for college."
"It's your lucky day then." She winks playfully, pulling up one side of her mouth to make it more pronounced. "You'll know someone now and you weren't even trying. Besides, I had a friendship opening and I think you just landed the spot. What do you say, friends?"
"I think that's an awesome idea." Already a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. She is steadily pulling down costumes and hanging them on the rack nearby. "Are you a cheerleader by any chance?" I got lucky once today, maybe I will twice.
"Hell no," she says, but never looks at me. "Generally speaking, no offense, they're too cliquish for me. The ones from my high school thought they were better than everyone else and in that sense that they were entitled to get whatever they wanted, especially the football players, even if they were already taken."
That statement reminds me of Lexi. "Sounds like you've had a bad experience and I know the type of people you're talking about, but we aren't all like that."
"I like you, Kinzleigh, and I believe you, but other than you I'm going to stay away from cheerleaders and football players. They deserve each other. I got burned once by someone that was supposed to be my friend, I won't a second time. I'll stick to my horses for my extracurricular activities. No matter what they're always loyal."
Lasting Fate Page 26
