She opens the box and what lies inside are a set of pearls, a necklace. I place my hand over my mouth, stunned. They're beautiful. "These were my mothers. My dad gave them to her on their wedding day. She left them to me. They are very special to me, as are you. They've been in this box since she died. I can't bring myself to wear them, because nothing has been worthy enough, but this is. You and Breyson share something really special, Darlin'. These are as real as they come, and I think they deserve to be worn once in a while."
She removes them from the cushion they rest on, holding them out in a line. "They're beautiful. I'd be honored to wear them."
"Turn around, Kinzleigh."
That's the first time she's called me by my real name in longer than I can remember. It makes this moment sacred. I turn around and she picks them up over my head, sitting them on my chest. Automatically, my hand goes to touch them as she hooks the ends on the back of my neck.
When she finishes I look back in the mirror, admiring them. She grabs her phone off the dresser. "I'm starting a photo album of important things for my hope chest. Will you take a picture with me?"
I'm trying really hard not to get emotional, but this is a sentimental moment. As we grow some friends come and go, while others nestle in and stay around for the long haul. I don't know what will happen with Adalynn, Presley, Macie, and Londyn. I can only hope that we all remain close with them moving off and finding their own way, but I can tell that Karsyn is one of those that you find somewhere along the way and she never leaves.
"Like you even have to ask."
I walk toward the center of the room to give us more space and wrap my arm around her waist from behind, hers mirroring mine. I place my other hand flat against her abdomen and look at the screen as she holds it out in front of us, making this moment permanent to file away in the pages of our story. "One, two, three..."
I smile for the camera as she touches the little button to snap the photo. Friends are like angels. They are always watching over you, even if from afar, and they are always by your side when you need them. It doesn't matter if they have to drop what they're doing to get there. Everywhere you turn in life there are little gifts from God to get you through life. It's up to us to recognize them when they come.
“Okay, I promised I would give you Breyson’s gift.” She lays her phone back down in the spot she picked it up from and shuffles through her bag. She pulls out a shoebox and hands it to me. “This is your wedding gift.”
I take it from her and remove the lid. Inside lies a frame holding a photo of me. It’s of the day I was standing on the yacht looking out at the water. It was the morning after Breyson mentioned us getting married. I woke up and couldn’t bear to wake him. My emotions were going wild to the point that I couldn’t sleep. I look like I’m in complete peace. I’m happy in that photo.
Lying underneath it is another frame, but smaller. It’s the day Bryce was born. I’m in a hospital bed holding Bryce with Breyson by my side. I can’t even explain the looks on our faces. You can tell that we were longing for each other, but fighting it. It completely breaks my heart seeing it from the outside looking in.
Last, but not least, are a jewelry box and a card. I open the jewelry box first. It’s a silver bracelet with a heart shaped locket and engraved on the front are the words, my heart belongs to you. I open it. On one side are our initials as a couple; Breyson’s first on the left, mine on the right, and our last initial in the center. On the other is the date we got married on the pier.
Tears are streaming down my face and I haven’t even opened the card. I take a deep breath trying to gather myself. Breyson always outdoes himself. His gifts are always with so much thought. I open the card and written on the pages in his handwriting is a note.
Kinzleigh, my love…
I know you’re probably a little confused by the gifts, so I wanted to explain. First, I’ll explain the one of us, our family. I will never forget that day for as long as I live. That is the day that we welcomed our son into the world. It was a bittersweet day for me, because even though I couldn’t have you, I had a piece of you in him. That is the day I made a promise to myself that I was going to get you back. What lies in this picture, Kinzleigh, is my life; the two of you. I will gladly sacrifice mine to ensure the two of you have yours. The photo of you on the yacht was to show you how I see you through my eyes. When I saw you like that my heart stopped beating for a moment. There will never be a day that I don’t look at you and see the most beautiful woman in the world, because to me you are. When you wonder if you’re enough for me, look at this photo. You exceed everything I ever thought I deserved in a lifetime. I am beyond blessed to call you my life partner and my wife. I love you.
-Breyson
I look at Karsyn. I can imagine my makeup is turning into a hot mess right now. I’m depending on the term waterproof to prove itself right now. I hold out the jewelry box to Karsyn. “Will you put it on me?”
“Of course I will, shortcake. You don’t even have to ask.” She walks closer to me and removes the bracelet from the box, hooking it back around my left wrist, closest to my heart.
A knock sounds at the door and Karsyn walks over to open it. "What are you doing here? Shoo, you cannot see her before the wedding."
"Breyson? Is everything okay?" I set the shoebox on the edge of the dresser.
"I have someone that wants to meet you. Can you come out?"
Karsyn looks back at me and I nod. She shrugs. "Okay, but don't say I didn't do my maid of honor duties."
She opens the door further and points her finger in Breyson's face. "I'm warning you now; no kissing the bride until the preacher says so. I don't care if you're hot and I don't care if you're bigger. These boots on my feet are not only there for looks. I know how to use them."
She walks out the door. "See you in a few minutes, peaches." The real name was short lived. I’m back to being called everything under the category of fruit and desert.
Breyson holds out his hand for me to take his. "Who is it?"
He smiles. "Hello to you too. You look beautiful. It's someone that's heard a lot about you."
He leads me into our living room and I stop when I see them. I don't have to think. I know exactly who they are. "Kinzleigh, this is my family from Spain."
I don't know how much more my heart can take today. I'm overwhelmed with emotions being evoked from all different sides. I hold up my hand in an awkward wave, not knowing what else to do. "Hi. It's nice to finally meet you all..."
Breyson continues to pull me closer. The little boy walks forward and holds out his hand. "I'm Marcus, the little brother." He's so cute and animated. I have a feeling this one never meets a stranger. I look down. He really isn't that much shorter than me.
I take his small hand in mine and shake it. "Hi, Marcus. You sure are cute like Breyson."
"Please. He gets it from me. Don't let him fool you." Everyone laughs at the same time. He's adorable. It makes my heart feel better knowing these are the kind of people Breyson was around.
I look at Breyson and he has a proud smile on his face. I can tell he's attached to them. I look back at Marcus. "Well, Marcus. Did you keep him out of trouble for me when he was away?"
"For sure. He was on his best behavior. Scouts honor," he says holding up his hand. "You're really pretty. How'd he end up with someone like you? Are you sure you chose the right brother?"
I start laughing, but this time harder. I love his little personality. Breyson throws his arm around him, pulling him away from me and towards him. "Hey, little buddy. I love you, but those are fighting words. Eyes off my woman."
The woman walks over and wraps her arms around me unexpectedly. "I'm Maria. It's nice to finally meet you after hearing so much about you."
"It's nice to meet you as well. Thank you for taking such good care of him. I will always be grateful for all of you."
I hug each and every one of them as they introduce themselves. It's surreal that all of this is happe
ning, but I'm really glad I can finally put closure to array of questions I had in my mind of the time Breyson was away. I feel like we can finally move forward and build a life together, both including the important people along the way.
"Kinzleigh, I brought something for you." I turn around as Marcus is pulling from Breyson's grasp and walking toward me.
"You did? That was so thoughtful." I'm expecting a small wedding gift or something homemade.
He reaches in his pocket and pulls something out in his fist. When he opens his little hand I almost lose it. My silver anklet that I gave Breyson is lying on his small palm. He picks it up out of his hand, allowing it to dangle from his fingers.
"When my brother left I was kind of sad, because he's my only brother. He took time to play with me and teach me things. The night he left he gave me this to hold onto and keep safe. He told me you gave him your heart, but that he didn't need this one anymore, because your heart was inside his heart. He told me he had to go, because he had to come find you or you'd be heartbroken. He gave me this to remember him by, but I don't want to just remember him. This belongs to you. I want you to have it back. The only thing I want is for you to promise you'll keep him in my life. I want to see my brother again."
I’m thanking the Heavens that Karsyn used waterproof makeup, because I've completely turned into an emotional wreck. Tears are spilling out one after another with no effort at all. With each passing day my heart grows, strengthening me, but with that comes feeling more. With feeling more, every emotion experienced is more consuming and more prominent. There is no hiding it.
I bend down and get on my knees in front of him. I grab his hands in mine with him still holding the anklet. "Marcus, you have my word that you will at least see your brother once a year. I hope it's more, but if not, that I promise. I would never take him away from you. There is enough of him to share. Those important to Breyson are important to me. I am very thankful to you for keeping my favorite anklet safe. My grandmother gave this to me a long time ago and you saved the day by bringing it back to me. Do you want to know why?"
He bores his brown eyes into my green ones, listening. "Why?"
"Because a bride has to have certain things to get married and I was missing something old, but now I have it because of you."
He grins from ear to ear as if he just won the lottery. "Will you be the one to put it on me?"
He nods and I hold out my right wrist while he unhooks it, wraps it around, and hooks it back again. I look up at Breyson and he has tears in his eyes. I smile at him when he mouths, thank you. What he doesn't realize is that he shouldn't be thanking me. I'm the one that should be thanking him. He has opened my heart and in turn allowed me to love so fiercely that it's something you can't ever explain to someone else. They have to experience it for themselves. It's time to put our pasts behind us and move forward, because the people in front of us are part of our future.
Chapter 26
Breyson
I walk to the barn entry with my groomsmen walking beside me. I barely recognize the place. There are white lights everywhere: in trees, trimming the barn, and mixed in twigs on the altar in the doorway of the barn. White chairs filled with people we know are in two sections, split on each side of the aisle that runs down the center. Everything around me is decorated to draw attention to the rustic feel of the barn and the woods instead of taking away from it.
The minister we've known all our life is standing at the altar waiting to get started. We take our positions and wait patiently. My nerves are getting worked up. We are legally married already, but we got married alone. This time everyone will be watching. That's not the part that has me nervous. I've been wanting to publicly mark her with my name and ring for what seems like forever, but this means we're one step closer to the honeymoon I've been working on for months.
Soft music is playing around us. I have no idea where Kinzleigh is going to be coming from. She won't tell me anything, but if it has anything to do with the way she looked earlier my jaw is going to drop. It took all of my willpower not to kiss her when I saw her at the house. Every time I see her she is more beautiful than she was the last.
I keep looking at Mims' house across the pasture, thinking she's going to come from there, but it should be time to start. The music changes to another song and everyone becomes silent, turning their heads towards the woods.
Ryland nudges me and I look at him. He points to the wood line that goes to our house. I follow his finger and notice the bridesmaids coming out in a timed manner on horseback. Londyn is already halfway across the passing on one of Pops' horses. Each girl's dress is matched in color to the groomsman she is with, all strapless and knee length with boots.
Coming out of the opening is Lauren. Each horse is one of our several mares, and each is fully dressed out to match with the wedding theme. I watch each come through the field, waiting for the one that will make my heart stop.
Following Lauren is Adalynn, then Presley, and finally Karsyn on her own horse. My stomach is twisted in so many knots I feel like I can't breathe. This wasn't part of the rehearsal last night. I had no idea she was going to use horses. She must have gotten Pops' help with that. Every step is on a timer with the music playing.
The song that starts playing next I instantly recognize. When Kinzleigh discovered it she made me listen to it the second I walked through the door. Literally, I opened the door and she started screaming, I found our song! I shouldn't be surprised she made it our wedding song. I think it's even my ringtone on her phone. In her defense, she was spot on with saying it was a reflection of us, so I don't mind that she chose it. The song is, We both know by Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw.
Divinity comes out of the wood line when the passing is clear. The girls are all sitting horseback on the opposite side of us, turned, so they can watch Kinzleigh. My heart falters at the sight of her. It is by far the most beautiful way I've ever seen her. The silky, black coat against the white of her dress makes her stand out. The train of her dress is fanned out over Divinity's backside, making her look like a princess.
Everyone stands as she comes across the pasture. My eyes are glued to her. The feeling going on inside of me is consuming me. The lyrics of the song, the beauty of her, and knowing that I got the girl is almost too much to bear. She is proof that if you want something bad enough you can obtain it, you may just have to work overtime for it.
She gets to the end of the aisle and her dad helps her off Divinity. Her eyes lock with mine and they stray no more. Come to me, baby.
She smiles and her dad walks her down the aisle, stopping in front of us. As far as I'm concerned there are no others in the room...but her. I love you, I mouth.
She mouths it back to me. The preacher makes a short introduction and then starts. "Who gives this woman to this man?"
"Her mother and I do." Her dad responds, and then kisses her on the cheek before laying her hand in mine and taking his seat next to her mother. She steps under our altar as the preacher recites his speech.
This is a moment when I want us completely open to each other. I want her to look into my eyes and me hers, knowing that there will never be another for either of us. We are each other's forever. We have fought to get here, and we have fought for each other. As long as we always remember that no matter what trials and tribulation we go through we stick it out and hold onto our love for one another, nothing else matters. Today, we make history...
Kinzleigh
"Ladies and gentlemen, I now pronounce to you Mr. and Mrs. Breyson Abercrombie. Son, you may now kiss your bride."
Breyson gives me that panty-dropping smile and places his hand flat on my lower back, pulling me into him. "The part I've been waiting for, beautiful." He rests his other hand on the side of my neck and presses his lips into mine.
He deepens the kiss, sliding his tongue through the crack of my lips as if we're all alone. It feels like we are. I close my eyes and let my tongue dance with his. He dips me backwards, mak
ing me feel like a princess yet again.
A whistle sounds and then another, following into a domino effect between groomsmen. "Save some for the honeymoon!" The sound of Braxton's voice shouts through the air, causing both of us to laugh against each other's lips.
He stands upright, pulling me with him. Grabbing my hand in his, he raises both of them between us in the air and starts running down the aisle toward Divinity with me in tow as everyone stands. He helps me up and gets on behind me, instructing her to go.
Divinity takes off towards the wood line where the gazebo was built, all set up for the reception. I have always loved riding horseback with Breyson. He has his arms by my side, holding onto the reigns. He's not as close to me as he normally is, because my dress is in the way. Oh, how I wish I could tear it off right now. "I'm so happy right now," he says next to my ear.
He's about to be happier. "Go home first. We have to give everyone time to get to the gazebo. We're supposed to come in last. We can walk there."
"Okay. What do we do in the meantime?"
"Use your imagination. We have about fifteen minutes."
He heels Divinity to make her go faster, the house now appearing. As we get to the front yard he pulls on the reigns for her to stop. He doesn't even wait for her to completely stop before he's jumping off.
He holds his hand up for me, helping me down. I have to take off running to avoid falling as he runs to the front door. At least I’m not wearing heels. He turns around as we get on the porch and crushes his lips to mine, pulling my body into his. His breathing is quickening, showing his need.
His kiss is rushed and rough, making me crazy. The adrenaline in knowing we're on a crunch for time makes it even better. Opening the door, he backs us inside and shuts it behind us. He turns us back around and slams my back into the door, continuing to kiss me.
He presses his body against mine as he rubs his hands up and down my body in frenzy, looking for an opening in a multitude of fabric. I reach down, immediately finding the button of his pants, undoing them, followed by the zipper.
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