Caged (Bound by Cage Book 1)

by Brittany Crowley

When we pull in dad’s driveway I know something is definitely going on. I see numerous vehicles, what looks like a catering truck in the driveway and a lot of people bustling about. I look over to Zander starting to feel nervous. Getting out of the truck he comes and opens my door for me. Helping me out of the truck he leads me up on the porch and sits me down on the swing in the corner. Kneeling in front of me he grabs my hands and looks up at me.

  “Marry me.”

  That’s it, that’s all I get from him as an explanation for all of this.

  “What are you talking about? We are getting married in a little over a week,” I start to laugh at the absurdity of this situation.

  “Twice in the hospital you asked me if we could get married when you woke up. Granted you said it before you passed out hopped up on pain meds but that’s irrelevant. I worked some magic and have been trying to pull off a wedding for us since you first asked me the other day. When you asked me the second time, well, that solidified my decision. Marry me baby, make me the luckiest man on the face of the earth and marry me today. The other day showed me how precious life really is, I want, no, I need you to be my wife today.”

  I don’t need to think about it, I’d be crazy to say no when I want nothing more than to be his wife.

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  Grabbing my face between his hands he leans in and plants the most beautiful kiss on my lips. It’s so full of passion and love, even after a couple of months this man still makes me swoon.

  Zander hurries me inside to my old bedroom where Ash is waiting with a giant smile on her face. She runs up pulling me into a delicate hug.

  “Take care of my bride Ashlyn,” he bends down to kiss her cheek, then turns towards me. “I will see you soon, I’ll be that guy waiting at the end of the aisle.” Winking at me he leaves the room.

  “How is this my life Ash? How in the world did I get so freaking lucky?” I have no idea what I did in a past life to deserve all of this, to deserve this guy that has come to mean the world to me.

  I don’t even know what to think right now. I’m getting married…today.

  “You deserve all of this so start believing it yourself. You are the best person I know and I am so incredibly happy for you.” My eyes start to mist as she pulls me in for another hug.

  “Okay we have just over an hour to get you bride ready. Let’s get to it, shall we?” I nod my head and then the fun begins. Zander hired someone to do our hair and makeup and seeing as we have to squeeze both in a short period of time, they do both at once. I tell them I want to leave my hair down in loose curls and ask them to do what they can with the bruising on my face. Forty-five minutes later I get up and head to look in the mirror.

  “What the fuck did you use? I can’t even see my bruises!” I rush up to Max the makeup artist and give her a hug. “You just made my wedding day that much more spectacular because I can get married looking like me, not some battered woman. Well, except the cast but I can overlook that for the most part.” I also hug Deb the hairdresser because my hair is on point.

  They quickly do Ash which takes no time at all because she did part of it herself. When our hair and makeup’s done, we realize we have ten minutes to get ready and head to the back yard. Grabbing our dress bags, we unzip them and pull our garments out. I sigh, I am so in love with my dress. It’s a shame wearing a wedding dress in daily life isn’t normal, I’ll have to wear it to work a couple of times to get some use out of it. We decide to put them on back to back so we can make a big reveal. Dresses in place we count down 3…2…1…and turn.

  I start laughing so hard it hurts my ribs but I can’t stop. “Ash…you look like you’re about to be in a bad southern porno movie.” My Dad chooses this moment to knock and enter the room.

  “Jesus Christ Ashlyn! You should have told me to wear my sunglasses before looking directly at your dress.” Taking us in a smile lights up his face. “You both look beautiful, well, Ash you look beautiful but that dress is ridiculous.”

  “Mr. J are you telling me this dress that I scoured dress rack after dress rack to find is…” a look of horror crosses her face as she gasps, “hideous?”

  “Um…well…you see, you look…” he literally has no words.

  “Dad she’s just shitting with you. We chose this fabulously awful dress on purpose. Now lead me to my future husband?”

  Sticking both his arms out for us, we link our arms with his as he escorts us both out to the back yard. Approaching the sliding door, I start to feel a mixture of nerves and excitement completely ready to become Zander’s wife.

  Ash goes out ahead of my Dad and I and when she opens the door I hear the delicate sounds of music playing making my arms cover in goose bumps. I still can’t believe I’m here right now. I take a deep breath as my Dad leans in to kiss my forehead.

  “I think I know what you need sweetie, hang on a second.”

  Going into the kitchen for a moment he comes back with two shot glasses making me groan. My Dad sure does love his whiskey and is always finding some opportunity to have me do a shot with him. Handing me my shot I wait for him to give a toast. It’s usually not his style but I figure for my wedding day he might have some words of wisdom. That was a silly thought, saluting towards each other we pound it down the hatch. Coughing after the burn I start to laugh.

  “It never gets any easier.”

  “That’s because you’re a pussy.”

  “DAD!”

  “Let’s get this show on the road baby girl before Zander comes in to find you.”

  As if on cue Kyle sticks his head in the door looking for us.

  “You have a groom that’s about to raid this house in about ten seconds, are we good to go?” I give him a thumbs up before he heads to the back yard. Taking a deep breath, it’s time to walk down the aisle towards the love of my life.

  Stepping out the door I hear the music but this time I see a woman playing the harp over in the back yard. Tears spring to my eyes when I see all of our loved ones standing from their seats on either side of a white aisle covered in red rose petals. Continuing my gaze forward I see the most beautiful wooden arbor draped in sheer white fabric and white roses. My eyes continuing their journey land on a set of gorgeous blue eyes trying to hold back tears. Seeing the emotion on Zander’s face makes the tears I’ve been holding back begin to cascade down my cheeks.

  Why the hell is my Dad walking so slowly? What’s with this step, together, step, together bullshit? I secure my arm in his and begin to barrel down the aisle zoned in on my groom as everyone begins to quietly laugh. My Dad tries to halt my forward progress saying, “Sweetie, you’re ruining my moment here. Do you think you can let me soak up this walking my little girl down the aisle business before we start sprinting?”

  “This is my day old man, not yours! If you can’t keep up, I’ll leave your ass behind!”

  Finally, what feels like 40 hours later we make it to the end of the aisle never taking my eyes off of Zander. He gives me a cocky smile as he walks up to us. With tears in his eyes my Dad takes my hand and places it in Zander’s.

  “I don’t think I need to threaten you son, you already know what I’m capable of. I am beyond words to explain how grateful I am to be able to hand my little girl off to a man like you. Treat her well, she deserves the world.”

  “I plan to cherish her every moment for the rest of our lives together.” Patting my Dad on the back he grabs my hand and leads me up to the minister standing to face each other with our hands intertwined. When he notices the tremor in my hands from my nerves he slowly moves his thumb massaging my palms.

  The minister starts the ceremony traditionally and I hate to say I barely pay attention because I’m too lost staring into Zander’s eyes. I hear a throat clear and a chuckle as I look over to the minister.

  “Would you like to recite your vows Savannah?”

  Panic sets in as I realize I didn’t write anything down, I only just found out I was getting married a little over an hour ago.
Zander must notice my hesitance as he tells the minister he would like to go first.

  “Back when I was about to open the gym and all of the windows were covered, I never thought I’d notice the most beautiful set of green eyes I had ever seen peeking through a rip in the paper. Literally knocking you off of your feet as you fell backwards onto your ass and sprinted away, I never thought I’d get the chance to see you again. That’s the funny thing about fate, I had received an email from a bar owner, Miss Savannah Jenks, where in the text she complained about the noise next door and telling me her bar was suffering from the renovations on my side of the wall.”

  I clear my throat. “I just want it to be noted that I don’t complain, I was merely inquiring about the noise.” Everyone start to chuckle including Zander before he continues on.

  “When I walked into that bar and saw you serving up drinks I thought I hit the lottery. How was it even possible that not only did I see you again, but you worked next door and god help me when you told me you owned the place-,” Ashlyn clears her throat making Zander look around me at her. “Half owned the bar, sorry Ash, I knew there was something about you that I couldn’t let slip out of my grasp. After that first conversation, I was on a pursuit to woo you,” he winks at me as I laugh, “and make you fall in love with me because I was already falling for you.”

  Tears form in my eyes as he continues on facing the guests. “I know this is hard to believe, but Savvy thought that I was a cocky player when I thought she was joking saying she didn’t recognize me. Not only did I put my foot in my mouth, but I was that much more determined to prove her wrong.” Smiling, he looks back at me and my breath stutters.

  “The best day of my life was the day I won the belt. Not because it was the pinnacle of my career but because you were there screaming like a banshee in the audience motivating me to be the best I could be. Later that night while we were, well, shitfaced, you thought it was the best idea to get married. When I woke up the next morning and realized you had no regrets I couldn’t have been more thrilled. I was lying in bed watching you sleep, my anxiety through the roof expecting you to ask for an annulment in the morning. And just for the record, I had already come up with a speech to change your mind.” Winking at me the tears are flowing freely down my face now as Zander wipes them away with his fingers.

  “The day I found out that our wedding wasn’t legal was one of the worst days of my life. Trying to figure out how life could be so cruel giving me the perfect counterpart in every aspect and telling me she wasn’t really mine…” giving a slight shake of his head he goes on, “I knew at that point I would do anything to make her my wife again. To say I was less than happy when Savannah told me she didn’t want to go to city hall is an understatement. She wanted to get married this time with all of our loved ones around us watching on. I agreed, but I gave her a deadline.”

  “Which was next weekend I’d like to point out,” I interrupt him for a second.

  “Which was next weekend. Most of you know that Savvy has been in the hospital the last couple of days which opened my eyes to how frail life can be. When she was lying in that hospital bed drugged off of her ass from the pain killers she kept asking me if we could get married when she woke up, to which I answered of course baby, I’d do anything for you. So here we are today and now more than ever I know I will do anything to put a smile on your face, even doing something as crazy as putting a wedding together in just a few days. That smile is worth everything to me and it is my life’s mission to make sure you always have it on that beautiful face. I love you so much and I vow to you right here and now in front of all our loved ones that I will always protect you and take care of you. I will love you until my last breath and even then, I know we will be together in eternity.”

  Hearing soft sobs throughout the back yard along with my own, I take a deep breath trying to rein in my emotions before I start my vows.

  “You may not know it but the first time I saw you was in the early hours of the morning after we had just closed down the bar. Ash and I were about to walk home when I noticed a sexy as hell black truck pull up to the curb. I guess you can say your truck was the first thing I noticed about you,” I wink at him as he laughs.

  “When you got out and walked up to the gym I nearly lost my breath, I could barely see your face, but I knew there was something about you, some sort of connection between us. Ashlyn was actually the first of us to call you gorgeous, but she knew by the look on my face that she had no chance, I was already a goner. You already so eloquently pointed out my stalking through the window the next morning, which I was mortified by, but when you came into the bar looking for me I nearly passed out. My heart was beating out of my chest and I couldn’t figure out why someone like you would be looking for me until you explained the email. I had never been so happy to be wearing deodorant in my life because I was a sweaty nervous wreck talking to you.”

  Zander looks down laughing then back up to me. “You were beautiful, not one drop of sweat seen baby.”

  “I love you so much and even that doesn’t express how much I feel for you. I realized it for the first time in Vegas when I was with my dad. He told me we were crazy to think that it was too soon, that he was so happy to know I found something like he had with my mom before she passed away. Not everyone finds their partner in life and I am so incredibly lucky to have found you. I like to think that while my mom was up there in heaven watching out for me she saw you and steered you in my direction. How else would you have ended up in Massachusetts, opening a gym next to my bar after relocating from Texas? I will fight for you every day for the rest of my life and I will love you unconditionally every single day I’m breathing. I am so incredibly overwhelmed with the fact that you are about to become my husband, how did I get so lucky?” I wipe a stray tear away from my face and realize a tear is sliding down Zanders cheek. I reach out and wipe it away as he nuzzles his face into my hand.

  “I’m the lucky one,” he whispers so only I can hear.

  The minister clears his throat getting our attention. “Okay let’s get the rest out of the way so you can kiss your bride, shall we?” We both eagerly nod.

  “Zander do you take Savannah to be your wife, to love and cherish her until the day you two part?”

  “And even after we part, I Do.”

  “Savannah, do you take Zander to be your husband, to love and cherish him until the day you two part?”

  “Forever, I Do.”

  “Who has the rings?”

  Josh steps forward placing each ring into the minister’s hand. We slide our rings on each other’s finger repeating another vow to each other. When we are done, I know we are at the finish line as I start to bounce from foot to foot with excitement.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife, Zander, you may now kiss your bride.”

  Pulling me into a tight embrace he crashes our mouths together in a passionate kiss, our tongues stroking each other not able to get enough. We continue the kiss, neither of us willing to back off as we start to hear cat calls and whistles. Pulling back just a bit he plants tiny kisses on my smiling lips. Turning towards everyone we’re greeted with applause.

  “I’d like to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Zander Cage!”

  The preacher announcing our marriage makes it all feel real. I can’t believe that we’re actually married! We make our way back up the aisle to the back deck of my Dad’s house.

  Placing his forehead against mine we soak in the moment.

  “Finally, you’re my wife.”

  “And nothing has ever felt so good husband.”

  An hour flies by before we are able to join the guests for our reception. I need to unhinge my jaw from smiling so much for our pictures. As Zander leads me to the side of my dad’s house I can’t believe I didn’t notice a giant white tent when we pulled up earlier. Looking over to Zander I cannot believe he pulled this off in so little time. I’m glad he chose to have it here rather than some place impersonal to us. My dad has a
massive back yard that leads into a lake. It’s gorgeous especially at sunset.

  The DJ announces us into the tent to a round of thunderous applause. Riding off the adrenaline of the crowd Zander gingerly picks me up bridal style minding my ribs and carries me to the head table making me laugh. We sit down as the food starts to be served. I didn’t even realize until now that I’m starving!

  Going through with tradition we cut the cake and toss the bouquet and garter. Ash catches the bouquet, mostly because I threw it right to her, and I cringe when I see Josh catch the garter. I know something is up with them and its proven true when Ash exits the tent before he can put it on her leg. I excuse myself from Zander telling him I need to talk to Ashlyn for a minute.

  “You have a minute wife then I’m hunting you down,” he growls planting a whopper of a kiss on my lips.

  Wandering around I finally find her in my old bedroom with tears in her eyes.

  “I promise I’m okay, please go back to your wedding. Don’t let me be a dreary cloud over this perfect day. You deserve perfection Sav.”

  Rushing over to her I throw my arms around her minding my broken ribs. Leaning our heads together I hear her take a deep breath.

  “I know something has been up but I didn’t push. That curtesy is over, spill it.”

  “Not today. But I promise we’ll talk soon. Let’s get you back to your husband before he sends out a search party.”

  “Fine but we will be talking about all of this soon.”

  Heading back to the party after she fixes her makeup in the mirror, we hear our jam being played by the DJ.

  “Fuck yes! Let’s go bitch!”

  Dancing proves to be difficult when you have broken ribs. I’m sure I look ridiculous, but this is my wedding and I’m having fun no matter what. I feel arms wrap around my stomach and the immediate warmth of Zander against my back as he begins to guide my hips with his. Looking around seeing all of my friends and family dancing, this is what life is all about.

  Zander has hinted for the last hour not so subtly that he wants to take me home. I know he is worried about me and doesn’t want me to overdo it seeing as I just got out of the hospital today. I’m starting to agree with him, everything is starting to ache, I haven’t had any pain medication since this morning.