Fighter (Outsider Series)

by Micalea Smeltzer

  Pulling away, I ran my fingers over his scruffy cheeks.

  “Please, don’t shave for tomorrow,” I begged.

  He chuckled and the warm sound of it filled the evening air. “You really love my scruff don’t you?”

  “You have no idea,” I pressed my lips against his cheek.

  “I love you,” he nuzzled my neck.

  “I-”

  Before I could answer the door behind me swung open. I turned to find Gram and my mom.

  “Shoo,” Gram waved her hand at Caeden. “No more seeing the bride.”

  I blushed and turned back to Caeden. “I guess that’s my cue to leave,” he pecked me on the lips.

  “It is, boy,” Gram said and placed her arms on my shoulders. “The next time you see Sophie, she’s going to be walking down the aisle.”

  Caeden’s smile lit up his eyes. “I can’t wait.” Turning to me one last time, “This time tomorrow you’ll be my wife.”

  Butterflies descended on my tummy, as Gram and my mom ushered me inside.

  For the first time it really hit me.

  I was getting married.

  Tomorrow.

  eleven.

  “Soph… Wake up… You have to wake up… it’s time to start getting ready,” someone shook my shoulder.

  I rolled over to find my mom leaning over me. Smiling, she said, “It’s the big day.”

  I sat straight up in bed and shoved my hair back. “I can’t believe it’s here already,” I turned to her. Suddenly, feeling like a little girl, I wrapped my arms around her. “Mommy, I’m scared.”

  “Sweetie,” she gently ran her fingers through my tangled hair, just like she used to do when I was little and had a nightmare. “It’s okay to be scared.”

  “What if I fall? Or throw up? Or forget what I’m supposed to say?” Caeden and I were performing the traditional vows for the main wedding, but then for the binding ceremony, we’d created our own vows.

  “Soph, you’ll be fine,” she held me close. “Daddy will be there to walk you down the aisle and Caeden will take you from there,” she pulled away with tears in her eyes. “I always knew this day would come but I never imagined it would happen so soon. Maybe when you were thirty,” she pulled away with a laugh. “But everything happens for a reason, Soph. You and Caeden-” she shook her head. “It reminds me of your father and me when we were younger and I’m just blessed that my little girl has found a love like I found with her father. A love that will last forever and endure any obstacle.”

  I smiled, already feeling better.

  “Go hop in the shower so we can start on your hair and makeup.”

  I scurried out of the room, trying not to trip over the moving boxes I had packed last night, and went into the shower. I let the warm water glide down my body as I scrubbed every inch of myself. Yesterday, at the spa, I had been waxed so my legs were smooth and flawless. I rubbed my cookie scented body wash into my skin to enhance my natural scent that Caeden loved so much.

  I dried off and pulled on some baggy sweatpants and tank top.

  I opened the door. “Alright, I’m clean. Subject me to your torture.”

  “Chair. Now.” Chris said from the hallway as she pointed to one of the kitchen chairs. She held her large purple case of makeup in her hand. I sat down and she dropped her case onto the table. She popped the locks and began rummaging through it.

  “Can I at least eat something first? I’m starving.”

  “I’ve got that covered,” she pulled an egg McMuffin from McDonalds out of her purse. “It’s still warm.”

  I bit into the sandwich as she pulled out different vials and containers of concealer, foundation, blush, eye shadow, and mascara.

  She turned to my mom and asked, “What are you planning to do with her hair?”

  “Something simple. Probably a braid with a side bun.”

  “That’ll be gorgeous! Especially with her dress,” Chris gushed and turned back her makeup. “I’m thinking cream colors with just a touch of pink and shimmer.”

  “Sounds good to me,” I said around my last bite of sandwich.

  She grabbed a bottle of foundation and poured a little on her hand before tapping her finger in it and dabbing my face. She grabbed up a round looking brush and swirled it over my face, blending the liquid in. Next, she picked up some kind of white looking stick and swirled it under my eyes. “To brighten,” she said to answer my horrified look. I relaxed a bit. She swirled a pale pink blush over my cheekbones and then moved to my eyes. “Close them,” she commanded and I reluctantly shut my eyes. “You have nothing to worry about,” Chris assured me.

  When she finished my makeup, I stood to go look in the mirror but she pushed me back down. “Nuh-huh. Hair and dress first. You need to get the full affect.”

  I glared at her. Wait until it was her wedding.

  Mom brushed my hair and then she used a huge roller to curl it into loose waves. She parted my hair so that there was more on the left side and then proceeded to braid it back and pulled the remaining hair into a side bun. She came around to my front and pulled a few strategic pieces loose to frame my face. “Beautiful,” she said with tears in her eyes. “Dress time,” she took my hand and led me to my bedroom.

  She pulled the voluptuous dress out of its confinement and I stripped myself of my crappy clothes and stood in the bra and panties Chris had instructed me to wear. Of course, she chose this moment to walk by my bedroom. She wolf whistled. “Damn, Sophie, look at you. Caeden’s going to lose his mind and if I do say so myself, I think I did a good job picking that out.”

  I waved her away, a blush staining my whole body.

  Mom held my dress so that I could step into it. I pulled the dress up and into place, so that she could zip it up in the back.

  “Let me look at you,” she turned me around. “Wow, Soph. You’re absolutely stunning.”

  I blushed. “I am?”

  “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride.”

  “Wow,” Chris said from the doorway. “That dress was made for you.”

  Tears of happiness welled in my eyes. Even though, I was scared of falling or doing something stupid I was truly happy.

  “Don’t you dare cry and ruin my masterpiece,” Chris warned when she noticed my glistening eyes.

  In response, I fanned my face and took a deep breath.

  “Oh, let me get your shoes,” Chris disappeared. I raised a brow. I swore those had been in my room. With a cheeky smile, she handed me the box. “Caeden wanted them for some reason. He told me to tell you to look on the bottom.”

  I delicately removed the shoes from the box and pressed my hand to my lips as tears, once more, threatened to spill over.

  Soph,

  Ever since I first laid eyes on you, I have been anticipating this moment.

  I have counted the hours, minutes, and seconds, until I get to make you my wife and bind myself forever to your soul. I love you. Always.

  -Caeden

  Overcome by emotion, I said nothing to no one and slipped the shoes on.

  “Is Charlotte ready to get her hair done?” Mom asked Chris while I stayed in my love induced stupor. Caeden wasn’t even here but his words had the same affect on me as his presence.

  “Yep,” Chris nodded. “Lucinda is ready too. I just have myself left unless you want me to do yours.”

  “Oh, would you?” Mom clapped her hands together.

  “Of course, Christine,” Christian smiled.

  “I’ll go do their hair and while you do your makeup and get your dress on.”

  “Sure thing.” Chris disappeared into the bathroom.

  Mom helped me lift my skirt and walk out to the living room. I turned on the TV and flipped the channel until it landed on a mindless reality show.

  My mom braided Charlotte’s hair on both sides and pulled it back into a low bun.

  “You’re all done,” mom said and patted Charlotte’s shoulder. “Dress time.”

  Charlotte flashed
me a smile before disappearing into my room to change into her dress.

  Gram threw her hand up as my mom started towards her. “Don’t even think about touching my hair, Christine. I mean it.”

  Mom backed away and went in search of Chris.

  Gram got up from the chair she’d been sitting in and sat down beside me. Taking my hand in hers she said, “How are you holding up, sweetie?”

  “Okay, I guess. My heart’s racing a mile a minute.”

  “I’d think there was something wrong with you if you weren’t feeling a little flustered. Marriage is a big deal… even when you are marrying your mate. But you’ll be fine sweetie pie. That boy loves you more than life itself.”

  Changing the topic, I fingered her green dress and white cardigan. “You look nice Gram.”

  “Ugh,” she pulled on the end of her dress. “It’s too short. Want to let me wear my jeans?” she turned hopeful eyes up at me.

  “Sorry, Gram,” I smiled. “But you can’t wear jeans to my wedding.”

  “Darn, I figured you’d say that.”

  * * *

  Time seemed to fly by as my mom and the girls finished getting ready. Mom stood in front of me, tears glimmering in her eyes, “It’s show time.”

  Excitement and fear bubbled in my tummy as she helped me up from the couch and out the door. She gripped my hand tightly in hers and I knew she needed the support more than I did. We piled into a waiting limo and headed towards Amy’s house. With every mile that we got closer, my heart raced faster. This was happening.

  When we pulled into the driveway, my jaw dropped. Fresh white flowers were wrapped around the columns of the old home and draped above the door. The affect was stunning.

  My mom and the girls lifted the bottom of the dress and helped me inside.

  The foyer had the same flowers that had decorated the outside, hanging in balls at different intervals. The affect was stunning, but simple.

  Before I could inspect anything else, Amy was coming out of the kitchen with my bouquet of poppies in her hand. She looked beautiful in her dress and her hair was gorgeous, pulled back in an elegant up-do.

  “Oh Sophie!” She enveloped me in a hug. “You look stunning. A vision,” she pulled away and pecked me on the cheek. “The boys just left. All we need is our beautiful bride to walk down the aisle.”

  Taking a deep breath, I took the bouquet from her and gave her a watery smile. I really hoped Chris used waterproof mascara. “I’m ready.”

  “Good, good,” she said and grabbed the smaller bouquets off the table and handed them to Chris and Charlotte. “Bentley and Bryce are waiting at the side of the house for you.”

  With a smile, Chris hugged me and said, “Don’t be scared,” before walking out the front door.

  Charlotte squeezed my hand, a tear coursing down her cheek. “This is it,” she whispered before following Chris.

  Amy took my hands this time. “Your mom and I are going to go take our seats and send your dad in, okay?”

  “Okay,” I took a deep breath. Charlotte was right. This was it.

  They both hugged me before leaving me by myself.

  Just as the panic was about to set in, the front door opened and my dad stepped through.

  He stopped in his tracks. “Baby girl, you’re beautiful.”

  “Thanks daddy,” I hugged him, burrowing my face into his neck. This was the last hug where I’d still be ‘daddy’s girl’ because in a few minutes time I’d be ‘Caeden’s girl.’

  “Ready?” he asked.

  I took another deep breath, letting the oxygen fill my lungs, before exhaling. “Yes,” I tucked my hand into the crook of his arm.

  We stepped outside and down the steps. We stepped onto a white piece of fabric covered with poppy petals. Amy, bless her heart, had made the aisle come around the side of the house so I wouldn’t mess up my shoes or dress by walking in the grass. The woman had thought of everything.

  We followed the walkway to the side of the house. I could see my mom and Amy disappearing into the woods. Chris, Charlotte, and the guys were a few feet behind them. My dad and I came to a stop at the start of the actual aisle. I tried to get a glimpse of Caeden, but by design that was impossible.

  I closed my eyes and waited for the music to start, as that was my cue. When it did, my stomach completely dropped out of my body and rolled away.

  My dad looked over at me, pride shown in his eyes but sadness was there too. “That’s us, baby girl.”

  I nodded and we stepped through together. My heart was about to race out of my chest and in my head I kept saying, don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip. And then that changed to, stop looking at your feet! Look ahead! Smile!

  I focused on the decorations in order to stop worrying. All the trees we passed, were wrapped in more of the white, frothy looking, flowers only this time some poppies had been added in. I’d never been to a wedding before, but I was sure this was one of the most beautiful ever created. Especially, when you considered it had been thrown together in a matter of a few weeks.

  I smiled when I saw a sign leaning against a tree that said, “As two families become one, we ask that you pick a seat, not a side. -The Beaumont and Williams families.”

  We made a turn around some trees and that’s when I saw him standing beneath a white canopy tent. All the people standing, staring at me, faded into the background. All I saw was Caeden. All I felt was his love for me. His hand were clasped together, like he was trying to keep from reaching out for me, and his smile was huge. His blue eyes shimmered with tears and one escaped the side. I watched it roll down his cheek. He didn’t even bother to hide it. I had reduced my Alpha, my mate, to tears. Belatedly, I wondered who won the bet.

  Within seconds, the space was closed between us and I really saw him. No one had ever looked better in a tux than Caeden, of that I was sure.

  The preacher said something and my dad answered but I was too consumed by Caeden to hear anything. I felt my dad remove my hand from his arm and place it in Caeden’s. A million tiny zings prickled my body. I stepped up next to him and smiled.

  “Beautiful,” he mouthed and I blushed.

  He held both my hands in his as the preacher began his speech. “We are gathered here on this joyous day to unite this man and woman in holy matrimony.”

  Caeden squeezed my hand and I lost all coherent thought for a moment. In a few minutes, he would be my husband.

  The preacher said a few other things and then it was time for the vows.

  “I, Caeden Henry Williams, take you, Sophie Noelle Beaumont, to be my beloved wife, to have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times, and in the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, for all the days of my life.”

  Tears glimmered in his eyes as he took the ring from Bentley and slid it onto my finger. I resisted the urge to say “wow”. The ring was gorgeous, silver twisted and turned to look like vines. The vines and band were then covered in tiny diamonds. I don’t know how he had managed to find something so beautiful that matched my antique engagement ring.

  “I love you,” I mouthed before it was my turn to say vows. He grinned.

  The preacher turned to me and I prayed that I didn’t forget the words.

  “I, Sophie Noelle Beaumont, take you, Caeden Henry Williams, to be my beloved husband, to have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times, and in the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, for all the days of my life.”

  I took Caeden’s ring from Chris. With a shy smile, I slid the two-tone ring over his knuckle. It got stuck and he had to help me, which made me blush profusely. I guess I really would be the ‘blushing bride’.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” he told Caeden.

  “Finally,” Caeden murmured, taking my cheeks into his hands. Everything
seemed like it was in slow motion as his lips descended on mine. I soaked in his warmth, as my fingers tangled in the ends of his hair. He deepened the kiss and my mouth opened underneath his. He pulled away and nuzzled my neck. A chuckle escaped his throat and I realized our first kiss as husband and wife might have been a little too passionate. Oops.

  “I present to all those gathered here, Mr. and Mrs. Caeden Henry Williams.”

  Caeden took my hand and we turned to face our friends and family.

  I turned to Caeden, a smile splitting my face. I didn’t know it was possible to feel this happy.

  Caeden brought our joined hands to his lips, kissing my hand and then my wedding ring, before dropping our hands back down.

  Together, we walked back down the aisle.

  Caeden veered off the path and pulled me behind a tree.

  He cupped my cheek in his left hand and the feel of the cool metal band on his ring finger felt strange against my skin.

  “Wife,” he breathed.

  “Husband,” I said, putting my hand over his.

  He closed his eyes and shivered. “I didn’t know it would feel that good hearing you say that word.”

  I smiled and traced his cheekbones with my index finger. “Husband,” I repeated.

  “Oh God, I love hearing that word come out of your mouth,” he moaned and pressed his lips against mine before resting his forehead on top of mine.

  I blushed.

  “You took my breath away walking down the aisle. That dress,” his eyes raked over my body, “was made for you.”

  I fingered the black tux. “You make this tux look pretty darn good. You should wear one more often.”

  He chuckled. “This is the last time, baby, so soak in my hotness while you can.”

  I tried to punch his arm but he caught my fist and knitted his fingers in between mine.

  “The wedding may be over,” his eyes sparkled with happiness, “but now we have a binding ceremony to attend.”

  I hadn’t told anyone else this but I was sort of dreading the binding ceremony. It sounded painful.

  “What about the-” I stopped because it seemed wrong to continue.