“I don’t know why. It was easy.” He scoffed.
“You planned our wedding,” I said, unbelievably.
“I want to marry you. Right now.”
“But,” I said, glancing down. My goodness, those candles flickered so beautifully against the snow. It was almost as if Liam and I were flying into another universe, one filled with starlight, magic, and glistening snow.
Liam put a finger against my cheek and pushed my face so I would look at him. “No buts. Up there at the end of this line, there’s a minister, our mothers, Alex, and even Charlie. They’re waiting for us to arrive so they can watch us pledge forever.”
“They’re all here?” I whispered, awed. “They know about this?”
“They helped plan it.”
“Oh my gosh.”
“Look.” Liam took both my hands between his. “I know this is unconventional, but I don’t want a long engagement. I don’t want some stupid society wedding that the press will get wind of and hound us for months about. I know the bride normally picks out everything—”
“This is perfect.” I cut him off. “I don’t need to pick out anything. I don’t want anything but you and our family.”
He grinned crookedly. “So you’ll do it? You’ll marry me right fucking now?”
I laughed as excitement surged inside me. “Right fucking now.”
He wagged his eyebrows. “I love it when you say naughty words.”
Suppressing a smile, I lifted a finger. “There is just one thing,” I said.
“I have rings. I have the paperwork. Everything is taken care of.”
“I can’t believe you did this,” I mused, still absolutely blown away. “How did you manage this so fast?”
“I got skills,” Liam replied, cocky.
I had to give it to him. “You clearly do.”
“Look,” he whispered, motioning below.
The lift crested the hill, and the platform came into site. What was beyond it, though, made me gasp. Up at the top of the black diamond run was a small pergola with enough space for two people to stand beneath it. The top was draped with pine greenery and more jars suspended from the wood with lit candles inside.
Just on the other side of it stood who I assumed was the minister, wearing a thick black dress coat and a thick scarf around his neck.
A few large lit jars and lanterns were perched in the snow around the area, along with a few massive bouquets of white roses. Nearby, my mom, Holly, and Alex waited, while Charlie rolled around in the snow.
“The black diamond run seemed most appropriate,” Liam said quietly as I took it all in. “Because, you know, the black diamond trail is the most challenging of all. I figured with all the odds we’ve beat to get here, this black diamond had nothing on us.”
My vision blurred a little as tears filled them. I blinked them back and then swiped at my eyes, only to have my attention caught by the gorgeous ring Liam slipped on my finger.
Everyone saw us coming, and they all began to wave. I waved back as more tears flowed. Turning to Liam, I sniffled. “I just… I don’t know what to say. This is incredible.”
“You don’t have to say anything but yes.”
I leaned forward and kissed him, my tongue nudging against his lips. He opened for me, and our tongues stroked only briefly before he pulled back. “Landing is coming up.” He gestured. “Careful now.”
He guided me off the chair and lifted me off the platform before the chair behind us could sweep by. He saluted the guy working the booth and then stepped so close our bodies touched.
“Are you ready to become my wife?” he murmured, staring into my eyes.
I nodded.
He grinned and started away, but a moment of doubt ensnared me and I resisted, tugging him back. “Liam.”
He glanced around, a wary look crossing his features for whatever he heard in my voice. “Bellamy?”
“Before we do this, I have to ask,” I said, swallowing thickly. “I need to know.”
“What is it?” he said, coming back to stand in front of me.
“Are you sure this is what you want, too?”
Liam
I made a sweeping gesture with my hand, indicating everything I set in motion. “You seriously need to ask me that?”
“I just want to make sure you don’t feel pressured. Because of the baby.” She hedged, and I crossed my arms over my chest and glared. “And because of things people might be saying.”
Ah.
I made a rude noise. “You think I give two shits what some fired bitches have to say?”
“Well, you exiled them for saying it, so yeah.”
“I exiled them because of the way they treated you.”
An impatient sound filled her throat. “I don’t want to argue. I just want you to be sure. I know you love me and our baby.”
“I do, which is exactly why I want you to have my name.” Softening my tone, I cupped her jaw, imploring her with my eyes. “I want this. You. More than anything else. I would marry you even if you weren’t pregnant, even if I wasn’t famous and women weren’t being jealous hags.”
She rolled her eyes, and I smiled. “I will admit I’d like to be married before my son is born. He deserves that.”
“Yes.” She agreed. “He does.”
“Good. Can we get married now?” I asked. Geez, I never had to work so hard for anything in my life.
“Yes, please.”
I scooped her up and made her shriek and laugh. “Liam!” she exclaimed, patting my shoulder. “You’re supposed to carry me over the threshold, not to the altar!”
“I’m doing both, sweetheart. To the extreme.”
“‘Bout time y’all got here. I was about to become a snowman,” Alex heckled.
“You guys!” Bellamy exclaimed. “You all knew!”
“It was so hard keeping the secret!” Bells’s mom exclaimed.
“Liam has been hard at work.”
I set her down beside me as our family stepped close. Bellamy looked up. “How did you have time to do this and train?”
“I’m a motivated guy.”
“I did it all.” Alex lied.
I punched him in the shoulder. “He did not,” I told Bells.
“I’m so happy for you both,” Holly said, reaching for our hands. “All a mother wants is for her child to be happy.”
Stephanie nodded. “It’s true.”
“I just wish your father was here to see it.”
“He’s watching.” Alex assured her and looked to the sky. “He has the best seat in the house.”
My throat tightened, and I glanced overhead. I hoped Dad was watching. I hoped he knew how grateful I was for his sacrifice.
“Shall we begin?” the minister said from near the awning thing. It had a fancy name, but damn if I remembered it.
I held out my hand to Bellamy, and she reached for it. Alex smacked my arm away. “That is not how this shit works!”
I spun on my best friend and glared. “Dude. I’m trying to get married here.”
“And I’m trying to be the best man.”
“Being best man requires you to stand over there and shut it.”
“Liam!” Bellamy hissed.
“I’ve taken it upon myself to walk Bells down the aisle,” Alex announced.
“There is no aisle,” I pointed out.
“Don’t you think your girl deserves a proper ceremony?”
I relented. “Yeah.” I agreed. “I do.”
“Doesn’t anyone want to ask me what I want?” Bellamy wondered.
Both our mothers snickered.
“That boy is a handful,” Stephanie told my mom.
“Is he ever.”
Alex and I turned to Bellamy. “What would you like, sweetheart?”
“Go stand over there.” She directed me.
Alex made a triumphant sound. I leaned in to kiss her, but she pulled back. “You have to wait until we’re married.”
Alex cackled, a
nd I resisted the urge to give him the finger. I figured it wouldn’t be proper in front of a minister and all.
The snow crunched beneath my boots as I went over and stood under the lights and pine near the minister.
Bellamy’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright when she turned to my best friend. “I’m very honored that you would do this for me.”
Alex offered Bellamy his arm. “Girl, the pleasure is all mine.”
She tucked her hand in his elbow, and he leaned down to kiss her cheek. She looked so happy I couldn’t yell at him.
“He ever gives you any trouble, you just come to me,” Alex told her.
“I’m waiting down here,” I called out.
Bellamy giggled and started forward with Alex. Her mom gasped quietly and hurried over and handed her a bouquet of roses. She accepted, and then they started toward me again.
There was no music except for the rustling of the wind in the trees, and the only light was from the millions of stars overhead and the candles we’d placed all around.
Honestly, it wouldn’t have mattered if it was this or a million people standing watch. The only two people who existed in this moment were her and me.
Our eyes never strayed as she closed the distance between us, and I savored every step she took because in just moments, she would officially be mine.
Alex stopped in front of us, and Bellamy rushed forward. A pulled her back, though, saying, “Whoa, girl, slow your roll.”
“Bro,” I growled in warning.
“Go ahead,” Alex said to the minister, ignoring me.
“Who gives this woman to this man?” the minister said clearly.
Bellamy giggled, and even though I was annoyed, my lips twitched.
“That would be me,” Alex replied dutifully.
I reached for my girl, and Alex grabbed my hand. “Take care of her.”
“You know I will.”
He nodded and dropped my hand, came forward, and hugged me. “Congrats, man. You deserve this. It’s good to see you happy.”
I forgot how annoying he was being and hugged him back. “Thanks, Alex,” I replied. “Wouldn’t have wanted to do this without you at my side.”
“Always.” He pulled back and smiled at Bellamy, then moved over to my side.
Mom and Stephanie were already crying as I pulled Bellamy to me. She smiled up at me, candlelight reflected in her eyes and glistening off the sleek strands of her hair coming out from beneath her hat.
I honestly couldn’t think of anything more perfect… more us. Standing on the top of the mountain with the people we loved most.
It moved me in ways I honestly hadn’t expected.
“I love you,” she whispered, reaching up and stroking my cheek.
“Love you more,” I mouthed back.
The minister cleared his throat, and we turned to face him. Our vows carried with the wind and echoed through the trees. Rings were exchanged, and a long kiss was shared.
It didn’t take very long to bind us for eternity, which somehow seemed appropriate because in truth, Bellamy owned me from the very first moment we met.
Bellamy
Holy cow. I am married. I was Mrs. Liam Mattison.
Best date ever.
I wanted to pinch myself; this was all so unreal and amazing. Instead, I glanced down at the snowflake adorning my finger and the newly positioned diamond wedding band.
Butterflies flapped around in my stomach while pure joy split my face with a smile.
“Are you happy?” Liam asked, lifting my hand and kissing the rings he’d just put there.
“So happy,” I replied, returning the gesture and kissing his newly adorned hand.
“Wait!” Alex called out just before the lift operator could send us back down the mountain.
Liam and I both glanced over our shoulders as Alex came bounding through the snow with Charlie hot on his heels. He was carrying a huge white poster with a couple white balloons attached and trailing behind him.
I laughed. “What in the world are you doing?”
“It’s tradition,” he exclaimed and spun the huge sign around.
JUST MARRIED
Liam nodded. “Good call.”
Alex attached it to the back of our chair, and the balloons floated around behind us.
“Fly free, love birds! Fly free!” Alex said, stepping back.
Mom and Holly clapped and cheered as the chair jolted forward and carried us away from our wedding spot.
“I’m sad to leave,” I said, taking in the candles and the view before it was out of sight.
“The night’s not over yet,” Liam promised in a voice that made my thighs squeeze together.
“It isn’t?”
He shook his head, eyes like melted silver. “We have the honeymoon suite at the resort.”
I glanced toward the huge lit-up building down the mountain and smiled. “You seriously thought of everything,”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m just getting started.”
“What could possibly be left?” I wondered.
“You’ll see,” he murmured, lowering his lips.
He kissed softly but deep. I was lightheaded with happiness as my body grew heavy with need.
I don’t know how long we kissed, but when he finally pulled back, I noted the resort seemed a lot closer than before.
Liam glanced around, and a slow smile lifted his lips. “You ready for your wedding present?”
I gasped. “A wedding present! My word, Liam, the wedding was more than enough.”
He made a noise, not agreeing or disagreeing, then dazzled me with a smile. “Well? Are you?”
“I don’t need any more presents.”
“You’re going to like it,” he teased.
“Where is it?” I asked curiously, reaching into his coat. “In here?”
His chuckle loosened more of my lower half, and I groaned. Liam put an arm around me and gazed out over the landscape. “See that over there?” he asked, pointing.
I leaned around him to look. “What?”
“That down there. It’s a light.”
It took a moment, but then I saw a lit-up X down below. “That X?” I asked.
He nodded.
“What is it?”
“That, sweetheart, is the future location of our new house.”
I gasped. “A house!”
“Mm-hmm. It’s a good lot, private and not too close to the resort, but still close enough I can take a snowmobile to work.”
“You built us a house!”
“Oh no. Taking over our wedding is one thing, but I would never build an entire house without you picking everything you want inside.”
I started to cry. I mean, really. How much happiness could one girl get in a single night before she dissolved in a puddle of tears and amazement?
“It’s okay.” Liam soothed, pulling me into his chest. “We can find some other lot.”
“No!” I said, jerking back. The lift starting rocking, and Liam reached to steady us. “I love it. I don’t want anything else.”
“Then why are you crying?” he asked warily.
“Because I’m so happy, and I just love you so much!” I wailed.
He pulled me back into his chest. “I think the cold is getting to you.”
I sniffled. “No, it’s not. You are!”
“Me?” He wondered.
“You’re perfect!” I wailed again. In that moment, it was unfathomable how I could ever show him how much he meant to me, how much the life we were building meant.
For a long time, I existed in a tiny apartment, afraid to go out, closing myself off from any friend I might have, cut off from my family and life.
And then I ran here to hide.
I found home.
I found love that could withstand death. That could rival fear. I found a reason for everything and rediscovered my heart.
I found it all within a single man.
The lift began lowering from the
sky, and the lights from the resort seemed so bright compared to the candles we’d just left. Liam practically lifted me off the chair and platform.
“Wait here,” he said and kissed me on the forehead.
I watched him jog over to the booth where his helper was sitting. He slapped some cash into the guy’s hand and said something. They both laughed, and then Liam jogged back to me.
We went up the staff elevator in the hotel, all the way to the top floor. Liam already had the room key, so we didn’t have to stop and speak to anyone on the way.
The elevator opened to a small hallway with one wide door on one end and a large window offering a stunning view on the other. Before even making it to the door, Liam grabbed me by the waist and pushed me against the wall, claiming my mouth. I moaned and kissed him back, raking my hands through his hair. He moved suggestively against me, and I wrapped my leg around his. With a grunt, he pulled back and picked me up, my legs anchored around him instantly. Still kissing, Liam carried me down the hall and stopped in front of the door. It took a few tries for him to dig the key out of his pocket, but when he did, he pulled his mouth free and licked over his lips.
“Marriage tastes good on you, Bells.”
“Open the door,” I urged, husky.
When it was open, he shoved it back with his foot and strolled inside. It slammed behind us, but the sound was lost on me.
The exquisiteness of the space drowned out everything else.
“Oh, Liam,” I whispered.
“I think I owe some people a raise,” he murmured.
The suite was filled with buckets of white roses and candles. Soft music played through the space. The curtains on the large window were open, and the illuminated resort lay below like the kingdom it was.
Liam set me down, and I went around trailing my fingers over the delicate rose petals and gazing at the extravagant decoration.
“Every rose in the entire town must be here.”
“The next town over, too.” He admitted.
“Oh, look!” I said, rushing over to a table with a small white cake on it. It was one tier, all white, with a simple white ribbon around the base. On the top was a statue of a bride and another of a snowboarder. It made me laugh. “It’s us!”
Liam came up behind me and nuzzled the side of my neck. “Cute,” he said.
Frostbite (BearPaw Resort Book 3) Page 22
