“What?” Luke looked at each of us, wondering why we were laughing so hard.
“Like you could take on Gage.” I wheezed.
“I could!” Luke’s girlfriend came up and patted his arm.
“Don’t worry, babe, I know you could.” He grinned at her before turning to face us. Macey shook her head at us. Even she agreed he couldn’t kick Gage’s ass.
“Whatever you say, dude.” Ethan patted his best friend on the back. Moving past him, he came toward me.
“Carter, you look great. I am very happy for you.” Ethan smiled down at me.
“Thank you, Ethan.” I stood up on my toes and placed a kiss on his cheek.
“Gage is lucky to have you. He better make you happy. Even if he is my brother I will still kick his ass.” I smiled widely at him.
“You could take him.”
“Oh, I know.” He winked. “Now…don’t trip.” Before I could punch him, he quickly moved away.
“Jerk!” He just grinned and smirked at me.
“It is time, people!” Macey cheered, breaking apart everyone’s conversations. “Luke, with Elizabeth. Ethan, with Amy. And Dylan, with me. Chloe, you get to walk down the aisle first throwing flowers, okay? Just like we rehearsed.”
Chloe was our little flower girl. She was my little cousin, Neena and Liam’s little girl. She was the cutest thing ever.
“Wait, where is my dad?” I asked suddenly, looking around. I hadn’t seen him yet. “Mom, do you know where he is?” When I didn’t see him, I suddenly started to panic. I couldn’t do this without my dad. He was supposed to give me away.
“Honey—” my mom started but my dad’s voice interrupted her.
“Sorry, I am here!” My dad, Ashton, came around the corner. Upon seeing him, I relaxed. “Gage had a problem with his tie and I had to help him.” He gave my mom a kiss, and she blew me one before exiting out the door to take her seat.
“Since everyone is here now, let’s get this thing started. Chloe, you go out first.” Macey opened the door and out went Chloe, grinning from ear to ear. Slowly everyone trickled out until it was only me and my dad.
“You look beautiful, honey.” My dad grabbed my hands and held them out as he looked at my wedding gown for the first time.
“You think so?”
“No one is as pretty as my little girl.” I blinked my eyes quickly, so no tears would fall at his words. “Don’t worry, Carter, Gage is a great man. I approve.”
I knew my dad approved of him a while ago, but it meant a lot hearing that. Of course I wanted my dad to like the guy I was going to marry. It meant the world to me that they got along, and my dad accepted him into our lives so easily, especially with him being so skeptical about the guys I dated.
“Thank you, Dad, for walking me down the aisle.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. I was so close to crying again.
“Like I would let anyone else,” he joked. I kissed my father on the cheek just as the music started to play. Lacing my arm through my dad’s, I gripped it tightly. After I gave him a nod, we moved past the open doors, toward the aisle.
As soon as I came into sight, everyone stood up. My eyes skimmed over everyone and landed on the one person that truly mattered. The spot at the top of the altar was filled by the man I loved. Once I saw him, I couldn’t look anywhere else.
Gage grinned widely as we looked at one another. I noticed Dylan lean over and whisper something in his ear, to which he just rolled his eyes but his grin never faltered. It seemed like an eternity before we finally reached him. My dad and I came to a stop at the bottom of the altar. Giving me a kiss on the cheek and a weak smile, my dad handed me over to Gage.
Grasping his hand in mine, he led me up the small step until we were in front of one another, our hands clasped in front of us. Everyone quieted down as the priest started to talk.
Honestly, I heard nothing. Everything the priest said went in one ear and out the other. I was so focused on Gage I couldn’t pay attention to anything else. Gage seemed to be just as caught up in me as we stared at one another. There was no one else around us now. Everyone in the seats disappeared and so did all of our friends. It was only the two of us.
It wasn’t until I heard a clearing of the throat and a nudge in the back did I finally tune back in.
“Do you, Carter Miller, take Gage Harper as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death part you?”
“I do.” I breathed out.
“Now, do you, Gage Harper, take Carter Miller…” The priest repeated the same thing again. I held in a breath as I waited for Gage to answer.
“I do.” At his words I squeezed his hands.
“Mr. Harper, your vows if you wish.” Gage cleared his throat and began speaking.
“You know I don’t really do sappy, so I thought I’d make this short and sweet for you.” I smiled at his words. “Every single thing you do makes me fall more in love with you. Even your terrible bad breath in the morning. You are everything to me, and I do not regret running into you that day on campus six years ago. Since that moment my life has only gotten better, and I have you to thank for that. I promise to always be by your side, even when I annoy the shit out of you. And I promise to always be the man you need and deserve. I love you, Carter Miller.”
This time I did not stop the tears from rolling down my face. His vows were everything. Knowing it was my turn next, I quickly wiped my cheeks before I spoke.
“When we met six years ago, I never thought the two of us would get together or even be friends for that matter, but here I am ready to spend eternity with you. Even if eternity means hearing your loud snores at night, I will gladly do it. Since the moment you walked into my life, nothing has ever been the same. I would never redo meeting you because you changed my life for the better. You are my everything, Gage. I promise you that whatever life throws at us, I will be here and I will love you with everything I have. I am yours for eternity.”
I got my vows out without crying and stopping in the middle. Looking into Gage’s eyes, I noticed they were tinted pink, as if he were holding back tears of his own. Our hands were clasped tightly around each other’s, and our gazes never once faltered.
“By the power invested by me…I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Gage wasted no time in grabbing my face and kissing me.
All around us I could hear people clapping and yelling. We pulled apart, grinning like fools at one another.
“I love you, Mrs. Harper,” Gage whispered to me.
“I love you too, Mr. Harper.” I grabbed the back of his head and pulled him back into another kiss.
This moment was perfect. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. Gage was everything I wanted. He has always been everything I wanted, but I just couldn’t see it at first.
Standing here, gazing at the man I loved, I knew this was where I was meant to be. I was meant to be with Gage and no one else. We had gone through everything for a reason, and it had only made us closer. This may not have been what I imagined when I was younger, but you know what? It was even better.
Epilogue Part Two
Three years later…
“These are breathtaking.”
“They are really beautiful.”
I smiled at their comments. I was happy they liked the photos so much. They were definitely some of the best wedding photographs I had taken yet. Their wedding had been gorgeous.
“I am glad you like them.” I gathered up all the photos as well as the big book filled with all of their wedding pictures. I made sure to make an entire portfolio for them to take home.
“Here are all the photos that were taken at your wedding. If you want any of them bigger or anything, feel free to call me and I can do it.” I handed them the huge binder that held all their photos. I watched as the bride’s eyes widened. She clearly didn’t think there would be so many photos.
When
I opened my own photography business, I made sure that everyone got what they wanted and more, especially with wedding photos. I did a lot of different things when it came to taking pictures, but I didn’t mind. As long as I took pictures, I was fine.
The business was going surprisingly well, I must say. I was slightly worried I wouldn’t get any customers, but after taking Macey and Luke’s engagement photos not too long ago, people seemed to come and want me to take their pictures for any event. Their engagement photo was put in the newspaper, and of course with everyone’s help, they got the word out about my shop.
Along with my photography shop, I still painted and had more than a dozen paintings in multiple art galleries around the city. I literally was living the dream. Not every artist or photographer can make it after college, and in New York City for that matter. Somehow, I’d been lucky enough to do this for a living.
“Thank you so much!” the woman said, smiling widely at me. After thanking and congratulating her, they left. I smiled, happy she was satisfied with the pictures. If one person liked my stuff, then they would tell others, and soon even more will come.
Truth be told, I didn’t have to work. With what I was pulling in from my art being sold at galleries, Gage being CEO of a huge company and the gym, I didn’t have to do anything else. But I was not the type to just sit around and let my husband do all the work, and it kept me busy.
I was busy putting away all other photographs to notice my best friend, Macey Miller, walking through the door.
“Hey, Car!” I jerked up at the sound of the voice and a wide smile broke out across my face. Seeing my best friend for the first time in two weeks, I practically launched myself at her.
My arms were tight around her small frame, as I hugged her hard. We held onto one another for a few minutes. This was only like the second time we had spent more than a day apart.
“How was your honeymoon?” I asked, finally pulling away. I noticed she looked nice and tan and she was basically glowing.
“It was…incredible,” she gushed. It was crazy to think my best friend and brother just got married. For the past two weeks they had been off on their honeymoon in Greece. It felt like yesterday I found out they were seeing each other.
“How about we go get some lunch and talk about it?” I suggested. I was done for the day anyway.
“Sounds good to me.” After telling my assistant I was done for the day and to lock up in a bit, Macey and I left.
It took Macey and Luke a bit longer to get married than I did. I was not even sure why my brother waited so long to propose to her, but I knew he was busy with the family company and helping Gage with the gym. And Macey was busy developing things that could save the planet. But clearly Macey didn’t care that he waited so long to propose, because she still married him.
We left my car in the parking lot and took Macey’s to get something to eat. We had so much to talk about that the entire ride was filled with conversation. One of us barely paused and the other was talking. You never get in the way of two girls talking.
When Macey pulled into a familiar parking lot, I turned to smile at her. The old diner we went to in college. I think it surprised us both coming here. I didn’t question it, though, as I opened the door and got out.
The diner looked the exact same as it did all those years ago. I was surprised it was still open, but with it being so close to campus, the college kids kept it going. I smiled as we walked through the doors, old memories coming to mind. This and 95 Degrees were our hangouts years ago; it was nice to be back.
Once we were seated in a corner booth, I looked right at Macey.
“So…how was the honeymoon? What did you do? Is Greece really pretty?” I shot one question off after another. “I want to know everything.” I hesitated for a second. “Well, almost everything.” There were some things I didn’t need to know about.
“Car, it was…gorgeous! Bright blue sea, great food, and the people were so nice. If I could speak the language, I would live there.” Never having been to Greece, I hung on her every word.
“What did you guys do there?”
“We went snorkeling and saw tons of beautiful fish and even saw a shark! Although they told us they are pretty harmless unless provoked. Then we walked around the local village, lay on the beach, and we went a few days in the main city of Greece, seeing all the sights and monuments. Car, you wouldn’t believe how beautiful the statues of the gods and goddesses are, and the art. You would be in heaven.” Yet another reason I was jealous of their honeymoon. Although Gage’s and my honeymoon was amazing.
“It was just how I wanted my honeymoon to be,” Macey gushed. We got interrupted to order and after we did, we went right back to talking.
I told her about how well the business was going, and how Gage’s gym was doing great and so many kids were coming in. I filled her in on everyone. Dylan was currently dating some girl, but I knew it wouldn’t last. She was too…different from him. He couldn’t seem to find someone, but I had faith someone would come along that was perfect for him.
Ethan was…well, he was Ethan. Still the most eligible bachelor in New York. But he had stopped his womanizing ways at least. I just hoped he would find someone to make him settle down and stop him being at work twenty-four-seven.
As for Amy, well, she was still in Australia working. When I last talked to her, she was thinking of moving back and being the head of the sea and wildlife conservatory here.
I also filled her in on some of our other friends before our food came. I looked down at the hamburger I ordered and felt my stomach squeeze. It looked good, really good, but the smell was starting to get to me.
As Macey talked, I grabbed a French fry and took a bite. The moment I swallowed it, I quickly stood up. I briefly heard Macey asking what was wrong, but I was already running toward the bathroom.
I barely made it to the toilet before I threw up. Behind me, Macey came and grabbed my hair, pulling it back. I ignored the fact that the toilet was disgusting as I continued throwing up.
When I was done, I stood up and went over to the sink. I quickly washed my mouth out, and my hands. I didn’t even have to see to know Macey was leaning against the counter, staring at me.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Must just be something I ate earlier,” I said. The past week this had been happening to me. Everything I ate, I ended up getting sick and it was starting to annoy me.
“How long?”
“What?” I looked over at her as I dried my hands.
“How long have you been throwing up?” Macey asked again, crossing her arms and staring at me. I thought about lying to her, but thought better of it.
“About a week.” She was quiet for a minute before she sighed.
“Okay, come on.”
“Wait? What?”
“We are going to the store and then home. Come on.” I opened my mouth to ask what she meant, but she grabbed my arm and tugged me out of the bathroom with her.
“Macey.” As we passed by our table, she dropped some money on it and kept pulling me after her. When we got into the car, I finally was able to talk.
“What are you talking about, Macey?” I was confused, although deep down I knew what she was talking about.
“Carter, come on, use your brain.” She sent me a look as she drove. “It isn’t a hat holder, my friend.”
“Hey!” She just smiled.
“Carter, I am saying we are going to go get a pregnancy test.” At those words I paused.
“Pregnant?” I choked. I leaned back in my seat processing the words. I couldn’t be pregnant. No, I couldn’t be. Gage and I were always safe.
The whole ride to the store to pick up a test, I was silent. Inwardly I was freaking out. Sure, I was twenty-seven years old and married, but was I even ready to have a kid? Was Gage even ready?
Macey went into the store for me and grabbed a few tests while I sat in the car. When I was finally alone, I sat there staring out through
the front window. The idea of being pregnant never really crossed my mind over the past week. I kept that idea way back because I wanted it to be something else. I wanted it to be just some bad food or I had the flu, even if I wasn’t sick. The idea of being pregnant scared me.
I wasn’t sure what to think as Macey got back in the car and drove toward my place. Gage wouldn’t be home for another few hours, so it wasn’t like he was going to come home and find out what we were doing. At least I didn’t have to worry about that.
It was almost like I was in a fog when we pulled into the parking lot and entered my apartment building. If it weren’t for Macey making sure I got on the elevator, I probably would have turned around and ran. A part of me didn’t want to find out if I was pregnant or not.
The two of us were silent during the elevator ride and when we got inside the apartment, I stood in the doorway, my feet firmly planted on the ground.
“Car, are you okay?” Macey asked.
“I…I, uh, I don’t know. I am pregnant, Mace.” My voice sounded distant to me.
“Carter, you don’t know if you are yet. Just take the test. Who knows? Maybe it is just a bug, but better be safe and take it.” She shoved the box of pregnancy tests at me. I stared at the box with wide eyes.
“I’ll be right outside the door. After you pee on the stick, open the door and I will wait with you.” She placed a hand on my arm in encouragement. I gave her a shaky smile as I grabbed the box and headed for the bathroom.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want kids, no. I had always wanted to have kids, but was I ready? Was Gage? Kids were a lot of responsibility. The two of us were busy with work, so how could we take care of a child?
Peeing on the stick was a lot harder than it sounded. My bladder wouldn’t listen to me, so I literally sat there for a good ten minutes turning the tap on to see if that helped, before I was finally able to go. Once I did, I opened the door to reveal Macey standing there, nibbling on her thumb waiting for me.
“Did you do it?” she asked.
Silent Love Part Four_Forbidden Series Page 19
