I see Brayden as soon as I clear the chapel door. His eyes light up when he sees me, and I know I’m grinning like a fool. I see him in suits almost every day, but it never gets old. He’s sexy as sin and I can’t wait to make love to him for the first time as his wife. His smile turns into a smirk, and I know he sees the desire on my face. Since there are no cameras in here, except for the ones we hired, I stick out my tongue at him as everyone laughs.
After shaking hands with Noah, Brayden takes my hand and leans in close. “You look beautiful, Cat.”
“Thanks.”
The official we hired says and does all of the normal wedding things, and then it’s time for our vows. I smile at Brayden as we turn towards each other and he begins.
“I once tried to make a list of things to do so I could impress you. Everyone here knows that didn’t go so well. I decided that instead of trying to impress you with promises today, I’m just going to be honest, so here goes.
“I promise to never play video games with you when you’re online with your gamer friends, because we both know I’ll get you killed no matter how hard I try not to. I promise to dress up as whatever character you want and go to those nerd conventions you love. I swear to never try and ride a bronco, cook for you, or sing in drag again. I will, however, order in your favorite foods, give you foot massages, and make love to you every night. You’ve shown me what true love and loyalty really are, and I promise to love you forever, my Cat.”
Tears are running down my face, and he reaches up to kiss them away. “I promise to never break into your vault again, to never make you think you need to impress me, and to never make you dress up as anything too crazy when you go to the conventions with me. I’ll cook for you when I’m not too tired from work, play the part of the perfect princess when you need me to, and make love to you every morning when we wake up. I never thought I’d find love, and I swear that no matter what happens, I’m never going to stop loving you or doing everything I can to make you happy. I love you, my Crown.”
“I don’t know what to even say after those vows, so yeah Brayden, just go ahead and kiss your bride,” the officiant tells us.
We kiss and then hug each other before turning to our guests. Everyone is cheering as we lead them to one of the smaller ballrooms in the castle. I can’t wait for this part—Brayden wanted to surprise me with the reception, so I have no clue what to expect.
I stop inside the door and practically tackle my husband when I see what he’s done. “You should probably see everything before you take me to the ground,” he tells me with a laugh.
There are gaming stations everywhere with big screen TVs, and each table is themed for a different game I love. The cake topper is a groom dragging his bride from her game controllers while Call of Duty is on the TV screen. It’s perfect. All of it is so very perfect for me. But what about him?
“There’s nothing for you here, Bray?”
“You’re here, and you’re my wife. That’s honestly all I’ll ever need.”
“I didn’t need all of this, either. I seriously love it, but I would’ve been okay with anything.”
“I know. You may not have needed it, but you deserve the reception of your dreams. It’s my mission in life to make all of your dreams come true, so why not start with this?”
I kiss him hard, and start planning all the ways I’m going to thank him more properly once we’re alone. I love my prince, and I’m ready for my fairytale ending.
* * *
Brayden
“Will Darcy behave today?” my mother asks, coming up next to me to wait for the carriage bringing my wife from the castle to the cathedral.
She wanted to walk, but her damn dress is too heavy, so she settled for an open carriage. I know she’ll be making several stops to greet the people of my country along the road, but that’s why they love her. “My wife will do whatever she damn well pleases.”
“The world is watching this wedding.”
“The world loves Darcy, just as our people do.”
She doesn’t say anything else, because she can’t. Darcy has won over every heart here, except for hers and a few members of Parliament. I don’t really care what anyone else thinks. I’ll never ask her to be someone she isn’t.
“It’s time to go inside,” Noah tells me. “She’s almost here.”
Since no one knows about our real wedding last night, we have to uphold tradition. I’m not supposed to see her until she walks down the aisle. I saw her when she reluctantly left our bed this morning, but I can’t wait to see her coming down the aisle to me again. That will never get old.
I take my place next to Noah, who I insisted be here with me. The Society girls and their guys, as well as the mentors and the Griffin family, are all here again, but this time they’re in the pews and not standing with us. I wish things could be different, but protocol demands things from me, and sometimes I can only push back so far.
I watch as my cousins walk up the aisle in dark orange gowns suited for princesses. Embroidered bodices and full skirts are quite a contrast to what Darcy’s friends wore last night, but at least she got her color. It’s something.
Jen smiles at me as she takes her place, and then everyone stands for my girl. My knees go weak when I see her coming down the long aisle on the arm of my Uncle Steven. The gown she has on is so wide that it almost touches the pews as she walks. It’s got an off the shoulder neckline and is covered in beading and diamonds. It’s elaborate and formal. Nothing Darcy would ever choose for herself, and now I realize why it was too heavy to walk in. The crown she designed is on top of her orange hair that has been swept up into a fancy twist. The rows of diamonds with no space in between stand out brilliantly on top of her bright hair, and I’m glad she got her way and has no veil cascading down her back. A veil would make what she’s wearing too over to the top. As it is, the white roses she’s carrying look bland next to her gown and crown. She looks gorgeous, and my heart hurts thinking about how she’s doing all of this for me.
My uncles kisses her on the cheek before placing her hand in mine. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper as we turn towards the bishop who will be presiding over this spectacle. “So very sorry.”
She looks at me with concern shining in her eyes, and it makes me feel even more guilty. My gamer girl doesn’t deserve what I’ve let my mother do to her. I didn’t promise to protect her when we said our vows, because she’s a certified bad-ass and can take care of herself most of the time. Not now, though. She did this for me. She’s hiding who she really is for me, and it kills me to know I’ve taken her spirit away, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
* * *
Darcy
I’m really worried about Brayden. From the moment he apologized to me in the church, he’s been distant, giving me guilty looks every once in a while, but none of his smiles I love him so much. No one but me, and maybe Noah or Jen, would see it, but it’s there. He’s upset, and right now I can’t ask him why.
We’re in a dark hall at the castle. It’s filled with stone arches, under which dozens of elaborate gold and white tables and chairs have been placed. This room looks nothing like our reception last night, and I’m scared that my dress won’t even make it past the tables to where we are supposed to sit at the front of the room.
I continue to smile and shake hands as people come through the receiving line, but when the last person passes, I grab Brayden and start to pull him from the room. His mother tries to stop me, but I glare at her before pulling him outside. Once we’re far enough from the party, I drop his hand and cross my arms over my chest.
“What did I do wrong?”
“You? You did nothing wrong, Cat,” he says, finally looking at me.
“Then why didn’t you look at me during the ceremony?”
“How could I look at you knowing I did this to you?” he asks, gesturing to my dress.
“It’s just a dress, Crown.”
“It’s so dam big it probably needs its own
zip code.”
“Well yeah, but who cares? Again, it’s just a dress.”
“It’s not you.”
And now I get it. He thinks this stupid dress is hiding the real me. “No, it’s not. But in the time you’ve known me, have I ever let my clothes define who I am?”
“Definitely not.”
“Then why would you think this dress would? I’m still the same beer drinking chick you fell for. I can dress up, but nothing will change who I am. Does it suck to have to pretend to be formal? Yeah, it does. And if this was our real wedding, I’d be a little upset. It’s just for show today, though, so I really don’t care. We’ll pretend for a few more hours, and then I’ll take off this dress, let my hair down, and let you fuck me until we both pass out.”
“I hate to interrupt, but people are noticing that you’re gone,” Nate says, walking outside with a smirk on his face.
“And they sent you?” I ask, putting a hand on my hip.
“Why not? You are one of my best friends.”
“You mean they were afraid we were doing more than talking and figured you wouldn’t be shocked.”
“Well, I did walk in on the two of you in the game room last week. I still don’t understand how you got into that position on the foosball table,” he says shaking his head, and then fist bumping Brayden.
“I have skills,” my husband tells him.
“Yes, you do, but we aren’t talking about them with Nate. Now or ever.”
“What if we’ve already talked? I know you and the girls talk.”
“Just get inside. Both of you.”
I start to walk in front of them, but Brayden spins me and pulls me into his arms for a hard kiss. I kiss him back as Nate chuckles. For a cat burglar who never thought she’d find friendship or love growing up, I’m happy to say I’ve found both. I have great friends, and a husband who fits together with me like he’s my missing piece. Happily ever after isn’t just for fairytales.
Ellie & Aiden
Ellie
“I have to admit that I never thought we’d be having a traditional wedding in a church. Or a backyard reception,” Aiden tells me, looking at the overflowing book I have on our dining room table.
“You don’t mind, do you?” I ask, getting a little scared.
“Nah, whatever you want is fine with me, Doll.”
“Good. You had me worried there for a minute.”
“There is one thing, though. I was hoping I could do something out of the ordinary for you.”
“How out of the ordinary?”
“Um, I guess a lot?”
My heart starts to beat fast. I love Aiden, but I’ve always dreamed of what my wedding would be like. I compromised a little on the bridesmaid dresses, because Stella found some cool ones that look like waves and Aiden did propose on the beach. I guess I could compromise a little more. Just a little.
“What did you have in mind?”
“I can’t tell you. I want it to be a surprise.”
“Then how am I supposed to agree or not agree? You can’t just spring things on me a week before our wedding!” I yell. I’m aggravated, and why not? He hasn’t planned this wedding. I haven’t let him, but still.
“Maybe you could trust me. Novel concept, I’m sure, but it would be damn nice for once.”
“What are you even talking about? You know I trust you.”
“Really? So that’s why I couldn’t do the cake tasting on my own when you couldn’t fly to Chicago?”
“My mom wanted to be part of it.”
“It had nothing to do with the fact that you said I wouldn’t know buttercream from cream cheese frosting if one of them bit me? Or that you knew I’d choose chocolate and vanilla because I have simple tastes? Your mom had her volume turned up and I heard you, El.”
“Aiden, I…I’m sorry. I just want this wedding to be like I dreamed it would be. I thought you wanted that, too.”
“Don’t. Don’t you dare try and guilt me into thinking I might be wrong. You’re a fucking bridezilla, and I’m done. Just done.”
“What do you mean you’re done? Where are you going?” I ask as he grabs his jacket and heads for the door.
“I’m going to hang out with my dad. Text me where and when to show up and I’ll be there, but I can’t be around you while you get crazier and crazier.”
“That’s not fair. I just want us to be happy at our wedding.”
“No. You want you to be happy at our wedding. You don’t give a fuck about what I want, or don’t want. Hell, I can’t even plan a surprise for you.”
“Aiden, please.”
“I have to go before I call off this whole thing. I’ll text you when I land.”
He walks out without even kissing me goodbye. He’s never done that before. Am I really being crazy? I thought I was just acting like a normal bride. My girls will tell me the truth. I page them all to our apartment, thinking they’ll agree that Aiden’s overreacting, but when has anything ever gone the way I thought it would?
“You’ve been acting like a total bitch,” Jade tells me. “You know I love you, but I don’t blame Aiden for leaving.”
“I just want my wedding to be perfect.”
“We know. You tell us at least five times a day,” Ainsley says.
“All of you had the weddings of your dreams, so why can’t I?”
“You can honey, but you have to calm down about some things. You do know that the marriage is more important than the wedding, right?” Tegan asks me.
“Yeah.” I do. Really I do.
“What set him off?” Stella asks.
“He said he wanted to surprise me with something that wasn’t traditional. I freaked out a little.”
“Like you did when I wanted to shave one side of my hair?” Darcy asks.
“Or was it like when you realized your brother has a basketball game the night before, and can’t fly in until the morning of the wedding?” Isa asks.
“When you put it that way, I do sound like a bitch. God, what am I going to do? I didn’t mean to go crazy.”
“Well first, you need to tell him you want your surprise,” Stella says looking down at her phone. “He just texted me to cancel it, and believe me, you want it.”
“I do want it. I want anything he wants to give me. I’m such an idiot.”
“Nah. You’re just a crazy bridezilla,” Faith tells me. “I went a little crazy, too.”
“Not like me. I need to chill out. I used to be the most chill person I knew, and now I’ve become this…this psycho.”
“We’re all here for you, El. We’ll keep you in line,” Reina tells me with a smile.
“Thanks. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a fiancé to call.”
“Give him some good phone sex,” Audrey advises with a smirk as they all file out.
I just smile back. If that’s what it takes, I’m more than happy to play a little. Or a lot.
* * *
Aiden
I’m staring out the window, contemplating how my amazing fiancé has turned into a crazy person, when my phone rings. Ainsley has all the jets set up with satellite cell capabilities, but I was hoping for a quiet flight. I look down and see that it’s Ellie. My finger hovers over accept, but I ended up tapping decline. I just can’t talk to her yet. I wait, but there’s no voicemail. I’m glad. I don’t want recorded messages from her. I just want her.
Which means I should just go along with what she wants, but then again, I’ve never been that guy. The one who just goes along with everything, and never speaks his mind. I’m not wired that way. She’s wrong in this situation, and maybe leaving town wasn’t exactly right, but I was hanging so far off the ledge that I seriously considered canceling the whole thing. Deep down I know that’s not what I want, which is why I borrowed a jet.
I love Ellie more than anything, but I had to get away. Now that she’s called, I keep looking at my phone, wondering if she’ll try again. When fifteen minutes pass, and she hasn’t, I bite t
he proverbial bullet, and initiate a call of my own. It rings so many times that I think she won’t answer, but then she does.
“I’m so sorry, Hawk.”
Her voice sounds so small and sad that I can feel my heart crack. “I shouldn’t have left.”
“I’m a crazy bridezilla.”
“You’re my crazy bridezilla.”
“I’d like whatever surprise you want to give me. If you still want to give me something, I mean.”
“I want to give you everything, Doll. I just need to know you want it.”
“I do. And I want our cake to be chocolate with vanilla buttercream. Just the way you like it.”
“What about your lemon zest or peach meringue or whatever?”
“It was red velvet,” she says with a laugh.
“I like red velvet.”
“Yes, but you love chocolate, so that’s what we’re getting.”
“I don’t expect you to change the wedding, or what you want, just for me. I just want to feel like I’m involved.”
“That’s so progressive of you. Next you’ll be getting manicures.”
“You’re so cute. Not.”
“What else do you want to do or have?”
“Nothing else, El. I just want to marry you, and give you a surprise. I appreciate the cake.”
“I love you, Aiden. I’m going to try and be better.”
“I love you, too. Just be yourself, and we’ll be fine.”
“Are you coming home?”
“No. I still think I should see my dad for a couple of days, but then I’ll fly to Chicago and meet you there, okay?”
“Sounds perfect. Tell your dad hi for me. I’ll miss you.”
Society Weddings (Corrigan & Co. Book 11) Page 8
