Southern Devotion

by Kaylee Ryan

  “Yeah, that’s the only bad part about this. I knew you would say that. You’re staying here, in your old room. Jamie is coming to stay with you. In fact”—I look down at my watch—“she’s probably already there waiting on us.”

  “You did all of this?”

  I nod. “You said to surprise you.”

  “You went all out.” She smiles, her eyes still wet with tears.

  “There is no other way for me to be when it comes to you.”

  “Do we have to go back right now?”

  “We can stay out here as long as you want.”

  “Just a little longer. Will you dance with me?” she asks.

  Pulling my phone from my pocket, I hand it to her. She unlocks it and scrolls through my music until I hear Brantley Gilbert singing again.

  “This is our song,” she says softly. With my phone still clutched in her hand, she wraps her arms around me and buries her face in my chest.

  My phone chimes with a message, which has her moving away just as the song ends. Looking at the screen, she smiles before turning it to show me.

  Jamie: You’re killing us. Did she say yes?!

  I throw my head back and laugh. “We better get back. Knowing Jamie, she’ll have your brother drive her back here.”

  “I can see her doing just that.”

  She hands me my phone, and I send off a group text to our friends and parents.

  Group text: She said yes!

  I power off my phone before sliding it into my pocket. We’ll see them soon enough.

  I wake to the moon shining through the window of my childhood bedroom. Lifting my head, I look over at the nightstand to see it’s a little after 5:00 a.m. No way am I getting back to sleep.

  Today is my wedding day.

  I replay last night, the proposal, and then the news that our wedding is planned. He remembered every detail, and while some girls might be offended they didn’t get to do all the work, I’m relieved. Who needs the stress of the planning? I love the fact that Dave did that for me. For us. He took a gamble, sure, but my fiancé knows me all too well. He had to know I wouldn’t be upset.

  He followed my details to the letter, or that’s what Jamie told me last night. Apparently he typed it all out and passed out duties to our friends. They were all in on it, our parents too. How could I be upset about having people who love me willing to go out of their way to make my wedding day everything I ever dreamed?

  Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I send David a message.

  Me: I miss you.

  David: Did you get any sleep at all?

  Me: Yeah, a few hours. Just woke up. You?

  David: Same. It’s hard to sleep when you’re not next to me.

  Me: We’re taking care of that later today.

  David: That we are.

  Me: Thank you.

  David: For?

  Me: Loving me.

  I see the bubbles pop up and then disappear, as if he were replying but then changed his mind. Two seconds later, my phone vibrates, and his picture is smiling back at me.

  “Hello,” I whisper.

  “Never thank me for loving you. Never thank me for something that is as easy as breathing.”

  My eyes well up with tears at his sweet words. “I love you.”

  “I know you do, baby. I love you too. Today, you’re going to give me a precious gift. In turn, I’ll do the same.”

  “My heart,” I murmur.

  “Yeah, your heart for mine?” he asks.

  “That’s the best offer I’ve had in a while.”

  He chuckles softly. “You should try to get a few more hours of sleep.”

  “Can we change the time?” I ask him.

  “Of the wedding?”

  “Yeah, I know you picked sunset, but I was kinda hoping we could move it up.”

  “I thought you wanted sunset?”

  “I thought I did too. Turns out I just want you to be my husband.”

  “Is that really what you want?”

  “Yeah, I mean, if we can make it happen?”

  “Let me call the photographers.” He laughs.

  “Oh, I think they’ll be able to work us in a little earlier.”

  “Yeah, they’re both pretty amazing. Gramps is marrying us, and our moms are taking care of the food. Let me make some calls in a couple of hours, and we’ll make it happen.”

  “I wish you were here.”

  “Me too, Livy. Me too. Get some rest, beautiful. We’ve got a big day ahead of us.”

  “See you at the gazebo,” I whisper.

  “Damn right you will.”

  Ending the call, I close my eyes and eventually drift back to sleep.

  A few hours later, I wake to the sun shining through the windows and the smell of coffee. Climbing out of bed, I use the restroom, brush my teeth, and head downstairs. Jamie and my mom are sitting at the kitchen island with a list in front of them.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead,” Mom greets me.

  “Morning.” I fill a cup with coffee and take a seat next to them. “What are you looking at?”

  “Just our list for today. Your fiancé called to tell us that we’re moving the wedding up to five this evening.”

  I can feel my face heat. “Yeah, we talked at about five this morning and decided to move it up.”

  “You wanted sunset,” Mom reminds me. She points to another list. “It says so right here.”

  I laugh. “I know, but it turns out I just want to be married. Besides, I think the pictures with the wildflowers will do better in the early evening light.”

  “Have you been talking to McKinley and Whitney? They both said the same thing when David told them sunset.” Jamie smiles.

  “No, but they’re right. It’ll be better. At least that’s what I’m hoping. So, what can I do to help?”

  “Nothing,” Mom answers. “We have it under control. You and Jamie are going into town to get your hair and makeup done. Nails too, if you have time with the new schedule.”

  “You don’t have to take me,” I tell Jamie.

  “Seriously? After everything you did for our wedding, this is the least I can do. Besides, I need a pedicure.” She holds out her foot as if to prove her point.

  “Thank you. What time do we go?”

  “Two o’clock. I tried to change the time, but it’s all booked.”

  “That’s fine. I want to leave my hair down with some curls, so it should be easy enough. We’ll be back in plenty of time.”

  “You know,” Mom says, looking at me and then Jamie, “you two are the easiest brides I’ve ever encountered. Just going with the flow.”

  “All that matters at the end of the day is who you’re marrying,” I tell her.

  “You’ve always talked about your perfect country wedding. You’re not even a little disappointed?”

  I think about her question. “No, not at all. I always thought it was the details of the day that made it the perfect wedding. I was wrong. It’s the person you’re sharing your life with. David is an amazing man who loves me, and I love him. At the end of that day, that’s all that matters.”

  “Well said.” Mom smiles. “Now, how about some breakfast?” She stands and pulls a prepared plate of food out of the microwave that she saved for me.

  “Thank you.” I waste no time digging in.

  “After you eat, shower.” Jamie looks at her phone for the time. “Then it’ll be time for us to go.”

  “What time is it?” I ask.

  “Noon.”

  I cough around the bite I just took. “Noon, seriously? I slept that late?”

  “Well, when you call your fiancé in the middle of the night and tell him to move up your wedding, it’s exhausting,” Jamie teases.

  “Holy shit! I’m getting married in five hours.”

  “You are, so eat up,” Mom says, giving me a stern look, which I’m sure is for my use of profanity in her kitchen.

  Scarfing down my food, I rush upstairs and take a
long hot shower. I shave twice—everywhere just in case. By the time I’m done and my hair is dry, it’s time to leave for the salon.

  “You excited for today?” Jamie asks once we’re in her car and on our way.

  “I am. No nerves, just excitement. How are you feeling?”

  “Good. No morning sickness yet, knock on wood.”

  “That’s great news. My big brother taking good care of you?”

  “You know he is,” she replies, her voice softening at the mere mention of her husband.

  We make small talk about the bar, and how my brother hovers over her now that she’s pregnant. “I’m not surprised. Evan was that way with both Walker and Beau, and look at Aaron with Whitney. That poor woman can’t even go to the restroom without him walking with her.”

  “I get both sides. I mean, I know it’s annoying as hell, but at the same time, anyone who has never been loved like that is missing out.”

  “I have to agree.”

  “You think David will be that way?”

  “I’m sure.” I laugh. “We are talking about the guy who used to propose to me at least once a week.”

  “True.” She pulls into the salon. “Hey, Alice,” we greet our stylist when we enter.

  “Ladies, how are you? Olivia, congratulations. That man of yours did some serious planning.”

  “I know he did. He’s one of a kind.”

  “That he is. Do you know how you want your hair?”

  “I’ll be over here with Mary,” Jamie says, heading toward the pedicure chair.

  “Yeah, I want to leave it down, add some curls. Simple yet elegant.”

  “You’re making my job easy. We’ll have you done in no time.”

  “Good, because we moved up the time,” I tell her.

  “You did what?” Wide-eyed, she laughs.

  “Yeah, I didn’t want to wait and thought the photos would be better for early evening. Dave made it happen.”

  “Of course he did. That man would do anything for you.”

  Alice took my simple instructions of down and some curls to another level. My hair never looks like this when I curl it on my own. My makeup is subtle and flawless, and we opt to keep my nails bare, just a clear topcoat, same with my toes. This was all accomplished in two hours.

  “I can’t wait to see the pictures,” Alice says, giving me a hug. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.” Jamie and I wave and head out the door. Apparently, my mother already paid for both of our services. Everyone I love rallied around me and made this day perfect.

  “We have an hour to get you into your dress,” Jamie says as she pushes the speed limit outside of town, headed back to my parents’ place.

  “It’s fine. He’s not going anywhere. We need to get there in one piece.”

  “I was only going five over.” She laughs.

  “Yeah, but you’re carrying precious cargo. Besides, I don’t need my brother barking about how I let you speed to get me there on time. All I have to do is add my veil and get dressed. We’re ten minutes away. We’ve got this.”

  “Wow, calm, cool, and collected.”

  “Just taking a page out of your book, sister dear.”

  When we get back to my parents,’ Mom is waiting for us on the front porch.

  “Hurry and get on in here. We can’t risk David seeing you.”

  “Is he here?” I ask, looking around.

  “No, but he will be. Get your rear in here.” She places her hand on my shoulder and ushers me in the door. “Your hair is gorgeous.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Now, upstairs. We need to get you ready.”

  Without complaint, I make my way up to my old room, where sure enough, my dress and veil are laid out across the bed. Whitney and McKinley are in there taking photographs of it.

  “Great, you’re here. Give me your engagement ring.” She holds out her hand, and I hesitate. “I’ll give it right back,” she tells me.

  Reluctantly, I slide the ring off my finger and hand it over. She places it, as well as a diamond band and a larger silver band, on top of my dress and snaps a few pictures. Whitney is doing the same, except her angle is farther away as she stands by the door. I don’t question them; I know they work magic with their images. I’m honored that my two best friends are here and documenting this special day for me.

  Mom and Jamie help me slide into my dress while McKinley and Whitney take more photographs. Jamie secures my veil, and when I turn to face them, the four of them have tears in their eyes.

  “Hey, none of that,” I scold them. “I am not messing up Alice’s masterpiece.”

  “Honey, you’re beautiful,” Mom says while my three best friends murmur their agreement.

  “Now”—Jamie wipes at her eyes—“that man of yours has some things for you. She hands me a box. Slowly, I open the lid to find a stunning jeweled bracelet inside with a note.

  “And this,” McKinley says, handing me another small box.

  Opening the lid, I see a blue garter and feel my face flush. It too has a note.

  “Now mine.” Mom steps forward. Another box, this one smaller with a tiny note folded inside.

  “He’s killing me.” I laugh as I swipe under my eyes. “We should’ve done this before I had my makeup done.”

  “We can patch you up, don’t you worry,” Jamie assures me.

  “My turn.” Whitney steps forward, handing me yet another small package. Inside is a jeweled hair comb that looks similar to the bracelet he gave me, again with a note.

  I hand the comb to Jamie, and she secures it in my hair. “Looks as though it was made into the veil,” she comments.

  “He really did think of everything,” I say, dabbing at my face with a tissue, trying hard not to destroy my makeup.

  “He did. He loves you,” Mom assures me.

  “I love him, too,” I say, just as there’s a knock at the door.

  Mom opens it just a crack to see who’s there and in walks my future mother-in-law. “Oh, Olivia, you’re beautiful,” she says, giving me a hug. “I have something for you,” she says when she pulls back. “David is getting this same information right now. “His father and I wanted to do something, but by the time we knew what was happening, everything was set and taken care of, so we decided to send you on your honeymoon. We know you both like low-key, so we got you a house on Lake Michigan for a week. I already cleared it with Mike, Evan, and Aaron, and you two are good to go. We’ll keep Dixie at our place,” she says.

  “Thank you so much.” I give her a huge hug. “This is perfect.” When she pulls away, she wipes her eyes. “Thank you, all of you, for being here and making this day special.”

  “Knock, knock. You ladies ready?” my dad asks from outside the door.

  “Come in,” Mom yells.

  “Oh,” he says, his mouth hanging out. “You look… my little girl’s a looker.” He smiles. “You ready? It’s five, and if I know David, he’s going to be pacing until he sees you.”

  “Is he there already?”

  “He is, as are the guests. You ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  With the help of Jamie and our mothers, I climb into the horse-drawn carriage, which was not part of the dream wedding, but I love it and am so glad he thought of it. McKinley and Whitney are snapping pictures left and right before climbing on the Gator and following us—I’m sure snapping more pictures.

  This is really happening. I’m getting married.

  I’ve looked over the small knoll at least fifty times in the last ten minutes. I know she’s coming. She loves me. But that still does nothing to calm my nerves. It’s been too long since I’ve seen her. The anticipation is killing me. Of seeing her in her dress. Knowing that today she becomes Mrs. David Harris. I’m ready for it to happen.

  When she called me this morning and asked if we could move up the time, I was more than happy to make the calls. Even five minutes sooner is good for me. I’ve been waiting for this moment,
if I’m honest, from the moment we started dating. Without a doubt, I knew she was the girl I was going to marry. Now here we are, my dreams about to come true.

  “You doing okay, son?” my grandpa asks.

  “Yeah. Just ready,” I tell him.

  He chuckles. “We’ve all been there,” he says, pointing to my dad and my three best friends. The only person missing is my future father-in-law, because he’ll be walking my bride to me. I look again over the knoll, hoping to spot them. “It’s the anticipation.”

  “Yeah, I can’t wait to see her in her dress.”

  He gives me a knowing smile. Sure, I want to make love to her as my wife. I know that’s what he’s thinking. Might be creepy as fuck, but it’s the truth all the same. “We’ve waited so long. I’m just… ready.”

  “Well, look over there.” He points over my shoulder, and sure enough, my bride and her father are riding toward us on a horse-drawn carriage. We opted for our guests to sit on hay bales, covered in quilts. It was Mom’s idea, and it was a great one. A hell of a lot easier than lugging chairs that would be wobbly on the uneven ground. We didn’t want there to be a bride side and groom side. Instead, I opted for all the bales to be together and for her to walk around them to get to me. That wasn’t a detail she painted for me, so I improvised.

  I watch as the carriage stops just on the edge of the backside of the hay bales. My father-in-law climbs out first, then holds his hand out for Livy. When she stands, I lose my breath. It’s not until Gramps claps me on the shoulder and whispers, “Breathe”—something my body should know how to do without being told—that I suck in a deep breath.

  She’s stunning.

  My bride.

  My wife.

  I shift my feet, antsy to rush to her, to grab her in my arms and kiss the hell out of her. Instead, I hold strong, clasping my hands together, resting them in front of me. I have to wait, just a few more minutes, if that. A few minutes for a lifetime—it’s a deal I’ll take.

  When they make it within reaching distance, I can’t help it. I hold my hand out for her, and she takes it. Her dad just laughs and shakes his head. He knows I love her, everyone does. I’ve never hid the fact from anyone. My eyes are locked on hers, which are bright and smiling. I don’t hear what Gramps says, nothing more than a mumble. Then I hear her dad speak up, but I don’t comprehend any of it. All I see, all I hear is her. It’s her sweet laughter that pulls me out of my trance.