by Kaylee Ryan
“You ready to do this, handsome?” she asks me.
Looking around, I see her dad on the hay bale next to her mother and all eyes on us.
“Absolutely,” I say, placing my arm around her waist and pulling her close. I kiss her temple, because I can’t not. She’s fucking gorgeous, and my lips need to be against her skin. Just a sample of what the next sixty-plus years are going to hold for us.
I told Gramps to keep things simple. It was another detail she didn’t tell me about, but she did say simple yet elegant, so I thought simple worked in this case.
Traditional vows are said. I slide my ring on her finger, saying, “I do,” and she does the same.
It’s an odd feeling. I’m here, but I’m not. I feel as though we’re floating through time. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that she’s mine. My wife, my future, all mine.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Kentucky, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
I hear the words and step forward slowly. I feel as though I missed most of it, that it’s a fog, but this part I’m not going to miss. Cradling her face, I lower my mouth to hers hovering just over her lips.
“I love you, Mrs. Harris,” I murmur before taking her lips with mine. I trace her lips with my tongue until she opens for me. It’s not until I hear hollering and whistling that I know I’ve taken it too far. Pulling back, I rest my forehead against hers. “We did it, baby.”
“We did it. I love you, husband.”
“Say it again.”
“I love you.”
“Not that, the other thing.”
She laughs, her smile infectious. “I love you, husband.”
“Fuck, it feels good to hear you say that. I’ll never get tired of hearing it. Never.” I kiss her slowly and deeply. “I love you too, wife.”
I get it. Not that I didn’t before, but now I truly understand why Mike refers to Jamie as his wife every damn chance he gets. It’s liberating. One word shows the world that we’re in this together. That the love we share runs deep.
“Yeah? Sixty or so years?” she asks.
“More. There will never be enough time with you.” With one more quick kiss to her soft plump lips, we turn to face our families. Hands welded together, we hold them in the air as they cheer for our union.
Whitney and McKinley drag us away for pictures. Then our parents and Mike and Jamie join us. They even let Evan and Aaron run the cameras to take pictures of all of the girls together before taking back control and doing the same with the guys.
After photographs, my wife and I climb into the horse-drawn carriage and follow everyone on Gators and four-wheelers to the barn. We have tables set up and the pulled pork and sides, just as my wife suggested. I don’t leave her alone, not for a single second as we eat, dance, and cut the cake. Through all of it, I stay right by her side where I plan to always be.
“Good day?” I ask her as I spin her around the makeshift dance floor in the barn.
“The best day.”
“Everything you dreamed?”
“So much more. You, my husband, are so much more.”
“What’s our next step?”
Looking up at me, her eyes shine. “Babies?” she asks softly.
“Yeah?” Even I can hear the hope in my voice. I want nothing more than to start a family with her.
She nods. “When you’re ready.”
“So tonight?” I ask, making her laugh.
“Does that work for you?”
“Now works for me, but I have a feeling you would frown upon leaving this soon.” My grip on her hips tightens. I want to throw her over my shoulder and rush off into the night to have my wicked way with her.
“You know me too well.” She rests her head on my chest. “Are we really doing this?” she asks.
“Yeah, Livy, we’re really doing this. You sure you’re ready?”
“Yes.”
One word, the one I love to hear from her.
“Then tonight.” I kiss her softly and let everything and everyone fade into the background. My wife got her country wedding and me, a southern boy full of devotion for her.
Ten Years Later
It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since the day I married the love of my life in a field of wildflowers on her parents’ property. A lot has changed in ten years. Olivia and I have three beautiful kids, and even though I never thought it would be possible, I love her more each day. That’s why I couldn’t let our ten-year anniversary pass us by without a celebration. I just failed to tell my wife about it. Or my kids, really. Those little buggers can’t keep a secret to save their lives.
Our son Carson is nine. He was born almost exactly one year to the day of our wedding. His birthday was two weeks ago. He’s pumped that he’s just a year away from double digits. He’s got my brown eyes and Olivia’s lighter brown hair. He loves soccer and being the protector of his little sister. He agrees with me that she can’t date until she’s thirty.
Our daughter, Crystal, just turned seven. She’s a little spitfire with her momma’s spirit and big green eyes. Her hair is darker like mine. She’s our little tomboy through and through. She wants to do everything her brother does, which drives Carson crazy. Lexi has tried countless times to let her do her hair and makeup, but my little girl just isn’t having it. She idolizes her older brother.
Then we have our little man, Cade. He’s four and my little mini-me; there’s no denying it. We have the same dark brown hair and dark eyes. He follows his brother and sister around and gets angry when they do things he can’t. He’ll pass up anyone for his momma, and just like his brother and sister, he brings so much joy to our lives.
I tried without success to get Olivia to have another one. She said three was a good number. Although she said no more babies, we haven’t given up practicing, you know, just in case one day we change our minds.
I sent the little secret tellers to my parents’ for the day. Olivia is at the tavern doing inventory. The place is thriving, and she and Mike have a great system down. They alternate weekends for inventory and they have a great staff, which allows them to not be there every night. Inventory only takes a couple of hours, so it’s not a bad gig. That also means I have that amount of time to finish setting up for today.
I thought it would be good to bring us back to where it all started—the field of wildflowers. We’ve taken our kids there often, and of course, we’ve shown them photographs. I liked the idea of surprising my wife and our kids with an anniversary celebration at the exact spot. Mike, Evan, and Aaron are all on board and have promised to not tell their wives. Not that I think any of them would tell her, but these days, we have all kinds of little ears running around and they pick up on everything. No doubt one of them would hear a conversation and the surprise would be ruined. Better safe than sorry.
I did, however, need McKinley and Whitney’s services. I want today documented. With that in mind, I made sure the guys didn’t let them make plans and to have them here at my in-laws’ tody at two.
I’m sitting on the front porch when Mike and Jamie pull up.
“Uncle Dave!” My niece and nephews come rushing over. Mike is the oldest at nine. He’s going to be ten in a couple of months. Then we have Chase, who just turned eight, and sweet Ellie who is three. To say my in-laws are over the moon with their six grandchildren is an understatement.
“Hey, guys.” I gather the three of them in a hug. Little Miss Ellie climbs up on my lap and snuggles with me. She’s my girl. My own little angel refuses to give me snuggles at the ripe old age of seven.
“You ready?” my brother-in-law asks me.
“Yeah, pretty much. Just need to hook the wagons up. I came over last night telling Liv I had to help your dad and got the hay on them. Evan and Aaron came over bright and early this morning and helped string the lights, and I picked up the flowers on the way here.” I point to the Gator, the back overflowing with flowers. The exact same arrangemen
t as our wedding day. “Your mom and mine took care of the food. They’re in the house now.”
“What’s going on?” Chase asks.
“We’re having a party,” I tell him.
“I wike parties,” Ellie says, still snuggling against my chest.
“So, what’s left?” he asks.
“Wait a minute,” Jamie chimes in. “What kind of party? Why did I not know about this?”
“Well, I didn’t want the cat to get out of the bag, so to speak. I’m throwing Liv a ten-year wedding anniversary party this afternoon. We’re going to be in the same field with the same food and flowers.”
“Aww,” she says, then smacks her husband lightly on the arm. “You should have told me.” He rubs his arm as if she hurt him, when we all know that’s not the case. “I could have helped.” She turns back to me.
“Well, I do need your help, actually. Can you call Whitney and McKinley, tell them we’re all hanging out here today and to bring their cameras? Tell them you’ve been wanting to get some pictures of the kids.”
“Why not just tell them the truth?”
“Too risky.” I shake my head and laugh.
“Hey, we pulled off your wedding just fine,” she challenges.
“You did,” I agree. “But now we have a heck of a lot more munchkins running around, and I can’t risk them overhearing.”
“It’s not nice to lie, Uncle Dave,” Mikey, as we call him, reminds me.
“It’s a surprise,” I tell him. “It’s not a lie when you’re trying to surprise someone.”
He looks over at his dad for confirmation and Mike nods.
“Fine,” Jamie grumbles, then pulls out her phone and starts making calls.
“What else?” Mike asks.
“Nothing really. Just waiting for everyone to show up. Liv should be at the tavern at least another hour or so. My parents will be here with our kids and their portion of the food in about half an hour. When they get here, they’re going to set it all up in the barn.”
“Looks like you have it under control.”
“Don’t jinx me.” I laugh as Jamie ends her call.
“Evan and McKinley are on their way. Evan spilled the beans this morning, so she was already in the know.”
I throw my head back and laugh. He never could keep a secret from Kinley. “What about Aaron and Whitney?”
“Apparently Kinley called Whit, and they’re on their way as well.”
“Perfect.”
“You should have told us,” she says again, sliding her phone back in her pocket.
“I know. I’m sorry, but I really wanted to pull this off.”
“I get it, I do. I just wish I was in on it.” She smiles, letting me know she’s not really upset with me.
“Well, you’re in on it now.”
She nods, her smile growing. “I’m going to go see if Grandma needs help. Ellie, you want to come with Mommy?” She holds her hand out for her daughter, but Ellie snuggles up to me, refusing to go. Mikey and Chase grab the basketball from the porch and start shooting hoops.
“Didn’t take them long.” Mike laughs as Aaron and Whitney pull in. Aaron helps Whit with her camera while their ten-year-old twin boys, Levi and Tate, rush over to play basketball.
“David Harris,” Whitney scolds me. “How dare you keep us out of the surprise.”
I go through the same story I did with Jamie, and I can see her anger, which was actually more sadness than anything, slip away. “I just couldn’t risk it,” I tell her.
“Fine. I’m going inside to see if they need any help.” Aaron kisses her cheek and then she’s walking up the steps. She stops to say hi to Ellie, who gives her a toothy grin but stays in my arms.
“Round three,” I say when I see Evan and McKinley pull up. Lexi, who is thirteen, soon to be fourteen, rushes to me and Ellie goes to her immediately. They head inside to get a sucker. I like to think it’s the sticky sugary treat that tempted my niece away from me, though Lexi is a mother hen and Ellie eats it up. Walker and Beau, who are now twelve and ten, join the rest of the boys who are playing basketball.
“Evan explained,” McKinley says when I open my mouth to tell her why I kept them out of the loop. “But next time, include us. We’re adults, David,” she scolds.
“I know, but the risk and the reward.” I offer her a smile. She just shakes her head and goes into the house.
I’m shooting the shit with the guys, watching the time. Just as I pull my phone out to call my parents, they pull in. Carson is out of the van and rushing to play basketball with Crystal hot on his heels. Dad carries a sleeping Cade, Mom trailing behind him.
“I’ll take him.” I stand from my spot on the step and take my son. He’s sweaty from sleep, but he doesn’t move a muscle. He’s out.
“Where do you want this food?” Mom asks.
“I’ll take it over to the barn,” Evan says, following her back to the van with Aaron right behind him.
“What else needs done?” Dad asks me.
“We need to bring the food from inside over to the barn, and then we wait on Liv.”
“She has no idea?” he asks.
“None at all. At least if she does, she’s hidden it really well.” I know my wife, and if she even thought I might be planning something, she would have been asking questions, trying to be all nonchalant and failing miserably.
Cade stirs in my arms, and I rub his back to soothe him. I was scared as hell when Carson was born. A tiny little human who was my responsibility. It was up to me and Olivia to give him everything he needed. It took us a couple of weeks, but we got into a groove and never looked back. By the time Crystal came along, the only fear I had was being able to love another child the way I loved Carson. It was crazy and irrational, but real all the same, until we had our first ultrasound and I realized my fear was unwarranted. I love all three of my kids with everything I am. If my wife were to ever be pregnant again, I would love that child just the same.
Mom comes over and takes Cade from me so I can help transfer all the food. Once we have it all done, the guys park their vehicles behind the barn and load everyone up on the hay wagon. Once they’re gone, I call my wife.
“Hey, you. I’m just leaving.”
“Great. I brought the kids over to your parents.’”
“Really?” she asks, surprised.
“Yeah, your mom called and said she made cookies, so we stopped by.” That’s not a complete lie. My mother-in-law did make cookies for the kids. I, on the other hand, bought a small anniversary cake.
“Okay, well I’ll just come there. Be there in ten.”
“Be safe, babe.” I hang up and text Mike, telling him she’s on her way.
When I pull into Mom and Dad’s, David is sitting on the front steps. I park behind his truck and climb out of my SUV. “Hey, you,” I say.
He stands and meets me midway down the sidewalk, wrapping me in a hug and kissing the corner of my mouth. “How was your day?”
“Good. Where are the kids?”
“Oh, your mom and dad took them for a walk.”
“Huh.” It’s not the craziest thing that’s happened, but it’s odd.
“Yeah, what do you say we hop on the Gator and drive back to our field?”
“Our field?” I ask.
“Yep. Ten years ago tomorrow, you promised me forever.” He pulls me closer to him.
Resting my hands on his chest, I look up at him and wait until I have his full attention before saying, “I love you more today than I did that day.”
“Look at you getting all sweet and sentimental,” he teases.
“You ruined the moment.” I laugh when he tickles my side.
“Come on, wife, let’s go take a look at where it all began.”
“I should go say hi to the kids first.” I try to step out of his hold, but he’s got a tight grip.
“I love our munchkins, but if you do, they’ll want to go. Come on, just me and you for old times’ sake.”
Me: Dave and I are going to drive back to the wildflower field. Do you mind keeping an eye on the kids a little longer?
Her reply is immediate.
Mom: Sure, honey. Take your time.
“She’s good,” I tell David.
“You knew she would be.” He laces his fingers through mine and leads me to the Gator.
“You had this planned?” I ask him.
“Yeah, thought it would be nice to go back to where it all began.”
“Babe, we’ve brought the kids back here more times than I can count.”
“I know, but with tomorrow being our anniversary, I thought it would be nice for just us to visit here. Maybe do some of that kissing the kids are always saying grosses them out.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “Carson will be so disappointed he missed it. Are you scarring our children for life?”
“Nope. He needs to know what it looks like to love someone so deeply that you can’t go a day without kissing her. Same goes for Crystal. I want her to see how a man should treat her.”
“You’re amazing, David Harris.”
“Right back at you, Olivia Harris.”
The rest of the ride is peaceful, neither one of us needing to fill the quiet. We’re just enjoying the ride and the time together.
When we get to the knoll, David slows down. Reaching over, he laces his fingers through mine and then creeps over the top of the hill. I’m watching him, wondering what’s going through his head.
“Liv, look.” He motions toward the bottom of the hill. I turn and gasp when I see all of our friends and family waiting on us.
