The Only Rule: The Casual Rule 3

by AC Netzel

  “How did he…” I begin to ask, but I’m overwhelmed at the enormity of this moment and sigh.

  “Your fiancé called in a lot of favors. I don’t think I’ve ever met a man so determined. You’ve got yourself quite a catch.”

  I smile. “I do.”

  “Remember those two words a little later and you’ll make my job a breeze,” she says. “Do you have everything you need before we start the ceremony?”

  “Is he here?”

  She laughs, placing a hand on my shoulder. “He was twenty minutes early.”

  “Then I’m good.”

  “Okay. Ladies, time to line up. Mother-of-the-bride is first, then the junior bridesmaid, followed by the bridesmaids, flower girl, then our beautiful bride and Dad. The groomsmen will meet you inside the Arcade.” She presses the button on a small microphone wired to her lapel. “Bridal party is ready. Send up the groomsmen and cue the music.”

  And like magic, the second she releases her finger from the button, soft melodic notes of a violin and cello fill the air. Ave Maria. It sounds like angels singing down to us from heaven.

  I take a deep breath as the music envelops me. I’m minutes away from the rest of my life.

  “Ready Mom?” Tara asks my mother, addressing her like she was her own mother.

  My mother nods, taking one quick glance at me and smiles. She walks through the archway and is greeted by my nephew Nicky looking sharp in a black tux. He hooks his arms in hers and escorts her down the white satin runner. Olivia follows closely behind. The poor girl is so nervous, she almost ran past my mother.

  “Bridesmaids go, go, go.”

  Mitch and Darren, Ben’s groomsmen and friends from his Columbia University days, greet my sisters. There must have been a ‘you must be smart and ridiculously good-looking’ prerequisite to attend that year. Sophie and Isabelle’s matching grins look like they’ve hit the hot guy jackpot.

  Allie turns her head in my direction. “Ben has yummy friends.”

  “Maid of honor. Go.”

  “Okay, okay. Break a leg, Jules.”

  I chuckle as she walks down the aisle alone.

  “Lil’ Miss flower girl… don’t forget to toss the petals as you walk down.”

  “I know what I’m supposed to do,” Emma says, rolling her eyes as she walks away with a fist full of daisy petals.

  “Bride and Dad. Are you ready?”

  “Ready Juju?”

  I take in another deep breath then exhale slowly. The butterflies are having a party in my stomach. Quickly, I adjust my dad’s bow tie, kiss his cheek and nod. “Yes. Let’s go.”

  The song changes to ‘The Wedding March’ and I hear chairs scrape against the concrete as our guests stand. I rub the paper clip with my thumb for a little insurance that I won’t trip walking down the aisle.

  We walk to the beginning of the white satin runner and I finally see everything. Beautiful Bethesda Fountain is off in the background. A small handful of guests are standing in front of their white wooden chairs on either side of the silk runner. I look further and see my and Ben’s family smiling and snapping pictures.

  I glance to the end of the aisle. Father Donovan is standing next to another man. Father Donovan? How did he manage to get my childhood priest here?

  I spot Stuart, our best man, dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief.

  Then I see Ben.

  And my pulse races.

  When our eyes meet, he smiles the most beautiful smile in the history of smiles and I beam back at him. He’s exceptionally handsome in his black tuxedo. I mean— Wow. Head to toe gorgeous. Our guests vanish from my sight. I barely notice Marcello following me up the aisle because all I care about and all I focus on is Ben.

  Throughout my life, I’ve heard people say ‘You’ll know when it’s right.’ It’s true. Seeing him watch me without an ounce of trepidation makes me positive that every single thing about today is right.

  All I can think about is how much I love the man waiting for me at the end of this aisle.

  I had no doubts before I stepped foot on this silk runner and I have even less doubts now.

  Stuart places a hand on Ben’s shoulder and whispers something in his ear. Ben nods, his gaze never leaving mine.

  My father and I reach the end of the aisle and stop. We face each other and he kisses me on the cheek. Ben walks over to us and shakes his hand.

  “You take it from here, son,” he tells Ben, pulling him into a quick hug before taking his place next to my mother, who’s nearing hysterics in the front row.

  “Thank you, Frank.” Ben places his hand on the small of my back and whispers in my ear. “My God. You’re stunning.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself,” I whisper back. Honestly. He’s hot as hell.

  Together we walk until we’re standing in front of Father Donovan and the man next to him. Allie takes my bouquet, straightens out my veil then rejoins my sisters to the side of us.

  “Julia,” Father whispers, “you look lovely.”

  “Thank you. And thank you for doing this.”

  “Didn’t think I’d miss the last of the Conti weddings, did you?” He winks then redirects his attention to our guests. “Friends and family of the bride and groom, welcome and thank you for being here on this marvelous occasion. We are gathered together to celebrate the love between Julia and Ben, by joining them in marriage. This is particularly special to me. I baptized Julia and have known her from the day she was born. Ben, you must be an exceptional young man to have captured her heart.”

  I squeeze his hand and mouth, “You are.”

  As our priest continues to address our guests, I take a moment to soak it all in. My family is all smiles and tears. My grandparents are holding hands. My mother leans her head on my father’s shoulder. My dad’s eyes are glassy.

  Even Ben’s family looks happy to be here. Beverly’s wearing champagne A-line V-neck gown, probably a knock-off of the same dress Jackie O wore to John-John’s wedding. She dabs her eyes with a crisp white handkerchief as she watches us. Dick looks sharp in a black business suit. He actually looks proud. Elizabeth is zipping back to her sock-hop closet, wearing a poofy tulle turquoise cocktail dress. I’d guess 1950’s couture.

  I’m thrilled when I see my boss Vivian and her husband Jim made the cut on our small gathering. I spot Vince, who only has eyes for Allie. And it makes me smile a little more.

  Then I look at Ben. And I know all of this, everything we went through to get to this point, the highs and the lows were all worth it. In this precise moment, at this perfect location, on this beautiful sunny day is exactly where I was meant to marry the love of my life.

  Father Donovan blesses us then introduces the man next to him, a retired priest, Father Charles, who takes over the ceremony.

  “When Father Donovan called me, he explained how dear the Conti family was to him. Parishioners. Friends. Looking out, I see why. He asked me to marry Julia and Ben and it’s my privilege to do so. I understand the bride and groom have written their vows,” Father Charles interrupts my happy fog. “Ben, you first.”

  We turn to each other and hold hands. He smiles warmly at me, holding my gaze.

  “Five words. ‘Do you have the time?’

  “My first chance meeting with you altered my universe. I didn’t realize then that my life was about to start.

  “Little did I know that on a warm day in October, in this very park, I’d meet the most incredible woman… who didn’t like me very much at the time… and wind up falling completely in love with her.

  “That ordinary question, those five words you first asked me, lead me to something extraordinary. It lead me to three…

  “‘I love you.’

  “For the rest of my life, Julia. For the rest of my life.” He caresses my cheek tenderly with the back of his hand, the sincerity in his voice and the absolute love in his eyes bring me to tears.

  “And it’s not because you’re beautiful—which you are. Every time I s
ee you, you take my breath away. But I love you for your beauty…. What’s inside. That beauty shines on everyone around you in the things you do, with your generous heart, your infectious smile, and wit. And more importantly, with the fierce way you love— your family, your friends—me.

  “Here I am, standing across from that girl who asked me a simple question all those months ago, humbled and thankful that out of seven billion people on this Earth, Julia Ann Conti chose me. I promise you I will give you all I have… All my heart… All my love… All of me. I will hold you tight in good times. And tighter when life gets tough. I will be your rock and a soft place to land if you fall.

  “I am proud and honored to be your husband. You have changed my life in ways I could never imagine. I’m in awe of you. I promise to be faithful, forsaking all others. Forever. I vow to love and cherish you until my last breath.

  “It’s always been you, Julia. It will only ever be you.

  “You asked me for the time. And it changed my life. So, to answer your question…

  “Yes, Julia, my love.

  “For you, I will always have the time.”

  I smile as he wipes my tears away with his thumb. His heartfelt words overwhelm me.

  “Damn, that was good,” Allie whispers loud enough for us to hear, causing us both to laugh. Even Father Charles slipped out a chuckle.

  “Julia, are you ready?” he asks.

  I turn my head to him and nod then turn back to Ben.

  “I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with you. But before I could stop myself, I did. My heart won over my head and I fell. And when I fell, I fell hard. Completely, unconditionally, head-over-heels.”

  He smiles warmly, gazing at me with a look of love so pure, so perfectly exquisite, it moves me. I’m about to cry again. He squeezes my hand and I smile back at him.

  “No one knows me like you, not just the person I show on the outside, but what’s inside me. You love me, the true me, flaws and all. And I’m so grateful.

  “I love the look of satisfaction you get when you make me laugh. And we laugh a lot. I adore the many ways you tell me you love me without uttering a single word.

  “Thank you for always holding my hand… Whether it’s to warm them when they’re cold, to steady me when things get rocky or just to be with me. Thank you for making me blissfully happy. You inspire me every day with your kindness, devotion, and compassion. You love me so selflessly. I’m honored to be the person standing across from you, the one you chose to spend your life with,” my voice shaky as I wipe away more tears. “I swear I’m going to get through this.”

  He chuckles, making me giggle with him. I take a quick breath to compose myself and continue.

  “I promise to be faithful. I give you my whole heart… because I trust you with it completely. I promise I’ll cheer for you when things are good and hold you when life gets hard. You are the man I’ve prayed for… the one person my heart beats for… you are everything to me. My inspiration, my champion, my weakness, my strength, and my greatest love. You are the other half of my soul.

  “Lastly, I want to thank you in advance— for a lifetime of happiness.

  “I love you, Leonard Benjamin Martin. With all my heart, Ben. And I promise I will love and cherish you every single day of my life.”

  Tears fall down my cheeks again. He wipes them away with the back of his hand and smiles tenderly, his eyes sparkling. I smile back. I know he wants to kiss me, which makes me smile a little more.

  “Best man, can I have the rings please?” Father Charles asks.

  Stuart steps up, taking our wedding bands out from the inside pocket of his tuxedo and hands them to Father Charles.

  “Ben, as you place the ring on Julia’s finger, please repeat after me: I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.”

  “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.” He takes my hand and slides the wedding band on my left ring finger.

  “Julia, as you place the ring on Ben’s finger, repeat after me: I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.”

  “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.” I take his hand and slide his wedding band on his left ring finger.

  “You have pledged your love and commitment to each other, sealed your vows with the giving and receiving of rings. Therefore, by the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss…”

  Ben cups my face and kisses me tenderly before Father Charles finishes his sentence.

  “Okay, I guess you knew what to do.” Father Charles chuckles.

  He kisses me again, dipping me. Then he lifts me up and twirls me around. Joy is radiating through him… And me.

  “I love you, Mrs. Martin,” he says softly.

  Mrs. Martin.

  Chills.

  Serious chills.

  “I love you too, my amazing husband.”

  He kisses me again, slowly lowering me back to the ground.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you for the first time as a married couple, Ben and Julia Martin.”

  We turn, both grinning while our guests stand, clapping wildly. Well, Ben’s mom is probably as wild as she gets, clapping politely.

  “Ready to party?” he asks.

  “I’m ready for anything.”

  We walk down the white satin aisle runner toward the rest of our lives, hand in hand, absolutely elated. Ben takes my hand to his lips and kisses it.

  This small gathering, with the people who love us the most, was ideal.

  Our guests follow us to the end of the aisle and greet us with hugs and congratulations. I swear, I never thought it was possible to be this happy, but I’m absolutely elated beyond words.

  I’m Mrs. Julia Martin and that wonderful, smart, kind, unbelievably hot man in the tux shaking hands with my brothers is my husband.

  While watching everyone celebrate our nuptials, I spot two pigeons on the ground, standing off to the side.

  No. It can’t be.

  Narrowing my eyes, I see three rings around one of the bird’s legs. Oh my God, it is. They came. I smile and give them a quick nod. They nod back, then fly away, landing on the Angel of The Waters wings in the center of the fountain.

  Someday, when I’m relatively sure he won’t have me committed to a padded room, I’ll tell Ben that his grandparents, Leonard and Kitty, made it to our wedding.

  After taking a bazillion pictures by the fountain, we head to our final destination. Wherever that is.

  The wedding party files back into a line of waiting pedicabs, while our remaining guests climb into two parked shuttles.

  I take a moment to look at my surroundings. Central Park will always hold a special place in my heart. This beautiful place in the middle of my favorite city in the world has brought us full circle.

  From our first beginning to our new beginning.

  I glance at Ben as he’s talking to my dad and smile. I didn’t think my heart could love him more, but once he slid this wedding band on my finger, I swear I felt my heart expand.

  “All set?” Ben asks, placing a hand on the small of my back.

  “Yes.”

  He helps me into our pedicab, now with a “Just Married” sign on the back, and kisses my hand.

  As he walks around to get in, I look down the long walkway and see a familiar face.

  Pierce is jogging with a tall, attractive brunette. Abruptly, he stops when he spots me. He raises a brow, tipping the baseball cap he’s wearing to me then smiles wide, looking genuinely happy for me.

  I grin back with a small wave, glad he’s moved on from his little crush on me.

  Ben slides in next to me, placing a finger under my chin and redirects my attention to him. Then he kisses me. A deep, slow, sexy kiss.

  I’m not sure if he saw Pierce and he’s sending a message and I don’t care. It doesn’t matter. I’m his.

  “Have I told you rec
ently that I love you?” he asks.

  “No. Tell me again.” My heart is bursting with joy—pure joy.

  “I love you. You’re beautiful. So fucking beautiful.”

  “I love you too.”

  “What are you wearing under that spectacular dress?” he murmurs darkly.

  “Stuff.”

  “Sexy stuff?”

  “Very.” I nod slowly, intentionally biting down on my bottom lip.

  “Want to see how fast this guy can pedal us to our apartment? We can consummate our marriage now.”

  “What about our guests?”

  “They’re not invited.”

  I laugh. “I don’t think that would make us very good hosts, not showing up to our reception.” God, he’s luscious. I wish he didn’t look as good as he does in that tux.

  “Don’t care. I want you all to myself.”

  “Where are we going?” I ask, trying to cool down my libido.

  “You’re changing the subject,” he points out.

  “Ben…”

  He kisses me sweetly on the lips. “Okay, we’ll play it your way. To the reception we go.”

  The pedicab leaves then drops us off at the waiting limousine.

  After a limo ride filled with champagne, a hell of a lot of kissing, and Ben’s wandering hand up my leg to find my garter belt, the car stops.

  “I hope this is okay,” he says.

  I look out the window and smile back at him.

  Emilio’s. Our place.

  “It’s perfect. Is it all ours tonight?” I ask.

  “All ours.”

  “I don’t know how you managed all this, but… Thank you. This is everything I wanted. I don’t know what I did to deserve such a wonderful husband.”

  “You said yes.”

  Chapter 22

  We enter the restaurant and the party is already in full swing. Emilio’s hostess/gatekeeper/Ben-luster, Kimberly, beams as she spots us.

  “Congratulations!” she exclaims enthusiastically. I do an internal eye roll. Let the Ben-in-a-tuxedo worshipping begin. “Mrs. Martin, you look gorgeous! I love your dress!”

  “Oh. Um, thank you.” I wonder if she noticed the shock in my voice.

  “And your hair is to die for. Can I see your ring?”