by Tigris Eden
Jackson did have a conversation with not only his mother but Vivian, as well. He made sure his intentions were clear. If they so much as stepped out of line, it would be the last time. He’d already told his mom he’d move her out of the house the last time. This time, he meant it. Not that he hadn’t meant it the first time, but when Anna had found out, she’d immediately gone to bat for her. Not so much Vivian, but her argument was valid. Corrine was his only mother. He’d hate himself later if something happened because she had no one to care for her. This time, if she acted out of turn, he’d make sure she was taken care of, but it wouldn’t be in his family home, and it would be away from him.
Jackson looked out over the crowd of close family and friends. Nita was off to the side, taking pictures of the scenery as well as candid shots of people in various stages of conversation. She made sure she blended in well with the surroundings. They’d decided—much to Pearl’s dismay—that they were not going to do a traditional wedding. But Jackson hoped she’d like what was incorporated into the ceremony. The officiant was a native of the island and came highly recommended by Bertrand.
He was dressed in a white linen shirt and black shorts. Relaxed, and comfortable. That’s how they wanted to keep things. The music started to play in the background, and Jackson looked to the back where he could see his little Ava holding a basket of white petals. There was a peacock on either side of her, both of them large and beautiful.
India said something to Ava, and with a slow, deliberate pace, she made her way down the aisle, stopping every so often to drop the white flower petals on the grass. The peacocks walked beside her as if they knew she needed the escort. Halfway down the runner, Ava stopped, looked to her left, and waved to the guests, then her right and waved again. As she did, the peacocks rustled out their feathers until fully extended, completely blocking the group of women behind.
“Your daughter is a pro, man,” Oliver said, standing next to him.
Jackson didn’t know if it was rehearsed, or if the birds were trained, but it was amazing. Nita stood close to the men, snapping pictures of the procession as Ava continued to walk. Joey was next with Finn, then it was Lola and Dorian, Chantelle and Catch, with Indi and Sawyer following closely behind. Jackson’s breath caught in his throat. The anticipation of seeing Anna was almost too much. His palms were sweaty, but he didn’t want to wipe his hands on his pants. When the officiant put a handkerchief in his hand, he let out a breath.
“Hold on to that, sir, I have a feeling you’re going to be needing this more than me today.”
The moment the words left the man’s mouth, the music stopped. The crowd stood, and Jackson’s heart stopped beating.
There wasn’t a word that could describe the vision that stood at the end of the aisle. Anna was a dream. An angel.
And finally his.
She had the largest smile on her face as she held Treat’s arm. He’d never heard the song that was playing as she walked towards their future, but the one line he caught on to was, “Say yes.” The lyrics said that was all he had to do. It felt like it was taking her forever to reach him, and as she made her way, two more peacocks followed behind. Nita stepped in front of Treat and Anna and snapped a picture before disappearing and moving out of their way.
When Anna and her brother stopped a foot before Jackson, the officiant spoke.
“Who gives this woman?”
“I do,” Treat said, taking a step forward with Anna and placing her hand into Jackson’s.
The moment her hand touched his, his vision cleared. All obstacles were a thing of the past. All the bullshit bled away. What he saw standing in front of him was more than just a future, more than just the beginning of a new life. He saw the road ahead that was always meant to be his path. His life would be forever bound to hers in all things. Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears as she stood in front of him. Her dress was enhanced not only by her outer beauty, but by her inner beauty, as well. He hadn’t realized how low-cut the dress was until they both turned to the officiant. The straps of her gown were thin, and Jackson didn’t know if they’d hold up past the ceremony, but if they didn’t, he’d have her back no matter what. Literally.
“The couple has asked that we honor them with the blessing of the four. In times past, it was thought that the soul of a human shared the same characteristics as all things elemental—Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Or it could be said it was the spirits of the North, East, South, and West. It is in this tradition that we offer our blessings in support today. Repeat after me: blessed be this union of two hearts.”
Everyone repeated the words. Jackson said them to Anna, and she said them to him.
“With communication of the mind, heart, and body, we ask that you turn towards the North and be received.”
Jackson tugged Anna closer to him, and the two of them turned to his right, towards his groomsmen.
“Your strength, your love, it is what holds you together. Keeps your foundation firm, and impenetrable. Though your walls be made of resistance from the outside, remember to allow those who are close to be blessed and enriched by the balance you provide. Blessed by this union. We ask that you turn to the East.”
Jackson and Anna turned to face the crowd.
“Make your home within one another and know that with every breath you draw, the heat of your hearts’ passion burns bright in your eternal hearth. This will create an undying light in the darkest of times. Please turn to the South.”
This time they turned towards the bridesmaids.
“Vibrant beginnings filled with each rising sun as you grow in the knowledge of your ever growing bond. Once again face the West.”
Now they faced the officiant, who bowed slightly before continuing.
“May your commitment be as deep as the ocean and in balance with your souls. May the rains cleanse your sorrows, swiftly bringing them to an end. Know the journey will be bumpy with the good and the bad. Keep your compass true, and all things will be as they should.”
Jackson and Anna repeated the words to one another before Jackson turned to face his bride.
“The couple has prepared their own vows.”
Now the show would really begin. Anna wanted to go first, because she said that he should be the one to follow up. They hadn’t shared their vows with one another, and Jackson had to admit he was nervous. Really nervous.
“I wish there was something more I could give in exchange for everything you’ve given to me. You’ve cared for me even when it seemed like doing so was nothing but trouble. You loved me, strong and without restraint.”
She took a deep breath, and the tears that had begun brimming were now falling, and Jackson offered her the handkerchief he’d placed in his pocket, but she shook her head vehemently.
“After,” she whispered before continuing on. “Jackson, when I told you I’d come back for you, I wasn’t lying. I know this sounds crazy, but when I was in my coma, I could hear your voice. Even when I didn’t want to hear you, I heard you. There weren’t very many bad things in my life to say life was bad, but it seemed life got better when you were part of it. And my heart still remembered your sound. It carried me forward and into the light. Though I wasn’t in a dark place; it was warm, quiet, and what it offered me was peace. But you wouldn’t let me go, and for however long this lasts—and it will be lasting Jackson Storme—I will always come back to you.”
There were audible chuckles in the crowd and in the wedding party at her promise.
“I promise to give you everything that I am, with everything that I have, because you’ve already given me all of you. And I know from the bottom of my heart, and to the depths of my soul, you’ll always be there to love and protect me.”
Well.
How the hell did he follow that up?
“You finished?” Jackson asked quietly.
She smiled before nodding her head. Jackson used the handkerchief to wipe her face clear of her tears. He was going to kiss her. He didn’t care t
hat he hadn’t said his vows yet, or that it wasn’t that part of the ceremony. Fuck that. She’d taken him down. She’d humbled him with her words. He grabbed her face between his hands, and she didn’t protest, but lifted her face to receive his kiss.
How long he kissed her, he couldn’t tell. But it must have gone over what was normal, or in their case, not normally done because someone in the crowd cleared their throat. He thought he heard Dorian say “get a room,” and Lola say something about how this was not how weddings were done, when he finally stopped kissing her.
“I think he knocked her up just with that kiss,” Chantelle whispered loudly.
Pearl shushed her, and Jackson took that as his cue to say what he needed to say.
“How do I even compete with what you just said?”
She smiled and shrugged, causing the crowd to chuckle.
“Annabelle, I had a dream of what love would look like. The moment you stepped out of Joey’s car at the Fourth of July picnic, I found it. I knew then that you were going to be mine. There wasn’t a strike of lightning, or even a loss of breath. But I knew. I had so much on my plate at the time, and all I kept thinking was how much I needed to make us work. My words may not be eloquent, or even make sense. But you switched on the light, and my heart beats for yours alone. And just like you promised to give me all of you because I gave you all of me, it’s the same. I recognized you as mine. You turned on the light when my life was dim. The scales may sometimes seem unbalanced, and you’ll feel like you’re bearing the weight, but it won’t just be you. I’ll be there. We will get through anything, no matter what. No one knows our story or how it’s going to end. We write the pages. We decide our ending. That’s really what I wanted to say. Besides I love you. And if you’ll have me, I’m yours.”
More tears fell, and her whispered, “I’ll have you,” was faint.
Jackson leaned forward with a smirk on his face.
“What was that darlin’, I don’t think I heard you.”
She pushed back on his chest before laughing.
“I said, I’ll have you.”
Jackson turned toward the crowd and smiled.
“Y’all hear that?”
Everyone started to shake their heads when Anna laughed again, and this time, she shouted her answer so that there was no mistaking her vow.
“I said, I’ll have you, Jackson Storme.”
That was better.
“And I’ll have you, Annabelle Macon.”
“Treat, can you present the rings please?”
Treat reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of wedding bands and handed them over to Jackson. This was it, the last piece before they started their new life together.
“Please rise, as the couple exchanges rings.”
Everyone stood as Jackson placed his ring on Anna’s finger and she placed her ring on his.
“May I preset to you all, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Storme. You may kiss your bride. Again.”
There were laughs and cheers from the crowd, and Ava ran up to them both, smiling wide.
This was the start of them.
Everything after today wasn’t going to be easy, but Jackson was going to make sure that it was as much of a cakewalk as it could be. Because until her, Jackson Storme wasn’t whole. He wasn’t complete.
Until Her: Epilogue
Five Years Later
“Ava!”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Where are your brother and sister?”
“Out back with Xavier, playing catch.”
I’m exhausted and wondering what I did to have the luck of getting pregnant with not one set of twins, but two. Nia and Noll are two peas in a pod, and trying to separate them from their cousin Xavier is like taking away their favorite toy. Xavier is about to be six, and this time, Joey and I are pregnant at the same time. Only she’s going to be on child number three, with Lila about to be two, and I’m on child number four and five. I am done after this. Jackson laughs every time I say it, but I’m dead serious. My hips won’t be able to handle another birthing. I delivered the twins naturally, and surprisingly, I was able to carry them until I was seven and a half months. These two, well, I’m not so sure. The doctors threatened to put me on bed rest twice already.
My kidney is working overtime, and the doctors don’t think I can take any more chances after this. Life with Jackson is far better than I imagined. His security company took off the moment he opened the doors. Event Pics is over booked with clients. Our plate is full. We’ve even ventured out into Celebville. India mostly runs the entire thing herself, but she is expecting, too. It was an unplanned pregnancy, but Sawyer and Finn took it like champs. Even though the three of them are no longer together, they’ve all agreed to co-parent India’s bundle of joy, and they don’t even care which one of the twins is the father.
“Anna.” Jackson’s strong arms wrap around my swollen belly as he nuzzles my neck. “How is my wife and our precious cargo?” He nips the side of my neck before running his fingers through my hair.
“We’re good. Tired, but good. It’s like I’m hosting a womb for breakdancers. Nia and Noll were not this active.”
“The boys are just impatient.”
“Well, they have three more months before anything can happen. Which reminds me, I need you to go and pick up some more chocolate chip cookie dough.”
“Anything for you, baby.”
“Momma!” Nia screams.
Nia’s crying, and I can only guess why. Either Noll took something from her, or they won’t let her play catch. Jackson is around the kitchen counter and through the back sliding glass door before Nia has a chance to get out another scream.
“What’s the matter with my little duchess.”
“Noll and Xavier are being mean, Daddy. They won’t let me play. They said girls can’t play catch.”
I stand and watch as Jackson dries our daughter’s cheeks. She’s such a daddy’s girl, and for a while, I was worried that she and Ava may compete for their father’s attention. He handles our children like a pro, though. Nia is the spitting image of me, and Noll looks just like his father, dark hair, golden eyes, and sun-kissed skin. We’re definitely going to have to invest in girl repellent for him. Jackson swears Nia won’t be dating until she’s fifty.
This is my life.
My wonderful life with Jackson. Our house is filled with so much love, and even more drama. Ava is infatuated with books, Nia only wants to keep up with her brother and cousin, and I’m just trying to keep it all together. Vivian took off about a year after the wedding. She met some famous director, and the two of them couldn’t be happier. She stops into town occasionally to see Ava, but she mostly calls and sends her expensive gifts. She’s even sent the twins a thing or two. I think Jackson had something to do with that, and it’s one of the reasons I love him so damn much. He’s lived up to his promise every day and then some.
“Jackson, why don’t you take our duchess to get me some ice cream, and get her some, too,” I yell outside. That gets everyone’s attention.
“Me too, Daddy,” Noll yells.
“I want some ice cream, Uncle Jackson,” Xavier calls out.
“You two knuckleheads don’t get ice cream. Only the girls do. Ain’t that right, Duchess?”
Nia nods her head enthusiastically, and I can’t help but notice the look in his eyes as he looks down at her, and then over at me. I watch his lips move, see the words taking shape. I know what he’s going to say. The words mean everything, but his actions far surpass his words. Our family wants for nothing. Love, support, and security, he gives it to us in spades, and we return it unconditionally.
Jackson walked into the house with Ava and Nia on either side of him and a tub of chocolate chip cookie dough in the bag in his arms. The girls ran ahead of him, calling out to the boys in the house. When they got no answer, they were back in the kitchen, sitting at the table with their ice cream.
“Daddy, they’re not here.”
&nbs
p; “They’re probably outside, Ava.”
“No, door’s locked, but Mommy left you a note.”
Jackson looked over at the bright yellow piece of paper Ava was holding up. Funny thing was, Anna’s car was in the drive. When he grabbed the note his daughter was holding, his heart sped up. The twins had decided to come early. Joey had taken Anna and the boys to the hospital.
“All right, girls, your brothers decided they wanted to come early. So we need to head out to the hospital now.”
Forgetting all about their ice cream, Jackson and the girls headed out and made their way to the hospital. When he arrived at the maternity ward, everyone was there. Treat walked over to him with a mournful look on his face.
“Don’t say it, man.”
“They’re in there with her now. The babies are under stress. It’s a bit early, Jackson. Too early, if you let Anna tell it. She’s not in a good place, man. She’s not happy, and refused to let them go anywhere near her until you got here.”
“Well then, where the hell are they?”
As if summoned, a doctor walked into the waiting room and headed straight for Jackson.
“Sir, there have been several complications, and we are going to have to take the babies now. We can’t wait any longer, both mother and babies are in danger.”
Jackson gave a sharp nod of his head before going over to where Noll was sitting with Joey. His tear-stained cheeks red with worry.
“What’s the matter, son?”
“Momma was in pain. She said she was going to be okay, but I want to be with her. I want to be in there with her.”
“You can’t. Not right now. As soon as Mommy and your brothers wake up, we will go in there and see them, okay?”
Noll doesn’t like the answer, and Jackson can’t blame him. He doesn’t like the answer either because he wants to be in there with Anna, too, holding her hand and telling her everything is going to be all right.
