My heart was pounding so fast in my chest. I couldn’t believe that tomorrow I was marrying the love of my life.
I had said it before, and if I had to, I would say it a hundred more times. I was lucky to have Will in my life.
I was distracted from my thoughts when my phone rang. I frowned as I didn’t recognize the phone number on the screen. “Hello?” I answered uncertainly.
“I don’t know if I have the correct phone number, but am I speaking to Kristen Shepherd?” a woman asked on the other side of the phone.
Strange…her voice sounded familiar.
“Yes, this is she.”
“I don’t know if you remember me. My name is Nathalie Chade,” she informed me.
I rolled my eyes. Of course I remembered her. I never liked her in the first place. I wondered why she was calling me all of a sudden after all these years, especially at this hour.
Nathalie cleared her throat. “I heard you’re getting married. Congratulations…where is the ceremony going to be?”
Her question surprised me.
What harm could it cause for her to know where we were going to celebrate? It wasn’t like she could cause any trouble.
“Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.”
“Wow, that’s a great place to get married! You’re so lucky. Congratulations again! Could I speak to the future groom? I want to congratulate him as well.”
At that moment, Will came into the room. “Who are you talking to at this hour?”
Without hesitation, I gave him my phone. “Nathalie Chade. She wants to talk to you,” I whispered to him so she wouldn’t hear me.
Will scowled as he looked at my phone. He was skeptical. “Nathalie, I don’t know what game you are playing…” Will didn’t finish his sentence.
The expression on his face changed first to surprise and then to anger.
I sat on the bed, watching Will as he was on the phone.
“Thanks for the information.” He hung up without saying anything else to her.
Will gritted his teeth. “I have to go speak with my sister.”
I stood up and stopped in front of him to stop him from going further. “Will, it’s late. I’m sure your sister is sleeping right now. What did Nathalie say to you to piss you off like that?”
Will folded his arms. “She told me she saw Jamie trying to seduce Finn so he would spend the night with her while acting like a slut.”
I frowned. Nathalie was in Las Vegas?
“Did you consider that maybe what Nathalie told you was a lie? Besides, tomorrow we’re getting married. You need your beauty sleep,” I teased him.
Will arched his brow. “My beauty sleep. I know a thing or two that could help me with that.”
“No. No. No, mister. We made a deal,” I chuckled, reminding him we wouldn’t do anything while we were in Vegas until after the wedding.
“You, my love, don’t play fair.”
I circled my arms around his neck. “Never said I was.”
We all waited for the French doors to open. Jamie left her position in the line to come and see me. “So, are you ready for this?”
I put her hand on my chest. “You should feel how my heart is pounding right now. I’m so nervous but I can’t wait.”
She jumped up and down excitedly. “I’m so happy. You’ll be my sister-in-law. I love you guys.” Jamie put her arms around me, hugging me tightly.
“Girls,” Maggie, Jamie’s mother, said, “if you don’t stop, you’re going to ruin your dresses. Jamie, you’re first to go in.” She left us to go sit in her seat.
Jamie took her place in line as we waited for the song to start. When the French doors opened, Jamie walked right in.
“Are you ready for this?” My future father-in-law smiled genuinely as he looked down at me.
I nodded. “Yes, I am.”
I wrapped my arm around Mr. Harrison’s arm as I prepared to walk down the aisle.
My smile went from ear to ear as I glanced at Will. I saw the love he had for me. His eyes sparkled even more brightly when he saw me.
We’d been together since we were fifteen years old, and now look at us. We were about to become husband and wife.
“Now, the bride and groom want to share their vows,” the officiant announced.
“I remember that my face was so red that I couldn’t look at you. To my surprise, you came and asked my name. I hid my face behind the books that I was holding as I told you.
“Since that day, you never left my side, showing me what love truly meant. I’m thankful to you because I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if it wasn’t for you.”
“Kristen, my beautiful Kristen. I love you so much. The first time I saw you, I felt my heart was stolen from me.
“I feel this every time I see you, even after all the time we’ve been together. You are my world, my everything. I promise you that I will shield you from any obstacle that comes your way.
“I will be the friend that you’ll need. I will be your lover as the night comes. I promise you, I will be whoever you need me to be.”
The officiant cleared his throat. “Now, Kristen, repeat after me. I, Kristen…”
“I, Kristen…”
“…take thee, Will…”
“…take thee, Will…”
“…as my lawfully wedded husband. In sickness and in health, till death part us.”
“…as my lawfully wedded husband. In sickness and in health, till death do us part.”
The celebrant turned to Will. “Now, Will, repeat after me. I, Will…”
“I, Will…”
“…take thee, Kristen…”
“…take thee, Kristen…”
“…as my lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and health, till death do us part.”
“…as my lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and health, till death do us part.”
“Who has the rings?”
Finn looked through his pockets and gave the rings to the officiant.
“Kristen, place this ring on Will’s finger as a symbol of your eternal love.”
I took it without hesitation and put the ring on Will’s finger, smiling at him.
“Will, place this ring on Kristen’s finger as a symbol of your eternal love.”
Will took my hand in his to place the ring on my finger. He left a kiss on my hand before letting it go.
“It’s my great pleasure to declare them husband and wife.” He turned to look at Will. “You may kiss the bride.”
“Finally!” Will said out loud.
Everyone clapped and congratulated us.
Finn surprised us as he took Jamie's hand and pulled her to him. “What are you doing?” Lauren asked.
“Kissing my wife,” Finn brought his lips to Jamie’s.
“Ugh, get a room!” Lauren said, annoyed, moving past them.
Finn chuckled. “Oh, believe me, we will.”
Will had spoken to Jamie earlier this morning to figure out what Nathalie was talking about. He learned that last night, Finn and Jamie had married in secret.
At first it surprised me, but now that I saw them together, I could clearly see how much they loved one another.
Will took my hand and kissed me a second time.
