I don’t even remember saying, “I do,” when my veil is lifted and Kenton takes my mouth in a kiss that is way too hot for all of the people who are there to witness it. His tongue delves into my mouth, his body pressing against the length of mine. One hand is on my ass, his other hand on the back of my head, forcing it to the side so he can get deeper. I moan into his mouth as I feel his erection press into my belly.
The moment is broken when the catcalling and clapping starts.
He rips his mouth from mine and his lips go to my ear. “You’re so f**king lucky my whole family’s here.”
I close my eyes tighter and press my legs together the best I can to temper down the throb that’s started in my core. When I open my eyes, I’m almost bent backwards and Kenton still hasn’t stood up.
“What are you doing?” I whisper, looking at everyone watching us.
He presses his hips into my waist, letting me know why we’re stuck. After a second, he stands us up and wraps his arms around me.
“How long until you can walk without me guarding you?” I ask him while trying not to laugh out loud.
“Glad you think this is funny, babe, but I have no idea how I’m going to make it through the rest of this party. You in that dress is a recipe for blue balls,” he mumbles, giving me a squeeze. “If the cameraman wasn’t at the end of the aisle waiting to capture this moment, I would say f**k it, but I don’t think I want our kids looking at our wedding album one day and asking what’s wrong with my pants.”
I start to laugh and bury my face in his chest. It takes a minute or two for me to get my laughter under control, and by the time I’ve calmed down, his hard-on is no longer pressing into me. I tilt my head back and he leans down, kissing me one more time. This time when his mouth leaves mine, his hand goes behind my back and his other under my legs. I squeal as he lifts me into the air, shouting, “My wife!” More applause breaks out and I shake my head, looking out over the crowd at everyone I have come to know and love.
I look around the backyard and smile. It’s now dark, and there are twinkling white lights running overhead across the entire area. The center of the yard has been turned into a dance floor with tables set up along the edge, each with a large centerpiece in the middle made out of large glass bowls with candles floating in them and stones at the bottom that match the forget-me-nots and white roses I carried in my bouquet. The whole backyard looks like something out of a romance novel.
“I’m so happy for you and Kenton,” November says, bouncing April, one of her little girls, on her thigh while another runs around us.
Her and Asher’s other kids are off running around with the rest of the kids at the party. Kenton told me that the Maysons are trying to take over the world with their offspring, but I didn’t believe him until there were kids running around the backyard.
“Thank you,” I tell her, smiling at the little girl on her lap. She holds her hands out for me to take her, and I look at November, who nods. “Hi.” I smile, looking into her cute little face.
She pats my cheek with her hand then pulls herself closer to me, laying her head against my chest. I feel tears start to sting my nose then look around when I feel someone watching me. My eyes meet Kenton’s and his go from mine to the little girl, who is now fighting to keep her eyes open as she plays with the stones of the necklace I’m wearing.
“Looks like you’re going to be joining the club soon,” November says.
“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” I murmur before looking down at the sleeping baby girl in my arms then over at Kenton, who hasn’t taken his eyes off me. The look in his eyes makes my belly flutter, and the word, “Maybe,” comes out of my mouth before I can think better of it.
November starts to laugh, and I look at her and smile.
“Autumn, you’re needed out on the dance floor,” I hear through the speakers set up around the backyard.
My eyes go to the dance floor, and Kenton is standing there in the center with his hand reaching out to me. I get up from my chair, handing a sleeping April to her mom. I walk to the dance floor, my stomach in knots. When my fingers touch Kenton’s, his hand wraps around mine and he pulls me into him just as All of Me by John Legend starts to play. Tears fill my eyes as I listen to the lyrics of the song. When Kenton’s lips whisper words of how he loves all my curves, edges, and imperfections, my face goes into his chest and the lyrics of the song sing to my soul like they were written just for us.
When the song ends, Kenton looks over my shoulder and nods, and I turn my head to see who he’s looking at. Sid is standing off to the side, his hands in his suit pockets. I put out my hand to him and he shakes his head, walking towards me. He saved my life the night I was shot. If he hadn’t been there, I have no doubt I would have been shot again. I put my hand in Sid’s as I feel Kenton kiss my hair. He still doesn’t like Sid, but he now tolerates him.
I finish my dance with Sid and go right to Kenton. His arms wrap around me and I look up into his eyes, saying a silent, “Thank you.”
The rest of the night is a complete blur. I don’t know if I will ever be able to get my shoes off; they feel like they are imbedded into my feet. I have laughed and danced more tonight than I ever thought possible. When all the men went to the dance floor, I almost fell out of my seat laughing, watching them dance to Larger Than Life by the Backstreet Boys. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect night.
“You’re not going to fall asleep on me, are you?” Kenton asks as he kisses the top of my hair.
“No way. I want to see where we’re going for our honeymoon,” I tell him, leaning my head back to see his face.
“You won’t know until we land.”
“What do you mean?” I know they tell you where you’re going when you check in at the airport.
“Sven’s letting us borrow his plane as a wedding present.”
“Wait. So you’re telling me we’re going on a private plane?” I ask, my mouth hanging open.
“What can I say? I’ve always been curious about the mile high club,” he says with a shrug. A smile forms on my lips and his eyes drop to my mouth. “You like that idea?”
“I kinda can’t wait to show you your surprise,” I reply.
“If it has anything to do with you naked, then I can’t wait either.” He bends down, pressing his mouth to mine.
“You’ll just have to wait and see,” I say breathlessly when his mouth leaves mine.