Page 110 of Catch My Fall
I’m not nervous, I’m fucking terrified. In a few short moments, Sierra will step through the doors of our beach side lodge venue that overlooks the water and meet me at the end of the aisle to make me the luckiest guy on the planet.
I can’t tell if I’m nervous or excited, maybe a little of both because I can’t think of anything better than making her my wife today.
The past eight months have been a whirlwind to say the least. My recovery from the bleed on my brain didn’t take quite as long as I was expecting and not seeing any reason to wait longer than necessary to get married, we set a date as soon as we could without rushing into anything.
Sloane was put in prison, serving a life sentence as he should. Officer Jenkins was removed from the Police Force and has served time in prison for his part. Max managed to track down a number of other men connected to Sloane, some of them were the men that played a role in hurting Sierra and they too, are currently serving a sentence of their own.
After everything that transpired last year, the one lesson the both of us learned above all was to live every single day to the fullest and not put anything off, life after all, is impossibly short. And that’s what we did, we travelled the world together, enjoying just being us. Not as friends, not as me being her bodyguard, just us. And let’s face it, I spent over a year loving Sierra from afar, the woman of my dreams ever so slightly out of my reach, I wasn’t going to go a single day more not being able to call her mine. And here we are.
We chose to get married in Maine, given it was the place we truly fell in love with each other. Beside me, the warm June sun glistens on the ripples of the ocean, the gentle lapping against the rocks doing little to calm the riot of butterflies in my belly.
I toss a quick glance to Ray who’s seated on the front row beside Daniel and Steph. I’ve known this man since I was a child, and not once do I ever remember seeing him wearing a suit. He offers me a warm smile and a well-needed nod of encouragement, glancing across to the two empty seats beside him. The seats where my parents should be sitting.
On the opposite side of the aisle is the same, two open seats where Sierra’s mother and father should be, watching their daughter embark on the happiest day of her life. I suppose, just like my parents they are here, except in spirit, rather than in person.
Just then, soft instrumental music begins to play, and the two dozen or so guests that are seated either side of the aisle move to stand and my spine straightens as I take in a deep lungful of air.
Ivy floats down the aisle in a pastel pink dress, clutching my nephew, Sam’s hand as he waddles beside her, the two of them scattering rose petals on the ground as they walk before jumping up onto two of the chairs on the front row.
Next comes Della and Reese, arms linked together, their dresses closely matching that of Ivy’s in colour. Reese gives me a wink as they take their seats on the other side of the aisle beside the children.
I glance down to my feet, adjusting my dove grey tux and fiddling with my cuffs. I can’t stop the apprehensive tap of my foot on the ground and the involuntary shake of my leg as I await my future wife. My heart is beating outside of my chest, and slow deep breaths are doing nothing to slow my racing pulse.
I don’t dare look up until I see her in my periphery, a flash of white, that catches my eye, and when I do finally decide to look up, my heart stops beating.
With her two brothers on either side of her, she takes slow, careful steps as she descends the aisle and I can’t stop the tremble in my chin and the tears that prickle in my eyes.
She’s an absolute vision.
Her crisp white dress accentuates each and every one of her beautiful curves. The flared skirt fans out at her feet creating a long train that trails behind her. It’s off the shoulder, the lace sleeves drape loosely around her forearms. Her curled raven hair is pinned back, the loose ringlets bouncing around her back and shoulders as she walks.
She’s perfect.
Her eyes twinkle with tears as she comes to stand before me, both Gage and Rafe shaking my hand before placing Sierra’s in mine, her skin soft and delicate to touch.
Her makeup is minimal and natural, her lips a pale pink shade that compliments the light dusting of eye shadow brings out the flecks gold in her eyes.
I lean in, placing a soft kiss to her cheek, inhaling the sweet vanilla scent of her perfume. “You look absolutely beautiful, princess.”
She leans into me ever so slightly. “Thank you,” she whispers before we turn to face the Officiant.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, please be seated. We gather here today to witness the union of Alec McKenna and Sierra Grace Hudson. If anyone has any objections as to why these two should not be married, please speak now or forever hold your peace.” After hearing no words of objection, the ceremony continues.
“Alec and Sierra have prepared their own vows. Alec, over to you.”
I turn to face Sierra, her hands clasped in both of mine as I take one final steadying breath. “Sierra, my princess… Never in a million years would I have ever thought today possible. Never would I have thought myself worthy enough to stand opposite you, proclaiming my love for you as your almost husband, but by some miracle you chose me and I will spend the rest of my life never giving you reason to regret it.”
She smiles teary-eyed up at me, her gaze never once leaving mine as I speak.
“I vow to love you every second of every day so you never have to question it. I vow to protect and honour you with my body and keep you from harm, and to be by your side in times of strength and need. And should you ever fall, I vow to always be there to catch you.”
She swipes a tear from her cheek before placing her hand back in mine. “Alec, never was there ever a doubt in my mind that you were the man for me. You once told me that you couldn’t imagine walking through this life without me beside you… well, ditto, because I couldn’t imagine walking through mine without you either. Your love guides me, it gives me strength and courage in the face of darkness, darkness I’ve encountered more times than I ever should have, and for that, I will be eternally grateful to you. I vow to love you with every part of me until my last breath. I vow to love and honour you with my body and care for you in times of sickness and need. And should you ever fall, I vow to be there to catch you, too.”
Max hands me her ring, it’s a platinum band with a princess cut diamond in the centre, the initials A and S engraved onto the inside of the band.
“I give you this ring,” My hand shakes as I slide the ring onto her finger. “As a symbol of my everlasting love and my undying devotion to you.”
Sierra takes my ring from Max and slides the ring onto my finger. It’s a plain platinum band with the same engraving as hers. “Alec, I give you this ring as a symbol of my everlasting love and my undying devotion to you.”