Page 11 of Surrender
It was my turn to blush. I could feel Jess beside me, sizing her up. Their gazes met momentarily before Kachelle looked back at her family. Their body language read that they didn’t want to be here. I may have felt it, but the tears pooling in her eyes told me she knew it. I gently reached out and touched her face, slowly turning her head back to me.
“I’m right here with you,” I said softly. “Nobody else matters but us right now, okay?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
I squeezed her hand, and she finally turned away from them. We both focused our attention on the minister before us. As he was talking, I looked over at my bride. Her hand trembled slightly in mine. Either she was nervous, or she was afraid. I didn’t want her to be either. I wanted her to relax and trust that I was here for the same reason as her.
Lifting her hand, I kissed her knuckles, before leaning down and placing a soft kiss to her temple. She smiled softly.
“Remember what I said,” I whispered in her ear. “It’s just me and you.”
She looked up at me. “Me and you.”
“Let’s do this.”
KACHELLE’S FIRST LOOK
A knock on my door broke my thoughts. I turned to see Kelcy walking through with a smile on her face.
“You look so beautiful!” she exclaimed.
I gave a faint smile. “Thank you.”
She looked around the room. “Where is everybody?”
I shrugged. “It’s just me.”
Tear swelled in my eyes as I spoke the words aloud.
“Oh, honey…”
Kelcy pulled me into a warm embrace, and I tried my hardest not to fuck up my makeup with tears.
“It’s okay,” she said, gently rubbing my back.
She pulled away and grabbed a tissue to dab my eyes.
“I know it’s disappointing. This isn’t traditional, and it’s hard for some people to accept the way others go about finding love. Remember this… this is your love story, Kachelle. Nobody else. This day is for you and your future husband. Whether two, twenty, or a hundred people show up to support you, this is your day. You and he have already committed to each other by seeking each other out. That was the biggest step. Everything else, you work out in your own time.”
She grabbed my hands and gave me a reassuring smile.
“He’s here. He’s nervous, but he told me to tell you that he can’t wait to meet you.”
“Really?”
“Really. His sister says he’s been pacing the room in anxiousness and praying that you like him.”
I smiled a little. If I was being honest, I prayed he liked me too.
“Now, dry those tears, and let’s go. He should be on his way to the altar as we speak. It’s time to meet your man.”
I took a deep breath. This was it, the point of no return. I grabbed my flowers and slipped his ring on my finger for safe keeping, before following her out of the dressing room. We strolled down the corridor to the room where the ceremony was being held. She placed me in front of the door and signaled to someone on the radio.
“She’s ready.”
“Copy that.”
I heard a soft, angelic melody start up. Closing my eyes, I said a quick prayer. By the time I opened them, the doors of the venue were opening. I gasped as I saw just how beautifully it was decorated. Shades of cream and nudes covered the space in a bohemian theme. Beautiful flower arrangements were strategically placed. A huge crystal chandelier hung in the middle of the ceiling. Beautiful drapery covered the walls.