Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
This time, I do listen to the reading and it’s a captivating poem about love and living a life together with someone, two hearts living as one.
When he’s finished, I have to blink quickly to remove the haze of warm tears settling in my eyes. I hope the words are enough to remind everyone why we’re here today and to have them forget about Andrew’s interruption. I know it’ll be talked about; I just hope it’s not today. Because today… should be only about love.
“I now have the honor of pronouncing you two husband and wife,” Kevin exclaims with a big smile. “Finn, you may kiss the bride.”
I cup Ashley’s face in my hands and kiss her full on the mouth. My whole body lights up as we kiss, Ashley’s arms slips around my neck. I move my hands away from her face to put my arms around her waist and dip her slightly.
As I dip her, the guests start to clap and cheer… then I remember where I am. For a moment there, it felt like it was just the two of us, like we were the only two people in the world, let alone in this room. I quickly pull Ashley back upright when I remember myself and move my lips back from hers.
She smiles as we look into each other’s eyes. I feel like I am looking into my future. And it’s going to be a bright future indeed.
We sign the marriage license with Toby and Sophie acting as our witnesses, and now, we walk down the aisle together as a married couple. Mr. and Mrs. Jagger. I love how that sounds.
As we leave the hall, I get a quick glimpse of the grounds set up for our reception. Wooden tables and chairs are scattered across the perfectly manicured lawn and flowers are everywhere. Each table has a stunning floral centerpiece. A large stage has been erected alongside the hall for the band and later on, for the DJ. Wait staff dressed all in black are milling around with silver trays waiting for their roles to start.
We are approached almost instantly by a waiter who smiles at us, congratulates us and then hands us each a glass of champagne. I gulp mine down gratefully and I bite my tongue to keep from laughing when I see Ashley doing the same thing beside me.
I have barely finished it when the glass is whipped out of my hand as Ashley and I are led away from the reception area followed by the wedding party and our parents for the photographs. We’re taken to a beautiful lake on the grounds of Melbourne Hall. Then we spend the next hour standing in various combinations and poses. I’m sure the photographer is world famous, although I have no idea who he is, and he certainly seems to know what he’s doing. He won’t take a shot until the lighting and everything is perfect. I think this will start to irritate Ashley, but when I look at her, she’s beaming so wide it must be hurting her cheeks.
For perhaps the first time since I arrived at the hall this morning, I relax a little bit. Ashley is here. She’s my wife. My actual wife. She looks so happy, today wasn’t just about her not wanting to make a scene, but about us being together. We have a lot to discuss, but the fact she came at all tells me she sees a future for us. She wouldn’t have come here and married me if she didn’t. I see that now.
The photographs are finally all taken and we move to the reception area which is now filled with our guests. The band starts playing as we appear and a cheer goes up from the guests. I smile at Ashley and she smiles back at me. I lead her to the head table and we sit down to a wonderful three course meal. We talk through the meal, of course we do, but it’s light chatter and I’m starting to feel the weight of the real talk we need to have pressing down on me. Once the meal is over and the speeches are all done, I take Ashley by the hand and lead her away from the crowd. She follows me without question, and I think she knows as well as I do, this conversation can’t wait any longer.
I lead her back to the lake where we had our photos taken. I remove my jacket and spread it on the ground for Ashley.
She smiles at me and sits down on it, protecting her dress from any tell-tale grass stains. I sit down beside her and for a moment, we’re quietly content in each other’s company, looking out over the lake, each filled with our own private thoughts.