Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
“I’ve already told them as long as Journey’s okay with it, they can do whatever. We’ll already be married. The rest is just a formality.” The priest clears his throat. I straighten the cuffs on my jacket, eyes going to the door that is sliding open. Celeste makes an appearance, smiling at Wylder. She’s using Journey’s work camera that Delaney didn’t hesitate in bringing over. I’m sure they used it earlier today in our room while they were getting shots of the dress for her contract, but I didn’t see Delaney; my eyes were solely focused on Journey. Listening to Journey tell Celeste that it’s simple, to just point and shoot, the rest she’d work out. If I had the time or simply asked Journey what she needed, I could have paid a photographer to do what Celeste is doing. I didn’t. Now I’m hoping they’ll turn out the way Journey wants.
“You’re totally fucked,” Wylder states. The priest clears his throat again. Dumbass, cussing in front a priest. Jesus, his mom and my mom would box his ears. Not that I’m doing much better. Pretty sure getting hard in front of a priest as well as your childhood-turned-adulthood best friend while watching his sister, who is about to become my wife, isn’t much better.
Journey’s eyes land on mine. The small bouquet Celeste picked up on the way was one of the many things that didn’t occur to me. The ring in my pocket and procuring the priest were all I was worried about. A ring that I’ve been carrying around for a few weeks now, having no idea when or where I’d propose to Journey, not at all knowing it would happen this soon. I was away at work, walking into a jewelry store looking for a bracelet for my niece after she had told me during a Sunday dinner that she’d like one for her birthday that was coming up. I found the one Amelia wanted in minutes. While waiting for the salesperson to wrap it up, I meandered to the engagement rings display case because it piqued my interest. The sales guy asked if I wanted to see the two and a half carat pink diamond cushion cut pave, with smaller diamonds wrapping around the engagement ring. Imagining it on Journey’s finger was all it took. I bought the ring on the spot, not blinking at the price tag. The one thing I should have bought was the wedding band to match, something I’ll be calling on in the next week to get hammered out.
As soon as Journey is in touching distance, my hand reaches for hers, and she passes the bouquet to Delaney. I watch as he wipes a tear from the corner of his eye. Journey’s eyes grow wet when she looks at him. I take a deep breath while puffing my chest out, seeing the happiness written on her face.
“Are we ready to get started?” Priest Bianchi asks. Once Journey is facing me, I lace both of our hands together. I grin at her, looking at the sheer beauty that I’ve somehow managed to possess.
“I am. Are you, Nico?” she asks. I shake my head, almost laughing at the ridiculous question. These Hayes family members, it’s like they don’t know I can think for myself, seeing how I’m the one who wanted this to happen in the first place, but I’m not going to let on that little tidbit of information, not yet at least.
“I am.” It doesn’t take long until Bianchi asks if we’d like to say our own vows to one another. I shock Journey as well as Delaney when I say yes.
“I, Nico Donotello, take you, Journey Hayes, to love and cherish, to protect to the ends of this earth, always returning to you from this day forward.” She has tears at the corner of her eyes at hearing the words that I mean down to my soul. I’d lay down my life for Journey, walk through fire, and take down anyone who tries to stand in my way.
“Nico.” Journey’s right hand goes to her mouth, shocked at my words. I pull the ring out of my pocket, watching her the entire time as I slide the engagement ring on her finger. The fit is perfect, not catching on a knuckle, not too small or too big. Perfect, just like Journey. “I don’t even have a ring for you.” She sounds sad about that.
“If you want me to wear your ring, we’ll make that happen. Today.”
“I want that. So much.” My thumb wipes the tear away.
“Journey, would you like to say a few words to Nico?” the priest asks. I didn’t say mine so she would be put on the spot. This fucker is going to piss me off if he makes Journey cry.