Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
My uncle gives me a tight nod and smile. He hadn’t expressed an opinion on Rock’s role in the wedding, but his thoughts are written in his scowl. My earlier conversation with Carter left me feeling a bit raw and forgiving toward Uncle Chuck. I reach out as we pass him and squeeze his hand.
“I’m happy you made it,” I whisper.
His scowl softens. “You look beautiful, Char.”
Mercy and Heidi beam at us as we approach.
Blake holds out his fist and whispers “ginger power” to me. A giggle escapes my lips as I tap my knuckles against his. My gaze lands on Carter, proudly standing next to Marcel wearing his cut.
If someone had told me five years ago that Judge Damon Oak would officiate my wedding, I would’ve thought they were nuts. He smiles when Rock and I stop in front of him. Rock kisses my cheek and stops to hug Marcel, before taking his seat next to Hope.
Finally, my nervous eyes land on Marcel and my breath catches. He steps forward and reaches for my hands.
“You’re beautiful.” His gaze roams over my face, then dips down to my dress. His mouth quirks as he leans in. “Can’t even tell,” he whispers.
The skirt of my long white dress falls over my growing baby bump, providing adequate camouflage. It still feels two sizes too small. “Thank you. Makes the corset I’m stuffed into worth all the struggle.” I side-eye him. “Also, you’re full of shit. Shelby could barely get the back of this dress laced up.”
Amusement sparks in his teal eyes.
“You…” I sweep my gaze over his sharply tailored suit that fits every inch of him to perfection. “Take my breath away.”
He curls his fingers around mine and turns us to face Damon.
Damon’s lips quirk, as if he’d heard our brief exchange, and my skin flushes. Thank goodness for all the makeup Serena spackled on me. Hopefully, it’s hiding that my cheeks now match the roses.
“Welcome, everyone,” Damon begins. “I’m honored to be here to celebrate the union of Charlotte and Marcel.”
There’s a rustling behind us as those who had been standing take their seats.
“Love isn’t always perfect,” Damon continues without the aid of any notes. “Love is difficult to find and impossible to live without. There are no fairy tales in life, only harsh reality. Love doesn’t always come easy. When you find love, treasure it, protect it with your entire being. You no longer have to face life’s hardships alone. Hold on to each other and don’t let go. Above all, remember every moment is worth it because you survived together.”
It’s almost as if someone gave Damon a CliffsNotes version of our lives.
TELLER
Charlotte’s glowing. More beautiful than I have a right to spend my life with. The love I have for her and our children that she’s carrying already burns in my chest hotter than the sun.
Damon’s words sound nice. Charlotte seems pleased. I’m too focused on her for anything else to penetrate.
Damon clears his throat and I tear my gaze away from Charlotte. Are we done? Can I kiss my bride now?
“Do you, Marcel John North, take Charlotte Corinne Clark as your wife? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor, and protect her, in sickness and health, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Charlotte, do you take Marcel as your husband?” Damon turns her way. “Do you promise to love, comfort, honor, and protect him, in sickness and health, to be faithful as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Do you have rings to exchange?”
“We do.” Charlotte turns, searching for Chance.
Z walks his son to us.
“I do!” Chance holds out two small boxes to us. “I do!”
I pluck one out of his hand. “Thanks, buddy.” I give him a little high five and he grins.
“Thank you,” Charlotte says, smiling down at Chance and nodding to Z.
Baby Bit-bit lets out a scream loud enough to rip open the Earth.
Heidi’s desperate eyes zip from me to Lilly, who’s trying to comfort Bit-bit.
Our guests murmur “Aww,” as Heidi scurries over to collect her daughter from Lilly. She freezes as if she’s scared to return. But Charlotte motions her over to us. Heidi stops next to Charlotte and Charlotte leans in, whispering in Heidi’s ear. She coos at Bit-bit, who’s quiet now that she’s in her mother’s arms. Heidi’s cheeks flush an impossible shade of red.
“It’s okay,” I whisper to her but I’m not sure if she hears me.
Alexa runs up to stand next to Heidi and the crowd titters with laughter.
Blake holds out his hand, encouraging Alexa to come stand next to him.
Charlotte beams at me, not one bit flustered by the brief interruption.
Damon waits with a patient smile. When we’re focused on the ceremony again, he continues. “You may now exchange your rings as a symbol of your endless commitment to and love for one another.”