Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22169 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22169 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Everything will be alright. Everything will be more than all right.
I couldn’t wait for my wonderful whirlwind marriage with Tabitha to truly begin.
ELEVEN
tabitha
My sacred natural cathedral is about to be shared with the world.
Or at least a few dozen of my closest family and friends.
We didn’t wait long to get the wedding planning rolling and to make it all official. I guess I learned that from Savvy and Char. When you have the man of your dreams, you don’t hesitate in announcing your love to the entire world.
The wedding planners and I worked hard in converting my secret location in the forest into something worthy of a wedding ceremony. It just felt right. It was important to me, and it was where I first truly got to know Fox.
My biggest hang up is that I don’t want to leave any lasting damage to the area. They had to build around the trees and minimize their environmental impact. This spot had been there long before I had found it, and I hoped that it would be there long after I’m gone.
We managed to set up a low impact dance floor, some tables and seating, and everything else. With a lot of oversight and micromanagement, I finally got everything set up just right, and all of those who were invited finally arrived.
My family were always incredibly happy to see me, even if they thought my tree-hugging ways were a bit extreme at times. They always respected it though, and I could take some good natured teasing if at the end of the day we still had that.
Fox’s family came too. All the mob stuff did slightly worry me. I’ve long been told that when you’re in, you’re in for life. Fox’s father though is truly dedicated to his family, and I don’t think Fox was ever into the more shady parts of the business all that deep. There was always that fringe anxiety of mine that a bunch of fancy black sedans were going to roll up and a bunch of gunmen were going to pop out to do a hit on my future husband, but really? His father did a lot to bring me down to reality about it. Fox dying to a hitman was as likely as him being abducted by aliens.
Everything’s going perfectly.
Except the cake.
“Did y’all hear anything about the cake?” I ask my Savvy and Char. “Wasn’t Lavender supposed to fulfill my order?”
We’re standing in our own little tent. I’m meant to be finished getting all dolled up for the big walk down the aisle, but I can’t help but still be trying to make sure everything’s moving smoothly.
Savvy nods. “Yeah? I haven’t heard anything from her. I’m worried too, that’s why I...”
“Hawk’s taking care of it,” Bear says, barging into our conversation.
“I thought I told you to take care of it?” Char rebuts.
“It’s called delegation, Charlene. It’s a good skill for a manager to have, and I’m soon to be a manager of a young start-up.”
They exchange playful glances.
“Plus you know how Hawk is. Never liked being around this many people. He could use the break.”
I didn’t think Lavender would fail to deliver, I just wanted some communication if there was going to be a delay.
People were gathering, and judging by the song on the playlist, the time for the big ceremony is coming.
I’m nervous as all hell. I have no doubts about the man I’m marrying, and everything is going almost perfectly. Part of me just feels that it’s going to go all wrong. Like there’s going to be some massive random forest fire igniting nearby and burning everything, including my beloved natural cathedral, to the ground.
When I see Lavender and Hawk roll up to the wedding with my cake my worries calm down a bit. Maybe I was just hungry?
No. I’m just naturally nervous. Who wouldn’t be, really? Just the first day of the rest of my life.
There’s a little less than two dozen people here. Only our closest friends and family in this intimate setting.
When the proper wedding music hits, I glance at myself in the mirror for the last time. It’s a beautiful flowing white gown, but it’s a beautiful flowing white gown done my way. Intricate, hand crafted patterns, a little bit of light pink and purple woven throughout. Wildflowers and their vibrant colors woven in, and freshly picked flowers braided into my hair. Traditional in a way, but I made my own. It’s everything I want to stand for.
As I hit the aisle, my father is waiting for me, I look down the path to see Fox. He’s in something not so elaborate. Just an expertly tailored tuxedo. I would have been happy to see him in just about anything though. Even if he showed up naked, that’d be great.
In fact, that would be preferred.