| |
ERIC
Standing in the chapel, I glance once again down the aisle and silently wish Borden was here. He would at least try to lighten the situation by cracking a joke at my expense.
She still has time, - I silently convince myself.
While it may have seemed stupid to others that I insisted that our wedding take place in a chapel since I’ve never been inside a church outside of being christened, it had been that exact reason why I wanted it here.
Because, finally, I felt that I was a good enough person to be able to stand here.
It was because of Alexa that I felt that way and I wanted to honour our special day by being able to show the world that because of her, I felt right. That I was now at peace and was able to stand here.
I once again glance at my watch.
She’s now nineteen minutes late.
Shifting, I swallow thickly as I bring my gaze to Axton who had accepted the offer of Best Man since Borden was currently in Asia, performing to a sold out audience with his band. Borden had been disappointed that he was unable to make it but I knew before I’d even asked him that he would be unable to make it. While I’d wanted him here, I wanted to marry Alexa - and quickly - more. Borden’s tours lasted at least a year, and while I would have loved for him to be here, I was not into waiting a year or more to make Alexa my wife.
Axton’s gaze holds mine as he too starts to feel as if Alexa isn’t coming.
Finally, the back door opens but no music begins to play, and I watch as my heart starts racing with fear as Cass walks quickly down the aisle with her head down.
Reaching me, she lifts her face to mine and my world swims before me.
“Where is she?” I ask.
Cass winces, her gaze darting quickly to Axton before coming back to mine as she says, “She’s here but she says she needs to speak with you.”
Before Cass is even finished her sentence, I’m already starting down the aisle leaving Axton to deal with our small audience of guests of about fifty people, all who know me but none of them know Alexa.
Arriving outside the room where I know Alexa is waiting, I inhale deeply.
The possibilities of what she is about to say to me runs through my mind and I hesitate. But then I lift my hand to knock.
Miranda opens the door and her face reveals her worry and also a pity for me.
Fear sneaks through me instantly that Alexa has changed her mind.
Walking through the door, I abruptly come to a standstill as I see Alexa, looking so beautiful in her wedding dress, her eyes begging me to understand.
“Jenny, sweetheart,” I hear Miranda say softly. “Eric needs to speak with your mom.”
Unable to tear my eyes away from Alexa, unable to focus on anything but her and the pain searing through my chest, I wait until I hear the door softly click shut behind me.
“Eric...” she begins and my heart stops beating.
Gasping, I whisper, “No Alexa.”
She shakes her head, a tear streaking down her face as she says, “I can’t do this on my own. You are now my family and I need you beside me every step of the way as we start this new life.”
Relief, so great, sweeps through me.
It’s not that she doesn’t want me.
She just needs me.
She wants us to walk, side by side, hand in hand, to the place where we will start the next part of our lives together.
Slowly, I feel a soft smile cross my face.
Taking a step towards her, I hold out my hand.
“Alexa, I’m a man that wouldn’t be anywhere he didn’t want to be. And right now, I want to be right by your side.”
I wait, holding my breath, simply holding out my hand.
Searching my eyes, she asks softly, “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
My heart stops its beating.
I’ve never had anyone look at me like this.
Like I was their whole world.
An emotion rises up in my throat, making it impossible for me to speak.
The one thing I’d been unknowingly searching for my entire life was now in front of me.
I watch, feeling euphoric as she entwines her fingers through mine.
Bending, I kiss her softly, reverently and I feel her other hand come up, tangling in my hair.
I sigh in contentment against her lips.
She shudders slightly, and then asks, “Ready?”.
Kissing her softly again in reassurance, I then straighten and tightening my grasp around Alexa’s hand, I say, “Fuck the world and fuck anyone who has tried to keep this from happening. You, Jenny and that tiny baby of ours growing inside of you is all that I want, Alexa.” Squeezing her hand, I say, “Let’s do this thing together. Let’s break tradition and walk down the aisle together, just like this.”
Turning serious, I state firmly, “Because I’ve also grown impatient in waiting for you at the end of that aisle.”
Alexa, turning her face up to mine, is now radiating happiness, along with a little amusement as she says, “Let’s do this thing.”
As I lead Alexa out the door, I stop and grasp Jenny’s hand before we continue down the aisle, both of their hands now firmly in mine, I can’t stop the arrogant, cocky grin that splits across my face.
And just before we step up onto the altar, I lean close to Alexa’s ear to whisper, “I bought the farm.”