July arrived, and so did my family. Dusty and Geri came over first. They flew in from the United States a few days before the rest of the family arrived. They had jetted off together on a backpacking trip at the beginning of the year—Geri deferred the last year of her degree and would return to finish in the New Year.
Dusty and Geri camped out in the living room of the flat. A few days later, the rest of my family arrived. Tara’s family generously offered a room in their home for Harper’s little family, while Mum and Dad stayed with George and Linda, and just like before, they all got on like a house on fire. They stayed out late like teenagers, and during the day, George and Linda took them around Perth and its surroundings. Mum and Dad finally seemed to accept Austin, and Mum whispered to me the night before the wedding, “Cadence, I couldn’t have made a better match for you if I tried. I’m sorry I was so hard on him.”
That made my heart sing.
The day arrived. Lyla, Tara, and Geri helped me dress, tied up my gown under a long trench coat, and covered my hair with a heavy veil. Harper met us down at the harbor and helped me onto the boat driven by George.
“That’s a good look,” he said teasingly to me.
I pulled the coat tighter around my dress. “Yeah, I thought I’d try classy for once.”
He laughed.
We sped to the island while my four bridesmaids chatted excitedly together. I simply sat and listened, basking in the fact that I had Geri and Harper alongside Lyla and Tara this time around.
Mum and Dad met us at the jetty. Mum rushed forward and helped me out of the boat, then wrapped her arms around me. Dad hung back and watched us be escorted to the small venue to finish preparing.
Once I was ready, I stepped in front of the mirror. My long-sleeved wedding dress looked perfect. The lace bodice with the plunging V neckline had been the seller for me the first time, and so I’d gone straight to it this second time. To my delight, it fit like a glove. I remembered no longer squeezing into it once my middle expanded after childbirth.
As I gazed in the mirror at the final result, Dad stepped up behind me and rested his hand on my waist. “Where did my little girl go?”
I giggled. “You’ve been saying that for years.”
His knuckle brushed my cheek. “But now she’s completely gone, and all I see before me is a beautiful young woman. You look so much like your mother did.”
I turned to face him. “Please don’t make me cry. You’ll ruin my makeup.”
He chuckled. “I’m sorry. It’s no secret that I always favored you. But you are so much like your mother in every way . . . except that mad aggression you get when playing sports. I have no idea where that came from.”
I laughed. “Oh, Dad. That’s all you.”
He grinned, and then glanced around. “They’re all gone. I guess that means we should head out too.” He clasped my face and kissed my forehead. “He’s a good choice, sweetheart. I know he’ll make you happy.”
Tears welled in my eyes, and I struggled to hold them back. “Thank you. I love you so much. That means everything to me.”
“I love you, too.” He looped my arm through his.
He led me down to the beach, where the gentle, cool sea breeze made me tremble. But my trembling turned to shivers of anticipation as a rush of excitement filled me. How many people had the chance to relive their wedding day, to feel the joy of that moment a second time over?
We stepped into view of the group gathered in the wedding marquee, decorated with white and yellow. Austin turned to the entrance, and our eyes met. He wanted to run to me and throw his arms around me as I walked toward him—I could see it in his eyes. His love was written all over him, and my heart fluttered with excitement. My Austin, mine again.
We stepped in front of him, and he barely noticed Dad offering him my hand. His gaze fixed on my face, making me blush, which in turn, made his smile widen. Dad cleared his throat, and Austin snapped back to reality. He grasped my hand and nodded his thanks, before Dad kissed my cheek and went to sit with Mum.
Without looking away from my face, Austin wrapped my arm through his and we stepped up to the white, wooden altar. As we proceeded, he struggled to take his eyes away from me. I bit my lip, trying to suppress my flattered smile. When we turned to each other to exchange rings and vows, he smiled with relief that he had a good reason to just look at me. My cheeks warmed again.
The marriage celebrant finally said, “I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Austin and Cadence Jones. You may kiss your bride.”
Austin’s hands shot to my face, and he pulled me against him as he kissed me passionately. I grabbed his shirt under his jacket and clung to him, reveling in the moment and grateful it was just as wonderful as I’d always remembered.
When our lips parted, he held me close, our eyes locked. “I love you so much, Mrs. Jones. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
I caressed his face, wishing the moment could last forever. “I love you too, Mr. Jones.”
We walked along the beach and around the township for photos before returning to the venue for the reception. What a crazy, laugh-until-your-sides-hurt party, with beautifully touching moments dispersed throughout. Austin rarely broke contact with me. Whether he held my hand, or his fingers were on my back as he rested his arm on the back of my chair, he always touched me.
In our first dance, he pressed against me and softly sang in my ear. The moment was so beautiful and romantic that a tear ran down my cheek.
During the daddy-daughter dance, Dad held me close and said, “I’m so proud of you, Cadence. He’s truly worthy of you.”
I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed him tightly.
As the dancing moved into more of a party feel, I needed to use the restroom. Harper and Geri rushed in with me, as Lyla and Tara were well on their way to being blind drunk. Harper and Geri held up my dress as I sat to relieve myself.
“Well, this is awkward,” I said.
Geri giggled. “Oh, we’ve been through worse. Do you remember that time I puked on you?”
“I remember dodging it.” I grinned.
“You stuck your fingers in it and picked up the drugs I had forced down my throat.”
“Oh, yeah. That was gross.”
“Sick,” Harper grunted. “You guys are weird.”
“Harper, I held your dress at your wedding.”
She smirked. “Just hurry up.”
“So, why aren’t you taking advantage of the booze fest?” I asked, while reaching for the toilet paper.
“I’m knocked up again,” Harper replied under her breath.
“Seriously?” I laughed, having forgotten how close together her first two were.
“Yeah, and this bugger better be a girl,” she groaned.
“I’m betting on another boy.”
She slapped my shoulder. “Shut up! Damn it! Now you’ve jinxed it! You’re always right with these things.”
“Sorry, Harper.”
“I don’t wanna spill to your dad that Dusty and I got married in Vegas,” Geri responded softly.
Harper and I both did a double take and yelled, “What?”
Geri blushed. “Yeah.”
“Geri!” I clutched her arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We didn’t want to say anything until after your wedding. We didn’t want to steal your thunder.”
I signaled for them to look away so I could stand and fix my clothing. “Geri, this is a big deal! Come on! I wanted to be at your wedding.”
“We’re going to have a small ring exchange in a few months with a reception, but we just wanted to be married right then.”
I did a little dance on the spot and hugged her. “This means you’re really my sister now! I’m so, so happy for you!”
She giggled. “Thanks, Cay-Cay.”
When I let go, Harper wrapped her arms around her. “I always saw you as Cadence’s irritating twin, so having you as an official member of the family won’t make much difference.”
Geri laughed. “Thanks, you guys. I know having you both on my side will make a big difference when we finally break it to your dad.”
“Cadence!” Dusty’s voice echoed around us.
“Speak of the devil.” I winked at Geri. “Hang on. I’m just going to wash my hands.”
“Hurry up! You need to get out here.”
The urgency in his voice startled me. I looked to Geri and Harper, who both seemed as confused as me. I hurried to wash my hands and rushed out. At the door, Dusty grabbed my arm, glanced around, and tugged me out into the small courtyard.
“Dusty, what’s going on?”
A tall, lean man stepped into the courtyard. I gasped. “James!”
He walked toward me, tears streaming down his face. “So it’s true. You got married to someone else.”
“I’ll let you talk,” Dusty said as he backed away.
“No, Dusty!” I panicked, knowing how easily I gave in to James. “Stay . . .”
But he had gone.
“You look more beautiful than I could have ever imagined,” James said in a hushed voice.
I turned to face him. “James, please . . .”
“I waited so long for you, and then this other guy comes along and steals you away. It was supposed to be us.”
He advanced on me, and I backed into a tree. He caressed my cheek tenderly, making my heart race. “Tell me you don’t love me. Tell me that you feel nothing for me.”
My breath caught. I couldn’t tell him that. “James, I love Austin―”
“So what? Do you still love me?”
“Please, don’t . . .”
He moved closer to me, moving in for a kiss. I whimpered and turned away. “Don’t do this.”
“You still love me,” he said firmly. “Why are you doing this?” His hand fell from my cheek and wandered down my neck and exposed collarbone. “Look into my eyes.”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because, when I look in your eyes, I can’t resist you. I have to resist you now. I’m committed to Austin. I married Austin.”
He moved closer, and I pressed my hands against his chest, trying to hold him back. “Please, James. I can’t do this.”
“Hey!” Austin’s voice boomed across the courtyard.
James pulled back. Using his distraction to my advantage, I ducked away and rushed to Austin. Austin wrapped his arm around me and touched my face. “Are you okay?”
I nodded.
He turned his attention to James. “This is my wife. I don’t know who you are, but don’t ever touch her like that again.”
“Oh, is that so?” James sneered.
I grabbed Austin’s hand, sensing things were about to turn ugly. “Let’s go back inside.”
“You dirty thief,” James said with a snarl. “You did something to her to steal her away and make her think she loves you. But she loves me. She loved me long before you came along.”
Austin turned to face him. “You’re the high school boyfriend. James, isn’t it?”
“Austin, don’t provoke him,” I said softly. “He’s very strong, and a good fighter.”
“Yeah, Austin, don’t provoke me . . . oh, you already have.” He advanced on us, and Austin pushed me behind him. James stood over him. He was a full head taller, but Austin didn’t back down.
“Move on, buddy. She chose me.”
James grabbed Austin’s shirt. “I’m gonna . . .”
Austin grabbed him right back. “You’re gonna what? There’s no point in fighting, because she’s still gonna leave with me.”
“Austin, don’t . . .” But I couldn’t say more as James roared and tried to shove Austin to the ground. But Austin, being stronger than James expected, held his stance.
He shoved James off him. “You’re making an idiot of yourself.”
“Austin!” I gasped. “You don’t need to be cruel! Let’s just go back inside.”
Austin turned to me and wrapped his arm around my waist. “I’m sorry. You’re right. We’re supposed to be enjoying ourselves. This is our night.” He leaned in and kissed me.
The kiss tipped James over. He tore Austin away from me and hit him across the face.
“You bastard!” He swung and hit him in the face again. “Do you have any idea what I’ve done for her?”
Austin caught his fist as he swung again and shoved him back, swinging at him. He contacted hard across James’s jaw, but James kicked out and knocked him over. James jumped on top of him and raised his fist.
“No!” I rushed over and grabbed his arm. “James, stop it! Please, stop!”
James’s head shot up and our eyes met. Fury and agony poured out of him. But as he stared into my eyes, his arm relaxed and his rage faded away, leaving only the pain.
“Stop fighting for me,” I whispered.
He took a sharp breath.
“I’ve made my choice.”
His face twisted with pain. He pulled his arm free of my grasp and climbed to his feet. “Well, Cadence, I hope you never regret it, because I will never take you back after becoming your second choice.”
He dug into his pocket and grabbed my hand. He slammed the ring into my palm, and without looking at me again, marched out of the garden.
Squeezing the ring tight, I watched him go, my heart aching for him. Tears streamed down my face. Even after choosing Austin, I still hadn’t wanted my relationship with James to end. He’d been part of me for so long that it felt like someone had removed a limb.
Austin rested his hand on the small of my back. “Cadence, I’m so sorry.”
I threw my arms around him and buried my face into his chest as I cried. He held me, softly kissing my ear and head.
We stood there for several minutes before Dad rushed out. “What happened?”
I felt Austin look up to him, and when he didn’t say anything, I assumed he mouthed it. Dad rested his hand on my back. “Sweetheart, let me get Geri and Harper to clean you up. This is your night—you need to enjoy it, not hide out in the garden crying. Let’s try to get your mind off it. Your mother and I have put a down payment on a house that’s being built. By the time it’s done, your lease will be up, and you’ll be able to move right in. But when you open the card, you need to pretend to be surprised. Your mother will kill me if she finds out I told you without her.”
I giggled, then took a deep breath and turned my head to look at him. “Thanks, Dad.”
He touched my cheek, gently brushing my tears away. “Anything for you, baby girl.” He looked to Austin. “I’ll be just one moment.”
Austin nodded as Dad hurried away.
Geri and Harper dragged me into the bridal room and fixed my hair and makeup in a matter of minutes. By the time they finished, I couldn’t tell at all that I’d been crying.
“I’ll kill Dusty,” Geri said. “That was a dirty trick. I knew he told James all the details, but I didn’t realize they’d planned on having him try to steal you away.”
“Geri,” Harper said firmly as she watched my face. “Let’s not talk about it.”
I noticed my chin quivering and stopped it. Forcing my thoughts of James aside, I took several deep breaths and turned toward the door. “All right. Let’s do this.”
As I reentered the hall, Austin met me with a smile. He took my arm, and soon after, the call for the bouquet toss came. I made my way to the front and watched where Geri went. It would land in her hands whether she wanted it or not. She stood to the side with Dusty to watch. Ha! I had a good arm, so it could easily make it over the crowd gathered to catch it.
I took careful aim and threw it hard. I spun just in time to see it hit Geri in the face and land in her arms. The surprise on her face made me laugh, and she glared at me. “I’m gonna get you, Cay-Cay!”
“What are you talking about? I’m a sports nut, right? I throw hard.”
She opened her mouth to retaliate, but Dusty covered it. “Thanks, Cadence.”
Austin stepped up beside me and set down a chair.
“So, I hear it might be a family tradition to use the teeth.” He took my hand to help me sit, and then knelt in front of me. “I like family traditions.”
His head disappeared under my skirt. I squealed. Everyone laughed, except Dad, who slapped his forehead. “Harper!”
She grinned at him and shrugged.
Austin’s hair tickled my thighs as he took complete advantage of having his head under my dress, kissing my leg several times before he grabbed onto the garter. As he pulled it off, his hands wandered into places that made me blush, and I glanced around, hoping no one noticed.
He reappeared to cheers and laughter. He grinned and flung the garter, causing a tussle to break out, and Aaron won it. He glanced to Tara, who scoffed and walked away. He laughed.
The time came for us to leave. Austin took my hand as the love tunnel formed, and Geri rushed to get my bag from the bridal room, while Harper snatched my clutch.
“Congrats, little sister,” she said in my ear. “Be happy, and try not to get pregnant as quickly as I did.”
I laughed. “Thanks, Harper.”
I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Austin kissed my hand and met my gaze. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, and he gave my hand a tug. We dashed through all the guests, and at the end, we found ourselves by the door, facing our car for the ride to the hotel. Dad caught my shoulder and kissed my cheek with tears in his eyes. He took Austin’s hand and embraced him. My heart swelled as I remembered this same moment from the first time, and I loved that it hadn’t changed.
Mum wrapped her arm around my waist and kissed my cheek, before she did the same to Austin. Linda stepped forward and kissed my other cheek, then squeezed Austin affectionately.
Austin helped me into the car, and we waved goodbye.