Part 23 (1/2)

”Actually, it is.” Jennica retorted.

”No, Willows right.” Amelia said while trying to sober herself. ”It's not funny; it's hilarious.”

Both of them broke into fits of laughter again and I looked at two of them like they were from a different planet.

”I'm sorry Willow but you shot my boyfriend in the nuts. It's pretty funny especially after you threatened to mount them to the wall.”

I almost forgot about that. I did threaten to hang Tristan's ball on the living room wall if he didn't bring home Tobias. What a coincidence.

I covered my face in embarra.s.sment and started laughing. If it had happened to anyone else I'd probably be laughing my a.s.s off too, but I still felt bad. It was going to be a long time before Tristan forgave me for that one.

After grabbing a bite to eat the three of us walked over to the boutique for my dress. The seamstress seemed over the moon to see me; my guess was Tobias was giving her a big bonus to keep me happy.

I stared at myself in the mirror while waiting for her a.s.sistant to bring the dress to my dressing room. I had regained the weight I lost while being held captive but my stomach was still having issues keeping some foods down.

Finally the girl brought me my dress. It was absolutely stunning. I thanked her than disappeared behind the curtain to put it on.

The dress itself was an A-line strapless white satin dress that fit my body perfectly. There was a navy blue sash that shaped the bottom of my bust with a crystal broach in the center.

The back of the dress opened up to reveal the navy blue under layer. To finish it off there were crystal embellishments beaded into the satin along the bottom of the dress as well as the white satin of the bust.

The dress was breathtaking. I bit my bottom lip than come out from behind the curtain. Amelia and Jennica both gasped at the sight of me. I swear Jen had tears in her eyes as I turned in a circle to show off the dress.

”It looks absolutely amazing on you.” Amelia said and came over to get a closer look.

The seamstress came over and began playing with some of the fabric. Almost everything fit perfect but she insisted on making a few more adjustments before I could take it home.

I was too ecstatic to argue. This was my dream dress. It has been what I wanted ever since I was a little girl and it was finally coming true. It was all so surreal.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

TOBIAS.

The past two weeks have gone by in a blur. After Willow shot Tristan in the nuts with a nail gun, the place had become a zoo. I've seen my brother take all sorts of a.s.s kicking, but Willow is definitely the only person I've ever known to make Tristan drop.

Once the nail was out, it only took a week to fully heal. The wound was gone in three days, but it took the rest of the week to 'feel normal' he says.

Willow has probably apologized at least ten thousand times in the past two weeks. Her apologies usually come with some sort of baked goods, so none of us complain.

I've a.s.sured her time and time again that Tristan didn't hate her, but she's stuck on the idea that she needs to make it up to him. How a cookie is going to make up for punching a hole in someone's nut sack with a nail is beyond me, but at least she's trying.

Tristan is over it, for the most part, aside from the fact that he refuses to be anywhere near Willow if she has anything even remotely sharp in her hand. Even when it was time to eat he would stay on the complete opposite side of the kitchen if she had a fork in her hand. The knife drawer was completely off limits and would send him flying out of a room faster than you could sneeze.

Tristan has asked about a dozen times; when we cut the cake, to make sure his crotch is a long way away from the table, and especially the knife.

”You ready brother? Last chance to back out.”

I turned around to find Colton walking in to the room. He cleaned up nicely, and was actually wearing some clothes that fit him properly.

”I've already waited too long; there is no backing out.”

”Well, don't keep her waiting then. Tristan sent me to get you.”

I nodded then turned back towards the mirror. I adjusted the bow-tie around my neck and fixed my collar. It has been so long since I willingly put one of these on that I was surprised I remembered how to tie it.

Time to shake off any last minute nerves; I was about to marry the only woman I have ever loved.

I wasn't having second thoughts about the wedding, but there was still a bad feeling I just couldn't shake.

Micky told me that it was normal and all guys feel that way before walking down the aisle. When I asked him why men didn't end up bolting at the altar, he said that once you see the bride the feeling disappears.

I took a deep breath then left the room. Every step I took closer to the altar felt like it took forever; I couldn't marry this woman fast enough.

I slid the palms of my hands along my pants as I stood in front of the steps of the gazebo. I was beginning to feel nervous and if I didn't know any better I'd say my heart was about to break out of my chest because it was beating so hard.

Tristan stood at my side as my best man. The rest of my brothers sat on the white benches we had laid out. Colton and Jasper had managed to find a date for the wedding. Jonathan and Daniel both agreed to be Jennica's companions for the night and Jeremy preferred to be on his own.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly to steady my nerves as Jeremy started the music. This was it. Jennica came walking down the aisle first, holding a bouquet of blue and white roses.

Willow nearly had a panic attack over the order for blue roses being messed up. I can see why some people are referred to as bridezillas.

I felt like I couldn't breathe the second I caught sight of Willow. Her hair was curled and pinned up; the few strands of stray hair that hung framed her face perfectly.

There was only one word that came to mind to describe my bride: breathtaking. I had to remind myself to breath as Micky handed her off to me and gave me a hug.

He might be three hundred odd years younger than me, but he's become the closest thing to a father I have ever had or known.

I took Willow's hand and walked her up the steps one at a time. Micky had managed to get Father James from the church to perform the ceremony. He seemed nice enough, but Daniel said he seemed extremely hesitant to agree.

I felt Willow's hands shaking; it was good to know she was just as nervous as I was. I gave her hand a little squeeze to let her know she had nothing to fear. She gave me the fullest smile I have ever seen and the blue sash of the dress made her eyes pop. I wanted to devour her right here.

I watched her trying to blink away the tears before they fell, but one still managed to escape, so I brushed it away with my thumb.

”Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, in the sight of G.o.d and this company, to witness and celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the union of Willow Lilac Grace and Tobias Gabriel Cane.”

The smile on her face made me want to kiss her. I wanted to strip her dress off of her and have my way with her as soon as possible. The honeymoon wasn't coming fast enough.

”Do you, Tobias, take Willow to be your lawfully wedded wife; to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, or for worse, for richer, or for poorer, in sickness, and in health? With respect for her integrity and faith in your union, do you promise to unfailingly seek out the best you can in her, loving her every day, in every way, until the end of your forever?”

”I do.”

The look she gave me touched me to my very core. It was more than just a s.e.xual desire; it was pure love. I could barely hear him repeating the vows to Willow, until I heard her voice break through the haze.

”I do.”

My heart soared.