“Hi,” she whispered out, looking up through her thick eyelashes at me. I couldn’t help myself, that look was absolutely killing me. I dipped my head down and laid a gentle kiss onto her soft lips, something I felt like I had needed to do as soon as I saw her.
She let out a soft moan against my lips, clasping her hands behind my head to bring me closer, the feelings of want mutual. What started as just a simple kiss turned into more, I needed a taste of her sweetness and our tongues mingled together. The minister cleared his throat, ruining the moment, and we both pulled back with a laugh, our eyes never leaving each other.
“And now may we proceed?” he asked with a smile. We both nodded our heads and our family and friends around us laughed.
“Chase and Leah, today you celebrate one of life's greatest moments and give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, as you join together in vows of marriage. Just as two very different threads woven in opposite directions…” His voice drowned out after that. I couldn’t pay attention to anything but the beautiful girl across from me. The beautiful girl who was about to be my wife.
Her small hand in mine, the way it fit perfectly. The softness of her skin that I wanted to rain small kisses over every inch. Her stubbornness that sometimes got on my nerves, but was one of the things I loved about her most.
“Now Chase, I understand you have written your own vows. You may proceed with those now.”
I took a deep breath, my eyes flicked back to Leah, who gave me a reassuring smile. I was sure she could feel the sweatiness on my hands. Here goes nothing, hopefully I don’t screw it up.
“Leah, I believe in you, the person you will grow to be and the couple we will be together. With my whole heart, I take you as my wife, knowing and accepting your faults and strengths, as you do mine.
I promise to be faithful and supportive and to always make you and Caleb’s happiness my first priority.
“I will be yours in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph.
I will dream with you, celebrate with you and walk beside you through whatever journey our lives may bring. You are now my wife-my love and my life, today and always.”
I blew out a breath as I said the last word and wiped at my forehead. I was seriously going to need to shower before the honeymoon got started. I don’t think I had ever been this nervous in my life, even when I had performed in front of hundreds of people. I could tell by the tears that were streaming down Leah’s face though, that I had done a pretty good job. I mentally patted myself on my back and gave her hands a small squeeze.
She repeated my words back to me slowly and I helped her along the way, in between both of our tears. I knew I was going to get serious shit from Teddy for crying like a baby, but I seriously didn’t care. The only person I cared about in that moment was Leah.
“Chase, do you take Leah to be your-”
“I do,” I interrupted and Leah let out a quiet , musical laugh.
“Okay, good. Anxious, I see,” the minister chuckled out. “And Leah, do you take Chase to be your-”
“I do,” she interrupted, apparently in as much of a hurry as I was to officially be married. At those two simple words, all of the nerves that I had for the day disappeared. She was now my wife, and was no longer running. Along with Caleb, we were a family and our journey together was just beginning.
Chapter 6
Leah
“Baby,” Chase murmured out, his warm breath blowing against my bare stomach. I had been sound asleep but really didn’t mind being woken up this way. I reached out a hand and ran it over the short stubble that covered his head. He had cut it all off again right before the wedding, I thought I would miss it, but really, I loved seeing him exactly the same way as when we had first met.
We had gotten back late the night before, our vacation/honeymoon over far too soon, but it was nice to be home. Caleb had passed out the minute we left the airport, and stayed that way when we got home. Chase had scooped me up to carry me over the threshold after he had Caleb tucked in to bed, but as soon as our heads hit the pillow, we were out. Our vacation had been fun, and something I would remember for the rest of my life, but it had definitely been draining. Who knew getting married could be so much hard work?
“What are you doing Chase, shouldn’t we be resting up?” I teased as he placed open-mouthed kisses farther up my stomach, sending shivers straight down to my toes. I was so happy that he still made me feel that way with the simplest touch. I had a feeling it would be like that forever.