Lexi stood before the full length mirror looking at her reflection. Never in her wildest dreams would she ever think she’d be marrying rock-and-roll’s hottest star. Smiling to herself, she remembered the first day they met in his garden, here some woman was crawling around it and he took it all in stride. They started out as friends, doing things that were normal and so important to Lexi, things Noah hadn’t done in years. He’d even met the Troublesome Trio, Evelyne, Leigh and Marie, and lived to tell about it.
Then strange things started to happen. Things that shouldn’t have been happening. Noah was her rock through the whole thing. While she didn’t like having to depend on anyone, and made some stupid choices, everything came out fine in the end. Noah had saved her. She hoped she’d learned to lean on him more and not be so independent, but there were still times. Especially knowing that Jeremy was still out there. He could come back at any moment to take her happiness away. Then there was Anthony. He had been released months ago. She still felt bad about sending an innocent man to prison but was trying to forgive herself.
Her wedding day. Looking at the other women gathered around getting ready, in the reflection in the mirror she locked eyes with Evie, her best friend. The friend that helped her through the first attack and was there last September to help again. Kenyon, Dre and Sam sat together talking making up the last of her bridesmaids. Her mother was rushing around making sure everything was just perfect and trying not to cry. Kat stood in the background like usual, watching but never interacting.
“Hey, beautiful,” Evie came up behind Lexi and wrapped her arms around her being careful not to mess up her gown. “You ready for your big day marrying the smoking hot Noah Matthews?”
“More than ready.” A smile that reached her eyes spread across her face.
“So you’re saying I haven’t got a chance?”
“Ha-ha. Like you ever had one once he saw my ass wiggling around his garden.”
“He still hasn’t told you where you’re going for your honeymoon?”
“Nope. The bastard. It’s killing me. I have no idea what to pack.”
Evie raised her eyebrows at her. “Do you really think you’re going to be wearing that many clothes to begin with?”
“Well, I have to travel there and back don’t I?”
“True. Are you ready?”
“I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life and once I met Noah everything just fell into place. I can’t wait for us to begin our lives together.
*
Noah stood at the front of the church waiting for Lexi. His chest constricted at the thought of everything they’d gone through to get here. The Last Man Standing would be no more. He couldn’t wait to make her officially his. He would have eloped if she would’ve allowed it, although he was surprised at how quickly it had all come together.
The Troublesome Trio were led in and they made a big show of making sure they said hello to all of the single men, no matter the age, as they made their way to the front row. He chuckled to himself about his bandmates meeting them for the first time. The ladies had the time of their lives giving them a hard time. Who’d have thought guys that were so used to women grabbing them would be running scared from three little old ladies.
He watched as the ushers brought in Sam and Martha and sat them in the typical spot for groom’s parents. Closing his eyes, he wished his mother could be here today. Mom, I did it. I’m marrying someone you would love, someone I wish you could have met. I’ll do everything I can to show her everyday how much I love her and protect her.
Someone slapping his back interrupted his thoughts. Turning he saw Ren grinning at him. “Snap out of it boy, it’s almost time.”
“Yeah, do we need to have the car ready so you can bolt?” Dylan smirked.
“We can have you out of here in two minutes flat,” chimed in Rob.
“Asshats. I’m not going anywhere. Try to act civilized, we’re in church.”
“Yeah, but we aren’t the ones who just swore in a church.” Jackson laughed. “Good job.”
“Shut up,” was all Noah could think to say. He took a deep breath as the music began. Finally.
As the flower girls, ring bearer and bridesmaids made their way up the aisle, his eyes stayed pinned to the doorway waiting for Lexi to appear. When he finally did, all the air whooshed out of his lungs and his heart ached at her beauty. He barely registered that her father was there by her side. It took all he had not to rush to meet her. The closer she got the more everyone faded into the background. He only had eyes for her.
Shaking hands with her father he looked away from Lexi for the first time. “Sir, thank you for raising such a wonderful woman. I’ll take care of her.”
“Welcome to the family.” Lexi’s father turned and kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, baby girl.”
“I love you, too, Daddy.”