You have refused to allow your past, and the hell I put you through, to weaken you. And you continue to show incredible strength and courage in the face adversity.
Lea Mason, you are my breath, my heart, my soul, and my very reason for continuing to live. Will you do the honor of continuing to allow me every inch of you, to allow me to know what every part of you feels like, to allow me to lay down beside you each night and to wake up with you each morning as my wife ?
My eyes never wavered from Lea’s. And as tears spilled down her cheeks she knelt in front of me and nodded her head as she took my chin in her hands and looked deep into my eyes, Yes, you overgrown brute, I’ll marry you.
I pulled Lea into me and crashed my lips onto hers to the sound of our friends’ cheers. She pulled back and held out her hand as I slipped the ring from the box and slid it on her finger.
Beautiful, she whispered as she moved her hand back and forth, admiring the sparkling jewel.
I laid one hand on her cheek as I stood, Beautiful, just like you.
I stepped back and moved my to Lea’s as she stood, Come Lea, we’ll be late.
* * * * * * * * *
I was pulled out of my thoughts and looked up as The Wedding March filled the gardens to the house. Darrell was escorting Lea’s maid of honor, Nancy Charleston down the aisle.
I tilted my head to the side and noticed how Darrell seemed to be genuinely smiling down at the young woman. As the two reached the alter, Darrell placed a gentle kiss on Nancy’s cheek. As Nancy blushed and quickly looked away, I raised an inquiring brow to my best man. Darrell simply shrugged and lifted his chin toward the aisle. I turned and watched as Darrien escorted Jenny down the aisle and followed Darrell’s lead of placing a simple kiss on her cheek.
Tony, Lynx, Miller, Lewis, Leon, Paul, Samuel, and Xian walked up next. As they took their designated spots around the alter, I nodded to each man. They weren’t there to guard us, but were there to be part of our wedding party. Since Lea wasn’t as close to the ladies of the house, and the guys were always surrounding us, having four men stand just behind each of us was the solution Lea and the guys had come up with.
As Lea stepped under the archway, all our guest stood and looked awestruck toward my soon-to-be wife. Lea smiled softly at Jack as he walk her down the aisle as prideful as any father that was about to hand over his daughter could.
The decision to choose Jack to give her away had been easy for Lea. After the incident with Victoria and Miguel, her biological parents had completely ceased what little contact they had kept with her, leaving her with those of us in the house, and those at Black Cat’s that she had insisted on staying in contact with, as family.
As Jack and Lea stopped in front of me, my breath caught in my chest. Her wedding gown was simple yet elegant, and her hair cascaded down her back in soft waves. I could see the same heat and desire pool in Lea’s eyes as it did in mine as she looked me over.
The priest walked up and started speaking, Who gives this woman, Lea Mason, to this man, Carter Stephens ?
Jack looked between the priest and I before speaking, I do.
I held my hand out for Lea to join me, but Jack continued, But before I do, I would like to say a few words.
I dropped my hand and nodded slowly to Jack.
Jack held my gaze, I saw the way you looked at Lea when you first saw her in Black Cat’s, Boss. And I have seen how you continue to look at her. Lea is someone special and you won’t ever find anyone else out there like her, so you better make damn sure you take care of her. He gave me a wicked grin, repeating the words he had left for me once before, Because if something happens to my Pumpkin, I swear to God, I will kill you myself.
I nodded and pulled Jack into a small hug as Lea rolled her eyes and the guests all laughed.
I nodded to the men surrounding us, If I let anything happen to her, Jack, you’ll have to stand in line behind everyone here to get your chance to kill me.
A chorus of Damn straight sounded from the men around us and as Jack stepped back, he placed a kiss on Lea’s cheek before placing her hand in mine and taking his seat.
Come Lea.
Lea gave my hand a gentle squeezed as we walked hand and hand to stand in front of the priest.
I gazed deep into hers eyes as we exchanged rings and said our vows, promising to love and cherish each other with every breath we took, for better and for worse, taking all the pleasure with all the pain, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
We walked through the archway as man and wife and into the area of the garden that had been set up with the refreshment tent and dance floor and greeted our friends and members.
After several minutes I held my hand out to Lea, Dance with me ?
I led Lea to the dance floor as Love Me Harder filled the air. Lea had chosen it as our song and as I listened to the words once more, I was reminded of how much the two of us had been through to get to where we now were.
I smiled down at my wife, drinking her in and ignoring the couples around us as I placed soft kisses along her jaw and neck. I traced the same path back up and placed my forehead on hers, Fuck Lea, do you know what you do to me ?
Yes, I do. She met my gaze through her lashes, Why are you looking at me like that ?
I shook my head at the age old question. Have I told you lately that I love you ?
Lea shook her head and flashed an evil grin my way, No.
Liar, I tightened my hold on her and pulled her closer to me, I do, you know ? I love you with every part of my being.
Lea smirked, Good, because I love you too.
I fisted my hand in her hair and tilted her head back as lowered my voice, May I ?
Lea’s flicked her gaze from my eyes to my lips and back up, her breath catching as she nodded, Yes.
As the song ended, I spotted Darrell off to the side and excused myself from Lea, leaving her with Jenny and Nancy as they swooned over her wedding set and our plans to spend our honeymoon on a private island in the Caribbeans.
Darrell stuck his hand out and pulled me into him, Congratulation Boss.
I took a step back and accepted the glass of Cognac Darrell held out for me. I looked the man over slowly before following his line of sight to Lea, Jenny, and Nancy.
It’s been what, almost four years now Darrell ? my voice was soft as I spoke.
Darrell looked at me, the pain evident in his eyes, and nodded slowly as he took a sip of his drink.
You should ask Nancy out.
Darrell looked back to the three woman. It would be betraying Trish. I can’t do that again.
I don’t think that Trish would want you to continue to live life without someone by your side Darrell. Your a damn good man. She would want you stop blaming yourself for her death and be truly happy for a change. If you think other wise, talk to Miller. I’m sure he’d agree with me.
I started to walk back to Lea, but stopped and smiled as Darrell spoke, They are worth it, aren’t they Boss ?
Yea, they are.