James’ head was between my breasts. I immediately pushed on his shoulders. He stood up and put his hands on either side of me, effectively sandwiching me between him and the wall. “We need a minute,” he said to Rob while still staring at me.
“I’d say,” Rob said and laughed again. “I was told to fetch you for pictures. I’ll say I haven’t found you yet. It’ll look suspicious if you’re more than a few minutes, though.” He winked and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
James leaned forward and pressed his forehead against mine. “I meant what I said, Penny. This is the best day of my life.”
I put my hands on either side of his face. “I meant it too.” We stood there for a second, breathing in each other’s breaths. It felt like something was passing between us. Some unspoken connection. I didn’t think the words ‘I do’ could make me feel any closer to him, but they did. After everything we’d been through, this moment was pure perfection.
“Pictures,” James said slowly and lifted his forehead off mine. “If I’m not mistaken, that was one of the many reasons you wanted a big wedding. The photographic evidence.”
“I never said that.”
He laughed. “Well, I wanted it. Let’s go get a million pictures of you in this dress so I can take it off you even sooner.”
I laughed. “Tonight at the hotel you mean?”
“That’s not what I mean at all.” His playful smile was contagious.
Saturday
“Perfect!” the photographer said and took what seemed like the millionth shot. “Are there any other pictures you want before I move onto all the candid shots of the reception?”
“Please no,” Rob groaned as he loosened his tie.
James laughed. “I think we’re good. Right?” he asked me.
I nodded and clasped my hands behind his neck. “So good.”
“Stop looking at me like that,” he whispered.
“Like what?”
“Like you want to make love to me.” He smiled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“I’m just looking at you like I am in love with you.” I took a second to savor this moment. We had been walking all over Central Park taking pictures and now we were outside the restaurant again. I could hear the buzz of excitement of our cocktail hour behind us. James had his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I couldn’t believe that we had finally gotten married. I was officially Penny Hunter. Nothing could compare to how I felt in this moment. Secure. Happy. Complete.
“Come on, you two,” Melissa said. “They’re about to announce the happy couple.”
I looked over my shoulder to see Jen and Matt already walking into the reception area and people cheering.
James touched the side of my face so that I’d look back up at him. “Thank you, Penny. For all of this.”
“You helped plan it too.”
He shook his head. “I mean for taking a chance on me.” His hand slipped to my shoulder. “For trusting me with your future.”
“It just so happens that there is no future without you.”
“I’m not going to mess this up. I promise you, baby. I know I almost fucked everything up last…”
“It’s okay. It was my fault too.”
“No.” He closed his eyes as if he was in pain. “You were right about what you said in your speech.” He opened his eyes again, but his brow remained furrowed. “The doubt had always been there. But I’m not going to slip, Penny. We’re going to grow old and gray together.”
“Hmm.” I ran my hand along his jaw line that was already getting a 5 o’clock shadow. “I think you’ll look very handsome when you go gray.”
He laughed. “And you’ll look beautiful when your hair turns white.” He lightly tugged one of my loose curls. “It’s just you and me, baby.”
“It’s always just been you and me.”
He nodded and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“James, there isn’t any part of you that I don’t believe in. And even when you have pushed me away, I knew it was because you cared about me. I’ll never stop believing in you. Never.” I placed the side of my face against his chest.
“Time is going by too fast. I want tonight to last forever.”
“For the first time ever, may I present, Mr. and Mrs. James Hunter!” the D. J. said from behind me.
James pulled back and smiled down at me. “Are you ready for this?”
“I’ve been ready for this ever since we met.”
He smiled. “Come with me, Penny Hunter,” he said with a wink.
We walked into the space that had been designed for our ceremony. It had been completely transformed for the reception. Tables with elegant centerpieces had been arranged around the area that would be used for dancing later. I knew the restaurant had been hesitant to let us do this. They usually held receptions inside, but I had really wanted it to be outside. Justin said he could make it happen. He had definitely delivered.
James lifted my hand in the air as everyone started cheering and clapping. All our friends and family were around us. Hugs, smiles, and applause. We were so completely surrounded by love.
“Penny!” someone called from behind me.
I turned around to see my fellow interns walking toward us. Sierra and Zach were holding hands and she was pulling him toward me. Tavon was a few paces behind them with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
“I thought you might want them here,” James whispered. “One of the many surprises of tonight.”
“Many?”
“Oh yeah. You’re going to love Rob’s speech.”
I laughed. “Thank you.” I had felt so guilty that I had finally gotten to know the other interns on the day that I left. I knew they had wanted to come. James was so considerate.
“Congrats, Fight Club,” Zach said and gave me a swift hug. He shook James’ hand.
“That was the most beautiful ceremony I’ve ever seen,” Sierra said and gave me a hug. “I haven’t been to many weddings, but I know I’ll never experience one like this again.”
I laughed. “I’m glad you’re having fun.”
“So much fun.” She nodded her head discretely at Zach.
I smiled. I had already seen them holding hands. I was glad that she was happy.
“Ugh,” Tavon said from behind her.
Sierra stepped out of his way to give James a hug.
“Congrats, Penny,” Tavon said. “Although, I still think you’re way too young to get married. Too late now, I guess.”
James laughed.
“No offense to you, of course,” Tavon said. “Congrats,” he said and shook James’ hand.
“I think they’re about to serve dinner,” Sierra said. “We should probably go find our seats. Thank you so much for inviting us.” The three of them walked off together.
“You’re amazing,” I said to James.