Music of the Soul (Runaway Train #2.5)(14)
“So sweet,” Mia murmured, as she quickly wiped her eyes. From her expression, I knew she was thinking of how hard it was going to be for her own father at her wedding in a few months.
The wedding coordinator appeared wearing a headset and carrying a clipboard. “Okay, I need the flower girl and ring bearer to line up followed by the bridesmaids.”
After handing her bouquet to Mia, Lily bent down to straighten Jude’s shirt and tie. “You know what to do, right?”
I could tell he was fighting the urge to roll his eyes at her. “Yes, Mommy. I walk down the aisle holding the pillow, and then stand next to Daddy. I’m not a baby, you know.”
With a smile, Lily patted his chest. “I know, sweetheart. I just wanted to check.” She then turned her attention to Melody. After she fluffed out Melody’s frilly dress and adjusted her headband, Lily asked, “And what about you, Miss Priss? Do you know what to do?”
“Throw the flowers!” she cried with a grin.
I laughed at her enthusiasm while Lily shook her head. “No, you’re not supposed to throw the petals. You need to gently toss them on the sand. Do it just like we practiced. Okay?”
Melody bobbed her head, but in my mind, I didn’t think she was totally onboard with the whole “gentle” thing. Lily rose up to give me a tight smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll be right behind her in case she goes crazy or something.”
“It’ll be fine,” I reassured her.
The wedding coordinator motioned for Jude and Melody. Just as they started around the chairs toward the aisle, the string ensemble started playing Ave Maria. As Jude and Melody started down the aisle, Lily followed close behind them. Then Mia went followed by Allison, who I had asked to be my maid of honor. There were friends in my past I could have asked, but Allison was about to become my sister-in-law. It felt like the right thing to do. And regardless of how Jake felt about his father, he truly loved his little sister with all his heart.
“Okay, Abby, it’s time.”
Unable to form words, I merely nodded. My arm trembled slightly as I slipped it through my father’s. “I’ve got you, sweetheart,” he said, as he smiled down at me. The quartet changed music, and the sound of Here Comes the Bride filled the air. This was really it—the moment I became Jake’s wife.
As the crowd rose from their chairs, I put one barefoot in front of the other. Craning my neck, I desperately tried to catch a glimpse of Jake. I could see Brayden, AJ, and Rhys in their island casual khaki pants, crisp white, button-down shirts, and pink vests. But there was no Jake. Finally, as we curved around the last row of chairs to start up the aisle, my eyes met his. The smile that spread across his lips caused my heart to still and restart.
I couldn’t remember a time when he had looked more handsome. His dark hair was perfectly slicked back. His vest hugged his muscular frame while his biceps bulged against the fabric of his shirt. Even from my place down the aisle, I could see his deep blue eyes sparkling in the twilight. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be marrying this gorgeous man. But it wasn’t what he looked like on the outside that mattered to me. It was his caring heart and sensitive soul that made the true attraction for me.
My mind was on sensory overload as I tried to take in every detail of my walk down the aisle. The smiling faces of friends and family, the gentle breeze that rippled through my hair, the way the warm sand squished between my toes, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore below us.
When I reached Jake’s side, the sun had started its descent into the west, sending an array of reds and oranges across the deep, blue sky. In the fading sunlight, thousands of candles and twinkling lights lit our perfect piece of heaven on the shore.
Kissing my cheek, my dad then left my side to take his place at the head of the altar. He was pulling double duty giving me away, as well as performing the ceremony. “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony…”
I couldn’t help tuning my dad out to glance over at Jake. I was rewarded with a pleased grin from him. Leaning over slightly, he whispered, “Oh Abby, you look like a dream…like my true angel.”
Gazing up at him, I mouthed, “Thank you.”
When my dad cleared his throat, both Jake and I jumped and then quickly gave him our full attention. “It’s normally at this part of the ceremony when I ask who gives the woman in marriage. Of course, I already know the answer to this question.” Smiling at Jake, my dad said, “Laura, and I, along with her brothers, proudly and happily give Abby’s hand to you, Jake.”
“I gladly take it, sir,” Jake replied, with a grin.
“You know, from the time Abby was born, Laura and I prayed that God would send her a companion. Someone she could spend her life in love with. Someone to support her in the good times and bad and be her true soul mate. Of course, we didn’t expect him to come in the package of a tattooed rock star.”
Laughter echoed around us. When it had faded away, my dad’s expression sobered. “Two years ago when I first met you, Jake, I don’t think I could have ever fathomed being in this place today. I wanted Abby to marry someday—one day long, long in the future. But our time isn’t always divine, and I have no doubts that you two are meant to start your lives together at this very moment in time.”