A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(55)
~~~
The ceremony was beautiful. Alex and I had walked in together, our friends were seated around us. The earlier drama was now forgotten as we focused on each other. His dazzling black tux looked amazing partnered with my gorgeous white gown and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as we renewed our commitment to each other. Dave had been perfect. He had performed the service with an excellent mix of humour and sincerity, throwing in some anecdotal commentary as well as adhering to the Taylah-provided-script from which he had been reading. It was everything I could have hoped for and more.
The food and drink flowed freely as did the ease of the atmosphere. Our guests took their turn in congratulating us (again) and giving us their heartfelt best wishes. Alex’s mother was predictably emotional. She wished Alex’s dad could have been here for this day but was so incredibly thankful that she was able to share at least one of our weddings with us. She hugged us both tightly and told me that she was incredibly proud to call me her daughter. The tears I had so staunchly suppressed overwhelmed me. As I was held within the arms of an adoring mother, the fact that it had not been my own held no consequence. I was wanted, loved and cherished, not only by this amazing man but by his family as well.
Alex was unwilling to relinquish my hand as we moved through the crowd. We laughed with Kate, Justin and their brood of four boys. I had been so glad they had made the journey (despite Kate vowing to never get on the plane with the four of them ever again) enabling them to not only share in our celebration but also carve out some much-needed family time for all of them. Sam (the youngest) begged his Aunt Lexi and his new Uncle Alex to buy him the Beebe gun he’d seen in WalMart, that his parents had refused to purchase. He even promised not to shoot his brothers in an attempt to sweeten the deal.
Emma, who had also made the transatlantic journey with her fiancée Jackson, openly wept when she finally made her way to congratulate us. Her beautiful blue eyes welled further as she expressed sincere happiness that we had found each other. I couldn’t have imagined repeating today without her with us. It was appropriate seeing as we had started our Power Station journey together so many years ago.
Chris, Monique and a few of the other Power Station support crew were present as well. The band functioned as a family and these people had been entwined as part of our lives.
Sydney was acting as project manager and oversaw the festivities. We didn’t get a lot of time to talk to each other as she directed wait staff, photographers and the DJ through the evening. I spied her laughing and flirting shamelessly with Dan so I assumed their pseudo date the weekend before had gone well. With the distraction of the wedding, I had completely forgotten to ask. The fact she was still talking to me was promising.
Taylah and Dave mingled with the crowd, as did the rest of the band. Anna smiled passively by Matt’s side as he hugged us both. He thanked us for allowing him the privilege of being able to share both occasions with us and expressed profound happiness in being part of our lives. He was adorable with his broad Texan smile and I really hoped he was as happy with Anna as I was with Alex.
It was sometime after 1 a.m. when the last of the guests departed and Alex and I were finally able to take our leave. The ride back to our apartment had seemed to take forever. As we travelled back into the familiar city grid, the bright ever-constant billboards served as our welcome light. I anxiously anticipated our arrival back home where I had carefully hidden two more gifts to give Alex. They had been weighing on my mind the whole day and I was unsure of what his reaction would be. So as the silver Maserati pulled into the underground car park my stomach knotted with nerves.
“You ok?” Alex glanced over as he eased his prized car into the familiar spot.
“Yep, just excited. It’s my wedding night you know.” I smiled sweetly, pretending to be bashful.
Alex laughed as reached over and unfastened my harness, “Well, I will endeavor not to disappoint you. This truly was the best birthday gift you could have ever given me.”
“So should I return the other two presents I have waiting for you upstairs?” I asked coyly as I leaned over to kiss him.
“You got me something else?” Alex asked excitedly, his face beaming like a five year old on Christmas morning.
“Yep, sure did. So do you want to sit in your car and do some more heavy breathing or should we go see what they are?” I ran my hand seductively down his chest, stopping just as my fingertips reached his waistband.
“As long as one of the things I get to unwrap is you.” He smiled as he exited the car.
Alex walked briskly around and opened the passenger side door, reaching in and pulling me out of the car, sending me crashing into his hard body. I giggled as he abruptly swept me into his arms and lifted me off the ground.
“What are you doing?” I asked as I squirmed within his arms.
“Carrying you over the threshold.” Alex gripped me tighter, his arms steading my movements and reinforcing that whether I wanted it or not, he intended to carry me.
“We’re already married, silly.” I protested, feeling ridiculous being carried when I was perfectly able to walk. Although if the truth be told, my feet were killing me from wearing my new shoes and the prospect of no longer walking was a welcome relief.
“So therefore I have even more entitlement, wouldn’t you say?” He raised an eyebrow as his mouth twitched into a cheeky grin. I think we were both going to need to revisit the contents of our marriage license. Though I guess if it meant I got to stare at his ass and objectify him, I was willing to relent on him carrying me occasionally.