Chapter 30: I Do

SLOAN

The next few days went by in a blur, and all of a sudden, after spending several evenings helping my mom and Carol set up at my parents’ house, it’s my wedding day.

I ended up inviting Carly to the wedding because I wanted her to feel more comfortable with me, and Abbot is coming, as well, so that Carly will have someone to talk to.

Kade spent the night at our house, while I slept at my parents’ house. I wake up missing him but I know it will be worth it when I see him later.

I sit at the bar in the kitchen, scribbling my vows.

“Hey, honey, what are you up to so early?” my mom asks.

“My vows, I still can’t get them right.”

“What do you have so far?”

I show my mom the few lines that I have down, and she says, “I mean, it’s a good start, and you did kind of have this all thrown at you really quickly.”

“Thanks, I think. My life is totally different now—in a good way, but also, it’s still a lot to process. I know I love Kade and I know I want to marry him.”

“Good, because it’s happening in a few hours,” Kade’s mom chimes in from behind us.

“Good morning, Carol.”

“Good morning, ladies. How does everyone feel today?”

“Honestly, fat… I’m worried that none of my dress options are going to work,” I admit.

“Where is there fat on your body?” Carol laughs, so I pick up my shirt to show them my growing bump.

“Aw, she’s so cute,” my mom muses.

“Yes, but she picked a hell of a day to all of a sudden pop out. I feel like I’m going crazy; like she popped out overnight.”

“You’re going to be beautiful, no matter what,” Carol assures me.

“Thank you. I miss Kade.”

Carol smiles. “Well, it’s about time for you to go get ready. The girls are upstairs waiting for you.”

“Okay. Mom, if Carly or Abbot show up, you can send them up to me. They’re not going to know anyone else here.”

“Okay, honey. Have fun with your new sisters.”

When I go upstairs and walk into the room, Priya and Rhea squeal.

I laugh. “Whoa! It’s early.”

“Come on, Sloan! Aren’t you happy? It’s your wedding day,” Priya squeaks.

“Oh, I am. I’m just tired. I’ve been working like crazy this week, and your niece is sucking up all my energy.”

“I’m sure today is going to be perfect. Come, sit,” Rhea says as she pats a chair.

After a while of the girls curling my hair and putting on makeup, Carol comes up to join us.

“How is it going up here?” she asks.

“Honestly? It’s great! I’m just sitting here.” I laugh.

Carol smiles. “I just talked to Kade, and he is so happy. He asked me to check on you and Clover.”

“Is he here?”

“I’m not sure if I should tell you that. You two are having a really hard time being away from each other, huh?”

“Yeah, but isn’t that a good thing? We’re already going to have to put our honeymoon off until he finishes the album and my event is done. We just want to be together.”

Priya smiles. “It is a good thing; you two were made for each other.”

Soon, Carly comes upstairs with my mom, and a while later, Abbot arrives.

“Wow, Sloan, you look gorgeous. What are you going to wear?” Abbot asks.

“Honestly, I haven’t decided yet… Maybe you can help me?”

After I try on the three dresses, and we pick the best one, I’m almost ready to walk down the aisle.

My dress is long and almost looks like something from ancient Rome. It’s one-shouldered and falls loosely around my bump so Clover isn’t stealing the show.

Abbot and Carly head outside to sit with the other guests, while everyone else puts on their wedding clothes.

Soon, I’m downstairs, waiting with my dad.

“You look so beautiful. I’m so happy for you. Kade is such a good man,” he smiles.

“Thanks, Dad, for everything; it all looks beautiful.”

He brings me outside and stands with me just out of sight of Kade so we can watch the procession.

Kade is already at the altar. First, our moms walk in together. Then, Sean escorts Priya down the aisle, then Finn escorts Rhea.

My dad grins. “All right, baby girl, it’s your time to shine.”

“Here Comes the Bride” starts to play and the music swells.

My dad offers his elbow and escorts me down the aisle. I hold on to him for dear life, because when I see Kade, my knees feel weak.

He looks devastatingly handsome in his dark blue suit, and his eyes are wet with unshed tears.

When I get to the end of the aisle, I hand Priya my bouquet, and Kade takes my hand.

Sean got ordained just to marry us because we wanted it to be a fun ceremony and we couldn’t think of anyone better, so he steps out of line and in front of the two of us.

“Ladies and gents, we’re here today because Kade and Sloan have said to one another, ‘Honey, I love you so much, I’ve just gotta get the government involved!’

“Seriously, though. Thank you all, so much, for joining us.

“Kade and Sloan have asked that this be a fun ceremony, so we’re here to have a good time while we get this hitching done, then we’ll all have even more fun when we go to the reception.”

Sean smiles. “This thing isn’t gonna start itself, so let’s get to it!

“Kade, Sloan, I can’t think of two people more suited for a life together than you.

“In the time we’ve gotten to know each other, you’ve both made me smile, and I’ve seen that your marriage will be built on a foundation of love and trust, and that’s the best shot any of us can do.

“You’ll need to depend on that foundation of trust and love throughout your marriage. You’ll need to be more patient than you’ve ever had to be before.

“You’ll experience higher highs and lower lows than ever before, but now, you’ll be in it together…~for good~!” Sean laughs.

The guests all giggle, and even Kade and I laugh.

“With that in mind, let’s check some legal boxes, shall we?

“Kade, do you take Sloan to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and comfort her for better or worse, in sickness and health, and to reap any and all tax benefits for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” Kade squeezes my hand and smiles.

“Sloan, do you take Kade to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and comfort him for better or worse, in sickness and health, and to reap any and all tax benefits for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” I smile so hard that my face hurts.

“I believe these two have written their own vows,” Sean says.

Kade clears his throat. “Sloan, I thought it would be easy to write my vows since I love you more than anything, but that’s just it, I can’t express my love with words.

“Every day, I love you more and more and I promise that will never stop. I promise to wake up every day, for the rest of our lives, and find a reason to fall more in love with you.

“I promise to put you and Clover and the rest of our family first.

“I promise I’ll always protect you and do everything I can to provide for you, even though you’re a fancy brand manager now and you don’t need me.”

The guests laugh.

Kade continues. “Really though, humor aside, Sloan, I love you and that will never change. I can’t wait to be your husband.”

“Kade, I, too, thought it would be easy to write my vows, but it wasn’t.

“I never claimed to be a wordsmith; I’m better with pictures, so I’d like to picture our future. In our beautiful house, filling it up with love and family, growing old, and having grandkids together.

“That’s what I want to promise you: all of me, for the rest of my life. I love you,” I finish and I can feel my emotions bubbling up in my throat.

“Okay, Kade, now it’s time to put a ring on it,” Sean coaches.

“Sloan, I give you this ring as a symbol that I will love you, honor you, cherish you, and that I’ll let you have the remote every once in a while... and I’ll try to clean up after myself.” Kade laughs.

Sean chuckles. “All right, Sloan, it’s your turn.”

“Kade, I give you this ring as a symbol that I will love you, honor you, cherish you, and that I’ll try not to nag you about spending too much time with the guys.

“And I may even make you dinner once in a while,” I say, giggling.

“Well, after that touching exchange, I guess there’s only one thing left to do, and that’s for me to do my part!” Sean says.

“By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife! Well, go on, kiss her!”

Kade leans in and kisses me, slowly and deliberately.

I completely lose myself until I’m brought back to the moment by my dad yelling, “That’ll do, son!”

Everyone laughs.

Sean smiles. “Ladies and gents, it gives me great pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Kade Lawson!”

“Crimson and Clover” starts to blast from the speakers, and Kade walks me back down the aisle. When we get to the end, he lifts me off my feet and kisses me again.

“I love you, Sloan, you look so beautiful.”

“I love you, too, Kade.”