Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
“That’s my boy.” He punches me in the arm and then brings me in for a hug.
He leaves me be, and I’m glad I didn’t break his heart too much by not marrying someone with good business connections.
I head down to the altar as the organ music starts to fill the chapel. The time is finally coming, the result of all our hasty arrangements.
I haven’t seen Piper since I sent her off to get a dress. For a moment, I wonder if she’ll even show up. Maybe she realized this is crazy and took off.
But then she steps into the church and my heart hesitates for a beat. Her dress is long, flowing, absolutely elegant. There is a ring of roses and violets around her veil, obviously her own touch, given flowers are so important to her. Her gown shimmers as she walks down the aisle carrying her bouquet, which is a medley of colors I’d never associate with a traditional wedding.
But this isn’t just for me. It’s for us. This is the day that the two of us will hopefully remember fondly for the rest of our lives, the start of our dynasty.
“We are gathered here today,” the pastor begins, and it’s all a blur to me. My eyes are fixated on her, fully enraptured by how she moves, and by her eyes through that veil.
When the time comes to remove it, I’m utterly captivated by her beauty. Her everyday smile was stunning, but when she’s had the touch of the city’s finest beauticians? God damn. She just keeps surprising me in every way.
We say “I do.” I place a magnificent diamond ring on her finger. It was originally meant for Ophelia, but Piper is stoked about it nonetheless. If she wants, I’ll get one just for her, but there’s only so much that you can do in a day.
Then the kiss happens. It’s as overwhelming as the first. I love it. We embrace one another fully, and our friends and families cheer for us. They may think we’re utterly insane for getting married this quick, but they support us going through with this anyway. That’s the kind of family you want in your life. They’ll warn you that you might be doing something dumb, but once they see that your heart is fully in it, they’ll support you as best they can, ready to catch you if you fall.
The rest of the evening happens so fast. It’s literally like a dream. Piper’s photographer friend snaps pictures of us and our friends, and some of just us posing. We throw a grand party, Piper and I next to one another.
We just keep looking at one another, both of us so overwhelmed but happy. What have we gotten ourselves into?
5
PIPER
I said I do. The pastor pronounced us husband and wife.
I’m married.
And yet it doesn’t feel like I am.
I guess that’s what the usual lead-up of a courtship is supposed to build to. It affirms that you really do have a strong bond with this person, and that there’s no way you can see yourself ever living life without them.
We skipped all that, but it’s exciting. And in a good way.
We get into his sedan after all the events. The food, the dancing, it was all fun, but it’s hard to break from the idea that it's not something we should be doing. It doesn’t yet feel real.
The two of us drive off, the clanking of cans behind us. Apparently Olivia and my other friends saw to it that we would take part in that cheesy old tradition, and made sure the world knows that we just got married.
Never mind that we only agreed to do so hours beforehand.
Luke takes me to his penthouse downtown. I knew the guy was loaded, but I didn’t expect him to have such prime real estate. High up in one of the apartment buildings, he brings me into his far-from-humble abode. Plush carpets, black leather furniture, he lives in the absolute lap of luxury.
I’m not doing too bad with my flower shop, earning a solid middle-class income through it and having some good stability.
I slip off my heels and walk across the floor, looking out on the city below. It’s an amazing view, certainly beating the rotting old tree in the back yard that’s my usual bedroom view.
Luke comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. “So, how’s it feel to be Mrs. Luke Black?”
I turn around in his arms and smile. “Pretty much the same as it feels to be Piper Hill.”
“Having second thoughts about all of this?”
“No. No, of course not. It’s just a bit odd, and I guess my brain is trying to catch up to where my heart is.”
“Whatever happens, I’m here for you, Piper. I’m going to take care of you. When I said ‘I do’ at the altar, I took a vow to love and care for you.”