3.5 The Innocence of White (3 page)

She crossed the room, the white décor allowing her
lively
ensemble to shine as she approached me. She adjusted my grey tie before patting my cheek. “Let’s go.” She smiled up at me.

I held the door open for her, waiting for her to walk out into the hall. I followed her, knowing she was leading me to my future.

Chapter 3
Gabi

I fluffed my
dark brown
hair, full of body, falling in big curls over my shoulders. I ran my fingers, perfectly manicured with a pale pink polish
to match my toes
, down the
front
of my dress. I’d picked a style I didn’t typically wear. I was stepping out today, and wanted to take Jack’s breath away in the process.

The bodice of my
white
dress was a simple silk fabric, pure and lush against my skin.
It hugged my upper body tightly;
the v-neck of the top combined with the fit enhanced the best of me. The color
showcased
the soft tan of my skin, and would offer a stark contrast of
me and Jack’s
meshing ethnicities. The
skirt of the dress began just above my belly button, and a two-inch wid
e, white taffeta ribbon created
the waistline of the dress lined just above that point, pulling eyes to the thinner parts of my fuller-figure.

The bottom half of the dress flowed out in pillowing layers of taffeta, netting and more silk and fell to my knees. It was an upscal
e designer piece with some over-the-
top elements in the skirt to balance the simplicity of the top. I loved it for the way it drew attention to my best parts and masked the frumpier, plumper parts of me, such as my stomach and thighs. A pair of nude, peep toe pumps helped elongate my body. I’d accessorized with mere
ly a simple silver necklace
with a single 1-carat diamond pendant, and the engagement ring Jack had given me.

I smiled as I stared down at the simple stone. A three-carat round cut diamond was mounted on a platinum band. I’d never pictured myself being an old-fashioned girl. I enjoyed all things glitz and glamour from runway fashions to Texas sized hair, yet I loved that Jack didn’t play into my outward appearance. Rather, he offered me a piece from within. Deep down, I was a simple girl who wanted simple things, such as a happily ever after. My exterior was much more rough than my interior. I fought hard for what I believed in, but it didn’t mean my beliefs were overwrought with fluff.

“You are breathtaking.”

I gasped, his presence catching me off guard. I felt my cheeks warm as I smiled at him. He was equally mesmerizing. His dreadlocks were neatly secured in a low ponytail, allowing the features of his face to stand out. His coffee colored skin was smooth, his lips a silken dark rose, but everything else about his body was hard. He exuded strength with a well-muscled physique, eyes the color of
night that went of forever, and a well-defined
jawline that somehow seemed to frame the large, pulsing vein in his neck.

My pulse quickened as I studied his black suit. He’d dressed in a classic design of black slacks and a black jacket
over a white shirt w
ith a charcoal tie. It looked as
though the entire ensemble had been tailored to his body the way he was tailored for me.

He smiled, his full lips lifti
ng to highlight his cheekbones. He bent his arm and extended his elbow towards me in old-fashioned courtesy. “Shall we?”

“Definitely.” My cheeks were sore from the permanent grin on my face.

We a
pplied for our marriage license and then
cuddled in the waiting room with all the other bright-eyed couples for it to be issued for immediate use si
nce we weren’t
from the state. An hour later, we made our way to the tiny chapel for a judge to permanently unite us. Imara met us at the door.

“You are beautiful, Gabi.” She hugged me. As she pulled back, she press
ed a kiss to each of my cheeks. “I offered to be your witness along with the
clerk
.”

“Thank you.” Imara wasn’t my mother, but I appreciated her neutral approach to our relationship. Most mother-in-laws sided with their son regardless of his sins; I could tell she would be a unbiased though.

“Hello again, Mother.” Jack kissed his mother’s cheek, escorting both of us to
a chair to wait
until our names were called. He leaned into me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Are you ready to run yet?”

I
chuckl
ed. “No. Surprisingly, I’m calm. I think this is the first time I haven’t experienced anxiety in my entire life.” I faced him, raising a brow. “Are you?”

His smile lit up his face. He
laugh
ed. “Definitely not. I’m afraid I never plan to let you go, my dear.”

“I like the sound of that.”

He nipped the vein in my neck, sending a shockwave through me. Every hair on my body stood on end as heat ensconced me. “I like the sound of Mrs. Gabriella Ambroise.” His breath tickled my skin.

“Jack, not here,” I whispered, mindful for our audience.

He smirked, his eyes lighting up with promise. “I can’t wait for later.”

The clerk called us at that moment. We stood together, heading towards the door, heading towards the room that I would become Mrs. Jacques Lenore Ambroise
in
.

Chapter 4
Jack

I stood, facing the woman of my dreams, as we exchanged vows. Her eyes sparkled,
blood
red tears gathering in their basins. Her voice was thick, muddled with emotions most vampires avoided
,
as she spoke of all she promised to me. I, in return, allowed my vulnerability to be visible for this one period in time, knowing she
long
ed
for
the softer side of me
right
now. She needed to know she wasn’t alone in her weakness of love. These vows in the vampire world were the kiss of permanent weakness. A vampire would always give in for the sparing of their mate’s life. Reversely, the united front of two vampires in love could be an unbreakable force few would challenge
d
.

“Mr. Ambroise, you may now kiss your bride,” the older male judge stated.

Gabi smiled wide, waiting for me to make my move. I hauled her to
me;
my fingers threaded her hair as my thumbs caressed her cheeks. I captured her lips with a soft eagerness. Her
lush
curves felt amazing nestled against me. Her mouth fit perfectly against mine as I tasted the essence of her. I inhaled her scent, grazing my tongue along hers as if I could imbibe her. She surrounded me. The steady
pulse of the blood in her veins and
the rhythm of her breaths soothed me, lulled my soul into a deeper connection with hers. We weren’t in bed, but there was no deeper connection for us in this moment.

I pressed my lips to hers one last time. I watched as her eyes remained closed for a few seconds after I pulled back, as if she was savoring what we’d just shared. Her eyelids fluttered open, glossed with
a new shine.

“I love you.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“I love you.”

Gabi

I’d heard the saying, “
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away
.” Jack stole my breath. I didn’t know how I lost myself in him so easily, so readily. The moment we connected, it was as if we were connecting on another planet, another level of existence. For days I’d battled my conscience over being with him so quickly after Rafi, for being with him period after Rafi, but then I shared moments like this with him and all my worries seemed to disappear. My conscience was silent in those minutes, finally allowing my heart to speak and my soul to sing.

“Mr. and Mrs. Ambroise, I just need your signature on the marriage license and you two are free to leave,” the judge stated.

Jack squeezed my hands, bringing the rest of my mind back to reality. We approached the desk in the back corner of the room. I watched as Jack signed his name. His wedding band was a plain platinum band with a single half-carat diamond flush in the center. The color was gorgeous against his dark skin.

I glanced down at my ring. He’d surprised me with two rings, adorned with
half-carat
diamonds
wrapping
halfway around each one. He’d placed my engagement ring between the pair as he slid them into place on my finger. “For our present and our future,” he’d said. My useless heart somehow seemed to
pitter-patter
at his words infused with promise.

“You’re turn, my dear.” He gently kissed my forehead as he handed me the pen.

I scribbled my name on the appropriate line and passed the pen to Imara. She winked at me, a twinkle in her eyes.

Once she’d signed the paper, she threw her arms open and
dragged
us both into her. “Congratulations, my loves. I want you both to stand in front of the room and smile for a photo. If you refuse to cooperate, I shall rain on your honeymoon.”

Jack scowled. “And I will fill your store with locusts.”

She chuckled, patting her son’s cheek. “Indulge me.”

“I promised Lexi I would have someone take a couple pictures on my phone.” I grabbed my phone from my silver clutch. “Do you mind, Imara?”

She smiled. “Of course not. This will be for both of us.”

Jack wrapped his arms around me. I couldn’t stop beaming. I felt loved and protected in his embrace. I knew as long as he was breathing, he would fight for me and with me.
The knowledge that you had a permanent support system in your partner was invaluable.

We posed for a few photos. I planned to print them and frame them in whatever home we settled in. I hadn’t taken many photos since becoming a vamp. Since we don’t age, most vamps don’t bother capturing a moment in their timeline. Not much changes for us outside of fashion
, decor
and technology. There are some moments worth
capturing
though, and this was one of them.

“Wonderful. I want copies of each one in the largest print available,” Imara said, returning my iPhone to me.

“I plan to make copies of all of them for myself too,” I stated.

“Well, you best be on your way. A storm is heading towards
your honeymoon destination
, and it will delay your ability to land should you procrastinate,” she advised.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to a built in psychic advisor.” I chuckled.

“I promise not to divulge unless it has impact,” she promised. “Be careful though, my son doesn’t have the same filter as me.” She escorted us to the lobby of the courthouse before giving us each another hug and kiss on the cheek. She practically thrust us out the front doors afterwards though.

“Woah! That must be some storm coming.
Now just where
are you taking me to, Mr. Ambroise?”

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you, and I’m not ready to lose my wife just yet.” He kissed the tip of my nose,
ushering
me towards a
n
a
waiting black town car. He opened the back door and I slid into
and across
the seat, the leather upholstery brushing against my calves along the way. He got in
behind me and closed the door.

There was an older Hispanic male in the driver
’
s seat, decked out in a chauffeur’s uniform complete with the hat. “Where to,
senor
?” he asked.

“The airport,” Jack stated.

“What about my clothes and stuff?”
I frowned, thinking of all the items in my hotel room.

Jack cuddled up to me. “I have a whole new wardrobe for you in a suitcase in the trunk.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “They better be nice clothes or somebody’s not consummating their marriage tonight.”

He tossed his head back in a boisterous laugh. “I hired a stylist. You have nothing to worry about, my dear.”

“Good.” I snuggled into his chest as we navigated the busy streets of Miami.

“Mother was right though. It seems we will be stuck inside for the first part of our honeymoon. I don’t mind though.” He wagged his brows, his insinuation not lost on me.

“We’ll see. Some things in life must be earned.” I smirked, loving the way his eyes narrowed in a challenge. Sparks flew as we sized each other up in a mock pre-brawl.

He harrumphed, his eyes never losing their amused glow. “We’ll see, my dear. We shall see.”

Chapter 5
Jack

The look on my wife’s face as she gazed at the private jet
I’d chartered
to take
us
to our honeymoon destination was worth every penny I paid for it. Her eyes widened, her mouth falling in
to
a perfect ‘O’ as she gasped brought a smile to my face. Stepping aboard, she slid her fingers along every surface of the plane from the white leather seats trimmed in gold to the marble minibar and
opulent
bathroom.