Forgotten Promise (Forgotten Series Book 2) (16 page)

Live in the moment,
appreciate every second and breathe, don’t forget to breath. I watch as Gen
starts her slow descent. Once I see Gen at the left of the altar, that’s my
cue. The music changes to the Bridal march.

White rose pedals
sprayed down the aisle, my dress gliding over them. A combination of white
lilies mixed with ivy surrounding white gauze tulle on each bench, white
candles everywhere. A crystal chandelier above the altar. And as the sun is
setting, the turquoise ocean view explodes behind everyone.

Almost there I see
him, and my breath is taken from me. Breathe, just breathe. He is undeniably
handsome in the black tux, his hair slicked back in waves. His chiseled face
smiling showing both dimples and his baby blues gleaming and focusing only on
me. Absorbing his masculine presence and intensity as if we were one. I reach
him, and as I take him in, I feel dizzy, drowning in him.

He reaches for a curl
and slides his fingers down its length, and mouths. “Breath taking.” As we face
each other, our hands are automatically joined. His genuine smile with the
double-punch dimples makes me weak in the knees. And I notice things have
started, the bubble disappears.

~ ~ ~

“Welcome, on behalf
of Nathan James and Bryer Reid, I would like to welcome you to this joyous
celebration. The Hawaiian word for love is aloha. Today we’ve come together to
celebrate the special aloha that exists between Nathan and Bryer and their
desire to make their aloha eternal through the commitment marriage. When two
people promise with aloha in their hearts to share the adventure of life, it is
a beautiful moment that they and all of us who are present today will always
remember.”

“The bride and groom
would like to start with a personal declaration.”  Kahale takes a step
back.

“Bryer, you are the
light in my darkness, holding my world together. You saved me with your love
and devotion. You were so unexpected. Now I know I never really lived until
you. Say yes to a life with me. Because I can’t wait to spend the rest of my
life with you.”

The first tear falls,
mine of course.

He winks at me
letting me know it’s my turn.

I look up and stare
into his eyes, he seizes my heart. “Nathan, you have become my life’s story.
And as I run into your arms, colliding with your heart, exploding into your
soul. You’re always there to catch me. You are the compass to my soul. I
promise to only grow deeper in love with you each day until my dying breath. I
am yours.

His intense look
melts my emotions, and a second tear escapes, this time he catches it. I can’t
resist the flirty glances when he’s looking at me with the look I’ve come to
know, as promises to come.

“Do you, Nathan,
take Bryer, to be your wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward,
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, in health, to
cherish with devoted love and faithfulness 'til death do you part.”

“I do.” As he
squeezes my hand.

“Do you, Bryer,
take Nathan to be your husband? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for
better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, in health, to cherish
with devoted love and faithfulness 'til death do you part.”

“I do.” A third tear
falls.

Nathan watches it
glide down the length of my face, his eyes yearning to touch me.

~ ~ ~

“Please take out the
wedding rings. Your wedding rings are a symbol of your eternal aloha for one another
and commitment to your marriage. Please join hands and look deeply into each
other’s eyes. Nathan, please place the ring on Bryer’s finger of the left
hand, and Bryer, please place the ring on Nathan’s finger of the left hand.

With shaky hands, we both
accomplish the rings, mine a matching gold eternity band, his a scalloped shell
white gold band.

“With these rings
they are a symbol of love, to have and to hold from this day forward, for
better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love
and to cherish, always and forever, until death us do part.

“Nathan and Bryer,
you have pledged your eternal aloha to one another and your commitment to live
together faithfully in lawful wedlock. By the authority vested in me by the
laws of the State of Hawaii, I pronounce you husband and
wife. Nathan, you may kiss your bride! With honor I proudly announce
for the first time Mr. & Mrs. Nathan James.

As our lips meet,
soft and sweet, longing for more, we part only briefly and he kisses me once
more as Kahale rings a bell twice. “On behalf of both the bride’s and groom’s
mothers, we honor their presence.”

~ ~ ~

We both turn and
thank him, as I take in his colorful shirt with a completely different robe
tied over his one shoulder and a short lei around his neck.

Aloha’oe A hui how
Aloha nui loa
.

(Farewell to you,
until we meet again with very much love.)

“Please follow me to
the back. We can sign the license, so you can enjoy your day.”

I watch as Nathan
signs and it’s my turn.

“I’ll sign it, stamp
it, and mail it off to the county records, standard procedure.”

Several pictures are
formally taken, but all others were done in process where no one knew they were
being photographed, I’m sure those will be amazing. Then we make our way to the
beach, almost touching the water, more pictures, and more memories.

~Nathan~

Fucking stunning, my
bride is stunning. I always knew she was beautiful, but today she’s a goddess.
I realize it doesn’t matter how hard being together is, nothing is worse than
being apart, we’ll get through anything. Clayton is the first to shake my hand
in a bro-hug.

“Congratulations,
bro, it was an honor being your best man. I’ve never seen you turn into a pile
of lovey-dovey bull shit before, but you deserve to happy, man.”

“You should be
writing for Hallmark.” We both laugh, and he punches me in the arm, Then he
grabs Bryer and picks her up, swinging her an entire turn, her giggle is
endearing and the smile on her face infectious.

“Thank you, Clayton,
I hope you find the happiness I’m feeling right now.” I hear her say.

His hands on her
shoulders, he slightly creates distance. “It’s not going to happen for me,
everything I touch dies.” Watching his eye search for Gen.

“Don’t push it,
Clayton.”

“You’re right, I’m
running out of places to bury bodies.” Giving her a wide grin and hugging her
once more.

“My turn,” Gen speaks
up. “Isn’t it time for your medication?” she asks Clayton, simultaneously
pushing him away to hug Bryer.

But I notice it’s
different. Clayton hides his smile, his happy-as-fuck smile. I lean against
him. “You’re all Ga-Ga over her, aren’t you?”

“We’re being stupid
together, does that count?” He smarts off to me.

“You don’t need to
understand a woman to love her,” I say.

“Love, Pfft, who said
anything about love?” Unable to meet my eyes.

“Don’t get your
panties in a bunch, Clayton.”

“How can I? I can’t
move in this fucking monkey suit I’m wearing.” His shoulders twisting and
turning in discomfort.

“Let’s walk over to
the private cabana-tent I reserved.” Purposely gearing his thoughts back to
my
day. But first I grab my new bride, and kiss her hard, leaning her back in
my arms for the whole world to see.

“Do you have plans
later?’ she asks, playfully batting her eye lashes.

“Actually I do.”

“I heard you were a
man of action.” Licking her lips, soft from my kiss.

“You heard correctly
Mrs. James.”

“No panties.”

“Fuck, are you trying
to finish me off? Damn if I’m not a man in pursuit now.

We walk hand-in-hand
following the tiki torches lighting the way in the sand, the glow of the water
sparkles even at night. Or maybe it’s just my fucking heart messin’ with my
brain. Her veil drags along the sand gracefully. Her smile mirroring my own.
She robs me of all my all-encompassing ego, leaving me bare.

We arrive in the
private tent and quite an extraordinary set up. I watch her eyes take in every
detail. White lights strung falling to the ground. Oversized white balloons
floating in the air mixed with white globes lit in dimly. Crystal vases with
white roses, pearls weaved through them, hanging, touching the tables.

One large main table,
but small ones surrounding holding drinks, food. Each wine glass a rose sits
inside, no stem just waiting to be filled with champagne. Large white candles
with our names scrolled in gold. The china white and gold, with star fish on
each napkin.

On one of the table
sits a two-tier white wedding cake, with candied native Hawaiian flowers on the
sides. The topper is a man carrying his bride over his shoulder cave-man style,
that was my personal touch. It doesn’t go unnoticed by my bride.

If I’m impressed, I
know the ladies will be. Watching her eyes light up in surprise by the
extravagant surroundings and hearing the small gasp pleases me beyond words.
Fucking perfect. “Glad you approve.” Surprisingly a warm sense of ease runs
through me, as I look into her soul.

“And then some.” She
smiles as it reaches her eyes.

“And that, my friend,
is how it’s done.” Gen stands, processing the entire abode, her arms stretching
out, approval under her watchful eye. Her high standards can be a little
unnerving.

“Allow me.” Clayton
is pulling out a chair, waiting for Gen’s response. Holding my breath, hoping
she accepts, so we all play nice.

“Why thank you.” And
there it is, Gen’s acceptance.

The cellist appears
and plays quietly in the background. There is a small area prepared as a dance
floor. Bryer walks to each table, taking everything in. No detail goes
unnoticed.

“This is the most beautiful
sight I’ve ever seen,” she says, looking over her shoulder at me.

“I’ve seen a more
beautiful sight.”

She smiles, all
knowingly. “Let’s start with appetizers and champagne,” Gen suggests.

“A toast to my
bride.” Holding up my glass, everyone follows. “I will prove every day I am
worthy of you love.” The glasses clink, and I know Bryer remembers the promise
said to her the night of our engagement.

“Seafood first, who’s
game?” I recommend. I watch Gen and Clayton head to one table. While we head to
another

“Escargot?” Gen
inquires.

“I had one once, it
was horrible.” Clayton sneers.

“So, obviously no
one’s ever taught you manners, what an adolescent response. I thought we were
past that?’ Gen says.

“A sharp tongue is
not proof of a keen mind,” he whispers, but Mr. Loud talker can be heard from
there.

“Did you eat paint
chips when you were a kid?”

Crap, here we go.

Not a second passes
and Clayton grabs Gen’s hair and pulls her in for a hard, sexy caveman kiss,
and Gen doesn’t seem to be putting up much of a fight.

Well, that’ one way
to end an argument. (Note to self)

Bryer and I share a
glance and shrug our shoulders, getting familiar with the roller coaster
relationship called the Golden Boy VS. Tumblina.

Both Bryer and I
choose shrimp cocktail, the largest I’ve ever seen,  crab legs and bread
and make it back to the table. Ignoring our two guests.

“I love you a little
bit more with each day.” And leans to kiss me

“You inspire the best
in me.” She moves to sit on my lap. Her arms draping around my neck and her
soft words spoken as her warm breath prickles my ear. “Is the bad boy coming
out tonight?” she whispers in my ear.

Fuck. “He’s just been
invited.” I assure.

“Lucky me.”

~ ~ ~

We try every seafood
I’ve ever known and some I’ve never seen before.

“Who knows if this is
poisonous?” Gen asks looking at the mystery bowl.

“Poi is a thick paste
from taro root, similar to a potato, steamed, pounded. They add water to create
a pudding-like consistency,” Clayton proudly states as if we were asking him to
recite everything he knows about Hawaii, and he does anyway.

“After Elvis filmed
Blue
Hawaii
here and the venue hosted over 500 weddings here,” Clayton throws
in.

“There’re rumors of
Elvis’ haunted Tiki Bar,” he continues. “It was known as the home of Kauai’s
last monarch in power, Queen Deborah Kapule Kekaiha ‘akulou who died in 1853.”

“Doing some readin’,
have ya’?” Gen’s eyes dance with laughter.

“This dish is labeled
Poke,” Gen states.

We all stare at
Clayton, but he just shrugs his shoulders.

“Maybe you can get
back to us on that.” I tease.

I notice the men from
the concierge office set up a stool and microphone I ordered and my own guitar
I shipped from home. Luckily my surprise will go off without a hitch, Bryer’s
back is to them and we are all engrossed in conversation. “I have a surprise
for you,” I say, all eyes on me.

“Go on.” Nuzzling up
to me.

“Close your eyes.”

“I do recall the last
time you asked me to close my eyes, ice was involved.”

“Not this time, but
I’m hoping to make you melt.”

“Challenging, without
being horizontal.” She smiles and struggles to oblige.

“Do I need to
blindfold you?” My fingers gently trailing up and down her arms, while I stand
behind her, chuckling at her goosebumps. I’ll revisit the curve of her
collarbone and her flawless skin later.

“Maybe later.” She
plays.

“I’ll hold you to
that.” I walk over and have a seat, with every intention to unravel her with a
loving attack on her soul.

“To my bride.” A low
sultry voice escapes me into the mike, as I gently pick up my guitar and I can
see her rapid shallow breaths, her eyes still closing, fighting her emotions.

“I’m surrendering to
happiness because of you. Thank you for marrying me.” I watch her eyes open and
focus on mine. Thank fuck, she’s tamed the bastard in me.

And I hit the first
cord.

(“Marry Me” –
Train)

Forever
can never be long enough for me

Feel
like I've had long enough with you

Forget
the world now we won't let them see

But there's
one thing left to do

Now
that the weight has lifted

Love
has surely shifted my way

Marry
me

Today
and every day

Marry
me

If I
ever get the nerve to say

Hello
in this café

Say
you will

Mm-hmm

Say
you will

Mm-hmm

Together
can never be close enough for me

Feel
like I am close enough to you

You
wear white and I'll wear out the words I love you

And
you're beautiful

Now
that the wait is over

And
love and has finally shown her my way

Marry
me

Today
and every day

Marry
me

If I
ever get the nerve to say hello in this café

Say
you will

Mm-hmm

Say
you will

Mm-hmm

Promise
me

You'll
always be

Happy
by my side

I
promise to

Sing
to you

When
all the music dies

Marry
me

Today
and every day

Marry
me

If I ever
get the nerve to say hello in this café

Say
you will

Mm-hmm

Say
you will

Mm-hmm

Her eyes heavy with
tears, but the smile doesn’t allow them to fall. We meet in the middle as the
cellist plays Gabriel’s
Oboe Mission
.

I twirl her under my arm
once she reaches me. Then bring her close, our bodies touching, it doesn’t take
long to feel my hard erection against her middle. “Time stops when you’re in my
arms,” I whisper, swaying to the music

“I feel at peace when
you sing, I’ll never get enough of that.”

I feel a slight blush
of embarrassment, who the fuck am I? We’re interrupted by two voices, our best
friends’ voices.

“Forget love, it only
brings drama.”

Seems strange to me,
a guy hearing that from a girl.

“Calm down, I just
asked you if you’ve ever been in love. What did you have bitch-flakes this
morning?”

“Ever notice the
people who tell you to calm down are the ones that got you upset in the first
place?”

“Is that a trick
question?” Clayton answers.

“How about less
chatter and more shut the hell up,” I shout over my shoulder. “Clayton, drag
the maid of honor to the dance floor,” I demand.

He grabs her hand and
leads her close to us, there’s no fight when he pulls her into his arms.

Bryer and I share a
secret grin.

“Thanks for being
normal,” I say under my breath.

She giggles while
burying her face against my chest.

“Don’t get any
ideas.” We hear Gen say.

“You’re a terrible
girlfriend,” Clayton strikes back.

“Girlfriend, I’m not
your girlfriend.”

“I could downgrade you
to booty call, if you prefer.”