The Ties that Bind (Kingdom) (37 page)
Read The Ties that Bind (Kingdom) Online
Authors: Theresa L. Henry
My darling, daughter, I’m so sorry I can’t be with you on what I hope is the happiest day of your life. I hope the man you are about to tell ‘I do’, is all that you dreamed him to be.
I bought these the week you were born. We were passing a jewelry shop, and I happened to look into the window. They spoke to me, Aviva.
I couldn’t afford them, but the man in the shop took one look at us and assured me it would be perfectly acceptable for me to pay him a little each month, and I mean a little. The shocked look on the faces of his employees told me that his actions were wholly out of character.
I took you with me the day I made the final payment, it was your tenth birthday.
From the moment, I saw them I knew you would be wearing them on this day. Be happy, my darling little girl, and know that I’m with you always.
I love you,
Mum
“Oh, Aviva, they’re beautiful!”
Both women had been looking over her shoulder the whole time, and Hope had been the first to speak. She and MacKenzie were too busy attempting to hold back their tears to make any comment.
Aviva lost the battle with her tears, not caring if her makeup had to be redone a third time. Folding the letter back into its original shape, she tucked it inside the bodice of her dress. Handing the box to Hope, Aviva removed the earrings, walked to the mirror, and attached the stunning diamonds to the lobes of her ears.
Turning, Hope was once again before her, makeup palette in hand; Aviva was ready for another touch-up.
Chapter 39
Hope and MacKenzie left her at the top of the sweeping staircase. Drawing in a deep breath, Aviva was ready for her descent.
Halfway down, she saw Jackson waiting for her. After a slight hesitation, Aviva continued her downwards route. When she reached the last run, he held out his hand to assist her. Taking her smaller hand between his, Jackson bent and placed a light kiss against her fingers.
“You look beautiful, my dear. I hope you don’t mind, but would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you in?”
Blinking rapidly, Aviva could only nod her acceptance. Jackson then handed her a small bouquet of flowers that she had somehow overlooked. They were white gardenias, and their scent was spectacular. Instinctively, Aviva knew Jason had chosen them. However their meaning was lost on her.
“Jason asked me to tell you that he chose gardenias because of what they represent. They mean,
you are lovely
.”
“Oh, Jackson, I don’t know if this night can get any more perfect.”
“Sure it can,” Jackson said with a fatherly smile at her show of emotion. “Are you ready to go in, Aviva?”
“I’m ready.”
Holding out his arm, Aviva slipped her hand through the crook of Jackson’s elbow and together they began to move forward.
Jackson opened the door, and Aviva stepped into a wonderland of twinkling lights. The glow of the many candles and tea lights transformed and filled the room with ambiance. The display should have been corny, but it wasn’t, it was perfect. Aviva suspected that the Kingdom men had planned long, and worked hard to transform the room into a display that she would never forget.
Finally, Aviva’s regard settled on the men lined up at the front of the room. Jason’s three brothers were all by his side, each of them grinning at her as though they had just performed an extraordinary feat.
Hope and MacKenzie stood on the opposite side facing the men. Between them was a woman Aviva supposed correctly to be the person who would perform the ceremony.
After taking in her surroundings, her eyes shifted to Jason who stood resplendent in his tux. From the moment he caught her eyes the sheer force of his regard compelled her to see nothing but him.
Aviva had no idea how she reached his side, but somehow she finally stood beside him. Removing her hand, Jackson preformed a slight bow and placed it into Jason’s warm palm.
Bending his head, Jason whispered in her ear. “You look beautiful.”
Not waiting for a response, he looked at the officiant with a nod that they were ready to begin. Turning, Aviva held out her bouquet towards her friends. Two sets of hands reached for it. Hope and MacKenzie gave each other a brief look before they both placed a hand around the stems of the flowers, and took it away from her.
“This is probably one of the most beautiful settings I’ve had the privilege of officiating. Ladies and gentlemen, you are all here tonight to stand with Jason and Aviva as they take this step into the future together. Jason, I understand that at this time, you would like to say a few words to your bride.”
If it were possible, Jason’s now black eyes took on even more intensity. Then he began to speak. “Angel, up to that day I met you, my laughter was a rare thing. Then I found you. Each day of my life since that day is so much more than I had ever imagined it could be.
I vow to you that as long as I am blessed with life, it will be my honor and privilege to spend it making you happy.
Aviva, I take you to be my equal partner, my love, and my wife, for all the days of my life.”
Having had no knowledge until a few hours ago that she would be standing before a minister getting married, Aviva hadn’t had time to prepare vows, but she didn’t hesitate.
“Jason, one of the first things that came into my mind the first time I saw you was, this man is hot!” The laughter that broke out around them was short lived at her next words.
“Then you scared me with your intensity. We were moving so fast. Yet, I couldn’t seem to resist you. Then I didn’t want to resist you, and I have never regretted a day that I have spent with you. Every day your love and caring surrounds me. There is no woman on this earth who could wish for a more faithful partner, and constant friend. I am the luckiest of women because you chose to give your love into my safekeeping.
Jason, I take you to be my equal partner, my love, and my husband, for all the days of my life.”
For Aviva, the rest of the ceremony passed in something of a blur. Looking down at her finger, she saw she now wore a wedding band, and that at some point, she had also placed one on Jason’s finger.
“You may now kiss your wife.”
No sooner had the words left the minister’s mouth, than Jason swept Aviva into his arms. He didn’t kiss her in a rush, rather he took his time, his head descending slowly as though he wanted her to remember this moment forever.
When his lips touched hers, they pulled a response from deep within. They had just built another perfect memory, one they would remember for the rest of their lives.
**********
They had all eaten, given speeches and told one or two unsavory jokes. Still in her beautiful dress, Aviva sat on Jason’s lap and looked around at all the people she held most dear.
Jackson, the patriarch of three incredible men, one of which was now her husband. Without the slightest hesitation, the older man had extended his love and protection to her. Knowing nothing of Jason until six months ago, he had unreservedly claimed him, flaws and all.
Then there was Steve and Hope, who Aviva knew still had a way to go in rebuilding their fractured relationship. Yet she knew in her heart that although they wouldn’t share their life together in the way they had first intended, they would remain friends. Next came Josh who would always hold a special place in her heart. Even as she watched he was being his usual self, irreverent, funny, and the life and soul of the party. On the surface he was so different from his more somber and fair haired brothers, yet possessing the same core of steel that ran through all the Kingdom men, Jackson included.
Shaking her head, Aviva’s gaze moved to MacKenzie. Her rock and constant friend. Since the end of their meal, MacKenzie had been sitting on the sofa. Taking part in all the good-natured teasing and merriment with her feet elevated.
She was close to her due date, although to look at her one could never tell. Aviva however, saw how tired MacKenzie was, and she resolved to ensure that she pampered her friend for the remainder of her stay with them.
Finally, there was Jake, the brother who cared more than all the rest. The one who seemed to have lost something of himself along the way. The brother who seemed always to be watching and waiting for something to happen that would catch him unawares.
“What are you thinking about so hard?”
Jason’s softly spoken words pulled Aviva back from her musings. “I’m just thinking about what a wonderful family we have.”
“Yeah, we lucked out, didn’t we?”
“Yes, we most certainly did.” Giving Jason a quick kiss, Aviva jumped to her feet.
“Okay, everybody, it’s officially Christmas day. Time to open our presents.” Going over to the tree, Aviva picked up the largest box. Approaching Jackson, she handed it to him and returned to her seat on Jason’s lap. Leaning back, she got comfortable as Jackson began to tear at the paper. When he finally had his gift open, he became perfectly still.
“Do you like it?” Aviva asked.
“My dear Aviva, I love it.”
From where she sat, Aviva could see the sheen of tears in Jackson’s eyes, and she knew she had chosen her gift well.
Curious as to what he was staring at, all activity in the room ceased.
“What is it, Dad?” Jake asked, always the first to become aware of a change in the emotions of the members of his family.
Without comment, Jackson turned his gift around to show the whole room. It was a portrait of the Kingdom men.
The idea had first come to Aviva on the night of their arrival in New York. When Jackson had shown her and Jason the pictures from the past, Aviva had swiped some, knowing that she wanted to build something that depicted them all together.
The portrait, in her opinion, showed them all to their best advantage, as well as who they were as individual characters.
Jackson sat in the middle with Jake standing at his right side, hands folded across his chest a serious and intense look in his eyes. Jason stood to Jackson’s left, mirroring his twin’s pose and expression, his mirror image. Josh stood in the middle, behind his father’s chair smiling down at the three men.
Aviva absolutely loved the portrait. None of them had sat for the photograph yet each of their poses complimented each other. Showing them as a family for the first time, it was a true depiction of the Kingdom men.
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