Chapter 4

• Adrian puts both of his hands on his cheeks in horror as his eyes widen. “Do we have a fucking belt?”
• I turn and walk into Adrian’s wardrobe and look around.
• “I don’t have one!” Adrian shrieks as his eyes flicker around to the boys. “Do you have one? Cameron, Ben, does anyone have a belt?”
• I shrug. “Maybe in my wardrobe in the other house, I don’t know. I’m usually in board shorts the whole time I’m here. I’ve never needed one before.”
• Adrian runs his hands through his hair in a panic before he looks at his watch. “This is a disaster. Ben, can you go next door and find us a belt, please?” He looks like he’s about to hyperventilate and Ben disappears out of the room.
• Dad walks into the room with Wilson and Scott, handing us all a beer.
• “A toast.” He smiles.
• My heart rate instantly rises and I’m so grateful that I have him here with me today.
• “To the unbreakable Stantons,” he announces proudly.
• Four words are all it takes to bring a lump to my throat. Four small words that mean more to me than he will ever know. I recited them repeatedly to myself in prison on the day Natasha and I were originally supposed to get married.
• They saved my life.
• “To the unbreakable Stantons,” we echo as we clink our bottles together.
• I smile as he wraps his arms around me and gives me a strong hug and a kiss on the cheek.
• “I’m proud of you, son.”
• I nod and smile as emotion steals my words.
• Ben re-enters the room and shakes his head.
• Adrian’s eyes widen in horror. “What?” he snaps.
• “No belt.”
• “This is my worst nightmare,” he whispers.
• I smile at the floor and raise a brow. Give me a break. Not having a belt is far from my nightmares.
• My eyes glance up to the stone staircase for the hundredth time as my heart hammers in my chest.
• “She changed her mind,” Cameron whispers. “Smart woman. She’s currently on her way to Ibiza.”
• I throw him a glare and Adrian chuckles.
• Eight years and it all comes down to this – this moment in time where we become one.
• A united family.
• A broad smile instantly crosses my face as the thought runs through my mind.
• I inhale deeply. What the fuck is taking them so long? I turn back to Ben who is sitting in the front row. “What time did they get back from the beach?” I frown.
• Max smirks. “Relax. She’s fine. I checked on her half an hour ago. She’s ready to go.”
• I nod nervously and blow out a breath. Ok, relax. I shake my head and look at the ground as my nerves, once again, steal my rationality.
• “Here they come,” Adrian whispers and my eyes instantly flick to the top of the stone staircase. I see them. First Abbie, then Bridget.
• I feel like I can’t breathe.
• A smile spreads across my face as my girl comes into focus on Brock’s arm, the wind whipping through her hair.
• She looks gorgeous… and not because she is wearing a sexier than hell wedding dress – although, that could have a lot to do with it.
• It’s her smile.
• Her strength.
• Her courage, and the love that has shone through to me since she has been found.
• I always knew she was strong, but I had no idea to what depth.
• Her eyes lock on mine as she walks down the stairs like a rock star without one single hesitation.
• God, I love this woman.
• She is wearing a fitted, white satin dress, and her hair is down and full with a large white flower tucked behind one ear. I have never seen anything more beautiful and I feel myself harden as a wave of emotion hits me like a tsunami. Fuck… not now.
• I have to stop myself from running up the stairs to greet her, to pull her down to me. Hurry up!
• I watch intently with my heart in my throat and, after what seems like an eternity, she arrives at the bottom of the staircase before making her way to the alter on our ledge.
• “Hello.” She smiles softly.
• “Hello,” I whisper, and before I can stop myself, I have her in my arms and I’m kissing her gently on the lips. I haven’t seen her all day and I’ve missed her so desperately. Tash closes her eyes and kisses me back, then again, and before either of us know what’s happening, we are kissing passionately and our friends are all laughing.
• We eventually pull apart from each other in realization of what we are doing.
• Fucking hell, reign it in, Stanton.
• There is a time and a place, and at the alter, on your wedding day, with everyone watching isn’t it.
• The memory of us making out on the dance floor, that first night at Scott’s wedding, comes to the forefront of my mind, and I have to bite my bottom lip to hold back my grin
• What is it about us and weddings?
• The minister moves forward and smiles warmly. “Can you take each others hands please?”
• My eyes flick to the minister, Father Joseph. I flew him in from L.A. yesterday. I had to be positive that the marriage was legal, and the only way I could ensure that was to get him here myself.
• Natasha and I face each other and she giggles loudly.
• “Holy crap. We are getting married!” she exclaims excitedly as she lifts her flower bouquet in the air. Everyone bursts into laughter and I melt as my eyes hold hers. That is such a Natasha thing to say.
• And then I’m transfixed.
• I watch my beautiful Natasha declare her love with her sacred wedding vows and I watch as she slides the gold band on my finger. I, in return declare mine vows to her and slide the gold band onto her finger.
• She slowly leans forward and tenderly places her hand on my cheek and kisses me, sweeter than anything I have ever experienced, longed for with all of my heart. I feel myself well up and blink to stop myself from crying. The love on the ledge, both between us and from our families, is so strong that I’m sure it could be felt from another galaxy, it’s such a tangible force.