“I fell in love with his soul, before I could even touch his skin.”
•E V E L Y N•
Two years later…
It had been two years after that horrifying day, two years after Marcus' wedding, two years being a mother to three amazing kids, and two years since Xavier started acting like he and I as his, to win my trust back. And in these two years, he never touched me without my permission.
I still get scared remembering the day when I thought I lost my kid, my son, my happiness, Alexander.
Yes, Savannah did pull the trigger, but Xavier pushed the gun away from Alex and he missed it by an inch, or else…
Breathing out, I suddenly remembered the day when Alex asked me if I could be his mother too if he could call me Mom too. That day was the best day of my life, we both had tears in our eyes. Of course, I wanted him to call me Mom, but when he wanted to.
His face held so much emotion, and Xavier actually shed some tears when he heard Alex calling him Mom, he was finally relieved that Alex finally had both of his parents in his life.
Well, Aiden was quite heartbroken but, in a year, he found happiness with Linda. Yeah, shocking right? I know. They were married for a year now and spent their honeymoon in Hawaii for two months straight.
Chris, on the other hand, had taken over his work, he was shaken to his core after that incident but after all the consultations with his doctor, he was finally doing fine now.
I shook my head and shoved all the thoughts out of my mind, "Mom! Are you ready?" My twelve-year-old son Alex asked as he entered the room, wearing a black tux.
Well, Xavier proposed to me last year, but it took a year more as my dream came in between. After the proposal, Aiden, who was taking over his dad’s business, asked me to take over his wedding planner company. I have to move to Hawaii and finalize everything immediately because the office's building owner was moving to Alaska. After signing the deal, I had to bring the company back to California.
It took a year to bring up my dream wedding planning company to what it was told, 'Down the Aisle' finally started to get the recognition that it deserved.
Everyone was proud of me that day but when I saw the pride in Xavier's eyes when his friend praised the company, it made me happy more than the day I saw my dreams coming alive.
Xavier was understanding of the whole situation, in fact, he himself suggested that we can't get married until I achieved my dream. He took care of the kids in my absence and I know he was good at it.
Turning around, "How do I look, Xander?" I asked.
His honey browns were fixated on me as his one hand was in his pocket as the other one made a gesture of crossing his heart.
"The most beautiful bride, Mom." He said as he walked towards me.
"Charming, huh?" I said and kissed his forehead while leaning down.
Before I could straighten my back, his free handheld mine as he traced the scar on my forehead with his other.
"Does it hurt, Maa?" He asked, as his eyes held a scared look in his eyes.
I grabbed his hand, and pushed his hair back from his forehead, smiling at him, "No, baby, it doesn't. Just like yours doesn't hurt." I said and he kissed my cheek in return.
The doors opened as Mason and Marcus entered the room, "Hurry up, Buddy! You're the best man." Said Marcus.
After glancing at me, "See you on the aisle, Mom." With that, he left the room.
I instantly turned around and checked myself in the mirror. My hands brushed over my white fabric, with a sweetheart neckline as my rose pendant was safely tucked around my neck. The dress formed a small puddle under my feet and caped behind me. With a simple make, I was ready to go.
Mason stood behind me with his hands on my shoulder, "You look beautiful." As I smiled in the reply.
Soon, Katherine came in and squealed, hugging me. "My baby is getting married!"
"No, I'm not." Commented Mason which made Kat roll her eyes, "Shut up Mason!"
Chuckling, I commented, "You look pretty, Kat." Glancing at her peach bridesmaid dress.
"I always do, sweetie." She said cockily, making me roll my eyes.
Marcus walked towards me, and he engulfed me in a hug, "Missing our parents?" He asked.
I sighed, "They always wanted to see me happy, and now that I am, they aren't here to see me."
"I'm here, and they'll always be with you in your heart. They must be sitting on a couch and watching you getting married to the love of your life with a huge smile on their face." He said, and I couldn't help but imagine the scenario as a smile tucked on my lips and I felt… happy.
"I love you, Marc," I said, tightening my arms around him.
"Really?" He asked as I pulled away and glared at him.
He chuckled and kissed on my forehead, "I love you too, Angel." Well, it wasn't only Marcus who said it, but it was Mason too as he rubbed my back.
Aren't I lucky to have two loving brothers at my side?
"Let's go, it's time," Kat said as I looked straight ahead at the door, suddenly becoming aware of my erratically thumping heart. Even though I've been married before, I was still nervous, can't blame me though my last experience was not too thrilling.
Holding both of my brother's arms, who was walking me down the aisle. Before me, my beautiful daughter wearing a beige color gown started to skip down the aisle, scattering the flowers.
'Let's go.' I straightened my back and took my first step forward.
When stepping out of the bright noon sunlight into the shadowy interior of the church, I almost felt as if I had gone blind at first but after a moment or two, the world changed, and I felt as if I could see for the first time in my life. Through the high, arched windows, a kaleidoscope of general colors fell onto the floor, lighting up the entire Church and the people feeling the pews in a mysterious atmosphere. The light was as beautiful as a rainbow and at the end waited my man, as my eyes looked into his forest greens.
The eyes I fell in love with.
The instant I entered a storm of cheers and applause rose into the air together with the organ music rising to ever-new heights, it made me feel like a queen.
At the very end of the aisle, we came to a stop. Gazing up at Xavier dressed in a tux with glistening eyes and a happy smile, my heart was pounding like a hammer.
He didn't move an inch when Marcus asked, "What are you waiting for?"
"My love," replied Xavier, his eyes still locked with mine, stepping forward and reaching up to touch my cheek, "You're the only one worth waiting for."
He took my hand as we stood hand in hand in front of each other. The vicar cleared his throat as he started, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here-"
Fierce heat surged up inside me as we had our gazes locked. It was just us, I couldn't take my eyes away from him, as then I felt his thumb, gently stroking the back of my hand. He squeezed my hand firmly, still holding my fingers, he pulled them up until my hand was pressed against his chest. Through his tuxedo, I could feel the calm, steady beat of his heart, the heart that was beating just for me.
The vicar turned towards us with a broad smile on his face, "It's time to say your vows to each other."
Once more I looked up at Xavier, unable to keep a smile off my face. My smile widened as his eyes softened. He squeezed my hand as I took a deep breath as Xavier gazed directly into my eyes.
"I, Xavier Blake Knight, take you, Evelyn Rose Williams, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death, we do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."
Not blinking once, I stared up into his deep, dark forest greens as if I could drown myself in them, tears gathered in my eyes as I spoke the words from the core of my heart:
"I, Evelyn Rose Williams, take you, Xavier Blake Knight, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death, we do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."
"Bella, rings." Asked Aiden and my daughter came forward with rings in a small tray.
Xavier released my hands, as he leaned down to take out the ring, before straightening his back, he kissed our daughter's forehead as she kissed his cheek.
"Mommy," my seven years old daughter came beside me as I leaned down to take my ring, "Thank you, sweetheart."
Inside the ring, it had something engraved, squinting, I looked closer:
ROSE & BLAKE
And then he slipped the ring onto my finger as I did the same. A chorus of "Aww" went up in the air, and for a moment, we just stood there, gazing into each other's eyes as the vicar spoke a prayer, as his last words were directed to the heavens.
A thunderous cheer went up from the crowd, bouquets were hurled into the air. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he pulled me roughly up towards him.
Beside us, the priest cleared his throat, "You may kiss the br-"
Xavier Knight had never been on to wait for anyone's permission as his lips came crashing down on mine, sealing the bond that would unite us for the rest of our lives. More cheers and applause echoes through the church.
.
.
.
Soon we found ourselves on the dance floor under the starry sky swaying in each other's arms as a beautiful song played in the background. He held me securely against his chest as I listened to his soft heartbeat.
I looked up and found him already looking at me, "I…. I'm happy."
Bending down, he guided my hand to his lips as he kissed my palm, "I love you."
Pushing myself on my toes, I placed an innocent kiss on his lips, murmuring, "And I love you."
His eyes bored straight into mine, "Forever."
Grabbing hold of him just as tightly as he had gotten hold of me, I made up my mind to never let go, "Forever!"
"Aah!" our moment broke when we heard twins' voices as our eyes turned towards them, lying on the dance floor.
Xavier loosened his hold on me as he was about to move toward them, I held his arm as his questioning gaze fell on me, "Look." I spoke.
Following my line of sight, he saw Alex helping the twins up on their feet as he checked for any injuries. Being their elder brother, Alex loved his siblings a lot.
Alex said something to both of them and they immediately hugged him and he kissed both of their foreheads, looking at them my heart swelled in happiness.
"Isn't it a happy ending Mrs. Knight?" My husband asked.
"It indeed is, Mr. Knight."
THE END