Total pages in book: 8
Estimated words: 7758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 39(@200wpm)___ 31(@250wpm)___ 26(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 7758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 39(@200wpm)___ 31(@250wpm)___ 26(@300wpm)
“No. He’ll be in Pine Grove this weekend. I’ll talk to him man to man.” At the end of the day, he’s my best friend, and I would hope he’d be happy for me, but I do not need his blessing. I’m in love with his sister, and I’ll treat her right. He’ll get on board or else. Or else what? I don’t know, but I do know that I’ll never stop loving Kerry.
“I suppose I should tell Annika,” she says.
“Good luck with that,” I say, chuckling. My sister isn’t the easiest person to talk to, especially when she doesn’t want to hear what you have to say.
“I think she’ll be happy for us.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Can you keep a secret?” she whispers after leaning over to me.
“Of course.”
“I mean it; you can’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t, baby girl. What is it?”
“Annika is in love with Kellen.”
“What?”
“For years now. She was probably fourteen or so when she told me.”
“Wow. I had no idea.”
“No one does, especially not Kellen.”
“I won’t tell him,” I promise.
“Thank you,” she says as we arrive at the jewelry store.
Inside we walk around, looking in cases, but she has mentioned anything she likes.
“Do you not like any of these?” I ask as we reach the last section of cases, concerned that we are going to leave here without a ring on her finger.
“I do.” Her cryptic response doesn’t help me any.
“Care to share?” I ask, grinning at her. She’s stubborn when she wants to be, always has been.
“No. I’m just here to try them on. You have to choose the ring you want me to wear. That’s how engagement rings work.” The expression she gives me reads “duh,” and it’s fucking adorable.
“That’s what you want? You really don’t want to choose the ring you’ll wear for the rest of your life?”
“Yep. I want it old-fashion like.”
“You got it. Excuse me, sir?” I ask the clerk.
“How can I help, sir?”
“We’d like to see this one,” I say, pointing to a gold diamond solitaire. It’s unique, just like she is. There is no one else that compares to her. No one.
“Very good, sir.” He unlocks the case and pulls the tray out. “An excellent choice. We just acquired this one from an estate sale. The ring was designed in 1913 in Ireland. It’s made its way all the way here.”
“Rad,” Kerry says, beaming a smile at me. I can tell she likes this one.
“This one for sure,” I say. The clerk hands me the ring, and I slide it on her finger. It’s a perfect fit. No adjustments are needed.
I can’t wait to marry this woman. My woman. She’s everything to me, and I can’t wait to spend every day of the rest of my life showing her that.
epilogue
Kerry
two months later
I hated to do it, but I had to make him wait. He wanted to go down to the courthouse, but I have been dreaming of my dream wedding since I was a little girl. Even with my mom, his mom, and Annika helping me, there was no way we could put everything together in three days. That was two months ago, but today is the day.
Any Way You Want It by Journey plays as I walk down the aisle toward my man. It’s become our song, and I think it fits us so well. He’s wearing a white tux, and his hair has gotten even longer. He’s so hot. I don’t know why I feel so nervous. He’s there, waiting for me at the end of the aisle.
Kellen hands me over to Clyde happily, but he wasn’t happy at first. They had some words, but I am unsure of what they were; both refused to tell me what they discussed. Thank goodness their black eyes healed up before today.
Finally, I am standing in front of the preacher, ready to take the next step with him. He’s holding my hands, and all of our friends and family are crammed in the tiny church.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Clyde Broderick Andrews and Kerry Elizabeth Fisher in holy matrimony. If anyone knows of any reason why these two should not be joined together, speak now or forever hold your peace.” No one says anything, thank God. "Clyde, please repeat after me: Kerry, with this ring, I thee wed, and I do promise to love, honor, and cherish you, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, until death parts us."
"Kerry, my love, my heart, my everything, with this ring, I thee wed, and I do promise to love, honor, and cherish you, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, until death parts us," Clyde repeats, sliding the wedding band on my finger. I can't stop smiling.
"Now, Kerry, please repeat after me: Clyde, with this ring, I thee wed, and I do promise to love, honor, and cherish you, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, until death parts us."