A Warrior Wedding (17 page)

“Is everything ready?” Jill turned to look at Caroline, excitement and a strange sadness in her eyes.

“It’s perfect.” Caroline replied, praying that Jill would think so. “All the guys are there, know what to do, and are ready to go.”

“Are the girls here yet?” Jill stood, hugging her robe tightly against her body. She stumbled as she stood, then sat back down quickly.

Looking away from Jill, Caroline checked her watch. “No, but they will be any minute. I’m going to run and get dressed before they get here.”

“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done.” Jill again stood, this time without stumbling. She walked up to Caroline hugging her tightly. “If it wasn’t for you, this never would be happening.”

“Ah, the guys did most of the work.” Caroline hugged her back before pulling away. “I just ordered them around, which I have to admit, I’m very good at.”

“Is Slade here?” Jill asked, a slight blush spreading across her cheeks.

“With the biggest grin on his face.” Caroline smiled, then rushed to the door. “Now finish getting more beautiful than you already are while I go change and get the girls ready.”

Running to the room next door, Caroline rushed to get dressed, then applied a little makeup and fluffed her hair. Loud knocking from downstairs had her grabbing her high heels before running down the steps to open the door.

Nicole, Tessa, Pam, Lana and Angelina all stood in the open doorway looking a little confused. “Hey!” Caroline opened the door wider, inviting them in.

Lana stepped inside, her eyes narrowing on Caroline. “What are you doing here?” she whispered, already suspicious.

They all held presents and Caroline suddenly didn’t know what to say, her eyes shooting upstairs then back to the ladies. “Ah, you can just set the gifts on the kitchen table.”

Nicole looked around with a growing frown. “Are we too early?”

After all the presents were set on the table, they all turned to look at Caroline. “This isn’t a bridal shower.” Caroline began wringing her hands together. “Jill asked that you all come.”

“So if it’s not a bridal shower, then what is it?” Tessa asked.

“Don’t make me interrogate you, Caroline.” Lana narrowed her eyes. “Because I will and you’ll blab like you always do.”

Caroline cringed, knowing her sister was right, but not this time. “Jill has planned something special for all of you.” Emotions threatened to overwhelm Caroline, but she held it back. “Follow me.”

“Caroline,” Lana warned in her cop voice.

“Please don’t question me,” Caroline said, but not just to Lana, to all of them. Thankfully, they remained quiet and followed her into a bedroom downstairs. Walking to the closet, Caroline grabbed two white dresses handing one to Angelina and the other to Tessa. She continued to pass out the dresses until they all had one, not looking at any of them in the eye. She was going to see this done. Bending down she grabbed the shoe boxes next, handing one to each of them that had their names on it.

“What is this?” Pam’s voice held confusion as she looked at her dress and shoe box.

“Please put the dresses and shoes on. There is makeup on the dresser as well as brushes and hair stuff. As soon as you’re dressed, I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” Caroline walked out and hurriedly shut the door behind her praying they would do what she said. She seriously felt like she was going to have a damn panic attack. Wedding planning was so not her forte. She’d rather be in the classroom with a hundred preschoolers than go through that again.

******

J
ill stood while her mom laced up her dress. The long mirror Trevor had brought up from her mom and dad’s bedroom stood against the wall. Jill couldn’t stop staring at herself. She actually looked pretty. Her mom, being a hairdresser, had done her hair and makeup, but it was the dress that kept catching her eyes. It was a white silk sleeveless swoop neck, off-the-shoulder wedding dress that fit tight to the waist and then flared out into flowing lace with no train. It was a simple dress for a simple girl. Looking back at her face, she was happy that her mother was very good with makeup. Her dark circles had all but disappeared from under her eyes.

“Okay, turn around and let me see you,” her mother said after finishing lacing up the back of the dress. As Jill turned, her mom raised her hand and placed it across her mouth with a gasp.

“What?” Jill put her hand up to her face. “Did I mess something up?”

Her mom laughed, shaking her head. “No. You look stunning.”

“I’m not as good at being a girl like Janie.” Jill grinned. “I bet she looked beautiful on her wedding day.”

A dark look passed over her mother’s face. “I haven’t talked to your sister in quite some time. Your father refused to let her boyfriend on the property after the day he held the gun on you.”

“I’m sorry.” Jill touched her mother’s arm. “I didn’t mean to cause any problems.”

“Jill, you didn’t cause anything.” Her mother frowned. “Chuck was right, and since that day, I’ve done a lot of thinking and realized how badly I’ve treated you.”

“Hey,” Jill said when her mom wouldn’t make eye contact with her. “It’s my wedding day. Let’s not do this. You don’t need to explain anything to me. It’s the past.”

Her mom nodded and then her eyes sprang open. “I almost forgot.” She ran over to the dresser pulling out a small box. “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue which will match your hair.” She teased.

Jill took the box and opened it. Inside was a pearl choker with white and light blue pearls. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”

“It’s very old.” Her mom took it from her and walked around to slip it on Jill. “It has been in my family for I don’t even know how long, but it has been passed down from generation to generation to the daughters in the family.”

After it was clasped around her neck, Jill turned and walked closer to the mirror. It was perfect and the finishing touch she needed. “It’s perfect.” Jill grinned, touching it, then looked at her blue tipped hair. “And it does match my hair. Slade likes my hair.”

“And why wouldn’t he,” her mother replied, her eyes lifting from the choker to Jill. “It’s who you are. Now, are you ready?”

Jill took one last glance at herself and nodded. “Yes.” But as she headed down the steps, her stomach knotted painfully with nerves. Walking into the kitchen, she stopped and stared, a large smile spreading across her face. “You all look so beautiful.”

Everyone stopped talking and turned toward Jill. Suddenly, the kitchen was filled with screams, questions and laughter.

“Oh, my God, Jill.” Nicole put both hands on her cheeks staring at her. “You are so beautiful.”

Jill went over and carefully hugged each one of them. “Thank you guys so much for everything.” She stood back looking at them excitedly. “I know you have questions, but please trust me on this and go with it.”

“Everything is ready.” Caroline smiled at Jill, then the women. “Follow me please.”

She knew everyone was dying to know what was going on, but Jill just smiled at their questioning looks. She watched as each left the kitchen looking gorgeous in their simple white dresses, each unique in their own way. Jill wanted to clap her hands in excitement.

Stepping onto the porch she watched as Caroline matched each woman up with someone. Sloan walked up to Nicole taking her arm gently and walking her toward the woods. Next was Tessa who was matched with Blaze, Pam with Jax, Lana with her own father, and Angelina with Steve.

Jill stood watching the women. She wondered if they had a clue what was going on. It was kind of obvious, but she knew the plan and they didn’t. Her smile beamed as her dad hurried toward her.

“You are beautiful.” He hugged her gently. “Are you ready?”

“Thanks, Dad.” Jill laughed and tried her best not to cry. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Jelly Bean.” He hooked her arm into his and followed the line. “Be careful. Your heels might sink in the dirt.”

“I’m good.” She reached down and lifted her dress, showing her bare feet.

Her dad leaned his head back, releasing a loud laugh. “I taught you well.”

Jill smiled with a nod as they continued. They made it to the bend where everyone stopped. Jill and her dad walked past the other couples so Jill could watch everything. Caroline was handing each woman a bouquet of beautiful red roses.

Sloan led Nicole around the bend where Damon was waiting looking handsome in his tux. Sloan stopped, letting go of Nicole as Damon kneeled in front of her. Bowing his head, he thumped his fist against his heart before looking up at her. “Nicole DeMasters, will you do me the honor of renewing our love?”

“Oh, my God,” Nicole replied, her voice cracking with emotion. “Yes!” He stood leading her away.

Jill peeked at the rest of the ladies who had positioned themselves so they could see. Every single one of them were staring in wide-eyed shock.

Next, Blaze led Tessa to Jared, who also kneeled repeating the motion of bowing his head, thumping his heart with his fist before looking up. “Tessa Pride, I love you more than my own life. Please say you will be my wife.”

Tessa was crying so hard from watching Nicole and Damon, she could hardly say yes. When she nodded enthusiastically, everyone chuckled. Jared slipped a ring on her finger as he stood, leading her away.

Jax led Pam to Duncan who was holding Daniel. Duncan kneeled with Daniel in his arms, still able to pound his chest with his fist, his head bowed. Daniel, who was watching Duncan, repeated his moves making everyone sigh loudly. “My heart, will you make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife as you are already my mate?”

“Yes.” Pam smiled, her golden eyes shining as she looked at the two men in her life.

Duncan held out his hand as Daniel’s small fist opened up dropping a ring into his hand which Duncan proceeded to put on her finger. He stood, guiding her away.

Sid walked up next with the biggest grin on his face as Lana and Caroline’s father led Lana to him. Kneeling, he bowed his head, pounding his fist over his heart before looking up. “Lana Banana, my sexy cop. Will you please marry me so I can call you mine?”

Lana laughed with a nod. “I’m already yours, Sidilicious.” Everyone snickered at the nickname. “But yes, I will marry you.”

He grinned proudly as he placed the ring on her finger.

A beaming Steve led a crying Angelina to Adam. Adam kneeled, bowed his head and thumped his heart as the others before him. “My Angel.” Adam looked up, his face pale as he stared at Angelina. “I would be honored for you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”

Angelina put her face in her hands as she nodded, trying to get control of her emotions. Removing her hands, she smiled through her tears. “Yes!” she cried. “I can’t believe this.” Adam placed the ring on her finger and led her away.

Jill attempted to keep herself together, but was failing miserably. Her father started walking, holding onto her hand to keep her steady. Her eyes looked around as everyone stood up. Some faces she knew, others she didn’t, and yet it didn’t matter. She looked around and sighed. This was exactly how she had envisioned her wedding when she was a little girl. Her eyes landed on Slade who had stepped forward and waited for her, giving her father the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle, and how sweet was that. She couldn’t look away from him. He was so handsome in his tux as he waited for her. His eyes roamed her body before searching her eyes. She always shivered when he gave her
that
look, the look of ownership. Some women would balk at such a look, but she thrived knowing that she was his, because the truth was she did belong to him, heart, body and soul.

Once they reached him, her father gave her a kiss on the cheek then placed her hand in Slade’s. “Take care of my girl,” Chuck ordered with a fatherly nod before turning and sitting down.

“Yes, sir,” Slade answered and never sounded more serious in his life.

Jill stared up in Slade’s eyes and everything but him disappeared. The people, their friends, her sickness...it all disappeared for a split second.

“I have never seen anything more beautiful than you.” Slade’s deep voice rang out through the woods. “I love you now more than I have ever thought possible and I thank you for agreeing to be my mate...my wife.”

Jill’s head dropped slightly, her eyes closed for a brief second only to open them to make sure this wasn’t a dream. It wasn’t. Slade was still there staring at her as if she were the most important person in his life.

CHAPTER 20

The ceremony was quick with each couple saying I do. Jill gazed into Slade’s eyes as he and the others began to chant. Backing away, each groom stood in front of their mate as other Warriors lined up at the back of them, all chanting as one. In one motion, the Warriors stopped in unison. All the grooms kneeled on one knee in front of their mates, the rest following again in perfect timing. Their right arm crossed, they placed their fists over their hearts. Heads bowed, chanting in a language that was foreign to Jill. She felt their loyalty without knowing their words. She had never been more touched in her life.

All the Warriors stood, except for the grooms, who remained kneeling with heads bowed to their mates. One by one, each Warrior in attendance stopped in front of each bride stating their name, vowing their loyalty to each. After the last one, each groom stood and walked to their mate.

Jill shivered, her eyes meeting Slade’s intense gaze.

“I, Slade Jonathan Buchanan, vow to keep you, Jillian Robin Nichols, safe forever and always.” His words were spoken with such conviction tears slipped from Jill’s eyes. With everything going on, his words meant so much more.

Jill didn’t hear anything other than Slade’s words. She only had eyes for him. He took her in his arms placing a kiss on her lips that set her on fire. Too soon, his lips left hers and he smiled down at her.

“I love you, Jillian Buchanan.” His voice sent shivers through her body.

“I love you...husband.” She laughed and for a moment, everything but that moment was forgotten.

Soon, they were surrounded by loved ones. Everyone talking at once, Jill remained quiet with a glow of happiness on her face as she savored every single second.