“None of that Francine, tears will ruin our makeup”, Grace quietly joked, blotting her own eyes.
Gertie came over to Kresley and held her hand. She stated very seriously, “Kres, today begins a new chapter in your life with Cade. The pages are blank, but you have the pen held in your hand and will begin writing your story the moment you say I do. Make this story book the best story that was ever written.” She kissed Kres on the cheek and walked away to the other side of the room and picked up her flowers.
“Well then, on that note, let’s get me hitched so I can start writing the best damn story ever told by a southern Irish woman!” Kresley loudly stated, laughing. Everyone else laughed with her and they all left the room to head to the chapel.
∞∞∞
The wedding was beautiful. Cade was so handsome and when he saw Kresley for the first time, walking down the aisle, holding Jaxson’s hand, Cade couldn’t help but feel tears well up in his eyes. Those tears soon changed to laughter when Jaxson stopped with Kresley in front of Cade and motioned him to bend down. He then proceeded to have a heart to heart with Cade before the ceremony continued.
“Uncle Cade, my mama told me that I was going to be giving away Aunt KK today, and she said it was something that I needed to take sewious. I love Aunt KK and I know you make her happy because she smiles a lot. I need to make sure before you marry her that you promise some things first.” After Cade nodded, very seriously, Jaxson continued on. “Okay, I need you to promise that Aunt KK will still spend time with me. She colors good and can play soldiers with me better than Aunt Birdie. She’s even good at playing Mario Cart on the Xbox, even though she’s a girl. And I need you to swear that you’ll never make her cry. Not on purpose anyway. I know girls cry, but I don’t like it. I don’t like to see my mama cry ever. So, no tears. Got it? Good. The next is easy. You need to make sure that if y’all have a baby that she doesn’t forget about me. Because I love her and don’t like not being able to see her when I want. And last, mama said that since you’re marrying Aunt KK, that makes you my uncle now. I need you to start doing all those uncle things with me. I need help with my baseball throws and then pee-wee football will start soon. Definitely money when I ask for it will be nice. So, if you can promise me all that, then I’ll shove her hand to you. Do you promise?”
Cade paused for a moment, then dropped down to his knees in front of Jaxson. He put his hands on his shoulders and very solemnly looked into his serious face and deep blue eyes. “Jaxson, I promise that I will try my best to never break any of those promises you just said. And I am very excited to be your uncle now. I promise to help you make Aunt KK happy. Now, can I marry her?”
Jaxson unceremoniously put Kresley’s hand into Cade’s and high fived him, then left to run to his seat at the front. Cade and Kresley laughed softly and walked together to where the minister was waiting.
The ceremony was simple and sweet, but Cade did slip in a surprise that Kresley didn't know anything about. She watched as Ash walked up with a guitar, sat on a stool, and proceeded to play a stripped down, acoustic version of blues singer Bonnie Raitt's Feels Like Home. His voice shocked Kresley, since she had no clue that Ash could sing like that. It was gruff, deep and soulful. She caught a glimpse of Francie's face as she stared at Ash. She was totally enraptured with him. Kresley brought her attention back to Cade's eyes and couldn't look away as the lyrics of the song played through her mind. Tears formed and threatened to spill over her lashes. Cade brought her hand to his lips and kissed it as Ash sang for them both.
Something in your eyes, makes me want to lose myself,
Makes me want to lose myself, in your arms.
There's something in your voice, makes my heart beat fast.
Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life.
If you knew how lonely my life has been,
And how low I've felt so long.
If you knew how I wanted someone to come along,
And change my life the way you've done.
Feels like home to me, feels like home to me,
Feels like I'm on my way back where I come from.
Feels like home to me, feels like home to me,
Feels like I'm on my way back where I belong.
Twenty minutes later, Cade and Kresley were officially married. Cade gave Kresley a very hot, wet and scandalous kiss after they both said I do and exchanged the traditional vows. Kresley even decided to leave the word obey in there, which shocked her sisters and Grace, if there faces were any indication. Cade just winked at her. Guests cheered as the couple walked back up the aisle together, husband and wife finally. They then moved on to the reception at the barn nearby to snack on appetizers and punch, while Cade and Kresley took pictures with their wedding party.
Once pictures were done, everyone moved towards the reception, ready to eat and drink and dance. Kresley and Cade held back from the others to have a private moment as they walked up to the barn. Cade wrapped his arms around Kresley, taking in her dress, her hair, her beautiful green eyes. “Hello, my beautiful wife. Tell me you’re happy.”
“I’m so happy that I feel like I’m living in a dream. I love you so, so much Cade. Thank you for the beautiful song Ash sang for us. You are
