Loving You (Love Wanted in Texas) (35 page)

With the sweetest smile ever, her green eyes lit up as she replied, “Jase, I am the happiest I’ve ever been. There is nothing else for you to do except marry me.”

Taking a hold of her hands, I brought them to my lips and kissed the back of each. “There is something else. I didn’t want to wait until tonight or our honeymoon because I need you to know I’ve changed my mind on something and you have to know before we get married.”

Her smile faded some.

“Nothing bad, I swear sweetness.”

Relaxing her face a bit, a look of confusion swept over it. “O-okay . . . what is it?”

I swallowed hard and glanced down. Closing my eyes, I took in a few deep breaths. Putting my attention back on her, I smiled and said, “I want to have a baby.”

Widening her eyes in surprise, she asked, “Wh-what?”

“I mean, I don’t want to focus everything on that . . . I just want to stop
not trying
to have a baby and see what happens.”

Her eyes built with tears while her lips trembled. “Really?”

“If you’re not ready though, I’ll wait.”

She blinked and the tears were set free. Reaching up, I wiped them away. “Please tell me they’re happy tears, Tay.”

Throwing herself into my arms, she cried harder. “Very happy tears, Jase! Very happy!”

“I knew it!” Libby called out as Jase and I broke apart and turned to her. Meagan stood next her with her hands on her hips.

“You horny little bastard. You just had to see my sister before the wedding, didn’t you? And you have her crying!”

Meagan walked up and got in my face. “You are so dead.”

Taylor took my hand in hers and squeezed and I knew that was the farthest thing I was.

“You’re wrong, future sister-in-law. I’m so alive, I want to shout it from the rooftops!”

Taylor

I stood in the mirror and took in the sight before me.

“You’re lucky that little stunt you and Jase pulled didn’t set us back,” Lauren said as she pushed the last pin in to hold on my veil.

Liza smiled and shook her head. “My goodness. Taylor you’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. Wait until Jase sees you . . . again.”

Giggling, my mother huffed as I turned to her. “Don’t be upset, Mom. It was important.”

“Nothing is that important to go to the lengths that boy did.”

Whitley agreed. “He could have simply asked to talk to you. We wouldn’t have denied him that.”

Amanda turned to Whitley. “My heart is still pounding thinking the tents were all set up wrong.”

Hiding my smile, I looked back at myself. My wedding dress was perfect. The strapless sweetheart neckline showed off my cleavage just like my mother said it would. The silver accent belt around my waist was beautiful and added the perfect touch to the lace and satin dress. Lifting my gown, I smiled at the brand new cowboy boots the girls bought me. They each signed the bottom of the boots and I cried like a baby at my wedding shower when I opened them.

My mother walked up to me and softly said, “Taylor, it’s time, sweetheart.”

Turning around, I looked around the room at the people closet to me. My mother and Whitley stood near the door and both looked beautiful.

Slowly moving my eyes around the room, I took in each of my best friends, all dressed in beautiful soft pink dresses finished off with cowboy boots.

Meagan. My beautiful sister and my best friend. I learned from her how to be strong.

Grace. The spit and fire of the group who looked beautiful with her hands resting on her ever-so-big pregnant belly.

Alex. The sensible one in our group. Her smile alone lit up the room never mind the fact that she was due in a week and was still her bubbly self.

Libby. Sweet beautiful Libby who had the biggest heart of all. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for any of us.

Lauren. The ever so happy and always positive best friend. She looked so beautiful as she stood there with her hands rubbing her unborn child. Lauren was the first to drop everything and come to your aide. I loved seeing how happy her eyes were.

Liza. The newest addition to my best friend circle. Anytime I needed advice, she was the first to offer it. She never left my side when Jase’s plane went down and I’ll never forget that.

Mireya and Bayli stood in front of their mothers dressed in beautiful little white gowns as they clutched onto their flower girl baskets.

Tears filled my eyes as I realized how blessed I was.

“I think we should get going now. Brad is waiting outside the door,” Jessie, said. She not only catered the reception, but she was also the wedding planner.

I stood there as each person gave me a kiss on the cheek. When I was finally alone, I took in a deep breath and blew it out as I tried to calm my nerves.

The door opened and my father walked in. Tears pooled in his eyes as he closed his eyes and shook his head before looking back at me. “My goodness. You are breathtaking.”

Blushing, I replied, “Thank you, Daddy.”

Walking up to me he took my hands in his. “I thought your mother was the most beautiful bride. You and your sister Meagan have proved me wrong. The three of you are . . . simply . . . flawless.”

“Daddy,” I whispered. “Don’t make me cry or Lauren and Meagan will have to do my makeup again.”

“Right,” he said with a nod. “I want you to know how happy I am for you, Taylor. I see the way Jase looks at you and he loves you so very much.”

“I love him.”

“I guess it’s time,” he said while he slowly blew out a breath.

“I guess so,” I answered.

He handed me my bouquet of white roses Alex made. They were wrapped in the same color fabric as the bridesmaids gowns.

I took my father’s arm and let him walk me down the stairs and to the car. The wedding was taking place at the lake on Layton and Whitley’s ranch.

My heart was beating so hard in my chest, I felt like it was rocking the car. We were the last to pull up. I looked out the window to see the girls walking down the aisle. I couldn’t help but smile when my eyes landed on Jase. He looked so handsome dressed in a black tux. The windows to the limo were tinted and no one could see me inside.

My father bumped my shoulder. “You ready?”

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my entire life.”

He got out and walked around to my door. A group of people gathered around and somewhat blocked the view of me as my father helped me out, adjusted my dress and held his arm out for me. When I slipped it around his, they stepped aside and Jessie ushered Bayli and Mireya down the aisle as everyone gushed about how cute the girls were as they skipped down the aisle literally throwing pink rose petals everywhere.

The music changed and the wedding march started while I locked eyes with Jase.

His smile was so big, I couldn’t help but giggle.

“I’d say he was happy by that grin across his face,” my father whispered.

“He looks so handsome,” I whispered.

I tried to pull my eyes off of him to look at our guests, but I was mesmerized.

It felt like forever by the time we made it up to the altar. My father lifted my veil and kissed my cheek as he placed my hand in Jase’s.

“Take care of my little girl.”

Jase nodded. “I will, sir. I promise.”

Walking up to the altar, Jase and I faced one another. “You’re so beautiful, I feel like I can’t breathe looking at you.”

My face warmed as I squeezed his hand. “Thank you. You look so handsome, I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.”

The pastor cleared his throat and began the ceremony.

The whole thing was a blur. Jase and I stared at each other almost the entire time. When he finally announced us husband and wife, Jase cupped my face with his hands and smiled. He slowly pressed his lips to mine as everyone yelled out and clapped. Pulling back slightly from me, Jase winked.

Turning to face everyone, Jase held up our hands as if we had just won a race. We started down the aisle and off to the side where a few quick photos would be snapped before we headed to the reception.

Stopping, he pulled me closer to him and kissed me once more. “Do you know what makes me the happiest man in the world?”

Lifting my mouth up in a smile, I asked, “What?”

The back of his hand moved softly down my face. “Loving you.”

“You have no idea how much I love you,” I softly spoke.

“I think I do. Now kiss me before they start making us pose.”

And kiss I did. Luke cleared his throat as he walked by and said, “The photographer isn’t waiting patiently for the two of you to stop sucking face. Save it for later.”

We spent the next thirty minutes taking beautiful pictures as well as silly ones with our best friends and family.

Nothing would ruin this day.

It was perfect.

Beyond perfect.

Jase

I watched Taylor move from person to person wearing that beautiful smile of hers.

Lifting my beer to my lips, I slowly shook my head.

She’s my wife. Taylor was officially mine for the rest of our lives.

“You look happy sitting here staring at your wife.”

Lifting my gaze up, I smiled at my father. “I like hearing that.”

“I remember thinking the same thing when someone first called your mother my wife. I’m pretty sure my chest puffed up with pride.”

I chuckled and took another drink. “It feels like it took us forever to get to this day, yet, it feels like I just asked her out on our first official date. I blinked and here I am.”

My father took a seat next to me. “And the rest of your life you’ll feel like that. The day we brought you home from the hospital feels like yesterday. Watching you and your sister grow has been such a blessing, but at the same time makes me so sad.”

I smiled as I looked at my father. “I pray I’m as good of a father as you are, Dad.”

His eyes filled with tears. “You will be, Jase. You will be.”

“Can I get everyone’s attention please,” Jessie said as we both stood. Taylor turned to me and scrunched her nose up with the cutest smile.

Leaning in closer, my father said, “I believe it’s the bride and groom’s time to dance.”

With a nod, I set my beer down and made my way over to Taylor. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pulled her into my side.

“The bride and groom are about to dance. Now, they picked out a song, but Jase has a bit of a surprise for Taylor.”

Sucking in a breath, Taylor turned to me. “What did you do?”

“Nothing big. I just wanted it to be a little more special.”

Noah walked out carrying a guitar.

“Oh my goodness,” Taylor said as she covered her mouth to hold back her sobs.

Noah walked up to the mic and smiled. “When Jase asked me to sing this song for the first dance, I quickly said no. Then my very pregnant . . . and beautiful . . . wife, Grace, persuaded me into singing it.”

The crowd laughed and most turned to Grace, who grinned from ear to ear.

“So, it’s my pleasure to sing the first song that Jase and Taylor will dance to as Mr. and Mrs. Morris. Y’all come on up here.”

Taking Taylor’s hand in mine, I led her to the middle of the dance floor and pulled her body next to mine. Noah began playing the cords to the song ‘Yours’ as Taylor buried her face in my chest.

I softly sang along as we glided over the makeshift dance floor. Taylor pulled her head back and looked up at me. Her green eyes danced with happiness. Leaning down, I gently kissed her tears away.

“Thank you for loving me like you do.”

She pressed her lips together to keep from crying.

“You are my life. My entire world, Taylor. Forever.”

Her face beamed bright. “A forever love.”

Noah finished singing as I pressed my lips to hers.

When I pulled back to look at her, we both smiled. “Nothing could make this day any better,” she said with such love in her eyes.

“Oh, holy hell.”

We both turned to look at Grace who was standing next to Noah, gripping his arm for dear life.

Taylor quickly walked up to Grace. “What’s wrong?”

“Contraction. Strong one.”

Noah’s face dropped. “What?”

“Mom!” Colt called out as Ellie turned quickly to look at him. “Lauren’s water just broke!”