Something Worth Fighting For (29 page)

I looked up to find my groom staring back at me. He looked up at the sky then back down at me, his chest rising and falling faster. I was holding my breath, steadily crying. He was once again in his Blues, holding his hands together in front of him. Ares leaned over, whispering in his ear, and he nodded. The smile on his face was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen in my life.

As we got closer I realized he was trying his best not to cry. He took a step toward us as my dad pulled back. “I know this is where I’m supposed to give my Ellie away but I have a few things to say first.” Dad said as I shook my head, putting my hand over my face. “Now I’m going to be real honest here Atlas, I didn’t want to like you. Not even a little. For my own selfish reasons, mainly this reason right here. You taking my baby girl away from me. But the truth is, I do like you Atlas and you’re the only person I would ever trust with her. I’ve come to realize that I’m not losing my baby girl, in fact, it’s just the opposite. I’m gaining another son. Take care of her, love her, cherish her, and most importantly remember if you make her cry you have to deal with me and son, for your sake, you don’t want to do that.”

Everyone was laughing as dad took Atlas’ hand, shaking it and then putting mine in it. “Who gives this woman away?” The minister stepped forward, speaking.

“I guess I do, if I have to.” Dad said, chuckling.

“Very well then, you may all be seated.” Atlas and I walked together to stand in front of the minister. “Today we are gathered here to unite Penelope Noelle Grant and Atlas Quinn Ryker as husband and wife.” I zoned out, staring at Atlas. He was the only thing I could see, since he came into my life he was the only thing I could see.

“Do you Penelope Noelle Grant take Atlas Quinn Ryker to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor and cherish faithfully until death do you part?”

“I do.” I said with a shaky voice.

“Do you Atlas Quinn Ryker take Penelope Noelle Grant to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor, protect, and cherish faithfully until death do you part?”

“I do.” Atlas said, smiling at me.

“You better.” I smirked as everyone started laughing.

“Then by the power vested in me by the state of North Carolina I now pronounce you husband and wife. Atlas, you may kiss your bride.”

“It’s about time.” He laughed, raising my veil, and sealed my mouth with his. My hands on his face as his fist raised in the air in triumph. Our friends and family around us were a mixture of tears, laughter, and cheers.

“I am honored to present to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Atlas Ryker.” The minister announced as everyone stood up and we walked down the aisle together, hands clasped together, raised in the air.

“Mrs. Penelope Ryker you are stunning. I think I started to hyperventilate when I saw you.” Atlas spun me around, then pulled me to him, kissing me lightly. “Thank you for spending the rest of your life with me.” He said against my mouth.

“Thank you for choosing me. I love you.”

“Always, Ellie.”

He kissed me once again as our guests started to come by and congratulate us. Ma and Celeste directed them toward the covered tent a few yards down the beach as a photographer came over to whisk us away for pictures.

It was all a well ordered chaos.

Forty-five minutes later we were walking into the the tent to whistling and applause. “Mr. and Mrs. Atlas Ryker, ladies and gentlemen!” The DJ called from a booth at the front of the tent. We walked hand in hand to the center of the dance floor.

“Wait! I at least get to pick the first dance!” I let go of Atlas, running up to the DJ as best I could in my heels, much to the amusement of our guests. I whispered the name of the song in his ear. He nodded and gave me a thumbs up as I went back over to Atlas.

“As requested by the bride.” He announced as the guitar riffs poured through the speakers.

“
Metallica
,” Atlas laughed as he pulled me closer to him. My hand in his, the other on the back of his neck as I rested my head against his chest. “God you couldn’t get anymore perfect.” His hand rested against my lower back, as we danced underneath the twinkling lights strung from the top of the tent.

“It’s the perfect song for us.”

“Yes it is.”

“Thank you, for today, for yesterday, for allowing me to spend every day with you, for the rest of my life.”

“You know I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

As the song ended we went on to do our obligatory bride and groom duties. Pictures, cutting the cake which I smashed all over Atlas’ face, and dancing with our parents. But we all stopped in our tracks when Ares took the stage.

“Hey everyone, I’m Ares, Atlas’ younger, better looking brother and it’s my duty as best man to make an embarrassing speech about my brother. The truth is, I really don’t have anything embarrassing to say about Atlas.” My arms around Atlas’ waist tightened as I looked up at him. “Atlas has always taken over where others left off, a born leader, and while he probably wasn’t always the best person to be following after, he led me anyway. He stuck up for me, looked out for me, beat me up when I needed it and sometimes when I didn’t, was my counselor, best friend, and became my role model. Despite those few years he decided he wanted to be an outlaw. I might be his best man today but he’s the best man I’ve ever known. It was an honor to stand by your side today and watch you marry the only woman that could ever do you justice. Congratulations on your happily ever after, I love you both.” He raised his glass as everyone began to clap. Atlas met him at the bottom of the stage and I watched as he hugged Ares, talking in his ear.

“Oh lord,” I shook my head as Darcy walked past me and right up taking the microphone.

“I heard that, Ellie. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to follow the heartfelt sibling love going on but I’m going to try my best. I don’t have any brothers or sisters so Ellie is the closest thing I have to that. I’ve known Ellie since our very first day of college our freshman year. She was all wild red hair and bad attitude and I loved her instantly. I ran into her, literally, I wasn’t paying attention and she gave me some rather choice words that I won’t repeat because there are children present. But if you know Ellie I’m sure you can guess. We have been best friends ever since. I’ve always been a pushy person and was constantly trying to get her to date and she never would. Imagine my surprise last year when she told me a boy was coming over to barge in on our beach day. I knew right then he had to be something special. It wasn’t until I saw Atlas watch Ellie that I knew this was a forever type of thing. He didn’t just look at her, he
saw
Ellie. All the way to her core. It has been an amazing thing to watch two incredible people fall in love. You two give me hope that true love is real and not just in fairy tales. Congratulations and may you have many, many, happy, wonderful years together.”

I raised my glass to her with a smile as he came down and hugged me tightly. “Thank you, Darc, for everything.”

“You are so very welcome. Hopefully you will be doing the same for me one day.”

“Count on it.”

“Wait!” She turned to Atlas, “Does this mean my Saturday beach days are over?!”

“No Darcy it just means you’ll have me and Adam there now.” He laughed, giving her a one armed hug. “Thank you for all of your help.”

“I guess I can live with that. Happy to do it, Atlas. I’m going to go find my man now.” She walked off to the group of guys standing around drinking beer.

“Dance with me, Mrs. Ryker?” Atlas smiled down at me.

“Gladly.”

We danced through two songs as he told me how he managed to pull the entire thing together. I was impressed by him knowing me well enough to know exactly what I would have wanted. He admitted to getting Darcy and Katie to ask me certain questions to make sure it would be perfect.

“Can I cut in?” Jacks tapped Atlas on the shoulder, grinning.

“Alright but people are going to ask questions watching you two slow dance together.” I said, laughing.

“I’m sure we’ve done worse.” Jacks laughed as Atlas stepped aside. “Wife swap, Katie is over there.” He nodded to his wife holding their sleeping baby boy.

“Did your man do good or what?” Jacks asked as he spun me gracefully around the dance floor.

“He did, I’m impressed.” I nodded, looking around the room. Katie had finally handed Reid over to Andy as she stepped onto the floor with Atlas.

“Mind your hands, Jackson.” Katie called over to him.

“Oh come on, you know Atlas would share with me.”

“Not on your life, buddy.” Atlas laughed.

“You should sing for him.” Jacks suggested as a smile played at my lips.

“You think so?”

“Absolutely, he surprised you with all this you should surprise him too.”

“Good point, I think I will.” I hugged Jacks quickly then slipped over to Keller who was trying his best to pick up one of the servers. “Can you go get my guitar?” I whispered in his ear as he nodded and disappeared through the crowd.

I made my way back through the crowd, saying hello to people as I passed. Atlas was standing in the middle of the dance floor with his arms crossed. “What are you up to, Mrs. Ryker?”

“You’ll see.” I went around to the side the side of the stage as Keller came jogging up with my guitar. “Atlas always has a way of surprising me so now it’s my turn to surprise him.” I spoke into the microphone as I slipped the guitar over my shoulder. “Since it’s just me, I’m going to strip down this song but it’s one of Atlas’ favorites although he will never admit it. It was the song that was on the first time he walked into the diner. I recorded this song and sent it to him while he was in Afghanistan. Oh God, I’m rambling.” Our guests laughed as I looked to Atlas. “So yeah, this is “
Angels Wings
.”

I strummed, tuning the guitar until it was where I wanted it and stepped back up to the microphone and began to sing. My head nodding up and down to the rhythm as I sang to Atlas. Dad and Celeste were both standing slack jawed as they stood next to Atlas. He was grinning from ear to ear as I strummed the final cords.

“My wife ladies and gentlemen, for real this time.” Atlas laughed as he came around helping me down from the stage. “That was awesome, baby.” He kissed my cheek as I sat the guitar against the stage.

“I figured you did all of this for me it was the least I could do for you.”

“Ellie that was fantastic.” Dad was looking at me, surprised.

“Thanks.” I blushed as Atlas wrapped his arm around my waist.

“I do believe I need to dance with my wife again, if you’ll excuse us.” Atlas pulled me away, spinning me out and back to him. “I have one more surprise for you.” He whispered in my ear.

“Another one?” I looked at him shocked. Atlas nodded to the DJ as Darcy came running out of the crowd, pulling me away.
The Killers
came flowing from the speakers as I threw my arms in the air, laughing. Twirling under the sparkling lights, my husband watched with a content smile. “Atlas Ryker this is the best night of my life.” I pulled him and Darcy dragged a very reluctant Adam out to the floor and together we danced and sang at the top of our lungs.

As the night went on we danced with every person that came to ask. Soon they started pinning money to my dress or his uniform.  We danced blissfully unaware as the night swallowed us whole.

“You two better get going or you’re going to miss your flight.” Felix put his hand on Atlas’ shoulder.

“Where are we going?” I asked excitedly, tugging on Atlas’ hand.

“It’s a surprise, he won’t even tell me.” Atlas laughed. “Alright, the car is already packed so all we have to do is leave.” We waited as our guests gathered from the tent to our car with sparklers. The Marines in attendance all had their swords at the ready, arch made as we took our leave. Side by side we made our way under it to the car, waving, and laughing, as everyone snapped pictures. It had been the perfect way to end the perfect day.

I blew my dad and brothers a kiss as we drove away. Once gone, I looked over to my husband with a smile. “Today was amazing.”

He reached over taking my hand as we headed for the airport. “Yeah, it was perfect. I can’t believe it all came together. You just... Wow, when I saw you come down the aisle, I knew my world would never be the same.”

“Atlas...” I looked down at the dress I was still wearing, I felt as if I was floating.

“We’ll have plenty of time to talk about it later. Right now let’s find out where we’re going.” He pointed to the glovebox. “Dad said he put everything we needed in there.” I opened it up, pulling out a manilla envelope. “Open it.” Atlas laughed.

“We have... drumroll please.” I insisted as Atlas drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Holy shit, Honolulu! We’re going to Hawaii!”

“A week in Hawaii with you? I’ll take it.” Atlas grinned at me as he pulled into the airport. “Let’s go have an adventure.”

“Have you ever been to Hawaii?” I asked as he rolled our suitcase through the airport getting stares from the other passengers.