She pushed it away and helped Kristen pull the tight material over her hips. Kristen zipped it, and Jamie gawked at how good it looked.
"Perfect. You look absolutely stunning." The smaller blond moved around Jamie and shook her head. "Incredible. We need pictures for the paper. Who's Cinderella now, you bitches?"
Jamie laughed as tears filled her eyes. She looked incredible and felt it too. The situation was going from concerning to blissful as peace started to settle over her shoulders.
She was the luckiest woman in the world. She was soon to be Mrs. Alex Reid.
"You ready?" Kristen touched her shoulder softly. The light blue dress that Kristen picked out for herself was a perfect match for the lightest part of the ocean. It was going to look perfect next to Jamie.
"Yeah. I am." She smiled, and turned for Kristen to put a little bit of muted pink lipstick on Jamie's lips.
"Well, I'm just going to say that he's the luckiest man in the universe marrying a woman like you. I'm not sure I would have survived the last few weeks, much less the last few months." She smiled and grabbed a napkin, dabbing at Jamie's tears.
"Thanks. Thank means a lot to me."
"Good. Let's go hand you off to your man." Kristen squeezed her shoulder and moved back, opening the door and moving up beside her. "We're going up here to the left. The wedding is actually on the beach. Your dad should be... yep. He's right there."
Jamie p
aused as her dad turned and let out a chuckled. "Oh, my gosh. You look... like a princess. My princess."
"Your pumpkin, Dad." Jamie moved into the warmth of his hug and squeezed him back.
"No, you're not a little girl anymore." He kissed her cheek. "You ready for this? You're sure he's the one? If not, can I have him?" he chuckled and winked at her.
"Yeah. More than sure." Jamie turned to watch Kristen walk toward the beach. An array of candles stood on stands, and the sky had darkened just enough to bring out the brilliance of their illumination.
"Wow." She moved up beside her dad as a group of violinists began to play. Tears filled her eyes as she caught sight of Alex. He was standing up near a large bouquet of flowers, with Mark right beside them. They were both smiling like they'd found the secret to eternal life, and maybe they had.
If nothing else, Jamie knew without a doubt that she and Alex would love each other forever. The last eight months had proven that life was going to throw continuous curve balls their way, but they didn't have to let any of that destroy them. It actually had the power to pull them closer if they let it.
Jamie nodded at her mom as the music changed into something slower. An older man in a black robe with a Bible in his hand stepped from the other side of the candle-lit aisle and smiled.
"Hi, Jamie. I'm Father Markum. I'll be marrying you today." He nodded toward her father and opened his Bible to begin the ceremony.
Jamie moved up to stand beside Alex as her heart raced in her chest.
He glanced over at her and smiled. "I love you like crazy."
"Me too." She turned back to find the preacher smiling at them both.
"Let's begin."
*
The ceremony was beautiful, but happened entirely too fast. Before Jamie realized what was happening, the preacher told them to turn to their friends, and pronounced them husband and wife.
Alex laughed loudly and grabbed her, dipping her low and kissing her long and hard in front of everyone.
She pushed at his chest playfully before taking his hand and walking through the sand as the music from a lone harp lifted into the air.
Alex stopped at the end of the trail of lights and touched her face. "You've made me the happiest man in the world.” He leaned down and brushed his lips by hers.
“Forever doesn't seem nearly long enough." She rubbed her nose against his. "Now take me to our room. I've been waiting for you to get out of the hospital so I could have my way with you. Last night, having you pass out before I could even get you naked, was a little depressing." She laughed as he gave her a look.
"I'm pretty sure that was you, but whatever." He leaned down and wrapped his arm behind her knees, lifting her up and carrying her off as she chucked her bouquet at Kristen and wrapped her arms around Alex's neck.
"Did you enjoy the ceremony?" He looked down at her lovingly as he carried her.