Marcus

Chapter Fifty Eight

** I put in the song that I listened to as I wrote the wedding. If you are the type of read who likes to read to music, feel free to hit play once you reach the song and read on, otherwise ignore it completely!**

Marcus ~

Marcus walked toward the chapel, knowing Caroline was already inside with the girls, still fidgeting with the ring in his hand.

Is this really fucking happening? Is Caroline about to be my wife?

He pushed out a hard breath and felt a few hands giving him encouraging slaps on the back.

"You ready for this, Mac?" Pierce said, giving him a light squeeze on the shoulder.

"I've been ready for seven years brother." Marcus confirmed.

"Oorah." Pierce said, giving him a low congratulatory Marine battle cry in response.

The group approached the chapel and Marcus shook his head to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him as two figures emerged from the shadows.

"Would ya take a look at this group of slaps." James said cheerfully.

"The hell are you doing here?" Marcus said, pulling him in for a hug.

"You think I'd miss this? Dec texted us and we hopped on the first flight out."

"We?" Marcus asked.

"You only get married once right?" Hunter said, taking a step forward.

Marcus couldn't control the grin that spread across his face. Sure the flight from Cali to Vegas was only about an hour long, but Hunter only came for truly important events and he had more than proven his loyalty to Marcus and Caroline.

"I appreciate it, Sir." Marcus said.

Lainey emerged from the chapel and approached the group in a dress and elicited a loud whistle from Caleb.

"Holy hell Lainey girl." Caleb gushed, intercepting her before she could get to Marcus.

"Down boy. I'm here for the ring." Lainey sassed, giving Caleb and quick peck on the cheek that left some lip stick behind.

The tiny diamond band felt so light and delicate in his hand and Marcus fiddled with it one more time, staring down at it in disbelief.

"I promise I'll take good care of it." Lainey said, leaning down to break his trance.

"Yeah, uh, here." Marcus said with a nervous smile as he handed the ring to Lainey.

"Caroline's already inside and I'll bring her in once you guys are situated." Lainey informed them.

"You ready?" Lainey asked, rubbing Marcus' arms on both sides. 

"Born ready." Marcus replied confidently. 

This is real. This is really about to happen. I'm about to marry Caroline.

None of the men moved until Marcus did, staring at him while he stood there nervously until he finally started to walk toward the chapel.

They filed into the tiny chapel finding that the girls were already in the pews, holding seats for their significant others. The men found their seats as Marcus took his place at the front of the chapel next to the ordained minister.

Hunter side stepped into one of the pews taking a seat next to Kenzie who playfully jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow.

"Hey there stranger. Knew you couldn't stay away you big softy." She joked.

"I'm not soft." Hunter said flatly with a scowl on his face.

Marcus chuckled at Hunter and let his eyes roam over his group of friends that were there to support him and Caroline. The only face he didn't see was Natalie, but he quickly understood why. She was still positioning flowers and adjusting lights and music until finally she held up some sort of hand signal to Lainey.

Lainey stood and winked at Marcus as she went behind two large doors to fetch Caroline and Marcus felt like the neck of his tux suddenly restricted around his throat. He pulled at his collar nervously and shifted his weight back and forth as he stared at the doors.

He was full of nervous energy and felt like his heart was about to pound through his ribs up until he saw Caroline appear in the open doorway.

Oh my God...

Every jittery nerve stilled, every racing thought stalled, every anxious heart beat slowed - The whole world stopped turning and leaving only Caroline...his Caroline.

She took a step forward in a dress that wasn't elaborate or frilly. It wasn't expensive or embellished. It was simple and perfect, just like Caroline.

The entire room faded and Marcus felt the same feeling he felt the first time he laid eyes on her. It was euphoric and surreal, like she was too perfect to look at and was a privilege to witness.

Caroline locked eyes with him and smiled, walking toward him slowly and looking at Marcus like he'd hung the moon and all the stars along with it, making it difficult for Marcus to pull in a breath.

All the pain and suffering that they had to endure to get to this moment was nowhere to be found and the deep ache that had once filled Marcus' heart had dulled and healed. There was nothing but love in the room as Caroline walked down the aisle toward Marcus. No more grief, no more hurt, no more fear.

Once she reached him at the altar everything became a blur, they repeated everything the minister said, and exchanged the rings that Lainey had been holding for them, but Marcus couldn't focus on anything but Caroline and her perfect smile as she stared up at him with more love in her eyes than he'd ever seen. He clutched her small hands and went through the motions of the ceremony and repeated the vows that the minister had provided, but all Marcus could see or hear was Caroline - his Red.

The minister nodded at them, indicating that the ceremony was coming to a close and was about to deliver the words that Marcus and Caroline were so desperate to hear, but before he could, Marcus pulled Caroline close and cupped her face gently, whispering to her softly.

"It's always been you, Red...always you."

Marcus whispered, causing a tear to roll down Caroline's cheek, before the minister's voice echoed loudly in the background.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife...You may kiss the bride."

Without any hesitation, Marcus cupped Caroline's face and pulled her against him as his mouth crashed into hers with more passion and more love than any kiss they'd ever exchanged. He kissed her like she was the only thing keeping him alive and she smiled against his mouth like he had mended every crack in her heart with that kiss. She melted in his arms as he held her, kissing her with everything he had as she gently wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning her back, Marcus showered her with kisses once their lips parted, peppering her neck and cheeks with kisses that made her smile and laugh loudly as the room erupted in hoots and hollers. 

It was perfect and Marcus thought his heart might explode as he looked down at his bride.

She was his. She always had been, his Red...his wife. 

******

Love you sweet readers! 

One more chapter of fun before epilogue!