Hired Wife

Chapter 7. The Wedding

Addison

My hands clutch tightly around the beautiful rose bouquet and my eyes focus on the white floor runner splattered with pink and white rose petals. All of the guests with their smiling faces soon turn to my direction with anticipation waiting for me to glide down towards my awaiting groom. 

I somehow manage to force my feet to move and begin my journey down the aisle. With each step I take, the more erratic my heart begins to beat.  My breathing becomes less controlled, and my nerves are basically invading every part of my trembling body.

As I near my destination, I slightly stumble on the runner, but quickly recover my equilibrium.  The guests don't seem to notice much to my delight, but Dom is now looking at me with a slight devious smile. I soon learn why once I'm standing next to him.

"Have a nice trip down the aisle?" Dom slightly chuckles.

"You noticed that?" I ask with an embarrassed tone.

"Don't worry, I don't believe anyone else noticed you being slightly off balance coming down the aisle," he says with a slight smile. 

"Are you two ready to begin?" Father Franks asks us.

"I know we both agreed to allow Father Franks to read from the bible, but if it's alright with you Addison, I have something to say," he looks directly into my eyes causing me to think he is about to back out of this rushed wedding.

"I, um, sure. What is it you want to say, Dominic?" 

"What I want to say to you Addison, is this. It isn't escaping me that some people, might think this is moving a little fast, perhaps wondering what our true motive is with us getting married. But they don't know you the way I have been getting to know you. They don't see your inner beauty like I do.  I can clearly see what a loving and compassionate person you are. And I know what a blessed man I am. I vow to be the best husband I can be to you, to honor you, and to respect you," he says catching me off guard hearing his beautiful and unexpected words.

"Dominic, we might not have been searching for love or for romance, but it's clear destiny, and fate played a significant role in us meeting each other and eventually falling for each other. I vow to be the best wife I possibly can be to you, to honor you, and to respect you."

"Will you be exchanging rings?" Father Franks asks us.  Dom lifts my hand and places the most beautiful silver diamond incrusted rings on my finger. I then lift his hand sliding the black and silver ring on his finger. 

"I would like to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Bradford. Dominic, you may kiss your bride," Father Franks smiles and I feel like my heart is about to burst through my chest. 

"You told me no kissing, it's too personal," I lean closer to him and whisper. 

"I really don't see where we have a choice, Addison. Closed mouth, and we're making this kiss as brief as possible," he insists. We're soon interrupted by someone slurring their words.

"At least I can say I kissed him first," a females slurred words echoes through the rose garden forcing our guests to gasp. 

"Father Franks, is it now official, we're now husband and wife?" Dominic questions him. 

"Yes, Dominic. You are now legally married."

"Thank you. Takes this check for the church and for yourself."

"Dominic, is that Roxanna stumbling her way down the aisle?"

"Addison, I had Martha prepare all of us a beautiful dinner in the back yard, please go and wait there for me there. I need to speak with Roxanna alone."

"Ok, but please, don't be too long," I say and walk past him. Once I'm near Roxanna her glaring eyes become fixated on me.

"You are just fooling yourself if you think he will ever love you. None of us can ever compare to the great incomparable Natalie," she laughs as she sips her wine.

"Roxanna, that is enough," Dom shouts. 

"Natalie, who is she, Dom?" I ask and hear Roxanna snickering behind me.

"Oh, Dominic, you never told your current wife about you deceased wife? Well now, let me just pull up a chair for myself. I do not want to miss all the fun watching you try and explain why you never bothered to tell the newest Mrs. Bradford you were once married, and you also had a son together."

"Wait a minute, you were married and you two had son together, Dom?"

"You are seriously going to pay for this, Roxanna. I was plan on telling my wife in my own time." 

"Don't worry about it, Dom. I am going to go and be sociable with our guests. You two clearly need to hash things out. Don't let me be any concern of yours," I snap before walking away. 

Dom

"Wow! I see there's trouble in paradise already," she mocks.

"You insufferable bitch. Do you have a death wish, Roxanna? It seems I have been too kind to you lately. That is about to change. You are becoming too comfortable, too brave for your own good.  I am about to remind you what a stupid idea it is to put yourself on my bad side," I lower myself in front of her grabbing her pale arm. 

"Dominic, let go of me," she growls.

"Do not mistake me smiling a bit here and there today make you feel you have all of a sudden become bulletproof. Let me remind you right now Roxanna, I still have the capability and hunger to make sure you are never heard from again. My kindness only goes so far before you finally end up pushing me to a place you do not want me to be. Stand your drunken ass up and disappear from my sight or so help me, I will make you vanish without a trace."

"I would make a better wife to you than she will, Dom. I have known you for over fifteen years. Your bought wife will never be who you want."

"My wife isn't bought Roxanna, and do you really believe you're who I want?  You're pushing me to wanting to see you six feet in the ground. Take my advice, and back the hell off. If you even think about showing your disgraceful ass like this again, I will bury you alive. I am not joking," I snap.

"The newest Mrs. Bradford really doesn't have a clue who she just married and how drastically her life is about to change. Tell me something Dom, have you left the new Mrs. Bradford alone with your sister?" 

"What the hell is that supposed to mean, Roxanna?"

"I'll take that as no, Dom," she smirks.