Casual Affair

Eighteen

Morning came quickly, a little too quickly, and as tired as I was, I still had to use all of my strength to drag Bradley out of bed and to the early morning breakfast that Lillian's maid of honor threw together. Knowing that both Lillian and Mickey were starting to get ready for their ceremony, Bradley and I decided to dine and dash so that we wouldn't have to entertain anyone so early in the morning, especially when I still had tequila running through my veins.

After three cups of coffee and a hot shower, I was just awake enough to start getting ready for the ceremony and as I did my hair and makeup, Bradley took a shower, only for me to find him leaning against the shower wall half asleep.

"You've gotta start moving, flyboy. Lots to do," I said softly with a laugh before turning the knob to cold, waking Bradley up and causing him to jump out of the shower.

As I doubled over in laughter, a very wet Bradley picked me up and gently tossed me out of the bathroom and onto the bed before locking me out.

"At least he's awake now," I muttered to myself with another laugh, my cheeks hurting from smiling.

Once we were both ready, Bradley and I caught a ride with Natasha and Reuben to the church where we all quickly found our seats and chatted about the adjustments we've made since moving to North Island. Most surprising of all was that we found out that the two of them had been dating, which threw me for a loop, though Brad had been highly suspicious.

Just before the music started, Brigham and Adelaine snuck in and quietly took a seat right beside Bradley and I in two of the only open seats left in the church.

Once the music started and Lillian began walking down the aisle with her dad on one side and her grandfather on the other, I couldn't help but tear up.

"She looks so beautiful," I whispered, leaning over to Bradley as I admired Lillian and the way she had flowers braided into her hair.

As the ceremony officially began, Bradley rested his hand on my knee and I placed my hand on top of his, tracing shapes across the back of his hand.

Just when all had been going well, I looked to my right and saw Adelaine standing up and my heart jumped into my throat. Of all the things Mickey had ever told me, I knew the most important thing was that she had been Mickey's 'the one that got away' and I was nervous for what was unfolding in the middle of the church.

As I looked around, I noticed that Mickey's mom looked like she was ready to tackle Adelaine to the ground herself and then I looked forward and saw Lillian trying her hardest to keep from breaking down as she watched the man she loved contemplate whether or not he loved her enough to marry her.

It turns out that he didn't.

In an instant, Mickey ran down the aisle, grabbing Addi's hand and then running out of the church. Chaos immediately ensued and Lillian began to cry hysterically while Brigham stared at the church doors in shock as they slowly began to shut.

Everywhere I turned, people were asking questions, the parents were all yelling, and from the back of my mind, an idea struck that surprised me more than anything but I knew that the timing would never line up like that again.

"Brad," I said loudly over the chaos as I turned to face him, his eyes on me.

"Ryder," he replied, a brow raised in confusion.

"Let's do it," I replied.

"I mean, now probably isn't the best time with all of these people around, you nutcase."

"No," I groaned, playfully pushing him before laughing. "Not that. Let's do it. Let's get married."

"What?"

Bradley's eyes widened in shock at my request and I couldn't tell if he was about to run out of the back door too.

"You asked me last night to think about it and I have," I replied, taking his hand in mine. "What better time is there than now?"

"You're being serious? Like one hundred percent?"

"Why not? My grandparents are here, why waste good company when they're all already here and dressed for the occasion?" I questioned. "What do you say? Do you really want to marry me, Bradley Bradshaw?"

He didn't answer me but I was just as okay with what he had chosen to do next.

"Stop," Bradley shouted. "Stop, stop, stop. Everybody sit down!!!"

Bradley commanded the room with ease and everyone except Brigham, Lillian, her parents, and Mickey's sat back down. Bradley and I rushed to the front of the room and he immediately began talking to Lillian's parents, promising that we would find a way to repay them for everything if we could use the ceremony as our own and they reluctantly agreed before they stormed out of the church with their daughter and Mickey's parents.

We walked to the alter and I took a shaky deep breath as I glanced at Bradley who had been nervously chuckling. Though unexpected, we had a quick ceremony and just like that, Bradley and I were pronounced husband and wife.

"I love you, Ryder," Bradley muttered as he dipped me, pressing his lips to mine.

"I love you, Mr. Cain," I teased with a smile.

"Hey, that's Lieutenant Cain to you," he joked as his fingers laced with mine. "Come on, Mrs. Bradshaw."

My heart fluttered as I heard my new title and I could feel my cheeks heat up as we turned and walked back up the aisle where everyone waited.

"Did we really just do this?" I laughed as Reuben tossed his keys to Bradley and we climbed into his raptor.

"Uh, yeah," Bradley chuckled nervously. "We totally did. Do you regret it?"

"Not exactly," I laughed. "And you've told me before that I'm not impulsive."

"It'll definitely be a story for the grandkids one day," he teased as he squeezed my thigh. "I love you, Ry."

"I love you too, lieutenant," I replied, leaning over the middle console to place a kiss on Bradley's cheek. "Now get us out of here. We have a lunch reception to get to and I'm starving."

"As you wish, my bride."

I glanced over at him with a wide smile before smoothing out the pink feathers that lined my dress.

Here we were. Unexpectedly married and I couldn't have been any happier.