Healing hearts

Chapter forty three

Xander's pov

When Cassie chose her friends over me, I sighed and went to my mother's place. I was going to spend the night there because Mia had threatened me not to come around the house until after the wedding. The bachelor party they threw for me was nice, but I wasn't having fun. I just wanted to go home to my wife but her friends won't let me have her.

As I got to my mom's place, I was greeted by my adorable one-and-a-half-year-old son. "Hey, champ!" I said, and I picked him up. Then I saw my mom. "Are you supposed to be here right now?" she asked me.

"My wife and Mia sent me away," I said. "Oh, poor baby," she teased. "Well, I made some lasagna if you want some." I nodded, and I went to sit at the dining table, bringing Alex with me.

"How are you feeling?" my mom asked.

"I don't think I could ever be happier, Mom," I said. "Everything is perfect in my life right now. I wouldn't want it to change." My mom looked at me with teary eyes. "I'm so glad, my son," she said. "I'm glad you're happy." I stood up and hugged her. "I love you so much, Mom," I said. "Thank you for everything you've done for me." She cried and told me she loved me, too.

The next day was my wedding day. We were going to have our wedding in a chapel, just like Cassie had always dreamed of. I was so excited to be tying the knot for the second time. I was getting dressed with the help of my moms boyfriend ,Caleb .

"You look so handsome, dear," he said. "Your wife is very lucky." I smiled. "Thank you," I said. "You've been through so much, Xander," he said. "I'm glad you're finally getting the happiness you've always deserved. God bless you, son." I smiled and hugged him. "Thank you for everything I said to him.

"You know, you could also be a handsome groom, like me," I teased. He chortled. "What are you talking about, son?" he said.

"I mean you and Mom," I said. "You've been dating for a while. Why don't you two tie the knot already?" I asked.

"I don't know, son," he said. "I love your mom so much, but marriage seems like a big deal. We're in a good place right now."

"Well, I think it's time you move forward and propose already," I said. "And I'll make sure you both have a fairytale wedding, too." He nodded and said he would be right back, then left the room. Just then, Mia came into my room.

"Hey!" she said, and she hugged me. "Hi!" I said. "You're lucky it's my wedding day, or I would still be so mad about last night," I said.

"Oh, come on, give it a rest," she said. "By the way, you look handsome." I smiled at the compliment.

"How does my wife look?" I asked her. "Secret," she said, and I sighed.

"Xander, I want to talk to you about something," she said.

"Sure, what is it?" I asked. "Now that you and Brian are on good terms, you wouldn't mind if I started going out with him, right?" she asked. I was a bit surprised. "You and Brian? Since when?" I asked.

"I don't know, it just happened," she said. "But I didn't act on it, because I knew you hated him. But now that you've made up, I was hoping..." she trailed off, sounding nervous.

"If you truly like him, you have my blessing," I said, and she hugged me. "Thank you! You're the best," she said.

There was a knock on the door, and it was Brian. "It's time for you to come out," he said. I went to him and said, "Take care of Mia, and always treat her nicely."

"I promise to be a good guy for her ," he said and took hold of her hand as we all went for the ceremony.

I went to the altar and waited for my bride. Kelly came first, and then Mia. I was getting impatient to see Cassie.

Finally, there she was, looking so beautiful, walking towards me like an angel. Her dad was walking her down the aisle, to hand her over to me. "Protect her, young man," Mr. James said, and I nodded. He smiled and patted me on the back. Then, I took Cassie's hand and went to the priest.

"We are gathered here today for the renewal of vows and a commitment between Cassie and Xander to love one another forever," the priest said, but all I could think of was my beautiful bride and how I was looking into her lovely eyes. She blushed a bit when she noticed how intently I was looking at her, and she looked so cute.

"Cassie," the priest called on her. "Xander, you are my best friend in the world, my strength, my hope, and my grace," she said. "You have always been there for me, whenever I needed you. And I know we didn't have it easy in the beginning, but with your grace, you found your way into my heart. And now, I can't imagine loving anyone else."

"I love you," she said. "You are a wonderful husband and father, and the best person I know. I promise to love you forever, until my last breath. I promise." She said all this to me, and I smiled.

Then, the priest called on me. "I remember an awful day when I was sixteen years old, in a dark place with no hope. But then, a ray of light came in the form of an angel, who took that darkness away. I can remember how selfless, patient, and loving you are, and that day, I vowed to myself that it would be you and no one else in my heart."

Ever since that day, I have loved you, Cassie. I don't think my heart could ever stop loving you. You are an angel. Your kindness overwhelms me, and my grace comes from you. Everything I have and do is to be a better man for you. I love you so much, and I don't think anyone else could have your place in my heart. I promise to love, cherish, and treat you like the queen you are for the rest of my life," I said. Her eyes were moist as I spoke, and she tried to hide it from everyone, but I saw it. The priest renewed our commitment to one another and we kissed as everyone clapped.

Cassie's pov

I was currently at my wedding reception. I was in my room, retouching my makeup and getting ready to go to the reception with Xander to have fun with our friends and family. I heard a knock on the door, and then Noah came in. I was so shocked to see him.

"Hey," I said, and I hugged him. "Hi, congratulations, once again," he said, and I thanked him. I also noticed a beautiful woman beside him. "Cass, this is Talia, my girlfriend," he said, and I greeted her. "Hi," she said. "Congratulations." I thanked her. "When did you get here, Noah?" I asked.

"I didn't want to miss your wedding, so I came last night," he said, and I nodded. "Well, thanks for coming. I really appreciate it," I said. "You too," he said. "I wish you all the happiness in the world." "You too," I said, and I smiled. He nodded and then left the room. I was so happy for Noah. I was glad he was moving on. 

"Hey,  it's time to go out with your hubby," Mia said, barging into my room. "You look flushed," I said.

"What? No, I don't," she argued. "Yes, you do," I said.

"Okay, fine," she said. "I made out with your brother. We're trying to start dating." I was shocked.

"What? Since when?" I asked. "I always did like him , but after everything he did to Xander, I couldn't date him. But now that he and Xander are on good terms, I think it's okay now," she said and I hugged her.

"You have my blessing, too," I said. "I wouldn't prefer anyone else for Brian." She thanked me in her beautiful accent. We then went out, and I saw Xander, who smiled at me and took me to the ballroom. We were asked to dance, and we danced to "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran. Mia and Brian joined, as did Kelly and her boyfriend, Noah and his girlfriend, my mom and dad, Stella and Caleb, even my cute son with my friend's daughter.

"Do you want to know how I feel?" Xander whispered. "Tell me, husband," I said. "I feel like the world is a place where everything is perfect, and it would always be," he said. "I am glad, and I never want it to stop." I smiled. "I promise from here on, everything will be perfect," I said, and I kissed him. I knew, from that moment, everything indeed would be perfect.