Beyond Graceland's Gates

Chapter 28 - Our Vegas Wedding

Our wedding in Las Vegas was nothing short of a whirlwind. Elvis had always been larger than life, and our wedding was no different. The Aladdin Hotel, glitzy and extravagant, was the backdrop for a day that would become one of the most surreal experiences of my life. Despite the flashing lights of the Vegas Strip just outside, Elvis had insisted on keeping things intimate. Close friends and family, and no paparazzi—he wanted it private, just us and the people we loved.

As we prepared for the ceremony, my mother, Catherine, couldn't hold back her tears. "You look like a dream," she whispered, adjusting the veil on my white lace gown, her hands trembling slightly. "I always knew this day would come, but to see you like this..." Her voice broke, and I pulled her into a hug.

"I'm still your little girl, Mom," I reassured her, my own emotions starting to rise. "That will never change."

My father, James, was less emotional but no less proud. He took a deep breath as he prepared to walk me down the aisle. "You sure about this, Vic?" he asked, his eyes searching mine. "This life... with Elvis... it's not going to be easy."

"I know, Dad," I replied softly. "But I love him. And he loves me."

James nodded, though I could see the concern still etched in his face. "Then that's all that matters."

As the music started, my heart raced, and we began the slow walk down the aisle. The small gathering of close friends and family—Jerry Schilling, Joe Esposito, Red West, and a few others from Elvis's inner circle—stood up to greet us. Elvis's father, Vernon, sat in the front row, his eyes filled with pride. "She's gonna take good care of you, son," he had told Elvis earlier in the day. "She's the best thing that's happened to you."

Elvis stood at the altar, looking every bit the star he was, but there was a nervousness about him I had never seen before. When our eyes met, his familiar grin softened into something more sincere. It was as if, in that moment, he wasn't Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll. He was just Elvis, the man who had captured my heart.

As I approached, he took my hand, his fingers warm and reassuring around mine. "You're beautiful, Vic," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "More beautiful than I could've ever imagined."

The ceremony was simple, yet perfect in its own way. We exchanged vows, promising to love and cherish each other through all of life's storms. When Elvis looked into my eyes, it was as though the world outside had melted away. It was just the two of us, standing together, ready to face whatever came next.

"I promise you," he said as he slipped the ring onto my finger, "I'll always be there, no matter what."

I smiled through my tears, repeating the words I had rehearsed a thousand times in my head. "I love you, Elvis. For better, for worse. Always."

When we kissed, sealing our union, the small crowd erupted in applause. Jerry slapped Elvis on the back with a grin. "You did it, man," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "You got yourself one hell of a woman."

"I know it," Elvis replied, still holding my hand tightly.

Later, as we sat together at the small reception with close friends and family, the atmosphere was light and joyful. Vernon and my father exchanged stories, laughing about the old days when their children were just kids with big dreams. My mother sat with Gladys's sister, talking about how proud she would have been to see her boy on this day.

"I knew this was coming," Red joked as he clinked his glass with Joe. "You two have been dancing around each other for years."

Elvis laughed. "Well, I finally stopped dancing and got her to say yes."

The night felt magical, filled with laughter and love. For the first time in a long while, it seemed as though everything was just as it should be.

But as much as we tried to keep the world at bay, there was no escaping it for long. After the reception, we escaped to Palm Springs for our honeymoon. It was a much-needed retreat from the constant demands of Elvis's career and the prying eyes of the media. For a few days, it felt like we were in our own little world, far from the flashing cameras and endless scrutiny. It was just us—two people in love, enjoying the simple pleasures of being together.

"Elvis, I wish we could stay like this forever," I said one evening as we sat on the balcony, the desert sky stretching endlessly above us.

He looked out at the horizon, the same hint of longing in his eyes. "I do too, Vic," he admitted quietly. "But we both know that ain't possible."

I sighed, leaning my head against his shoulder. "I know. But it's nice to pretend, just for a little while."

He smiled, pulling me closer. "Yeah, it is."

For those few days, it felt like we had found a way to leave the chaos of our lives behind. But even as we lay in each other's arms on the last night of our honeymoon, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping in.

"Elvis," I began, my voice hesitant. "What happens when we go back? To Memphis, to Hollywood... to the real world?"

He was quiet for a moment, then sighed deeply. "I don't know, Vic," he admitted, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "But whatever happens, we'll figure it out together. We always do."

I nodded, though the uncertainty still gnawed at me. "I just don't want us to lose this, Elvis. I don't want us to lose what we have."

"We won't," he said firmly, turning to face me. "I won't let that happen."

I smiled, wanting to believe him. "I'm holding you to that, Presley."

He laughed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "You do that."

As we lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, the weight of the world outside our little bubble felt far away. But I knew, deep down, that it was only a matter of time before reality came crashing back in.