Her Dad's Best Friend

Vows and Whispers

*Hailey's POV*

I stood in front of the mirror, the soft hum of excited voices buzzing around me. My reflection stared back, and I barely recognized the girl in the white dress. My hair was pulled back into soft waves, pinned perfectly with delicate flowers. The gown hugged my body in all the right places, lace trailing down my arms and cascading into a train behind me. It was perfect—simple, elegant, but still me. My heart raced as Claire adjusted the last bit of my veil, her eyes brimming with emotion.

"You ready for this, sis?" she asked, her voice light but with an edge of something deeper. She knew what this moment meant to me.

I smiled, but my chest felt tight. "I think I've been ready for this for longer than I realized."

There was a knock on the door. My dad poked his head in, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "You look beautiful, Hails. I... I'm so proud of you."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling the emotions well up. "Thanks, Dad."

He stepped into the room, pulling me into a hug. "I can't believe my little girl's getting married today."

The weight of the moment hit me all at once. In just a few minutes, I'd be walking down the aisle toward Jordan. The man who had become more than just someone who made me feel alive. He was my everything.

*Jordan's POV*

I stared at my reflection, trying to steady my hands as I adjusted my tie for what felt like the hundredth time. This was it. In just a few minutes, I'd be standing at the altar, watching Hailey walk down the aisle.

My heart pounded in my chest. She had no idea what she meant to me. From the first night we'd met, something had clicked, something that neither of us could ignore. And now, we were here—on the verge of forever.

"You look nervous," Jayden—Hailey's dad—said as he stood next to me, offering a crooked grin. "You sure about this?"

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. "More sure than I've ever been about anything in my life."

He clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Good answer. You're family now, Jordan. Just... take care of her, alright? That's all I ask."

I nodded, the weight of his words settling over me. "Always."

The door opened, and one of the groomsmen signaled that it was time. My heart raced as I turned toward the doorway, knowing that in just a few minutes, everything was about to change.

*The Ceremony*

The music began, soft and slow, as the doors swung open. My breath caught in my throat as I saw Hailey step into the aisle. She was a vision, her smile radiant beneath the veil. Everything else faded—the guests, the noise, the world. It was just her and me.

My hands itched to reach out for her, to pull her into my arms, but I forced myself to stay still, my heart thundering as she walked toward me, her father at her side.

When she finally stood in front of me, I took her hands in mine, and it felt like everything clicked into place.

The officiant spoke, but my mind was on Hailey—the way her eyes sparkled, the way her hands felt in mine, the slight tremble that told me she was feeling just as nervous and excited as I was.

And then it was time for the vows.

"Jordan," Hailey began, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "From the moment we met, I knew there was something about you. You've been my strength, my protector, and my best friend. I can't imagine my life without you. Today, I promise to love you, to stand by your side through everything that life throws our way. You are my home."

Her words hit me hard, the lump in my throat growing as I tried to hold back tears.

"Hailey," I started, my voice thick with emotion. "You are my heart, my soul, my everything. From the moment I met you, I knew you were it for me. Today, I vow to love you fiercely, to protect you, to cherish you. I will always be there, through the highs and the lows. You've given me a reason to believe in forever, and I can't wait to spend that forever with you."

The officiant smiled and declared us husband and wife. I wasted no time pulling Hailey into my arms and kissing her like it was the first and last time. The cheers and applause from the crowd were background noise. All that mattered was her. My wife.

*Later That Night...*

Back at our suite, the air was thick with anticipation. I couldn't keep my hands off her. Hailey stood in front of me, still in her wedding dress, her eyes filled with that playful glint that always drove me crazy.

"Come here," I whispered, pulling her close, my fingers already fumbling with the buttons of her dress.

She giggled, biting her lip as the dress slipped off her shoulders, pooling at her feet. She stood before me, breathtaking, her skin flushed with excitement.

I backed her toward the bed, my hands sliding over her bare skin, the heat between us building with every touch. I kissed her deeply, her lips soft and warm against mine. Her fingers tangled in my hair as she moaned into my mouth, her body arching into mine.

We didn't make it to the bed immediately. Our lips crashed together in a frenzy, hands exploring, fingers interlocking as she gripped the sheets, moaning my name.

"Damn, Hailey," I groaned, my lips trailing down her neck. She arched into my touch, her breath coming in quick gasps.

"Jordan," she whimpered, her voice trembling with need.

I lifted her, carrying her the rest of the way to the bed. Our bodies moved in sync, every touch, every kiss driving us closer. The feel of her under me, her hands gripping my back, her body writhing with every movement—it was heaven.

Her fingers intertwined with mine as I thrust deeper, her cries filling the room as she arched into me, her body trembling with the intensity of it all. "Fuck, Jordan," she moaned, her voice husky and breathless.

I held her close, my lips at her ear, whispering her name as we lost ourselves in the moment. Every sound, every breath, every moan from her lips pushed me closer until we both shattered together, gasping for air, hearts racing.

Afterward, we lay tangled in the sheets, my hand resting on her belly, our bodies still buzzing from the high of it all.

"I love you," she whispered, her head resting on my chest.

"I love you too, Mrs. Carpenter," I murmured back, pressing a kiss to her forehead, already looking forward to forever.