I woke up with a smile on my face. I had tried to get to bed early, but excitement had kept me up late. Well... that and the fact that Jess hadn't gotten in until almost two this morning. I almost fell off my couch trying to give her a hug.
"Ok, seriously, you have to stop with the grinning. It's weird. And much too early for that." Juliet griped at me over her coffee. Her purple silk robe was nearly showing her unmentionables, but that was my fault for ordering the wrong size.
"I can't help it, I'm excited. You were the same way when you and Andy got married." I replied, sticking my tongue out at her.
Jess yawned as she pulled her makeup out of her suitcase.
"Can we maybe not argue right now? I'm exhausted."
I got up and gave her a one-armed hug. Words would never explain to her how much it meant to me that she had taken her time to fly out here to be my maid of honor.
After coffee, we were in the midst of hair and makeup. Ash had spent the night at Andy's with the rest of the guys, so it was just us girls in my beach house. The smell of the waves kept me calm, as did the occasional sight of the work crew setting up chairs on either side of the carpet that was my aisle. There were already tables set up on my deck, as well as lanterns and fairy light. Stargazer lilies and white roses adorned the center pieces and were wound around the arch out on the beach.
"Bella. BELLA!" Jess's voice broke through my thoughts, causing me to look up at her.
"Sorry, what?"
"Close your eyes so I can do your eyeliner please" she replied, clearly disgruntled.
Obediently, I closed my eyes and allowed her to apply the makeup. She was done soon enough, and I could eventually hear the guests arriving.
"Ash just got here. Time for the dress." Juliet said excitedly, spinning into the room in her bridesmaids' dress. Anna, Alice and Jess also had the same gown style. But everyone had different shades of purple.
My dress was the ultimate princess gown. Lace from the waist up, with a full tulle skirt. I had opted not to wear a veil, instead deciding to leave my hair down while pulling select sections from the front and sides into bobby pins in the back.
"Oh Hun. You look beautiful." I heard my mom say from the doorway. I looked up and found her face in the mirror I was in front of.
"Please don't get me started. I'm trying to preserve my face until after the ceremony."
All too soon almost, I was standing at the top of the stairs, waiting with my dad while my mom arranged my siblings and niece into order. My older brother and his wife and kids had come down from Idaho, and I had employed my niece as a flower girl and my nephews as ushers. They were already outside, helping people to find their seats. Andy, as best man, was next to Ash at the altar. Jinxx and CC beside them both.
Jess was right below me on the stairs, ready to walk out ahead of me. Krista, Juliet, Renynn and Alivya as well as Anna and Alice were paired up below them. Gracie Jo and Qaidys each had a basket of white rose petals, and Wyatt held the little silk pillow with the rings.
"Showtime!" my mom said, as Jinxx took out his violin and began to play Better Together by Jack Johnson.
I took several deep breaths as I watched the others make their way down the stairs and out the door. When they were all in their places, Jinxx paused for a moment before he began to play the wedding march.
"Our turn." My dad whispered with a smile.
"Just don't let me fall dad." I whispered back, squeezing his arm slightly.
"Never." He assured me with a pat on the hand.
As we walked out the doors, down to the beach, my eyes wandered over people. All our friends, family. Everyone was here to help us celebrate this day. Finally, halfway down the aisle, I landed on those at the altar. Ash had tears in his eyes, looking at me. My heart swelled so much that it nearly burst. It took all my self-control not to sprint down the rest of the aisle.
Finally, we were there. The pastor asked who was there to give me away. And then my dad put my hand into Ash's. I handed Jess my bouquet, and relinked hands with him.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. Two friends who were destined to be together, who found each other when they didn't know they needed to the most. Ash, Bella. I bid you look into each other's eyes."
As we did, Ash mouthed the words "I love you". I smiled at him and mouthed "I love you more."
"Will you honor and respect one another, and seek to never break that honor?" Pastor Mike asked.
"We will." We replied together.
He draped a black cord over our hands.
"And so, the first binding is made. Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?"
Again, we replied as one. "We will."
A red cord was placed over the black one.
"And so, the binding is made. Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?"
"We will."
A green cord crossed over the red and black.
"And so, the binding is made. Will you share each other's laughter, and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?"
"We will."
A yellow cord was place over the rest and he tied them together.
"And so, the binding is made. Ash and Bella, in this way have you joined yourselves. You may kiss the bride." He said, removing the ties.
Ash cupped my face, leaning in slowly to gently press his lips to mine. I knew he was keeping it g rated for the kids. I'd get the better kiss later.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Purdy." Pastor Mike said as we turned to face the cheering and clapping of our friends.
Music was pumping, there was a buffet full of food, and drinks for those who partook. Water and soda for those who didn't. We had already had our first dance and heard the toasts. Now it was just a matter of time before Ash gave in to his gut and threw me over his shoulder to go to the airport. We had a villa booked at the Aulani resort, and I knew he was itching to get me alone.
Luckily, there were only two things we had left to do. The girls were already gathering so I could throw my bouquet. Standing with my back to them, I shouted out from 1 to 3 and then hurled it over my head. Krista tried to catch it, but Juliet is taller and won.
Next, I was sitting in a chair in the middle of the dance floor, with Ash underneath my skirt. He was taking my garter off with his teeth, but not before he nipped at the inside of my thighs. When he'd retrieved it, he shot it into the crowd of guys. Where Andy caught it, much to his own surprise.
I couldn't help but be grateful that my family had already left. Except for Joe and Krista. And now we were all shouting goodbye as Ash, and I climbed into his car to go to the airport. I had taken a moment to change into white skinny jeans and a white button down, keeping with the bridal theme. We reached the airport and got through security in record time.
Landing in Hawaii was slightly rough, but worth it once we were in our villa. He set our bags down inside the door, then came back and scooped me into his arms. Once inside, he set me down and cupped my face again.
"Welcome to forever, Mrs. Purdy."
