Close to You - Kristen Proby Page 0,83
own that it didn’t require much for decoration. There are some candles lit, and a bouquet of flowers on the altar, but that’s it. All of the girls are already sitting, along with Cami’s siblings, who traveled for the occasion, Ringo and his wife, and my family.
We wanted to keep the guest list small, inviting only those we’re truly close to to share our day.
Steven disappears into a side room, and Jake joins Addie in the front row as Lucas and I walk to the front of the church where the minister is already standing.
“Are you ready?” he asks me.
“I’ve been ready for weeks,” I reply truthfully. He smiles and nods at the pianist, queuing him to begin the “Wedding March.”
Cami’s sister, Amanda, walks slowly down the aisle, smiling brightly, and then finally, there is my gorgeous bride.
Cami’s all smiles as Steven escorts her down the aisle. Her dress is lacy and hugs her curves perfectly. Her eyes are pinned to mine as she walks slowly to me, and finally, Steven passes her hand to mine.
“Who gives this woman to this man?” the minister asks.
“I do,” Steven says proudly, kisses Cami’s cheek, and joins his family.
God, she’s beautiful.
And she’s mine.
The minister begins speaking about the sanctity of marriage. The promise. And I can’t take my eyes off her.
Cami and I chose to exchange traditional wedding vows, and before I know it, her sweet voice fills the small chapel as she begins to recite them.
“I, Cami, take you Landon to be my husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others, till death do us part.”
A tear slips down her cheek when the minister says, “And now, with the authority vested in me through the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
But I don’t just kiss her. No, that would be damn boring. I dip her deeply and kiss her the same way, showing God and all of our nearest and dearest just how much I love this woman.
When we stand, the chapel erupts in applause, and we are enveloped in hugs and well-wishes from our families.
Finally, the photographer says, “Well, since all of the guests will be in photos, let’s go ahead and get them out of the way so we can get you all to dinner at the restaurant.”
“Who knew that photos with only twenty people could take so long?” Lucas asks an hour later after we’ve been posed in every way you can imagine. “That made me damn hungry. Let’s go.”
“We’ll be right behind you!” I call out to everyone as they file out. “I want a minute with my girl.”
Cami frowns up at me as everyone leaves, and when we’re alone, I turn to her, standing in the same places where we exchanged our vows an hour ago, and take her hands in mine.
“I needed a few minutes alone with you. How are you?”
“I’m wonderful,” she replies with a wide smile, her green eyes shining with happiness. “How are you?”
“I can’t even tell you how happy I am,” I reply, and kiss her hands. “I’m glad that we decided to exchange the traditional vows because we’re traditional people, but there are a few other things that I want to say that I didn’t want everyone else to hear and I wanted to say them here.”
I swallow, clear my throat, and continue to hold her gaze.
“The first time I saw you, something inside me said, That’s the one. Of course, I was a kid, but through all of the years that passed after, that voice was still there. Sometimes it was a whisper, and other times it was a shout. No one and nothing compares to you and what I feel for you, Cami. You aren’t just my other half, you’re the best part of me. There is nothing you can ever do to lose my love, my sweet. It is endless. And while I will love you until my last breath, I will love you beyond that, into whatever that may be. You are a permanent part of me, and for that I will always be grateful because there is nothing in this world that is better than you. I’m humbled to be yours.”
She’s smiling so brightly, and yet so gently at the same time. She boosts up on her toes to kiss my lips, and then,