Powerful (The Driven World) - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,45
won awards, and we’re lucky to have him. Now, this is Ashlea’s day, and right now she’s upset because you are ruining it. Not Henry. So, get your ass inside and let’s make her happy.”
He opens and closes his mouth several times as though he wants to say something, but the words don’t come. So, I hold out my arm to him, Mr. Lynch clears his throat, links his arm through mine, and we head into the house.
***
Todd pulls the car up in front of the chapel. A few locals who weren’t invited to the wedding are waiting outside to see the bride along with a ton of security guards and press.
“Oh my God, why are there so many people here?”
“It’s okay, Ash. They just want a glimpse of you.”
Todd gets out of the car and jogs around to open the door. First, Mr. Lynch gets out, then me, and finally the bride. Ashlea smiles, and I walk around her to make sure her dress is perfect. Todd kisses me on the cheek.
“I need to go and get seated. Remember, shoulders back, tits out, and smile.” With a wink, he jogs into the chapel.
Mr. Lynch makes a harrumphing noise and looks at his daughter. “Although I don’t approve of his vernacular, he has a point.”
I grin at Ashlea. “See you in there. I’ll be at the front, and I’ll save you a spot.”
“Athena?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. You’ve made my day perfect.”
“It’s not over yet. We haven’t even gotten to the good part.”
Squeezing her hand one last time, I go and stand at the door to the chapel. The music starts, the guests all stand, and I begin my walk down the aisle. My bouquet is a smaller version of Ashlea’s. It’s a cascade of mostly white flowers with a pink rosebud dotted throughout, Ashlea’s is primarily pink roses with white rosebuds. It’s a literal waterfall of flowers that come to a point.
Slowly, I walk down the aisle, taking in the gorgeous decorations around the room. The wooden bench seats gleam, and the pink and white flowers hanging on the end of them have filled the small chapel with their fragrance. Everyone is smiling, and you can feel the love. My parents are in the front row, and Dad has a hanky to his face as he watches me walk down the aisle. Father Daniel smiles at me, and I walk toward him. My gaze lands on TB, whose smile is huge, then it lands on Kris. He’s not smiling, he looks like he’s in shock. He visibly shakes himself and then nods at me and winks. I feel a blush creep up my neck and heat my face.
The chapel’s volume goes up, and I know from the look on TB’s face that Ashlea and her dad have entered the chapel. TB is looking past me, but Kris, his eyes are glued to me as I take my place at the front of the congregation.
When Ashlea arrives at the front, she turns to me and gives me her flowers, then spins back around to take TB’s hands in hers. My brother has never looked so devoted. The smile that passes between the happy couple is nothing short of the embodiment of love they share.
“Will everyone please be seated?” asks Father Daniel. He waits for the murmurs to die down, then begins. “We are here to celebrate the union of Ares Boswell and Ashlea Lynch. Today, as we create this marriage, we also create a new bond and a new sense of family, one that will undoubtedly include all who are present here today.”
My eyes move past the happy couple as Father Daniel speaks, and I find myself lost in Kris’ blue eyes. Just like the rehearsal, I’m mesmerized by him. It’s not until the crowd begins to clap that I realize the wedding is over. TB is kissing Ashlea, and everyone is cheering. Ashlea breaks the kiss, her pretty face infused red with embarrassment. Father Daniel guides us over to sign the wedding certificate and where Henry takes many photographs. Mom and Dad both have hankies to their eyes, and even Mr. and Mrs. Lynch look a little misty.
“You look beautiful,” whispers Kris.
Kris and TB are wearing black suits and white shirts. TB’s tie is the same color as Ashlea’s dress, and he has a white flower in his lapel, whereas Kris’ tie matches my dress, and he has a pink flower. They both look very handsome.
Kris kisses me on the cheek, and