Never Stop // Echo & The Bunnymen

Pete

Fainting is not an option.

I repeat the command in my head over and over because looking at how beautiful she is today has made me light headed. I stand at the altar, ready to watch my best friend marry the woman of his dreams. But it's his sister, Kyra, the woman of mine, that's stolen all of my attention.

Jeff and Alison are finally saying "I do" after a long 3-year engagement. The outdoor venue at the Salt Creek resort reflects the timeline of their love story. They met here at a music festival, started falling for each other as they talked along the creek, and overcame all of the obstacles in the way of their forever. Jeff and Kyra's family is loaded, their dad a business mogul that could put Bezos and Gates to shame. But you wouldn't know it if you took this wedding as evidence. The guest list was small, just close family and friends. The venue is simple, with the natural surroundings serving as the majority of the decor. We rented our suits rather than drop a pretty penny on designer tuxedos. Jeff has always been down to earth, working hard at odd jobs growing up to save enough money to buy his own car. His dad never bankrolled him which keeps him humble and forgiving.

I've never been more grateful now that I'm in love with his sister.

Despite it being Jeff and Alison's big day, my focus remains locked on Kyra. At this point, the wedding is an afterthought because my girl has entered the room. She walks down the aisle in a soft green dress that flows from her waist down to her toes. It swishes as she keeps time with the music, Canon in D played by a string quartet. The scene is otherworldly, out of a fantasy I'd long ago abandoned. Because today may not be our wedding, but damn if I didn't wish it was.

She and I just got together this week after years of holding back. We've spent more time together over the last five days than we have in as many years. But I'm smitten, as the saying goes. I'm all in with her. I waited too long to call her mine for us to fade into nothingness. It took mere seconds of being in her presence again to wipe away years of doubt.

She was made for me and I was a fool to pretend otherwise.

As I'm lost in dreams of a future with her, Kyra takes her place at the front of the aisle. Her eyes stayed fixed on mine the entire way, other than the smile she offered her brother when she passed him. It is his wedding, after all.

The music changes, a shocking guitar riff paired with thrashing drum beats, causing wide eyes among the guests and most of the bridal party. I notice Jeff has a massive grin so he must know why Alison would choose a heavy metal thrasher song to accompany her walk down the aisle. Muted murmurs spread throughout the ceremony site, people likely wondering what the heck is going on. But only a few bars into the surprise metal sound, when Alison appears in an off-white dress that Kyra mentioned was a vintage piece from the 1930's, a record scratch sounds and the music changes once again. A soft melody fills the atmosphere as Alison takes her dad's arm. The two of them walk in rhythm with the music toward her future husband. I glance over at Jeff, who beams with pride watching his almost-wife make her way to him. But I'm caught once again in a vision of my own future as Kyra looks across at me. The two of us are in our own bubble of possibilities as Alison reaches Jeff. Her father, who also happens to be Jeff's college football coach, releases Alison with a kiss on the cheek and a pat on Jeff's back.

The ceremony begins, each word from the officiant piercing my heart as a truth between Kyra and I.

Do you promise to love each other?

Yes.

Will you forsake all others?

Absolutely.

In sickness and health?

In all circumstances, yes.

For better or worse?

We've had the worse, I'm ready for the better.

Til death do you part?

If I have any say, even death won't part us.

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

If only.

It's way too soon to go there with her, but that's the path I'm on. I don't think I have a choice now that she's back in my life. Now that I'm back in hers.

I got a second chance and no way in hell am I going to blow it.

***

Kyra

"I lost him." I look at my new sister-in-law. "Where did the guys go?"

Dinner is over. The cake has been cut. The music has started and most people are dancing. But the groom and his groomsmen, along with a few other close male friends, have disappeared.

She shrugs. "Jeff didn't say where they went. He said he needed to have a chat with them and they'd be back before our first dance."

"A chat?"

"I think he's planning some kind of surprise with them. Who knows."

"Speaking of planning," I say, leaning in closer. "What was up with that thrasher music when you entered? Jeff seemed amused. Was it a glitch?"

Misty hands Alison a glass of champagne just as I mention the odd choice of music.

"That was no glitch." Misty throws an arm around Alison. "Don't you remember the Circus Killers were playing the music festival where these two met?"

"The band you neglected to tell me about when you forced me to go with you." Alison rolls her eyes.

"Hey, I'd say it all worked out pretty well for you." Misty winks. "You got your man, he put a ring on it, and here we are." She raises her glass as we all clink them together for a toast.

"True. I can't really complain, can I." Alison takes a sip.

"No, you can't." Misty drains the rest of her champagne. "Let's get our groove on." She drops the glass on the tray of a passing server, grabs Alison and I by the arm and drags us to the middle of the dance floor. The retro band Jeff and Alison found plays a mix of 80's and 90's hits, their favorite, so we bop along to Morrisey and Depeche Mode. A few songs into our dance fest, the lead singer announces the band is taking a short break. He makes a big show of pushing a button to an old school boombox before walking off stage.

A tune I'm not familiar with fills the space, but based on Alison's gasp, she is.

"Oh my gosh," she whispers as she covers her mouth with her hand, glittering diamond sparkling on her finger.

Before I have a chance to ask her what it is, cheers ring out as the guys from the wedding party, now wearing ridiculous 80's hairstyle inspired wigs and blingy jackets, take the stage. They mock playing instruments while Jeff, decked out in an equally ridiculous jacket and wig, jumps in front of the microphone.

"Baby," he shouts pointing at his new wife, "I never want our love to end." Then he lip syncs along to the song all about love being a treasure that should never stop.

It's playful and silly and perfectly Jeff and Alison.

I glance at her, watching the utter love and joy sparkling in her eyes brighter than her diamond ring. And I know I want the same thing. The feeling of absolute joy that only loving another person and having their love returned, forever, can bring.

I felt it with Pete during the ceremony, the possibilities of a future with him. I saw it reflected in his eyes during the vows. This week together has been heaven. And I'm ready for more.

Pete pretends to play the drums and I've never seen anything better. He's always been stoic, quiet and withdrawn. He walked with a smirk and a swagger. Now I realize it was a cover for his feelings of inadequacy. Because his time away, focusing on leaving that lifestyle behind, has changed his self-worth.

I laugh and clap along with everyone else watching the guys being absolutely ridiculous. The song ends with Jeff leaping off the stage and rushing to Alison's side. He rips off the wig and spins her in a circle, capturing her lips in a hard kiss.

Before I know what's happening, Pete's arms are around me. He's hauling me in the air with a laugh and a bright smile.

"Joy looks good on you," I say.

"Baby, you're the joy. I'm happy because I have you."

He kisses me, pulling me to the side as Jeff and Alison take the dance floor for their official first dance. "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel plays; a perfect song for the happy couple.

"I had a vision of us during the ceremony," Pete says in my ear, his breath tickling my skin. "Our future together."

I nod, too emotional to speak.

"I know it's too soon. But I can't help picturing you by my side, me by yours, indefinitely."

I nod again, still unable to speak. I turn into him, throwing my arms around his neck and nuzzling into him.

"Yes." It's all I can manage to say as my voice cracks on the single syllable.

"Good," he says while pressing his lips against my neck.

We stay like this, wrapped around each other, as the music plays and our bodies sway in time to the beat. Pete's lips place tender kisses against my skin until I lift my eyes to his. Our future unfolds in each blink of the eye as our gazes lock.

I don't know what comes next. I don't know where life will take us. But I believe with all my heart we'll do all of it together.

"Someday," he says as we continue swaying in each other's arms, "I'll ask your dad the big question. I've been working toward it since I moved away, knowing all along leaving was the only road back to you."

"Was it worth it? Leaving the life you knew?"

"Don't you already know the answer?" Pete smiles. "Having you here, now, makes every moment away worth it."

We dance a bit longer, then the wedding rituals continue with the garter toss, caught by Micah, followed by the bouquet, caught by Misty. Her boyfriend, Frank, remains unmoved if not a slight shade of green. The man is completely buttoned up, unlike her, but they make the perfect couple in an unconventional way. She grips the flowers tossed by her best friend and jumps into Frank's arms. I detect a partial smile on his face when he catches her so perhaps he's not thrown by this turn of events.

"Are they next?" Pete chuckles beside me.

"Who knows. I wouldn't have predicted the two of us ending up together, so stranger things have been known to happen."

"You weren't banking on us?"

I side-eye the man. "Were you? Because no, I wasn't. I'd given up, thinking I'd be alone forever after you'd ruined me for anyone else with your lightning bolt kisses and strong hands."

"Lightning bolt?" He smirks, so proud of himself.

"There's definitely a zing when we kiss. Or haven't you noticed."

Pete's eyes warm as he wraps his arms around me. "I've noticed. In fact, kissing you way back then was like sunlight breaking through a cloudy sky." He presses his lips to mine in a tender kiss.

"Did it chase away the shadows?"

"It obliterated them."

Who would have thought kissing my brother's best friend, my high school crush, would lead to a future with the man of my dreams. I never would. But I'm glad I was wrong.

The end! Thank you so much for reading!

It was so fun to finally tell Pete and Ky's story. I've been hinting at it and planning it for years, since Matt and Hannah's story which has been a while! I hope you enjoyed it!

The next Salt Creek story will follow Tye, the owner and mountain man at heart. I have an idea about his love interest, but I'm keeping it a secret for now. I can't promise  a posting date but I'll update you when I have one.

HOWEVER, the next story to be published already has me in a chokehold. Book 4 in the Hollywood stories series, Not Another Princess, is coming soon (in a week or 2).

This book follows Javier and Emily, the strong, silent bodyguard and the slightly unhinged daughter of Hollywood royalty with a tendency to land herself in scandals. It's a rivals to lovers, forced proximity, opposites attract romance you won't want to miss! (see below for cover reveal!!!!!)

This song has the vibe, the lyrics and the perfect wedding reception mood. I pictured Jeff in a goofy Flock of Seagulls look while he pranced around lip syncing the heck out of it. Not typical for the boyscout of the group, but he's married to Alison now so he let his wild side show ;-)

https://youtu.be/w1YK6y2mFT8

Cover reveal for Not Another Princess -

Thanks so much for all of your support!