Chapter 54

The wedding reception was a party, that was for sure.

   After the wedding party introductions, speeches, dinner, dessert, cutting the cake, and so much laughing and kissing, I was overwhelmed by all of the love in that room. I'd never been to a wedding as an adult, so while I knew what the plan was, it was all very new to me. I hadn't been expecting so much time on my feet, and they were throbbing as I removed my heels. I didn't think everyone would want to talk to us and congratulate us individually. My face was sore from smiling.

   When the lights went down and the DJ started playing continuous music, Carson took my hand and pulled me towards the dance floor - the centre of the large room. It was a faster song, but he didn't care. Pulling me close to him, there was a look in his eyes I recognized right away. Now, I knew him. I knew what his little expressions meant.

   "How you doing?" he asked me, as we swayed together.

   "I'm amazing," I said quickly, then sighed. "What a crazy day."

   It was only a bit after 9P.M. and I was exhausted, actually.

   "You look so amazing," he said, as if he hadn't already told me that ten times.

   "You do, too." I nodded, then rested my head on his chest as he continued to sway out bodies.

   "I can't believe you're my wife," Carson went on, his hands trailing up my back and down again. "Like, I actually get you... forever."

   I looked up again, our eyes meeting. The noise from the guests around us as well as the music sounded a bit muted, suddenly. He just gave me this goofy look, so I kissed him, our lips pressed together for only a moment.

   "I think I told you already," I said, quietly. He looked curious, so I went on. "You know you had me all along. You know that it was more than just teenagers being teenagers, then."

   He nodded. "I know that. But not knowing if I'd ever make my way back to you, or actually get to be with you again was... hard." I kissed him again, reassuring him I was there and we were together. His unsure look faded away and his smile appeared again. "I don't know if I deserve you, but I'm so damn glad I have you."

   The party went on, with dancing and laughing and drinking. Kaden and Rylee left, an hour later, after she practically fell asleep while dancing. She had been amazing all day and was the centre of attention a lot of the time. She was fast asleep on Kaden's shoulder when he grabbed my hand to say goodbye.

   "Taking this dancing queen home to bed," he said, then let out a laugh. "Once again, I'm so happy for you. And him."

   Kaden was looking at Carson, who was now dancing in the middle of the room with Dalton and Trinity. Dylan was close by, laughing, next to my dad.

   "Thanks," I said, running my hand down Rylee's little back. She didn't even flinch. "For everything. I mean it."

   "Even my speech?" he asked, waiting for my reaction.

   He'd told some stories from high school. He'd told the entire room that I'd pretty much always been in love with Carson, even though I didn't admit it for a long time. And then he made me cry, when he talked about how I was the most important person in his life, besides Rylee. He talked about how he would never have survived those last few years without me. And he said that he was the luckiest guy ever, to have me as his best friend.

   "Even your speech," I laughed, swallowing hard. "I love you, Kade."

   "I love you. Have an amazing night," he told me, winking and grinning once again. "Call me tomorrow?"

   "I will."

   I was yawning as I joined Carson on the dance floor again. Some more of our guests had left, but there were still people there, socializing and dancing. Suddenly all I could think about was getting back to the hotel room down the street and getting into bed, with my husband.

   "Hey," Carson said, grabbing my hand and twirling me.

   "Hey," I repeated, smiling at him.

   "You want to do our send off soon?" he asked, pulling me in a bit closer.

   Our send off. We were supposed to leave the party before other people, and someone else - in this case, Dylan and Dalton - were to clean up and pack up the cars with the gifts. I wasn't supposed to worry about any of that.

   "Yeah, soon-" I told Carson, just as Finn approached us.

   Carson nodded at him, stepping away to talk to Dalton. I stood there, looking at Finn for a moment. He had this look of awe on his face, which I knew well. He used to always look at me like that.

   "Hey, thank you again for coming," I began, reaching out to touch his arm.

   "Of course, Arden. I would have not have missed it," Finn answered. "You look... amazing."

   The summer had been busy, but Carson and I had hung out with Finn and his girlfriend, Sam, a few times. We'd had drinks at Finn's apartment. We'd had a barbeque in my parents' back yard. It was really great how Finn and I had managed to remain friends after all of what we'd been through. But the comment on how I looked amazing still through me off. It wasn't a secret that Finn still, possibly, had feelings for me.

   "Did you have a good time?" I asked, lowering my hand from his arm.

   "Yeah, it was awesome."

   "Yeah, it felt like it flew by so fast..." I went on, looking around. "Where's Sam?"

   "She's just in the restroom. I thought I'd come say goodbye." He was still looking at me like I was some precious doll that he wanted but couldn't have. I mean, it hadn't really stopped, even Carson had commented on it. But Finn knew we were just friends and now I was married.

   "Aw, yeah, Carson and I are actually about to leave, I think," I said, and watched as his expression changed.

   "Right, okay. Well, thanks again for inviting us," Finn finished, turning away.

   I knew this was just how it was now, so I nodded and let him go.

   Holding Carson's hand tightly, holding up my dress off the ground with my other hand, I took a deep breath and walked through the crowd of our friends and family, a few minutes later. They were cheering loudly, and I saw Carson grinning out of the corner of my eye. When we got to his car across the parking lot, I let out a laugh. It was decorated with ribbon and pom poms and washable (I hoped) writing all over, saying "The new bride and groom!"

   "Looks like the work of my brothers," I said, while Carson nodded, opening the door for me.

   Once we were inside, it felt so quiet. We hadn't been alone together since the evening before. Now, he leaned in close and kissed me.

   "I love you, wife," he mumbled against my mouth.

   "I love you too, husband," I repeated, but couldn't help but laugh.

At the hotel, we checked into our room and found champagne and chocolate covered strawberries on the table next to the bed. Carson popped one into his mouth, shutting his eyes as he enjoyed it. I reached over and popped the bottle, pouring a glass right away.

   "To us," Carson said, grinning again, clanking the empty glass against mine.

   I had a few drinks that evening, but wasn't anywhere close to drunk. I was just happy.

   "To us," I said back, then took a sip.

   "God, you're beautiful." His expression shifted quickly, and I watched as he undid his bow tie and pulled it off.

   "Yeah?" I asked him, smiling.

   "Mm." He was unbuttoning his dress shirt. "I don't even have words."

   "You don't need any," I said, taking a step closer to him.

   In an instant, we were laying on the bed, all arms and legs attempting to remove our clothes. It was not an easy feat, especially with my bodice of my dress, but we were persistent. Carson lowered himself over me, when we were in just our underwear.

   "Best day ever," he whispered, then kissed me.

   I agreed, but didn't say anything. I didn't have to.