Page 39 of Breakout (Walker University #3)

“ Y ou bitch. I still can’t believe you hid this entire place from us. It’s gorgeous,” Cora says, looking around the room I’ve claimed as mine.

It’s not been an easy road, but the estate is all mine. Janis tried to come by once, but when the police led her away in handcuffs, I think she realized she truly had no pull here anymore.

It’s sad, but she had our grandfather her whole life and took it for granted. I once wanted to give her the fortune and estate because I felt like she deserved it more than me, but I know now that she would have squandered it away.

Grandfather left it to me because he knew I would uphold his legacy.

It’s been six months since Beckett proposed again.

He said he didn’t want to wait to have a wedding, so I started planning, but it’s taken some time.

I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money on it even with Beckett getting drafted to the Boston Foxes.

Between that and my inheritance, I can afford a lavish wedding, but that’s not me. It’s not who Beckett and I want to be.

“I looked at so many places, but then I decided this was the best place to have it. It feels monumental somehow,” I admit, keeping still for Cora to finish my hair.

It was hard for me to make the decision. I’m still not quite at home here, but I’m trying to feel better about it. I want to feel like I deserve this place.

Beckett has been a godsend through it all, though. He’s supported me in every step. He even gave up going on a summer trip with the guys so that he could stay here with me. He didn’t want me to be alone.

It’s because of him that I started therapy again. It took me a couple of visits to feel comfortable, but now once a week, I go and talk with a woman about my issues. We have barely made a dent in my childhood, but I already feel lighter.

What happened to my parents was a tragedy, but I don’t have to let it define me anymore.

I feel free.

“Well, the pictures will be beautiful. I’m glad we talked you into hiring a photographer. It’s the second most important part of the day besides getting married,” Grace says.

“Thank you for that. I know I was being cheap, but spending money is still hard for me. I mean, look at my dress. I got it on sale for a hundred dollars.”

“Speaking of, we need to get you into your dress. It’s almost time.”

Looking at a picture of my grandfather, I give it a sad smile. I wish my father or grandfather were here to walk me down the aisle.

The pang of grief hits me like it always does, but I push it away. They would have loved Beckett.

Standing, I let Grace and Cora help me get into my dress. Grace touches up my makeup while Cora makes sure my dress and hair are perfect. Once they are done, they stand in front of me admiring me.

“You look gorgeous, Pey,” Grace whispers, her eyes tearing up.

“The most beautiful bride ever,” Cora agrees.

“Stop.” I wave my hand in front of my face. “You’re going to make me cry.”

They laugh as there is a knock at the door.

“It’s time,” Cora says, opening the door.

“We will see you down there.”

When I turn, I’m surprised to find Wyatt standing inside the door in his tux.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

He gives me a smile. “You didn’t think we were letting you walk down the aisle alone, did you?”

“I mean, kinda, yeah.”

He shakes his head. “You’ll never be alone, Peyton. You have us. We are your family now.”

Walking over to him, I hug him. “Thank you.”

He nods, offering his arm, and I take it.

“No problem.”

“Why did they choose you?” I ask as we walk down the stairs.

“They didn’t. We drew straws.”

“Oh, and you’re the lucky one, huh?”

He looks over at me and smirks. “I’m not lucky. I cheated.”

I snort out a laugh. “What? Why?”

He stops at the bottom of the stairs, turning to me.

“I knew about you and Beck from the beginning. He’s a great liar to the others, but not to me.

I’ve been rooting for you longer than you realize.

I felt it only right that I be the one to walk you down to my best friend so that you can make him the happiest man alive.

Not only that, but I see you, Peyton. I see the pain that lives inside of you.

Beckett is healing that. I want to make sure nothing stands in the way. ”

I smile. “I love you, Wyatt. You’re an amazing guy. I hope you find your forever one day.”

“I love you too, Peyton. You’re our sister now. Nothing will change that.”

Then he takes my arm, leading me to the beginning of the aisle.“Are you ready?”

I smile wider. “Take me to my husband.”

He knocks on the door, then waits. The music starts. Then the doors open.

There are several people on both sides of the aisle, but I don’t pay them any mind. There is only one person who captures all of my attention.

Beckett Hayes.

My husband.

He looks so handsome in his black tux, and he has his hair slicked back. He was looking down until the doors opened. Then his head jerked up as his eyes landed on me.

The pure love and adoration in them make my breath catch in my throat.

I love this man.

I try to pick up my pace, making Wyatt laugh, but he keeps his slow, steady pace. I let him walk me all the way down the aisle, kissing my cheek before he hands me off to Beckett, taking his spot at the end of the groomsmen line.

“You came,” he whispers.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Then we turn toward Brett as he begins the ceremony.

When Beckett squeezes my hand, I know everything will be okay. As long as I have him by my side, I can handle anything in life.

I lean into his side, closing my eyes for a moment.

Yeah, this feels right. This feels like I’m meant to be here.

For once, I feel like I belong.

Watching Peyton float down the aisle toward me in a beautiful white dress is like a dream come true.

This is the wedding we deserved to have. The one with our friends, who have become family, present to witness us proclaim our love for one another.

We invited all the house staff to attend with their loved ones and even sent an invitation to my family.

I was surprised when they actually showed up.

At first I didn’t want to extend the olive branch, but with everything Peyton went through with her family, I didn’t want any regrets.

I think they were just as shocked to hear from me as I was.

While things aren’t great between us, they are slightly better.

Hell, the last time we had dinner together I wasn’t forced to eat lamb, so that was a win.

“My dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…just kidding. We are here for one reason only. To celebrate two of the best people I know. Beckett Hayes and Peyton Anderson. Love is a special thing. It comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s a parent to a child.

A friend toward another. A stranger on the street showing love to another for one reason or another.

Even the love for a sport like the love we all share for hockey.

The love that we are here to celebrate today is a special one.

It’s the kind that only comes once in a lifetime.

Beckett and Peyton have found in each other the kind of love that poets write about.

The soulmate kind that lasts forever. It’s both a blessing and a curse.

A blessing because they will never know what it’s like to be unloved again.

A curse because there will never be a high quite like the one they’ve found in one another.

Together, they make the perfect couple, complementing one another.

Where one lacks, the other fits like a puzzle piece.

It’s the kind of love we can only dream about.

That we ache to find. Beckett, you’ve prepared your vows? ” Brett asks.

“I have.” Turning toward Peyton, I take her hands as I look into her eyes.

“Peyton, I’ve told you this before, but I want the world to know it.

I knew I loved you the moment I met you.

It was like a spark lit inside of me, telling me that you were the one.

I was floating through life aimlessly until you tethered me to your soul and showed me the way.

I came alive that day and every day since.

I feel blessed to have you in my life in any capacity, but even more so that I get to tell everyone who will listen that you are mine.

My love. My life. My wife. Until the very last breath I breathe, I will love you.

Then I will love you all over again in the next life and every single one after that. ”

Peyton is crying silently at my words. It makes me want to reach out and kiss her, but I don’t. I wait for her to collect herself.

“Peyton,” Brett prompts.

“Beckett, you always tell me that I saved you, but the truth is you saved me. You saved me from a lifetime of loneliness. From the insecurities that were debilitating to both myself and those around me. You showed me that it’s okay to trust others and allow our friends into my life.

That I don’t always have to wait for that other shoe to drop.

Most importantly, you taught me that I deserve to be loved.

By you. By others. I might have had a tragic beginning, but you walked into my life and showed me that I don’t need to end that way.

I love you more than any words could express, so I’ll show you instead. ”

Turning toward Cora, she holds out her hand. When she turns back around, the tears fall from my eyes freely and without shame. In her hand is every single paper ring I’ve made her, fixed into a bracelet and coated in epoxy so that it will never deteriorate.

“When you proposed the first time, you gave me one of these rings. Then you continued to give me one each and every time we were together. At the time I thought it was silly, yet I kept them. I liked the way they made me feel. Little did I know you were chipping away at the ice surrounding my heart, one paper ring at a time. You were showing me that you loved me even back then.” She holds up her hand, showing the engagement ring I bought her.

Then she taps her finger, making me smile.

“It’s always been you and me, and it always will be. For the rest of our lives.”

She grabs my hand, placing the bracelet she had made over my wrist. It’s the best thing she could have gotten me. A symbol of our love.

“Now usually this is the time when I would ask if anyone objects. So if there are any objections, go ahead and voice them now so we can handle it swiftly,” Brett says as he, along with Clay, Kellan, and Wyatt, step forward, each one holding a hockey stick and looking menacing.

Peyton bursts out laughing as I shake my head at their antics. I fucking love them, though. I have no doubts that they would beat someone’s ass if they dared step forward to try and stop this.

“Good. Glad we are all on the same page that these two are meant to be. It’s time to exchange rings. Beck, you first,” Brett tells me.

“With this ring, I promise to love and cherish you until the day I die,” I say, slipping the ring on her finger until it fits perfectly into her engagement ring.

She picks up my hand. “With this ring, I promise to love and cherish you until the day I die, which will be before you because I can’t fathom the thought of living without you.”

I laugh as she pushes the ring on my finger.

“Only minutes before me, my love. I would never be able to live without you either.”

“World’s cheesiest couple, everyone,” Brett jokes. “Now with the power vested in me by these two yahoos because, apparently, they are already married, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

I grab Peyton without question, pulling her into my arms. I press my lips to hers, sucking her tongue into my mouth without a care for who is watching.

When I pull back, everyone is cheering. I smile down at my wife, feeling like I just won the lottery.

“Are you ready to go greet our friends, Mrs. Hayes?”

“I can’t wait, Mr. Hayes. Lead the way.”