Page 52 of Embers of You (Amity #1)

SUTTON

A YEAR LATER

“You look beautiful, honey,” Emily tells me, adjusting the simple veil in my hair.

“Thank you.” My face heats with the compliment, even though she’s been more of a mom to me than my own for the last year.

My mom and dad aren’t present today. I wasn’t kidding about cutting them off, though they’ve tried talking to me over the past year. My mother’s confirmation that they weren’t sorry about what happened, especially since I’m pretty sure it’s still happening, was enough to have me completely done.

The last year also has had its share of problems, and some scares when it came to Emily’s health, but Jameson never once wavered with me. He let me be there for both of them, even when things got tough.

The trial she’s been in seems to be helping, and it seems like a miracle that she’s improved as much as she has. The cancer isn’t completely gone, but it’s not spreading. She’s able to gain weight, and she isn’t as tired anymore. She has a glow to her that I’m so happy I get to see.

Especially because she gets to be here for this day. A day I know she’s been wanting for so long. I never thought much about my wedding day. I wasn’t someone who could picture every detail or knew who I wanted waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

Not until Jameson.

And the day he dropped down to his knee in front of me.

He brought me out to the spot on the property where we always go at night to look at the stars.

We’d talk about the future and what we wanted out of life.

Sometimes, we wouldn’t say anything and just sat there with each other while our dogs ran around.

I put him out of his misery and told him what my favorite flower is: sunflowers. And because he’s who he is, he surrounded the area with them, and always makes sure I have them in the house.

Saying yes to him was the easiest yes I’ve ever given.

Now here we are, just a couple months later because neither of us wanted anything big. We decided on a small intimate wedding on the property.

Bailey and Lily are my bridesmaids, even though Lily goes back to college in a week for her senior year. They’re both out helping make sure everything is set up the way Jameson and I planned, which is why I’m alone with Emily for now.

She turns me toward her, eyes are already shining with tears, but a smile is on her lips. “I’m so happy for you both. I’ve wanted this for Jameson for so long and I couldn’t have asked for someone better for him.”

I return her smile, my own tears threatening to appear. “I’m happy too. You raised such an amazing man.”

“Believe it or not, his father was a part of that.”

“I do believe it. I just wish he was here today, too.” I’m unable to hold back my tears now.

She gives me a watery smile. “Me too. He would be so proud, but I’m sure he’s watching.”

She pulls me in for a hug, and I think it’s so I don’t see her start to cry, which is okay with me because then she won’t see me doing the same.

Our sweet moment is interrupted by Bailey and Lily barging in.

Well, it’s really Lily doing the barging, Bailey is following behind shaking her head.

Those two have become my best friends, and even though Lily has only been back for the summer, we keep in touch while she’s at school.

Bailey is still reserved, but she’s been coming out of her shell a bit more.

“You bitches ready?” Lily calls out, and then freezes when she sees Emily’s red eyes. “Not you, Mrs. Turner, you’re not a bitch.”

Emily laughs lightly. “You don’t need to censor yourself for me, sweetie.”

“Good, because if Sutton would’ve let me throw her a real bachelorette party, you would have been invited.”

I roll my eyes. That was a debate with her for a while. Of course she wanted to throw me a party, and Vegas was mentioned, though the thought of her in Vegas scared me. And I didn’t feel the need to have a bachelorette party because it just didn’t feel necessary.

I lean down to whisper to Emily, “I saved you from bondage ducks and skillet strippers. Don’t ask.”

Before she’s able to comment, Bailey asks, “Are you ready?”

“I really am,” I reply. I worried about being nervous on my wedding day, but I’m just excited. I feel like I may end up running down the short aisle toward him because I just want to be in his arms.

“Well then, let’s get this show on the fucking road!” Lily claps her hands together and then one over her mouth. I chuckle and Bailey just shakes her head.

They both head out to the yard, and Emily and I follow slowly behind because she’s going to walk me down the aisle.

I peek out, seeing the small crowd of people.

It’s not extravagant, but it’s perfect. And when I see Jameson standing at the makeshift altar in his white button down with the sleeves rolled up and no jacket because the August air is hot, I’m about to melt purely from the sight of him.

My own white dress touches the ground, but is light and flowy because I didn’t want to feel restricted. Lily described it as “very boho” which I think is because the long sleeves are loose and sheer. I clutch my small bouquet of sunflowers and hook my arm with Emily’s.

Bennet and Duke walk down the aisle first, meeting up with Bailey and Lily at the end. Jameson has his coworkers Dave and Parker next to him, and I’m so ready to be close to him.

“Let’s go.” She smiles widely at me as we step outside.

The second Jameson sees us, his face breaks into a wide smile, and just like I thought, I want to rush toward him.

I don’t, but it feels like it takes forever for us to walk to the front.

By the time we get there I’m about to launch myself at my fiancé.

I’m stopped by Wes, who’s our officiant speaking.

I was surprised when Jameson said he would do this for us, but apparently they’ve gotten pretty close over the last year since Wes comes by several times a week to work with the horses.

Jameson takes my hand into his own, and he’s beaming and I’m unable to hold back my own smile.

“You look absolutely breathtaking,” he says just between the two of us as his mom goes to sit down.

“You don’t look so bad yourself. But I’m missing the hat,” I tease.

“You should be wearing it, looks better on you.”

Wes clears his throat. “Are you ready to start?”

Bailey scoffs behind me, “Don’t be a mood killer.”

I bite back my smirk, especially when he sends a subtle glare in her direction and Jameson and I just smile at each other.

Their… feud has always been interesting to both of us, but it’s become even more amusing after she revealed that they hooked up before.

She wouldn’t tell me more than that it happened once and will never happen again.

Jameson and I don’t believe her, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Our ceremony is short, just like we wanted, and I’m hardly paying attention because the thing I’m waiting for is the moment when he finally says, “You may kiss your?—”

“Hot guy, Jameson!” The familiar screech of Jerry Lee calls out, and I hear Trish shush him.

I barely contain my laughter. Jameson’s shoulders shake with his own and it brings me back to when Jerry Lee would say that as soon as Jameson walked in. Who am I kidding, he still does, but now it’s much less embarrassing.

Wes clears his throat, and tries again. “You may now kiss your wife.”

Jameson doesn’t waste any time grabbing my face and slamming our mouths together in a kiss that is definitely not appropriate to happen in front of people.

But it doesn’t matter because everyone else around us fades away.

I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him against me completely as his tongue plunges into my mouth.

I hear a whoop come from someone, and we laugh against each other’s mouths. I know exactly who that came from. We break apart and I drop my head to Jameson’s chest while he kisses the top of my head.

Lily starts the cheering, the small crowd joining in as we walk down the aisle hand in hand. At the end of the aisle Jameson grabs me and kisses me again. I smile into the kiss, because I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than I am at this moment.

“You ready?” he asks.

“For what?”

“The rest of our lives.”

The End