Page 20 of Gaining the Heart of a Gemini (BLP Signs of Love #15)

The Wedding.

Today was the day.

A day I once dreaded but now felt butterflies for. I could hardly sleep last night, anticipating what was to come. In one short hour, I would be Mrs. Klayton Ramirez. If nothing in my life never felt right, becoming his wife did.

How was it possible for me to fall in love with him in three months?

At first thought, it didn’t seem logical to me.

The more I thought about our time together and how intentional we were with how we moved, the more it made sense to me.

Klay and I walked into our relationship with hesitance and resentment toward our fathers, not realizing it would be the best thing to ever happen to us.

“Oh, Parrie!” Loyal exclaimed, fanning her face with her hand fan. “You look so beautiful. I knew that was the perfect dress for you.”

“It is. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. I know I’m a bride, but I truly feel like a bride in this.”

Loyal was the only person who had seen my dress. I wanted to surprise everyone else, so she was the only person who came dress shopping with me. We spent hours in the shop, and the very last dress I chose ended up being perfect.

It was sleeveless, lace and silk weaved all through out it.

A high split came up to my left thigh, and the middle was snatched like a girdle.

The back dipped low, tastefully stopping right before my ass with a long, flowy train.

I chose not to wear a veil since my hair was in an updo.

Rue Bands had flown in to do all our makeup, finishing my perfect wedding look.

The photographer was in the corner taking pictures.

It was time for the big dress reveal for the women, so Loyal scurried into the next room to prepare everyone.

I stood behind it with my customed made white rose bouquet, listening to Loyal give everyone a speech before counting down and opening the door.

Rue Bands was on standby for makeup touch-ups, and it was as good thing because Mommy immediately burst into tears. I had a feeling she wouldn’t be any good throughout the wedding either. She ran over to me, examined me from head to toe, and cried harder. I hugged her, giggling.

“Mommy, you can’t be crying like this all day.”

“Yes, I can. My baby girl is getting married, and you don’t know how gorgeous you look, Parrish. You truly look like a model straight out of a magazine.”

“You sure do.” Pamela agreed, dabbing at her eyes. “Oh, I wish Javier was here to see this. He’d rave about your beauty, teasing Patrick and Klay about how good you look.”

Karmen snickered. “He sure would. You got it going on, girl. I don’t know if Klay will be able to last throughout the ceremony.”

“It’s going to be short and quick, so he better,” I stated.

Pamela walked over to me with a stunning yellow diamond bracelet in her hand.

She carefully latched it onto my wrist and explained, “This was Abuela’s.

She made us promise that we’d give it to Klay’s wife or Karmen, depending on who was to marry first. You’re the perfect fit for this, and the perfect fit for my son, Parrish.

Javier knew it, which was one reason he chose you.

You’re blessing my son with all he’s asked for in more ways than you can imagine. Thank you.”

I rapidly blinked my eyes as my bottom lip trembled. Pamela hugged me and so did Karmen. It felt good knowing I’d happily be accepted into their family.

Time seemed to speed by, and before I knew it, it was time for me to walk down the aisle.

When I walked around the corner of the small venue, Daddy stood there looking handsome as ever.

His eyes watered as I approached him. He took my hand, kissed the back of it, and cradled it in the crook of his arm.

“Parrish, you’re beautiful, just like your mother.”

“Thank you, Daddy. And I do mean that in more than one way.”

“How so?” he asked.

“If it wasn’t for you and Javier, I wouldn’t have Klay. He’s honestly one of the best things to ever happen to me, and I’m excited to see how life goes with him. Of course, we’re still getting to know one another, but I don’t have an inkling of doubt that we’ll be fine.”

Daddy beamed. “I didn’t have any doubt either. I knew it would take time for y’all to see things how we did, and I’m glad it happened before we made it here.”

“Me too, Daddy. Me too.”

Seconds later, the music started playing for me to walk down the aisle.

I exhaled a nervous breath as the doors opened, revealing the small but beautifully decorated room.

White and gold were our colors of choice.

The white rose arch behind Klay and the officiator was exactly how I imagined it to be.

Gold flower petals littered the floor. There was a woman dressed in all white, playing a gold harp.

Klay was dressed in an all-white suit, looking good enough for me to eat.

Our eyes never left each other’s as I walked down the aisle.

It was as if we were the only two in the room.

My heart felt as if it was about to leap from my chest when we made it to the front for Daddy to give me away.

As Klay approached us, Daddy whispered something in his ear before giving me away after the officiator asked.

We went through the normal sayings before it was time to read our vows. Klay’s palms were sweaty in my hands. We could’ve easily gone with the traditional vows, but we agreed it would be better to hear and say what was on our hearts.

Klay was up first.

“Parrish. Mami. I never imagined I’d be getting married like this, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. It pains me for my father not to be here to witness something he helped put together, but I know he’s smiling down on us, pleased with how far we’ve come.

“In three short months, I’ve fallen in love with you.

I love you, Mami, and that shit scares me because I know the lengths I’ll go to for you.

You came into my life and gave me exactly what I’ve been missing.

You’ve helped me to get in touch with my emotions, and even though it’s not easy, it’s something I’m working on for you.

“For you, I want to be my best self because that’s what you deserve.

I’m still a work in progress, so please, be patient with me.

If I never achieve anything else in life, being the husband you deserve is something I’ll never stop reaching for.

Thank you for being you. Thank you for being the light during my dark times.

Thank you for not giving up on me, even though I bet there were times you wanted to.

You’re truly one of the best things to ever happen to me, Mami. I love you, Parrish Ramirez.”

My makeup was ruined. The tears hadn’t stopped since Klay started speaking, flowing harder with each word.

To hear that man say he loved me, knowing he meant it, made me feel on top of the world.

It made me want to take him down right then and there, but I had to keep my composure in front of everyone.

Karmen handed me a tissue, and I thanked her. It took me a moment to gather myself before I could say my vows.

“Klayton. This short but joyous journey with you has been nothing short of amazing. From day one, when neither of us agreed with our situation, you showed me you were dedicated. You showed me the type of man you are. You’re a lover, protector, provider, and so much more than I can ask for.

So much more than I ever realized I needed until you showed me.

“I love every part of you. Your flaws. Your perfections. Everything that makes you, you. I was so skeptical about all this, worried it wouldn’t work out or we’d resent one another for our fathers’ choices.

I’m beyond grateful we went into this with open minds and hearts because there’s no telling where we would be if we didn’t.

“It’s so crazy to think of how I can’t imagine my life without you.

When I think about the future, I see us building our empires, a family, and just living happily ever after.

I truly believe we have our parents to thank for that.

They were an example for us, showing us what healthy, happy marriages are. ”

I paused and reached in my bouquet. What no one knew was that Javier asked me to come see him before he fell into a coma. It had been hard keeping it a secret, especially after he passed, but he made me promise to wait for the wedding. I pulled the recorder out, crying harder than before.

“I met with Javier about a week before his coma. It was as if he knew he wouldn’t be here for this moment and asked me to record this for you.”

When I hit play, Javier’s voice filled the room, and there wasn’t a dry eye in sight.

“Klayton, my boy. I hope you’re not still upset with me for this, because I know what’s best for you.

I love you more than words can express. There’s a possibility I won’t be there to witness your union in the flesh but know I’m there in spirit.

I’m beyond proud of you. I see so much of myself in you that it scares me at times, but it lets me know you’re going to go far.

“You’re going to be a great husband with an even better wife.

Be sure to keep her close and love her how she deserves to be loved while also making sure she’s doing the same to you.

Take care of your mother and sister for me, but more importantly, take care of yourself.

I’ve watched you struggle with your emotions since you were a boy, and I don’t want you to become so hard that you’re not in tune with them.

I did that for a while, but your mother made sure to get me in check.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Parrish will do the same for you.

“I need you to be Patrick’s right hand now. I know he’s your father-in-law, but I need you to step in and be there for him as I was. That’s my hermano. He’s my familia. None of this is going to be easy on him. He’s transitioning without me, so don’t let him down. Keep him uplifted.

“I love you, Son. Parrish, love him how he needs. If you gotta go upside his head a few times, you have my permission. Remember, I’m always in your heart and spirit.”

The recording stopped. Only cries and sniffles could be heard throughout the room. I glanced over at Daddy who had his head leaned on top of Mommy’s. He mouthed ‘thank you’ and blew me a kiss.

I used my tissues to wipe Klay’s eyes.

“Gracias, Mami.”

“De nada. You don’t know how hard that was to keep in.” I giggled.

“I’m glad you did. Not having him here, especially for this moment, has been weighing on me, but that was exactly what I needed.”

“He knew it too. He made me promise to hold onto that until the wedding.”

Klay looked up at the sky and spoke something in Spanish I couldn’t quite understand.

Once every settled down, the officiator continued with the ceremony. He couldn’t pronounce us husband and wife good before Klay attacked me, sending the room into an uproar.

“I love you, Mrs. Ramirez.”

“I love you, husband.”

At Last.