Page 45 of Personal Foul (The San Diego Storm #3)

Carson

I looked across the harbor as the sun sank behind the Opera House. The sky was ablaze with hues of orange and yellow, casting the clouds in shades of pink and gray. In a matter of minutes, I’d be married to the man of my dreams.

Turning, I found him talking with his teammates who were here to see their friend get married. Our friends were scattered about, talking and taking photos on their phones. When Colin sensed my eyes on him, he turned his gaze to me and smiled. I returned it as my mother walked up.

“Are you nervous, sweetheart?” she asked, running her hands down my arms.

I shook my head as I looked down at her. “Not at all. I’m excited.”

“Good, because the wedding planner says we’re ready to begin.”

My smile brightened. “Then let’s get me married.”

She slipped her arm through mine as we walked toward the area we’d chosen for the ceremony. When the music started, our guests took their seats, and I met Colin at the back of the walkway.

My father walked my mother down the aisle, then took his place as my best man. Owen was standing up with Colin, and it made me happy to know he’d had such a good friend before we met.

The wedding planner stood at the back, waiting to give us our cue.

When You Are the Reason by Callum Scott started, I held out my hand to him.

My eyes filled with tears when I brought his hand up to my mouth to kiss it.

I didn’t think this would be emotional, but it was. Watching him leave had changed me.

When we reached the officiant at the end of the aisle, he welcomed everyone. I wasn’t sure what he said. I was too busy looking at Colin. Watching his face as the man spoke of love and commitment.

“Colin and Carson have chosen to write their own vows. Carson?”

I smiled and took his hands in mine. Taking a deep breath, I spoke from my heart.

“When you walked into my life eight months ago, I knew you were going to turn my world upside down. I just didn’t know you were exactly who I’d been waiting for.

I couldn’t stay away from you, no matter how much I tried.

But you never let me push you away. You felt that connection between us as strongly as I did.

You make me feel alive and forget the world around me.

And when I had to watch you leave, I knew I couldn’t be without you. ”

I had to take a breath, but Colin reached over and cupped my face. His eyes were as leaky as mine.

“Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for loving me despite my efforts to deny how I felt about you. Thank you for making me the happiest I’ve been. I can’t wait to build a life with you. I love you, Colin, with all my heart.”

He reached over and hugged me. “I love you so much,” he whispered in my ear before pulling back.

“Colin?” the officiant smiled at him.

He swallowed thickly.

“I never thought I would do this. Never thought I’d find someone who saw past all my scars and flaws, and love me despite them.

But you did, Carson. You saw the real me, no matter how much I tried to hide it.

I irritated the life out of you because it was fun.

And just for the record, because I don’t want to go into our marriage with a secret, I knew all the football stuff before I came over. ”

Our friends laughed as I smiled and shook my head. “Figures.”

“I wanted your attention. And after twenty-four hours, I knew I was in love with you. Just didn’t know what to do about it.

But you knew. You drew me in and gave me a family and friends.

You gave me a home and made me feel loved every time you looked at me.

You taught me how to love, and for that, I will forever be yours.

I love you, and I can’t wait to see what life brings us. ”

I wanted to kiss him, but had to wait until the time was right.

We exchanged rings and promised to love and care for one another until death do us part.

“Carson, Colin, you may kiss your husband.”

Our friends clapped as I claimed my husband’s mouth for the first time. And when we pulled apart, I kissed his forehead.

“Could I do this part?” my father asked the officiant.

He smiled and nodded.

“Colin, we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know you since you arrived in August. In that time, we watched Carson find the joy in life he was missing.

You make him happy. And as a parent, that’s all we ever hope for.

You were the missing piece for him and our family.

With all that said, we would be honored if you took our family name as your own, and became a St. James. ”

Colin looked at me, and I smiled. “Did you know he was going to say all that?”

“No. But it’s true, baby. Every word.”

My husband wiped his eyes, then nodded to my father.

Clearing his throat, he made our first declaration to everyone. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you Carson and Colin St. James.”

Our friends congratulated us, then joined us in the glass pavilion for dinner and our first dance as a married couple. We toasted with champagne and cut the cake.

Stories were shared by both sets of friends, making it feel as if we’d created a new family that spread across three continents.

At the end of the night, our friends went back to their hotels and homes, while we headed to a surprise my husband had planned. Being with him and officially claiming him as mine was all I needed, until I saw what he had done.