“Too sore,” she murmured, though she flexed her hips toward him.
“Oh, you’re slaying me, Kinsey. Really, I think I’m going to die of sexual exhaustion,” he said with a groaning laugh as he kissed her on the neck.
She finally opened her eyes and blinked. He really was there, holding her close, their naked body’s touching intimately.
“That’s a nice way to die,” she said.
“I can’t believe you’re mine, really mine,” he said, awe in his eyes.
“I can say the same thing,” she murmured, hoping she wouldn’t wake up to find it all just a dream.
“I can’t believe I didn’t do this right,” he exclaimed, quickly jumping up.
Kinsey felt an immediate loss as he pulled from her. Muscles she didn’t even know existed were crying out from the exertion of their love-making, and she could feel a slight whisker burn on her neck, but still, she wanted more.
She couldn’t seem to get enough of his touch. Her eyes greedily soaked up the sight of his sculpted rear end as he leaned down to get something from his pocket. When he turned around, displaying his impressive manhood, her thighs tightened with desire.
He walked over, love shining in his eyes as he grabbed her hand and pulled her up. She forgot to breathe when he dropped on one knee and looked adoringly up into her eyes.
“Kinsey Shelton, you are my world now. I thought I knew what love was before I met you. I love my family. I love my friends, but I knew nothing of what true love was until I thought I’d lost you. You make my heart beat. You make my day begin. You make...” he choked, as his eyes glassed over.
“Austin-” she tried to help him, but he shook his head, obviously needing to finish. She didn’t even try to stop her own tears from falling as she gazed down at him, this man who wouldn’t take less than her love.
“You make me whole. This ring was my mother’s. You would’ve loved her. I know she loves you. I know she’s beaming with happiness right now. Please, marry me. Let me love you for the rest of our lives,” he finished.
She couldn’t speak through the lump in her throat, though she was trying to get the words out, it was impossible. She opened her mouth, but still no sound slipped through.
“I can get you another ring if you want a new-”
“Yes.” She interrupted him, then cleared her throat. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Austin, I’d be honored to wear this ring. I’m so touched you’re offering me something so precious. Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll mess up sometimes. I’ll cry for no reason, burn food because I’m lost in another world while reading, snap at you because I’m having a bad day, and be completely irrational at times, but I’ll love you, always. You make me so happy, so needed…” She lost her words again as emotion choked her.
Austin slipped the ring on her hand, and she couldn’t pull her eyes away as he leaned down and kissed her knuckle, sealing his promise to always love, honor and cherish her.
He stood and pulled her into his arms, spinning her in circles as his lips descended.
They ended up being very, very late to the wedding.
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“I’d like to propose a toast. Congratulations George and Esther. There aren’t two finer people to have found each other. I know you’ll have many years of happiness together, and I’m thrilled you’ve found one another. Never forget that we don’t often get a second chance at extreme bliss in our lifetime. May you always appreciate one another, love each other through the good and the bad, and always turn to each other in everything you do,” Joseph said.
The room erupted in applause as friends and family approved the couple’s union. As guests made their way to give hugs and good-will to the couple, they never let the other out of their sight.
When the music began playing, George swept Esther onto the wood floor and showed the kids what real dancing was. As the music began, the newlyweds floated across the floor as if their feet weren’t even touching the ground. They looked like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire – dancing together effortlessly.
Applause thundered when they finished, not that they noticed, as the two of them were locked tightly in a loving embrace.
“Come on, Joseph. These boys need to learn how to properly treat a lady,” George called when he finally lifted his head. Esther’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling, and a smile overtaking her lips. She looked delighted, content, and in love.
“You don’t have to talk me into it.” He turned to his wife, “Katherine,” he called as he held out his hand. She readily followed.
The music began, at first nothing more than violins caressing the early evening air. Joseph pulled Katherine close, and slowly began spinning her in a slow circle as they began the French Waltz.
George smiled at his brother as Joseph got lost in his wife’s eyes, their bodies moving in sync as the other instruments slowly joined the violins, music drifting over the guests, as they watched in awe.
“Dance with me,” George said as he pulled Esther back into his arms, then easily followed Joseph and Katherine across the floor.
“I’ve never seen dad dance before,” Lucas said as he watched his parents in awe.
“They’re stunning,” Amy sighed, her eyes glued to the couples who were so lost in each other.
“Yes. Yes they are,” Alex said as he pulled Jessica closer to him. “Shall we?”
When she nodded, he led her out to the floor and quickly joined the dance. It didn’t take long for the rest to follow.
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