To Love & To Cherish (To Have or To Hold Book 3)

CHAPTER 2

　　Thinking over his words, his brother, Drew, popped into my mind. It was what he had said about Jace’s ex being more beautiful than me, and how Jace had ‘packed her in’, which had given me my doubts as to whether we would work out. Was it ridiculous to be taking his words on board? Probably, but it had left a dent in my self-esteem, and looking at this perfect man, I never could understand why he had wanted me.

　　“I suppose I’m scared that I’m not good enough for you.” I sighed, lowering my head down.

　　“You’re not good enough for me?” He lightly laughed, shaking his head.

　　“It’s not funny,” I muttered.

　　“Becca, it’s hilarious!” He chuckled. “Why do you think you’re not good enough?”

　　“Just look at you,” I mumbled, side-eyeing him and looking him up and down.

　　“Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.” He smiled. “But, Becca, look at you. You’re stunning. I’ve seen men around you, and while I don’t like it, they can’t take their eyes off you. But, more importantly, other than looks, you’re funny, smart, and can run rings around me. I don’t think you realise what a precious commodity you are.”

　　“So I’m just a commodity?” I huffed, looking back up at him.

　　“That’s what you plucked out of everything I just said?” He laughed. “I meant it in the nicest possible way. For some reason, you’ve let your head run away with you, which I can relate to, and you think that you’re not worthy of me? Becca,” he whispered, getting down onto the floor on his knees, “I’m not worthy of you.”

　　Stunned by his words, I looked at him, knelt before me and pleading with me to hear his words. Did I think he wasn’t worthy of me? Absolutely not, and I couldn’t work out his reasoning. He was a man who was far above my station, and I’d always thought how lucky I was that he had chosen me. What he meant by his words I didn’t know, but what I did know was that he was sincere in what he said, he loved me, and I loved him. What else really mattered?

　　“While I’m not sure what you mean, I do love you and I’m sorry about this morning,” I spoke, clutching his hand.

　　“To be fair, I never thought that this would happen on the morning of my wedding,” Jace chuckled, “but I’m sorry that I didn’t reassure you more. I’m not very good at conveying my feelings. I should have reassured you that this was exactly what I wanted. I thought by letting you take over the wedding and having exactly what you wanted, I was doing just that. I made the mistake…” He cut off his words, proverbially biting his tongue at the end of the sentence.

　　“Made what mistake?” I wondered, with my interest peaked.

　　He sighed, rising from his knees and sitting down with me again. “I didn’t want to bring anything up about my past relationships, because I didn’t think there was any point, but I did wonder with my last fiancée, whether I didn’t indulge her enough. When we were planning the wedding, luckily it didn’t get as far as the wedding day, but I had a say in what the arrangements were. I do have a hard time relinquishing control. With you, I didn’t want you to think I was trying to control anything, so I let you have whatever you wanted. See, we all have insecurities that past relationships have landed us with.”

　　“That’s ridiculous,” I gasped, holding onto his hands and turning my body toward him, “If you wanted a say in anything, you should’ve let me know. Jace, I’m not your ex, and from what I’ve heard, she wasn’t worth lavishing anything upon.”

　　“Well, from what I’ve heard, your ex was a fool for ever letting you go, and in my own selfish way, I’m glad he did.” Jace smiled.

　　Chuckling lightly, I sighed, sagging my shoulders down. “And here we both are, on what should be our wedding day, raking over the impact of their mistakes.”

　　“That can be remedied.” He smiled, standing up and reaching his hand out to me. “Will you marry me, Miss. Miller?”

　　Looking up at him, my heart swelled with love. Most reservations had been pushed to the side, and I couldn’t believe how stupid I had been. Jace thought I was smart, but I wondered whether that view of me had waned after this morning.

　　Taking hold of his hand, I stood up from the sofa. “Yes. I want to marry you, Mr. Morgan.”

　　“That’s good, because there’s a vicar waiting downstairs.” He smiled.

　　“It’s like it was meant to be.” I smiled back.

　　“Indeed.”

　　Making sure that I looked presentable in the mirror and quickly fixing up my make-up, I stood back up from looking at my reflection in the dressing table mirror.

　　“You are the most beautiful woman on the planet,” Jace complimented, as I made sure that my hair was in place.

　　“We’ve seen each other before the wedding!” I gasped.

　　“I’ve told you, that tradition is a load of cobblers. Fate has always been on our side, and what more can we be put through? I’m glad we got to iron out a few things before we got married. I would’ve hated it if you’d had reservations as we were saying our vows.”

　　“You’re right.” I sighed. “No more doubts, and what’s to be, will be. Shall we do this?” I smiled.

　　“Of course.”

　　Wrapping my arm under his, I took hold of my bouquet and we left the room together. Making our way downstairs, we flashed each other a smile as we took one step at a time, ready to become man and wife.

　　Once outside and in the gardens, Jace gave my mum and dad a thumbs up, and my mum split off to go and round up the guests who were having a drink and probably wondering what in the world was going on.

　　Giving my hand a light kiss, Jace handed me over to my dad, as he walked toward the marquee to wait for me there.

　　“I gather everything is sorted out, Becs?” my dad asked, tucking my arm under his.

　　“Yes,” I beamed, ready to proceed with the day.

　　“Good,” he replied, as we walked along the red carpet and toward the marquee. “I was beginning to think I was an unlucky charm on your wedding day. I can’t seem to give you away.” He chuckled lightly.

　　Quietly chuckling away together, we walked toward the marquee, and apart from the distant view of security wrapping around the gardens, it was all perfect.

　　Entering the marquee, with the photographer taking photos for our upcoming wedding album, I was greeted with the sight of smiling, and relieved, guests, as our close circle of friends and family were waiting for us to arrive. With Gemma, Lily, Kelly, and Jacob, hopping to the back of me and following me on, with one foot in front of the other, I walked toward my gorgeous Jace, as he stood next to the vicar and shot me a beaming smile.

　　Glancing at our congregation, Jace’s friends sat together, along with my mum at the front, and then I caught sight of Drew – smirking my way in his usual smug form. Ugh, I hated the sight of him, so turning my attention away from the most unwelcomed guest, I proceeded to walk to the front to meet the man of my dreams.

　　As my dad handed me over, much to his relief, he went and sat with my mum, as Kelly took my bouquet off me and Jace took my hands in his. Looking deep into my eyes as we exchanged the most special words in the world, I was lost in my own paradise again, and I wished I hadn’t been so reserved about this. The words to each other flowed as naturally as water along a riverbed, and the love between us could be felt throughout the room.

　　When we were officially husband and wife, the congregation stood to their feet and clapped for us – probably in celebration that we had finally made it here. Laughing in happiness at becoming Jace’s wife, we wrapped an arm around each other’s waist as we ventured out of the marquee as confetti was sprinkled over us both.

　　With Jace leaning into me and giving me a kiss at the entrance, confetti sprinkled down onto us both. Beaming smiles and feeling like the happiest woman on earth, a part of me couldn’t believe that I’d actually managed to get married. After the last eventful wedding, and this morning’s escapades, I never thought it would happen.

　　Making our way through to a separate marquee, tables decorated with white linen and all sorts of flower and crystal arrangements dotted the room, and taking our seats at the top table, when everyone had settled, the speeches began.