The Marriage Contract

Wedding Bells, part 2

Rory's POV

As Hayley pulled me away, my mind was far away from where she was pulling me; to be exact, it was back at the end of the aisle where Ryland had kissed me. Really kissed me. Not just the typical peck from every other wedding that I was expecting. No. When he kissed me, I felt something.

And what scared me was that the simple fact that I did feel something, didn't scare me.

I continued to let Hayley pull me back into the bedroom where I had gotten ready, and once the door was shut, she turned to look at me with a surprised and excited face, "He kissed you! Like really kissed you!"

I nodded, still in a bit of a daze, "Yeah, I know," I said raising my eyes and staring off into space.

"Well...how was it?" I shook my head and opened my mouth, but shut it again. "Bad? Good? What girl? Spit it out!"

I lifted my eyes to hers and a slightly shocked smile made its way onto my face, "I felt," I said, which rendered her speechless.

To any normal person, that simple statement wouldn't mean much, but to me, it meant everything. I had never had a solid boyfriend in my entire life. Yes, I dated a few guys, but every time that they would begin to have real feelings for me, I ran, because I knew that I didn't feel that way back to them. Yes, I liked them, but it never went past general affection for that person. When I would kiss them, it was like kissing a best guy friend – affection, but nothing. There had only ever been one exception...until now. When Ryland kissed me, it was like my heart jumped. Tingles ran through my body and I never wanted him to stop.

I stood in a happily confused daze until Hayley spoke again and pulled me out of my reverie, "So...do you, you know...like him?"

"I...I don't know."

She looked at me skeptically for a second before shrugging it off, "Well, whatever. You have an entire year to figure that out. Now, let's get you in your reception dress." I nodded at her as she began helping me out of my wedding gown.

~

When I was finally out of my gown, Hayley handed me a new bag that I had yet to see the contents of.

"So, me and your mom picked this dress out of you and managed to hide it from you since the day after you bought your wedding dress," she said holding the bag with a smile. She then looked back at me and handed me the garment bag, "Well, hop to it! I have been waiting far too long to see you in it!"

I laughed at her, but took the bag and walked into the bathroom. Hanging it on the shower doors, I unzipped the bag and looked inside. The dress was short with small sleeves; it had the same floral lace as my gown and a high boat neck line. I smiled as I pulled it out of the back and slipped it on, managing to zip up the back without any help. Slipping my shoes back on, I walked out to Hayley and gave her a spin, "Do I live up to expectation?"

She looked over me and another smile came to her face, "You surpass it on many levels, Mrs. Steel," she said, using my new title for the first time. My face twisted up, not knowing exactly if I liked the sound of that or not. She laughed at me, and led me back out of the bedroom and back into the backyard, over to the tent where the reception was being held.

The sun was setting by now and the sky was a beautiful array of dark oranges, pinks and reds. The twinkling tea lights that were set on each of the tables lit up the inside of the tent where people all in their seats being served. I looked around and noticed Ryland, sitting in his spot, the open chair next to him, in the center of the table which was clearly mine. I glanced over at Hayley only to notice that she was watching Axel at the opposite side of the tent.

I grinned and elbowed her in the side, "Go talk to him."

She looked back at me and her face turned red, "Nah. He's out of my league," she said, shaking her head.

My eyes widened at her, "Bull shit." I looked behind her, only to see that Axel was now looking her way, as well. I smirked, and it didn't escape his notice. He sent a smirk of his own back and started making his way towards us.

Hayley look up at me again and rolled her eyes, "You know he is," she said almost sad.

I laughed at her again and shook my head, "Apparently he doesn't think so," I said matter-of-factly and nodded behind her just as he reached her and said 'hi'. "My work here is done," I muttered to myself and made my way over to my seat beside Ryland.

He glanced over at me and a smile lit his face, "Hi."

I smiled shyly back at him and looked up at him from underneath my lashes, "H-Hi."

Before we could say anything more, we were interrupted yet again, when Ryland's father, Ryan, stood up and took a mic from the DJ who had just finished setting up. "Now everyone, if you would please clear the dance floor and give the couple room for their first dance."

Ryland looked over at me, and he smiled again, standing and offering me his hand. I smiled back – that seems to be all that I am capable of, today – and followed him out to the middle of the dance floor, where a soft spotlight was shined down upon us. Slowly, the music started and Ryland wound his arms around my waist and my arms went to the back of his neck as we started to sway.

"You've been on my mind

I grow fonder, everyday

Lose myself in time

Just thinking of your face..."

The beginning words of Adele's One and Only began and we looked up at Ryland to see genuine emotion on his face. Maybe he feels for me, too.

"God only knows

Why it's taken me so long

To let my doubts go

You're the only one that I want..."

"You know, I never got to tell you how beautiful you look," Ryland said to me softly with a smile on his face.

I blushed, but couldn't hold back the cheesy grin, "Yeah, you don't look to bad yourself, loverboy."

"I don't know why I'm scared

I've been here before

Every feeling Every word

I've imagined it all

You'll never know if you never try

to forgive your past

and simply be mine..."

We didn't say much as we continued to dance, just glancing up at one another every now and then smiling. There were really no words to say, but one thing kept running through my mind over and over as I looked at his absolutely, heart breakingly beautiful face: give him a chance.

"So I dare you to let me be

Your one and only

I promise I'm worthy

to hold in your arms.

So come on

And give me a chance

To prove I am the one who can

Walk that mile until the end starts..."

As I listened to the chorus, a smile came to my face for a whole other reason as I positioned myself closer to Ryland, which didn't escape his notice. "Hey Ryland," I said and he looked down into my eyes.

"Yes?"

"You can call me Rory now."