Wanna Get Married?

Jamie straightened his shirt collar, undoing and redoing the top button, pulled at his sleeves, fidgeted with his watch, smoothed his pants. He wasn’t nervous, really. But he was antsy. He couldn’t wait to see her, get these photos over with and get to the good stuff on the beach. He hated having his picture taken. It was so awkward, never knowing where to put his hands, whether to look at the camera, feeling like people were staring at him.

Finally, the photographer — well, her second shooter, Scott — came into the clearing and gave him something to do. He took a few simple shots of Jamie just looking around at the trees, back at the hotel, down the path toward the beach. Scott said these were mostly for getting the camera settings right, but they would include any that turned out well. Then he set up off to the side so he could get shots of Cara as she walked up behind him.

A minute or two later, Jamie heard voices coming down the path, then he heard Cara’s soft footsteps behind him. When she touched his shoulder, he took a deep breath and turned around. “Hello, Handsome,” she said shakily, smiling up at him.

Jamie was speechless. All he could do was mouth “wow” as he took in the stunning creature before him, his beautiful bride. He solved his sudden lack of vocabulary the way he usually did, by cradling her face in his hands and pressing his lips to hers. Photographers forgotten, they rested their foreheads together, smiling giddily.

Eventually, Jamie backed off a little and managed a few words. “You are so incredibly beautiful,” he whispered, blinking hard to clear his misty eyes.

“You’re kinda cute yourself,” she giggled, popping his suspenders as she trailed her hands down his chest.

“Wanna get married?” he grinned, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

Laughing, she nodded. “Sure. I wasn’t doing anything else today.”

“Perfect. Meet me on the beach at 8:30.”

“I’ll be there.”

“God, I love you.”

“Feeling’s mutual, hot stuff.” She couldn’t resist squeezing his ass as she went in for a hug.

“You’re so bad,” he whispered into her hair. “If there weren’t people taking pictures of us right now …” His hands slid down her sides to her hips and around her back, teasing touches disguised as returning her hug. He pulled her tight against him, kissing her forehead, and willed himself to settle down. Later.

They held each other for a few more moments before it was time to finish up the photos. Sarah, the lead photographer, snapped away as Scott helped arrange them, fanning out the short train of Cara’s dress, making sure there wasn’t a hair or a fern frond out of place.

When Sarah had what she wanted, she sent Scott to bring in the wedding party and family. They had chosen to have only a maid of honor and best man, not wanting to choose between friends. Cara couldn’t think of anyone more perfect than her niece, who was the reason they’d met, and Jamie picked the person he was closest to in the world, his brother.

After hugs were exchanged all around — and photographed — Olivia handed Cara her bouquet, and they went about taking pictures in various configurations. Sarah shot posed photos of each family unit, then the whole group together, then just the wedding party, while Scott captured candid moments in between — Jamie having an earnest hockey conversation with Olivia, Cara’s dad giving her a kiss on the cheek, the moms chatting animatedly with each other.

When they were done with everything and the mothers had herded their flocks back down the path, Jamie leaned down and swept Cara up in his arms, twirling her around in a circle, making her squeal with laughter, then set her down and kissed her softly. They walked hand-in-hand back to the hotel, stopping in the hallway before Cara headed back to their room and Jamie went to Jordie’s room to join the rest of the boys.

“See you in a little while, Beautiful,” he murmured.

“I can’t wait. I love you, Jamie.”

“Love you too, Baby. Don’t be late!”

“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away!” she called as he walked away.

Notes