Chapter 3
Landon pulled up to his destination and handed the cab driver forty dollars to pay for his trip, opened the door, and stepped out onto the sidewalk. He looked up at the building in front of him. It was beautiful, breath-taking, and absolutely, positively, perfect. Landon took a deep breath and strolled in through the big, double doors. A tall, thin woman with bright red hair and a nametag that read Christy greeted him. Landon figured this was who he had talked to on the phone when he'd called about the ceremony.
"Hello, you must be Landon. Welcome," Christy greeted, shaking his hand with vigor. "How're you today?"
"Excited, nervous, happy, and anxious, amazed…practically any emotion or feeling that you could think of," Landon replied, running his hand through his hair.
"Great, great…" mumbled Christy, oblivious to what Landon's answer really was as she looked over the clipboard she held in her hand. She found what she was searching for. "Let's see…you're scheduled for 5 o'clock." She looked at her watch. "Oh! That's coming up quite quickly, isn't it? I'll tell you what. We have a back room for you to wait in, and I'll come and get you when your bride arrives. … That reminds me. Will you be paying upfront or should we send you a bill?"
"Could you send me the bill, please?" asked Landon kindly, not wanting to think about anything except him and Jamie and the next half-hour.
"Yes, Sir," replied the woman, walking off. 'Back room's right through there. It's just around the corner. First door on the right. I'll be back to get you soon. That is, if your bride decides to come…" At Landon's puzzled look, she added, "Just kidding!" Christy walked through a nearby door into an office-type-looking room, closing the door behind her.
'Now what do I do?' thought Landon. He looked around briefly, and then decided to see what was in the back room, wiping the palms of his hands on his pants as he went. God! He was so nervous!
'What a time to get stuck in rush-hour traffic…' thought Jamie. She sat in the back of her taxi, trying her best to be patient, but she couldn't really help herself. She was going to be late for her own wedding! 'Okay, Jamie. Just relax. You're not going to get there any faster by stressing out over it…so calm down.'
Half-an-hour later, Jamie's cab pulled up in front of The Wedding Chapel. It was 5:05, and according to Jamie, that was late enough. She handed her driver the money she owed and stepped out of the vehicle and ran up to the building. She went inside and looked around in awe. It was so beautiful. Christy greeted her.
"Hello, you must be Jamie. We've been expecting you. Landon's waiting for you in the back room. If you'll stay right here for just a second, I'll go and get him for you and we can get this party started. Excuse me for a moment…" she said quickly, not even waiting for Jamie to confirm her identity.
The next thing Jamie knew, she saw Landon walking around the corner with a huge smile on his face. He ran up to her and threw his arms around her in a loving embrace.
"Oh, Jamie, that had to be the longest thirty minutes of my life," he admitted into her ear.
"You're telling me," Jamie laughed in reply.
Landon's eyes stood fixed on Jamie's, and when their gaze broke, he gave her a once-over from head to toe. "Baby, you look…" He ran a nervous hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. "…Incredible."
Jamie gave him a sweet smile. "You don't look so bad yourself…" They leaned in for another hug, making this one last a lot longer.
Christy just sort of stood there uncomfortably off to the side, waiting impatiently for them to break apart from each other. As soon as they pulled apart, Christy started talking again.
"If you'll follow me, we can start the ceremony. Come on, this way." Christy led them into a large sanctuary, complete with bouquets of white, red, and pink roses. They walked down the long aisle to the front, trying to make mental pictures of everything they saw for future reference. The stained-glass windows, the old, wooden pews, the dark green carpet that seemed to go on forever. It was all part of the biggest days of their lives, so it didn't matter to Jamie or Landon how simple those things might have been – they were well-worth committing to memory.
"Landon, if you'll stand right here," Christy tapped a small square of floor with her heel, "And Jamie, would you please take your place opposite him?" Landon and Jamie took their places, joining hands as Christy said, "I'll run and get our reverend, and then will start!"
Landon mouthed, "I love you," to Jamie, and was overjoyed when she mouthed it back. He brought her hands up to his lips and kissed them intimately, just as the reverend came out with Christy hanging behind. She went and sat in the front pew, obviously serving as the witness. Before Jamie or Landon knew it, the ceremony had begun.
"We have gathered here today to witness the joining in holy matrimony of this man and this woman. There is nothing more sacred than the covenant of marriage, and with that, I'd like to read a verse of scripture. 'Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful, nor conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.' Landon, if you would repeat after me. I, Landon Rollins Carter…"
"I, Landon Rollins Carter," he repeated, eyes locked on Jamie's.
"Do solemnly swear to take Jamie Elizabeth Sullivan as my lawfully wedded wife."
"Do solemnly swear to take Jamie Elizabeth Sullivan as my lawfully wedded wife."
"To honor and to cherish her all the days of my life."
"To honor and to cherish her all the days of my life." Landon smiled at his bride, beaming to the brim with happiness.
The reverend turned to Jamie. "Jamie, if you would repeat after me. I, Jamie Elizabeth Sullivan…"
"I, Jamie Elizabeth Sullivan…"
"Do solemnly swear to take Landon Rollins Carter as my lawfully wedded husband…"
"Do solemnly swear to take Landon Rollins Carter as my lawfully wedded husband…"
"To honor and to cherish him, all the days of my life."
"To honor and to cherish him all the days of my life." Jamie looked at Landon with sadness – they both knew those days were slowly coming to an end.
After blessing the rings, the reverend pronounced Landon and Jamie husband and wife.
"Landon, you may kiss your bride."
Landon leaned in towards Jamie, the biggest smile he'd ever had plastered on his face, and pressed his lips to her own. He felt her tense up and knew she wanted more, and so did he. He actually would've gone far enough to say that he wanted to make love to her right then and there, but this obviously wasn't the place for it. 'Not much longer, not much longer, not much longer,' he kept telling himself over and over, trying to help with his anxiety. It wasn't working, though.
As they walked out through the church doors, passersby couldn't help but notice that the two were just married. Many gave the two newlyweds sweet smiles, and Landon and Jamie even received a few, "Congratulations." They walked hand-in-hand to the corner and Landon flagged down a cab. The vehicle pulled over to the side of the road, and Landon opened the door for his wife…his wife…and slid in next to her. "Bay Colony Bed and Breakfast, Boston," Landon said, turning his attention to the driver and laughing slightly at his unintentional alliteration. The next moment, though, his attention was focused on Jamie. Once they were underway, their arms immediately wrapped around each other's in a tight embrace. Landon's fingers curled in Jamie's hair as he cooed, "I love you so much, baby."
"You have no idea," she responded, smiling. "You know, when I was little and had wedding fantasies, I never imagined in my whole life that this was the way it would be, but I couldn't have asked for anything better." Jamie pecked Landon on the lips and whispered, "But I know it'll get even better in an hour or so…"
Landon was surprised at this extremely new side of Jamie. It wasn't exactly wild, but for Jamie's personality and self-reservations, it was unexpected, even though Landon wasn't complaining at all. Her remark gave Landon goosebumps, and trying to regain control, he blew out a deep breath. "Yeah…" he responded slowly, as if he wanted to add something else. And, of course, Jamie picked up on it.
"But?"
"No buts. It's just that, well…" Landon paused, trying to think of the right way to phrase it, "I can't believe I actually get to be with you. And, well, I'm kind of nervous about it." His expression brought a smile to Jamie's lips.
"Ahh, that's so cute," Jamie said in a joking voice, but then she wondered something that she'd just kind of assumed she knew throughout the last few months of their relationship. "Landon, are you a virgin?"
He was a bit taken back at the way Jamie had just come out and asked it. They'd never really talked about sex, but Jamie seemed to have no problem discussing it now. Landon supposed that that was probably a good thing, though. He chuckled as he answered, "Yeah."
"Oh…" She looked down at the floor.
"Jamie?'
"Hmmm?" she asked, her eyes raising to meet his again.
He had to know. "Would it have made any difference if I'd said no?" Landon's fingers stroked her arm lovingly.
Jamie thought for a moment before responding. "I'd like to think that it wouldn't, but I can't honestly answer one way or another. I guess I just always assumed you weren't, considering who you ran with for all those years."
"Yeah, well, there were a couple times where Belinda wanted to do it, but I just couldn't bring myself to. I mean, sex is a big deal, and the thought of her being my first was just…unthinkable." Landon took a deep breath and ran nervous hand through his hair. "That's probably the main reason why we broke up, but then you came along and showed me a whole other way of life." He kissed her lips tenderly, but Jamie pulled Landon in closer, meshing her mouth with his. Her tongue slid out and stoked the inside of his mouth. He tasted just like the mint she'd seen him pop into his mouth just before the ceremony started.
The butterflies in both Landon and Jamie's stomachs as they pulled up to their Bed and Breakfast were unlike any other bouts of nervousness they'd ever felt in their entire lives. Sure, they'd both had their fair share of finals, tests, presentations, and, of course, the play, but nothing could compare to this apprehensive feeling. Nerves on high, they made their way into the lobby and Landon walked up to the front desk.
"How may I help you, Sir?"
"Yeah, reservation for Mr. and Mrs. Carter." Landon squeezed Jamie's hand and she gave him a sweet smile.
"Ah, yes. The honeymoon suite." The man handed Landon a key. "I believe a congratulations is in order."
"Thank you," replied Jamie sweetly.
"Yes, thank you so much. We really appreciate it," said Landon, shaking the man's hand.
"Really, Sir, it's no problem. Have a great stay and if you need anything at all, don't be hesitant to ask. It's our pleasure."
"Okay, thanks," said Landon, taking hold of Jamie's hand. They made their way over to the elevators and walked in. Jamie pressed the button that read "2" and the doors closed in front of them. They both knew that tonight would only bestow more perfection and happiness upon them, and they couldn't wait to get started.