Chapter Ten

I was staring up at Randy, grinning from ear to ear with such giddy excitement, I found it hard to even pay attention to what the minister was saying. I was standing at the altar, which was actually just a nice patch of grass underneath the beautiful arch my father had built for this occasion specifically, during the ceremony of my wedding, and I couldn't seem to focus on anything other than Randy's face. I'd had to stifle a couple laughs, and the minister had had to stop both times and ask if I was okay.

"Stop it," Randy mouthed, his own grin stretched across his face. And of course I had to release one of his hands to hide my mouth behind my hand as I broke into another set of giggles.

I cleared my throat, "I'm sorry," I muttered to the minister. Not long after that we got to that part of the wedding where the couple, in this case Randy and I, was expected to say their vows. I hadn't written anything down, and I knew that Randy hadn't either. What could I say? We were a couple that appreciated the art of winging it. I didn't think anyone could beat the smile off my face.

"I'm told you prepared vows of your own?"

"That's right," Randy said and turned back to grin at me.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom have prepared vows of their own. Randy…"

He grinned down at me, "And I use the term prepared my own vows loosely." I giggled as he continued, "I love you…" he finally said, and after several moments of silence I realized that was it.

So did the minister.

"Is… is that all?" he questioned.

Randy nodded his head, "What else is there?" I laughed, but he did speak again, "Everything that can be said, has been said. Words fall short in situations like this, especially with us. All I can do from here on out, Mickie, is continue to show you how much I love you. How much I'm in love with you. So yes, until someone comes up with some more meaningful words, I love you will have to suffice. Actions always speak louder than words."

"I second that," I exclaimed, and our small group of guests shared in a laugh together. I continued, "No, I… it's been a roller coaster, Randy. We've had ups, we've sure as hell had our downs, but we're both much better people because of that. And if we can make it through what we've already battled through, and come out of that more in love than two people have any right to be, then life can throw whatever the hell it wants at us, because I believe in us, Randy. And more importantly, I believe in our love. And…" I looked down, sort of at a loss for words actually, and then I met his eyes again, the grin back on my face, "And honestly… I just want to be your wife already." He chuckled as we both turned to survey the minister who seemed surprised that we were actually rushing him. And within a few minutes we were wearing our rings, sharing in a far too passionate kiss even for a wedding, and the minister was announcing us as Mr. and Mrs. Randy and Mickie Orton.

The ceremony had taken place in the field on my childhood farm underneath a brilliant blue sky without a cloud in sight, with stunning trees as a backdrop and our guests in a half circle on each side of the arch. It had taken my father several weeks to make the entire property wedding ready, and I couldn't have been more appreciative of all his hard work. Our reception, on the other hand, was taking place inside a marquee set up on the opposite side of the house. It was a small wedding; both sides of the family were present – immediate family, grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins – friends from outside the business and a handful of superstars and divas. It couldn't have been more perfect if I'd dreamed it. It had only been two months since we'd gotten engaged, and somehow we'd managed to pull off something spectacular. Despite the fact we'd both agreed on something small, Randy pulled out all the stops and put more money towards it than I'd like to admit. I loved him for that, and it certainly made the day more magical, but we could have gotten married in a courthouse and it would have exceeded expectations. Because it wasn't the decorations or the food or the music, it was him, it was us, surrounded by the people we loved.

"You did good, Mickie." I turned to see Phil had joined me outside the tent, as I stood watching the sunset.

"I did?"

"Food wise, I meant. The food was excellent."

I laughed, "You'll have to thank my mom and Elaine, it was all their doing."

"You look happy, it's good to see you so happy."

"I am happy," I said, unable to contain the grin on my face.

"Congratulations. Orton's still not good enough for you, but I'm happy for you, for the both of you. You've come a long way, it honestly was weirdly satisfying to see you both pull through and come out so strong. I stand here, proven wrong."

"Whoa!" I threw my hands up theatrically, "Someone alert the media, Phil Brooks has just admitted he was wrong. This honestly is a Kodak moment. Where the hell is a camera when you need one?!"

He chuckled.

"You're annoying as hell, Phil, but I love having a friend who isn't afraid to tell me exactly what he's thinking. It sucks, but it's necessary. And it may not always seem like it, but I appreciate it."

He pulled me against him for a one armed hug, "I gotta get going, but I'm sure I'll see you soon. Have fun on your honeymoon, hey?"

"Oh I will, I only wish we could have gotten more time off," I pouted.

"Hey, five days is better than nothing."

"Touché," I responded and waved as he made his way back towards the house.

I re-entered the tent, wanting to find the photographer so we could take a few more photos with the remaining wedding guests with the sunset as a backdrop, but I very nearly ran into my mother.

"Oh there you are dear, Randy was looking for you."

I hooked my thumb over my shoulder, "I was checking out the scenery. Can you round everyone up, I want to get a few more pictures out there. The sunset is beautiful."

"Of course," she paused and smiled, "I appreciate you letting Sammy be a part of your wedding."

I grinned, "You kind of guilted me into it Ma."

"I did not, I merely suggested it!"

"If that's the story you want to tell, fine. But honestly, it turned out a lot better than I thought it would. She surpassed my expectations by staying sober until dinner time."

She tsked and shook her head at me, "Ethan and Jordan looked so handsome walking the rings down the aisle, didn't they?"

I nodded my head, "I have no idea how my nephews turned out so adorable when their mom is such a nut job, but hey, I won't second guess it."

She nudged me, "I'll go round everyone up and meet you out there, alright?"

I headed back out, but I was joined a couple of minutes later by Randy who pulled me into his arms and placed a kiss on my lips.

"You know, I don't know what's more of a shock, that fact that I'm now a married man, or the fact that we survived all the odds and are stuck together for the rest of our lives."

"I think I'd have the right to be insulted by that, but you're really not the only one. I didn't think we'd ever end up here. Not last year anyway."

"I don't blame you, I was a mess," he grasped my hand and brought it up and kissed the back of it.

I offered him a smile, "It wasn't just you, Randy. I was a mess too, even before you met me. Not in the same way. But I was lost. I'd gone through so many relationships, somehow under the impression they were just meant to pass the time. I guess I'd just never experienced the right one. I honestly didn't think I ever would. So you can imagine how much of a surprise it was when I finally found someone I wanted something more with, and it was harder than I ever thought it could possibly be." I turned and wrapped my arms around his neck, "And every single moment together has been worth it. I won't say it was easy, or that I'd want to experience it again, but if I had to, to make it here to this moment with you, I would do it all over again, multiple times if necessary."

"Multiple times? I don't know if I'd go that far."

I punched him in the shoulder.

"I'm kidding. I love you, Mickie. Always and forever, for the rest of my life. And I know that's a big promise, but it's one I intend to keep."

I grinned up at him as I saw the guests filing out of the tent, drinks in hand, laughing and chatting with one another, "It's one I fully intend to hold you to."

"So what do you think?"

"I was expecting something newer…"

"You don't like it?"

"No, I just mean for you. I figured you'd want it built new, that way you can't complain about anything. You being the control freak you are."

He smiled, "That was my first thought, I had every intention of having our house built new. But then I drove by this one, and it drew me in, picturing us growing old on this property. It's only two years old. The owners had it built a few years back, but they were in over their head, couldn't afford the payments and were forced to sell this and downgrade. It's basically brand new and we wouldn't have to worry about the hassle of having a house built."

"Hey, you had me at envisioning us growing old," I turned around and looked up at him, "I don't care where we live, or for how long, I just want you. But you're right, Randy, this house is absolutely stunning," I turned back to admire it and he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me back against him.

"Good, because I already put in an offer for it," he said. "It's going to be ours," he spoke softly into my ear, "We're going to live here for the rest of our lives. We're going to make memories, and build a life here, and watch our children grow up."

I turned my head slightly to look at him, smiling, completely taken over by the vision he'd planted in my mind. He kissed me on the forehead, and I closed my eyes briefly at his touch before turning back.

"This is home," I said with certainty, "I can feel it already."

I wasn't foolish enough to think that this new marriage and home was going to be the end of our problems, because in life there was always going to be something, but I was confident that if we could make it through what we did in the first year and a half, we could make it through anything as long as we had each other. And I had him. I'd gotten that handsome groom that I was insanely in love with. The man I dreamed about as a young child, the man who taught me that it was okay to love. The man I knew my heart would be safe with. And while I didn't really believe people could have it all, this was pretty damn close, and it felt good.

Those reservations be damned.