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Secrets by Forks1
Tanya Denali
Chapter 17: I tried!
The sun was bright and hot as I dug my toes into the warm sand, the gentle breeze caressed my skin. Waves lapped at the shore while birds scavenged the unlucky critters that didn't make it out with the tide.
"Are you ready, Tanya?" Kate whispered as she put a few strands of my hair back into place. "I didn't account for the breeze when I chose this hairstyle for you," she sighed.
Smiling, I closed my eyes and tipped my face toward the sun. "I wouldn't care if my hair was down, up, hidden under a baseball cap, or I was completely bald, Kate. Today is the beginning of the rest of my life- the best part of my life."
Goose flesh broke out all over my body as I spoke. I'm joining the best man I know in marriage. The only thing missing were the jitters and nerves I remembered from my first wedding, but I didn't miss them. I knew without a doubt that Dante was the man I would happily grow old with.
"Have you and Garrett chosen a date yet?" I murmured, still enjoying the sun on my face.
Kate sighed softly, "Well, I want the big princess wedding and he wants a small ceremony with only family. We can't set a date when we can't agree on the wedding itself."
I glanced over to Kate, watching the way her face scrunched up in frustration. "Trust me, Kate, it doesn't matter how big or how small the wedding party is. All that matters is you and Garrett. Dante wanted to give me the big dream wedding but I've been there- done that, and look what I got out of it- a whole lot of heartache. This time, I chose to have a small intimate ceremony- Just the people who matter most- me and Dante, you and Garrett."
Kate laughed. "Well, I haven't had the opportunity to have my big wedding and I want it."
I raised my eyebrows, "Just don't let it take over so much that you forget the reason you're having the wedding," I whispered.
Kate turned and glanced back at the hotel and let out a sigh. "Here come the two most handsome men in all of Hawaii."
I spun around, smiling as Dante, Garrett and Reverend Ka-iu-lani walked toward us. My breath hitched in my throat as my gaze roamed over the man who would be my husband in a little over ten minutes. He was barefoot, wearing white linen pants that were rolled halfway up his calves, a white linen shirt that was buttoned partially. The breeze opened his collar enough for me to see his sun-kissed chest. He looked so delicious that I had to dig my bare feet into the sand to keep from running to him.
A coy smile played on Dante's lips as he watched me devour him with my eyes. His long strides brought him to me quickly. My hands reached out to find him as his body brushed up against mine, kissing me softly on the forehead.
"You are breathtaking, my love," he whispered. "I am the happiest man in the world right now, Tanya." His voice was rough as he fought to keep his emotions in check. I knew how much this moment meant to him.
I closed my eyes, inhaling the intoxicating scent of Dante. I let his hands go as I placed them on his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath his thin white shirt.
"Are you ready to be my husband?" I purred, locking my gaze onto his.
Dante took a deep breath, his lower lip trembled slightly as he leaned his head down to mine. "I have waited a long time for this day, my love. There is nothing - nothing I want more than to be your husband." He wrapped his arms around me. "I love you, Tanya," he whispered.
My heart swelled in my chest with the love that I felt for him. Never had my feelings been this intense with Masen- those had been a drop in a bucket compared to my love for Dante.
"I love you, too," I whispered back to him. "Let's do this." I grinned.
Dante took my hand and led me to where Kate, Garrett, and Reverend Ka-iu-lani were standing further down the beach. My life was falling into the perfect fairytale I had always dreamed of.
"Aloha," Reverend Ka-iu-lani began, "Mr. Boreanaz, Ms. Denali, are you ready to proceed?" he asked.
"Yes," we said in unison, I giggled, Dante laughed.
"Alright," he cleared his throat, "we have gathered together on this beautiful beach the gods have blessed us with, to join these two individuals into one 'ohana. Through love and trust you must build your foundation to last many lifetimes as you move through your lives together." He paused a moment, "Dante, do you take Tanya, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish through all the eternities?"
Dante looked into my eyes. "I do," he said smiling.
"Tanya, do you take Dante, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish through all the eternities?"
My eyes filled with tears as I studied Dante's face. "Oh, yes. I do," I breathed.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."
Dante turned to me, his hand cupped my cheek as he lovingly whispered, "I will cherish you, love you and honor you- forever." His lips brushed against mine softly. "You are my soul, Mrs. Boreanaz."
My breath hitched at his romantic declaration. Mrs. Boreanaz, yes- I liked the way that sounded. "As I will you, now kiss me, husband." I moaned against his mouth.
Dante chuckled before kissing me properly. His lips were soft and warm as they moved with mine, his hand was hot against my cheek. I reached up, locking my hands behind his neck as he deepened the kiss. His tongue was hot and sleek as it moved against mine. I melted into his body, wanting more, taking as much as I could possibly take here on the beach.
"Mrs. Boreanaz, we need to leave in five minutes," Dante called, jerking me out of my memories.
I smiled, oh how I loved being called by his name. It felt so right to take Dante's name as mine. I hadn't taken 'Masen' as my name- I had stuck with my own which irritated Masen more than he let on while we were married. That had been something I had enjoyed taunting him with when I was feeling spiteful.
"Five minutes, Tanya."
Right. We had a dinner date with some friends. I grinned as I pulled my gaze from the framed picture on my vanity that Kate had taken of our first kiss as husband and wife. It had only been a few weeks ago, but when I thought back to that memory, I could feel the warm sand on my toes and the bright sun on my face.
I applied my blush and picked up my lipstick.
Dante leaned in the doorway. "Babe, do you want a coat tonight? It's gonna get pretty chilly out."
"Actually, could you grab my cream sweater out of the dresser?" I asked as I slid my lipstick over my lips.
"Sure," he said as he slipped out of sight. I smacked my lips together and adjusted a few loose strands of hair. The drawer slammed shut as Dante yelled angrily, "Damn it, Tanya!"
I jumped at his tone and stood up quickly, turning around as Dante came barreling into the bathroom with papers in his hand. His face was red and tense as he glared at me. "Dante-" I choked, confused at his sudden viciousness. He shook his head slowly, the muscles in his jaw clenched as he shoved the papers in my face. Oh shit! My stomach twisted into knots as I closed my eyes.
"Don't close your eyes, damn it!" he snarled.
"Dante-" I started again, "It's not what it looks like-"
"It's NOT what it looks like? What exactly should this look like?" he growled.
"Dante-" I whimpered.
"I trusted you! I trusted you to do the right thing! You promised you would. You promised, Tanya!" He tried to control the tone of his voice.
"I tried!" I screamed.
"The hell you did! If you had tried, I wouldn't be holding this check from Angela Masen, you lying bi-…" he bellowed as I swung my hand toward his face. He grabbed my wrist holding it inches from his cheek. "Let's not go there, Tanya," he snarled.
"How dare you!" My voice trembled as his hurtful words pierced my heart. Tears spilled over my lids as I broke down and cried.
Dante dropped my wrist and leaned in close. "You listen to me, Tanya," he said through clenched teeth. I'd had enough as I threw my hands up in the air.
"NO! You listen to me!" I shouted, "I tried to return the check. I went back that day to call it off. I waited outside of her house for hours when she didn't answer the door." I ran my shaky fingers through my hair. "When the check was delivered the next day I tried to have it returned through the courier and they told me it wasn't allowed. I went there the next day, and several times that week, but either she wasn't there or she just wouldn't answer the door!" I felt dizzy now, my legs felt like they were ready to give out. "I couldn't leave the check just anywhere. Don't you think that if I was going to keep the money, I would have cashed it out by now!" I sunk down onto my knees, dropping my head as I took in a deep breath to try to get my tears under control.
It was silent for a few minutes. Then I heard Dante move in front of me. I glanced up to see that he was now sitting against the wall, his arms resting on his knees and his head tilted back against the wall. I couldn't see his eyes- they were looking up toward the ceiling but what I could see of his face was pained and stressed.
Oh, God, I don't know if you can hear me- help me fix this, I silently prayed. Not knowing what else to do, I crawled toward him, needing the feel of his hands on me, his arms around me. I needed him to love me. "Dante," I whispered as I crawled between his legs, leaning my head on his chest. It only took a moment before his arms were around me, holding me close to him.
"We need to bring this back to Angela tonight. I'll call Aaron and Kim and let them know we won't be able to make it." His voice was calm now. "I'm so sorry, Dante. I really tried to return it," I whispered.
"I'm sorry for not giving you the benefit of the doubt. I love you," he said as he kissed the top of my head.