Chapter 26
Wedding, part 1:
Sam was the first one to wake up in the morning, she looked over at the man lying next to her. The man who in a few hours would be her husband, the one who she would have children with and grow old together. Her heart swelled with so much love when she looked at him. He was so damn hot, his body toned, not to mention how great the sex was between them. She moved closer, her chest resting on his as she ran her fingers along his face. “CJ, it’s time to get up, you have to leave now.”
He opened his eyes when he felt her breasts pressed against his chest and felt his member coming to life. “Baby, if you don’t get off me the only thing I’ll be doing is you.”
She gasped and jumped off the bed when she saw the sheet over CJ rising. Placing her fingers to her mouth she giggled. “I swear you are the horniest man alive.” Picking up a pillow she threw it at him. “Get up, you have to go.”
He got out of bed and stood before her, letting her see what she was missing out on. “You sure babe? I promise it won’t take long.”
Shaking her head she put on the robe. “I’m going downstairs for some coffee, I’ll see you in the kitchen. I suggest you get rid of that before your mother sees you,” she said, pointing to his friend that was still standing at attention.
She was greeted by Dawn and Calvin Sr.
“Have a seat dear and here’s your coffee, just the way you like it. Now, where is that boy of mine? He should be getting ready to leave,” Dawn said, going over to the doorway shouted out his name.
CJ came bouncing down the stairs with his suit and a bag in his hands. “No need to shout Mom, I’m here. What's for breakfast?”
“You can eat at Parker’s.”
CJ put his arms around his mother’s waist from behind as he looked at Sam. “Ah Mom, you know Parker can’t cook worth a damn. Won’t you please feed your son before sending him away?”
Dawn laughed, giving him a swat. “Oh go on, sit down then.” She fixed him up a plate and set it before him just as Parker walked in.
“You’ve got ten minutes to eat that pal and then I’m taking you out of here,” Parker said and poured himself a coffee.
When CJ was finished he stood up and taking Sam’s hand pulled her up from her chair. “I want five minutes with my bride before we leave,” he said, looking at Parker as he walked her out into the hallway.
He pinned her up against the wall, his mouth going to hers and he kissed her with every ounce of love he felt for her. “I love you baby, and I can’t wait until you become my wife. I have something to give you before I leave.” Letting her go he reached into his bag and pulled out the wrapped gift and handed it to her.
Smiling she looked at it, her fingers unwrapped the paper it was in. Her eyes watered up when she saw the pearl bracelet inside the black velvet box. “Oh my God CJ, it’s beautiful.”
His heart was bursting with joy when he saw how much she loved it. “I thought you might like it to go with your grandmother's necklace. I didn’t know what else to get you as a wedding gift and when I saw this I thought it would be the perfect gift.”
“It is, thank you so much, I love it,” she said, pulling him close she kissed him. “I love you but you better get going. I have so much to do before the wedding.”
Just then Parker walked in, interrupting their passionate embrace and broke them apart. “Save it for the honeymoon, you’re coming with me,” he said and put CJ in a headlock and messed up his hair as he used his knuckles to rub his head.
It wasn’t long before they were wrestling on the floor until Dawn put a stop to it. “Enough you two now scoot, and you better not carry on like this at the wedding.”
CJ grabbed Sam and kissed her as Parker kept tugging on his arm, dragging him towards the door.
“I love you, Sam,” CJ shouted as Parker pushed him out, closing the door behind them.
When Dakota and the kids showed up it was time to get things moving along. The three women went into town to get their hair and nails done, the kids stayed home with the sitter. Sam wanted her hair down as CJ loved it that way, she just had some curls added. Once they were finished at the salon and were leaving Donna walked in.
The two women glared at one another for a brief moment.
“So this is the big day huh,” Donna said.
Sam still wanted to beat Donna’s ass but she was not about to fight her, not today anyway. “It is, so if you’ll excuse me I have a wedding to get ready for.”
“Wait, Sam. I just wanted to say I’m sorry for causing trouble between you and CJ. I know now that he loves you and I was jealous.”
Sam got right in her face. “Apology accepted, but if you ever pull another stunt with CJ I will kick your ass black and blue, stay away from my man.”
“You don’t have to worry, he loves you. Besides, I’m leaving town and I doubt I’ll ever be back. I never thought he would fall in love and want to get married. I guess you’re the one he has been waiting for his whole life.”
Sam and the others walked out, she had to admit that Donna surprised her. She wasn’t worried about her and CJ, she trusted him with her whole heart and knew he would never be unfaithful to her.
Back at the ranch people were buzzing around, trying to get everything ready for the reception later that day. The others were dressed while Sam applied her make-up with care, she managed to hide the bruise that Jonathan had given her. All she had was her dress to put on which Dakota and Dawn were going to help her with.
Meanwhile, Calvin Sr. all decked out in his suit had driven over to Parker’s to check on the boys. He smiled when he saw CJ, he looked handsome in his suit but he also looked nervous. Going over he fixed his tie for him, wanting to have a heart-to-heart talk with his son.
“This is it, so soon you’ll be married. I expect you to be a good husband to that girl. Love and protect her always and never stop telling or showing her how much you love her. There will be times you’ll feel like pulling your hair out or getting mad. Just stop before you speak as words can hurt and not be taken back. I’m proud of you son, you have turned into one good man and I know Sam loves you.”
“Thanks, Dad, I love her too and I’ll live every day to make sure she’s happy.”
Calvin Sr. had a tear in his eyes. “Let’s have one drink before I head back to the ranch to get your bride and take her to the church.”
Back at the ranch: With Dakota’s help Sam slipped into her wedding dress, turning around Dawn did it up in the back.
“You look so beautiful Sam,” Dawn said, wiping away her tears.
Sam went and stood in front of the floor-length mirror. “I’m nervous and happy at the same time. I hope CJ will like this dress.”
Dakota went over to her. “Are you kidding me? he’s so much in love with you that if you wore a brown paper bag he would still love what you’ve got on.” She gave Sam a hug. “You’re like a sister to me and I am so happy for both you and CJ.”
Dawn started snapping pictures, she was going to make them a wedding album as she did with Parker and Dakota when they got married.
“I better go see the kids and make sure they haven’t messed up their outfits. I’ll see you at the church,” Dakota said, giving her a big hug before searching for her children.
As Dawn was making sure there were no loose ends, she checked Sam’s hair and dress just as Calvin Sr. entered the room. She gave him a smile, remembering the day they got married which didn’t seem that long ago. “What do you think of our daughter-in-law,” she asked, making Sam turn around so that he could get a look at her.
A smile spread across his face. “My God, you’re beautiful. My son is a very lucky man.”
Sam smiled back. “I’m the lucky one. CJ is loving and caring and treats me like a princess. You and Dawn have raised a remarkable man. I promise I’ll be a good wife and make him happy.”
Calvin went over and took her hands in his. “You have already made him happy.”
“You’ve seen him, how is he?”
“Nervous, and he can’t wait to marry you.” He looked over at Dawn. “I think we better get this girl to the church. If we’re late CJ will come looking for us.”
At the church: Not seeing CJ anywhere Parker went outside looking for him. “There you are, what are you doing out here?”
“Just getting some fresh air.”
“You’re not having any second thoughts about getting married are you?”
CJ’s head turned to look at Parker, hurt that he would even think that. “Hell no. There’s nothing more I want than to marry Sam. I’m just worried.”
“Worried about what?”
“If I can make her happy and will she someday wake up and not love me anymore.”
“Man you’re talking nonsense, she loves you and I bet you two will live a long and happy life together.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a flask, uncorking it took a sip and handed it to CJ. “Here, try this, it will take the edge off.”
He took it from Parker and took two sips. “How do you do it, Parker? How do you keep your marriage so good and the passion?”
“I’ll be honest, it takes work sometimes but it’s so worth it.”
“It takes work, you and Dakota, right, he scoffed. “You two have the perfect marriage, always so loving and the way you two are with each other it’s beautiful.”
“Trust me, we’ve had our fights but when you love someone you work through it.” When he saw Dawn’s car coming he told CJ to take another sip and to pop a mint into his mouth. “Your mom will kill us if she sees us drinking outside the church.” He quickly placed the flask in his pocket.
Dawn arrived before Calvin and Sam as she would be taking pictures. When she saw CJ in his wedding suit she felt the tears welling up in her eyes. Going up to him put her arms around him for a hug. “Oh CJ, you look so handsome and I’m so proud of you.”
He hugged her back, she felt so small in his arms and she looked incredible. “Mom, you look so beautiful. I hope Dad will be able to keep his hands off you during the reception.”
She lifted her face up to him and laughed. “Don’t worry sweetheart, I told him this was your day and he better behave. Now Sam and your father will be here any minute with Dakota and the kids so you both better get inside and take your place. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. Now scoot, both of you.”
CJ and Parker laughed when she shoved them towards the door, she may be tiny but was strong as an ox.
They made their way to the front of the church and stood there waiting. First Chad and Ellie would be walking down the aisle, followed by Dakota, then Sam and his father. He couldn’t wait to see her in her dress. She had gotten mad at him when he tried to take a peek so she had it taken to his parent’s place. He looked at his watch, then at Parker.
“Shouldn’t they be here by now?”
Parker smiled back at him. “They still have five minutes, take a deep breath, they’ll be here.”
CJ began to sweat, his eyes darting towards the back of the church looking to catch sight of Sam when the music began, knowing it was starting.