| ~ Chapter Forty-Two ~ |
| Jeff woke up around four o'clock, and Ryann was still asleep. He quietly got out of bed and walked out into the living room. Gilbert was there with Matt and Lexi, along with Ryann's parents, John and Carey, and her sister Jessica. Gilbert saw Jeff walk in and said, "Did you sleep well?" "Yeah, what's everybody doing here?" Doug said, "We flew down as soon as Matt called us and told us that the two of you had found Ryann. Is she ok?" "Yes, she's still sleeping. I don't want to wake her." "So Chris is in jail?" John asked. "Yes, I believe he is. He'd better be�" "We're just glad that you are both ok." Elisabeth said. "I am glad that Ryann is ok. I don't know what I would have done if I had lost her." Jeff said. "I'm going to go get some coffee, I'll be right back." Jeff went into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee, then went in to check on Ryann. He walked over to the bed and Ryann opened her eyes, and she smiled. "Hey sweetie." Jeff said to her. "Hey�" Ryann responded. Jeff leaned down and gave her a kiss. "Your family is out in the living room." "What?" Ryann said as she sat straight up in bed. "Your parents and brother and sister are here. I guess Matt called them to let them know you were home and ok, and they flew down." Ryann climbed out of bed and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. "I should go out there." Jeff walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "If you don't want to, I'm sure they will understand." "Jeff, I should go say hello." "Ok�" Ryann headed out into the living room and Jeff followed. Everybody saw her, and John walked right over, and was looking at her cheek. "Did Chris do this?" "Yes John, but I am ok�" "I'll fucking kill him once I get�" Ryann cut him off. "John, Chris is in jail, and he's not going to hurt me anymore. So let it go." Doug jumped in and said, "On a lighter note� are the two of you still going to get married next weekend?" Ryann and Jeff looked at each other, and then looked back at everyone in the room. Jeff said, "I'd do it today, but�" Ryann cut Jeff off. "We are still getting married," and she turned to face Jeff. "And I'll do it whenever you want to." "Since everyone that we want to be here is here�let's do it tomorrow. There's nothing to stop us." "You really want to do it tomorrow Jeff?" Ryann asked. "Yes. If we had a minister I'd do it right here and now. There is nothing stopping us, and you do have a dress. So let's do it." "Ok�" Ryann walked over to Jeff and put her arms around him, and they kissed. "I love you so much Jeff." "I love you too Ry." Jeff said to her. "So we're getting married tomorrow." Ryann said. Lexi got up and grabbed the telephone. "I'll call and make arrangements. Do you still want to do it here?" "No. I'd like to go to the beach. If that's ok with Ryann." Jeff said. "I don't really care where it happens, as long as it happens." Lexi went into the other room and made some phone calls. When she came back in, everything was set for three o'clock the next afternoon. She had hired a minister and a photographer. Lexi booked six hotel rooms at a hotel in Myrtle Beach. One for Ryann's parents and sister, one for her brother and sister-n-law, one for Matt and Jeff's dad, one for Matt and Jeff, one for Shannon, his wife, and Shane, and one for Ryann, Amy, and herself. She called Shannon, Shane and Amy to invite them also. She came back into the living room and told everyone that everything was set. Since Ryann's family was already packed, Gilbert and Lexi left to pack some things, and Ryann, Jeff and Matt packed there. Everyone was to meet back at Jeff and Ryann's house at six-thirty. Everyone came back at six-thirty, and loaded up the cars. Ryann's family was in their rental car, Matt, Lexi, and Gilbert were in Lexi's passport, Shannon, his wife, Shane, and Amy were in Amy's car, and Jeff and Ryann were in the corvette. They all headed out to Myrtle Beach. They arrived in Myrtle Beach around ten-thirty at night, and they check in to the hotel. Everyone but Jeff and Ryann were tired, and wanted to relax. Ryann and Jeff wanted to be alone, but everyone said it was bad luck for them to spend the night together before their wedding, so everyone went to their rooms. Matt and Jeff were hanging out in their room with Shannon and Shane, and Lexi, Amy and Ryann were in their room. Amy and Lexi fell asleep, and Ryann was watching television, and wide awake. She grabbed her cell phone and went into the bathroom. She called Jeff's cell phone, and he picked up on the first ring. "Hello?" Jeff said quietly. "Hi Jeff, it's me." Ryann whispered. "I was just about to call you. What are you doing?" "I am sitting in the bathroom on my cell, so the girls don't hear me. They are sleeping." "Matt is out cold. I want to see you." "I want to see you too." "Ok, so meet me downstairs in ten minutes." "Ok, I'll see you in a couple of minutes." The two of them hung up, and Ryann put on a pair of shorts, a tank top, and her sandals. She grabbed the room key and headed downstairs. Jeff was right behind her, and they met up in the elevator. Jeff gave Ryann a kiss, and they went downstairs, and walked out to the beach. Ryann and Jeff were walking in the surf, holding hands and talking. They decided to stop and sit, so Jeff sat down and Ryann sat between his legs. He wrapped his arms around her, as they looked into the darkness at the ocean. "Remember when we were in California like this�?" Jeff asked. "Yes, I do. You asked me out that night." "I probably wouldn't have if it wasn't for your brother." "My brother?" Ryann asked. "Yeah, John told me that you liked me. I liked you, but I knew that you had just broken up with Chris, and I didn't want to rush things, and I wasn't sure if you felt the same about me." "Well, I am glad that you did ask me. Look at us now. I never thought we'd be like this." "I knew you'd be mine, it was just a matter of time." "Really�?" "Yes�" "We're going to get married tomorrow." "I know. And I am so glad�" "Me too Jeff." Ryann said, as she leaned up and kissed Jeff. The two of them sat there talking until around 2 am, then they headed back to the hotel. After they shared a long kiss at Ryann's hotel room door, Ryann went inside and Jeff returned to his room. They both went to bed, and fell asleep. Ryann was woke up by Lexi and Amy at eight-thirty the next morning so she could take a shower and get to the hairdressers. They did all of their running around and getting ready. Ryann was standing in the hotel room at two-thirty, in her dress and veil, all ready to go. Ryann's brother and sister-in-law, her parents, and her sister came to the room and were fawning over her. Lexi was in her dress, and everything was all set to go. Amy said she was going to go check on the guys, and left the room. At about ten minutes of three o'clock, Amy called the room and told Lexi that the guys were all down at the beach and they were ready. So Lexi, Ryann, and her family all headed out of the hotel and down to the beach. Ryann's mother, sister, brother and sister-in-law went and took their seats. Ryann took her father's arm, and followed Lexi down to where Jeff was waiting for her. When they got close, the small band they hired started to play the wedding march, and Doug started to walk his daughter toward the makeshift altar where Jeff and Matt stood. Ryann looked at Jeff, and he smiled at her. It was almost as if time stood still as they looked into each other's eyes. Ryann and her father made to the altar, and Doug gave his daughter away to Jeff. They recited their vows, and exchanged rings. The minister then pronounced them husband and wife, and told Jeff he could kiss his bride. Jeff raised Ryann's veil, and cupped her face in his hands. He leaned down and kissed her, and everyone started to cheer and clap. The band started to play the music and Ryann and Jeff walked down through the people, followed by Lexi and Matt. After they all talked for a short while at the beach, they had a small reception back at the hotel. They ate dinner and partied for a bit, then Ryann and Jeff left, and went back to what was now their room. They changed clothes and had their first interlude as husband and wife. They fell asleep in the comfort of each other's arms. The next morning, they all drove back to Cameron. Ryann and Jeff packed a bag, and rode to the airport with Lexi and Matt. Ryann and Jeff flew off to Aruba for their honeymoon. Lexi and Matt headed back to Cameron, and then took Ryann's family to the airport, so they all could head home. They went back to Jeff and Ryann's, and Matt started to pack up his things� He and Lexi were moving in together. They waited until Ryann and Jeff had left, so it would be a surprise when they got home. |
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