Chapter 60
Nick watched as the bridesmaids walked down the aisle. One by one, he saw his sisters, then many friends of Gwen’s. He had counted 10 of them, he couldn’t believe it. He looked down as the bridal marched snapped him back into reality. He looked down the aisle and could barely see Gwen or more of an outline of her because the aisle was so long, she was standing alone. The sunlight was shining thru the doors behind her and she was glowing, she looked like an angel. He admired her from a distance and felt his breath catch in his throat. He then noticed a man come up to her, her father, who towered over her. He took her hand in his and gently kissed her forehead before offering his arm to her. She accepted and they began their walk to him down the long aisle. It was like slow motion, he saw flashes of all of the times they had spent together, both happy and sad. He felt like he was seeing his own life flash before him, from simply looking at this woman. As she approached, he noticed the dress, which until this moment might as well have been protected by the secret service. It didn’t matter that he had been kept away, now he was glad and understood why. It was unbelievable. Long white satin, no beading anywhere, just clean lines that accentuated her figure. You could see every curve. The bodice had no straps; it looked almost as if someone had stretched, then tied it around her back. The skirt came out at her waist and went to the floor; the train was visible in the aisle behind her. She had a sheer vale covering her head and the front her dress and a small tiara was faintly seen beneath it. In a word, she was beautiful.
When the pair finally reached the altar, Nick had calmed down some. Harrison Latham was as distinguished as ever. He silently lifted his daughter’s vale and placed a soft kiss on her cheek, she smiled as they turned to face the minister. “Who gives this woman in marriage?”
Harrison looked over at Nick and smiled. Glints of teardrops shown in the older man’s eyes as he calmly stated, “Her mother and I do.”
As he took Gwen’s hand, Nick looked on, he saw a hint of sadness in Gwen’s eyes. She smiled at her father as he brought her hand to Nick’s and joined them together. Harrison Latham then looked at the younger man and nodded before taking his seat on the front pew next to his wife.
Now standing alone, but in front of many, the couple listened as the minister began, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...”
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After the ceremony, the guests and wedding party headed over to Latham Landing for a party that would be nothing short of fabulous. After all, the Latham's were a major family, and Caroline Latham was a socialite whose name would go on nothing that was short of perfection. The guests were in tents, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new Mr. and Mrs. Nickolas Carter.
Meanwhile, the couple sat in the back of the tent, in a makeshift room containing a chaise lounge and flowers along with a few other plush chairs and a couple of tables.
“WOW,” was all that Nick said as he pulled away from a kiss with his wife.
“It seems like that has been your word of choice lately. What are you wowing about now Mr. Carter?” Gwen asked, flirtation apparent in her voice.
“Everything, all this, you...did I mention how beautiful you look?” Nick smiled again with his forehead rested against hers as he looked her directly in the eyes and kissed her, “Did I say you?”
“Uh huh,” she smiled back at him as she kissed him once more.
“Alright, enough of this kissy kissy bullshit, there is a rockin party going on out there, for you two assholes so you better hop to and get out there,” Aaron busted in, shocking them both with his excessive language, they just looked at eachother and laughed knowingly, “What, what’s so funny?”
“You have been in the champagne haven’t ya?” Gwen asked with a hint of sarcasm.
“This is a party isn’t it? Damn, anyway, they are about to announce you so you better get ready,” he said as he made his way towards the door.
“Wait, Aaron,” Nick stood, “could you go tell the DJ we need a few more minutes and get mom and dad and Gwen’s parents back her for us?”
“No problema bro, back in a flash,” Aaron said with a little ninja motion and bolted out the door.
“Why did you do that? Why do we need to talk to our parents?” Gwen asked, confused.
Nick looked at her softly and then placed his hand on her tummy, “I think we have something to tell them.”
Gwen looked up at him and covered his hand with hers. With a loving glance, she plainly stated, “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”