Strings

Chapter 8

"Three squeezes little Aves, it means that I Love You, always remember that" he says his eyes brimming with tears.
I throw my arm around him and whisper into him softly, " I will always Love you too, Daddy"
**

As the memory comes rushing back to me, I bite my lip not knowing how much longer I can go on without crying.
We've now reached the end of the aisle and just as my dad was about to let go of my hand, I grab his hands tighter.
"Avery" he hisses out me, his face going red that I'd dare to resist going up to Hayden.
Before he can snatch his hand away, I squeeze them too. Once, then twice, and then for the third time.

I love you too, Daddy. Always.

He looks dumbfounded like he was expecting me to throw a tantrum and run out of the beautiful hall and back to my freedom. His eyes filling with the same emotion I hadn't seen for ever as he realizes what I am doing and what I am ready to do. He clears his throat and I finally let go of his hand; turning towards the beautiful specimen of a human being waiting patently for my moment with my dad to be over.

Hayden bends down slightly, extending his hand. I stare at him and then his extended hand and ever so slowly place mine in his.
He closes his hand around mine and helps me up.

The minister who's officiating the wedding, my wedding, goes on and on about love. We exchange rings and I feel relieved on having my beautiful ring back on my hands. I slip a simple engagement band around his ring finger that Helen chose, and if my hands were stable and not shaking wildly it's only because Hayden was holding them.

"Do you Hayden Xavier Knight promise to take Avery Hailey Marshall as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day to the rest of your days, for richer or for poorer, in happy times and sad times, in sickness and in health?"

"I do." He rolls out, his voice as smooth as ever.

"Do you Avery Hailey Marshall promise to take Hayden Xavier Knight as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day to the rest of your days, for richer or for poorer, in happy times and sad times, in sickness and in health?"

My breathing hitches, and my vision starts blurring. My insides going haywire and I realize I have yet to respond when Olivia and Shelly slowly nudge me from behind.
I immediately snap out of my trance and stare at Hayden who looks angry. And that alone freezes me to death.
If Hayden looked dangerous before, he looked absolutely lethal now.

"I do." I croak out, as his grip around my hand tightens; my voice coming out uneven and raspy not nearly as smooth as his was.

"You may now kiss the bride." The priest says.

Hayden grabs me by my waist and yanks me closer to him. His eyes holding a murderous glare for my hold up earlier. His death grip on my waist tightening as he leans in.
I brace myself for the contact, my body visibly shaking for what's about to come. My first kiss. I couldn't breathe. I was terrified.
This is not how I imagined my first kiss to go. Hell this is not how I imagined my wedding to be.
But his lips never touched mine.
His perfect lips peck me at the side of my lips and I am sure it looked like we were kissing from the outside but in reality he had just softly placed his lips next to mine. My eyes widen as I realize what just happened.

"Congratulations! I now pronounce you Man and Wife." The priest finally says as Hayden and me break apart from each other.
And the entire hall goes wild, cheering and clapping as the whole of media snaps away incessantly.

And with each step that I take waking back down from the aisle my arms linked with Hayden's as everyone cheers us on, my heart falls heavier and heavier as I take in what just happened.

I am married. To the dangerous Hayden Knight of all people.

May lord have mercy on me.

******

HEY GUYS!!!
I hope you absolutely LOVED this chapter.
This one was a particularly emotional one for me to write but I am still so happy with the outcome!
Also the picture attached above at the beginning of the chapter, is Hayden's wedding suit. <3

And yayyy Avery and Hayden are Finally MARRIED!!! WOOOHOOOO!
Anyways what do you think happens next? Hang on tight for the next update!

Please keep voting and commenting, I love to read what you all have to say about this!
Much much love!
Xxxxx