11. Eleven

The curtains open, and I see my little rose standing there like a scene from a fucking movie. Almost like white doves flew out from behind her and the sun's rays are bouncing off the blues of the ocean, the brightness shining in her eyes. She's gorgeous. And I can't believe she's seconds away from becoming my wife.

Her white dress falls to the floor, thin lace straps hug her shoulders as the rest of her dress fits her like a fucking glove. Her dress is so simple and classy yet teases me with thoughts of already tearing it off her body because damn, does my bride look good. I didn't know what to expect, but what my eyes are met with is the woman of my dreams, even more beautiful than I deserve as her veil flows down her hair behind her, making her way toward me one step at a time, closer to our forever.

I can tell she's a bit nervous. Trust me, I feel it too. That might have something to do with the two guests who have joined her at her side. But all I can seem to focus on is her.

It's hard not to look away, tears threatening my eyes. But I stay glued to my bride-to-be as she glides slowly over the rose petals that were dropped just for her.

Everyone stands in attention, all eyes on her as she passes our guests. They are all seeing what I'm seeing; a beautiful woman walking down the aisle to her groom. Except they're looking at Sterling. I'm looking at my whole fucking world.

Every step she takes is in tandem with five beats of my heart. Though while I feel the thumps coming quick, time stands still as I watch her smile at me, never breaking our eye contact.

A tear falls down her check, and I wish I could swipe it away with my thumb. It's been a long day not seeing her for so long but she's here and she's so damn close, the final piece of the puzzle is almost where it belongs, and I can practically feel the way our paths have aligned.

She"s exceptional. I can see her chest rise and fall with the small breaths she is allowing herself to take, the way she"s shy for their eyes but the star of the show for mine. A rose is tucked effortlessly behind her ear, only feeding to the image of perfection that she already displays.

She is my forever always.

Her song is almost at an end, and I feel my heartbeat start to steady itself, slowing the closer she gets knowing that no one else makes me feel as alive as she does. I wipe the tears that runs down my cheeks and I feel Jax's hands reach up for my shoulder.

"She's fucking beautiful, man," he whispers, and I feel so damn lucky to know that this is where my life has led me.

Down the wrong road before, mistakes had to be made. But I'm here now and I'm never letting go, I'm never looking back.

Sterlings stops her ascent at the edge of the aisle, right in front of our officiant and mere feet away for me. She leans out to hand her bouquet to Dakota before turning to hug her brother as her mom reaches over in my direction where we exchange a hug as well. Then she reaches for her mom as her brothers meets me in a handshake.

After her song fades out, Sterling is standing in front of me, her makeup smeared just a tad from crying, but nothing is more beautiful than the woman starring back at me.

"You did that? You brought them here?" she whispers over the noise of everyone taking their seats, happiness lacing her voice.

I simply give my girl a grin as the officiant starts the ceremony.

After only a few moments of speech and a pause for objections, it's time for us to exchange vows. We decided to go with the traditional vows only because we wanted to keep our personal promises to ourselves, but I did pay the officiant to write in a little extra something on my part.

"Repeat after me," he instructs, as I take Sterling by her hands and intertwine our fingers.

After everything he says, I repeat.

"I, Callan David, take you, Sterling Cooper." She smiles up at me as I continue. "To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for rich or for poorer, in sickness and in health." A tear spills down her cheek. "To love and to cherish, till death do us part."

I smile knowing that the officiant is giving me the go ahead to say one last thing.

"And I vow to never order you a strawberry daiquiri ever again, for as long as we shall live."

Sterling breaks out in a smile and a laugh-cry while our other guests burst out into laughter too.

"Sterling, do you accept Callan David to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the officiant asks.

Sterling's blue eyes glint with happy tears as she curls her lips and says, "I do."

She slides my ring onto my finger, and I hear sniffles from some of the guests.

"Do you, Callan, accept Sterling Cooper as your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," I say as I slide her wedding band onto her finger.

"I may now, with pleasure, pronounce you Husband and Wife." Everyone stands up and cheers as music plays along in the background. But I drown out all the noise as I tunnel vision, needing to kiss her.

"You may kiss the bride."

I pull my bride into my arms and wrap her up with my kiss. Her lips taste like heaven and her arms reach around my neck. I take one of my hands and wrap it gently around her throat, brushing my thumb against her jawline as I pull my lips away just enough to whisper roughly into her mouth, "My Wife," before dipping her down and kissing her like she fucking deserves.