Stellar Collision (Falling Stars #2.5) Read online

  "Someone's waiting for you," my dad says.

  Lifting my head, Chris smiles and raises his arms.

  "Come to me, baby," he says.

  And I do.

  Slipping my arm away from my father's, I fist the material of my dress with one hand and run the last few feet.

  Caught in Chris' arms, he wraps them tight around my waist and lifts me into the air. My hands on his shoulders, Jackson takes my bouquet.

  "Fuck, Mia, you look…"

  Setting me back on my feet, he cups my chin and kisses me.

  "Um, we aren't—" Jimmy starts.

  "Dude, let him kiss her," Elliott interrupts.

  Breaking the kiss, I glance around Chris and see the guys grinning wildly. All of them dressed in dark gray pants and vests, each of them wearing a silver tie—except Elliott, who chose a bowtie.

  Turning my head, I see our guests, many silently laughing and others already with tears in their eyes.

  "Are we ready to begin?" the officiant whispers.

  "Fuck yeah, we are," Chris answers, keeping his eyes on me and his hands on my hips.

  The officiant gives a small laugh and begins.

  "Today we have all come together to witness and share in the union of Amelia Ryder and Christopher Mason. After a long, long discussion with Christopher, we all thought it best for the couple to write their own vows to share with each other today."

  Even Chris laughs at our officiant, Jan’s, small joke, remembering the way he debated the traditional vows of obeying and till death do us part.

  "Christopher." Jan nods for him to begin.

  He takes a deep breath, exhales, and begins.

  "Amelia Marie Ryder, I would never have made it here without you. You are the only one who could ever convince someone like me that goodness, hope, and a love so all-encompassing existed."

  He pauses, closing his eyes and breathing through his nose. Reopening them, I see the tears building. Mine slip from the corners of my eyes and down my cheeks.

  "Every day, you bring light and color into my dark world."

  Releasing my hips, he captures my face in his hands.

  "Mia, my angel, love of my existence, you destroy the blackness within me. Today, I vow to you, before family and friends, my devotion, adoration, and love."

  Sniffing, he swallows and continues with his typical cocky grin.

  "Not until death do us part, because not even in death will my heart, my soul, ever release you from our eternity."

  Dropping his hands, he twists to the side, grabs the band from Jackson, and places it at the tip of my finger.

  "I love you will never be enough to express the way I feel for you. I live and breathe you. Without you, the Christopher before you doesn't exist."

  He slides the ring down my finger, closes his eyes, and whispers, "Fuck, I love you."

  Gaping at him, a shuddering breath vibrates up my throat.

  "Mia?" the officiant whispers, cuing me to get my ass in gear.

  Wiping tears from my face, I take two breaths to calm myself before reciting my vow.

  "Christopher Tobias Mason, you are the most arrogant, exasperating, stubborn asshole to ever enter my life."

  My smile is met by his grin.

  "And I thank the stars every day that you used those qualities to scheme us onto a tour bus together. Because looking back, the very first time your arms wrapped around me, I felt it."

  His eyes widen at my admission and probably the memory.

  "The connection between us created a spark. It took time, but it grew. It grew until it became strong and bright enough for me to see you, to find you."

  Reaching up, I place my hand on his cheek. He leans his face into my touch.

  "You—the man, the father, the great love of my life. Today, before our family and friends, I embrace your sharp edges and the darkness you think engulfs you."

  He closes his eyes, his tears dampening my palm.

  "But, Christopher, you have it wrong. So very wrong. I'm not the light. I'm only the mirror."

  His eyes snap open, the sharp blue meeting mine.

  "The lightness, goodness, the never ending love, devotion, and loyalty are all inside you. And I'll spend the rest of our lives being the mirror who shows it to you."

  Serena's hand appears at my elbow. Removing my hand from his face, I take the ring from her, slip it over his finger, and bring my eyes back to his.

  "Without a reflection, the mirror is empty. Maybe it's hard for you to see, but, Christopher, there is no reflection in me without you."

  Mouth open, eyes watery, he just stares.

  Worry begins to tickle my stomach.

  Suddenly, his arms are back around my waist and I'm up in the air.

  "Say the words, Jan," he demands.

  Our family and guests quietly laugh.

  "Do you, Christopher, take Amelia to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Jan asks with a smile.

  Chris sets me onto my feet, palming the sides of my head.

  "Yes, I do, Mia. For fucking eternity, I do."

  "Amelia, do you take Christopher to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

  Pursing my lips, I look up and to the corner in contemplation.

  "Don't fuck with me, Mia," he growls, his hand flexing into my scalp.

  Grinning, I look into his eyes and grip his wrists.

  "I do, Christopher," I pledge. "For fucking eternity, baby."

  "Jan, don't make me wait here," Chris warns.

  Again, our audience laughs. This time, louder.

  "I now pronounce you…" Jan trails off.

  "Don't fuck with me, Jan."

  "Husband and wife," she finishes.

  "You may—"

  Chris' mouth is on mine before she finishes.

  My arms go around his neck.

  He releases my head, wraps one arm around my shoulders, and the other around my waist. Pulling me closer, his hand descends to my ass, and I gasp.

  He takes advantage and delves his tongue into my mouth.

  A sharp whistle and a whoop break us apart.

  "I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Mason," Jan states, stepping away.

  Our guests stand, clapping.

  Jackson hands my bouquet back to me before Chris pulls me back down the aisle.

  "Aw," Elliott groans. "Dude, those flowers went so well with your outfit."

  Christopher

  My heart thuds and if I didn't have my hands on Mia, they'd be shaking.

  At the end of the dock, I turn to her. The warm light of the setting sun casts a glow against her gorgeous skin.

  She smiles up at me and I wrap my arms around her, again. I can't stop holding her.

  The moment I saw her on her father's arm, walking toward me, the world fucking tilted.

  Mia has always been my angel, but her wearing the long, flowy white dress personified the way I see and feel about her. And her dark hair pinned to the back her head with large flowers strategically placed is like a fucking halo from Mother Nature.

  The heavens have spoken and she's definitely a fucking missing angel. Sucks to be them, ‘cause I'll never give her up. Not without a fight. I'd sell what's left of my soul to keep her.

  Lifting her into the air, I spin us.

  "Chris," she laughs, clutching my shoulders.

  Bringing her down, I slide her body along mine.

  "Say it, baby, please," I beg, grabbing her hips.

  "Amelia Mason," she states with a large grin.

  "Fuck, baby, I…"

  Instead of finishing, I capture her mouth with mine.

  When the fuck can I get her alone?

  "Congratulations," Serena squeals.

  She releases Jackson's arm and embraces us tightly.

  "Thank you," Mia says.

  She sounds so fucking happy, it makes my chest expand with love and hope.

  "Yay, you guys did it!" It's Laney's turn to hug us.

  Then, one after the next, each guest offers us their respects an
d good wishes.

  "Daddy!"

  Maggie's shout reaches me over the crowd.

  Linda pushes through with Maggie in her arms.

  Her dress is ivory silk, just like Mia's, and has matching lace on the shoulders. The flower crown on her head matches Mia's bouquet.

  God must be really fucking pissed to lose two fucking angels to a sinner like me.

  "Baby girl," I coo, taking her from Linda.

  Blowing raspberries on her cheek, she laughs and pushes my face away.

  Fingering her mini-Mia dress, I kiss her forehead.

  "You did so well, Maggie," Mia praises, cupping her face. "You're such a big girl." Taking Maggie's hand, Mia kisses her chubby fingers.

  "You look beautiful, baby girl," I croon, giving her a squeeze.

  She lays her head on my shoulder and places her thumb in her mouth.

  With the guests out of the way, Kara ushers Mia, me, the wedding party, and parents into carts. We are shuttled around the island for photos in different locations.

  "Chris?"

  "Yeah, baby," I respond, sliding into the cart next to her.

  "We need to talk about the—"

  "Please tell me we get to go eat now," Elliott’s whine interrupts.

  I'm thankful for the whining, this time. It delays something I'm so nervous to disclose.

  "Yes, we're done," Mia says, shaking her head.

  Elliott hollers out the good news and runs to the cart behind us.

  Jumping on the side of the vehicle, he points straight ahead, and shouts, "To the food, driver!"

  "He has a name," Serena scolds.

  Dipping his head, he looks at the driver.

  "What's your name?"

  The driver mumbles something and Elliott straightens.

  "To the food, Jorge!"

  Thank God the driver seems to have a good sense of humor.

  When we reach the reception tent, there's still some light left in the sky, but the torches and lamps are lit anyway.

  Serena and Elliott are the first to enter, leading the rest of the wedding party and the parents.

  "Wait," Kara stops us, "we'll bring you in this way and you can begin your first dance."

  "What?" Mia furrows her brow. "I thought that came later."

  Kara's eyes shift to me and widen.

  "I asked her to make a change," I confess.

  Mia's confused eyes move from Kara to me.

  "Let us know when to come out," I tell Kara, walking Mia off to the side where we can be alone.

  "Chris, what's going on?" Mia asks, spinning around on me.

  "Baby, I need to ask you something."

  Taking a breath, I exhale quickly and launch right into it before I lose my nerve.

  "Will you have my baby, Mia?"

  Shoving my hands in my pockets, I brace for her reaction.

  "I'm not pregnant," she breaths out.

  I reach out and place my hands on each side of her throat.

  "Baby, look at me."

  Her eyes drift to mine.

  "I want more kids, Mia. Do you want more kids with me?"

  "Chris," she croaks.

  "Don't get upset. Answer me before you get worked up. Please?"

  She sniffs, grasping my right wrist with her left hand.

  "Will you have my children?"

  Swallowing, she nods.

  "You know I would," she stutters.

  "We never got a private moment when you were pregnant before," I remind her.

  "I know," she breathes out the words and her eyes focus on my shoulder, trying to keep it together.

  "I wanted us to have just us when I asked you to have my baby this time."

  Her dark chocolate eyes snap back to mine.

  I grin.

  "Chris?"

  "I'm thinking we should name her Maxine, after your mother."

  "But you said I'm not pregnant," she whispers.

  My grin grows to a smile.

  "Though, we could have a boy." I purse my lips. "Fuck it. Max works for a boy."

  "Christopher Mason," she scolds, slapping my arm. "Quit fucking around with me!"

  "I didn't say you weren't pregnant," I clarify.

  "You implied it," she argues.

  "Hmm, not really," I state.

  "You asked me to have your children. That implies I'm not currently—"

  "It does no such thing, baby." I shake my head, unable to wipe the smile off my face. "I asked you to have my children."

  She opens her mouth to argue, but I place a finger over her lips.

  "Obviously, we have a gorgeous daughter already, then we have this little one on the way." I place my free hand on her stomach.

  Her eyes widen and tears instantly form.

  "But what I meant is my future kids, as well."

  "Future children?" she asks shakily.

  "Yeah, I'm thinking about three or four." I nod. "You down for that, Mia?"

  "Three or four?" she chokes out with a laugh.

  Smiling down at her beautiful, shock-filled face, everything clicks inside.

  "Baby, we don't have to have three or four kids. I just want whatever you will give me. Mia, everything you've given me has been such a fucking gift—your compassion when I treated you like shit, love when I gave you every reason to hate me, and a fucking angel made from that love. It may have taken me an awful fucking long time to catch up with what my heart already knew, but I'm there, baby. Why the fuck it took so long? Well, you know me." I shrug. "Sometimes I can't accept when amazingly good shit happens to me, and, angel, you are the best fucking thing to happen in my life."

  "Chris—"

  Reaching out, I grab the back of her head and pull her face to mine.

  "What do you say, Mrs. Mason?"

  "I do, Mr. Mason."

  My lips crash to hers as the first beats of our wedding song begin and the DJ announces us to the guests.

  Breaking away from each other, I take her hand and lead her to the patio acting as a dance floor for the night.

  As I pull her into my arms, she asks, "What's this song?"

  "It's for you, angel," I answer. "There are no words, yet."

  The sounds of Jackson, Elliott, and Jimmy playing the song I wrote for Mia fill the air around us.

  "We don't need words," she sighs, pressing her mouth up to mine.

  Sliding my hands down her back, I pull back from the kiss.

  Grabbing her hand, I swing her away from my body, spin, and bring her back to me.

  I curl her into my chest, and dip my mouth to her ear.

  "You just had to get a backless dress that almost shows your ass, didn't you?"

  I nip at her lobe.

  "Just for you, baby," she whispers, and licks my neck.

  End