Always And Forever

KAYSEN*

Yesterday my mom and dad came to the house to see Cora. I could instantly see the change in my mother. My mom walked into the door with a smile on her face, embraced me, and apologized for everything she had done and said to me through the years. She even hugged Tanner and apologized to him and didn't flip out when we told her I was pregnant and that Tanner and I were getting married. I could see a change within my mother and my dad. Even the way they were acting towards each other.

My mom had sought out counseling, and she and my dad have also started seeing a marriage counselor. I never in a million years thought that my mom would heed my words. My mom and dad have started the dating process all over again and will be renewing their vows on their anniversary in April.

The evening was so pleasant. Ethan had prepared something special for us, and he and Nicole had gone out for a night on the town to give us all some privacy. We all laughed and had a fantastic time. I wish that it could have always been that way, but I'm happy that for now, it seems the winds have changed. My parent's stayed until it was time to lay Cora down to bed, and Tanner and I allowed my parents to lay her down. My mom would be coming back Thursday evening with Kristine and her husband, Gabriel.

***

Lyra and Vega had left Vivian and Bethany with their parents, Richard and Rebecca so that they could go with Nicole and me to go dress shopping. Tanner had handed me his credit card this morning before he left to take Cora to school and head to work. He told me not to worry about a spending limit and told me to have fun. He said that Vega would turn me into a shopaholic, and I needed to be prepared.

Diana was working on all of the arrangements for our wedding. She had asked me on Saturday what I wanted, and I told her just something simple with our family. She had told me not to worry about anything to relax. So the only thing Tanner and I needed to worry about were dresses and suits.

"You want to wear a cowgirl hat and boots on your wedding day?" Vega questioned me as I searched for a new pair of boots and a hat at the western store.

"Now that's what I'm talking about. Do your own thing, don't listen to Vega," Lyra said as Vega scowled at her.

"I figure this is how Tanner and I met, me stripping in a club in cowgirl getup, and boots are so much more comfortable than heels," I said as I started trying on the few pairs I had picked out.

"You three should start picking out boots for yourself; we are going with the western theme," I said. Lyra smiled widely and pulled Vega and Nicole along with her.

Us girls had so much fun in that Western Store trying on hats and boots; I haven't ever had so much fun in my life.

Next up on the agenda were dresses, which, of course, had Vega all excited. We all got exasperated after going to three wedding boutiques. It seemed every dress we wanted we were going to need to have ordered, and the dresses wouldn't arrive on time.

"Let me call Kathrine; she did mine and Lyra's dresses. Maybe we will get lucky, and she'll have an opening to make all of our dresses," Vega said as she pulled out her phone.

***

Vega had contacted Kathrine, who said she wouldn't mind helping out two of her best customers. Then we searched for somewhere to eat before going to Kathrine's shop.

"Kathrine's business went through the roof after everyone saw our wedding dresses, here look for yourself," Lyra said as she pulled out her phone and found pictures of her wedding dress and Vega's wedding dresses. I thought my eyes were going to pop out. They were gorgeous.

"Wow, oh my goodness, they are gorgeous," I said as I stared at Vega's and Lyra's dress in awe.

"Katherine is a miracle worker; believe it or not, she got them both done within three months. I'm sure she will be able to help us out," Lyra said as she handed her phone to Nicole so that she could see the dresses as well.

"Ethan, I was there at Vega's wedding, so I saw hers in person; these photos don't do that dress any justice. I wish I had known about her before Ethan and I got married," Nicole pouted then smiled.

"We have twenty minutes before we are to arrive at Kathrine's; we should finish up here and leave," Vega said as she started putting all of the trash into her food bag and walked over to dump it in the trash bin.

***

Katherine had all of our measurements down and had jotted down our ideas on what we were envisioning. Nicole and I gave Katherine our emails, and she said that she would email us her sketches once she was done.

"You may want to call Diana to let her know your theme real fast. If I know her, she's already diving into the task," Vega said.

I mentally slapped myself for not thinking about doing that earlier. It was now almost three o'clock; I had one hour before I needed to be home so that Tanner and I could go pick Cora up from school by four-thirty.

"Shit. Sorry, pardon my French. I damn, I don't believe I didn't think of that. I told Diana simple and sweet. What is her number? I'll call her real fast," I said as I pulled my cell phone from my back pocket?

Diana wasn't upset at all. In fact, she was relieved that I had called because she had no clue where to start. It makes sense Diana has only been around me a handful of times and doesn't know me well enough to know what I would like. She hadn't had a chance to contact Tanner because he was working on-site at the hospital with Blaze, Connor, and Wade. I could tell how excited Diana was about the Western Theme.

I got off the phone with Diana, and Nicole, Vega, and Lyra were all grinning at me.

"What?" I said as I glanced around at the three of them.

"I have known you now for only a month, but I've known Tanner my whole life. After Bailey, I never thought he would settle down, but you two are perfect for each other. You are glowing with happiness and love, Kaysen. I'm so happy for you and Tanner, and I'm so glad to have had the chance to get to know you," Nicole said as she walked up and hugged me.

"We've gained a sister, so glad you've come into our lives, Kaysen," Lyra said, and she and Vega came in for a group hug.

I melted with utter happiness, and my pregnancy hormones took over, and I started balling. Which sent off a chain reaction, and we all started crying.

"I've never really had good friends or siblings, for that matter. I've never felt so loved; I finally have a family to call my own. Thank you all so much for everything," I said as we hugged it out.

***TWO WEEKS LATER***

"I now take you Kaysen Yasmine Richardson to be my wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy relationship of marriage. I promise to love and comfort you, honor and keep you, and forsake all others; I will be yours alone as long as we both shall live." Tanner said as he placed the wedding ring upon my finger.

I told myself I wouldn't cry, but a stray tear fell from my eye as Tanner said those words. He reached up to wipe the tear that had fallen.

"I love you, baby, always and forever," Tanner said as I reached over and grabbed his left hand, and looked over at the preacher who signaled for me to continue.

"I now take you, Tanner Joseph Cunningham, to be my wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy relationship of marriage. I promise to love and comfort you, honor and keep you, and forsake all others; I will be yours alone as long as we both shall live." I said as I placed Tanner's wedding ring on his finger.

"By the powers invested in me by God in the state of Texas, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham. You may now kiss the bride," the preacher said as Tanner pulled me tightly to him and kissed me passionately.

Cheers erupted from our family and Tanner, and I broke the kiss and looked over at our loved ones. My mom held Cora, who ran over to us and jumped up so that Tanner would pick her up. Tanner gave Cora Eskimo kisses, and they both laughed.

In three days, his dad would start the paperwork for Tanner to adopt Cora, and I couldn't be any happier.

"Ethan has prepared a mighty feast for us all; let's go eat," Tanner bellowed, then grabbed my hand, and we made our way inside the house.

Writer's Note

Hope everyone is having an amazing day!🥰Let me know of your thoughts on this chapter in the comments. Lots of love Sapphirian J.😍