Unexpectedly Yours

Ivy’s POV

I stood before a delicate wooden arch decorated with white, lush blooms. My strapless lace white dress clung to my figure, stopping mid-thigh, paired with matching white platform heels. My hair was styled to perfection, and light makeup graced my face. Despite it all, I fidgeted with my hands, glancing nervously around.

The officiating lady across from me offered a pitiful look.

I forced a small smile. “He’s coming, he’s just running late…” I didn’t actually know that. In fact, there were so many things I didn’t know about my would-be husband. Yet here I was, dressed in white, waiting to be married to the one person who annoyed me the most in the world.

You’d think the drive home would have cleared my head. Or the long sleep afterward, or even the early morning cry. But none of it helped—not the sumptuous breakfast I’d had earlier either. My brain screamed at me to stop, but my heart kept leading me on.

“Wow! You look delicious, babe!” That deep, mesmerizing voice came from behind me.

I spun around sharply to see Asher. His eyes ogled me without shame, drinking me in. His curly dark hair was charmingly ruffled, and with no shame at all, he slipped his hand around my waist, and tried to kiss me on my lips. I turned my head to the side, causing his kiss to land on my cheek instead.

He chuckled. “My fiancée is a bit shy; she doesn’t do well with public displays of affection…” He directed this at the officiant lady, who offered us a confused look.

“Why didn’t you dress up?” I blurted out. Not only had he been late, but he’d also had the audacity to show up in casual slacks and a t-shirt. I’d taken the time to carefully pick out my dress and make sure I looked perfect, yet here he was looking like he’d just jogged in from the park.

“Oh love, if you wanted me to dress up, you could’ve just asked. I’d do anything for you,” he said, brushing the back of his hand against my cheek. “You know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do…”

I stilled. It was already hard to keep up with him, and maybe that should’ve been my cue to walk away. Marriage was a lifetime commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But here I stood, unmoving, staring into his mischievous grey eyes, wanting more. I loved the rush that I felt, the excitement. I was entranced by this enchanting man, this man who was holding my hands and looking into my eyes like we were old lovers.

I pulled my hands free and cleared my throat dramatically. “Can we get on with it?”

He chuckled, clearly amused. Everything was a joke to him.

“Of course,” the lady answered politely. “Are you expecting any other guests, witnesses?”

I shook my head, but Asher spoke up before I could answer.

“No one knows we’re getting married,” he said smoothly. “We planned this yesterday.” When he saw the look on her face, he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me snugly to his side. “Don’t worry, we’re madly in love.” He shot me a sultry look. “We just can’t wait to be married.”

I lowered my gaze and exhaled.

She smiled at us, “Dearly beloved, we are…” She trailed off, “I am here today to witness the union of Ivy Whitfield and Asher Sterling in marriage.”

He beamed, smiling at me in a way that made my heart pound. I stared straight ahead, unable to look him in the eyes.

“Love is the foundation upon which every marriage is built.”

I stole a glance at him, and just as I expected, he was staring right at me. I averted my gaze quickly; my heart was beating loudly in my chest.

“Love is the foundation on which we build our lives. Love is everywhere, in every small detail, and love is in you…”

I took a deep breath. Love. What a complicated feeling. Just yesterday, I was convinced I was in love with Max, the man I thought I’d spend my life with. He was the air I breathed. Now, here I was, marrying someone else the very next day. My emotions were a jumbled mess, and nothing made sense anymore.

“The love you share will sustain your marriage…”

I nearly choked. Asher intertwined his fingers with mine and gave a reassuring squeeze. I turned to look at him, but he was gazing straight at the officiant, listening intently. I couldn’t understand him.

“Do you have vows to exchange?” the officiant lady asked expectantly.

“I…”

“Yes, of course we do.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a rumpled piece of paper. “I wrote my vows long before I asked her to marry me.”

The officiant smiled, clearly impressed, like we were two beautiful lovers. I, on the other hand, was utterly confused. What was he talking about? Why did he have vows prepared? I didn’t even have a note, and what did he mean by saying he had written them a long time ago?

“To my beautiful bride, Ivy Whitfield,” he began. “The starry night sky can’t compare to your beauty, and the oceans pale in comparison to your eyes…”

I blinked in disbelief. What was happening?

“From the first time I saw you, the first time you walked up to me and told me ‘I wasn’t shit’…” He smiled at me, “I was taken by you that very day.”

The officiant chuckled.

“And from that day on, I knew. I can’t wait to spend my life with you, Ivy. I promise to love and cherish you with all of my heart and being, to support you, and to stand by your side until death do us part.”

“Oh, how beautiful!” the officiant gushed when he was done with his vows. She turned her attention to me. “Ivy, would you like to say your vows?”

Panic settled in. “I don’t have anything prepared…”

“That’s because I’m the one who’s madly in love with her,” Asher teased playfully.

I shot him a glare. He flashed me a smile in return.

“I… I…” I stammered, trying to find words. But with Asher’s piercing gaze and the officiant’s kind smile, I was at a loss. “I love you, and…”

Asher’s smile grew wider.

“And I vow to love and cherish you for as long as we are together.”

“That’s forever,” he chimed in.

“Yes, forever,” I said through clenched teeth.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now seal…”

Before I could react, Asher’s hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against him, his soft lips capturing mine in a tender kiss.