Page 88 of Dibs
GAGE
Six MonthsLater
Chaseand I opted for a short engagement so we could get married in January when he wasn’t working and the boys had a break between fall and spring ball. It also allowed some of Chase’s baseball buddies to join us too.
We found a winery about an hour north of San Diego that was the perfect location for our wedding. The ceremony was being held outdoors under a gazebo in the garden. We rented heaters in case it turned chilly, and the reception was being held in their large event room.
Dressed in my gray tux, I peeked through the curtains and saw most of our guests had arrived. Our parents were seated on either side of the aisle. In the row behind Chase’s parents were Jamie and her fiancé Tony, as well as Aron and Drew, who sat with their adorable two-year-old twins, Jolene and Reese. On my side, behind my parents, my bandmates and their families, took up two rows. The rest of the seats were filled with coworkers and baseball families who had become our friends.
“It’s almost time,” the winery’s event planner said as she ushered our children to line up by the door.
“Cammie, you look beautiful,” I gushed, and she gave me a little twirl in her burgundy dress. “And boys, you all are very handsome.” They were wearing gray tuxes similar to the ones Chase and I had on, except they had gray ties, while we had burgundy ones.
The music started, and our kids walked down the aisle one by one. They would be the only ones standing with us during the ceremony. Once they were in place, Chase stepped up next to me and laced his fingers with mine. I glanced at him, my lips tipping up in a smile. He looked gorgeous, and I was half tempted to take him somewhere so we could be alone for a bit, but that would have to wait until later.
“You ready to spend the rest of your life with me?” He winked.
“I’ve never been more ready for anything,” I admitted.
Instead of having someone else escort us down the aisle, we decided to walk out together while holding hands. For me, it symbolized the two of us stepping into our future together.
As we passed by our friends and family, it was hard to miss all the cheerful faces present to witness us proclaim our love for each other and watch the six of us become an official family.
Once we were at the gazebo, the officiant began to speak, but I had difficulty paying attention to him as I was fully focused on the man standing in front of me. Luckily, I knew when to answer questions and recite my vows.
When it was time to exchange rings, Tyler handed me the one I had for Chase while Jase did the same with the ring meant for me. Sliding the platinum band onto Chase’s finger caused emotions I hadn’t expected to bubble up inside me, and my voice cracked as I repeated what the officiant said.
After Chase slipped the ring onto my finger, he mouthed, “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I repeated back to him.
“I now pronounce you soulmates for life,” the officiant announced, using the language we requested because it fit our relationship perfectly.
I wrapped my arms around Chase’s neck and molded my lips to his, thoroughly enjoying our first kiss as a married couple.
* * *
The music,courtesy of my band California Thunder, was pumping as we waited to enter the reception. When the song finished, Calvin, our lead singer, addressed the crowd. “It’s time for us to welcome the newlyweds. I present to you Chase and Gage Statler-Matthewson.”
Our guests applauded as we walked through the door and made our way to the table set up for us and the kids. I leaned over and placed a kiss on Chase’s lips before we took a seat.
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner, and then my band announced it was time for the first dance. Chase stood and held out a hand to me, which I accepted and let him lead me out to the dance floor. We swayed back and forth as the first notes of Benjamin Gibbard’s “And I Love Him” played.
“You look hot as hell in that tux,” Chase whispered in my ear. “I can’t wait to rip it off you later.”
I chuckled. “I thought the same thing about you before the ceremony started.”
As the song continued to play, I couldn’t imagine a better moment than the one I was experiencing with my husband in my arms. When I’d walked away from everything eighteen years ago, I never expected to see Chase Matthewson again, but fate had other plans, and I couldn’t wait to see what a life together held for us.
When the song ended, Calvin invited everyone out to the dance floor. We danced together and with our kids for at least an hour before taking a break to chat with our guests.
“We’re going to call it a night,” Drew said as he and Aron approached, each with a toddler asleep on their shoulder.
“You guys really are the old married couple now, aren’t you?” my husband joked.
Aron glared at him. “I’m still younger than you.”
I clapped Drew on the back. “Thank you for making the trip down here.”
