Chapter 494) At Long Last

San Sequoia
Connor & Keira's new home
early morning

She woke up, blinked her eyes open, then smiled, a quick glance at the man sleeping next to her.

She carefully wiggled out of his arms, got up trying not to disturb Connor’s slumber, silently slipped on her pjs which lay scattered across the floor along with her thick warm socks she used in lieu of slippers, then stepped to the window, looking out onto the ocean, the bay, right as the sun rose, dipping everything into a bright golden hue.

It was beautiful.

It was like a dream. A really good one.

Their new home was beautiful, the main parts were done, though several unused rooms were still a work in progress. Furniture and decor could get expensive fast. And finding things they both loved was not always easy.

It startled her briefly when she felt hands snaking around her body from behind as he pulled her into a tight, though gentle, embrace.

Bringing his lips close to her ear, he whispered.

“Good morning, beautiful Miss Hargrave.”

“Morning, handsome Mr. Cameron.”

“Just thought you wanna enjoy being addressed with your last name while you still can. Almost over. Almost fully Cameron-ed.” he smiled, winking.

“I am not losing, I am gaining. As are you, remember Mr. soon-to-be Cameron with a ring on your finger?”

“I remember. And it is DOCTOR Cameron with a ring on his finger, if you please.” he smirked.

“Oh my gawd, no, I don’t please, cos I have known you long before the doctor part. I was part of you becoming a doctor, REMEMBER? Every step of the way. I even helped you study all those gross details I never wanted to know about the human anatomy.”

“I remember everything, in great detail, including us getting engaged the first time and you dumping me very unceremoniously, so I am gonna be a good almost-hubby and keep my food trap shut. Speaking of food, getting hungry. Looking at you, I can’t help but drool, the way the sunlight makes your clothing almost transparent. I could also use some food afterwards.” he joked, wiggling his eyebrows to underline the sexual insinuation.

“Down boy, we took care of that special ‘hunger’ pretty much all night, I probably won’t be able to stop yawning during the wedding! Hopefully I don’t have dark rings under my eyes now! Oh no! The wedding photos!”

“You look like a Spring morning, and you didn’t yawn last night, that’s all I care about.” Connor laughed, as his stomach started roaring.

“Did you swallow an angry bear!? Ever since we got un-turned you are always hungry and always eating. I can’t believe you haven’t gained any real weight. No fair! I did gain almost immediately, and I had to eat like a sparrow and train like a Triathlete, so I fit into my wedding gown! Everyone has put on pounds and gyms nationwide are rejoicing at the influx of ex-vampires who realized food is delish but also has side-effects. Oh, Con-Bear, I can’t believe today is finally here. I shouldn’t have stayed here. Or you should have gone. Like stay at our parents’ place downtown.”

With play-pretend upset he frowned at her.

“Whaaaat?! Wow, our marriage is off to a great start before it even began. Is this the beginning of another one of Keira’s don’t-tie-me-down twitches? You’re not gonna stand me up at the altar, like everyone said you would? Should I put Morpheus’ collar and leash on you?”

“You wish! No, Con-Bear, I am talking about tradition. The bride and groom are not supposed to spend the night together before their wedding together, or the groom isn’t supposed to see her until the ceremony or something. Oh damn, I have get dressed at the event center now. I totally forgot about that. Hopefully it’s not bad luck.”

“So, you are worried about old wives tales you can’t even really remember? Since when are we superstitious? I have seen your wedding gown, Keke, when we moved here. I carried it in here. Your dress and I are well acquainted.” Connor told her.

“Yeah, I know, but you haven’t seen me in it. The rule goes that the groom can’t see the bride in it. That’s why I am getting dressed at the venue, Janelle and Chelsea will be there to help, as will my mom and yours. I love Jan and Chels, I can’t believe I have besties now. Like actual girls I can do girl stuff with, not just you. Moving to San Seq was the best decision EVER! Until we met them, I seriously thought I had to get married without any bridesmaids. Now I got two.”

“Yeah, we definitely got really lucky with our neighbors. Hey, I am putting on my suit here before we leave. Since when are we the traditional types? Well, speaking of nights together, I am gonna go wash off the residue of us VERY MUCH spending the night together, potentially getting started on the family planning a little earlier than the wedding night after all. Meaning: I’ll be hopping in the shower and then grab coffee and breakfast. You are welcome to join me for any or all of it, unless of course there is a tradition forbidding that too.”

She playfully punched him in his muscular arm, then held on to it to feel his now warm skin, still unusual to her after knowing him as a cool-skinned vampire all their lives until the unturning some months ago.

“Quit poking fun at me, you dork, I am just nervous. Aren’t you? Today is a big day. Huge!”

Connor turned to her and pulled her close.

“Keke, I am nervous, anxious, excited, about things like dad forgetting the rings or me stumbling or fainting when I see you come down that aisle. I am NOT nervous about what our wedding day stands for. We’ve been practicing this ever since we were born. We don’t know how NOT to be together, and that’s a proven fact. We suck fat ones when we are not together. And I am not talking about going to work or something, I mean, you and I we can’t break up.”

“You’re right. Fine, let’s have a shower together. But we need to be quick.”

“Can I face you or do I have to pretend you are not here? Or is it me who should pretend not be there, like a ghost, Boo? Confusing …”

“Screw you!” smiling, she rolled her eyes and headed for the ensuite bathroom.

“Okay, I can work that in too!” he chuckled as he followed her.

Giggling they got ready together, then had breakfast for the last time as an unmarried couple, before the car came to pick them up to take them to the event hall.

To get married.

At long last, after a lifetime together already, despite their only 27 years of age.

Del Sol Valley
'The Crystal Room' wedding and event center
About 6 hours later

The cutest flower girls (Connor’s little twin sisters Briar Rose and Iris Marie) and ring bearer (Keira’s little brother Jasper).

Their first dance was to Connor’s grandpa Blaine playing ‘At Last’ on the grand piano.

The cake cutting was magical.
There were so many guests. Everyone they had invited had come, from near or far, and both were grateful they had chosen one of the larger venues for their nuptials.

And then it was off to their honeymoon …