I Do: Tyler's POV (bonus chapter)

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I felt like I was going to throw up and do a victory dance at the same time.

I could hear the buzz from our guests as they sat outside, anxiously waiting for Addison and me, but anxiety was eating me alive as it had been for the week leading up to this moment. The day I'd get to marry the love of my life and truly start forever with him.

I just really didn't want to mess things up, or end up like those couples that are madly in love with each other, but the minute they get married everything changed. Had Addison and I been living like a married couple for almost 8 years since we were 18? Yes, but an official change in our title was kind of scary.

Married. Husband. I was going to be Addison's husband. And he was going to be mine.

I just hoped I could give him the life he deserved and more.

I was pulled from my thoughts by a tap on my shoulder. I jumped as I turned around to see my father standing behind me. A hardy chuckle escaped his lips as he put his hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry son, didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to get you because it's almost time."

I nodded as I stood, my knees shaking with anticipation and anxiety. My father put his hands on my shoulders as he took me in, a smile spreading across his face as tears filled his mocha-colored eyes. The same eyes that'd talked me through countless nightmares after he'd saved me from that place. That same eyes that loved me unconditionally and were about to give me away proudly. "My boy is getting married. Who'da thought I'd see the day?"

Tears blurred my vision as he cupped my cheeks.

"I am so proud of you, Tyler. So very proud of the man you've become, the decisions you've made, and how far you've come. I'm proud to call you my son, and there's nothing you can do or say that'll change that, you hear me?"

I nodded as the tears fell. "I love you, dad."

He smiled as he used his thumbs to wipe away my fallen tears. "I love you too, son. Now stop crying. Save the tears for the altar."

I scoffed as I quickly wiped my eyes. "Okay, dad." I linked my arm with his and followed him out to my position behind the big heavy doors that separated me from the man I loved. In front of me, all of our wedding party was paired up, waiting for a hush to settle over the crowd and the ceremonial music to play. They were all wearing maroon dresses and suits, and they all looked absolutely beautiful. I'd made the right choice letting Addison deal with all of the outfits and color scheme because, as expected, everything was perfect.

Since I didn't have a mom, Serenity was in the front of the group and, despite her approaching her pre-teen years, she was our flower girl. Behind her were Azalea and Josh who were going as strong as ever and had moved into an apartment together back in NYC, then Emerson and Adryan, who were now well into their teenage years, followed by Ian and Lelani, with Ian being on ring duty since we didn't have a ring bearer, followed by Lilliana and Silas who, much like I'd predicted, got engaged two months after Addison and I, then finally there was Rowan and their partner Oscar. I stood out among them since I was wearing a white suit with a maroon handkerchief in the breast pocket instead of a maroon-dominant outfit like them.

Suddenly, the ceremonial music filled the air, and the buzzing chatter on the other sides of the door fell silent. I could practically hear my heart hammering in my chest. I was so scared. As if she could feel my stress, Serenity turned back at me and gave me a thumbs up, the simple action calming my nerves.

"You've got this, son," my father said as he handed me the bouquet of maroon and white flowers that our high school football coach donated since he wasn't able to make it to the wedding. "You have nothing to worry about."

I nodded as I tried to get my heart under control as the music continued and I imagined Papa and Padre walking Addison to his position at the alter from his own side door. I hadn't seen him since six pm the night before and I missed him like crazy. It felt like I hadn't seen him in weeks. I heard soft gasps and expressions of surprise from the other side of the doors, letting me know that Addison had made his appearance, followed quickly by cries that I knew belonged to no one other than Papa. He'd been an emotional wreck for the past few days, but in the best way possible.

After a few moments, the doors cracked open and Serenity walked out. I was only able to witness a few petals reach the floor before the heavy doors closed behind her. The doors then opened and closed almost methodically as our wedding party continued on, and my heart rate increased with every person that walked through them.

All too soon, it was just my father and I left standing before the giant doors. My body was physically shaking with all of the emotions that coursed through my veins with the speed of an Olympic athlete. This was it. It was time.

The doors before me swung open, and my dad led me out, tightly holding on to me and investing all of his strength into holding me up and leading me out of the doors. As soon as I stepped past the threshold, the familiar sun of Orlando rained down on me, and the beautiful skyline that the rooftop we were standing on offered welcomed me with open arms. And as my father and I slowly walked down the aisle while music and the soft cries of our loved ones filled my ears, all I could focus on was him.

My God, he was an angel.

As he stood at the altar, his beautiful forest green eyes became overwhelmed with tears as he wore a suit that was the perfect foil to mine: a maroon suit with a white handkerchief in the breast pocket; a suit that he looked dangerously sexy in. His hair was slicked back with a few precise hairs falling down to perfectly frame his god-like face. The tears from his eyes fell down his smooth cheeks and disappeared into his nicely trimmed beard, which I knew would tickle when we shared our first kiss as a married couple. I feverishly blinked back the tears as he looked at me with adoration and disbelief.

My heart overflowed with joy and excitement, all while there was a small part that ached, wishing that I'd had a mother to witness such a special, sacred moment. But almost as soon as the thought entered my head, it was viciously pushed out. I couldn't let this beautiful moment be ruined by what-ifs about her.

I just wanted to fully live in the present and enjoy the best day of my life.

Within moments, I was standing in front of him where he was freely letting his tears fall as soft cries escaped his lips. I offered him a smile as tears of my own silently made their journey down my face before I gently cupped his cheeks and used my thumbs to wipe the tears away.

"Don't cry, baby. We haven't gotten to the good part yet," I softly said so that only he could hear. He looked at me with a look that I couldn't describe as anything other than pure love in its physicalized form, a look I'd never seen before, but I never wanted it to go away. He placed his hands on top of mine and simply held them for a moment. "I love you so so so much." He then took my hands and kissed my knuckles, something he'd recently started doing regularly and he knew it drove me crazy in the best way possible.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union of Tyler Marcel Barnett and Addison Michael Bruno-Williams in Holy matrimony," Father Jonas, who was the priest that married Addison's boss Michael and his husband, announced, causing a hush to fall over the crowd. My knees felt weak, and the bottom of my feet buzzed as the words I'd been practicing for over a month filled my head.

As if he could read my mind, Addison gently squeezed my hands and gave me a wink, and I instantly felt at home. I still couldn't understand how he held so much power over me with just a single glance.

"We will now commence with the vows they've written for one another, starting with Addison."

He took a deep breath as he stared deeply into my eyes. "Forever was never something that I wanted until I met you. Before you, I'd always had a detailed road map planned out, and then you came and messed it up by not leaving my head." A few chuckles filled the air. "When I first met you I was so scared because I'd never loved someone as fully or as quickly as I love you. Tyler, I...I can't put into words how much you've done for me. Since the moment we met back in high school, I knew that you would change my life. Every time you look at me, you make me feel like I'm the only person in the universe. Every time you say my name, I know that God made it just for your lips.

"You've shown me how to fight for love. You've made me into a better person simply by loving me, and I can't express to you how grateful I am to be the one you say I love you to every night and wake up with in the morning. With these vows, I promise to love you unconditionally, protect you entirely, and be the man you deserve and more. I promise to give you my forever, my love. In this life and the next."

I couldn't help but smile like a schoolgirl by the time he was done as more tears rolled down my face. He wasn't much better as tears escaped his own earth-toned eyes, but the smile on his face completely distracted from them. My God, he was gorgeous.

He offered me a soft smile before he gently grabbed my face and wiped away my tears. "We haven't gotten to the good part yet, remember?" I couldn't help the stupid smile that grew across my face.

"And now, Tyler," Father Jonas said as he motioned to me.

I took a deep breath. "Addison Michael...thank you. That's all I can say. Thank you for the best six years of my life. Thank you for loving me, believing in me, and most of all, being patient with me. I love the way you love me so judgment-free and complete. You've never made me feel like I needed to change or be something I'm not. All of my best memories include you in them, and I can't wait to make many many more with you and our feature family. You've always told me that home is where the heart is and, Addison, you know you have mine." There were a few "awes" that filled the air, most notably Papa who was bawling like a baby.

"Addison, with these vows, I promise to be yours in every way possible. I'll be your shoulder to cry on, your Mario Kart partner when work gets stressful, and your strength when the world feels a little too heavy. I love you Addison Michael, and I'm excited to fall in love with you over and over and over again for the lifetimes ahead of us."

Addison's grip on my hands tightened as he smiled impossibly wider. "You're making it so hard not to kiss you right now," he softly joked, causing heat to rise to my cheeks. Just then Father Jonas grinned before saying, "If anyone objects to this Holy union, speak now or forever hold your peace." My breath caught in my throat as my body braced for someone to ruin this moment. Things were going too well and the way my life had been for the past twenty-four years, the moment that I was safe, the moment I was happy someone or something would ruin it.

But for the first time ever, that didn't happen.

No one objected, no one moved, no one even dared to breathe too loudly. And as I looked out at the crowd of people that were staring at us, all I saw were looks of love. No hate, no scorn, no disgust. Just pure love and support from the people that mattered most to us, and it was the best feeling ever.

"Perfect. Now please bring forth the rings."

Ian instantly appeared by our sides, brandishing the beautiful rings that we'd picked out for one another. Once he was in front of us and had his back to the crowd, he slightly screamed and made faces to illustrate his immense excitement as we took our rings from him. His silly actions caused me to relax before Addison and I slid each other's rings on our fingers.

"Do you, Addison Michael Bruno-Williams take Tyler Marcel Barnett to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?"

Father Jonas barely finished his question before Addison said, "I do."

A look of embarrassment filled his face before he calmly repeated, "I do."

"And do you, Tyler Marcel Barnett take Addison Michael Bruno-Williams to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?"

I nodded, words momentarily unable to escape my mouth, then after a few moments, an emotion-filled "I do," pressed past my lips. My body was buzzing. This was actually happening.

"Then it's with great pleasure that I now pronounce you Mr. and Mr. Bruno-Barnett. You may now kiss your husband."

I wasted no time gripping the side of Addison's neck and kissing him, deeply and passionately. Cheers filled the air as he gently held my hips and kissed me back and, for the first time, he wasn't putting up a fight. He simply let me lead him and control the kiss as he smiled against my lips.

After a few moments, I pulled away and was instantly met with the beautiful smiling face of my husband. "We're married," he whispered, almost in disbelief. "We're finally married."

I took his hand and kissed his knuckle right above his wedding ring. "We're finally married," I confirmed. "I'm yours, Romeo."

"And I'm yours, il mio re," he said with a smile then he pulled me into another kiss. After a few moments, he simply hugged me, investing all of his strength into me as the crowd around us went insane. I tightly gripped his waist before I picked him up and spun him in a circle, the way I used to after we won football games or after a kickboxing tournament in college.

His laughter filled my ears as I put him down and he cupped my cheeks. "I'll never get tired of that."

"Those are my boys! Those! Are! My! Boys!" Papa called out as he loudly clapped, causing us both to turn and laugh at him as tears continuously flowed down his face. Padre laughed as well as he whispered something to Papa, likely to tell him to stop embarrassing us. But, as usual, Papa ignored him and continued yelling things out.

We spent the rest of the day surrounded by people we loved, including some of our high school teammates. Two of them included Yusef and Harry who'd unsurprisingly, started dating their freshman year in college. Despite the length of their relationship, neither one was in a rush to get married. They were content where they were, and I loved that for them.

Addi and I shared our first dance to Sweet Love by Anita Baker and the smooth way his body moved against mine and the way he looked at me with the brightest smile on his face reminded me how lucky I truly was to be the one he'd said "I do" to.

As the day went on, the sun slowly dipped below the Orlando skyline and the night filled with amazing memories and a beautiful cake wound down to a close. Yet, despite the astonishing activities that the day held, my favorite part was lying in my husband's arms in bed. I was physically and emotionally exhausted, but it was all worth it to end up here.

"I love you, Tyler," Addison whispered as he fiddled with the wedding ring on my finger. His bare body felt warm against mine, our bodies tangled and mine was still shaking a bit after everything he'd done to me. But I wasn't complaining at all.

"I love you more, Addison. So much you don't even know."

"Impossible," he whispered before he craned his neck down and pressed a kiss to my lips. I couldn't help the school girl-esque smile that spread across my lips as I gripped the back of his head and pulled him deeper into the kiss before I unleashed an assault of kisses across his face, nose, and head. His melodic laughter filled my ears, my favorite sound in the world.

He looked down at me as the moonlight got tangled in his multi-hued irises. His gaze radiated pure untainted love, and my heart skipped like it had the first time he'd ever looked at me, back when we were in high school. He guided my head back down to his chest as he ran his fingers through my hair. I let out a soft breath as I closed my eyes, pure relaxation moving over me as his fingers moved.

"I'm so happy I get to do this with you for the rest of my life, Tyler." He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. "To forever, il mio re."

I pressed my lips against his chest, earnestness and honesty pulsating through every syllable as I said, "To forever, Romeo."

***

Hey y'all! I hope y'all are well. Long time no see but, as per usual, college is kicking my butt. Are there any other major life events you want to see between Tyler and Addi during these bonus chapters? Let me know!

Quick updates: I am almost done with the third and final installment of the "In My Heart" series focused on Mr. Hill and John from all the way in the first book. I want to finish writing that book before I put it on here so y'all don't have to wait so long for updates. Also, I think I'm going to try to publish this book and Tear In My Heart. So many of y'all have asked me and I'd honestly love to get these books published (and hopefully more in the future). What do y'all think? If I were to publish them would y'all buy? IDK.

Anyways, love y'all to the moon and back,

Jordan :)


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