The moment I met Jacob Blackwood I knew I'd be trapped in his web. I was right about that but I didn't care. Jacob Blackwood made me fall in love with him, obsess over him and make decisions in my life which I never would have made. He pushed me to be honest with myself and those around me. I loved him for it.

Today I'd marry the guy, the first day of our new life together.

I'd lie if I said I wasn't anxious. The ceremony would be held with only close friends and family. I couldn't mess that up. The reception, however, that made me feel sick. A lot of people would attend it and half of them I probably didn't even know.

I had to suck it up though, it would be over within a few hours. It was the least I could do to help Jacob get his reputation back on track.

It wasn't shit anymore, Fenna didn't win with her vindictive ways. She'd be buried in photos and videos of Jacob and me today.

What I wouldn't give to see her fuming with envy.

The makeup artist finished up with my look which meant that I was ready to get married to Jacob. Nick walked into the room, his eyes taking me in. He looked awed by what he saw. That meant the makeup artist and hairstylist did a good job.

"Wow, you look absolutely stunning." He walked over to me and grabbed my hands in his, "I have to ask though I already know the answer. I'm your brother, it's my job to protect you."

I smiled, shaking my head at him. I knew what that meant, I knew what he was going to ask of me.

"It's not too late, if you're having second thoughts about this whole thing I can get you out of here. We'll go sip cocktails on a beach somewhere and forget about everything."

Squeezing his hands I grinned at my brother who made the women who made me pretty giggle.

"I love you, Nick. You're a good brother." Nick helped me get to my feet and pulled me in for a hug, "But this it. He's the one." I whispered to him.

Nick tightened his hold on me, giving me a tight hug. It almost felt like he wasn't going to let go.

"I know you're happy with him.

"I am." I smiled.

Nick let me go and smiled at me, "Okay then let me know if you need anything. The ceremony is about to start in thirty minutes."

"How is Jacob doing?" I asked, curious to know if he was anxious or happy or also ready to flee to sip cocktails on a beach somewhere to escape all of this.

Nick snorted, "He is impatient, he wants this to get over with."

That was good, it meant that he was happy. He couldn't wait to get married to me. My soft look confused Nick but that because he didn't know Jacob as well as I did.

"His impatience means he can't wait to get married to me."

Nick shoved his hands in his pockets, he didn't look convinced but his shoulders slumped in agreement anyway, "You know him best."

That was true, I did know Jacob through and through. I had him wrapped around my finger even though no one would believe it.

Not even Jacob wanted to believe it, but it was true.

Sitting back down in my chair I enjoyed the last few minutes of peace and quiet. Once my father would walk me down the aisle things would move fast. Jacob and I would rush through things on auto-pilot, trying survive this important day which would also become a media circus.

We'd get through it together.

The wedding ceremony went well just as I thought. We were surrounded by people who truly cared about us which made the moment more special. Though I had to be honest I had only eyes for Jacob, everyone else faded into the background. It made Nick chuckle and shake his head at me while my fiancé grinned at me. He saw right through me. He couldn't judge me though because he looked giddy, excited to make me his wife.

We were floating on this cloud of happiness and those around us were taken in by it.

Yet now that we were seated in the backseat of Joel's car, heading to the hotel to join the rest of our guests for the reception I felt anxious. Jacob noticed and took my hand in his, his thumb rubbing over my engagement and wedding ring.

A smirk spread across his face, "Just focus on me, forget about everyone else."

"Easier said than done." I whispered, "We have over three hundred guests attending this party. I'm feeling like running right about now." I admitted to him, lowering my gaze.

Jacob would have none of that, he placed a finger under my chin and gently lifted my head to make me look at him again. His eyes were soft while his smile was warm and encouraging. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. He was trying to calm me down and it was working.

Slightly.

"I'm not sure about this, Jake."

He held my hand while he quietly spoke to me, "What are you not sure about?" He asked, "Becoming my wife and us celebrating that and showing everyone we're as strong as ever."

When he stated it like that I felt bad for being this anxious. I was not sure about people watching us carefully, some of them waiting for me to slip and break my neck. That anxiety made me forget about what really mattered and that was us celebrating the heck out of getting married today. Everything else didn't matter at all.

"I love you." I whispered, relieved that he took my anxiety away with simple words which were so obvious that I could have thought of that, "I feel silly for being so anxious. You're right this is about us and not them."

"Exactly." He raised our linked hands and kissed my wrist, "Tonight is all about us. Screw everyone else."

"Well, not our family." I pointed out with a little smirk, "I do love them and need them around."

"I do have to admit that Joshua is more reliable than I first assumed. He's quite mature."

"Joshua is an adult, Jake." I tried hard not to sound sarcastic about it but failed if Jacob's look was anything to go by, "I know as the older sibling you tend to see your younger siblings as children but your brother is in his twenties now."

Jacob didn't look ready to accept that. It reminded me of Nick who became even more protective over me these last couple of months. It was cute to see my husband fawn over Joshua like that. He let a lot more people in after we got together. It was good to see him grow as a person too.

"He'll always be a baby to me."

Throwing my head back I laughed at him, "Please don't tell Joshua that. He might get pissed."

Jacob pursed his lips, thinking it through, "After Joshua graduates I might ask him to do an internship at my company."

I'd melt right then and there, he was definitely becoming more like Nick. I loved it.

"You should do that." I agreed, trying to very subtle about how happy I was about this news.

Jacob still caught on. I might always fail to cover up my feelings where this man's concerned. He read me like an open book. It was unfair since Jacob was skilled at always looking emotionless and stern. Almost scary at times.

"You can stop smiling like that now, it's scary, really."

He made me laugh so much which was unthinkable since only a few minutes ago I was feeling like throwing up. Marrying this man was the best decision I ever made. Deep down I was afraid I'd regret breaking up with Lucas but I honestly not once thought I'd be happier with that man. Jacob was the one who completed me.

"Tough luck, this is the face of your wife. Deal with it."

He placed his hand on my shoulder and leaned in, pressing a kiss to my temple, "Fine, I'll deal with it, Mrs. Blackwood."

Grinning at him I grabbed the front of his jacket and pulled him in, kissing the breath out of him. It surprised him, his eyes wide and his posture stiff as I kissed deeply. When he got into it I pulled away and winked at him.

"Just a little taste of what's to come."

He sat straight in his seat again and fixed his clothes, "You're going to be sorry you said that to me, sweetheart."

"That's a promise?" I asked.

He shook his head, looking quite amused with me, "God, I love you."

I forgot all about this reception we needed to attend. Jacob just had that effect on me. When I glanced ahead I noticed the little smile playing on Joel's lip in the rear view mirror. I was right. Our smiles and laughs made the people around us happy too.

Cutting the cake was an event by itself.

A lot of people wanted to get in on the action or maybe they just wanted to size up our cake. It, however, was not the white cake we'd be serving our guests. It was only there for us to cut it together, the staff was already serving the guests the actual cake. It was the same cake but if we had a freaking big cake at the table it would become a hot mess.

The lovely wedding planner known as Elijah thought of everything.

I ate only a small piece of cake, I could have a big freaking piece of cake tomorrow since that small little display cake would be going home with us. A big piece of cake and coffee is how I'd treat myself. Jacob could be there too but I didn't really need him to enjoy the cake.

I wouldn't mind his presence either. It was his choice, he could join me or give me a moment with my cake.

"Looking forward to our honeymoon?" Jacob asked, sipping his champagne.

"I think I'm more excited about having a little moment with my cake tomorrow." I muttered.

Nick who was enjoying a flute of champagne as well joined in on our conversation. I could tell that my brother was in a good mood due to the champagne. I was glad he was in such a good mood. The breakup wasn't that awful but I did know he missed Joy a little. She was a nice girl, just not the one.

She wasn't his Jacob. He'd find her though, I was sure of it.

"You're such a weird one, dear sister."

"I mean the honeymoon is in a week." I said getting defensive about my excitement, "As me stuffing my face with cake is happening tomorrow, of course I'm more excited about that right now."

Nick made a face, looking amused with me while fawning shock. My dear husband, however, was laughing at us.

His laughter was genuine, coming from the heart.

It was a laugh the other guests had never heard from him. Most of them probably saw the video of us together at Christmas but they never had the honour of actually seeing Jacob with his guard down. It was a treat for the eyes. It made me feel proud.

Yes, I had the power to make Jacob lower his guard.

"It's what I love about your sister." Jacob let my brother know.

Nick smirked, "You're both weird then, but I'll take it. At least I know you're crazy about my sister."

Joshua chuckled, "I never thought I'd say this about my brother but they're so cute together."

Jacob glared at his brother, "You better leave it at that." He warned his little brother playfully.

I couldn't stop smiling. These men were hilarious, making me so happy. When my parents joined in things just got better. Now I didn't want the night to end.

It was almost like that little moment of weakness in the back of Joel's car never happened.

I knew though, that when this night would end this feeling didn't have to fade. These people would be in my life for a long time and it was up to me to make sure we'd stay this close forever.

I'd work hard to make sure we'd share moments like these a lot more often. I was sure Jacob would help me too. He pretended to be annoyed with family quality time yet whenever the family was around his smile became wider and his eyes lit up with happiness.

I definitely didn't regret becoming Mrs. Blackwood.