Oy. Ollie. He loves the nickname. Me not so much.
“Limo’s here!” my dad shouts up the stairs.
“That’s our cue to leave,” my mom says to the baby. She walks over and starts to put her in her carrier, and Ariel helps.
I do a quick check to make sure I have everything. Small clutch. Yes. Shoes. They’re on my feet. Bouquet. Yes. I inhale the ivory hydrangea and purple calla lily mix. When I lift the flowers, however, I realize my wrist is empty. Shoot.
“Are you ready?” Jules asks from behind me.
“I just need a second.”
She gives me an impatient glare.
“Go on.” I shoo her away. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
She reluctantly follows everyone else downstairs.
I walk to the overnight bag I brought and search for the tiny blue box. When I find it, I pop the lid and pull out the silver bracelet Oliver gave me. Four charms dangle from the links: a music note, a heart, a guitar, and, of course, a shark. I slide it over my hand. Perfect.
Picking up my flowers again, I take one last look at myself in the mirror before heading out the door. My dress is vintage lace, but simple. It’s ivory and sleeveless with a V-neck, plunging back, and a few rhinestones at the waist. I think it makes me look respectfully curvy and very 1920’s.
“Jen! Come on!” Jules hollers.
Good lord, the woman is going to have a heart attack. It’s not even her wedding day.
It’s mine.
~~~~
The limo delivers us to Heavenly Scent Herb Farm, located in my hometown, at precisely one o’clock. I know we took a chance with an outdoor ceremony, but Latson and I wanted something natural and intimate. Nothing big city, since that’s where we live and work. We opted for the Herb Farm because the grounds are gorgeous. Everywhere you look there’s a garden or hanging baskets overflowing with blooms or hidden statuaries. There’s even a waterfall next to the arbor where everyone will watch us say our vows.
“Okay, everyone.” Jules directs traffic. “Girls inside to the bridal room and parents outside to great guests.”
She totally missed her calling as a coordinator. That’s why I asked for her help. Things would be a mess without her.
As we stay hidden from the guys and the guests, we take a few pictures and do some last minute touch-ups. I haven’t felt nervous all day, but now, moments away from seeing Latson, I’m starting to get butterflies. I’m not anxious about the commitment; it’s just some of the day’s details have been kept secret from me. Ever since he furnished – then unfurnished – my apartment, Latson likes to surprise me. So far, all the surprises have been good, like a spontaneous trip to Seattle, tickets to see Mama Mia! (gotta love ABBA), and my proposal on the yacht he rented to cruise Lake Michigan. I did manage to surprise him with one thing: our rings. When he proposed, I shocked him by telling him to take back what he had bought me. I’d been thinking about it off and on, and when things were official, I got my first tattoo – around my left ring finger. He did the same, and we match.
Forever.
“It’s time,” Jules says, pulling me out of my memories.
“Good.” I follow her toward the door and my father. “I’m ready to get this show on the road.”
When I reach my dad, he takes my arm and then kisses my cheek. “You look beautiful.”
I blush. What is it about dads and compliments? “Thank you.”
As we follow the girls, he leans into my ear. “If he ever does you wrong, you tell me. I’ll take care of it.”
I hold out my hand, and he fist bumps me. Yep. My dad, the teacher, is a badass.
When we make it outside, I can hear the buzz of guests whispering and the sound of an acoustic guitar. It takes me a moment to recognize the song as “You and Me” by Lifehouse, and I stand on my toes so I can peek over heads to see who’s playing. I can barely make out Dean’s head by the officiant, and I realize it’s him. My expression immediately softens and … crap. I’m going to need tissues.
Gwen is the first to walk down the aisle, followed by Ariel, and then my maid of honor, Jules. She specifically instructed me to start walking after the music changed, so I chew on my lip and wait until I hear a pause. Dean begins to play “Marry Me” by Train, and I start to get a little shaky.
“Here we go,” my dad encourages me and pats my arm.
When we step into view, everyone stands. There’s less than a hundred people here, but it feels like an arena to me. My eyes bounce around the guests, and I pick out family members, Roxanne, Paul, and Drew. I find Kevin and Ashley next to Kyle and Addison and seeing them makes me smile. I haven’t talked to them in ages. If I’m not mistaken, Addison’s face looks a little puffy. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s pregnant. I swear, it’s contagious.
My dad starts to lead me forward and my eyes land on Latson’s father standing in the row across from my mom. He smiles when he sees me, and I’m so happy he reconciled things with his son enough to be here. I know the relationship is important to Oliver and, as much as Latson won’t admit it, he would be hurt if his dad missed today.
With all the thoughts jumping around my brain, I think I’m holding up pretty well. I’m walking in a straight line and everything, until my eyes fall on the two most important men in my life.
Standing at the end of the aisle, both Latson and Oliver wait for me. As we get closer to one another, my eyes stay glued on Latson. This man is trying to kill me. Who put him in that suit? It’s lethal. It’s cut perfectly to the plains of his waist and his chest, his shirt and necktie offset by the ivory handkerchief in his lapel pocket. His eyes swim in mine, and the only thing I can think about is running my hands through his hair and kissing him. My mind barely registers Pete, Carter, and Felix standing to his left.
When I reach the end of the aisle, the officiant asks who gives this woman to be wed. My dad looks at Oliver because this is their big line. O wanted a part in the ceremony and since he “found” me at the aquarium, we thought it would be appropriate for him to give me away, too.
My dad starts, “Her mother and I …”
“… and I do, too,” Oliver finishes.
The guests think it’s cute and they laugh. Latson looks like he could devour me as he takes my hand and leads me forward a few steps. He leans into my ear and his scent invades my senses. “I don’t have words to describe how gorgeous you look,” he whispers. “I’m not letting you out of the room during our honeymoon.”
The officiant clears her throat and smirks like she heard what he said. I squeeze his hand in admonishment and stand up straight. I can feel him laugh.
“Ladies and gentlemen. We are gathered here today to witness the joining of …”
The officiant’s voice fades away. I’m anxious to get to the “I do” part. We wrote our own vows, and I’ve been practicing mine for weeks. When it’s finally time, I give my flowers to Jules, face Latson, and smile up at him. “Hi.”
He grins. “Hi.”
I take a breath and then his hands, squeezing his fingers. “So, here’s the thing,” I say. “When you came into my life, I wasn’t expecting you.” His eyes light up. “All I wanted was space to sort things out, and you kept getting in the way.”
Laughter filters through the guests.
“Thank you for never giving up on me,” I say. “Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for encouraging my dreams, even though it’s sometimes hard for you. Thank you for allowing me into your life, for sharing your past, and letting me love Oliver.” I look at our joined hands and run my thumbs over the back of his. “Thank you for showing me it’s possible for one man to love one woman and be faithful to her without secrets and lies.”
My eyes meet his again and they look glassy. I swallow the lump in my throat; I’ve never seen him tear up before. “If someone had told me I would have to lose everything I had to find everything I need, I wouldn’t have believed them.” I pause. “You make me a believer. You’re my truth. You’re everything I need, and I love you. I promise to love you every day of my life.”
Latson clutches my fingers and then lets them go. He traces the side of my face with one hand before blinking to clear his eyes. “How am I supposed to compete with that?”
Both Jules and Gwen say “aww” from behind me.