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“Okay, we need y’all for pictures now,” Olivia says then wags a finger at Caleb and me. “Don’t let Mom see you doing that. She’s finally warming up to you, Caleb.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Caleb replies as we walk towards the field of wildflowers for family photos.
21
Caleb
“Alright, everyone! Gather around for the cake cutting,” Evelyn announces through the microphone.
Everyone gathers around the bride and groom, their faces filled with joy.
“Shall we?” I lend out my hand to Piper.
“We shall,” Piper giggles as she puts her hand in mine.
We stand next to Piper’s family, and I put my hand around Piper’s waist and pull her in close to me.
“We wanted to say thank you to everyone involved in making this night a dream come true. I know I wasn’t the easiest bride to deal with,” Missy scrunches her face and the guests lightly chuckle, “but I’m so grateful for this community and for my family.” Her eyes set toward us. “Dad, thank you for refreshing the barn. It looks absolutely stunning. Mom, thank you for standing alongside me through every step. Olivia, you’re the best big sister I could ask for. Thank you for being with me every step of the way.” Her eyes move to Piper. “Piper, you’re the best little sister I could ask for. Thank you for your patience with making not one, but three, cakes for today. This is how you show your love and you love big.” Her eyes turn to me. “Caleb, when our florist didn’t work out just a few days ago, you worked your magic and managed to make the florals look even better than my vision board. So thank you.”
She grabs the knife, and Nolan wraps his hands around hers as they cut into the cake together.
“To a happy union,” Piper’s dad calls out.
“To a happy union,” everyone shouts in unison as Missy, with a devilish grin, smashes cake into Nolan’s face.
“Missy!” Nolan exclaims, with a big grin on his face. He swipes some frosting onto his finger and plants it right on Missy’s nose.
The guests erupt in laughter and cheers as Missy and Nolan share a kiss. As I watch their playful banter, my eyes drift to Piper, and I can’t help but think of a future like this with her. Piper meets my gaze, and she gives me a sweet smile. I’m caught red-handed staring at this amazing woman. This sweet, talented, kind, loving woman. Something stirs inside me—I’m not falling in love with Piper. I am in love with Piper.
We’re surrounded by the warmth and joy of the wedding celebration still going strong all around us. The barn hums with laughter and clinking glasses as a soft melody fills the air.
“May I have this dance?” I reach out my hand to Piper.
“I’m more likely to step on your toes,” She nervously laughs as she eyes the dance floor.
“I’m willing to risk my toes for you.” I say with a charming smile.
She gives me a playful squint, as if deciding if I’m serious or not then places her hand in mine. “Just remember that you asked for it,” she warns with a giggle.
I lead her onto the dance floor, resting my hand on the small of her back, and pulling her in close to me. We start swaying to the soft melody as her warmth seeps into me, along with her scent of vanilla. Her body is tense at first, but as I guide her, one step at a time, she starts to melt her body into mine.
“I’m surprised Missy picked a waltz,” I whisper.
“It’s for them,” she sighs as I follow her eyes to her parents dancing on the opposite side of us. “Some of my favorite childhood memories were ‘Saturday Night Dancing’ as they called it. They would push all the furniture back to make room for all of us to dance together while classics played on the record player.”
“That sounds really fun. My boarding school required learning many different dances as part of the curriculum,” I tell her.
“I would have failed,” she replied chuckling. “I’m gifted with two left feet in the family.”
“No, look at you. You haven’t even stopped on my toes once,” I tease.
She rolls her eyes. “The night is still young.”
Feeling the rhythm of the music change, I spin her around. Her laughter echoes through the room as she finds my eyes again, I pull her in close. As I stare into her eyes, everything else fades away, leaving only the two of us wrapped around each other. Her eyes are shining under the soft twinkling lights hanging above us. Her hair falls around her face in soft curls. Her very kissable lips that I’m trying to avoid thinking about (and failing).
“Are you okay?” Piper’s voice interrupts my thoughts.
“Piper, these last few weeks with you have been more than I could have imagined. You’re…”
