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She spoke about the importance of marriage and holding on to each other. I was drinking in every word.
We’d wanted to have traditional vows, but whenever we practiced, I’d burst into tears, so we decided against it. When that time came, the officiant gestured to us, and we looked into each other's eyes.
"I love you, Reese," Dom said. "I promise to love you every day for the rest of my life."
"And I promise the same in return, until my last breath."
A few tears streamed down my cheeks. He caught them with the back of his fingers, smiling at me.
"See, that's why I didn't want us to exchange vows," I said. We decided on simply saying "I love you," thinking I’d be safe from tears.
Apparently not.
The officiant smiled at us, her own eyes a bit watery, and continued the ceremony. "I've met with the bride and groom a few times before today, and it struck me that they are completely in love in ways I rarely see in other couples. And believe me, I've seen many. It's my absolute pleasure to declare you husband and wife." She turned to Dom. "You may kiss your wife now."
He looked at me and smiled before tilting toward me, pressing his lips to mine. He deepened the kiss for a few seconds before we pulled apart.
Everyone clapped enthusiastically, and there were even some whoops and catcalls—most likely from my cousins—which made us both laugh.
Dom interlaced our arms, and we slowly walked to our family. They gathered around, congratulating us.
Dom's dad was in the last row, and Dora sat next to him. He opened his arms wide, smiling from ear to ear. "Look at you. Come here, let me give you a hug."
I leaned down.
"Your veil," Paisley screeched from behind me. I heard her shuffle around me, probably trying to keep the veil from slipping under the wheel of the wheelchair or something.
Once she was holding it out of the way, I gave him a wholehearted hug, and Dom did the same.
"I'm happy for you, my boy," Theodore said. "For both of you."
While the family gathered around, congratulating us again, I heard the staff already moving the chairs, putting them at the tables.
"Okay, Aunt Reese, just stay like that while I take a few pictures," Paisley instructed.
"Just me and Dom or everyone else?"
"Hmm, you two first. Then I think everyone," she said.
She was determined to take pictures, which was probably why she'd stressed out when I asked her to also take care of the veil. She snapped a dozen pictures before the professional photographer we’d hired took over.
Liz came to me with quick steps and wide eyes. She was clearly tense as she stepped right up next to me, bypassing the veil.
"Liz, is something wrong?" I asked her.
She looked from me to Dom. "I've got a small problem. There are a few finger marks on the cake. I think one of the kids had a bit of fun."
I burst out laughing, and Dom chuckled, shaking his head.
"Liz, relax.” I loved that she'd made our cake too.
"You don't mind?" she asked.
"No. As long as it's still standing and we have something to cut, it's all good."
Dom tilted toward me, kissing my temple. "I don't think anything can upset us today."
"Exactly," I agreed. It was the happiest day of my life.
