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“I lost you once–” Mason’s words catch in his throat. He pushes through, though it seems tears are threatening to spill over. “I promise to never lose you again. I promise to be the best version of myself for you for the rest of our lives. I love you.”
“I love you.” I squeeze his hand.
A tear spills down his face.
I release his hand and wipe it away, though I’m crying too.
Mason smiles at my touch, leans into my palm.
“Okay, my turn,” Nate says.
“God, how am I supposed to do that again?!” I exclaim. “I’m already crying.”
More loving laughter.
Nate smiles his quintessential Nate smile. Easy and breathless. “Guess you have to get used to it.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay. Ready.”
“Laney, you’re my hero.”
Dammit, I’m already weeping.
“You have been with me through the darkest moments of my life. You never failed to show up for me even when I couldn’t show up for myself. And that’s why I fell in love with you. You are so selfless. Even when Mason and I tried to love you at the same time, you thought of everyone but yourself.”
I laugh.
“Remember this: you have always deserved the love we give you and more. You are the most deserving person in the world. And I love you. And I swear I’ll be more careful when I surf.”
“I hate you,” I utter.
Nate beams, “I love you too.”
I release their hands, wipe my face, and take the paper my vows are written on from Sonia’s outstretched hand. “Maid of Honor extraordinaire.” It comes out weepier than I’d like.
“Wait–” She retreats and returns with a tissue.
“Oh perfect.” I blot off my face, recenter myself, breathe in, and go. “My boys. You are both so special to me in so many ways. Mason…”
He stands at attention, his chest broad and almost bared to me, ready to receive my love.
“You were my first love. You showed me that I didn’t need to go through life alone. You’re a protector through and through. And I know no matter what, you will always give me a safe place to land. And I will never, ever question your steadfast commitment to me.”
He places his hand against his heart, his fingers brushing the silver necklace I gave him all those years ago.
“I am a safe place for you to land, too. Always.”
Our eyes linger in each other’s before I turn to Nate. “Nate, you make me laugh.”
Everyone laughs. Who hasn’t been brought to tears of laughter by Nate Lyons?
“But it’s not as simple as that. Life, with you, is a joyful adventure. Even going down to the bodega for a late-night snack is as good as an African safari. You make me feel alive. You inspire me to take risks and jump because even if I fall…”
I look back at Mason. “I know I’ll have a safe place to land.” Then to Nate. “And I’ll never be too scared to try again.”
I fold the paper. I’m going off script. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this. But I will never, ever take the love you both give me for granted. I swear.”
Mason and Nate embrace me, dry my tears, settle my nerves. They both mutter I-love-yous in my ears.
