Jasper reached the front and carefully placed Delaney’s hand in Trace’s. He said something quiet that I couldn’t hear and Trace nodded, tears still streaming down his face.
Then Jasper stepped back, and it was just Trace and Delaney, standing in front of the officiant, with the pond and the flowers and the perfect afternoon light.
“Dearly beloved,” the officiant began.
I was too busy trying to photograph through my own tears.
Because this moment, this love, this choice to stand up in front of everyone and promise forever, it was everything.
The ceremony continued, vows were exchanged, and when the officiant finally pronounced them husband and wife, the crowd erupted in cheers.
The kiss was perfect. The joy was perfect. Everything was perfect.
I captured it all. Every smile, every tear, every moment of pure happiness.
This was what love looked like.
This was what forever looked like.
And tomorrow, Dex and I would start building ours.
#
After the ceremony, I spent time doing family photos.
Trace and Delaney with Barrett and Cade. The four brothers together. The brothers with their girlfriends and fiances. The whole extended family, even my mom who Jasper looked at with so much love in his eyes that I couldn’t help but capture it.
“Okay,” I called out. “Brothers and their significant others.”
There was a moment of shuffling, and then I realized I was just standing there. Behind the camera. Not in the photo.
“Leigh.” Dex’s voice was quiet but firm. “Get in here.”
“I’m the photographer.”
“You’re also family. Get. In. Here.”
Trace nodded in agreement. “He’s right. You’re part of this family. So get over here.”
I set my camera on the tripod, set the timer, and hurried over to the group.
Dex pulled me in next to him, his arm around my waist. His hand found mine behind Booker’s back, hidden from view but there. Solid. Real.
The camera clicked.
And just like that, I was in the family photo.
Not as the photographer. Not as the outsider. Not as the half-sister who showed up three months ago.
As family.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice thick as I went back to check the photo.
And itwasperfect. All of them, all of us, together.
“Alright everyone,” someone announced. “If you want to make your way up to the barn, the reception starts in an hour.”
As people dispersed, Dex appeared at my side and helped me pack up my equipment.
