Chapter Twenty-Four
CARTER
Three hours later, I wait with the officiant in the room that Steph and Doug were meant to get married in.
I still can’t believe she said yes.
It’s odd, but no part of me is nervous about what I’m about to do. I’m only excited and ready to make Ashley my wife.
The hairdresser Ashley uses in town was here earlier to do her hair, as was a makeup artist. The chairs we picked up are lined up, even though there are no guests. Vermont doesn’t require witnesses to the marriage, and Ashley and I decided that if our loved ones couldn’t be present today, it would just be the two of us.
Maybe we’ll have some sort of celebration down the road and include all our friends and family. Maybe not. All I care about is officially making Ashley mine.
Both Ash and I decided not to tell our families yet though. Neither of us is interested in hearing their opinions, and let’s face it, they’d try to talk us out of it. There’s no possible way they’d understand the connection we have. It’s something they’ll have to see for themselves to believe. If they don’t like it after, then so be it.
Classic renditions of Christmas carols play in the background. Anna brought our dinner over earlier and left it in the oven to stay warm. She was even gracious enough to bake a small wedding cake for us this afternoon after we spoke.
I’m deep in thought, running through everything, double-checking we’re all set when Ashley appears at the end of the aisle.
Jesus, this woman takes my breath away. Her hair is curled, half up, half down. She has a little more makeup than usual, and it makes her look sexy while still maintaining her innocent vibe. Her deep green, off-the-shoulder dress brings out the red in her hair. She holds a small bouquet with red amaryllis and Christmas roses.
I never believed in that whole theory about taking a person’s breath away, but looking at her and knowing she’s agreed to marry me steals all oxygen in the room. Her smile when she sees me only flames that feeling more. It’s as if all the joy and happiness inside me expands my chest, leaving little room for air.
She walks down the aisle, and I thank the powers that be for giving me another chance with this woman. Someone or something was on my side for me to be here right now.
She stops at the end of the aisle, glancing at the decor, the officiant, everything I did while she’s been getting ready. “Carter, how did you pull this off?”
“Ester helped. Then Anna called in some favors with the county clerk, and lucky for us, her father is a judge.” I nod toward the officiant, and he dips his head toward Ashley in greeting.
“I can’t believe we’re getting married.” Her eyes water.
“Me either. But it feels right, doesn’t it?”
She nods. “Absolutely.”
“Shall we begin?” the judge asks.
We smile one last time at one another before facing him and nodding.
“Dearly beloved…” He pauses. “I guess we can skip that part.”
The three of us laugh.
“We’re gathered here today to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony.” He continues with all the usual ceremony lingo, then we get to the vows and the exchange of rings. “I understand that you’ve both prepared your own vows?”
Ashley and I nod, keeping our eyes on one another.
“All right, Carter, you start.”
I squeeze Ashley’s hands. “Ash, I love you. Not just in the easy, effortless way that love sometimes begins, but in a deep, steady way. I know without a doubt that my love for you will only grow stronger with every year we face together. Thank you for trusting me enough to stand beside me today. That trust you give me is the greatest honor of my life. I want you to know that I don’t take your happiness lightly. From this day forward, it becomes my purpose. Your joy, your safety, your peace of mind are my sacred responsibilities. I promise to protect the beautiful life we build together, to keep it full of laughter, warmth, and unshakable love. I promise to be the man you can count on, even when I fall short because let’s face it, I will. But I will own it, I will listen, and I will grow. I promise to be faithful not only in body, but in heart and mind. I promise to love you without conditions, nor hesitation. I promise to stand by you in the hard times and dance with you in the good. Mostly, I promise to choose us—again and again, every single day.”
Tears fill her eyes as I finish. Her smile is so wide it makes me believe that she enjoyed my vows.
The officiant turns to my fiancée. Man, I wasn’t able to use that word for long. “Your turn, Ashley.”
“Carter, standing here with you today might be the most impulsive thing I’ve ever done—and yet, it’s also the most certainI’ve ever felt. So maybe it isn’t impulsive at all. Maybe it’s fate. From the moment we met, there was this inexplicable pull—like something in the universe whispered to me. When you were brought back into my life, it wasn’t a coincidence. It was serendipity. Working side by side, watching you laugh, learning the way your mind works and the way your heart gives, a quiet certainty rose inside me. A belief that maybe we were always meant to find our way back to each other. Do you remember the holiday dance? When we each wrote a wish and hung it on the tree? I wished that if you and I were truly meant to be, I wouldn’t have to question it. That the universe would give me a sign. And then you came on one knee, asking me to choose forever with you. That was my sign. That was the moment I stopped wondering and simply knew. We were always meant to find each other again. And this—us—feels like home.”
I can’t believe we both wished something about the other that night.
