Granny Tallulah is accompanied by her granddaughter Winona, the current manager of Blossom Ford Matchmaking Agency.
“We’re so happy for you and Anita.” Winona shakes my hand.
“Thank you and your mom for matching us!”
“Granny knew you two belonged together.”
Granny Tallulah pats my arm. “Told Mel you two belonged together. Glad she listened.”
The officiant and dad’s friend, Mr. Rose, takes his place at the front, and suddenly it's time. The music starts, soft and acoustic, and everyone sits down.
Mel walks down the makeshift aisle first, clutching the rings, with Corrie behind her, throwing flower petals. They are both wearing their red velvet bridesmaid dresses. They take their places on the bride’s side.
Then Anita appears, escorted by her father, and my breath stops.
She's wearing a simple ivory dress, a flowing design that hugs her curves and makes her look like an angel. Her hair is loose and wavy, with white flowers tucked in. She's not wearing much makeup, just enough to make her eyes shine.
She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
Our eyes meet, and she smiles. That smile says I love and choose you. I'm here to stay. My vision blurs with tears, and I don't care who sees.
Her father hands her to me with a gentle squeeze on my shoulder, and then it's just us. Standing before our family and friends, about to make promises I intend to keep for the rest of my life.
I'm so focused on Anita’s face, her hands in mine, the way she's looking at me with such love, I barely hear Mr. Rose's words until it's time for the vows. We wrote our own, and my hands shake slightly as I hold hers.
"Anita," I begin, my voice rough with emotion. "I promise to choose courage over fear. To choose love over safety. To trust in us and our forever. I promise to be worthy of the gift you've given me, your heart and faith in us. I promise to be the man you deserve. Today and always."
Her eyes are shining with tears too.
"Chance, I promise to stay. Through hard seasons and easy ones. Through storms and sunshine. Through doubt and fear and all the messy, beautiful parts of life. I choose you, always. Today, tomorrow, and every day after that."
Mel steps forward with the simple bands Anita and I picked out together. I slide mine onto Anita's finger, and she does the same for me.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," Mr. Rose says. "You may kiss your bride."
I pull Anita into my arms and kiss her softly, sweetly, promising with my lips what I've already promised with my words. Our guests cheer and clap, but I barely hear them. All I can focus on is my wife.
We have a small reception with food set up in the kitchen. Anita's mother has prepared a feast, a combination of Mexican dishes and American comfort food. Old man Jackson'scontribution from the diner sits proudly on the table alongside everything else. He insisted on preparing something, said my dad would haunt his sleep otherwise. There's music, laughter and dancing in the living room.
Mel gives a toast that makes everyone cry. "To my new mom," she says, her voice wavering. "Thanks for not running away when we were being crazy. I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart," Anita says, pulling her into a hug.
Later, I dance with Anita while our guests watch. She fits perfectly in my arms, and I never want to let go.
"Happy, Mrs. McCord?" I murmur against her ear.
"Happier than I've ever been, Mr. McCord."
We slip outside later for some air, standing on the porch and watching the stars. It's cold, but Anita leans against me, and I wrap my arms around her.
A letter arrived from Zeke this morning, and I pull it from my pocket now.
"What's that?" Anita asks.
"A letter from Zeke." I unfold it, read it aloud. He apologizes for leaving and the financial situation he put us in. Explains he's been struggling, made bad choices, but wants to make it right. He offers a payment plan, saying he won't force an immediate sale.
"We'll figure it out," Anita says when I finish. "We have time."
