The chairs quickly filled with guests. A familiar voice brought their attention. “Is that seat taken?”
Tyler pointed to the seat next to Matty. Both of them straightened at the sight of their boss, but relaxed some when his eyes pointedly went to Matty’s arm around Reese. “Well, this is nice. I thought I’d heard a rumor about you two.”
They exchanged looks as pink tinted their cheeks.
Matty shook her head. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that gossip gets around.”
“Not at Turtle Grove.”
It wasn’t long before the chairs were full and music started. They all stood.
A woman in a burgundy suit started down first, a book in her hand. Matty assumed she was the officiant.
Next came Kerrie and Kenny.
“Oh, they’re so cute,” Reese whispered, leaning close enough that Matty could feel the warmth of her where their bodies brushed.
They wore matching navy blue suits and looked every bit like twins. Kenny’s eyes darted around at the crowd and he started to lift a hand to rub his head, only to stop himself halfway through. Matty guessed Bette had already warned him not to mess up his hair again. Kenny clutched Kerrie’s arm as they walked, both of them smiling so bright it made Matty’s chest ache a little at the sight of her friends.
A photographer moved quietly, snapping pictures as they came down the aisle.
When they reached the front, Kenny was guided to a tall stool. Kerrie adjusted his tie and kissed his cheek before stepping into place with her hands clasped in front of her.
There was no flower girl.
The music shifted into a soft version of the wedding march, and Zoe and Bette appeared across the lawn, arm in arm.
Matty couldn’t help but grin at Reese’s reaction. Her eyes went wide, and both hands flew to her chest. She whispered again, voice full of awe, “They’re so beautiful.”
Matty had to agree. The mother and daughter moved together like something out of a dream. Zoe’s dress was light purple, wispy, and simple but elegant. Bette’s wasn’t white, not exactly. It was some soft creamy shade with beading and a fitted shape that made her look timeless and radiant.
Matty hadn’t been to many weddings, but she knew this one was special.
They had a commitment ceremony with all four of them lighting candles together and declaring themselves one family. Kenny wobbled a little lighting his, and Zoe reached out to guide his hand. Something about that undid Matty. The tenderness of it. The way they were standing in front of everyone and saying this is who we choose, this is who we love. Emotion rose fast, lodging in her throat so suddenly it almost hurt. She was startled when tears sprang to her eyes.
When she glanced over, she saw that Reese was crying too. A tear had slipped free and was trailing down her smiling face. Matty reached up without thinking and wiped it away with her thumb, her chest tightening at the soft warmth of her skin.
Reese looked at her then.
And just like that, everything else seemed to disappear. The guests, the flowers, the soft music drifting through the warm evening air, all of it faded until it was only Reese in front of her, beautiful and tearful and looking at Matty like she was all that mattered.
Their lips met just as the officiant said, “You may now seal this union with a kiss.”
***
The wedding venue was a classic Southern setting. A rustic barn with exposed beams, huge rolling doors, and weathered wooden floors. The mix of florals and wood, bows on the backs of white chairs and tables made from reclaimed wood, all coordinated in the most romantic way. Lights hung from the high ceilings. A large arch decorated in soft purple and cream-colored flowers stood behind what looked to be the wedding partytable. The tables had sweet centerpieces of glass vases with the same flowers and a healthy dose of baby’s breath.
“This is gorgeous. The whole thing is perfect. Bette is so talented to put this together,” gushed Reese as they walked into the barn. They found their names on a seating chart with other Turtle Grove employees. Tyler had split, but Elsie, her husband, Jayvon and his girlfriend, and a few others were there.
“I’m starving. Do we know what they’re having to eat? Please tell me it’s not diet food, otherwise we’re hitting Taco Bell after this.”
Matty laughed as she pulled Reese’s chair out for her. “They got the local BBQ place to cater it. It was the one thing Bette let Kerrie have full control over.”
“Thank God, I was afraid it would be salad and plain chicken.”
Matty wasn’t sure how the reception for a wedding would go but it didn’t take long before the brides entered. Excitement welled within her as she and the others began clapping. Halfway in, Kerrie paused and raised their intertwined hands, spinning Bette around then grabbed her, dipping her into a kiss. Whoops and hollers sounded. The whole room was alive with joy.
She looked over at Reese and her heart beat faster. Her eyes were glossy with happiness, her hands clutched to her chest, and she glowed with excitement. Matty couldn’t help but stare. She was so beautiful.
