“I am.”
Stepping out of the room, I find all the women waiting for me.My mom’s eyes fill with tears as she comes over and hugs me.She had to step out earlier because she couldn’t stop crying.She pulls back and heads into the chapel.
Delphi walks over next.
“I love you.You got this.”She kisses my cheek, and we line up.
Lydia walks down the aisle first, holding Michelle’s hand.I texted Darrell earlier and told him to get Micah a matching suit.
Delly walks through the doors next, then my father leads me into place so when the doors open, Darrell will see me.
I look up at him.“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, honey.”He smiles.“I’m proud of the woman you’ve become.I can’t wait to see what this next chapter of your life brings.Remember to love him fearlessly, and never let him forget it.”
“I will.”
The doors open to a small chapel.A man in a black suit stands at the front, waiting, but Darrell is the only thing I focus on.
He stares at me like he’s forgotten how to breathe, then finally pulls in a deep breath.He’s in a beige linen suit with a crisp white dress shirt.His dark hair is wavy, and he’s clean-shaven.His striking blue eyes take me in completely, like he’s about to come down the aisle and get me himself.
Finally, we reach the altar.Darell steps forward, lifting his hand toward me when the officiant stops him.
“Who gives this woman away?”he asks.
“Her mother and I do,” my dad says, and he offers my hand to Darrell.“Take care of her with your life.”
“I will,” Darrell vows.
And then I’m in his hands.
The ceremony is quick.Before I know it, there’s another diamond-covered ring on my finger, and I’m kissing my husband.I only remember saying “I do.”I don’t remember my vows.I just stared into Darrell’s eyes the whole time, mouthingI love youover and over.
After the ceremony, we return to the same ballroom as the night before, surrounded by our family.But now there are more people here to celebrate with us.Kit heads straight for my sister.Judson complains that he could have catered.Even Lyla from the aquarium is here, along with Jethro, Totten, and Jada.
I stay at my husband’s side most of the night.Not that he’d let me go far if I tried.
Darrell
I’m done with mingling and not having my wife to myself.
I watch as Daphne talks to Delphi.Hades has been shadowing her around the ballroom all night.I’ve been like a mentor to him for a couple of years.He’s a good man.If anyone can handle my sister-in-law, it’s him.She’d trample right over anyone else.
“If you want to make a run for it, I’ll cover for you,” Max says beside me.
My lips tip up as I look at him.“You will?”
“Cake is done.What else is there?We can meet up Monday for family time.You’ll have all day tomorrow with her uninterrupted.Now get out of here.”He waves toward the doors, and I stride toward my wife.
Wrapping my arms around her middle, I pull her to my chest.
“Let’s go, wife,” I say against her ear and watch her body tremble.
Delphi starts laughing.“Get out of here, you two.See you Monday.”
“Monday?”Daphne looks between us.
“We’re hanging out with the family on Monday.I have my sister and the kids for the next week too.We thought we’d do the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay with the kids on Monday.Then on Tuesday, we’ll take in a show just for the adults, and we’ll plan the rest from there.”
