We’ve seen Em try her dress on a few times, but seeing it now, with her hair and makeup done and her baby bump to the right size, she looks absolutely breathtaking. A beautiful, vintage-inspired floral-lace ballgown wraps around her body, with a heart-shaped neckline and off-the-shoulder thick lace straps. There’s some sort of glitter mesh underneath the lace that makes her dress sparkle with the light, and I just know that when Greyson makes her twirl on the dance floor, it will shine like glittering sand under the moonlight.
Her makeup is simple yet makes her radiate a thousand times brighter, despite Emma already being a natural beauty. And her hair has been done in big Hollywood curls with one side pinned to the side of her head.
A white lotus flower is tucked behind her exposed ear as a symbol for Maddison, the little girl with cancer who sadly succumbed to her disease back in July. Emma and Greyson had grown close to the sweet girl they called Little Lotus, and I think it’s a beautiful way to incorporate her into the wedding, even though she can’t be here with us today.
“Oh, Emma…” I place my hands over my mouth as I take a step toward her, then reach for her hand. “My brother has no idea how lucky he is to be marrying you today.”
She stomps her foot and squeezes my hand, whimpering a little as she makes a face. “I told you not to make me cry…” A tear slips free, and the makeup artist quickly catches it with a Q-tip without smearing the makeup.
“You look beautiful, Emma,” Morgan says with tears in her eyes.
“The most beautiful bride.” Cecilia sniffles beside her.
Ronnie smiles at Emma. “Greyson’s going to lose it when he sees you.”
“Guys…” she whines again. “You all need to stop. I don’t know how much longer I can hold it in.”
Just then, a soft knock sounds at the door before it opens and in comes Amanda as well as Lance, Emma’s father. “Sunflower… My baby girl…”
He swallows and clears his throat, his eyes shining with unshed tears as he looks her over. But then a tiny sob breaks free from his lips as he opens his arms and walks over to his daughter.
“Daddy…” Emma cries as the waterworks are turned back on. There was no way she was going to hold it together. Honestly, at this point they should just forgo the makeup.
“You look like the princess I always knew you were. I’m so proud I get to walk you down the aisle today, and so happy it is to a man like Greyson. I never could have chosen a better man for you than him.” Lance pulls her back, cupping her cheeks. “And I count myself incredibly lucky to call you my daughter.”
“I love you, Daddy,” she whispers back to him as he kisses her forehead and wipes underneath her eyes.
“Okay, I love this father-daughter moment, but I need everyone to leave the room,” Amanda says, clapping her hands together. “Hun, you stay over there while they touch up her makeup one last time.” She points a finger at him. “And no making her cry again. We’re already close to running late.”
We all kiss Emma on the cheek and then head out toward the ceremony, preparing to make our entrance. Ronnie is first in line, then me, followed by Morgan, and finishing off withCecilia. All holding a bouquet containing red tulips and a yellow sunflower in the center.
The music cues just as Emma arrives with a bouquet in her hand filled with pink tulips and white lotuses, her father at her side, ready to walk her down to my brother. Amanda nods to Ronnie, and she begins her walk down the aisle as practiced. Once she reaches the end of the walkway, Amanda waves at me from the side, telling me to go.
Taking a deep breath, I round the corner and step onto the white path, slowly making my way down as everyone’s eyes turn to me. I feel my cheeks heating at having their attention, but I try to ignore it. That is until a certain pair of vibrant greenish-blue eyes catch my gaze.
My step falters slightly, breath hitching as I watch the man of my dreams watching me in return, with a look in his eyes I don’t yet understand. But I’ve seen it before, many times. I’ve seen it in Clay’s, in Silas’s, and in Greyson’s. And as of latest, I’ve seen it in Noah and Gabriel’s too.
I quickly regain focus and resume my steps toward my brother, who waits at the end of the path for his bride, only peering every few seconds at the man who has stolen my heart.
My brother beams at me as I approach him with his daughter, who looks a lot like me, in his arms. The way Gracie came into our lives when she was just six months old truly shocked us all, but we loved her from the very moment he brought her home. Gracie was originally supposed to be a part of the ceremony, but after a few rehearsals, we quickly realized that it wouldn’t work in our favor. She is, after all, only nineteen months old.
When I finally reach the end, Greyson stretches a hand out my way as I do the same. I squeeze his quickly before caressing Gracie’s cheek swiftly and taking my spot beside Ronnie.
“Holy shit, he hasn’t taken his eyes off you since the moment you walked out,” she whispers to me.
“Shh… I know.” I blush harder. I’ve felt Shane’s eyes on me every step of the way, causing the hairs along my arms and at my nape to stand.
I finally brave a look, expecting him to be watching Morgan as she makes her way to us, but instead, I find his gaze still on me. I can’t help the way my heart flutters, the way my stomach flips over, doing its own happy little dance.
“Jesus, is it getting hot in here?” Ronnie giggles and fans herself.
“Ronnie! Shush it.” I smack her thigh lightly as my flush takes over.
When I turn back to Shane just as Morgan stands beside me, he smiles, and a small sigh leaves my lips. I bite down on the bottom one, my own smile spreading instantly.
We haven’t talked since he last stopped by my work. I know I could have texted him, since I do have his number—I’ve always had it thanks to Greyson—but I’ve never dared to use it. And since he didn’t ask me for mine, or tell me to text or call him, it felt weird doing it on my own.
Soon, Cecilia has joined our side, and everyone stands, the music changing as the bride appears at the end of the aisle. And yes, she’s already crying again.
