“Yes. Now, watch your mouth in a place of God and take your cap off.”
He’s one of the few people that can talk to me like that, considering he’s been more of a father to me than my own da ever was. I sigh and take off my green flat cap, tossing it to the side. He pats my shoulder in approval as we wait.
The minutes until she arrives are excruciating. Every breath feels like a lifetime. My mind starts to feel like static, a sensation I’m not used to.Is she getting second doubts? Was it too rushed after all? Is she upset her family isn’t here?
Everything is so close to being perfect that I can’t help but fear it’s about to go all wrong.
All of the air rushes out of my lungs as the large double doors to the chapel open. A hush falls over those in attendance.
Amy’s hair is done up in a bun, several strands of hair framing her face, the perfect picture of an angel. Her cheeks are decorated with a glittery iridescent makeup, lips covered in a pink gloss that I already know I’ll enjoy kissing off of her later. Her dress is glorious, like something straight out of a fairytale. A lacy bodice, puffy sleeves, and a long train behind her. I’m glad I told her to get whatever dress she wanted, no budget. It’s worth every penny.
I could never have imagined that Amy could look even more beautiful than she already does on a daily basis. I was wrong. Myimagination could’ve never come up with a beauty so exquisite even if I tried. My chest fills with a deep longing for her, to hold Amy in my arms every day for the rest of my life.
Power never tasted as sweet as the sight of her. Money could never hold the same appeal. Everything I could ever want is contained in a single woman, and that scares me.
But I also love it.
Marjorie walks her down the aisle, already glossy-eyed as she smiles at me. The reality of this grand moment sinks in.I’m getting to marry Amy.As if sensing my own realization, her brown eyes lock onto mine, and she smiles, warm and bright. Excitement sparkles in her eyes like a million stars. I feel my eyes sting, my breath hitch, my lungs burn. Warm droplets track down my cheeks, and I do not wipe them away. Let them all see the evidence of Amy’s power. Everyone should know the extent of my love for her, I will have no shame. Not about this. Not abouther.
Yearsof waiting, of wanting, of yearning. And here she is, taking my breath away as she walks down the aisle towards me. Towards a future with me.
Her eyes flicker towards Lily in the front row, and I smirk as she nearly pulls away to go hug her friend, but stops herself. The two smile at each other and wave excitedly before Amy resumes walking up onto the church’s altar. Sunlight shines through the stained glass, casting her in a rainbow glow. It feels like a blessing from above, approval from the heavens themselves. And who wouldn’t be pleased with Amy? In my mind, it’s impossible for any god to be unhappy with her.
Marjorie helps her step up onto the altar, arranging her train behind her, before she goes to her own seat in the front row.
Amy is beautiful. And now she’ll be officially mine.
20
Amy
My eyes immediately find Kerry at the altar. The historic stone chapel is bathed in a golden glow, the warm light causing Kerry’s gray eyes to stand out. His eyebrows are raised, lips parted like he’s holding his breath. The sunlight highlights his sharp jaw and strong brow, and I’m reminded of the first time I laid eyes on him, back in the hotel’s pool. I thought that he could be a model or an actor, and now that I know him, he’s still just as beautiful. It feels likeyearssince I first laid eyes on him, but in reality, it’s only been a handful of months. And now I’m walking down the aisle towards him .
I barely register Marjorie helping me up the steps, or the harpist playing in the corner. I probably would’ve tripped if it wasn’t for her, or my dress would’ve gotten caught on something. It takes a moment for me to realize that Kerry is holding out his hands to me, and I’m puzzled to see my own hands are shaking as I slide them into his. I can barely register the priest talking over the buzzing in my head.Focus, Amy. You need to pay attention so you don’t miss when something is expected of you.
I’m frustrated my brain is impeding on such a special, exciting moment. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself so I can be present in the moment.
My eyes flicker back to Lily and the giant man next to her. He’s glaring at everything, like he’s ready to beat up anyone who even looks at him funny. But Lily looks as lovely as ever in a pale blue dress that matches her eyes, which are locked on me, an excited smile on her face. My chest feels so much lighter now that I’ve seen her, like I’ve been holding my breath until I was really sure she was okay. I can’t wait to talk to my best friend and give her the flower that I crocheted for her.
I snap my attention back to the priest, trying to pinpoint where we are in the ceremony. I’m focusing with all my might, but my brain isstillhaving a hard time processing what’s happening. I’m really glad we had a thorough rehearsal yesterday, because I had no idea what an Irish Catholic wedding entailed until last night. I’m not religious, but it was important to Kerry, so it was important to me.
There’s alotof steps. Thankfully Father O’Donnell is a kind and patient man. He was happy to answer all of my weird, nuanced questions about the order of things. I needed to make sure I didn’t get anything wrong. The last thing I want is to accidentally blaspheme something and offend my groom orthe entire Catholic churchon our wedding day. But if Kerry trying not to laugh as I made the poor priest painstakingly explain things over and over was any indication, Imayhave been worried about nothing.
But still. Just to be on the safe side.
I repeat the order of things in my head over and over to help me stay on track and not panic.Prayer. Lighting of candles. Prayer. Singing of the Celtic Alleluia. Prayer. Exchanging Rings. Lighting the Marriage Unity Candles. Rites. Communion.
I repeat the checklist in my head as we go through each step. I feel like I’m in a daze, but Kerry’s eyes are a bit wild, his hands shaking even more than mine as he slides the ring onto my finger. It’s a beautiful sapphire ring with a gold band. Kerry’s ring is a thick matching gold band. The intensity in his gaze both makes me want to step back and hold my breath, but also draw near to him and breathe him in. My brain still doesn’t know how to handle the force of his personality.
Once I’m finished putting the ring on his finger, Kerry’s hold on my hand tightens. A lot of weddings would have the classicyou may kiss the bridemoment now, but thankfully I’m prepared after last night. Instead, we move onto lighting the Marriage Unity candle.
Three white candles sit on a table, surrounded by a floral arrangement of white roses and dark green foliage. Two of the candles are long and thin, while the middle candle is shorter and thick with gold engravings on it. I take a deep breath as Kerry and I approach them from either side of the table. The two outer candles are already lit, while the one at the center is not, the whole purpose of why we’re here.
The flames are reflected in Kerry’s eyes as he searches my face, a soft smile on his lips. I’ve never seen him look so…content.A calm settles over my mind as I look at him, drinking in the adoration in his eyes. A warm and aching feeling blooms in my chest, sweet and bright, a longing for him that I can’t quite put into words. The rest of the world falls away as I focus on just him, on this raw feeling in my heart, on this moment and what it means to us.
My hands don’t shake as I reach for the candle closest to me. But Kerry’s hands do, his knuckles white as he wraps his long fingers around the candle and lifts it. We bring our candles to the wick of the middle one in unison, a symbol of our union and drawing together.
The middle candle’s flame flickers to life, but neither of us are quite looking at it. Instead, we’re looking at each other, soft smiles shared as the meaning of this moment soaks in for both of us.
