Page 131 of What Should Have Been Ours

Cam is standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for me.

The fitted navy tux clings to him perfectly. His hair has finally grown back, full and beautiful as always. He looks healthy. Strong. You wouldn’t even know what he’s battling on the inside.

And he’s already crying.

I can see the way he blinks rapidly, swallowing hard, his hands clenching at his sides.

And great, now I’m crying too.

A warm hand settles over mine, and I turn, finding Cam’s dad smiling softly at me.

A couple of weeks ago, he came to me wanting to talk about the wedding.

“I’ve always loved you like a daughter, Gabrielle, even when you two were just kids joined at the hip. I’ve always been here for you just as much as I have for Cam. It would be my honor to walk you down the aisle if you’d let me.”

I might have cried just a little when he asked.

—You’re Still The One by Teddy Swims—

With the soft melody of “You’re Still The One” by Teddy Swims playing over the speakers, we step forward, walking down the aisle, walking towards the only future I’ve imagined and prayed for.

The song rings true with every word played.

Looking at the man waiting for me at the end of the aisle, I can’t seem to feel anything but grateful in this moment. For everything he’s given me, for the love he’s always had for me, for the fight he’s always fought for me, to be standing here with me today, taking what time he has left and handing it to me.

When the lyrics “We beat the odds together” echo through the trees, there isn’t a dry eye in sight.

And as I reach Cam, as his hands find mine, as his thumb brushes away my tears, I can’t help but think—we did beat the odds.

Maybe not forever.

But for right now.

And that’s enough.

—Ordinary (Wedding Version) by Alex Warren—

Cam clears his throat, exhaling shakily as he pulls out a folded piece of paper. Then, he looks at me, eyes brimming with love, voice thick with emotion.

“Gabrielle Naomi Voss. I have loved you since I was a wild seven-year-old who didn’t even know what love was.”

A lump rises in my throat already.

“You saved me. In every way a person can be saved, you saved me. When I was a scared, sick kid who didn’t think he’d ever make it out of that hospital, you made life worth fighting for. When I lost you, you were the one dream I held onto through all of the years we were apart. Even when I had to love you from over 2000 miles away, I never stopped. And when you came back into my life, the second I heard that beautiful voice again, I swore to myself I wouldn’t let you slip away from me a second time.”

A tear slips down my cheek, and he reaches out, instinctively brushing it away before continuing.

“I don’t know how much time we’ll have. I wish I could promise you forever. But what I can promise you is that for every second I have left, I will love you. I will cherish you. I will give you everything I have, for as long as I have it to give. I will love you with everything I am. I will show up for you, and I will choose you. In every small moment, in every breath, and in every heartbeat—I will be yours. And when my body can’t be here anymore, know that my soul will stay by your side, loving you just the same.”

I can’t stop crying, and now neither can he as he tries to get through the rest.

“You are my best friend, my only home, and my greatest love story. No matter what happens, I will always be yours. I hope you hold on to my memory the way I’ll be holding on to yours wherever I go after this life. I fully plan on begging God to give me visiting hours with you from heaven, because loving you is the only forever I’ve ever wanted.”

I let out a shaky breath, gripping his hands tighter. Trying not to fall apart.

—Invisible Strings by Taylor Swift—

I take a deep breath, staring at the man in front of me—the man I’ve loved since I was a little girl, the man I thought I lost, the man I get to marry today.