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“What is?” He laughs, tapping my arms when I squeeze too tight. “Val’s untimely exit?”

“Not that. Well, yes, but that’s not what I meant.” I never want to think about her again. Pulling back, I cup his jaw, running my thumbs under those gold-flecked eyes. “Our wedding, Ducky. It’s time to plan our wedding.”

The sun dips low in the Arizona sky, casting everything in warm, golden hues.

My backyard looks fantastic, like something out of a desert fairy tale. Rows of chairs sit nestled among blooming succulents, the ground beneath them decorated with smooth river stones and sand. Twinkle lights strung between mesquite trees sparkle like stars, and a simple wooden altar stands at the center, draped in sunflowers. A yellow Lane Merging road sign is tied to the front of it, signifying our union—which we may or may not have stolen last night while everyone was asleep.

It’s small and intimate, just our closest family and friends.

Exactly how we wanted it. Jenna and Mom did a phenomenal job.

Standing near the altar, I shift my weight from foot to foot as I take it all in. Hannah’s off to the side, clutching her basket of petals, the little sunflower crown on her head slightly askew. Her arm is still in a cast, but it’s healing nicely. The doctor said it could come off next week, but she’s already decorated it with stickers and glitter for the wedding.

Salem is snapping pictures on her camera like a madwoman, her fiery hair bright against the yellow sundress all the ladies chose to wear. She offered to be our photographer as a wedding gift, and of course, I wasn’t going to say no.

Then there’s Chicken—Hannah named him—waddling between the chairs and nipping at people’s ankles with the rings secured around his neck. I choke out a watery laugh at where my life is right now.

So much has happened in just a few short weeks.

Xed quit his job and moved in with Hannah and me, which I couldn’t be more thrilled for. I missed him so much over the last two years, missed waking up to his warmth beside me and falling asleep to the sound of his heartbeat. I never want to be without him again, and I don’t plan to.

Valerie finally got what she deserved—a five-year prison sentence and all parental rights stripped. It hasn’t been easy picking up the pieces of what she put us through, but I’m trying. For my daughter and for my soon-to-be husband, I’m trying.

Xed is, too. He’s still continuing his therapy sessions with Doctor Hart and still attends NA meetings once a week just to keep himself in check. I’m so proud of him. My own sessions continue as well, and we’ve even been attending couples counseling. Anything we can to ensure our future.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but that’s not how it should be. We fought to get where we are, and we’ll fight to keep it. Tooth and nail this time.

Taylor nudges me in the ribs, drawing me out of my thoughts. “Dude, you cool? You look as green as that saguaro over there.”

With a grin, I elbow him back, making him wince when I hit his bad shoulder too hard. “Oops, sorry.” Running a hand down the front of my suit, I loosen my necktie. “It’s a hundred degrees out here. Who’s idea was it to get married outside?”

Christian pops his head over Taylor’s shoulder. “Yours, fool.”

Oh, yeah.

Next to them, Huck wipes his brow, curls sticking to his forehead with sweat. He’s dressed the same as all three of us. “Seriously, let’s start this thing, I’m dying.”

“For real,” Christian grunts, his long hair tied up in a bun. “I’m getting swamp ass out here.”

Taylor gags at that, shoving his best friend as Salem captures the moment on film. She seems tense, but only because her ex-boyfriend—uh, husband—has been ignoring her all day. I’m not sure why he was invited, but Xed and Huck agreed on it, so I won’t complain. It’s not just my wedding, after all.

It’s ours.

Mine and his, Matty and Xed.

The other half of my soul.

Someone starts music on a speaker, and the backyard falls quiet as Death Cab for Cutie softly sings about following love into the afterlife.

Everyone rises, turning to look as Hannah skips down the aisle with Arya, who’s now sporting a flower crown and giggling.

And then I see him, and my heart stutters.

Xed steps out of the sliding glass door, looking every bit as breathtaking as the desert sunset in his suit. His mohawk is spiked, yellow today to match our ties, and his piercings gleam in the twinkling light.

For a moment, he frowns, scowling like usual. But then he spots me, and I catch the way his lips twitch, a slight shift in his step. His hands fidget with his cuffs, the vulnerability flickering in his eyes making my chest ache.

Our gazes meet, and everything stills.