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Our guests shift in their seats as the French doors open, signaling the bride’s arrival. Dylan steps out first, reaching his hand over the threshold to help Kat down the steps. My dad offered to walk her down the aisle, but she insisted that Dylan should be the one to give her away. It may seem odd given our history, but I couldn’t think of anyone better to fill the role. It’s no secret that Dylan and I had…issues when we first met. That’s what happens when you’re both in love with the same person. But when all is said and done, he’s been by her side no matter what. He was there for her when I wasn’t and I’ll always be thankful that she had someone watching out for her. Besides, when he met the true love of his life, he realized that his affection for Kat was misplaced, and that they were always better as friends. He and I finally cleared the air last year when we had a long overdue man-to-man discussion.
I’m staring through the doorway, anxiously awaiting the first look at my bride-to-be. When she finally makes an appearance, an audible gasp washes through the audience. Their murmurs fade into the background as she steps onto the porch and searches me out. My God, she looks like an angel. Her strapless gown is understated—a layered flowy material falls to her feet, barely hugging the curves beneath. Dark curls tumble over her shoulders with small white orchids strategically pinning the sides of her hair back. I laugh when I see that she’s barefoot; clearly her anxiety about getting her heels stuck in the grass won. When our eyes meet, I have to blink back tears from the overwhelming happiness I’m feeling right now. In a matter of minutes, the woman of my dreams will become my wife.
She loops her arm through Dylan’s and they begin walking toward the altar. It takes every bit of willpower I possess to avoid running down the aisle to meet her. When they finally make their way to the front, she flashes me a blinding smile, silently telling me that she’s just as excited as I am.
“Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man?” the minister asks.
Dylan takes her hand and places it in mine as we rehearsed. “I do.”
I squeeze her fingers as we take our places to recite our vows. “You’re breathtaking,” I whisper.
She winks. “You’re not so bad yourself, Sparkles.”
I smile. She once confessed she only called me that to drive me crazy, but what she doesn’t know is that I secretly love it. I haven’t bothered to correct her because I don’t want to risk never hearing it again.
As the reverend speaks, I think about how much we’ve overcome to make this day possible. The beginning of our story was less than ideal but I wouldn’t change it for the world because it brought us to where we are now. It’s been three years since she walked back into my life and I’ve never taken for granted that we were given another chance. This woman breathes life into me—she gives me a reason for being. And just last week, she gave me another reason to look forward to each new day. I glance at her toned stomach and imagine what it will look like swollen with our child. She’s almost three months along now so I know it will only be a matter of time before I find out. Kat squeezes my hand, clearly knowing what I am thinking, and smiles.
I love you, I mouth.
“I love you,” she whispers.
As the ceremony continues, vows are recited, rings are exchanged, and pronouncements are made. When the minister finally begins the part I’ve been waiting for, I cradle her face in my palms, anxiously waiting for his final instructions.
“You may now kiss your bride.”
“It’s about damn time,” I mutter. Our kiss is less than chaste, because…well, have you seen my wife? We finally break apart when the wolf whistles drown out the applause.
Kat bites her lower lip. “Wow, that was some kiss, Dr. Cooper.”
“You seem to have that effect on me, Mrs. Cooper,” I say with a wink.
THE END
