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Bill, the chauffeur, opens the door, and everyone helps me into the car. Mom slides in next to me, and the girls hop into the other car to start our journey to the Botanical Gardens. I hold onto Mom’s hand, feeling at ease the entire way.
Pulling up at the garden gates, I sit up in my seat a little straighter. I glance at my phone to see we are fourteen minutes late. Not too bad in the grand scheme of things.
Bill helps me out of the car, and Mom fusses with my dress, making sure it’s perfect for my walk to Aiden. Shelly, the photographer, takes pictures, and I start to get nervous. I’ve been calm and excited up until now. I guess I’m concerned about walking down that path and falling because I’m that clumsy.
“You’ll be fine, sweetheart.” Mom pats my hand. “I’ll be right by your side.”
Mel walks first, then Brielle, and then Sarah. Finally, it’s my turn to walk around the bend toward Aiden. I wrap my arm around my mom’s, my heart beating fast in my chest and my tummy fluttering.
This is it.
This is really happening.
“Last chance to back out,” Mom jokes, making me laugh.
“Not a chance.”
There’s a string quartet playing softly in the background. I watch the guests’ faces as they see me approaching, all staring in awe. For the first time in my life, I actually feel beautiful.
My eyes shift to the end of the path—Aiden.
My breath stops.
It’s like I’m seeing him for the first time.
Time stands still as I stare at my soon-to-be husband who’s smiling at me so lovingly. He looks so handsome, so completely gorgeous that all worries of the cobblestone path evaporate into thin air. Actually, I feel like I’m floating down the path toward him.
As I edge closer and closer to Aiden, the world falls away. Everything disappears, and all I see is him. He is my world. He is all that matters. And right now, my heart is so full, I could burst.
I never knew what it was like to love someone so much I would lay my life down for him. I would do anything for him. I would give up my world for him. But walking toward Aiden right now, I finally know what that feeling is like.
I reach the archway covered in greenery and white gilded roses. The area is so beautiful, it brings a tear to my eyes.
Mom kisses my cheek as Aiden takes my hands in his and smiles with that brilliant smile that lights his bright blue, sparkling eyes. I feel light, my heart pounds in my chest, and all I want to do right now is kiss him.
“You look breathtaking,” he whispers.
Biting my bottom lip, he holds my hand tightly in his. I think it’s his way of keeping us both in control, so we don’t jump each other right here.
Taking a deep breath, I mouth, ‘I love you,’ and with a wink, he mouths it back to me.
The minister starts talking, but I don’t hear a word he says as I stare into Aiden’s loving eyes.
I know that I love and trust this man more than anything in this world.
Instead of the standard ceremonial vows, we decided to personally write ours. Aiden takes both my hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze before he begins.
“Jenifer Taylor… I take you to be my lawful wedded wife, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer. All that I am, I give to you, and all that I have, I share with you. You’re my life, my inspiration, and one true love. From this day forward, I shall love and honor you in every way possible and keep you by my side forever as my wife, my lover, and my friend. I loved you from the moment you called me moron.” Everyone laughs. “Wherever we go, I promise to be there holding your hand and telling you ‘I love you.’ You’re my best friend, and you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. Thank you for marrying me. You have all of me.”
I sniffle back some tears as I swallow hard. “Aiden O’Connell, I take you to be my lawful wedded husband, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer. All that I am, I give to you, and all that I have, I share with you…” I pause trying to gather my emotions. “You’re my life, my inspiration, and one true love. I give my trust to you in every way possible and vow to love, honor, and adore you as my husband, my lover, and my friend from now until the end of time. I loved you from the moment I called you a moron.” Everyone laughs again. “Wherever we go, I promise to be there, holding your hand and telling you, ‘I love you.’ You’re my best friend, and you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. Thank you for marrying me. You have all of me.”
He smiles brightly, making my knees weak.
“Aiden, you may place the ring on your bride’s finger.”
Chris searches his pockets pretending to have lost the rings, and everyone laughs knowing he’s faking. He smirks, then hands the rings to the minister who holds them in his hands.
“Jenifer, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you,” Aiden vows as he slides the ring on my shaking finger. I try to fight back the tears while he places it effortlessly. I look at the beautiful ring and think it’s funny how something so small can mean so much.
