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I do the same, and we spend a pleasant morning together, all four of us chatting and laughing and reminiscing on the last time we were here.
When we get to the banquet hall, the same one we got married in last time, the first person I see is my mom.
“I bet you didn’t think I’d still be here for a second wedding,” she jokes, and I catch a hint of mischief in her eye.
“Apparently one wasn’t enough,” I reply jokingly, but it’s only to hold back the tears that threaten to take over if I think too hard about it. My heart is so filled with joy to have her here with us.
Miraculously, she’s finally started responding to her treatment, and I have to hope that maybe she’s part of the ten percent of patients that actually make it. The color in her cheeks and the fact that she’s well enough to be here gives me faith.
The fact my mom can be here means so much to both of us, and we wanted to give her an important role in the ceremony. So, in a twist on a traditional wedding, we’ve decided to have Mom walk me down the aisle, and Jada’s father walk her down. Each of them will be part of our wedding party, along with Raven, Heidi, Florence, and a few of my oldest friends.
And of course, what wedding of ours would be complete without NSYNC?
As we assemble at the altar, a string quartet plays a cover of the song we chose for our first dance last time, and I can’t decide if I want to laugh from how silly it is or shed a tear from how touching it is. Mostly I just can’t believe I get to marry the love of my life. Twice.
Jada is standing opposite me, smiling that beautiful smile of hers, and I’m struck by how completely stunning she is. She’s wearing the same dress we got married in the first time, but now the train has been dip-dyed in vibrant purple. She said it was because I’d brought color back into her life.
She’s radiant, glowing with what I know to be a look of pure adoration, and I have no doubt I look the same to her. I can’t take my eyes off this woman, and I hope I never have to.
“Jada,” I say, when it comes to the exchanging of vows. “I didn’t always know it, but I’ve loved you from the moment I first met you. I never believed in love before, but you have opened my heart in a way that I never thought was possible. You’re a miracle to me – you’re my soulmate, you’re my happily ever after, you’re The One.
“And I mean it with all my heart when I say I promise to always love you, to always support you, to always laugh with you,” I tell her, echoing the words I spoke one year ago to the day. “You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met, and every day I get to spend by your side is the next best day of my life.”
I see Jada tearing up at my words, and she takes a deep breath before beginning her own vows.
“Carter,” she says, looking up at me with those beautiful brown eyes. “You came into my life when I least expected it and least wanted it, and I’m so grateful you did. You restored my faith in love and showed me all that it can be. I’ve never met anyone like you, and I want to spend every moment of the rest of my life with you. I promise to love you and hold you, no matter what comes our way.”
She looks deep into my eyes, and I know that this is the most perfect moment. It’s the first day of the rest of our lives together. And when we kiss, it feels like the very first time. Or maybe more like the very first time after we confessed our love for each other – tender, loving, deep, and more real than anything I’ve ever felt.
The cheers from our friends and family fill the banquet hall. When we pull our eyes away from each other for a moment, we’re met with a room full of people celebrating our love. It makes my heart feel full.
“You’re so beautiful together!” my mom tells us as we greet guests. Turning to Jada, she tears up a little. “Thank you for making an old woman very happy. Twice.”
Jada pulls her into a wordless hug, and I can see she’s tearing up a little, too.
“You’re welcome,” comes the opposite sentiment from Heidi, as she comes up to me. “This was all my doing, you know.” Her husband and two adorable kids stand beside her.
“And we’ll be forever indebted,” I say, laughing as we hug each other.
“I’m sure I’ll find a way to cash in the favor,” she replies, flashing me a humorous grin.
“I’m sure you will,” I retort, greeting the kids and my brother-in-law. Jada rejoins me just in time to say hello to them as well.
When Heidi and her family walk away, Raven approaches me next.
“Well, I was skeptical at first, but it seems like you’ve proven yourself,” she says to me, smiling. “And I’m glad, otherwise I would have come for you.”
Jada and I burst out laughing and that seems to be the theme of the night. The reception is full of laughter and joking – exactly what brought Jada and I together in the first place. That and early 2000s pop which also features heavily, of course.
After hours of talking and dancing, we finally retire back to the luxury suite. I feel I’ve never been so happy and as we enter the room, I can’t help but pull Jada into my arms and kiss her again.
“I love you so much,” I tell her after softly pulling out of the kiss.
She smiles at me, a smile full of meaning.
“I love you too,” she says, and we hold each other for a long time, happily in love and with our whole lives ahead of us to share it.
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