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“It’s a beautiful day.” I lifted a shoulder.
Her eyes skidded to the deck and back to me, growing wider.
“I don’t even have a dress,” she whispered.
“Fifteen gowns, all in your size, are waiting in our bedroom, and I haven’t seen a single one. Allie picked them out, and my Aunt Mary already had your measurements. I’m hoping you’ll like one of them.”
“Allie had time to pick out dresses? She has twins.”
“Laura, my love, I think you’re missing the point here.” I smoothed my thumb over her cheek, cupping the side of her face. I waited for the idea to settle in her heart.
Her gaze met mine, and she curled her bottom lip inward. “I guess we’re getting married today.”
I punched up into the air and screamed across the yard, “She’s gonna do it!”
My family erupted in cheers before scattering to their assigned tasks.
We took the kids back to the house. Allie and our mothers helped Laura dress while I slipped into a suit. Laura’s dad got Foxy into his outfit, and Tiffany helped Laila and Kensi with their matching dresses. My family set up chairs on the back deck, and I waited at the front with the minister. Our family sat in the rows of chairs they’d set out. Laura’s parents and mine were in the front with the kids and Tiffany. My cousins, aunts, and uncles along with their families sat behind them. In less than an hour, the house was transformed into a venue with vases of white roses and clumped hydrangeas. Candles lit the rose petal path for Laura.
I fixed my bowtie and rolled back my shoulders.
Allie joined me at the front as maid of honor, and my brother Hunter took the job of best man. Unchained Melody played over the speakers, and I turned around. Laura stood at the backyard patio with a bouquet of roses in her hands. Her satin dress flowed to the ground, fluttering in the breeze. She looked like the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. She looped her arm through her father’s, and they stepped forward. I wiped the corner of my eye and locked my shoulders. The fifteen-foot walk across the patio took forever, but from that moment, I couldn’t peel my gaze away from her.
I held her hands as she stood by my side, and as we exchanged out vows, it felt like a bubble closed in around us. The outside world ceased to exist, and it was just the two of us.
“You may kiss the bride,” the minister said.
Finally!
I extended the smooch until someone in the back yelled to get a room. We pulled away. Confetti cannons and streamers blew through the air. Kensi, Laila, and Foxy hopped off their seats and slammed into us both.
“I can’t believe we’re married,” Laura said.
“It was inevitable.” I kissed her again.
“Okay, you two, let’s get this party going because my date is a professional dancer.” Tiffany tightened her grip on Christian’s arm. They’d been seeing each other for a few months now, and the new relationship looked promising. She let go of his arm and gave me a tight hug. “Congratulations, Fox Silver. Thank you for being a great friend and father.”
She sidled over to Laura.
“Congratulations to you both, Laura. Thank you for loving our kids, and… ” She swallowed past unshed tears and went in for a long hug. “Just… thank you for being an amazing woman and friend.”
“Thank you for opening your heart to me.”
I took my wife’s hand and lifted it high in the air. “Tiff is right. Let’s get this party started.”
The DJ turned on the music, and I spun Laura into our first dance. The day passed too quickly, but our memories would last forever.
We finished the night at one in the morning, dancing until I couldn’t feel my feet. Laura’s parents chatted with mine, and the house was filled with love and laughter. Emma had caught Laura’s bouquet, and her brothers tried ripping it out of her hands. She wouldn’t have any of it. Julian and Kendra announced they were expecting, and my youngest brother made a move on Grace Wagner. Again. He pulled me aside before leaving.
“Congrats, man. I’m glad to see you happy.”
“You’ve been awfully quiet today. Everything okay with Grace?”
“Nothing’s ever been okay with me and Grace.”
“Hey, don’t give up so fast.”
“I’m going off the grid for a while.” He locked his eyes on mine. They were void of all emotion except worry and fear.
