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All our family and friends are seated. My parents and sisters are in the front row, along with Amelia’s mother. Her nurse, Noelle, is directly behind her. I’ll be sending in pastries and coffee weekly for the rest of Eileen’s life, simply to thank Noelle for making this happen. She came in on her day off solely to make sure Eileen would be here for the wedding, and I don’t have enough words of gratitude for that. She lost her mom young, and for that reason, she knew how important it was to Amelia to have her here today.
Across the aisle from my parents in the front row sit my best friends. Rae, Aaron, Joel, Sarah, and Hyla. Behind them, Chelsea and Trevor are sitting with Jesse and several others. Looking out at everyone, I see so much love.
There’s a clacking noise at the end of the aisle and two of the wooden screens slip apart. I force a breath. It’s not my girl. Not yet.
The first person up the aisle is Dani, dressed in a floor-length maroon dress with cap sleeves and a deep V-cut that I’m sure Jesse is enjoying.
She takes her spot at the opposite side of the altar and smiles at me, then we both watch Mackenzie strut down the aisle, all smiles and swagger, though her steps slow for a second as she passes the front row and her eyes lock with Hyla’s.
I’ve officially become the asshole shipping my friends and hoping they finally figure it out and get together. Mackie deserves happiness, and that has always been tied to Hyla.
Everything else clears from my brain as the bridal march plays, and then I see them. My girls. Amelia never told me her decision on who—if anyone—she’d walk down the aisle with, but I should’ve seen this coming. Walking down the aisle with our girl is perfect.
I pinch the bridge of my nose as I watch them, completely overwhelmed. They are my entire world. Emotion bubbles over inside me, and I stop trying to hold it back. I never want to hold back my love for my girls.
Amelia’s smile is dazzling as she walks toward me. And that dress… fuck, I was so annoying about it, but I’m glad she didn’t tell me anything. It would’ve taken away from the magic of seeing her now.
She stops at the front row and squats down next to her mother’s wheelchair. Eileen lifts her arm and gently touches Amelia’s soft curls before grabbing Emmie’s hand and playfully wiggling it. Amelia kisses Eileen’s cheek, then she stands again and walks to the front, eyes on me.
She leans in, letting Emmie paw at me as I kiss her tiny cheek, then Amelia turns and hands Emmie to Dani.
Finally, my girl comes to stand in front of me and takes my hands, and I get a full view of that gorgeous dress.
It has a corset look on the top with tank sleeves and a square-ish neckline which perfectly frames the locket I got her for Valentine’s Day. The bottom of the dress is soft and poofy without looking uncomfortable. Then she shifts and I realize the skirt has a dangerously high-cut slit.
You can go down on me while I’m wearing it.
She’s going to be the death of me, and I’ll go happily.
She smirks, squeezing my hand a little tighter as the minister welcomes everyone to the ceremony. We chose a quick service, and though we’re doing personalized vows, we agreed to keep them short. We tell each other how we feel about each other all the time. It doesn’t need to be over the top today.
After the introduction, he says a few words about love, then it’s our turn.
“Amelia?”
Looking into my eyes, Amelia begins. “Miles, from the moment I met you, you have changed my life immeasurably, and I will forever be grateful for that.
“Today, I promise to always do my best to love you as openly and wholly as you love me. To hold your hand through the best moments and the hardest ones, to be vulnerable in your arms, and continue to grow together with you as we build our beautiful life together.” She wipes a tear from her eye and smiles. “I love you.”
I give her hands a squeeze in return.
“Miles?”
“Ames, I love you. I thought when I finally found love, I’d be prepared—ready to handle anything. But nothing could prepare me for how profoundly your love would change me. I wouldn’t be who I am today without you and all you’ve given me.”
I pause, emotion clogging my throat.
“Today, I promise to be your safe place. To carefully care for your heart while giving you mine in return. To stand by your side through the many twists and turns of life, to work with you and grow with you as we continue to make our relationship stronger. And to face every uncertainty with you, knowing we’ll always find the magic too.”
She sniffs and nods, glancing down at her tattoo, just below where her locket is resting.
The minister continues on as we stare at each other. Then it’s time to exchange the rings.
“Amelia, please place the ring on Miles’s finger as you say, ‘With this ring, I take you to be my husband.’”
With a brilliant smile, she lifts my hand and carefully slides on the ring—thick tungsten carbide with beveled edges and brushed black tungsten in the center.
“With this ring, I take you to be my husband.” Then she mouths forever.
