“Daddy…please don’t make me cry.” I can barely speak. My throat is tight and I hate how emotional I am. We exchange a long hug and when we pull away, his face is back to being stone-cold. I can hear the music playing in the background, which is our cue that it’s starting.
“Time to go!” Aunt Charlotte yells on the other side of the door and Dad gives me a nod.
It’s time.
From around the corner, I watch James walk down the aisle next to Ginny, who’s throwing flower petals up in the air instead of down on the ground. A few people chuckle, and I smile at her cute innocence. Logan and Kayla are standing like statues next to one another as they wait for their turn to walk down, and it’s not until Aunt Charlotte forces them together does Kayla loop her arm in his. I want to laugh at how silly they are both being right now.
Alex, Imani, John, and Morgan have all made their way down the aisle. Guests on both sides are watching with eager expressions as Jackson and Benita begin walking down next. She laughs the entire way down, and I can only imagine what shenanigans he said to her.
Evan and Summer follow behind and then Logan and Kayla make their way down the aisle. Kayla flashes a wide smile while Logan stands steady like he’s back at the police academy.
Travis leans over and kisses Viola before they walk down, and then it’s just Daddy and me as we wait for the music to change, and when the guests stand, that’s our cue.
We step out, taking our time, and as soon as I see Drew standing under the oak tree and his eyes meet mine, happiness and love overcome me. My cheeks begin to hurt from smiling so much. The leaves on the tree rustle and the wind lightly blows, and it’s almost as if the heavens are giving me permission to marry my best friend.
Daddy leans in for a last hug and kisses me on the cheek before giving me away. I flash a quick smile at Kayla and Viola before Drew takes my hand and brings me up to the altar with him. Though most of the town, Drew’s and my family, and our friends are all here, it seems like the only two people in the world right now are Drew and me. Nothing else matters, nothing else has ever mattered, and as we exchange our vows, I’m completely entranced in him.
He whispers I love you and I whisper it back as the pastor continues with the ceremony. When we’re finally able to kiss one another as husband and wife, my entire world feels like it stops spinning. Drew holds my face in his hands and takes his time as he kisses me like no one’s watching.
It feels like a dream, and if it is, I never want to wake up.
After we take numerous photos with our wedding party and families, we walk over to the huge tent where the party’s already started. The DJ announces us and as we walk in, everyone starts hooting and applauding. Drew takes the opportunity to swing me around and dip me to the low beat of the music in the background. When he pulls me up, I burst out laughing.
“Now you’re just showing off, Deputy.”
“Showing off my new bride.” He winks.
We barely get a chance to eat before we’re pulled in all different directions. Guests walk up to us and give their congratulations and tell us how much they love all the sweet touches. Viola and Kayla went Google crazy and searched everything about Southern weddings to make sure we had everything perfect. From the tulle and lights hanging inside of the tent, flowers and tulle tied on every chair, the old barn doors and windows as decorations, to the mason jar table centerpieces, they had ideas flying out of their eyeballs. Mama only added to all of that, but it all came together perfectly. Everything is simply gorgeous.
Drew steps away to grab us some champagne, and I search around the room, trying to soak up the scene. Over in one corner, I notice Alex with a chick I’ve never seen before who’s dangling off his shoulder, which shouldn’t surprise me at all considering he’s never had a serious girlfriend. He’s flashing her his infamous flirty smile and all I can do is shake my head at him.
When I glance over to the other corner, I see Jackson with his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Sophia. Guess they’re on—for now. Next week or the week after, it’ll change again. It always does.
I let out a laugh just as I turn to look for Viola and Kayla, when Evan comes to me and pulls me into a tight big brother hug. “Happy for you, little sis.”