I nod to Miles and head around to join Massimo at the altar. He hands me some whiskey and I nod in thanks. It’s going to be an emotional fucking day. Massimo finishes his drink and glances at people sitting back down.
“Do you think Nick is ready?”
“Not a fucking chance. I’m still recovering.” I wave at my face. “I’m glad I don’t have to do it four times.”
“Better make it worth it for Sophie tonight.” Massimo winks then slaps my ass to get me back in place for round two.
SOPHIE
Valerie hands me some champagne and I take a slow drink. It’s in celebration not in panic. But I didn’t plan for Gunner to make me cry. Now I feel like a soggy mess.
“Daddy.” I whimper.
“Your makeup is fine, honey.” He promises, adjusting a lock of hair. “One down, three to go.”
“I think my heart might explode into confetti before then. How can I handle so much affection?” I pant.
“Get used to it. I have a feeling they’re going to drown you in it for the rest of your life.” He says simply.
His soft smile, the watery eyes, and his red cheeks make me feel a million times better.
Danny and her baby head down the aisle, then Valerie and Mass, which leaves me and Dad. The music changes and here we go again. It’s Nick. Nick who’s waiting for me and looking as gorgeous as expected, his slightly graying hair blowing in the light breeze as his eyes widen, then go all squinted as he beams. I manage to keep my smile, but I know I’m crying by the time I reach the altar.
Gunner stands with Massimo beside him and I know by the time I get to my number four, I’m going to be a mess. Gunner wipes at his eyes again, as if he didn’tjustmarry me and Dad hands me over a little easier to Nick, patting his shoulder before sitting down with my mom.
Nick helps me up the last two steps. He looks me over slowly, head to toe and back at least three times, noticing all the different little details. “Sophia …”
And he’s just as fabulous so has no room to talk. The perfectly fitted tux, the way he has a warm color to highlight his skin, the glint in his eyes, the almost messy, effortlessly sexy look he has going on. It makes my knees weak.
“I’m not going to remind everyone why we’re here again.” The officiant jokes.
Nick laughs. “It is a wedding right?”
I giggle. I let the guys pick passages of poetry or whatever they want to be included before the vows since I selected the songs and I already know Nick’s is different. Gunner was Poetry, Nick is … all about love, the fundamentals, the quotes.
“Love is what we make of it, but there is one truth that remains – it is the easiest and hardest thing you will ever do. There are days when you will have to love your partner one hundred percent because they just don’t have it in them to love even themselves. There are days you’ll be fifty-fifty. The most important thing to remember is to choose your person every day, no matter their mood. Choose them in the morning, choose them in the good times and bad. Choose them when you would rather run away. Keep choosing them and your marriage will never fail – and your love will endure.”
I’m already crying. Nick cups my face in his hand, wiping my tear and earning a quivering kiss to his palm. The officiant encourages us to say our vows, but this time I’m going first.
“Nick!” I hiss.
He motions again. “Hit me with it, sweetheart. I’m ready.”
I’m not. Not with that sweet smile that lights up his face, the love that radiates out from him, the warmth, the everything that’s so soft and welcoming, and … Fuck, I’m so screwed. How am I supposed to string a sentence together?
“I ..” I purse my lips, wipe my eyes and start again. “I don’t know where to start with you, Nick. You’ve made your way into my heart day by day. You’re so damn consistent, so warm and understanding. You keep the peace between us all and you do it in a way that just makes you essential to my happiness.”
He nods.
“And yet, you keep finding more ways to prove what an amazing match we are. Sharing your fun facts, planning ways for us to spend time together that take us out of the house, letting me support you as much as you support me, and neverevermaking me feel stupid. Even when we fight, you make me think and I love that I will always be able to learn with you, grow with you, and I only hope that I offer you as much as you offer me.”
“Soph-”
I gently put my hand over his mouth. “You get your turn. Hush.” He smiles and kisses my fingers. I take a steadying breath as if I’m not crying. “I promise never to raise my voice in anger again or lash out at you. I promise to work to be patient and to follow through on every one of my ideas for hobbies we can do. I’ll paint with you, I’ll support every dream you have, and I willneverlet you feel unwanted. There’s no way my life could ever be complete without you, your trust, and your love.”
I finally remove my hand and he takes it in his own and kisses my knuckles. He opens his mouth and I shake my head. “One second. I’m going to lose all my makeup.”
He laughs with the crowd and helps me control my eyes by whispering a shark fact in my ear, which makes me laugh and tear up all over again. “Thank you for the note.”