“The back?” I ask as she comes to zip me up completely. “Thank you.” I stayed at the job and me and Marcie got close fast. I even admitted the entire thing to her, making her laugh when she told me how obvious it was that we were in love with each other. She’s my maid of honor and I asked my mom to be in my wedding. It’s not traditional, but neither are we.
I hear laughter and the two moms walk in together, talking about the wedding party for Kyle.
It’s surprising how well they get along, even sharing recipes and talking on the phone. It took a little while for Maggie to warm up to me, but when she saw how happy Kyle was with me, she gave me a chance. We worked through some rough patches, but now everything is all good.
“You look gorgeous,” Maggie tells me as my mom stares at me with tears in her eyes.
“Mom. You can speak.” I say, and she shakes her head.
“I can’t ruin the makeup. I can’t ruin the makeup.” Mom chants as she holds her hand in the air. “You look so beautiful, Laina. Kyle’s going to lose his mind when he sees you.”
“He’ll cry,” Marcie says and Mom nods at her.
“Definitely.” Maggie agrees and they all laugh.
I know he’s in a different room getting ready with Remy and Peter who are standing with him. I even will bet there might be a few drinks involved, but they need to stay sober because the kids are in the wedding. I was with Kinsley when she got her hair done and she’s putting her dress on more towards the ceremony. Logan is with them and he’s a handful, so they’re busy over there.
When we go to wait at the end of the aisle, Marcie gives me a look as she peeks. “That Remy is looking good, girl. Hell, they all are.”
“Hey now,” I joke with her as she runs a hand through her dark hair. “One of them is all mine.”
Everyone goes down in the practiced order from the night before and I watch my dad as he waits for me.
“You look so beautiful, Laina. He’s a lucky guy.” Dad wipes a tear from his eye, and I fight my own.
“I’m the lucky one,” I tell him, knowing that I have my past and my future coming together in just a few minutes.
When the music starts, I take Dad’s arm and we start down the aisle as my eyes lock with Kyle’s shimmering gaze. Happy sniffles fill the air.
After the ceremony and dinner, Kyle takes my hand and leads me outside to the beach. We watch the waves in the evening light and I look proudly at my husband.
“Did you ever think we’d be here all those years ago?” I ask as Kyle chuckles.
“I knew you were important to me, but I’d never guess this. I know I wouldn’t change a thing, though. We started this back then, and it all came back to me when I saw you again, Laina. It hit me like a truck.” He confesses as I gaze at him.
“Me, too. I wish things hadn’t been complicated like they were.” I look down at the sand, thinking of the unnecessary stress we were both under when we didn’t just admit the truth. It seemed so impossible to me at the time, and now everything fell right into place.
“I needed to stand up to my parents, Laina. This is just how it happened. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been with you and the future looks so good to me now. I’m glad they’re willing to be a part of it.” Kyle squeezed my hand and leaned down to press a loving kiss to my lips. “I love you, Laina Owens. You’re beautiful and you take my breath away.”
He told me that at least ten times since we said our vows, but I still smile the same. It’s all sinking in now. I just married my best friend and soul mate and this is the happiest day of my life.
“I love you, my handsome husband. Forever.”