I hit send and then type another one. I mean, I can walk myself down. Forget it, I’ll just do that.
Bella, honey, you need to have someone walk you down to me.
I bite on to my lower lip. I think there’s a caterer here in a vest and bow tie, I can find a jacket for him.
My phone rings, and it’s Lucas. I answer it with a timid “Hey.”
“Bella, honey, everything was getting screwed up on text, so I thought I’d call. You’re not having some stranger give you away. Of course, if you want to walk by yourself you can, but it would mean a lot to me if you’d let Ford do it.”
“But he’s your best man.”
He groans. “Don’t let Beau or Austin hear you say that because they’re still not happy about it. They’ve decided to ignore the fact that I asked Ford to be my best man. Anyway, he can walk you down to me and then stand by me. It’s perfect... I mean, if that’s okay with you.”
I’m nodding into the phone and realize he can’t see me. “Yes, that’s fine. If you think Ford won’t care.”
“He’ll be honored. So I’ll see you soon? I won’t need to chase you down or anything, right?”
I grip the phone tighter. “I’ll see you soon.”
I no sooner hang up the phone than there’s a knock on the door. As Carlotta walks across the room to answer it, I tell her that Ford is going to walk me down the aisle. When she opens the door, the man himself walks in and stops when he sees me. “Wow.”
I blush from head to toe.
“You look beautiful, Isabella. Absolutely stunning.”
I reach for his outstretched hand. “Thank you. And thank you for walking me down the aisle.”
He smirks at me. “My pleasure. I can’t wait to see Lucas’ face.”
I look up at him. “What?”
He shakes his head just as music from outside starts to play. “Oh, nothing. I think it’s game time.”
Carlotta hands me a bouquet. “It’s time, Issi. I’ll see you down there, okay?”
I hug her, and she walks out the door. Nerves settle over me as I thread my arm through Ford’s. “Second thoughts?” he asks.
“No. Not one.”
“Good. I know it took me a little bit to get on board with this, but I think it’s good. I think this is actually a really good idea.”
Before I can ask him what changed his mind, the wedding march starts to play. Ford opens the door, and we walk the few steps to the aisle. I suck in a deep breath and start to walk. The whole way, I look at Lucas. I know we may not be getting married for the right reasons, but it feels right. Lucas is staring at me as if he’s never seen me before, and he meets Ford and me before we even get to the end of the aisle.
Ford slaps him on the back. “In a hurry, brother?”
He takes my other arm and finishes the walk to the front. It takes a minute for the pastor to catch up, but finally he does. The ceremony is swift and over before I know it. I see G in the corner of my eye as she wipes her tears away, and when the pastor tells Lucas he may kiss the bride, I prepare myself but obviously not enough.
He leans me backwards and kisses me until I’m sure I hear fireworks going off. Imagine my surprise when there are actual fireworks lighting up the darkened sky. Everyone’s eyes are on the sky except for Lucas’ and mine. “Bella, my God, you’re beautiful... and now you’re mine.”
I blink up at him, completely caught up in the moment. I know it’s fake... I know it’s all for show, but just for a minute, I let myself believe it’s real. “And you’re mine.”
He nods and kisses me again. This isn’t real. This is fake. I keep telling myself that over and over, but I’m having a hard time convincing myself of it because it’s so easy to get caught up in all of it.
After the fireworks are over, everyone in attendance comes to congratulate us. It’s when I finally make it to G that I sit down in the chair next to her and hug her. She whispers into my ear, “I know you and Lucas did this for me, and I love you for it, but I need you to promise me something.”
I’m not going to argue with her or try to dissuade her. Lottie is a smart woman. “Anything.”
She grips my hands with her frail ones. “Don’t give up on him. It’s going to take him awhile to figure it all out and realize what he has, but he will. I know my grandson, and he will.”
I nod because it’s an easy promise to make. I know that even when this is over and I’m forced to walk away, Lucas will always have a part of my heart. I know it. “I promise, G.”