She holds her arms up, welcoming me in for a hug that I happily accept.
“Thank you for loving him,” she says as her hands rub up and down my back.
“It’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
Our photographer, Astrid, who’s also Claire’s future sister-in-law, comes in to take more photos now that I’m completely ready. She works quickly, getting all of us into various poses until it’s time to walk out. Astrid, Claire, Mum, Hazel, and Matilda go to join the guests, leaving Dad and the bridal party in the greenhouse.
“You ready?” he asks, holding his forearm up for me to link my arm around.
Maddie hands me my bouquet of white, sage, and peach wildflowers. “I’m ready.” I nod.
The girls all smile at me before Lex leads the way out. Evelyn is waiting at the edge of the garden for us. Gage wasn’t sure at first if asking August’s mum to officiate would be too difficult for her. He almost chickened out in asking, but he visited August’s grave last month, and she was there, so he took it as a sign. She couldn’t say yes fast enough.
She’s not officially licensed, so we still have a celebrant overseeing the ceremony who will perform the legal parts, and Evelyn will do everything else.
She smiles when she sees us coming. “See you out there.”
We line up and wait for the music to start once she disappears. My back is still aching a little. I’m so glad I decided on sneakers for today.
The opening notes ofIrisstart playing over the speakers, a dreamy piano cover that has my heart beating faster despite the subdued melody. It’s intimate and sweet, and has my mind replaying all the moments that led me here, filling me with love.
Lex moves first. Beth waits a few beats before she follows. Chelsea turns back and smiles before she goes next. Maddie runs back to kiss my and Dad’s cheeks, and then she moves into place.
“Are you happy?” Dad asks, his eyes still trained ahead.
“All the money in the world couldn’t buy the happiness I have right now.”
“Bet that’s easier to say when you’re marrying a billionaire.” I laugh, and it eases the tension. Not that I’m nervous or unsure, but there’s just something about being in the thick of a major milestone in life that has your body preparing. Hoping it all goes alright because you desperately don’t want to lose the moment you’ve been given.
“Just remember how much you love me when you’re shopping for Christmas presents. I like boats.”
“No, you don’t.” I smack his arm playfully. “You get seasick.”
“You’re right. All I need is my girls.”
The beat of the song starts to rise, and we take our cue. It’s just after five p.m., and the sun is starting to set. Fairy lights cover the trees, with more lights strung over the open grassed area where all the seats are set up. Guests watch over their shoulders, waiting for our entrance, but the second my eyes find Gage, that’s where they stay.
His white shirt is rolled up at the sleeves, his tattoos on display, including my favourite Grim Reaper. Light grey dress pants hug his thighs, and he’s wearing his white groom sneakers that match mine.
Caleb puts a hand on his shoulder and whispers something in his ear. Gage nods but doesn’t look away from me. He pinches the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut for a second before looking back at me. With one hand, he swipes away tears from each cheek, and I bite my lip, trying not to give in to my own.
Dad and I make it to the end of the aisle. He kisses me on the cheek and sits down next to Mum. I give Maddie my bouquet, then turn back to Gage, ready to take his hands, but heleans down, wrapping his arms around me tightly. I melt into his embrace as I hug him back. My fingers trail through his hair as I close my eyes and breathe in his familiar rum and vanilla cologne.
He pulls back with trembling lips. I place my hands on his cheeks, dotting his nose and his mouth with a quick kiss.
“You okay, Grim?”
“I love you so much.”
I kiss him longer this time, not worrying about our friends and family. They’re here to celebrate our love, and this is how we do it. With care and patience.
“I love you too,” I whisper, and I don’t let him go until he’s ready to step back.
Gage picks up my hands and takes a breath before turning to Evelyn and nodding.
“Thank you, family and friends, for being here today to witness the marriage of Henry Gage Heart to Isabelle Kathryn Asher. My name is Evelyn Carlisle, and I have been asked by the couple to perform their ceremony alongside a licensed celebrant.”
Evelyn and our celebrant, Jude, take us through the ceremony. My parents give their blessing, our intentions are declared, and our rings are exchanged. Every moment ties a piece of my heart closer and closer to Gage’s until we get to the stage where he becomes my husband.
