“I, Quinn, take you, Leo, as my own, now and forever. You are my best friend, my earliest memory and the man who I want by my side, no matter what. I promise you my love and my support, from preseason to postseason and every day in between. I promise that regardless of what happens on the field, our home will be a place of unconditional love. I promise to only look to our future together and not regret the past. And I promise that no matter what team you play for, I’ll always wear your jersey.”
Leo brought our joined hands to his lips, kissing my knuckles.
“I love you, Leo, and I will spend every day of our lives together making sure you never doubt that.”
The minister spoke again, and a few minutes later, Leo slipped a delicate white gold and diamond band onto my finger. I slid a wide ring onto his hand, thrilling to the expression on his face as he looked down at his finger with a mix of wonder and pride.
“And now, having entered into the covenant of marriage through the exchange of vows, the declaration of intent, and the giving and receiving of rings, by the power vested in me by the state of New Jersey and in the name of the God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined, let no one put asunder.” The minister smiled at both of us, a benediction in itself. “You may now seal those vows with a kiss.”
I thought I’d seen Leo smile before. I thought I’d seen him full of joy. But at that moment, when we were declared husband and wife, I realized every other smile had been dim foretaste of what came now. It was as though the brightest sunlight had just broken in a gray sky.
Taking my face between his hands, he sealed his lips over mine in a vow just as tangible as those he’d just spoken. His touch was both reverent and passionate, and my heart sped up, eager to feel his hands on me, consummating our promises in the best way I could imagine.
The minister gave a discreet cough, and Leo pulled back, murmuring against my cheek as he held me close.
“I love you, Mia Quinn Taylor.”
The party was in full swing, with music blaring and the dance floor crowded. I was sitting on Leo’s lap, with his arms circling my waist as we chatted with Zelda and Tucker.
“Hey, did you see that?” Zelda nodded toward the crush of dancing couples. On the very edge, Gia was slow dancing with Tate Durham. She stared up into his face as he murmured to her, and I glanced back at Zelda with raised brows.
“When did that happen?” I’d spent quite a bit of time lately with Zelda and Gia, who were both my bridesmaids, but Gia hadn’t mentioned anything about Tate Durham. I didn’t even realize she knew him, although thinking back, they must’ve met at Carolina, when we used to go see Leo and Matt.
“Got me. But they look mighty cozy.”
“She deserves a little happiness. And Tate’s a good guy.”
Leo, who had been talking to Tucker about how brutal mini-camp had been this year, picked up on my last words. He followed my gaze to Gia and Tate and smirked.
“Well, it’s about time.”
“Hey. Did you know something about Gia and Tate getting together?” I twisted on his lap to face him more fully.
Leo shrugged, the picture of innocence. “I might have had an inkling that someone had feelings for someone else.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” I popped my hands onto my hips.
“Bro code, babe. I promised today to always tell you the truth, but I can’t betray a bro if what he tells me doesn’t affect you.” He spread his hands.
“Uh huh. Okay, well, keep in mind that when you don’t tell me stuff that involves our friends, it just mightaffectyou.” I shot him a saucy glance, and he laughed, pulling me down closer to his chest.
“Mia, you know I’m powerless against your logic and charm.” He growled, nuzzling my neck until I squealed.
I leaned back against him, enjoying the view of our friends and family celebrating. Kara and Allen were sitting with my mom and Shane the dry cleaner (yes, he would always be that to me), and Kara was clearly telling a story, her hands moving animatedly. Ellie, who had been instrumental in helping us to organize and plan this entire wedding, was leaning against Corey as they chatted with Lisa and Joe Taylor. Mark and Sheri had stayed through dinner, but I’d realized that they’d quietly left afterward. I knew today was bittersweet for them, although they’d both given me their love and blessing.
Various football players and coaches from the Rebels were on the dance floor and scattered around the tent. Gideon Maynard was nursing a beer over by the bar, watching everyone else have fun. I’d gotten to know him a little better over the past months, but Ellie was right; he was a private man, and he didn’t share easily. Still, I liked him and I respected him as a football player and a leader on the team.
A table set up in the corner held a basket that was overflowing with envelopes. We’d requested that our guests forego gifts in favor of donations to the Matt Lampert Foundation, which was already establishing itself in neighborhoods around New Jersey and Virginia, offering counseling and other resources to young athletes. Leo and Gia had both participated in awareness rallies at some junior highs and high schools, speaking with poignant honesty about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, especially to at-risk kids. They’d advocated for parents, teachers and coaches to get involved before the problems escalated, and they told Matt’s story, pointing out that speaking up was imperative.
“What do you think Matt would say, if he were here today?” I rubbed my cheek against Leo’s. “Would he evenbehere, or would he be off sulking someplace?”
Leo knit our fingers together. “He’d be here, because if Matt was still alive, he’d have gotten help. He’d be better. Healthier. And so he’d be at our wedding because he loved me like a brother, and by now, he’d have realized that you are the best part of me. He’d know that you make me happier than anyone else in the world, so he’d be happy for both of us.” He kissed my earlobe. “He might even kind of like you.”
“Gee, thanks.” I shook my head, but I thought Leo was probably right.
Leo’s brothers, along with Corey and Tate, had stood for him as groomsmen. I spied Danny dancing with Sarah Jenkins, both of them laughing at some shared joke. Danny claimed loudly to anyone who would pay attention that he was the last remaining single Taylor boy and that he liked it that way. I didn’t get the feeling Sarah was in any hurry to settle down either, even though I’d introduced her to a bunch of seriously hot football players this year. I doubted anything was going on between Danny and Sarah, but they were having fun tonight, and there wasn’t a thing wrong with that.
Simon and Justine passed us with a quick wave and smile. Justine’s baby bump was definitely showing now, and as I watched, Simon ran a possessive hand over his wife’s belly. Behind me, Leo sighed and held me a little tighter.
