"Perfect." I kiss his forehead, careful not to leave lipstick.
The wedding planner gives Tyler his cue, and he takes a deep breath that puffs out his little chest before he steps through the doors. I watch as he marches down the aisle, face scrunched in concentration, taking deliberately measured steps. The guests smile and murmur as he passes, but Tyler doesn't look up, his eyes fixed on the rings on the pillow as if the fate of the world rests on those two gold bands. Logan beams with pride from the altar, and when Tyler reaches him, he bends down to give his son a gentle high-five that makes Tyler's serious expression finally break into a grin.
Elena goes next, looking stunning in her blue bridesmaid dress, carrying a smaller version of my wildflower bouquet. I find her boyfriend, Nate, in the crowd, looking back at her and I can tell by his smile that they just made eye contact.
Through the shifting crowd, I spot Jessica sitting near the front, wearing a lovely orange dress that complements her auburn hair. She's seated next to Sully, who leans over to saysomething that makes her laugh. Seeing her here, supportive and gracious, feels miraculous. We've come so far from those tense days, building a surprising friendship based on the one thing we agree on completely: Tyler deserves all the love in the world.
The music changes—our cue. Dad pats my hand where it rests in the crook of his elbow.
"Last chance to run," he jokes, but his voice catches.
"Not a chance," I reply, and the doors swing open.
Everyone rises, faces turning toward me, but I see only Logan. His reaction is everything Elena promised it would be—his eyes widen, his lips part in surprise, and I feel beautiful in a way that I’ve never felt. Beside him, Kovy nudges him gently, and Logan seems to remember what he’s doing up there.
Each step down the aisle feels both eternal and too quick. Dad's arm is steady under my hand, grounding me as we move past smiling faces that blur together. But it's Logan's gaze that holds me, his eyes never leaving mine. I have to blink back tears.
When we reach the altar, Dad kisses my cheek before placing my hand in Logan's. His skin is warm, his fingers trembling slightly as they close around mine.
"Hi," he whispers, barely loud enough to hear.
"Hi," I whisper back, and somehow that simple exchange settles me down. This is right. This is where I belong.
The officiant welcomes everyone, and I hear the sound of him speaking, but at first, I only catch some of the words. When it's time for our vows, Logan takes both my hands in his, his thumbs caressing my knuckles sweetly, as he looks into my eyes.
Reese," he begins, and softly clears his throat. "I spent my whole life keeping things separate, not letting people in. Hockey here. Personal life there. Never letting them touch." He looks down at our joined hands, then back up at me with those intense eyes that first pulled me in. "Then Tyler came along, and youcrashed into me with that damn coffee, and suddenly..." He shakes his head with a small laugh. "Suddenly I didn't want walls anymore. You two taught me I'm better—as a player, as a father, as a man—when I stop trying to be different versions of myself."
His hands tighten around mine. "I promise you, right here in front of everyone we love, no more running, no more walls. I promise to meet every challenge as your husband, as Tyler's dad, as a complete person who isn't afraid to need you or be needed by you. I promise to choose us—every day, in every decision, for the rest of my life."
There's no holding back the tears now. They slide down my cheeks as I take a shaky breath to begin my own vows.
Logan," I start, my voice wobbling. I squeeze his hands, drawing strength from his steady grip. "Before you, I thought I knew what love was supposed to be. Something safe. Predictable." I swallow hard as his eyes lock with mine. "But you and Tyler showed me that real love isn't safe at all—it's terrifying and messy and absolutely worth every moment of fear." My voice grows stronger. "I promise to stand beside you through championship games and 3 a.m. insomnia. To cheer loudest when you succeed and hold you tightest when you struggle. To build a family where none of us ever has to face anything alone again."
When it's time for the rings, Tyler steps forward importantly, holding up the pillow with exaggerated care. Logan reaches for his ring, but in his excitement, Tyler tilts the pillow. Both rings slide off, bouncing across the wooden floor. There's a collective gasp, followed by gentle laughter as Tyler's eyes widen in horror.
"It's okay, buddy," Logan reassures him as Kovy and Nate drop to their knees, spotting the rings that haven't rolled far. They hand them back to Tyler, who looks on the verge of tears until Logan whispers something in his ear that makes him giggle.
When the officiant finally pronounces us husband and wife, Logan's lips find mine in a kiss that makes my knees wobble like I'm in some ridiculous rom-com. I'm about to whisper something completely inappropriate in his ear when Tyler catapults himself between us, nearly knocking me off balance in my ridiculous heels.
"We're a family now!" he announces with the volume of a kid who's been instructed to use his "indoor voice" at least eight thousand times.
Logan catches my eye over Tyler's head, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing.
I can’t believe this is real.
Logan hoists Tyler up with one arm, his other hand still gripping mine.
"Damn right we are," he says quietly, just for us, and then we're walking back down the aisle—this improbable, perfect little unit—while I try not to trip over my dress.
The reception tent glows like something from a fairy tale, hundreds of string lights casting a golden haze over everything. The tables are draped in white linen, there’s a wooden dance floor, and each centerpiece is a collection of wildflowers that match my bouquet. Through the open sides of the tent, I can see Green Bay glittering in the evening light. Everything is perfect. Logan's hand remains firmly in mine as we move through the crowd, accepting congratulations from endless well-wishers.
"You doing okay?" he whispers, his mouth close to my ear. "Need a drink? Food? Escape plan?"
I laugh, leaning into his solid warmth. "I'm perfect right where I am."
The dinner passes in a blur of delicious food I barely taste and conversations that feel dreamlike. Before I know it, it's time for toasts, and Sully stands, tapping his glass gently with a knife until the tent quiets.
"I've known Logan for twelve years," he begins, his face creased with emotion. "I watched him arrive as a rookie with more determination than skill, more heart than experience. I watched him work harder than anyone to earn his spot, to become not just a good player but a great one. I watched him grow into his role as captain, leading by example, never asking more of his teammates than he asked of himself."
