The moment the sounds of the piano fill the church and the double doors open at the end of the aisle, everyone stands, and all eyes go to the back of the church and, thankfully, away from us.
Daphne’s the first to head down the aisle. She’s dressed in a deep red gown, hair pulled up, and her gaze pinned on her husband, who’s standing beside Vinnie. Sometimes, I forget my sister is grown with a family of her own, and I wonder where the time went and I hate how quickly it all passed.
Bianca’s not too far behind Daphne, trying to hide her baby bump behind the small bouquet of flowers she has resting low on her stomach. I turn to my brother, finding him in almost a trance as he stares at his fiancée. I’ve never seen him so gone over a woman, but I have to admit, the look is good on him.
Delilah holds Lulu’s hand, walking her tiny body down the aisle on her wobbly, chubby legs. There’s no way we could forget her during our big day, but she’s too small to walk on her own. We also couldn’t trust Tate to make sure the kid made it down the aisle on her two feet.
Tate and Brax are holding hands as they stand near the double doors with my father by their side, holding them back so they don’t run everyone over. Tate looks adorable and sweet in her light pink floor-length gown, wanting to look like Tilly on this big day. Brax looks like a tiny man in his suit, and I pray he keeps the tie on long enough to make it through pictures. All bets are off afterward. He’s already announced he hates the way the stiff material feels against his skin.
Tate, in true Tate fashion, practically pulls Brax down the aisle before releasing her hold on him and digging her tiny hands into the basket of flower petals.
Tate loves being the center of attention.
She’s eating up the way the people in the pews are staring at her and full of smiles. My kid doesn’t have an ounce of shyness in her, and I know there’s going to be hell to pay when she’s older.
Brax watches his sister as she throws the flowers high in the air with such a flourish, the wedding guests laugh.
My heart aches in my chest as I watch my two babies head toward me. They’re so grown-up for still being so small. Living through tragedy will do that to anyone, and the tiniest among us are not immune. Marissa would be so proud of the kids and, hopefully, of the job I’ve done as a father in her absence. There’s not a day that goes by, I don’t think of her. The kids keep her fresh in my mind, tiny clones of their mother in so many ways.
When Brax and Tate finally arrive at the steps to the altar, Daphne moves quickly to greet them and ensure they make it to the top in one piece.
Brax rushes toward me and grabs my hand, while his sister stomps up the stairs, making as much noise as possible with her dress shoes against the cold, hard marble. I bite back my laughter as Daphne pulls Tate to the side of the altar, even as she’s still throwing flower petals like they are confetti at a parade.
My hand tightens on Brax’s shoulder as Roger and Tilly step into the doorway. The very sight of Tilly dressed in white, with layers of lace and silk, has my body unable to move. All the air in my lungs vanishes as she takes her first step toward me. Her hand is nestled in the crook of Roger’s arm, but her eyes are locked on mine.
Even though it’s both of our second weddings, I wanted to give Tilly something grand. She and Mitchell had married at the courthouse with little fanfare or celebration.
This time, she’d have the wedding of her dreams. Big. Lavish. Over the top. Whatever she wanted, I made sure she got it.
I’d do anything for the woman walking my way, ready to become my wife. Whatever put a smile on her face, I’d do that too. She made me happy, brought the joy back into my world when all I saw was darkness.
Lucio pulls Brax from my grip as Tilly approaches the altar. I step forward, hands clasped in front of me to stop myself from snatching her out of Roger’s arms too soon.
Tilly smiles at me, and the ache deep in my soul disappears, replaced by warmth, love, and nothing but hope.
I don’t know how I got so lucky to find a love this big again. I cursed God so many times during Marissa’s illness, during her death, and afterward that I figured I was doomed to be alone forever. God and I hadn’t been on good terms in years, but somehow, that didn’t stop the big guy from putting someone so spectacular in my path again.
“Who gives this woman to this man?” the priest behind me asks.
Roger’s gaze flickers to mine for a moment. “I do.” Roger turns to Tilly and smiles.
She turns to face him, and he leans in to kiss her cheek. They embrace for a moment, and a whisper is shared before they move apart. Roger moves her hand to mine, and I take it.
This day is a big one for Roger too. Tilly has been his family for years. His only family since the day Mitchell died. We’ve done everything we can to include him and make him feel like he’s joining my crazy tribe too. The moment isn’t lost on Roger. He’s just as teary-eyed as my mother as he backs away from us, officially giving Tilly to me before God and my family.
“I love you,” I whisper in her ear as I help her up the steps.
She gazes up at me with the biggest smile. “I love you too.”
I stare into the eyes of the woman I love, feeling the pain of the past melt away as the happiness of the future fills my heart.
9
Tilly
“Who are all these people?” I ask Angelo after a solid hour of greeting wedding guests.
The only thing I can liken it to is the clown car at the circus. They just keep coming and coming. There’s no end to the line of people waiting to shake our hands, congratulate us on our big day, and stuff the box with envelopes. Just when I think we’re getting to the end, the group of cousins from last night arrives.
