All the nervousness I’ve had about standing up in front of everyone vanishes as she stops before me, looking more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her look in my life.
“Hi,” she says with a slight squeak to her voice.
“Hi,” I whisper, trying not to have my voice crack since I’m getting all choked up.
I’ve never been an emotional guy, but there’s something about this moment that makes it impossible for me to keep my shit even.
“You’re beautiful,” I mouth as the officiant starts to talk, and everyone behind us sits.
The ceremony passes in a blur. I can’t stop staring at the woman of my dreams whom I somehow made my reality. I don’t know what I did to deserve this kind of happiness, but I’m thankful for it every single day.
When the man says, “You may kiss the bride,” I grab my wife and pull her flush against me.
I see a hunger burning in her eyes as I lean down and take her lips with mine. The kiss isn’t sweet and gentle like they show in those shitty movies Lulu and Zoey force me to watch with them. No. This is a claiming. A marking. I kiss her long and deep, leaving my mark and sealing the union forever.
Lulu’s breathless as I pull away from her, and our family and friends clap, along with a few hoots and hollers.
We did it.
We are officially husband and wife.
“I love you,” I tell my wife.
“I love you too, husband,” she says, sending a thrill of pleasure through me.
“Say it again,” I tell her, holding her around the waist.
“Husband,” she whispers, peering up at me with so much love, my heart threatens to burst.
“Let’s get this party started,” Zoey says, breaking the moment, which is probably for the best because Iwas about ready to throw Lulu over my shoulder and consummate the marriage immediately.
“I’m starving,” Lulu says.
“Me too, but not for food.”
Lulu smiles up at me, placing a hand on my chest. “Later, big guy. We have a party to attend, and we’re the guests of honor.”
“Can we leave early?”
“All good things come to those who wait.”
I’ve waited my entire life for this moment. I can wait a little longer. Celebrating our big day is important to Lulu—and me too—but she planned every little detail, and I want everything to be perfect for her. She deserves as much.
I take my wife’s hand, leading her back down the aisle as our guests move in front of us, heading toward the terrace overlooking the beach at sunset.
The only thing more beautiful than a sunset over the Gulf is my wife, and I do my best to memorize every moment of today to look back on someday when I am old and my body is wrinkled.
“Huh,” Zoey says, glancing over at my brother as they walk a few feet in front of us. “Who knew you could clean up so well.”
“I’m always handsome,” he replies.
“Debatable,” she teases him.
Thankfully, Zoey has not fallen for my brother, but since the shit with Mark, she hasn’t bothered to fall for anyone else either.
“You’re a stunner,” he tells her.
“Sharla,” Zoey shoots back. “Don’t be an asshole. I like her.”
