"You look incredible."
I turn to find Vivi standing in the doorway. She's in a dusty rose bridesmaid dress that makes her look like she belongs on a red carpet. Her eyes are already glassy.
"Don't you dare cry." I point at her. "If you cry, I'll cry, and then my makeup is ruined before I even walk down the aisle."
"Too late." She crosses the room and pulls me into a hug. "I'm so proud of you, Serena. You deserve this. You deserve him."
My throat tightens. “I’m so happy you’re here… And I want an update.”
“Negative, today is about you.”
We make our way to the back door, and I catch a glimpse of the yard through the window. The chairs are filled now. Jacksonis standing at the front, looking uncharacteristically serious in his suit.
And then there’s Blaze…
He’s at the altar, and the sight of him knocks the air out of my lungs.
He's in a charcoal suit that fits him like it was sewn onto his body. His dark hair is swept back. His jaw is clean-shaven and even from here I can see his hands fidgeting at his sides. The big, tough SERE instructor is nervous and it’s adorable.
I love him so much it hurts.
"Ready?" Vivi squeezes my hand.
"More than I've ever been for anything."
The music starts. The sound is a soft acoustic version of a song we danced to at The Rusty Spur the night we met. I step onto the deck, and every head turns toward me. But all I can see is him.
Blaze's eyes find mine, and his whole face transforms. The nervousness in his eyes melts away. It’s replaced by something so tender it makes my knees weak. His lips part. His chest rises.
Then he smiles a real, genuine grin that makes it impossible not to fall in love with him again and again. I forget how to breathe. I walk toward him on legs that feel like jelly. Each step brings me closer to the rest of my life and I’m ready.
When I finally reach him, he takes my hands in his.
"Hi," he whispers.
"Hi."
"You're so beautiful it's making me dizzy."
I laugh, and the sound breaks the spell just enough for me to remember we're not alone. The officiant clears his throat.
"Shall we begin?"
The ceremony is a blur of vows, rings, and promises that feel like they've been living in my chest for months. It’s punctuatedby whoops of joy from Jackson and whimpers of happy tears from Vivi.
When the officiant finally says, "You may kiss the bride," Blaze doesn't hesitate.
He cups my face in his hands and kisses me like we're the only two people in the world. The crowd cheers. All I can feel is Blaze's mouth on mine and his heart pounding against my palm.
“My wife,” Blaze growls into my ear. “Mine. Forever.”
The reception is casual and warm, exactly what we wanted. Tables are scattered across the deck. Every inch is covered in candles and wildflowers. There's barbecue and a three-tier cake that I definitely didn't stress over for two weeks.
I finish my first dance with my husband. I’m still floating on air when the song ends, and Jackson appears at the edge of the dance floor with a champagne glass in hand. He taps a fork against it until the crowd quiets down.
"Alright, alright. Settle in, people. Best man speech time."
Blaze groans. "Here we go."
