Cal and Torin join us up at the altar, and the music starts.
The doors open and there she is. My gorgeous Molly girl, in a long, white silk gown. Her hair is up, flowers tucked into the curls. She steals my breath for a long minute.
Her parents stand on either side of her, their arms all looped together.
She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
My heart riots.
When they reach me, Heston lifts her veil, kisses her on the cheek, and shakes my hand.
“Take care of my little girl.”
“Always.”
Cloris kisses Molly’s cheek, then turns to me. “And if you don’t, I’ll destroy you,” she mutters.
Seamus stifles a laugh, and I nod. “Noted.”
She smiles—actually smiles—and they take their seats. Together, and their shoulders touch. That’s progress for sure.
I think they’re gonna make it.
Father Luigi starts the ceremony, but I don’t hear a word since I’m too busy looking at her.
“I do,” I say when it’s time.
“I do,” she says.
“The rings are mine,” Raffy announces as he holds them out. We grin and put them on each other’s hands.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Father Luigi says. He winks at us. “You may now kiss the bride.”
And I don’t need any more of an invitation. I pull her close and press my lips to hers. It’s a long, lingering kiss that is the opposite of acceptable church tongue.
The church erupts into cheers and Pepper screams something obscene.
Love that fucking bird.
At the reception, Seamus stands up and clinks his glass. The room quiets.
“For those who don’t know me, I’m Seamus. Declan’s brother. And his best man.” He pauses. “Also, the one who had to watch him mope around the house for four weeks like a lovesick idiot before he made the best decision in his life and asked Marlowe to marry him for real this time.”
Groans from my brothers. Laughter from everyone else.
“Here’s the thing about my little brother.” Seamus looks at me. “He’s stubborn as hell. Reckless. Jumps before he thinks.” He raises his glass. “But when he loves? He loves with everything he’s got. And Marlowe, you’re the first person who ever made him want to be more than what he is.”
I squeeze Molly’s hand.
“To Declan and Marlowe. May you fight often, make up quickly, and never stop driving each other batshit crazy.”
“Hear, hear!” Cal shouts.
Molly squeezes my hand back and we kiss.
We watch our guests from the privacy of our table, laughing at the chaos in front of us. Lola escapes his backpack and terrorizes the cake table. Raffy runs around showing everyone that his “special rings” are actually candy he smuggled in. Pepper won’t stop screaming “holy fucking matrimony.”
It’s perfect chaos.
