The words hang there, terrifying and fragile.
My breath comes out shaky. My nose stings. My vision blurs just enough that I have to blink hard to keep it together. I feel exposed, like I just cracked my chest open and handed him my heart without a second thought.
“I love you.”
Saying it aloud is like stepping off a cliff and finding solid ground instead of air. Fear and giddiness crash together in my chest, followed by a rush of relief so strong it almost makes my knees weak.
Whatever happens after this, whatever comes next, I don’t have to carry it alone anymore.
And for the first time, that feels more hopeful than terrifying.
Relief fills his face, and he kisses me again, holding me close as if he’s afraid to let me go. “I love you so much, Poppy,” he says as he peppers my face with kisses, and I laugh.
“Today is real,” I tell him, our hands still together.
He smiles. “I love you. Always you.”
“Always you,” I repeat.
“Are you ready to go to our reception, Mrs. Kendrick?” he asks as he rests his forehead on mine.
“Let’s do this,” I tell him. “If we don’t hurry, Owen is going to start a riot because he can’t eat yet.”
“This is gorgeous,” Ollie says in awe as we walk over to the arch, where Violet stands, microphone in hand.
“Are the bride and groom ready?” she asks.
“We are,” we say as he holds my hand. I keep holding my hand out and looking at the ring and grinning at Ollie.
“All right, ladies and gentlemen. I have a very special couple to announce to you. A whole family, to be exact. Let me be the first to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick!”
Everyone stands and claps and cheers as we make our way down a faux candlelit walkway.
We stop at the end, and he reaches down under my bottom, picks me up effortlessly, and spins me before sitting me down to kiss me in front of everyone as they cheer.
“That doesn’t look pretend,” Cami whispers smugly.
“Hey,” Ollie says with a look. “That’s my real wife you’re talking about.”
Cami smiles and nods with approval. “I love you guys.”
Theresa is standing off to the side, looking into the distance, more like a distant relative or friend than the groom’s mother. She doesn’t even look happy, which confuses me. She glares at everyone and shakes her head, her arms folded across her chest. She clearly doesn’t want to be here.
“Hi, Theresa,” I call as she looks at us, her eyes narrowing.
“Congratulations,” she says coldly.
If it bothers Ollie, I can’t tell because he doesn’t show a reaction. He says, “Thanks.”
We make our way down the receiving line, talking and hugging everyone as we get to the tent and find our seats at the front of the tent, which is decorated in cozy twinkle lights,hearts everywhere, and a heated floor to dance on, which is impressive. The temperature feels perfect, even though we’re next to a lake in the middle of winter.
Violet and Walker really outdid themselves.
Owen sits with Maggie at the table in front of us and waves. “Can we eat now?” he mouths and points to the buffet line.
I laugh and wave to him to go, and he scrambles to the front of the line.
Ollie glances over and squeezes my hand, and I squeeze back.
