And right here, holding Poppy while my sister watches my back from across the floor, I know something deep and steady.
We didn’t get everything we deserved growing up, but now we have everything that we need.
And tonight, that feels like more than enough.
Walker’s driveway is still buzzing when we finally make our escape. Everyone’s waving glowsticks in the air like we’re leaving a concert instead of our own wedding reception. Laughter fills the air and I give Walker a big hug, “Thank you for everything.”
“Absolutely our pleasure,” he says as he looks at me proudly. “Happy for you both.”
Owen stands at the front of the crowd with Maggie, aglowstick looped around his neck like a medal. He’s grinning so hard his cheeks look sore.
“I get a sleepover at the Dogwood Inn,” he announces proudly. “Maggie promised chocolate chip pancakes at Harvest and Honey in the morning.”
“Extra chocolate chips,” Maggie adds, wagging a finger at him.
I laugh. “Of course she did.”
I pull him in for a hug after Poppy hugs him. “Love you, Owen.”
The crowd starts cheering as Poppy and I head toward my truck. Cami whoops. Jack whistles. Violet throws her arms around Walker’s waist, glow stick waving.
“Go,” someone yells. “Get outta here and have smoochy smoochy time!”
I laugh as I open the door for Poppy, and she slides in, laughing and waving back at everyone. I climb in and start the engine. The cheers get louder.
“That was absolutely amazing.” Poppy sighs, leaning back against her headrest.
I reach for Poppy’s hand as we head back toward town, fingers lacing together like this is exactly where they’re meant to be. “It was incredible.”
We’re almost home. Home. The place we’re starting our lives together. For real now. How we got here doesn’t matter.
We pull into one of the bays and park, closing the door and locking up.She turns to me before we head upstairs, looking nervous, wearing my suit jacket over her dress.
“Hi,” she says.
“Hi,” I answer, and it feels like the most important word I’ve ever said.
I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder in a fireman carry and run up the stairs, kicking it shut behind me andlocking it after I set her down, her breath heaving from laughing.
“Ollie!” she squeals.
“What? I’m excited to get my wife home. Sue me.”
She grins, leans in, and kisses me softly. “Okay, husband. No suing needed. I’ll allow it.”
I take her coat off slowly, like there’s no rush now, like I want to remember every second of this. My hands linger at her shoulders, my thumbs brushing her collarbone, and she lets out a breath that sounds like relief. Like she’s finally letting herself have this. Whatever invisible battles she’s been fighting.
We kiss again, softer this time. Deeper. Not the kind of kiss meant to convince anyone. This one is just for us. I feel her melt into me, feel her fingers curl into my shirt like she’s afraid I might disappear if she lets go.
“We’re real,” I murmur against her mouth.
“I know,” she whispers. “I just… I need a second. I’m nervous.”
I rest my forehead against hers. “Take all the seconds you need.”
When she finally nods, it’s like a door opening. She presses her palm to my chest, right over my heart, and the look she gives me wrecks me. Open. Certain. Brave.
We move together without talking, shedding layers, finding each other by instinct. Every touch is careful and reverent, like we’re learning each other all over again. I kiss her jaw, her neck, the place beneath her ear that makes her shiver. She laughs softly when I murmur her name, like she can’t believe this is real either.
