An article will appear about us in the Mountainview Union paper as well as the Montana Times as soon as the reservoir is given the all-clear. There’s a reporter at the station who has Brayden and me pose together so he can snap our picture.
“Perfect shot,” he says. “Mind if I ask you both a few questions before you leave?”
Brayden picks me up in his arms as soon as we reach his truck outside the station. “This is so incredible,” he says. “You’re amazing.”
“You were the one who found it, who followed your instincts,” I say. “I’m happy I could help, and thank God we got to it in time. But you should be proud of yourself.”
“And you should be proud of yourself,” he says to me. “You’re just as much of a real scientist and a genius as anyone in the world. No matter what you do, with a degree or without, you did this all on your own.”
He doesn’t add “without Phillip.” He doesn’t need to.
* * *
When we reach the wedding venue, Brayden goes inside to get ready for the ceremony, and I take a seat in a chair near the front of the outdoor altar.
“Leleila?”
I turn as Olivia slides into the chair next to me.
We chat until the music starts, and Dylan steps out onto the altar. He’s certainly eye-catching with that dark head of hair and striking eyes, but I twist around in my seat excitedly to watch as Brayden escorts an older woman down the aisle.
“Brayden’s walking with Rosita, Jasalie’s former neighbor and still her cat sitter,” Olivia whispers to me.
My pulse pounds as Brayden draws closer. His gaze lands on me, and I get lost in the incredible blue of his eyes. He looks gorgeous in his suit and tie. He winks at me as he passes, and I nearly sink into the seat as my knees weaken.
Cam is next, walking next to a curvy redhead. He murmurs something to her, and they both look like they’re trying not to burst into laughter.
“That’s Lilla, Jasalie’s friend and former co-worker,” Olivia says.
Ayden and Bella follow them down the aisle. Ayden kisses Bella’s temple when she stumbles in her heels, and they walk the rest of the way with his arm around her.
Colton Wild, a huge blond guy with piercing blue eyes, walks hand-in-hand with a slender red-haired woman who Olivia says is his wife, Sky.
Colton’s smirking, and Sky gently backhands him in the stomach. He grins outrightly then and kisses her head just as they reach the altar and separate for their respective spots.
Jenson is already coming down the aisle with a tall blond woman.
“That’s Jasalie’s birth mom,” Olivia whispers. “They reconciled after Jasalie and Dylan met. She hadn’t seen her since she was a child.”
“Wow.” I watch as the woman smiles up at Jenson, who keeps his arm around her back.
“Bella said Jasalie wasn’t sure she wanted to invite her. But in the end, she decided it would be healing.”
Jasalie’s mom is visibly trembling as she and Jenson make their way to the front. Jenson has to stop when they get near our row of chairs, and I hear him ask her if she’s okay.
“I’m fine. I’m just so happy to be here,” she says clearly back.
He escorts her into an open chair in the front row and then takes his place with the rest of the groomsmen.
When Jasalie walks down the aisle alone, I can’t take my eyes off of her. She’s as beautiful as Dylan is handsome, and her wedding gown is an amazingly gorgeous vintage-style dress. The ivory and champagne colors blend perfectly with intricate neckline beading. The gown has lace trim, long illusion sleeves, and a deep V-neckline.
She looks like a queen.
And Dylan is clearly her king. As they meet at the altar, his entire face lights up with love. Their chemistry together is undeniable, and the minister has to clear his throat three times to get them to look at him rather than each other.
The renewal ceremony is short and casual, a fifteen-minute exchange of vows that reiterate their love for one another. I never thought I was one for romance, especially public sentiment, but Jasalie and Dylan have me mesmerized.
“I promise to be your partner in crime and your biggest fan,” Dylan says, his eyes never leaving Jasalie’s. “I will love you through the easy and the hard, the joys and the challenges. I promise to create and love a family with you in a home filled with unconditional love and support. I promise to love you forever.”
