I freeze when I see my sister and my wife standing in front of a full-length mirror. Mackenzie is always the most beautiful woman in any room. She’s wearing a navy blue dress that fits her like a glove. Her blonde hair is curled in loose waves, one side pinned up with a clip, and she’s only wearing minimal makeup. She shines and her natural beauty almost knocks me to my knees.
“Brother, get in here and wipe the drool from your face.” I follow my sister’s orders and reach Mackenzie first.
“Mack, you look stunning. I have no words.”
“Thank you, husband.”
“Say it again.”
“What?”
“Husband. Call me your husband again.”
“Okay, husband.”
I kiss her just as the words leave her mouth, surprising her, but she quickly melts into my arms.
“Jordan! Stop kissing Mack, you’ll ruin her makeup. Not to mention, I’ll ruin my dress if I vomit all over it while having to watch you muchlonger.” I pull back with a laugh and look at my sister, really seeing her for the first time.
“Rea, you look beautiful.” My voice catches, I see my twin sister in her wedding dress. I’ve heard my wife rant and rave about it, but now all those words make sense. She’s got on an elegant, classic dress, white as snow. It flows down to the floor with a train flowing behind her. She’s simply radiant. It hits me, she’s really getting married. We’ve spent our lives side by side and now we’ll both be married and starting families of our own.
“J, don’t you dare make me cry right now.” We embrace and I pull my emotions together before I have to walk down the aisle and be the best man.
“Riggs is going to lose his mind when he sees you in that dress. I’d bet twenty dollars that he cries.” She laughs at that.
“No bet. I already know he will.”
“I’m so happy for you, Little Sister.”
“I’m three minutes older, Little Brother.” Her eyes mist at our old banter.
“Yeah, and I’m a foot taller.” I kiss her on the top of her head and then step back as my mom and Mackenzie adjust her veil and hand her a bouquet of wildflowers.
I leave the room as my dad walks in and I can hear him gushing over my sister. Yeah, there’s no way they’re not crying. I see the rest of the guys heading toward the chapel and join them.
We walk down the aisle and I stand next to Riggs with Carter and Williams beside me. I remember being nervous at the small wedding Mack and I had, but when I look at Riggs, he’s cool and collected.
“You ready for this, Brother?” His answering smile tells me everything I need to know.
“I’ve never wanted anything more than to marry Reagan. I couldn’t be more ready.”
The music begins and both my mom and Nora pull a wagon with London sitting in it down the aisle. Soft pillows and blankets surround her, to help keep her upright. She’s wearing a white dress with a matching bow on her head, her blonde curls on display.
She meets my eyes, a huge smile lighting her face. “Da-da-da-da!” Yeah, that’s right, she started saying it a few weeks ago. I couldn’t be prouder.
Next is Lindsey and I can’t help but look over to Williams as she steps into the chapel. His eyes are wide and I’m not sure he takes a breath until she’s out of his sight. She didn’t look his way once. I catch a glance behind my mom to see that her fiancé, Keagan, is looking at her like she hung the moon. I wonder if he realizes that Williams is in love with her too.
My wife takes her first steps down the aisle and my eyes fill with tears. She’s beautiful, inside and out. It may have taken us eight years to finally give in, but it’s been worth every minute of the wait. She winks at me as she takes her place on my sister’s side, where she’s been since they met. These two have stayed best friends despite all life has thrown their way.
An acoustic guitar begins the opening chords of Alex Warren’s “Ordinary”, and my dad and sister pause at the doorway. Her eyes are focused on Riggs and as I take him in, I see the tears streaming down his face. Her eyes are sparkling; tears just barely keep from falling as she takes her first step. He smiles brightly and she beams back at him. I can’t help the tears that escape my own eyes as I watch my dad walk my sister toward her future. He kisses her on the cheek and Riggs meets him to take her hand. When Riggs whispers something in her ear, she blushes pink and they step together, stopping in front of the pastor.
“Dearly beloved…”
CHAPTER
FORTY-TWO
JORDAN
