“That might be helpful.”
“It’s probably odd, or maybe stupid, but I wanted to ask you to be my Best Man. I need you up there with me, Izzy, right by my side. I need to know that you really accept Lisa and Calliope and not just-” She jabbed me right in the stomach, stopping my sentence short.
“Didn’t I already tell you I accept them both? They aren’t just words. I mean what I say.” She took a bite of her ice cream, pulling the spoon out of her mouth and pointing it at me like a weapon. “Besides, what about Carter?”
“He’s a groomsman. I wantyouto be my Best Man, but I get it if that’s too weird for you.”
“Are you kidding? I would much rather wear a suit than a dress, anyway. I’ll be up there with you.” She nodded, taking another bite of her ice cream. “You can stop worrying now.”
“Thanks, Iz.”
I felt great at this moment, knowing she really accepted Lisa and Calliope. I had worried that she would think I was replacing her or something, but she seemed just fine. She kept eating her ice cream quietly, making me see her as my little girl again. That sweet ten-year-old I once knew, only now she was almost twenty, and she was falling in love. I could tell by the way she walked and talked now. She had gotten nicer.
My little Izzy stopped being little, long ago.
32: Business Plan
Lisa’s P.O.V.
“You look so pretty, Mommy,” Calliope flashed me those beautiful white teeth of hers.
She was my flower girl, and would walk in front of me as I made my way to my dream, to my Viking. Her sweet ruffled dress danced around her beautifully as she swayed before me. It was a light blush pink that looked so beautiful on her. I really think it’s her favorite color.
“Thank you, but I think you look prettier.”
Mom, Liv, and Calliope were all in the room with me getting ready. We had our hair and makeup done, all that was left to do was put the dress on. I never imagined I would be here, marrying a man like Davis, marrying Davis really. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get a man like him. One that loves so unconditionally, so protectively, so intensely. Yet here I stand ready to marry him, so ready, I may run down the aisle.
**Song suggestion: Fall Into Me by Forest Blakk**
The dress slid on my body like a glove, hugging my hips in its silky material. I stared at myself in the full-length mirror, wondering when my luck had turned for the better. There was no way my life could go this well for so long now. I guess with Dad gone, life really could be good.
"I'm ready," I told them all.
My heart was thundering like crazy against my chest with nerves. I knew the moment I laid eyes on my Viking I would feel better, but for some reason, my stomach was swirling with fear. Everyone would watch me as I enter and walk towards my future, and as beautiful as that is, it was also a bit nerve-wracking.
“My Knight, she’s ready.” Liv poked her head out of the door, calling to Lucas.
He entered the room with his black tux and salmon bowtie. He looked less tired than before as he stared down at his wife first. His hands brushed Liv’s baby bump, that seemed to grow larger and larger every week. He bent down and kissed his wife sweetly, showing how much love he still holds for her. His eyes landed on me next, and he paused for a moment.
“You look great, Lisa.” He smirked at me, a slight pink in his eyes like he could cry.
“Don’t go getting emotional on me. I’m the one who’s supposed to cry, not you.”
He chuckled, before wiping at his eyes slyly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
We all took our spots, standing behind the glass doors leading out to the ceremony. The sun was bright and beautiful today, with some sparse clouds floating about. The grass looked so green, and when the doors opened, the scent of flowers caught my nose. Mom stepped out first, then Liv, followed by my sweet girl who was grinning ear to ear as she threw flowers.
“Let’s get you married, but in no way does this make you Liv’s step-mom or my mother-in-law.” He held out his bent arm for me to take, and I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow, squeezing tight.
“Gross, don’t say that.”
We both stepped out into the warm rays of the sun, laughing. Lucas had calmed me with his comment, but the moment my eyes landed on my Viking, it was like the rest of the world faded. Davis wore a salmon pink shirt, no blazer, because good luck containing those muscles. He had on a pair of crisp white slacks and white dress shoes.
His hair was tied at the top, but left loose on the bottom, so it flowed in the wind as I walked towards him. I would forever remember this moment, this image of him would live rent free in my mind for all my life. I walked faster towards him, almost pulling Lucas with me.
“I’ll race you there,” Lucas whispered in my ear, picking up the pace so that he was dragging me now.
I smirked playfully, loving the way my brother plays around. It was unconventional, but we both practically sprinted down the aisle, laughing. When we met Davis at the end, under the arch, which was beautifully decorated with hanging white and pink flowers, Lucas gave him my hand.
