"That's what I'm here for." Her eyes were suspiciously bright. "Now stop making me emotional. I have a very important job today."
"Which is?"
"Making sure you don't trip walking down to that river." She grabbed her car keys. "Let's go get you married."
The drive to the river felt like traveling through a dream. The late spring air was sweet through the open windows, carrying the scent of blooming things and fresh grass. My heart pounded harder with every mile, anticipation building like a wave about to crest.
"Nervous?" Beth asked, glancing at me.
"Beyond nervous. Probably some new territory that doesn't have a name."
"That's called happiness, Charlie. You're just not used to it yet."
She pulled into the small parking area near our oak tree, and I saw the first glimpse of what waited for us. A few rows of white chairs were arranged on the grass, facing the river. The oak's new leaves were casting dappled shade over everything. No elaborate arch, no towering floral arrangements. Just jars of wildflowers tied with twine, and the river providing its eternal, murmuring soundtrack.
"It's perfect," I breathed.
"Miles planned most of it." Beth smiled. "He wanted it to feel like you. Both of you."
I stepped out of the car, my silk dress catching the breeze, and that's when I saw our people. My mother, Linda, stood near the front in a lavender dress I'd never seen before, her hands clasped, her face bright with unshed tears.
Beth's husband was trying to corral their two boys, who were already eyeing the river with dangerous enthusiasm. Dr. Patelstood to the side in a neat suit, looking more like a proud uncle than a neurologist.
And Miles.
He was standing under our tree, hands clasped in front of him, and even from this distance, I could see the tremor. But his face, God, his face. When his eyes found mine, everything else disappeared. The guests, the chairs, the river. Just him. Just us.
He smiled, and it was the smile from the reunion, from the diner, from the kitchen with flour in my hair. The smile that said‘you're here’, ‘finally’, and‘I can't believe I get to keep you’.
I smiled back, and I thought:This is it. This is what I've been waiting for my whole life.
Beth kissed my cheek. "Go get him, Charlie."
I walked toward him alone, but I'd never felt less solitary. Every step felt supported by the love of the people watching, by the history of this place, by the impossible journey that had brought us here. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure any more would’ve had me fainting.
When I reached him, he took both my hands in his. Warm. Trembling slightly. But his grip was firm, and his eyes never left mine.
"Hi," he whispered, just for me.
"Hi," I whispered back.
"You look..." He shook his head, words failing. "Charlotte. You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"You clean up pretty well yourself."
He laughed softly, and some of the tension in both of us eased. This was us. Even now, even here, we were still us.
The officiant, a gentle-voiced minister we'd found together, began speaking about love as a choice, as a daily practice. Her words were simple and true, weaving around us like the breeze off the river. But I barely heard them.
I was too busy memorizing the way Miles looked at me, the way his thumbs traced circles on my palms, the way he mouthed "I love you" when he thought no one else was watching.
Then it was time for vows.
Miles went first. He took a breath, and his voice cracked on the first word.
"Charlotte." He cleared his throat and smiled self-consciously. "Sorry. I've been practicing this for weeks, and now I'm?—"
"Nervous?" I whispered.
