Lincoln steps behind me, carefully clasping the string of pearls around my neck. His fingertips graze my skin and I try tofocus on the pearls. My heart beats faster as I turn to watch my reflection in the nearby mirror.
“You look beautiful,” Lincoln says before I can find my words.
Now, I’m blushing. “Thank you.” My eyes turn toward my great-grandmother. “This is incredible, Great-Grandma,” I say.
“Something borrowed for your special day.” She pats my upper arm. Her shrewd gaze scans my groom and me, standing side by side. She looks pleased, nodding. “A handsome couple indeed. Just perfect.” Then the sentimental moment is over and she’s back to snapping at us. “Hurry up. The guests are getting antsy, and they’re trampling on my lawn.”
As soon as she disappears, I turn back toward Lincoln. “I’ve decided.”
His fingers gently brush my hair back from my face. “What’s it going to be, Troublemaker?”
“I’m going to marry you.” I push the air out of my lungs. “But I have one big favor to ask.”
“Anything you need,” Lincoln says with a fiercely protective nod.
“Walk down the aisle with me?”
For a moment, he looks surprised at my request. Then he smiles. “I can do that.”
28
LINCOLN
When the quiet strums of the harp start playing, Jules loops her shaky fingers around my arm. It’s a surprisingly tight grip. A tiny tremor runs through her forearm, betraying her tough-girl, take-no-shits exterior.
I take a deep breath, and then side by side, we step out into the yard.
We head through a garden toward the archway where our officiant awaits.Great-Grandma Lannister’s lawn was transformed overnight, with small white folding chairs decoratively arranged on either side of us.
There’s that distinct scent of spring in the air, but the sun is strong today, bringing a welcome warmth to our skin. The grass is vibrant and green, but the strategically arranged floral arrangements turn our wedding colors into an array of blues, oranges, and yellows.
It’s a perfect, unscripted backdrop for our perfectly unscripted life event.
Jules didn’t want to go back to the bridal suite to change. She was afraid she might chicken out again. So she’s still wearing her leather jacket and biker boots with her wedding gown.
Her style is far from traditional. Heck, nothing about my bride is traditional. For a moment I worry what our guests will think when they see her outfit. But then I glance over at Jules as we stroll down the aisle.
She’s perfect.
Jules is every bit herself. Nothing more. Nothing less.
And so damn beautiful. Uncompromisingly so. In a take-it-or-leave-it kind of way.
I’ll take it.
I’ll take Julissa Lannister and everything she is. Without hesitation. Having her arm looped through mine, I’m pretty sure I've hit the fake bride jackpot.
And as we amble down the path of fragrant flowers, I decide that this feels just right. There’s no-one else I’d rather be going on this crazy matrimonial adventure with.
Jules turns and catches me staring at her. I wink, and her nervous smile transforms into something radiant that takes my breath away.I struggle not to trip over my own feet.
My family is all here—my mom, my brothers, my nephew, and Cameron. Cameron is in the front row next to Mom, trying to keep a straight face while his cousin jabs him in the ribs and yanks on his suspenders. I’m sure both boys would rather be running around in the woods, but for now, the promise of cake is keeping them in their seats.
Jules’s side of the crowd definitely outnumbers mine. I don’t even recognize half of these people. Her great-grandma seems to have invited every living relative in their family tree. Jules’s cousins, her half-sisters, her grandparents, some aunts and uncles, and a tall middle-aged man who’s sending daggers my way. I assume that’s her dirtbag dad.
Then Jules’s poor mom is sort of off on her own, standing in the front and trying not to be intimidated by the Lannister side of the family. My chest swells with pride when, at the very lastmoment, my mom stretches out a hand, coaxing Mei to join the Raines side of the gathering.
Once at the altar, my blushing bride’s eyes don’t leave mine throughout the entire ceremony. Jules and I effectively block out the noise together as we exchange our simple vows.
