Together, we turn to the captain as he clears his throat.
Time melts and starts flowing differently.
I don’t remember much about the ceremony or the words we say when the promises are already steel in our hearts.
Oh, but I remember the scenery.
Especially when a small orca pod surfaces in the distance, blowing their spouts, and the ceremony almost pauses so we can all get a good look at them.
A yellow seaplane passes overhead, possibly following the whales for tracking. I actually freak out a little.
One glance at Mom tells me she sees it too.
Maybe it’s just a happy coincidence, yeah. But maybe it’s my aviation-buff father looking down, giving us a giant thumbs-up from the Great Beyond.
Queenie barks at the whales, to everyone’s delight, wagging her tail.
I just hope she isn’t too spooled up to forget ring duty.
And I remember Brady’s vows when they come, the way he promises to dedicate every second of his life to me, to make me feel supported and loved.
Soon, I echo the same. How I love my new husband more than life and that I accept him completely.
How I’ll always want him in sickness or health, anger or joy, life or death.
With Brady, it’s so easy, knowing he’ll always help me be my own unapologetic self.
Queenie brings us the rings and doesn’t miss a beat.
Luis—Brady’s best man—unclips the box from her collar, scratching her behind the ears in gratitude as he passes them off to the captain.
Then to us.
The platinum ring feels incredible against my skin, like it’s always belonged there. It’s a plain band, aside from the slight engraving inside it.
Always, Sass. Forever mine.
I try not to choke up, remembering the words as I adjust my rings.
I’m so glad I practicednotcrying for a week, or I’d be a total mess right now.
Even Brady’s eyes have a shimmer as he looks at me and mouths,I love you.
There.
My iron grip on my wedding mask cracks, and my face screws up.
“By the power vested in me,” the captain says while I blot at my eyes, “I proudly declare you husband and wife. Kiss the bride.”
If I’m falling apart, one kiss seals me back together.
One searing, intense, explosive kiss as Brady holds me, dips me in his arms, and claims my mouth in front of the world.
And as he cups my face, caressing me so gently, I feel myself unraveling, and I don’t even care.
Nobody ever said weddings were supposed to be easy.
And no love has ever felt like this before. So complete. So utterly frickingright.
