“Okay,” he says before pecking my lips. “Come on. We'd better get going before we’re late.”
I chuckle. “It’s only in the garden.”
“I know, but someone took too long getting ready.”
My eyes roll. “Sorry, I want to look good.”
“You always look good, pups.” He gives me one last kiss before we head downstairs.
We greet Jaxon, who is standing with Kayden.
“Hey, man,” Caleb says as he approaches Jaxon.
He turns to us and grins, bringing him into a hug. “Hey, guys,” he says before slapping his hand down onto his back. “Thanks for coming.”
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world.” I smile.
“Let’s go through.” Kayden gestures towards the gazebo.
Jaxon nods at him as we head towards the chairs. Caleb’s hand finds mine as he gives me a soft squeeze. We sit down in the white, lilac-flowered chairs. Kayden stands beside Jaxon at the front with the celebrant.
Felix and Zara perch beside us as Zara places a hand on her very large stomach. She’s about to pop any day now, but she wouldn’t miss Jaxon and Ava’s wedding, not after how close we’ve become over the past few months.
“Please all stand for the bride,” the celebrant says before soft, stunning music starts to play.
Jaxon lets out a deep breath and faces the front. We all stand up and turn around as Ava walks down the aisle. Her brown hair is in loose waves around her face, and her wedding dress is sleek and clings to her petite figure.
She’s hand in hand with Aurora, who wears a purple princess dress with flowers. Kayleigh and Lucy follow close behind, wearing similar lilac dresses.
I turn back to Jaxon as he looks at her and their daughter, his eyes lighting up with nothing other than love and adoration. Tears glisten in his eyes as he takes her in, and it chokes me up because there is no doubt how much that man worships the ground she walks on. They were made for each other, and I’m glad she finally got her happy ever after.
Just as Ava approaches Jaxon, Lucy reaches down to take Aurora up into her arms.
“Fuck,” he curses, which makes Ava laugh as his eyes travel up and down her body before settling on her face. “So beautiful.”
“Not so shabby yourself,” she says before adjusting his collar.
They take each other's hands as their eyes reflect true love, and it makes me want to sob.
“You may now all be seated,” the celebrant says, and we take a seat. “Thank you all for being here to celebrate the marriageof Ava and Jaxon. A celebration of love, a celebration of life, a celebration of forever.”
Lucy reads a passage her and Jaxon’s parents left for them to read at their weddings, and nearly everyone tears up. Kayden, who is the keeper of the rings, steps forward to hold them out as they recite their vows, which has Ava in floods of tears as Jaxon speaks with love and affection.
She’s one of a kind, and I’m relieved she found a man who will love every part of her. Some seem to think I saved her, but really, she’s the one who saved me. I owe her my life in so many ways.
A single tear rolls down my cheek, and I don’t realise how much joy is inside my heart right now.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the celebrant declares after they exchange rings.
Jaxon immediately wraps his arms around Ava’s waist and pulls her into him, his lips capturing hers as she rests her hands on his face.
Everyone stands up to clap, and my hands hurt from how quickly I slap my palms against one another. They pull apart before grinning. Jaxon takes her hand as they begin walking down the aisle, with everyone throwing confetti over them.
There isn’t a second I stop crying. Every time I wipe away my tears, fresh ones start to fall. Caleb wraps his arm around me and kisses my head. I smile at him through my glassy eyes.
“I’m so happy for them,” I whisper.
“Me, too,” he says sincerely.
