“Cold feet yet?” Summer asked from behind me, adjusting the delicate veil that cascaded down my back.
Her reflection had a mischievous smile in the mirror.
“No,” I laughed, shaking my head. “Not even a little.”
“Are you sure? Because I’ve got the car running outside if you want to make a break for it.”
I smiled. “I’m not going anywhere.”
But even as I said it, a flutter of nerves twisted through my stomach. Not about marrying Derek, but about whether he might be the one with cold feet. Whether he might realize, in those final moments before I walked down the aisle, that this was too much. That maybe I was too much, and it was too fast, too?—
No.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
Derek had loved me for decades. He loved me when we were kids, when we were teenagers, and all the years I was with Jack. He never moved on, even if he tried. He fought for me and Lily and took care of us when I couldn’t.
He wasn’t going anywhere either.
The wedding venue was small and perfect with just family and close friends gathered in a garden where white roses climbed the gazebo, and sunlight filtered through green leaves.
Lily went first, my beautiful girl in her pink dress, supposed to be scattering rose petals down the aisle. Instead, she clutched the basket to her chest and dropped petals in random clumps, occasionally stopping to examine one before discarding it off to the side.
A ripple of soft laughter echoed through our guests, making my heart swell watching her. She was adorable, and Derek was going to be a wonderful father to her and her sibling.
The music changed, and it was my turn.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and held my breath as my father took my arm when we stepped on the grass.
My eyes found Derek immediately, and it felt like I was coming home with his warm smile and calm nature.
He stood at the altar in a perfectly tailored suit, Sean beside him as the best man, and when he saw me, his face changed. His eyes widened, then glistened with tears that he didn’t bother to hide. One rolled down his cheek, and I had to purse my lips to keep myself from crying.
Sean eventually helped wipe them off, but Derek didn’t care. He was cupping his mouth and trying to hold back his cries.
Oh God. I’m gonna sob.
No, I’ll ruin the makeup and?—
My dad squeezed my hand, so I was able to hold it back. And with each step towards Derek, soon-to-be-my-husband, the rest of the world blurred away.
There was only him. Only us and this beautiful moment we had been circling around for decades.
Before Dad gave me away, he leaned close and whispered against my temple, “I’m so proud.”
My throat tightened as Derek’s hand was reaching for mine. It was warm, strong, and comforting.
The officiant spoke, but I barely heard the words. I was too focused on Derek’s thumb tracing circles on my palm, on the way he couldn’t stop looking at me.
When it came time for vows, his voice shook, but he didn’t stutter.
“Paige, I’ve loved you since I was eight years old and too scared to tell you. I’ve wasted years pretending I didn’t. I won’t waste another day.” He took a deep breath, his grip on my hands tightening. “I promise to show up every single day for you, for Lily… for us. You’ve made me believe I can be the man I always wanted to be. I love you and I choose you. Today and forever.”
My vision had gotten blurred as warm tears streamed down my face. Chelsea appeared at my elbow with tissues, but I ignored her.
When I spoke, my voice was thick with tears. “Derek, you’ve been my best friend, my partner, since we were kids. You've seen me at my worst and somehow loved me anyway,” I sniveled, and he gently wiped my tears. “I promise to build this life with you. You’ve taught me that love isn’t about being perfect, and I’m glad you waited. I love you. Forever.”
His blue eyes were gleaming with tears when we exchanged rings. For him, I had chosen an intricate gold band, and he had used the wedding excuse to get me another diamond and gold ring.
