I’m marrying Penny in our backyard.
Mama and Sussie completely took over the planning after Penny, and I kept insisting we wanted something simple and intimate.
I’m in my office getting ready with my groomsmen—River, Merlin, Gio, Xander, and Manny.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been up here,” Manny says as he looks out the windows facing the mountains behind the house. “You got a gorgeous piece of land here.”
I nod while tasting the moonshine River made for the occasion.
“This is really fucking good, River. Are you sure you don’t want to test new waters and open a distillery?” I ask as I inspect the glass of crystal liquor.
A faint blush creeps up River’s cheeks.
“Then who would take care of the orchard?” he mutters. “I’m only one man.”
“Maybe we should have a family meeting and remind you that you don’t have to carry everything by yourself, bro,” I tell him honestly. “If you want to start your own business, Ifully support you. We can always hire someone to manage the orchard.”
Everyone murmurs their agreement just as somebody knocks on the door.
“Here she is,” Mama sings as she walks in carrying Millie.
She’s so damn precious my eyes water.
My baby girl is wearing a tiny white dress covered in little pearls, with a huge bow on the back that matches her headband, and her auburn hair.
The second she sees me, she starts wiggling in Mama’s arms, her gummy smile stretching across her face.
“Come to Papa, baby girl.”
I kiss her cheeks and inhale deeply the moment she’s in my arms.
“Are you ready to see how Mami and Papa get married?”
Millie grins at me, drool and all.
“Alright, everyone,” I announce as I adjust her against my chest. “I finally get to make an honest woman out of Penny.”
Laughter rolls through the room as we start filing out of the office.
I take a steadying breath when Mille curls her tiny fingers around my index finger.
“Yeah, baby girl,” I say to her quietly. “We’re finally getting our forever.”
The priest from Asheville agreed to marry us here at home, which was a huge relief because neither Penny nor I wanted a huge church wedding.
Most of Penny’s family flew in from Colombia for the ceremony, though Paloma has been living with us for the past couple of months. She needed some distance after ending a long-term relationship, and apparently, her ex is having a hard time letting go.
When I step out into our backyard with Millie in my arms, a chorus ofawwsandhow cutefills the space.
I can’t even blame them.
My daughter looks cute as fuck.
I walk slowly through the rows of chairs, smiling at everyone who came to celebrate with us. Family. Friends. The people who held Penny and me together when life tried its hardest to tear us apart.
By the time I take my place beside River and the priest, my heart is pounding so hard I can barely hear anything else.
Then the music starts.
