I couldn’t convince him that he didn’t need to wear a jacket, but I did manage to convince him to ditch a tie. If I look like a mermaid princess, he looks like a recently reformed pirate—a reference I know Grandma G would have approved of—his brown hair tousled by the wind and the short hike, and his skin bronzed from the days we’ve spent here before the wedding basking in the sun.
Amelia stands beside him at the edge of the cliff. Her dark hair, a match to Jamie’s and out of its customary bun, whips upbehind her, and this time when her eyes land on me, they’re warm.
At last night’s rehearsal dinner, she came up to us both and tried to apologize for ever having influenced Jamie to doubt me. “You know, I was still reeling from my divorce. I was feeling protective and—and cynical. I should never have put that on you—”
But Jamie stopped her before I even could. “Amelia, the thing is,Iwasn’t marriage material then. If I had been, I couldn’t have been swayed. But clearly, I had some growing up to do still. I hope I can prove to you that now I have.”
“You don’t have to prove anything,” she said to him. “You—both of you,” she added, including me in her gaze, “you’ve inspired me. You’ve made me want to believe in love again.” She wiped away a tear. “I may be your older sister, Jamie, but I still look up to you sometimes.”
She hugged him, and then me, and then I started to cry openly, which clearly made her uncomfortable because she dabbed at her eyes and returned to her table, ending what had been a beautiful moment.
Ah well, perhaps I’m never going to fit completely seamlessly into the Kauffman style of affection, but that’s okay. At least I know now that it’s there.
My dad and I pass through the gathered crowd and reach Jamie in just a few steps. My dad releases me, dropping a kiss on my cheek. He blinks away tears and clears his throat before turning to Jamie. “Take care of my baby.”
Jamie nods solemnly and takes both my hands in his. “I will, sir.”
Dad seems to have lost his ability to speak, so he just nods in reply and steps to stand beside my mom, who quietly slips him a tissue.
Jamie and I both turn toward Amelia. Behind her, the sun has just begun to dip below the horizon, and the ocean billows out before us with sparkles that put the glitter of my wedding dress to shame. The whole island spills out before us as Amelia begins reading from the Bible in her hands, “‘Place me like a seal over your heart…’”
I try to pay attention to Amelia’s words, but all I can think about is Jamie. Everything he is to me comes crashing over me. My partner, my cheerleader, the one person who’s always loved me just as I am. All of the missteps I’ve made along the way, everything we’ve been through has been worth it to get this one moment with Jamie.
Amelia asks for the rings, and Emma places both of them in her hand.
Amelia turns to Jamie and reads off our vows.
“I do,” Jamie says with a smile as he slides the cool metal onto my finger.
Amelia repeats the vows for me.
“I do.” I slip a simple gold band onto Jamie’s hand, and we both turn toward Amelia. With a wide smile, she says, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”
Jamie’s lips are on mine in an instant, and his arms are firm around my waist. Familiar flames of desire lick through me, but more than that is the overwhelming feeling of coming home. Jamie has always been my safe haven, my port in the storm, and now he’s mine forever.
The kiss ends, and Jamie presses his forehead to mine. We give ourselves a few breaths in this perfect moment. As cheers go up from the crowd, I look down at our clasped hands, Jamie’s fingers twined through with mine. My new ring, a simple gold band, flashes in the sun. My first—and only—wedding ring.
