“Yes, Millie, I’m serious.” I chuckle. “I’m getting married today. Are you coming?

“But he only proposed to you yesterday. How are you getting married today?”

“Did you know about it? Is that why you took me out yesterday? Were you somehow a part of it?”

“Of course that’s why. I was in on the big plan. But I didn’t think this would happen.”

“Well, we want to get married before I’m too big to fit in a dress.”

“Does it have to be before the baby is born? Can’t you wait until afterward?”

“We could, but Brock wants to get hitched first so we’re a proper family unit.”

“That’s sweet. I suppose I was just holding out for a big wedding where I could be a bridesmaid, but this is okay too. I can still wear a nice dress, can’t I? Act like I’m a bridesmaid?”

“You pretty much are, so wear as nice a dress as you would like.”

“What are you going to wear? Do you even have something white already?”

“I have a cream dress that fits over my bump, so that’s what I’m going to wear.”

“Okay. I’ll come over soon and style your hair and do your makeup. This might not be a traditional wedding, but you still want to look your absolute best for it.”

“Thank you, Millie. I really appreciate it. I’ll see you shortly.”

As I hang up the phone, I do a little happy dance around the room, excitement exploding within me. I slept on the idea, wanting to be sure that I would always be happy with this decision since I only ever intend to have one wedding—and I’m still over the moon. This is what I need to be happy. I only want him.

“How are you doing, my beautiful blushing bride? Are you still looking forward to today?”

He wraps his arms around me and holds me close, inhaling deep to breathe in the scent of my freshly washed hair. I listen to the thumping of his heart, embracing the way it pounds just for me.

“I’m very much looking forward to today. But you might have to get out of here for a while.”

“You’ve lived here one day, and you’re already kicking me out of my own home?”

“I am, but only for a while. You can’t see the bride before her wedding day.”

“Oh, come on, you aren’t going to stick to that rule, are you? We aren’t exactly traditional.”

“I know, but we can do this one thing right, can’t we? I want to surprise you.”

“Oh, alright then. If you want to surprise me, I suppose I can let you have some time alone.”

“I’m sure you need to get dressed anyway. Spend the morning doing . . . I don’t know, whatever it is that guys do on their wedding day. Smoke cigars, drink brandy, I don’t know.”

He laughs and nods before turning away and heading out the front door. I can’t believe that the next time I see him, it will be our wedding day. We will be getting married! It’s insane, but it’s the awesome kind of crazy.

“Hey, I’m here!” Millie calls as she comes inside. “Your husband-to-be let me in.”

“Wow, that was quick! Were you nearby? I thought I’d get a little while to myself first.”

“Just excited to get here. I got a cab because we have a lot of work to get you ready for today.” She enters the room with huge bags in her arms. “I brought all my equipment with me so we can make you look amazing.”

“You really think it’s going to take all of that? How bad do I look?”

I say this as a joke, but Millie’s expression remains serious. “Don’t you worry about that.”

I settle down to let her work on me, occasionally sliding my eyes closed as the sensations completely relax me. Millie just has this way of calming me down as she makes me look amazing, just as she did before our date.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Millie. Honestly, I wouldn’t be here without you.”

“You don’t have to thank me. You know that I’ll always be here, and now that you’re getting married, I guess you will always be here too. Then when I get married, you can be my bridesmaid.”

“Is there any sign of that in the cards at the moment?”

“No, but that’s because we’re moving at the pace normal people do. Not everyone needs the whirlwind.”

My eyes snap open. “You don’t think I’m making a mistake, do you?”

“Of course not. Your situation is completely different from mine. It doesn’t matter what I think anyway.”

“I know it doesn’t. I would just prefer it if you were happy for us, that’s all.”

“I am, obviously. That’s why I went to see Brock. That’s why I couldn’t let it drop. He makes you happy, you make him happy, you’re having a child. If you think it’ll last forever, then I do too. He’s certainly been the best guy you’ve been with for a very long time. I think he’s good for you.”

“Despite everything we’ve been through, he is really good for me. He makes me bolder and braver than I’ve been in a very long time, and I know that he’ll always take care of me. I really do love him, and he loves me.”

She clamps her hands down on my shoulders and smiles brightly at me. “Then you go get him. You marry him and claim him forever. Just try not to have the baby in the middle of the ceremony.”

“I still have a couple of months yet. I don’t think that’s going to happen!”

“Keep your legs clamped together just in case. Don’t even let your water break.”

“Don’t give me anything else to worry about. I’m already nervous enough.”

“You don’t need to be nervous. You’re marrying the love of your life. Just be happy.”

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, knowing that I really am truly happy for the first time in a very long time.

The twinkling lights flicker above us, making my smile that much brighter. The white and pale pink roses decorating the chapel might be fake, but they’re the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, and with Brock’s hands clamped tightly in mine, there isn’t anywhere else in the world I’d rather be.

The officiant, wearing a bright purple suit that doesn’t really match the rest of the chapel, begins. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the marriage of Brock Stanton and Jodi Night.” I can feel the eyes of Millie and Josh upon us as we start. Millie is probably weeping already. I don’t want to look in case she sets me off. “Brock and Jodi have found their special person, the one they want to spend the rest of their lives with. They have found a partner they can trust with their heart, mind, body, and soul. It’s been a long search, but now they are there.”

I burst into tears then, because that resonates so clearly with me. That’s exactly how I feel. Yes, we had one misunderstanding that could have been catastrophic, but we survived it for a reason. In the grand scale of the rest of our lives, that time will be nothing. We’ll either forget all about it or use it to strengthen us.

“They have a good reason to be happy, and we are all here today to support their commitment to one another. Marriage is a promise to take one another as a friend, a companion, and a lover while creating a family of their own.” Brock and I both rub my belly then, enjoying the parenting journey together. “And as it seems like you are both very ready for that, it’s time to exchange your rings, your bands of commitment.”

“Oh no!” I clap my hand to my mouth, stunned. “We didn’t get rings. We didn’t think about it.”

Brock laughs, and I join in. “No, we didn’t. We made this decision last night, so we forgot.”

“We could always use my engagement ring.” Millie pulls it off and waves it at me. “Will that work?”

“Why don’t we just skip to the vows instead? Did you write your own?”

“No, but that’s okay, I’ll just speak from the heart.” I turn to Brock, and I smile. “Brock Stanton, I love you very much. You are the strongest, sweetest, most wonderful man I know. I’m lucky to get to spend the rest of my life with you. In sickness and health, for richer, for poorer, until death do us part. You already know that I’ll be faithful and loving forever, and I’ll do what I can to be the best wife for you, the woman you deserve.” I smile through the tears, hoping the words are coming out right. “Thank you for marrying me. I love you.”

“How am I supposed to follow that?” That’s the first moment I spot tears in Brock’s eyes too. “Jodi, you are incredible. You’re the best woman I know. I don’t know why you’re thanking me, because I’m the lucky one here. I get to spend the rest of my life with you. I get to love you, to hold you, to make you feel like a princess. I suppose the traditional vows might not seem to apply to us because we aren’t exactly acting traditionally, but they apply just the same. I will be the absolute best husband that I can be, always making you happy. I love you too.”

“I now declare you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Brock brushes his hand over the back of my neck while he kisses me, sealing our love as his lips move in unison with mine. I grab his waist and pull him close to me, refusing to let him go. Now he legally belongs to me, and no one can ever come between us again. It’s absolutely perfect.

“Um . . .” The guy in the suit lets out an awkward cough. “Shall we wrap this up?”

We pull apart and laugh together. I can see desire running through him, swimming between us both, pulling us back toward home where we can finally get our hands on one another. I bite down on my bottom lip and flutter my eyelashes at him, hopefully giving him the message that I can’t wait to take his clothes off.

“We have come here today to celebrate the union of Brock Stanton and Jodi Night, who have come together of their own free will to solidify their love in our presence. The promise made today will stand the test of time as they continue to show their love for one another in their own way every single day. Therefore, by the power vested in me by the laws of the state of Nevada, I take great pride and pleasure in declaring you husband and wife. Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Stanton.”

“You are taking my last name, right? Sorry, we didn’t have time to talk about it.”

“Of course I am. I want us all to have the same surname. That way, we’ll be a proper family.”

Brock kisses me again. “That sounds absolutely perfect to me. Now let’s go out and celebrate.”

I turn to see my best friend sobbing with happy tears for me, and mine burst free once more. She races over to me and hugs me tight. “Oh, Jodi, I’m so happy for you.”

“Are you coming out to celebrate with us? I think Brock should buy us all dinner.”

“Ooh, spending the hubby’s money already. I love it. Let’s do it.”

As we leave the chapel, I finally feel like my life is about to begin, and I just can’t wait.