The sun feels good on my skin as I slip into my dress, looking down at the satiny white silk as I run my hands along my curves. “I can’t believe this is happening. That’s weird, right?”

Brad hums, “Nope, not at all. You’d be surprised the variety of responses brides have to their wedding days. Some are so Zen, you’d think they’re overdosed on Xanax. Others are so nervous, you wish you could give them one. Then there are the freak-outs, the angry ones, the perfectionists, and so many more. I think a happy disbelief is pretty tame by comparison.” He’s rambling, but it soothes my nerves. I’m pretty sure that’s why he’s doing it.

He’s spent the last two hours on my makeup and hair, even though I’d begged him to keep it simple and subtle. Turning to look in the mirror, I see that he’s a fucking miracle worker. I look . . . beautiful. Like a bride, sweet and rosy and happy. It’d felt like a lot when he was layering it on, but the effect is a nice balance that highlights my features without looking overdone. He’d wanted to bring his co-owner at the salon to do my hair, but I’d balked at that, telling him to just throw it up in some version of an updo and it’d be fine. But he’s outdone himself there too, giving me soft sweeps of hair with tendrils dripping down my neck. I look casual but somehow intentional. Combined with the graceful drape of my dress, it’s exactly what I wanted.

Aubrey and I had decided to keep the whole wedding simple and easy, and soon. We especially wanted it soon. Once we found each other and worked out all the baggage from the past, we couldn’t wait to get started on the life we’d planned so long ago. We’d wasted enough time.

We’ve made some adjustments, of course, mainly centered around our jobs. I’m working three twelve-hour shifts per week now, no longer covering for anyone and everyone at the drop of a hat. I keep the shifts on back-to-back days so that Aubrey and I can stay in town at my apartment. Well, it’s our apartment now. Aubrey uses those days to run errands in town, check in with customers, and scout out new customers for his wood delivery service. The other days, we escape to our cabin on the mountain, working together to chop wood for the orders but spending plenty of time exploring the woods and each other. The rental cabin has been busy too. Brad put the word out in his salon and that’s all it took. Those funds have helped cover costs as well.

All in all, it’s busy and full, but the best of both worlds for us . . . a little bit of city-living and a little bit of country-living. So far, it’s working well.

As I stare in the mirror, Brad flits around me, making little adjustments here and there until he finally stands back, taking me in head to toe. “Perfection. I am a fucking genius!”

I laugh. “And so modest. I’m assuming you meant to say that I look good?” I ask, one eyebrow raised.

“Good? Pshaw, girl . . . I don’t do ‘good’. You look stunning, and Aubrey’s gonna faint away when he sees you. Lord knows, you two have waited long enough for this. You ready?”

I nod, tears hot at the corners of my eyes.

“Oh, hell, no. Stop that shit right now, bitch,” Brad chastises me, fanning and blowing in my face. It works, the tears stopping. “That’s better. Alright, everyone’s waiting on you. We can still make a run for it if you want though. I’m ride or die for Team Ana, just say the word.”

I laugh, swatting at Brad’s tuxedo-covered shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere but down that aisle to Aubrey.”

“Just checking. I may not be the Man of Honor, but I’ve got you, girl.” It’s a tiny dig because I think Brad had really wanted to be my Man of Honor, something I’d never even heard of, but Aubrey and I have taken the rustic simplicity to the max. No groomsmen or bridesmaids, just a small gathering of witnesses here at our cabin, where so much of our story has happened.

This pond has seen our past, our present, and will see our future. I didn’t want to get married anywhere else.

Brad and my dad walk with me to the edge of the clearing, just behind the tree line. Brad leans in, kissing my cheek and whispering, “People usually say ‘knock his socks off’ but who cares about socks? Knock his whole damn tuxedo off. I’d pay good money to see that.” A laugh bursts out, and I cover my mouth to quiet it. Brad winks, looking my face over one last time. “Perfect . . . there’s that fresh blush you needed. My work here is done.”

He turns and walks into the clearing. I hear a snap and music starts playing. I look to my dad, who’s smiling at me. “Anabelle, I wasn’t sure about Aubrey when you two were kids. He was awesome, but you were so serious, so young. I know this time apart has been hell for the both of you, but I think it’s made you more mature, readier to tackle life together. I’m so damn proud of you, honey. I think you’ve picked a great man, and even better, I think he’s picked an outstanding woman.”

I duck my chin, his words touching me. “Thank you so much, Dad. And I appreciate your accepting Aubrey back into the family. I know it wasn’t easy because you all dealt with the fallout from before too, but we really are past all that now and ready for the future.”

Dad grins. “Oh, we’re past it now too . . . after I had a little chat with your husband-to-be.” My jaw drops in surprise. I hadn’t known that Dad had talked to Aubrey. “Trey and me both had a little sit-down with Aubrey, and I think we’re all in agreement. He keeps you happy, and everything will be just fine.” I grin. The thought of my Dad, who’s a rather average-sized man, doing anything to the mountain of a man that is Aubrey is a bit comical. But it’s sweet. All of my boys are protective of me. A girl could do worse.

The music shifts, and I realize that’s our cue. I take Dad’s arm, trying to hold back the butterflies. I always heard that it’s normal to be nervous on your wedding day, but I thought it was an exaggeration. Now, my legs quiver more than they ever did at the prom.

But there’s something different this time. This time, standing at the front under a handcrafted woven-wood arch is Aubrey, looking so handsome in his black tux that I want to run to him. Far off to the side, and dressed in his own tux, is Rex, staring obediently at Aubrey. Rex looks sharp, and doesn’t even seem to mind his human clothes. A fuzzy sensation courses through my chest at the sight and it’s hard to hold in a grin as I float down the path.

Making it to the altar, I feel all my nervousness wash away as I take Aubrey’s hand and our eyes meet. He mouths to me, “You look beautiful, baby.” I beam, feeling the joy of the moment fill me. I’m marrying Aubrey, the way I always dreamed.

I’m surprised I’m not crying as I recite my vows, or as Aubrey says his, bonding us as husband and wife. There’s no reason to. The tears are done. There’s no need for them any longer. In fact, since the moment Aubrey proposed, upholding his promise of so long ago, I haven’t cried a single tear of sadness. There’s been plenty of laughter, and a few tears from that, and tears of happiness, but not a single tear of fear or sadness.

“And . . .” the priest says, smiling, “now you may kiss the bride.”

Aubrey lifts my veil, smiling broadly as he cups my cheek. “My Sweet Ana. My wife.”

I grin back, stepping closer and tilting my chin up. “Aubrey. My husband.”

He pulls me in tight, kissing me long and hard. To hell with the standard wedding ‘polite’ kiss. We pull each other in for a deep, passionate kiss.

“Whoowhee, get it, girl!” I hear Brad hoot.

“That’s my sister, asshole,” Trey answers.

After another moment, Aubrey and I break our kiss, and he pulls me tight to his side, raising his other fist in victory.

Click. I hear a camera go off, catching the moment . . . the moment we begin our future. Our forever.

Everyone’s coming up to us, shaking hands and hugging us. I know they’re family and friends, but it’s taking all my self-control to not throw Ana over my shoulder caveman-style and run to the cabin with her. And not come out for days, maybe weeks. Maybe never. I could just live buried inside her, the two of us becoming one . . . forever. Figuratively, with the wedding, the symbolism of the rings weighs heavily on me, a welcome anchor keeping me on solid footing. But also, literally . . . I want to be one with Ana. Now.

But she’s smiling, happily chatting with our guests, and I don’t want her to miss out on this if it’s what she wants. My goal in life is just to make her happy. Today and always.

She floats away, the conversation she’s engaged in apparently needing to involve a nurse friend from the hospital. I’m alone for a moment when my parents come up. “Aubrey?” my dad asks hesitantly.

Ana had helped me reach out to my parents, had held my hand through the first tense conversations. The relationship with them is still awkward, but it’s better than before. And I have hope that it will improve with time.

“Yeah, Dad?” I answer.

“Congratulations, Son. I hope you two have a long and happy marriage.” It’s maybe a bit of generic greeting card thing to say, but all things considered, I’ll take the progress.

Mom is in tears. “It was a beautiful ceremony.” She goes to give me a hug, then stops, freezing like she’s unsure whether it’s okay. I bend down, gently wrapping my arms around her like I did when I was a boy. I’m definitely bigger now, though, and her tiny arms barely reach up to my neck to hug me back.

“Thanks, Mom. I’m glad you’re here,” I tell them honestly. It’s a start, something to build on, and I know we will.

They wander off, letting other guests come up to congratulate me. Finally, Carlotta approaches and I give her a big hug. “Thank you,” I growl, but it’s a happy one, maybe more of a purr.

Carlotta hugs me back, laughing. “You’re definitely welcome if it gets me an Aubrey hug like this. Not to be dense, but what exactly are you thanking me for?”

I grin. “For everything. For putting up with me when I was a grumpy asshole, forcing me to rent out the cabin, yelling at me to go get Ana when I was moping around, and for the years of business stuff. Just thank you for everything.”

She smiles back, teasing. “Oh, all that. Yeah, did I mention that my consulting fees have gone up considerably? You’re gonna be indebted to me forever, big guy.”

“Whatever you need, Car,” I tell her.

“Oh, make sure you guys store the archway correctly when you take everything down. I’ve already got plans for a new brochure, highlighting the rental cabin as a combination wedding-honeymoon getaway. Folks can get married right here, full-service with food deliveries from town and you setting up the ceremony and reception spaces now that you have experience with it. And then after the wedding . . . right back to the cabin for the honeymoon. Boom. Gorgeous and done.” She says it like I’ve already approved it. Hell, I don’t know, maybe Ana did.

“Sounds good. We’ll let you know,” I hedge.

Carlotta laughs. “Oh, it’s happening. The brochure is already done, just waiting for me to drop the pictures of your happy day into the predone spots. That is what you pay me for. And you’re welcome.”

I nod, smiling. I hear Brad has a no-bridezillas clause in his contract. We might need to get ahold of that too.

“Thanks again, Car. And when you’re ready to have your own wedding out here, I’ll even give you the friends and family discount,” I joke, knowing that she’s not dating anyone seriously but hopeful she’ll find the love of her life soon. She deserves to be happy.

She flips me off, sticking her tongue out at the same time. Sassy but effective as she walks off.

I scan the clearing, looking for my bride, and find her making small talk with a few folks from the hospital. I make my way over, scooping her up from behind and carrying her toward the cabin, at my breaking point.

She lets out a big whoop, then hollers. “Aubrey, we haven’t even cut the cake yet.”

I yell over my shoulder, “Help yourselves to cake!” and keep going. I can hear the laughter behind us, but I don’t care. My sole focus is on Ana . . . the connection we have, the commitment we made today, and the future before us.

Sitting her down on our bed, I drop to my knees and kiss her. I don’t care about mussing her up anymore because I’m about to ravage her, so I run my fingers through her hair, releasing bobby pins as I find them and letting her hair fall down. I devour her mouth, not caring if her artfully applied lipstick rubs off. I hope it smears all over me. I’d wear it proudly as a badge of honor that she’s marked me.

She’s grinning at me, pink and flushed. “You are such a beast, Aubrey O’Day!” I think she means it to be scolding, but it comes out more as a compliment. To me, anyway.

“And you like me just like I am, a wild, untamed beast, but only for you,” I say cockily.

She groans, the sound more of an agreement than any words could be.

“Ana, baby, I love you. But if you have anything on under this dress that you want to keep, you’d better take it off now, because I’m about to fuck you right here, right now, in this white dress. Ana O’Day, my wife. My Sweet Ana.”

She’s already scrambling to strip before I get the words out. Our future starts right now.