I FIDGET WITH my curls in front of the mirror that hangs over the sink in the courthouse bathroom while I wait for Corie. Even though Leo and I now live in Winchester, we decided—or, rather, I suggested and he made it happen—that we should get married in Nashville, where we first met. With the ceremony taking place late in the afternoon, we also thought it would be nice to stay in town for dinner and rent rooms for the night. Dad will be flying back home first thing in the morning, so it’ll work out for me to see him off, too.
When Corie comes out of the stall, I smile at her reflection and she smiles back before she says, “I promise I won’t have to pee in the middle of the ceremony. It was just a long drive. The babies aren’t so big that I can’t hold it. Though, I’m sure that stage is right around the corner.”
My smile stretches into a grin, my eyes dropping down to the slight swell of her belly. She and Ashley started trying for a baby after Thanksgiving. She found out she was pregnant at the end of January. Now, three months later, I love hearing her talk about their twins. I’m dying to know what sex they are—the excitement of knowing that they could be boys, girls, or one of each making it that much harder to wait.
After Corie is done washing and drying her hands, she turns to face me, her eyes instantly brimming with tears. “I still can’t get over how beautiful you look.”
I glance down at myself, running my hands over my dress, thinking back on the impromptu purchase. With only a couple of days to find something, I wasn’t hoping for perfection, but I found it anyway. It was the third dress I tried on, and I knew that it was the one I wanted to get married in.
The solid, white satin that hugs my body is strapless, with a sweetheart neckline clinging to my small breasts, and extends down to the middle of my thigh. But it’s the lacey overlay that makes it so special. It covers my chest all the way up to my collar bone, the neck cut wide so that my shoulders are left bare. The sleeves then extend just past my elbow, making the dress appear vintage. It has that elopement bride vibe, and I feel pretty wearing it.
While nothing about today’s wedding is intentionally traditional, my heels give me a little something blue. They’re platform stilettos, the fabric a pale blue with a floral cherry blossom pattern printed on it. There are straps that crisscross over the top of my feet, closing in a clasp at my ankles, and I’ve been told they make my legs look fabulous—which is exactly what I was going for.
The only jewelry I’ve decided to wear today are the pair of pearl earrings that belonged to my mother, a gift from my dad on my eighteenth birthday, as well as the necklace Leo bought me on our first Christmas together. So far, he’s lived up to the promise inscribed on the back twice—taking me to both Spain and Ireland. It was simply magical, and I look forward to all the places we’ll explore as we grow old together.
Drawing in a deep breath, I shrug my shoulders, returning my gaze to Corie. Reaching out to gently wipe her cheeks dry, I tell her, “You are not allowed to cry today.”
“I’m hormonal,” she argues.
I laugh, knowing I can’t argue with her about that.
“It really is an honor to be here,” she goes on to inform me. “I want you to know that.”
“Babe—you’re my family. You’re my best friend. Of course, I couldn’t do this without you.”
Taking hold of my hands, she steps closer to me as she says, “I just mean that I know what you and Leo have is incredibly special and private. It’s the kind of man that he is. He might wear his heart on his sleeve sometimes, but he’s still Leo.” I nod, knowing exactly what she means. “Anyway, considering the length of the guest list, I still think it’s within my rights to feel honored to stand witness to your union.”
I choke out a small laugh, thinking of my guest list of three. The three people in the world who mean the most to us. Honestly, I don’t even think it would matter to Leo if it was just the two of us, but I know in my heart that it means something to him to have Ashley in attendance. They’ve been together for years. In a lot of ways, Ashley is Leo’s family—a fact that makes me so incredibly grateful.
I wrap my arms around my best friend, holding her tight as I whisper, “If it wasn’t for you, I’d never have met him. He makes me so happy, Corie.”
“I know,” she replies with a sniffle. Pulling away from me, she immediately reaches up to sweep more tears away before she declares, “Let’s get you hitched.”
As we make our way out of the bathroom, I can’t help but grin at the sight that awaits us. Standing in the hallway, which leads toward the courtroom, is my dad, Leo, and Ashley. They all look so handsome—my Lee the most handsome of them all in his navy blue dress slacks, with his pale blue button-up tucked in, showing off his trimmed waist. His collar is left undone, his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, and even though he’s been the only man in my life for almost two years, merely looking at him leaves me mesmerized.
He smirks at me, his eyes drinking me in. When he shakes his head just slightly, I think of the conversation we had when he first saw me in my dress. He grumbled about the amount of leg I was showing—then he caught sight of my heels. The heated look in his eyes was a promise of things to come, a promise he gave voice to as he took me in his arms and told me all the things he planned on doing to me later. Now, I fight a blush, sure that his thoughts have led him to the same place mine have led me.
I’m distracted from our silent conversation when dad steps away from Leo’s side, making his way toward me. Corie gives my elbow a squeeze before she goes to join her husband, and I offer my father a smile.
“Ready to give me away?” I ask, smoothing my hand down his tie.
“This is nothing more than a formality,” he says with a flippant wave of his hand. “Gave you away more than a year ago, now.”
My heart warms at his answer, and I nod, replying, “You’re right.”
“Wanted to give you something before the moment got away from us,” he tells me, reaching into the inside of his sports coat. He pulls out a short stack of envelopes, held together by a string tied into a bow. Holding them out to me, he explains, “They’re from your mother.”
I suck in a gasp, my urge to cry coming on so fast and so strong, there’s no stopping it.
“They’re labeled, each meant to be opened at a specific time. The first is for your wedding day.”
I take the stack from him, holding the letters against my chest as I try and find my words. All hope is lost when he gathers me into his arms and I burst into a sob. He holds me as I try and get control of myself, but it isn’t until I feel Leo’s big, warm, heavy hand against the side of my hip that I start to calm down.
Drawing in a deep breath, I pull away from my father, still clutching my letters close to my heart as I murmur, “Thank you. This is the best wedding gift ever.”
Shaking his head, a small smile tugging at his lips, he says, “I’m simply the messenger, sweetie.”
I nod, looking down at the small bundle before tucking them away into my purse for safe keeping. Next, I turn to face Leo as I tell him, “I think I need another minute in the bathroom.”
“Hurry up, baby. It’s time.”
“I will.” Before I leave, I press against him, tilting my head back in a silent request. Without tearing his eyes away from mine, he presses a short, hard kiss to my lips, giving me exactly what I want. “I’ll be right back.”
True to my word, I’m only gone just long enough to freshen up my face. I glance down at my purse as I start to make my exit to join the others, and my heart swells at the thought of the words that await me. Now, with the letters that I carry, it’s as if my guest list has grown to four, making this day perfect.
I LOOK UP when I hear her heels clicking against the tiled floors, and she smiles as she makes her way right toward me. As soon as she’s in reaching distance, I take hold of her hand, and she’s quick to lace her fingers with mine.
That’s my Jill.
With her tethered to me, looking gorgeous as ever, my chest swells with pride. It’s about damn time I branded her with my name and a ring. It’s not enough that she knows who she belongs to. I want every fucker to take one look at her and know she’s mine.
“You good?” I ask, tugging her closer to my side.
Reaching up to hold my arm with her other hand, she hums her reply before she says, “Let’s get married, Lee.”