Caroline

“I am so proud of myself. So proud.” I smile as we step out of the hotel lobby and into the pleasantly cool Vegas morning.

Daniel cocks a brow. “You’re worse than Summer.”

“What are you talking about? I only fangirled about five times.”

Batting my eyelashes, I flash him a grin. What was he expecting? He just introduced me to one of my favorite TV stars, Nina. When Daniel told me he was organizing her birthday party in Vegas and asked me if I wanted to join him, it took me all of five seconds to say yes. He patiently coached me how to deal with paparazzi in case any show up. He also gave me advice about how to act when I meet Nina. I’m still working on implementing it.

“What do you want to do?” he asks. “We have the whole day to ourselves.”

“Well, since you’re the Vegas expert, and I’ve never been, I want a private tour.”

“Your wish is my command. Mid-December isn’t the best month to be in Vegas, but at least we won’t cook. Our last stop will be the Bellagio fountains. There’s a water show every thirty minutes.”

We’re staying at a hotel on the Strip, so we’re right in the middle of the hustle and bustle. I’ve visited quite a few cities, and they each have their own pulse, something that sets it aside from any other place—something beyond architecture or language or history. Vegas is colorful and vibrant, holding a sense of wonder and danger, and I can’t wait to explore it with Daniel.

Some five hours later, I feel like my feet are about to fall off. We’ve visited all the major casinos—my favorite is hands down the Venetian, with its picturesque bridges, and the High Roller, the giant ferris wheel. As we watch the water show at the Bellagio fountains, I understand why Daniel kept it until the end. It’s truly breathtaking, the best way to end the tour.

“You’re truly a Vegas pro,” I compliment him once the show is over and the tourists scatter. “Is there anything you haven’t done in Vegas? Actually, don’t answer. Some things I don’t need to know.”

Daniel chuckles, tucking me into him, kissing my cheek. “I have no secrets.”

I unzip his jacket, snaking my arms inside it, holding onto him. He’s grown suddenly quiet, a contemplative expression on his face.

“There is one thing I haven’t done here,” he says.

Is it my imagination, or does he sound a tad uneven?

“What?”

He takes my hands out of his jacket, leading me through the streets once again. I have no idea where we’re heading, but I trust him. 

We enter one of the lower, inconspicuous buildings on a side street. I don’t realize what we’ve walked into at first. There are many couples around us, some not entirely sober.

I only put two and two together when I spot the couple at the far end of the room, and the wedding officiant behind them.

“Oh my God.” My mouth goes dry. We’re in a chapel. Daniel’s eyes are trained on me, waiting.

“That’s one thing I haven’t done. Anything you want to change about that?” he asks, voice rough, full of emotion.

“You planned this?”

“No. If I had, there would be no one else here, and I’d be wearing a suit. I’m not a cufflink man, but for such an occasion....”

I’m not dressed for the occasion either, obviously. I’m wearing jeans, a pink sweater under my jacket, and pink ballerina shoes with oversized bows.

“Oh, Dan! I—yes, let’s do this. But wait... our families won’t be too happy. But I also don’t want to wait.”

This might be a little surprising, a lot reckless, but oh my goodness, it feels so right. So perfect.

“It’s up to you. We can wait and do everything in San Francisco. Or we can do it now. Or we can have both. We can get married here, throw a party home.”

“Sounds great.” I’m so excited I can barely get the words out.

“Which part?”

“The last one. Wedding now, party home.”

Dan doesn’t answer. He simply pulls me in and kisses me hard. The sound of hands clapping fills the room. I blink open one eye and see that everyone is watching us.

“I love you so much,” I whisper. He smiles, keeping me close, and I lose myself in him, in this moment.

I watch the couples in front get married as if through a haze. My senses seem to be completely consumed by Daniel. Our hands are clasped together as we wait.

When our turn comes, Daniel talks to the officiant in a low, hushed voice before the ceremony begins. As we stay next to each other, and the minister presents us with rings—simple gold bands—I can’t help but wonder why everyone doesn’t do this. Sometimes I think weddings are more for the benefit of the guests than the bride and groom, who often stress themselves out to please the guests at their own expense. This is perfect for us.

When the ceremony starts, I feel my entire body tense, excitement and adrenaline coursing through me. No nerves or hesitation grips me. This feels more right than anything ever has.

I can’t believe this moment is here, that Daniel is standing next to me, about to become my husband. I’ll make him the happiest man on earth; that’s a vow I’m making to myself, and I intend to remind myself of it every day.

“Have you prepared any vows?” the officiant asks.

“No, but I want to say a few words anyway,” Daniel says, turning to face me. “Caroline, we met when we were just becoming adults. You were my friend, then my lover. Then I let you go. I promise I’ll never let you go again. You’re my everything. And you’ll be my everything for the rest of our days.” 

I smile, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. We needed these years apart to become the people we are now, to grow and learn how to be there for each other in all ways.

“I love you, Dan. No matter what life will throw at us, I’ll be there for you. I’ll love you through all of it, until my last breath. And whatever comes after that, I’ll love you then too.”