It’s almost time to head back to Las Vegas, but first we have something very important to do.

“Do I look like a dick?” I ask as I straighten my bow-tie. “Should I have gone for something more casual?”

“It’s your wedding day, dude,” Georg says. “It’s customary to wear a tux.”

“I guess you’re right,” I say, fiddling uselessly with the tie.

There’s a sharp knock on the door that’s quickly followed by Holly’s uncle Troy as he steps into the room. “You ready, Evan?”

“Born ready,” I tell him.

He gives me a once-over. “You look good, son. No nerves?”

He’s totally feeling me out. I get it. He’s like a father to her, more than her own father, really. And he’ll be the one giving her away today. He wants to make sure I’ve really left behind my womanizing ways. My words, not his. He called me the night after my very public proposal, asking me if I was sure, his warning message loud and clear—Do not hurt my Holly-dolly or I will fuck you up.

“None whatsoever. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”

He slaps me on the back. “Good man. Time to go.”

We head out to the sprawling deck off that backside of the villa where we’ve been staying most of the summer. It’s like a second home now and I haven’t told Holly, but I’ve made an offer to buy it as a wedding present to her. It will be our special place to come whenever we need to get away from it all. She’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors to her heart’s desire.

Georg and I head down the aisle. There are about fifty guests, some of our closest friends. My parents are here—not speaking but in the same space, so we’ll call it a win. Holly’s mom is here with her new husband. They’ve been staying with us for about a week, so we’ve had a chance to talk a bit. I was surprised to hear the regret in her voice when she spoke to me about her move overseas, about leaving Holly to fend for herself through college. She mentioned missing cross-country meets and wishing she’d been able to be more involved. She’s followed Holly’s social media feeds since she started at the Crush, even learned to enjoy hockey. I can see she loves her daughter and that makes me happiest of all.

Georg and I line up next to the minister as a string quartet starts playing. The mountain view is amazing. The sky is bright blue. Pam makes her way down to us, looking fantastic in a green dress that flaunts her figure. I side-eye Georg, who’s mouth is practically dragging on the ground. I don’t know what’s going on between those two, but something is for sure.

When Holly steps out of the house in a silky white gown, her hair loose, a flower crown on her head, just the tiniest bump of our baby at her waist, I fall in love with her all over again. There’s a huge lump in my throat, which is insane. I never cry. Ever. But I might just now, because this woman is so beautiful, and she is mine. Troy gives her a kiss on the cheek after he brings her to my side, then takes a seat beside to Holly’s mom.

The minister talks about respect, partnership, and about being fair to each other. He talks about love, and while I try to pay attention, I just can’t stop myself from getting lost in Holly’s features. Her wide, brown eyes with their tiny flecks of green and gold, her perfect lips. The small freckles that dot her nose and cheeks from days in the sun. The way her breasts curve, now swollen as she carries our child.

When it comes to our vows, we decided to keep it simple, focusing on equality, trust, love, and partnership. I go first, practically ready to yell these vows into the mountains around us. I want everyone to hear me make this commitment. When I slip the ring on her finger, my heart feels like it might beat its way out of my chest.

Holly’s gaze has been locked with mine, and it’s only when the ring goes on that her signature blush comes out, a small smile playing on her lips. I wink at her and the pink deepens further.

She repeats her vows, and a moment later, I’m wearing my own wedding band. At some point I’m kissing her, and I completely forget where we are. People good-naturedly start clearing their throats to remind me. Bastards.

The party goes late into the night, but I made sure to sneak us away at the first opportunity. I need to be alone with my wife. It’s been a week since we’ve had the house totally to ourselves.

As we stand in the bedroom, a high-ceilinged, rustic space that we have enjoyed very much, I take Holly’s face in my hands and kiss her. It’s light, just a sweet promise of love. I bend down, kissing her belly over the white silk of her wedding dress.

I get undressed quickly, watching as she slips the straps of her dress from her shoulders. It pools like silken water around her feet as it meets my more haphazard pile of pants, shirt and jacket. Her strapless bra barely contains her now-bigger breasts. Her hips are slightly wider below that shapely belly. I lick my lips as I stay on my knees, supplicant to her. I kiss her bare skin. The skin of her calves and ankles. The skin between her legs, her thighs. The skin of her belly. My hands trace the swell of her backside as her hips arch toward me. I remove her lace panties with my teeth, a wicked grin on my face as I bury my tongue exactly where I’ve needed it to be for the past week.

She moans, her hands on my shoulders as she loses herself against my lips and tongue. I pleasure her thoroughly, not satisfied until I taste her orgasm.

We move to the bed, where Holly climbs atop me, guiding me inside her as she takes control. She rides me, her hands bracing on my chest as if she’s taking ownership of me. It’s the ultimate turn-on to see her like this, our bodies connected so deeply. Her rhythm is slow and unhurried, and I just enjoy the feeling of her, my hands roaming over her perfect skin wherever I need to touch. She builds herself up again before my thumb finds her clit, putting pressure on that magical little love button I know will push her over the edge.

She cries out my name as we come together. I am speechless as I witness the look of utter possession on her face. I love this woman so much.

Eventually we come down from the pleasure and fall into a wonderful tangle of arms and legs, both of us whispering words of love and commitment in between a thousand kisses.

I am awake for a long time after she falls asleep. Just watching her breathe. I can’t believe I found her. I can’t believe she’s mine.

Crushed from the moment I laid eyes on her for the first time.

Utterly and happily crushed.