Page 71 of My Dearest Mackenzie

This was a monumental day neither Frances nor I thought would ever happen. And here we were.

“We are promising ourselves to each other,” was what Frances said when I made sure she didn’t want anyone to give her away.

I didn’t think I’d ever heard something so pure and honest. “We are making the most special promise,” I’d confirmed and meant it.

“But we need a huppah,” she’d said, leaving off the ch sound. “A huppah canopy is Jewish tradition” she explained.

“Chuppah,” I’d corrected, making a clearing sound in my throat as I said the ch.

“That’s what I said,” Frances had countered.

I’d let it go.

“My Paps would have done any custom for his Rosie, and I want to incorporate some traditions from your faith.” Her smile had beamed while saying it.

“There’s my hopeful little Smurfette,” I’d replied, tracing her mouth. She’d punched my arm, and I’d shut up.

Now, we were actually in the moment, and I hoped it was everything Frances imagined.

In the weeks leading up to this, we’d had several conversations on who would marry us and decided against a religious leader. Spencer offered and we said yes. Why not? Not to mention Frances had become a huge fan of my friend and was secretly hoping he asked his supermodel to marry him soon.

Now, we stood looking at one another under the brightly decorated chuppah, the ocean lapping in the background, the heat of the day lingering, holding hands. Ashley stood to the right, holding the bouquet for Frances, while Rachel prepared to introduce us at the reception. I’d finally met Ashley a few months back. And Rachel, being the best friend Frances could ever have, suggested Ashley be the maid of honor. As for me, I didn’t need anyone to hold me up; I was a man on the most important assignment of his life.

Frances looked breathtaking in an ivory A-line dress with lace overlay, tiny pink roses interspersed in the pattern. Milly’s Chanel bag—the one that brought us together—was on her wrist as her something old. The black was a stark contrast to the gown, but Frances insisted. She also made sure we wrote our own vows, speaking them into existence in front of a very small crowd in the Hamptons, making our love known.

My Dearest Frances,

I think I’ve been in love with you since the first day you stalked me at the mall. Your green eyes full of life, hope, and promise caught my dulled heart.

For sure, I’ve been afraid of your kickboxing skills since day one, and have been outsmarted by your tenacious wit every minute since the mall.

I never saw myself in love, but our grandparents loved one another in a way most people can’t explain. We unearthed it, and you made it easy to care for you like they felt for one another.

Your smile consumes me and being by your side calms me, comforts me, and shows me a way of being I never knew existed. Being there for you is my most important job.

I promise to love you no matter what and hope you will spend the rest of your life eating fried chicken and mishy-mashy soup and peppermint bark ice cream with me.

“Hopefully not together,” she whispered to me. “That’s some kind of combination.”

“Like us, a weird combo, but perfect,” I said quietly, only for Frances. Using my thumb, I swiped a tear from her eye, taking in the grin on her face. “Are you happy, my feisty love?” I spoke softly again, and she nodded.

Mackenzie,

We were not meant to happen. You were supposed to be my partner in crime for a short mission, and somehow you slid into the permanent position. I didn’t even know I was taking applications, and you were an unlikely candidate.

Your grandmother and my grandfather are looking down on us and are beyond pleased we found love with one another. With them watching out for us, we are blessed and cherished.

Of course I promise to love you in sickness and health, to try not to ever punch you, and to care for your heart like it deserves to be.

Being with you gives me a sense of completeness I never expected or experienced, and I hope every day is filled with joy. I know there will be pain and hard times, but with you by my side we can conquer anything. Falling in love was our biggest obstacle, and we did a smashing job of it.

I love you, My Dearest Mackenzie.

Spencer instructed us to exchange rings and then Frances turned toward me and stood on her barefoot tiptoes and kissed me first. No instructions to do so, but my woman couldn’t wait to get her lips on me.

The kiss was as electric as the first one we shared in my study. And the second one, and every single one after that.

I doubted it would ever change, just as Corey hooted and hollered from the crowd. I didn’t expect his exuberance for us to transform either. Nor Connie’s, who was watching on livestream. And especially not Teddy’s. He stood tall and proud in the second row, his beautiful wife on his arm, both of them smiling. He leaned over and whispered something in Cassandra’s ear. I imagined it was about how he always knew this would be, but I’d never believed him.

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