Page 71 of Always Right

I nodded, cupping his face in my hands and kissing him. “I love you, so so much.”

“I love you too. Now, go celebrate.”

Everyone showered me with hugs and kisses, with congratulations and support but Evie's was the one I cherished the most. She gave me a long hug, one that lasted for minutes in which she told me how happy and proud she was of me...how much I deserved it.

“I still can’t believe you’re married,” she squealed, her genuine happiness comforting me. I was afraid she’d be upset I hadn’t said a word, but instead, all she had to show was excitement and pride.

“Me neither,” I replied. Blake approached us and Evie excused herself, squeezing his shoulder before leaving. He opened his arms and I accepted his embrace like always.

Neither of us said a single word.

He’d seen me at my worst, helped me stand back up when I didn’t think it was possible and there he was, sharing one of the most important moments of my life with me...again.

Blake was the Lisa to my Derek.

“I was afraid I’d never see you happy again.”

“I was afraid I would never feel happy again.”

Blake pulled away with his hands on my shoulders, blue eyes shining. “Are you, Hannah? Are you really happy now?”

I glanced over to Derek who still received congratulations from our family, embracing everyone with such unrestrained happiness, the same I was sure that was written all over my face.

“I am, Blake. I am so happy I think my heart could burst.”

Blake sighed; a sound full of...relief. It tugged at my insides, knowing he had been so worried about me. He was my friend and confidant unconditionally, even when I felt lonelier than ever. “Well, I am glad. When I saw him calling at midnight, I was worried. And then when he told me you two were getting married...I wasn’t sure what the hell to say other than I would be here.”

“Happened out of nowhere, huh?”

“Massive understatement.”

I laughed, looking around and embracing the joy. It wasn’t easy for me to do it, to ignore all the ways things could go wrong, to appreciate everything that was right in that moment, but I did it. There was no point in dwelling in the uncertainty because the only thing that was certain, was that I was Derek’s, and he was mine.

“Lisa is here, too.” I pointed out, watching her as she played with Blake’s son. “I know things aren’t easy, but maybe you could try to talk to her?”

Blake scoffed, giving me a humorless chuckle. “We were on the same flight. Believe me, we talked plenty.”

“Oh?”

“All is forgiven,” he continued with a shrug. I didn’t miss the hint of bitterness in his tone, or the way he tensed when he spoke about forgiveness and the past, but I didn't mention it, leaning on his shoulder as we watched everyone gathered, talking. “Well, I think our last minute catering service is ready. Are you hungry?”

***

The sound of someone clearing their throat exaggeratedly loud, quieted everyone down in the small reception room. Dylan stood, holding a glass of champagne up with one hand and the other held Carina’s hand firmly, as if getting her support steadied him. I glanced at Derek who had stiffened next to me.

“I’d like to say a few words before we get this party started,” Dylan said. “There are many things I didn’t think I would ever see in this life, and one of them was Derek as a married man.” Everyone gave a small laugh, even Derek, though I knew his heart was torn and full of mixed emotions. "And yet, when one day he brought this girl to Pennsylvania and I saw how he treated her, how smitten he was with her, I knew he'd found his one." Derek placed his arm over my shoulders, pulling me close to him.

"I missed a lot of things in his life, a lot of things I should have been there for but brother, if you found someone who loves you like Hannah does, you must have done something right. Both of you." He raised his glass and everyone did the same, a tender smile on his face as Derek squeezed me tight. "So, I wish you two the best. A life full of happiness, an abundance of patience, and a world so full of love that nothing can tear you guys apart. "

Derek pulled me closer to his side, a smile full of pride resting on his face while Dylan raised his glass, and everyone else did the same.

I had no idea how the hell I’d gotten this lucky either.

But this love, this family, I would love and protect forever.

I managed to dance with everyone in the family until I ended up in Derek’s arms again. It was late and the day had flown by, yet all I wanted to do was be in his arms, away from everyone. And as he held me, his intense eyes piercing through my soul, I knew he felt the same way.

I wasn't sure if I would ever get used to him knowing me so well...or if I would ever grow accustomed to not being able to hide my emotions from him, but I realized I didn't want to. I craved it with him. I didn't have to explain myself, I didn't have to give Derek reasons...he simply knew. He'd said it time and time again, and I’d found it was true, he knew me better than I knew myself.

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