Page 10 of Embrace

I raised an eyebrow as Blaze cleared his throat.

“You prepared vows before the wedding?” I asked softly.

“Nah. I’m about to freestyle,” he answered.

The assembly of family and friends laughed lightly.

“Suvi Summers,” he began. “We were destined to be in this moment before we’d even entered the world. This was God’s plan before we took our first breaths. This is greater than Arranged Hearts, this is fate…”

I gulped to fight the lump inching up my throat. “Blaze…”

“From this day forth, I want you to know I’m all yours. I’ll be the husband you deserve, the lover you desire, and the protector you need. Through sickness and health, through the storms and the sunshine. I’ll be your everything.”

My heart pounded against my chest as I felt the tears cascade down my cheeks. The warm streams flowed freely. The words hugged my heart in the warmest embrace.

“I’ll be your everything too,” I replied. “You have always been by my side, and I have faith we will make the best of this marriage.”

The minister finished the ceremony. “With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Blaze leaned forward and his lips pressed against mine. Time stilled. We’d kissed before, but nothing as concrete and powerful as this. The feel of his soft, dark pink lips sent a shock through my body which awakened my soul from her slumber. I felt alive for the first time in my twenty-five years of life.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: Mr. and Mrs. Blaze Snow.”

Cheers erupted around the room as we jumped the broom and walked down the aisle as an official married couple.

THE RECEPTION

“I know I would have been the best man had you gone the traditional route,” BJ stated. He’d lifted his glass of champagne and stood in the center of the room when we all sat down to eat and toast the wedding.

“Of course,” I agreed.

“I’ve watched my younger brother grow up to be an exceptional man, and I know he’ll be an exceptional husband as well. Suvi’s no stranger to the family, and we’ve already accepted her as our sister-in-law before today. I remember when they’d run around the house taking each other’s diapers off, now they’ll be popping out little Blaze and Suvi replicas.”

The crowd laughed as BJ reminisced. His tale was a bit far-fetched, seeing as I was potty-trained before Suvi was out of diapers, but I’d let him have his moment to shine and crack jokes.

“I know God’s got blessings in store for y’all! Congratulations, little brother. I love y’all.”

BJ passed the mic to Mari. Mari was already teary eyed and sniffling. She and her sister were two peas in a pod. They got emotional over everything, but swore they were gangstas.

“Girl, please don’t get up here snotty nose and crying. I’m trying to make it through dinner,” Suvi warned.

“Okay! I’ll make this quick.” Mari sniffled and wiped at her watery eyes. She looked at me and Suvi and her lip quivered. She cleared her throat and began. “My baby sister is a wife now. I’ve watched her achieve so many great things. She self-taught herself everything about graphic design while she attended college. When she got her degree, she had job offers lined up and instead, she decided to open her own business. Entrepreneur, sister, and now wife. I’ve known Blaze since we were kids, and I can say with full confidence I knew the two of y’all would get to this point. I pray you both never fall out of love. I pray y’all get to experience love for a lifetime. Congratulations, my loves.” She lifted her glass, and we all took a sip of the sparkling champagne.

After the speeches, we ate, and then cut the cake. Everyone got their photos. Then, they announced the first dance. Suvi and I walked out onto the dance floor with a spotlight aimed on us.

“Finally, we’re here now…” TEEKS voice filled the air of the reception hall. The slow, soulful song vibrated through my chest as I held Suvi in my arms. The song was a beautiful choice for our first dance.

In the moment, this was the first time I’d considered how well Suvi fit in my arms. It was the first time I’d noticed just how dazzling her brown orbs were under the light. There was a certain twinkle in them.

“I can’t believe we’re here at last,” TEEKS’s lyrics fit my emotions perfectly.

I’d married my best friend before I even dated her. This was unlike anything I’d done before, but I wasn’t scared. I wanted to welcome the experience. Arranged Hearts had to see something we’d been too blind to see for ourselves.

“Blaze,” Suvi called out to me.

I looked down and showed my teeth. “What’s up, Wife?”

“Can you believe we’re married?”

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