Page 136 of Waiting For Fate

The aisle runs from their sliding back doors—that take up the entire back wall of their house—all the way to the arch Max and Tucker built together. Red rose petals line each side of the aisle runner that has been staked into the ground to ensure the wind doesn’t blow it away, with lanterns at the end of each row of white folding chairs.

Further down the yard there’s an entire reception tent set up complete with a dance floor, DJ booth, twinkle lights and centerpieces to correlate with the red roses and lanterns used along the aisle.

Tucker, Max, Tank, and Sawyer wait at the end with the justice of the peace while friends and family fill every seat. The groomsmen are all dressed in black tuxedos with white shirts and black neckties, while Tucker has on a bow tie to set him apart.

As for Taylor, well she’s one of the most stunning brides I’ve ever seen in my life. Her red hair is styled in the most beautiful up-do, with her vail tucked into the low set bun and a few wavy pieces framing her face. Her dress is another level of gorgeous, the ivory gown has spaghetti straps, a corset style bodice with a full tulle skirt covered in lace floral details.

“Why the fuck am I nervous? It’s been a year, it's not like he’s changed his mind,” Taylor nervously rants. “Right? You don’t think he’s changing his mind, right?” She looks at me with panic in her eyes.

“Babe, I’m pretty sure he’d have to be at the morgue to not be at the end of that aisle when you walk down it.” She nods her head so quickly I’m scared her hair might fall.

“Right, okay. You’re right. I mean. It’s Tucker. He almost killed two of my exes in one night. I’d say that’s pretty committed.”

“You alright in there, Darlin’?” Tucker’s voice filters in through the door and Taylor gasps.

“Tucker! You can’t be up here. It’s bad luck!” she scolds him, pushing me in front of her to shield herself.

He lets out a low laugh. “I’m not coming in. I just wanted to come check on you. You were uncharacteristically calm this morning, just making sure it didn’t catch up to you.”

“It didn’t.”

“It did,” Taylor and I say in unison.

“Traitor,” she whispers in my ear before moving out from behind me.

“Darlin’, there is nothing that is going to keep me from marrying you today, nothing that could ruin this day, and nothing that will ever change the fact that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Alright? Take a deep breath, and I’ll see your fine ass down the aisle.” Taylor visibly relaxes, tilting her head in awe as she smiles at his words.

“I love you, Tucker.”

“I love you too, baby.” Tucker’s footsteps fade down the hallway from their bedroom and Taylor takes a cleansing breath.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

CHAPTER 57

LEAH

Hendrix Landry has way too much swagger for a seven-year-old child. The way he struts down the aisle while holding Cece’s hand is a true testament to just how much like his father he really is. Lauren goes out after the two of them, then me, followed by Ruby and Shane before Tay makes her grand entrance with Tony—my future father-in-law.

As soon as it’s my turn to walk down the aisle, I find Sawyer’s eyes on me. He shoots me a wink and I can feel my cheeks burning—and it's not from the summer sun.

When I scan the rows of people, I almost trip over my own two feet when I see a familiar face in the crowd. I keep my eyes ahead, as the instrumental for “One Man Band” plays until the rest of the bridal party is in place at the front.

“Lauren,” I whisper behind me, keeping a smile on my face so no one knows how badly I’m freaking out right now.

“We’re not doing this right now,” she says through her teeth as she too smiles, with her eyes trained on the doors where Taylor is going to emerge at any minute.

“Fine. Then we’ll do it later.” I raise a brow at her, and she shoots me a flirty glare.

“Stop flirting with me, Le, you’ll make Sawyer jealous.” She nods to where he has a brow raised in our direction and when I turn back to her, she shoots him a playful wink and he shakes his head at us.

“Whatever is wrong with you two, you better cut it out, she’s about to walk out,” Shane whisper-scolds us, making us immediately go silent and turn to face the doors.

I think after watching 27 Dresses enough times we all collectively agreed that watching the groom’s face when the bride is walking down the aisle is one of our favorite parts of weddings as well. So, after getting a glimpse of Taylor and Tony, we all turn to look at Tucker.

He is doing his best to hold it together, but the man is full on sobbing, the purest form of love gleaming from his tear-filled eyes as his bride makes her way to him. I steal a glance at Sawyer who is also red in the face, sniffling back tears as he watches his little sister walking down the aisle. Then he meets my eye and shoots me a wink and I can’t help but imagine what our wedding will be like someday.

But today isn’t about us…it’s about them.

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