Page 114 of The Light We Lost

Shay snorted and I said, “I didn’t want to cancel my first class.” Something soft brushed my ankles and I looked down, smiling at Genny. I set Ollie down, not surprised as they scurried around the room together. I’d worried how Genny would react to another cat, but they’d been fast friends since we’d brought Ollie home from the animal shelter three months ago. “Besides, don’t act like you’re better than me. I’m not the one who married a marine over the phone.”

Mom laughed, and Shay gasped in surprise, likely never having heard how my sister and Leo’s relationship began. “That’s not even the best part,” I revealed, filling my sister-in-law in. “She moved to Texas for adifferentmarine. Except he turned out to be a real asshole. And then—”

Auburn slapped her hand over my mouth, smothering my words. “Nope. Today is not about me!”

I scrambled out of her hold, eager to continue my story, but then the back door swung open. A ray of light beamed through the doorway, and Nolan stumbled inside. He was panting, his eyes were wild, and when they settled on me, I felt the same butterflies I always did. “Peaches.”

I smiled, and before I could ask why he looked like he’d been running, Mom was standing between us and herding him toward the door. “Oh, no you don’t. You know the rules.” Brooks and Levi rushed through the doorway, and I’d guess by their ragged breaths, they’d been chasing Nolan. “Really?” Momturned her attention to them. “I gave you two one job, and you let him get away?”

Brooks and Levi shared a look, and I wasn’t sure who looked more afraid. “It’s not my fault,” Brooks tried, cowering. “He jumped out of my truck—”

“Because I wanted to see Indy!” Nolan cut in. “I just wanted to hear how her class went.”

Mom was firmly planted in front of the door, hands on her hips. “Sorry. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. Now, out you go.”

“It’s a vow renewal.” Nolan gave me a wide-eyed look, likely waiting for me to intervene. It was a silly rule, but I was enjoying the sight of Mom shoving the Graham brothers out the door too much to tell her that. “C’mon, Lila. She’s already my wife. We literally woke up in the same bed this morn—”

Mom closed and locked the door, Nolan’s words muffled behind it. She leaned against it, and after a few moments of stunned silenced, she admitted, “I think I might’ve gotten a little carried away.”

Auburn, Shay, and I shared a look, lasting two seconds before we busted out into laughter. “Oh my gosh! I’ve never seen Brooks so terrified,” Shay cried, and Auburn taunted, “Wow, Mom. You’re a total hard-ass. Poor guy just wanted to hear about his wife’s day.”

“I’m sorry.” Mom gave me a sheepish look, pulling on the sleeves of her sweater. “I just want today to be perfect for you. But I was way out of line. Let me go get him—”

“No. It’s okay.” I put my hand over hers, stopping her before she could open the door. Mom’s gaze met mine, and I could tell she was trying to discern if I meant that or not. Of course, I would’ve been happy to see Nolan and tell him about my day, but I wasn’t angry at her. Because she was here, supporting me. “Thank you for wanting me to have the perfect day.”

She smiled, and I wrapped my arms around her, giving her a hug. Our relationship still had its struggles, but it had grown. We’d accepted we’d never see quite eye to eye, and that was a beautiful thing. When Nolan and I had announced we were renewing our vows, and I’d asked her to helpme plan the wedding, she’d cried. Told me how happy it made her to seemehappy. And as Mom held me tight, there was no describing it as anything but home.

Nolan

“How do your feet feel?”

“Toasty.” I played with the boutonniere above my left shoulder, ensuring it was pinned correctly to my tan suit jacket. Tucking my hands in the pockets of my matching slacks, I looked over my shoulder at Jake. There was a wooden arch above him, adorned with white flowers. He wore a black suit and a deep green tie similar to mine. His beard was trimmed, and what little hair he had was combed to the side. “Why? You got a bunion or something?”

“Just making sure you’re not thinking about running away. Cause I’ll cut ya feet off if you are.”

I scowled. Before I could tell him where to shove that thought, he nudged my shoulder, and a soft melody began to play. I turned around, taking in the sight. We stood in a meadow at the edge of the tree line. There was an aisle before me, the forest floor carefully lined with tea lights and candles. It was dusk, the fairy lights strung above me beginning to glow. A mixture of my and Indy’s family and friends sat on both sides of the aisle, watching as the wedding party walked between them.

Brooks wore a suit, and Shay, clad in a green dress, hooked her arm through his. Levi walked behind them, and Layne, his childhood friend, was beside him. Auburn and Leo brought up the tail end, tears already streaming down the former’s cheeks. Having made their way down the aisle, the men stood beside me, with the women on the other side.

Laughter filtered through the air as Winnie and my nephews strolled toward me, haphazardly tossing flowers. My heart pounded, anticipation and nerves building with every passing breath. I’d been waiting for this moment my entire life. It didn’t matter if Indy had been my wife for nearly a decade; today I’d finallymarry her right.

The crowd quieted, and they eagerly turned in their chairs in preparation for Indy. My hands shook at my side; I’d never been more excited and nervous in my life. And in the mix of those emotions, I heard Brooks ask in a low murmur, “Do you think he’s here?”

A breeze stirred through the trees, and I knew without asking who Brooks was talking about. Dad. I glanced to my left, and as I took in my brothers, I thought of the last time I’d stood in this very meadow with them years ago. It was when we’d finally gathered the courage to spread Dad’s ashes and share one final goodbye.

But it hadn’t been goodbye.

Because as I stared at Brooks and Levi, I saw glimpses of him in their eyes, heard him in their laughs. When I peered deep within me, I felt him there too. Dad still existed. Lived on in each of us. “Yeah. He’s here.”

The music changed, and I cleared my throat before facing the aisle once more. Time seemed to slow, and so did my pulse, everything in me coming to a pause at the sight of my wife. Indy’s hair was down, red curls vibrant and smooth. She wore an ivory gown, colorful embroidered wildflowers cascading down past her breasts. The neckline was deep cut and clinging to her frame, flaring slightly at her waist. She was barefoot, the ends of her skirt brushing against the forest floor, and her parents walked beside her, beaming.

Soon, she was across the aisle, and her parents were in front of me. I didn’t take it lightly as Seth and Lila hugged me, silently giving me their blessing before taking their seats in the front. Folks around town had said it was pointless when they’d heard Indy and I were having another wedding. Didn’t understand why we’d waste our money when we were already legally married. That was okay.They didn’t need to understand.

Today—and the rest of our lives—was for no one else but us.

I grasped Indy’s hand in mine, and as I took in the quiet joy on her beautiful face, I struggled to listen as Jake welcomed everyone to our wedding. He spoke a few words, expressed the pride he felt to see us together, and then invited Indy to share her vows.

She let out a shaky breath, and as she began to speak, it felt like I was taken back in time. When we’d stood in a courthouse, eighteen and fearless. I’d been in love with her then, but there was no denying it was different than what I felt now. Our love had been tried and tested. Reforged. We’d fought for it. It was a part of me, embedded beneath my bones and woven into my soul. And as Indy finished her vows, promised to love me beyond this life, I knew she felt as strongly.

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