Page 163 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

Everyone stands, but my eyes stay locked on the hot as hell man waiting for me at the end of the aisle. “Oh wow,” I mutter. “He cleans up nice.”

Dad squeezes my arm. “Inside voice, Skye. Everyone can hear you.”

I shrug. “Looking good, babe!” I call down the aisle.

Sidney’s grin widens as his eyes move over me in a not so PG-13 sweep. Tonight, we’re definitely going to swing from the rafters.

My dad has to slow me down because I try to speed walk down the aisle to Sidney, but eventually, after what feels like amillion years, my dad kisses my cheek and passes me off to my husband to be.

“You look darn well edible,” I whisper as Sidney takes my hands.

“So do you.”

“I can’t wait to get you o—”

Sidney stops me with a brief, chaste kiss. “Audience, babe.”

“Right. Save it for later.” I back off and wave to our friends and family. “Hi, sorry about that. He looks good, though, right?”

“I wouldn’t kick him out of bed,” Aunt Brenda shouts.

Sidney looks like he’s trying not to laugh.

Our officiant looks like she expected exactly this, which makes sense since Aunt Brenda came to the run-through two days ago and ad-libbed the entire time.

The ceremony begins with the usual stuff, the officiant talking about joining lives and all that jazz and then it’s time for Sid and me to say our vows. Which we wrote ourselves.

“Skye, I’ve waited a long time to find someone who balances me out. You’re everything I need in a partner and more. You’re so full of life, you keep me on my toes, and you make me smile every day. I love everything about you, from your unfiltered thoughts, to the way you champion Violet and the way you’ve stepped in and become the mom Miller needs. I promise to stand by your side through the good times and especially the bad, to be your partner and your rock when you need me the most. You’re my best friend, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life loving you.”

I pull a tissue from between my boobs and dab my eyes. “That’s going to be a tough one to follow.”

He squeezes my hands. “You got this.”

Violet moves forward and hands me my cue card, and nearly trips over the back of her dress when she steps back. We both blow out a relieved breath when she finds her balance.

I turn back to Sidney and hold up the card. “Made a few notes in case my mind goes blank and I forget all the awesome things I wrote about you.”

He smiles and squeezes my hand. I glance at the cue card, skim the first few points and then refocus on him. “When you chased after me and stopped me from drinking your latte, I already knew you were one of the good ones. Although, you didn’t learn until later just how thoroughly you’d saved my a—butt that day. What I didn’t realize was that you were exactly what I needed in my life and you came into it at exactly the right time. You are an incredible father, an amazing scout and coach, an unparalleled friend, and the only time I’ll kick you out of bed is if you’re snoring like a freight train lives inside your nasal passage. I promise to stand beside you through all the fun stuff, and hold your hand through the hard times. I love everything about who you are on the inside and the outside. Your hair is particularly fantastic and I can’t wait to run my fingers through it later. After the reception.”

“Mom, stay on track,” Violet whispers.

“Right. Sorry.” I squeeze Sid’s hand. “I love you. You’re the best thing to happen to me since Violet came into my life and I can’t wait to spend the rest of it with you.”

I blow out a breath, thankful I didn’t say anything too awkward and then we’re exchanging rings and saying “I do”.

“You may kiss the bride!” our officiant announces.

Sidney lays one on me.

“Save it for the honeymoon!” Aunt Brenda shouts.

We walk down the aisle, waving at our friends as they clap and holler.

The next few hours are a blur of photos, champagne, congratulations and one kid throwing up because he ate too many cookies.

Dinner is amazing, the wine is flowing, everyone is half-sauced, and it’s time for the speeches. Miller gets up, adjusts his tie and pulls Violet’s chair out.

I put my hand on Sidney’s knee under the table. “I didn’t know Violet was giving a speech.”

---