Page 135 of Isla

"You have way too much faith in me."

"And me," Dylan echoes.

Theo shrugs, refusing to back down.

"What about you, Isla?" Dylan asks.

I take a moment to think. I was never that little girl who dreamed about her wedding, so all of this is brand new to me.

"I want to incorporate my family tartan into the wedding, and if you're willing, I want the three of you to take my last name," I blurt out, finally giving voice to what I’ve been thinking about for the past few weeks.

"Why?" Theo asks softly.

"Because the three of you belong here. You should have the MacLeod name if you want it. There is so much life, love, and history behind the name, and it would be an honor for my family if you took our name." I look between them, realizing I probably shouldn't have done this in the car. "You don't have to. Only if you think it's right," I stammer, nerves getting the best of me.

"I don't speak for all of us, but for me, it would be an honor to be part of the Macleod clan," Henry says, his eyes shining.

"I agree," Dylan says, his grin nearly splitting his face in half.

"Theo?" My stomach knots, knowing that out of the three of them, he's the one who would take issue with it.

"I would move mountains for you, Sunflower. What's a little name change?" He catches my eye in the rearview mirror, holding my gaze for a second to let me know that he means every word.

We spendthe rest of the ride discussing all the other little decisions we need to make: colors, flowers, food, drink, and music. I take notes on my phone, writing down each of their preferences with the hope that I can come up with something that represents all four of us. As we pull into the farm drive, I tuck my phone away, knowing the next time I take it out, I'll be taking pictures of us riding off into the sunset.

72

FEBRUARY

As I watch Lorna and Charlie walk down the aisle through the fat swirling snowflakes, I can’t help but be thankful for every decision I've made that led me to today. They're so beautiful in their thick gray-blue gowns and hooded capes. All the guests are standing and looking back at me, making it so the only thing I can see is Father Calum at the opposite end of the aisle. I smooth my hands over my dress, fingers pale against my family's tartan. Initially, I was going to use the tartan as an accent, but when the guys told me they would take my name, I decided it needed to be a focal point. The dress, made from my favorite MacLeod tartan, is a muted brown with gray-blue and sage green. There’s a matching green, silk-lined cloak clasped around my shoulders to keep me warm.

"You still have time to run if you're not sure," Jack says from beside me, taking my hand.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," I murmur, smiling up at him.

"That's exactly what I needed to hear, Isla. I'm so proud of you." He pulls my hand through the crook of his elbow, drawing me to the head of the aisle.

The first heartbreakingly beautiful violin notes of “Our Song” by Elton John float over us, and I can't help the tears that come to my eyes. I try to blink them away, but they overflow onto my cheeks, dripping off my chin as we walk down the aisle. This was the exact reason I chose not to wear anything but waterproof mascara and lipgloss today. I may act like a tough bitch most of the time, but these men have made me a puddle of goo on the inside. Jack turns to face me as we reach the end of the aisle, cupping my face in his hands and wiping my tears away with his thumbs.

"I am so goddamned happy for you, Isla." He sniffles, wiping at his face, trying to hold himself together.

My chin wobbles, and I choke out a laugh. "Thank you for being you, Jack. I truly don't know if I could survive without you." His lips tremble as he smiles, but he pulls himself together, standing straight and walking me the last few steps to Father Calum's side. I take a deep breath and look up slowly. My heart tumbles in my chest as I see my guys for the first time. They're standing on the other side of Father Calum, dressed in brown suits that match the tartan peeking from their pockets, the colors complimenting their features perfectly. They look gorgeous. I meet each of their eyes, butterflies attacking my stomach, my pulse racing. I blow out a shaky breath and push back my shoulders, determined to get through this without making an absolute fool of myself. But then I see Theo's chin tremble, and all bets are off.

I desperately blink back tears, determined to get through this without falling apart. I turn toward Charlie and Lorna, hoping they'll give me the support I need, but they're no better. Mascara streams down their faces, blotches of black dotting their eyelids. Holy fuck. I pull a tissue out from between my breasts and clean up Lorna first, then Charlie, giving her the tissue to dab at my cheeks. I give them both quick hugs, laughing with them before taking a deep breath and turning back toward the guys. The sun breaks through the clouds at that moment, shining down on their gorgeous smiles, joy radiating from them. There are no questions in their eyes, no signs of doubt or regret.

"Isla, Theo, Dylan, and Henry, are the four of you ready to begin?" Father Calum asks. We all nod, and he greets our family and friends before inviting Theo to say his vows. Theo swallows hard and steps forward, taking my flowers and handing them to Charlie before taking my hands in his.

"Sunflower, I knew you were the one from the moment you knocked that croissant out of my mouth. The world fades away in your presence, and I am left with only the sound of your voice, the warmth of your touch, and the light in your eyes. You are the quiet in my chaos, the steady heartbeat in my chest. With you, I am both grounded and free. I love the way you see the world, how you find beauty in the simplest things, how your laughter fills the room, and how your kindness touches everyone around you. There is no need for grand gestures, no need for perfect words. It is enough to simply be with you, share this life, this love, and know that I have found everything I will ever need in you."

Fuck. I am not going to get through this without becoming a sobbing mess.

"Dylan, your turn." Father Calum smiles at him encouragingly.

Dylan is surprisingly confident as he takes my hands. "Freckles, there's a silent understanding between us that needs no words, only a glance, a touch, a shared breath. In you, I find the calm I didn't know I was missing, a sense of belonging that feels as natural as breathing. You are the moment before sleep when everything is quiet and still, and the world feels just right. I love the way your presence lingers long after you've gone, how your laughter echoes in my thoughts, and how your kindness softens the edges of my day. Being with you is like coming home to a place I never knew but always longed for. You are my peace, my challenge, my joy. In the space between us, I find a love that is steady, unhurried, and true. A love that simply is.”

Father Calum wipes at his eyes as Dylan steps back. "Henry."

Henry trades places with Dylan, his hands swallowing mine. "Red, I found my anchor in you, a quiet strength that steadies me, a light that brightens every corner of my world. You are the warmth in my coldest days, the calm in my fiercest storms. With you, I havelearned what it means to be truly seen, to be loved without conditions, and to love without fear. Today, I offer you my unwavering support, my patient heart, my open ears. I promise to stand by you, in moments of triumph, in times of doubt, in the quiet moments where words are not needed. Together, we will build a life woven with laughter, strengthened by trust, and colored with the joy of countless shared adventures. Isla, you are my beginning and my end, my constant, my love. Today, I give you all that I am, and all that I will ever be, now and always.”

---