Page 81 of The Off-Limits Rule: Extended Edition

“Nervous, buddy?” I ask Levi, meeting his gaze in the mirror. He’s going to be walking Lucy down the aisle today because she wanted him to know how important he is to her, and so he knows that I’m not just marrying Lucy—we’re becoming a family.

“I don’t want to make Mom trip,” Levi says with sweet, wide eyes that make him look exactly like his mom.

“If it helps you feel better, I’m nervous about tripping too.” I turn to him and drop onto one knee to help adjust his tiny dinosaur-print bow tie.God, this kid is cute.I’m so excited to watch him grow up. He has a dad, and I’m not trying to upstage that role, but I love Levi more than I thought possible, and I will always make sure he knows I’m here for him in any way he needs during the years to come.

“You’re nervous too?”

“Oh yeah. But the good news is, every single person out there loves us both. Even if we mess up in front of them, it’ll be just fine.”

When we were making the guest list, Lucy and I decided we wanted it to be intimate. She’s not comfortable being the center of attention, and I didn’t want to force her into a stressful situation on a day that was supposed to bring her nothing but joy. There’s only about fifty people out there waiting for us, and it’s perfect.

Levi’s smile is a mix of excitement and nervousness. It’s also contagious because suddenly my stomach turns over and I’m hit with the very real thought that my life is about to completely change.And I can’t wait.His face says he’s thinking the exact same thing—just maybe in a less aware sort of way. We’re in this together, both trying to look relaxed and confident.

Today, Lucy is going to walk down the aisle with Levi holding her hand, and I get to be on the receiving end of both of them.How the hell did I get this lucky?

Drew pops his head into the room. “You two ready? The ceremony is about to start.”

Levi sucks in a nervous breath and bounces on his feet, looking like he might pee his pants.

“You good?” I ask him, not sure if I’m already failing at this parental gig and I should give him a better pep talk or what. “Do you need to go to the bathroom?”

Levi shakes his head.

“Do you need a high five?”

He shakes his head again.

I glance over my shoulder briefly at Drew and he just grins lightly, completely unwilling to help me out, even though he probably knows exactly what Levi needs.Jerk.

I take in Levi’s nervous face once again and soften. “What about a hug?”

This time Levi nods and he falls face first into my arms, burying his little face against my shoulder. I wrap my arms around him and squeeze, holding on until he’s ready to let go. “Thanks for letting me marry your mom, Levi. I promise I’ll always take care of her. And you.”

Because he’s a four-year-old, his response to this heartfelt sentiment is a simple “Okay.”

“All right, let’s go, big guy,” says Drew, holding his hand out for Levi. “Your mom’s ready for you to walk her down the aisle. Coop, we’ll see you out there.”

—

I’m standing at the front of the ceremony under an enormous flower arch, waiting for Lucy. I tap the side of my thigh in rhythm with the strumming guitar, trying not to look as nervous as I feel while watching Jessie and Drew walk down the aisle together toward their spots up here at the front. Not nervous because I’m getting married, though. Nervous because Jessie and Drew can’t be trusted to exist within a six-foot radius of each other because one of them is liable to wind up murdered. Even now, I can tell by the look on Drew’s face that Jessie is probably squeezing his arm with hers as hard as possible. He whispers something to her that has a scowl as cold as ice forming over her mouth.

I breathe a sigh of relief when they part ways and Drew takes up his spot behind me. Finally, the music changes, announcing Lucy’s arrival. My heart is a stampede as I wait for that first glimpse of her. We haven’t seen each other in twenty-four hours, and I’m starved for the sight of her. Heads turn and everyone stands, letting me know she’s there. I’m irrationally jealous of every single person at this ceremony getting to see my soon-to-bewife before me. And then, a flash of white emerges from around the trees and there she is. Emotions slam me in the stomach.God, she’s beautiful. Gorgeous.

She looks like an ethereal nymph, stepping right out of a story as she makes her way down the aisle in a glittering, gauzy wedding dress with her auburn hair waving down her back and wildflowers pinned through her hair. She’s clutching a bouquet in one hand and Levi’s hand in the other. The setting sun is at my back, lighting her up with a golden glow that leaves me breathless. And because Lucy is truly incredible, she grins down at Levi—making sure he feels important even though this is her wedding day.

I don’t deserve this woman.

A flood of panicked thoughts hit me in succession, one after another. Why did she choose me? How am I ever going to deserve her? Will I be able to love her like she needs to be loved?

But when she gets closer and her eyes lock with mine, a quieting certainty washes over me. We are meant for each other. Lucy is mine, and I am hers, and I will spend every single one of my days making sure she knows just how hopelessly devoted I am to her. And with every step she takes toward me, I feel my heart and breath settle. I just want her in my arms. I want her forever.

When she gets close, she mouthshi,like we’re casually meeting on any old day. The gesture is soLucythat it makes my eyes well. Does she know she has me in a choke hold? That she could tell me to jump into a volcano for her and I’d doit?

I mouthI love youwhile holding her gaze. Finally, when she makes it to the front, I step forward and take her hand from Levi. But not before giving him a hug and a high five and telling him what a great job he did, bringing his mom down the aisle.

“I didn’t trip!” he whispers, eyes lighting up like fireworks.

“You did great, buddy.”

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