Page 105 of Worth the Fall

She laughs softly, the sound music to my ears. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Make me feel like I’m the only person in the world," she says, her voice quiet.

"Because you are," I reply, leaning in to kiss her softly.

Her lips are warm and familiar, and the moment feels suspended in time. When we pull back, her eyes search mine, her fingers tightening around my hands.

"Are you nervous?" she asks.

"Not even a little," I say, shaking my head. "Excited, maybe. Overwhelmed by how lucky I am? Definitely."

She laughs again, but there’s a sheen of tears in her eyes now. "You’re such a sap."

"For you? Always," I say, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face.

We stand there for a moment longer, the world around us fading into the background. She shifts slightly, and her train rustles against the stone.

"Do I look like a bride?" she asks, her voice suddenly softer, almost shy.

"You look like my bride," I say, my voice steady but full of emotion.

Her breath catches, and she blinks rapidly, her grip on my hands tightening. "Okay," she whispers. "Now you’re definitely going to make me cry."

I chuckle, pulling her into a gentle hug. "Just save a few tears for the ceremony, okay?"

She nods against my chest, her arms wrapping around me. For a moment, we just stand there, holding each other in the quiet of the garden, letting the significance of the day sink in.

When she pulls back, her smile is radiant, and I know without a doubt that this is the best decision I’ve ever made.

The ceremony is perfect.

Felicity is first down the aisle, and she owns the moment with all the poise of a seasoned royal. Her tiny hands grip the basket of petals with precision, and each toss is deliberate, as though she’s sprinkling magic instead of rose petals. When she gets halfway down, she pauses dramatically, throwing in a little spin that earns a soft wave of laughter from the guests.

She catches my eye, and with all the confidence in the world, she winks.

I stifle a laugh, biting my lip to keep from grinning too broadly. That kid. She’s the best.

She reaches the end of the aisle and takes her place beside Celine, who is beaming at her, pride radiating from her like a spotlight.

And then the music shifts.

Mia steps into view, her arm linked with her dad’s.

For a moment, everything else—the guests, the venue, the world—fades into the background.

She’s radiant. Her dress flows around her like liquid light, the lace and fabric catching the sun in a way that seems almost otherworldly. Her bouquet of ranunculus and greenery is simple but elegant, and it fits her perfectly.

But it’s her face that holds me. She’s smiling, her lips trembling just slightly, her eyes locked on mine with a mixture of joy, love, and something that feels like forever.

My chest tightens, and I’m suddenly aware of how hard my heart is pounding. This is it. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.

Mia’s dad leans in to kiss her cheek when they reach the altar, his face filled with emotion as he places her hand in mine.

"You take care of her," he says softly, his voice cracking slightly.

"I will," I promise, my voice steady.

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