Page 31 of Why Not Forever?

“Lead the way,” I say, my voice steady despite the jumble of nerves.

“Just a second,” Derek says, going to a mini fridge I hadn’t paid attention to in the corner. “We weren’t sure what you liked to drink, so we put a few things in here.” He takes out a bottle of champagne and motions to a couple bottles on a tray on top of the fridge. One is scotch, one is rum, one is vodka. “We need to toast.”

I glance at the bottles he’s mentioned. All of them look expensive. I’m about to shake my head, decline opening any of them, when Wyatt puts a hand on my shoulder.

“We’re more of a beer family than any of those, but maybe we can make an exception and have some champagne? As long as we bring the rest of the bottle down after the ceremony.”

I release a breath and nod. “Yeah. That sounds good.”

Derek pours the glasses and hands them out.

I stare into the golden depths of the glass. “I don’t know what to say.”

“May I?” Derek asks.

I nod, adjusting my glasses that have slipped down my nose.

“To new friends and new beginnings. And to business arrangements that benefit everyone involved.”

“Except for the dicks,” Wyatt includes, and Derek and I laugh.

We tap our glasses together and drink the champagne. It’s fresh and citrusy and I swallow with more than a few nerves still clanging around inside me.

Derek claps me on the back. “Let’s get you married.”

We follow Denise, who had waited for us while we toasted, down the stairs and back outside where the chairs are now filled with people. My family takes up a bunch of them. We’d discussed including some of my nieces and nephews in the wedding party, but there are so many. Ultimately, we decided Wyatt’s two kids would be flower girl and ring bearer and left it at that. After stopping to kiss my mother’s cheek, then going to shake Richard’s hand and saying a polite hello to Karen, I stand at the altar with the officiant, Wyatt, and Derek.

We’re not waiting long before the music begins, and Spencer comes down the aisle first with Riley, Wyatt’s seven-year-old daughter and our flower girl. She’s in a pretty white dress with gold trim, while Spencer wears a white suit that matches my groomsmen’s suits. They’re also wearing matching gold ties. Riley walks down the black aisle runner, sprinkling white rose petals as she goes. When they reach the altar, Spencer kisses the back of her hand, making her grin before she skips off to sit with her mom.

Next down the aisle is Adalie with Hunter. He’s in a suit that matches Spencer’s while Adalie’s dress matches Riley’s: white with gold trim. I was surprised when Vic chose these dresses, remarking that the bride is usually the only one in white. Her response had been to shrug and say, “I’m not wearing white.”

Hunter carries the little pillow with the rings tied to it. When they reach the altar, Adalie gives him a hug, and he sits with Addison as well. Addison takes the pillow, which is smart since he’s four and we don’t want him to drop it before it’s time to give the rings to us.

Finally, the music changes and Vic steps onto the aisle, her eyes finding mine. My breath lodges in my chest as I take her in. The black and white dress suits her, hugging her curves expertly, showing them off in a subtle way. Sexy elegance. Her hair is pinned up and I notice a sparkle as the sun reflects off some jewels. She hadn’t wanted Richard to walk her down the aisle stating that he’s not giving her to anyone.

She walks toward me on her own, coming down the aisle like this is where she wants to be. Everything else fades away as she gets closer and closer. I take her hand when I can reach her, and she grips my fingers.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hi,” she responds.

“Your dress is perfect.”

She smiles. “Thank you.”

The officiant begins, reciting the words of the ceremony, but I tune him out as I take in the woman about to become my wife. The jewels in her hair are a couple of pins on one side and a comb on the other. She’s chosen not to wear any other jewellery except the ring I gave her, which I run my finger over now, hardly believing it’s there. This is really happening.

This is temporary, I remind myself. But it’s hard to remember that when she looks so beautiful and is staring at me as though I’m the only one she wants to see. She’s wearing black three-inch heels, bringing her eyes almost to a level with mine, and I find myself getting completely lost in that bright blue gaze.

Lost enough that the officiant has to clear his throat to get my attention. I turn to him and everyone chuckles.

“Your vows,” he says.

“Right.” I turn back to my almost-wife. “Vic. The first time I saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. It’s been almost ten years since then and I still think that. Now, I’ve also gotten to know you. You’re smart and strong, you don’t take shit from people, and you stand up for your friends. It was easy to fall in love with you back then and it’s even easier to stay there now. Anyone would be lucky to be with you, and I’m honoured that you chose me. Even if it did take a long time for you to get here.”

Vic snorts and rolls her eyes.

“Now that wearehere,” I continue, “I promise to show up for you, to have your back in all things. I promise to try to make you smile, even when you don’t want to.” I pull a folded piece of paper from my inside suit pocket. It’s white with gold trim and in the shape of a heart. “And I promise to give you random pieces of origami that you’re not allowed to throw away.”

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