Page 71 of Turbulent Fires

Jayden beams at me. “Well, unless you have a daughter.” My face drains of color. There’s no doubt Audrey and I will have children. Just the thought of our future daughter dating makes me want to go to war. I don’t get to obsess on this for long because more is thrown my way.

Drake comes in with a flask. “Let’s hope you don’t cry and turn into a meme,” he says with laughter.

I shake my head. “You’re the crybaby of the family.”

“Hey, your wife’s so hot, I might shed a tear or two that I didn’t find her first.” I punch my brother hard in the arm. He doesn’t move so much as an inch.

His teasing does the trick, though, and I relax as I take a sip from the flask. I don’t guzzle because I want to be fully alert at my wedding. I don’t want a single moment of this day to be forgotten.

I look at Cooper. “Does my collar look like it’s trying too hard?”

He laughs. “I don’t think anyone’s going to be looking at you today.” He’s right. The groom is simply part of the decorations, it’s all about the bride today... as it should be.

Jayden hands over the vows I scribbled on a napkin at the Catalina Coffee and Cookie Company. I don’t want to forget a single word of praise and love for Audrey. I can speak the words from the heart, but the second my eyes are on her, I’m going to forget my own name.

“Don’t you want to try to memorize them?” Jayden asks.

“Nope. I’m sure I’ll lose some brain cells the second the ceremony begins.”

“Yep, I think he’s going to throw up and cry, maybe at the same time,” Drake says.

Joseph enters the room, larger than life, a huge smile lighting his face. “What a beautiful place for a wedding. What a gorgeous day it is,” he booms. I’m shocked the windows don’t shake.

“I couldn’t agree more,” I say. He stays a few more moments, and I hear him grumbling about people needing to be more appreciative of him being the reason for these love matches. I laugh as I turn away. The man will never be known as humble.

More people come in and out of the room, and time seems to be at a stand-still. I assure myself all I need is patience. Soon, I’ll be with Audrey again. Until then, I’ll stand here and take all of the advice and love from my family and friends. There’s no doubt it’s done with love.

My heart thumps when the music finally begins. A smile splits my lips open as I look at my brothers. It’s time.

“Alright lover boy, are you ready?” Jayden asks.

“More than ready.”

“Then let’s get you married,” Drake says. The three of us walk from the room and head straight to the front of the aisle. I’m finally going to see my bride.

I don’t notice the guests dressed in vibrant colors sitting before me, don’t notice the clear blue sky, and don’t notice the sounds and smells. All I’m focusing on is the place Audrey will appear at any moment. Women walk down the aisle and I look past them as they make their way forward and stand to the side.

Soon, the audience stands... and I suck in a breath as she appears, the most radiant creature I’ve ever seen. She pauses at the head of the aisle, her hand wrapped in the arm of her father, who refuses to look at me. I’m sure he’s proud of her and broken-hearted that his baby is no longer the little girl he raised. He also has to be proud of the incredible woman she’s become.

She moves down the aisle as if she owns the very tides behind us, with her hair swept up, soft tendrils framing her glowing face. Her dress sways with the wind like it’s made of seafoam and dreams. She’s floating to me, looking more radiant than ever.

She’s real. This is real. A gust of wind blows past her, making her laugh as she reaches up to hold her veil. Chloe quickly rushes to her, and puts things back in place. My heart thunders as I force myself to stand still. I want to run to her, to pull her into my arms. We don’t need all of this pomp and circumstance. We simply need to say our vows, seal our promises to each other, and be one for the rest of our lives. She’s been mine, as I’ve been hers, from the moment we met, but I want to make it official.

She finally reaches me, and I forget how to breathe. She’s so stunning, I can’t process it.

“Breathe, flyboy,” she whispers. She might be joking, but I see the tears in her eyes.

“I’m trying. It’s hard to do when you’re every single dream I’ve ever had come to life.”

The tears in her eyes spill over and she shakes her head at me. “Don’t turn me into a mess or my mother will have words.”

“It’s only fair since I might faint, I feel so lightheaded.”

The preacher clears his throat, and the spell between us is broken. “We’re gathered here today...”

I take Audrey’s hands in mine as our eyes lock while the preacher speaks words I don’t hear. She’s all I can focus on. Somehow, I manage to get through the ceremony. Somehow, I read my vows, even when they’re interrupted by Drake sneezing loudly before muttering about being allergic to sappiness. Chloe coughs to cover her laughter when Audrey promises me a life of chaos and storms and more love than I can comprehend.

We both jump when, right after we say I do, fireworks shoot off behind us in broad daylight. I look at my brothers in confusion. They shrug, saying it’s a statement piece. Whatever. None of that matters because Audrey’s officially my wife now. I pull her close and seal our vows with a kiss. Our eternity has officially begun.

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