Page 120 of Forever and Ever

“It’s after the world tour now,” I remind him.

A shit-eating grin stretches his face, and he slaps me on the back of the shoulder. “That it is, my brother.”

From the look in his eyes, I get the feeling it won’t be long before we’re at another one of these, and I’m happy for him.

I look out at all the faces around us. It’s a small ceremony of people, and it’s perfect. Everyone we care about. Friends and family, even if my family is noticeably absent.

Merry tried to reach out to them when we got engaged, but there was no use. My parents decided a long time ago that if I didn’t want to fit into their life in a very particular way then they didn’t need me, and they are committed to that decision. For the first time in my life, that’s okay. All the family I need is right here.

People who supported us through everything. People who picked up their lives during Merry’s surgery and moved to Washington for a full month so that I could be near her. People who advocated for her demo when she got back to Denver. People who believe in us both as a couple and professionally.

Adrian managed to land Merry a spot opening for Four Clovers on their latest tour. And although it was a dream come true for her, it was a test for us. Halfway through the world tour, Merry had to head to LA to meet up with them, and even if I spent every free moment going back and forth, once the band was overseas, we ended up spending a lot of time apart. But we made it work, like I knew we would.

I’ll do whatever I have to, and I know she’ll do the same.

I spot Merry’s mom walking out from the reception tent, where Merry and her bridal party have been hiding. She walks up the aisle, giving me a nod to let me know we’re ready, which forms a knot in my throat.

This is it. The moment I’ve spent my life waiting for.

While you always hear stories about little girls planning their weddings in their heads as kids, no one talks about us guys who do it. Just because we have dicks doesn’t mean we can’t be romantic and sweet and want all this stupid cute shit.

So call me lame, call me whatever you want. I’m marrying the girl of my dreams, so fuck everyone’s judgment.

Eloise is the first one down the aisle, followed by Cassie and then Monica. They look like a line of angels walking toward us in their simple white bridesmaid dresses. The silk shines against the setting sun and a halo of warm light surrounds them.

It’s interesting to me how three women can all be wearing the same thing and look so different. Eloise with her sandy brown hair in a tight ponytail and her half-sleeve of tattoos. Cassie with her bubble-gum-pink-tipped blonde hair and barely any makeup. And then there’s Merry’s sister Monica, with her curly hair that can’t seem to be contained even when she ties it in a bun on her head, wearing a necklace with a lemon-yellow gemstone hanging from it that looks a lot like the kind their mom makes for them.

There’s a pause as the three of them line up across from the guys at the altar and then the music changes. Merry refused to let them play the wedding march or anything traditional, so Only One by Yellowcard starts instead, and I feel the air shift.

I’m not sure if the wind quiets or the world pauses, but it all fades away as Merry steps out between the sheath of white curtains.

My dark goddess.

Merry stands with her arm looped through her dad’s and she’s wearing a black lace strapless wedding dress that hugs her tightly around the chest, before flowing out at the waist. A thick braid acts as a headband for her hair, and waves flow over her shoulders and down her back.

My heart might as well stop in my chest because my entire world is walking in slow motion toward me, and I want to run out and meet her halfway.

But I don’t. I wait what feels like hours for her to make her way down the aisle, with her bare feet and tattoos on display. She’s a fucking vision.

Her dad unwinds her hand when they reach us, and I take his hand and shake it.

“Be good to my girl,” he says, slapping his other hand over our clasped handshake.

“I will, sir.”

He nods, before giving Merry a kiss on the cheek. She waits until he’s seated by her mom before stepping forward.

Merry stands in front of me at the altar and I lean in to whisper in her ear. “It’s not fair to the rest of the world for you to be so beautiful.”

I brush the faintest kiss on her cheek and then pull back as Sebastian clears his throat, reminding me we’re not alone.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” Merry says with a narrowed gaze that travels the full length of me. She bites her bottom lip, and I can’t wait to mess up her cherry-red lipstick later.

“Should we get started?” Adrian asks.

He offered to officiate when Merry started ranting about non-denominational ceremonies.

I nod because I’ve never been more ready for anything.

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