Page 140 of The Way We Win

“Nervous?” He squints an eye at me, and I grin.

His hair is a snarled mess on his head, and he’s only wearing jogging pants. He’s a big kid, right on the verge of being a man, but in this moment, he still seems like that middle schooler so determined to be on my team.

“Not a bit.” I push to standing. “I’m ready to make you two official Bradfords.”

He smiles, taking a sip of his drink. “Me too.”

A breeze driftsfrom the water, and it’s still early enough in June to be cool in the morning. I look over the crowd of people we know and love so well. Craig escorts Thomas and his wife to the row we’ve reserved for family.

He’s followed by Edward walking Miss Gina. They repeat the process for Aunt Thelma and Liv’s mom, and Gloria and Sandra sit behind them in reserved seats.

Buddy and the boys from the team are scattered throughout the crowd, and I even see Levi and a very pregnant Sadie sitting with her cousins Oliver and Salina.

After the Christmas blow-up, George moved back to Florida and Levi moved into our old family home with Logan and Dylan. Now that high school is over, he started working with Garrett, and the two of them have a little apartment outside of town.

Sadie’s talking about getting her teaching degree online, and she has family here. Maybe they’ll be okay.

A familiar classical song begins, and I turn my attention to my siblings, stepping out to walk down the aisle like we’ve done so many times in recent years.

The guys are all in gray suits, and the girls are in knee-length, ocean-blue dresses with different style tops, strapless, one-shoulder, or skinny straps.

Zane and Rachel are first, followed by Garrett and Liv. They part with a kiss in the middle before going to each side of the flowered arch.

Hendrix gives me a wink as he walks Raven down the aisle, and Logan holds Dylan’s waist as she carries their newborn son on her chest, eliciting coos from the ladies sitting on the aisles.

Clint hangs back doing his best to guide Gina and Haddy as they make their way to the front, dropping petals for the bride. I frown when I don’t see my daughter with them, wondering what might have happened.

Liv’s mom helps Clint guide them to the side, and we almost lose Gina when she spots a lady walking a dog along the wide path leading to the park. A soft laugh ripples through the group, but we all grow serious when the music changes.

The bridal march begins, and everyone stands. I’m in the center of the aisle, so I can see when Austin steps from behind the last row of guests with his mother on his arm.

My throat tightens, and I fight to swallow when she steps out like a dream in sand-colored chiffon. Her hand is in the crook of Austin’s arm, and Kimmie is at her side, holding her hand.

I place my palm over the ache in my stomach as my eyes drink in the sight of the three most important people in a crowd of very important people.

Allie’s red lips break into a big, beautiful smile, despite the tears on her cheeks. I can’t take my eyes off her face, her pretty brown hair swept up in a neat twist and those glasses perched on her nose.

It’s only a few paces until we’re together. Kimmie puts her little hand in mine, guiding it to Allie’s, and I reach down to give her a squeeze. Rachel holds out a hand, and my daughter goes to stand by her aunt.

Pastor Rick from Thomas’s church steps up to ask, “Who gives this woman to this man?”

“I do,” Austin says with confidence, smiling at me.

Stepping forward, I pull him into a hug, doing my best to blink away the mist in my own eyes.

“Thanks, buddy,” I whisper in his ear.

He nods, sniffing sharply and wiping a hand over his nose. He steps over beside Zane, who gives him a pat on the back.

Allie’s hands are in mine, and her pretty blue eyes are clear and sparkling when she looks up at me. I want to cup her cheeks in my hands and kiss her, but I know we have to say our vows.

The pastor leads us through the traditional promises to love, honor, and protect as long as we both shall live, and it’s like I’mhearing the words fresh, for the first time. I say them with all my heart.

When we’re done, and it’s time to exchange rings, I watch as she slides the gold band onto my third finger.

“With this ring, I thee wed.” I love the sound of her voice, so clear and confident.

I hold her hand in mine, studying the delicate gold band as I slide it onto her finger. It fits perfectly beside my mother’s engagement ring.

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