Page 158 of Choosing Forever
Poppy’s let her hair go to her natural brown for today and chose a classic low bun. The veil tucked inside of it is long, draping past her dress and onto the custom stage set up on their property, a gorgeous new home hovering in the distance. We all knew she needed a classic look to allow her dress to hold the full attention of everyone here today. And that it did.
The off-shoulder dress hangs off her arms and drapes down her body with an elegance that stole my breath the first time I saw her in it at the bridal shop. It’s non-traditional in the sense that instead of white, it’s silver, and covered top to bottom in shimmer, making her look less like a bride and more like a goddess.
Garrison wasn’t the only one crying as he watched her walk down the aisle. I don’t think a single one of us up here could help it. Even Bryce’s tears fell to join ours on stage before Daisy swiped them away.
I swallow the ball in my throat when Garrison clears his and adjusts his grip on Poppy’s hands.
“I’ve spent hours on this, Poppy, but I’ve still only managedto come up with a few lines that I feel do justice to describe the way I feel about you. It’s impossible to take everything you make me feel and somehow fit them into words. Insulting is what it is. You’re beyond words.
“There isn’t a single piece of you that I haven’t seen and loved. Your spirit, the bravery you have in spades, your honesty, and the openness you have to learn what you don’t know. Not only about yourself or the world, but others around you. Before I met you, I didn’t know people could be like that. So viscerally sincere with a positive outlook in any situation. You’ve taken me by the shoulders and shaken me so hard that you’ve rattled all of these new pieces of myself free that I didn’t know existed before you. I think that’s what I love most about you. The way you are the only person I’ve ever met who’s known that those pieces were there. And ever since you became my person, I haven’t been the same. I won’t be that man from the past ever again. Fuck, I won’t even be the same man I am today, tomorrow. That’s what you do to me, honey. And I’m looking forward to being ever-changing with you for the rest of my life. As husband and wife.”
The burn in my eyes must pale in comparison to the one in his. The rough sniff that follows his words cuts through the awed silence, and then Poppy’s leaning into him and thumbing away the tears dripping down his cheeks. I look away, knowing I’m one second from ruining this moment with a sob.
Instead, I find Darren. He’s already watching me, his eyes glistening. I try to smile, but I know it’s weak. He rubs his chest and holds my gaze for a few moments longer, until we’re pulled away by Poppy’s voice.
There’s a smack on my hand, and I look over to see Bryce staring straight ahead at the bride but taking my hand into hers. The squeeze she gives me is tight, and I know she’s doing the same with Daisy’s without having to look and confirm.
“I knew I should have gone first,” Poppy scolds half-heartedly. Wet laughter follows, reminding me that everyone hereloves these two as much as they deserve. “Garrison—my Sir Douchealot—I’ve never had too much trouble with putting my feelings into words before, but as I wrote these, I struggled so badly that I considered bribing you so that I didn’t have to. Obviously, I didn’t give up the way I thought I was going to. How could I, when you were lying in bed beside me as I tapped my pen to this paper? One look down at you with your laptop open on your lap and a wrinkle between your brows, and I knew I had to figure it out.
“I know that when you look at me, you see this invincible woman with an endless supply of confidence and wit. But I’m here to tell you today that you’re wrong. Before I met you, I had half of everything I do now.”
Poppy cuts herself off, sniffling as the paper in her hand shakes. The man in front of her slides his hold to her wrists, keeping her hold steady.
“I didn’t need you to teach me how to love myself, so you showed me how to allow someone else to love me instead. That was a lesson that I’d skipped, assuming that if I’d had enough confidence in myself, I’d never need anyone else. There would be no heartbreak or disappointment, because I’d never let myself down the way someone else could. Only, I hadn’t known how much I’d like sharing some of that responsibility. And you, Garrison, have not only shared that responsibility, but you’ve taken it over as your own. You love me so fiercely, so openly, that sometimes, I can just . . .live, because I know you’re there. I’m sure I’ll never be able to truly thank you enough for the strength you’ve offered me, but I hope this is a start. I have the rest of forever to finish.”
With a sticky throat, I watch as they ignore the rest of us and the order of the ceremony and kiss, sealing their declarations with the first of their marriage.
And for the rest of the ceremony, there’s nothing the rest of us can do but watch as they promise to spend the rest of their lives together. Forever and always.
The happy couple dances on the grass, beneath the lights of the drive-in screen and to the music being projected through the field. I watch in silence, my heart full and aching with the love I’ve seen today. From the ceremony, the first dance beneath the setting sun, and the laughter booming from the bed of Brody’s truck as he drove us all from the ranch, to the drive-in hours after all the guests went home.
It would have been easiest for us to stay at the Becketts’ new home for the night, but the newlyweds demanded we come back to Cherry Peak despite the drive and the time. By two in the morning, we were here, at the drive-in. Darren broke into the newly completed projection room and turned it into a DJ booth, and we’ve been dancing, drinking, and singing together ever since.
A warm chest meets my back before arms curl around me. “Are you happy, Elle?”
I dab away a rogue tear and nod, leaning into Darren’s hold. He sways us, his cheek rubbing my temple.
“I’m so happy,” I whisper.
“Where do you want to get married?”
Turning in his arms, I lift my eyes, holding his. “Here.”
“At the drive-in?”
“It’s fitting. It’s our place.”
He tucks my hair behind my ear and nods. Lowering his head, he presses our foreheads together and slowly leads me into a slow dance. I press my hands against his back and smile.
“Here it is. All that’s left is for you to tell me when,” he rasps.
I laugh softly. “I don’t think that’s how it’s supposed to work.”
“Why not? We’re already engaged.”
“We are? Since when?”
He reaches behind his back, and suddenly, my promise ringis being pulled off my finger. I watch his expression closely, but he gives nothing away. Not until another ring is being slid back into place, this one heavier, thicker even.
