Page 116 of A Very Merry Enemy
“You were the first person who made me feel like I didn’t have to be perfect all the time. Like I could just be me, with my anxieties and overthinking. You taught me that you get what you give. I don’t know what I did in life to deserve you.”
Jake grins at her through his own tears.
“You’ve shown me what it means to be loved unconditionally,” Claire continues, her voice getting stronger. “Not for what I can do or what I can provide, but just for who I am. You’ve been patient with me when I needed it, pushed me when I needed that, too, and never once made me feel like I was too much or not enough.”
The words hit me like a physical blow because that’s exactly what I’ve been afraid of. Being too much. Not being enough. Making the wrong choice again.
But as I watch Jake look at Claire like she hung the moon, I realize that real love doesn’t keep score like that. Real love justis.
“I promise to be your partner in all things,” Claire says. “To support your family and your farm and everything that matters to you. I promise to trust you, to communicate with you, and to never let the sun set on an argument between us. I promise to choose adventures with you, and I can’t wait to build a life with you that’s full of joy and laughter and most of all, love.”
Lucas shifts his weight, and I watch his hand come up to adjust his tie like he can’t quite breathe. I know the feeling.
“You’re my greatest adventure, JJ.” Claire’s voice breaks onhis nickname. “My Christmas miracle. You’re the person I want beside me every single moment for the rest of my life. I love you more than I ever thought was possible.”
My mom is crying so hard now that my dad wraps his arm tighter around her, and I’m crying, too. Not just for Jake and Claire, but for me and Lucas. For what we had and what we lost. For what we might still have if we’re brave enough to claim it.
Pastor John lets the emotion of the moment settle before continuing. “Jake and Claire, you have declared your love and commitment to each other before what looks like the entire town of Merryville. Now, as a symbol of your promises, please exchange your rings.”
Colby steps forward with the rings balanced on a small velvet pillow. He’s grinning, clearly happy for his uncle. Jake takes Claire’s ring with shaking hands.
“Repeat after me,” Pastor John says. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
Jake repeats it, his voice steady as he slides the diamond band onto Claire’s finger.
Claire takes Jake’s ring and repeats the same. The simple gold band slides onto Jake’s finger and they both just stare at their joined hands for a moment, like they can’t quite believe this is real.
Pastor John raises his hands with a smile. “By the power vested in me by the state of Texas, and before all of you, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He pauses for dramatic effect, his smile growing wider. “Jake, you may kiss your bride.”
Jake doesn’t hesitate. He pulls Claire into his arms and kisses her deeply while the entire tent erupts in applause and cheers. The quartet launches into something joyful that fills the space with celebration.
Jake and Claire break apart after a long moment, both of them grinning and crying at the same time. They look drunk on happiness. They join hands and practically run back down the aisle together as husband and wife.
The bridal party begins to follow. Lucas offers his arm to Bella again, and as they walk past my row, he winks at me. The expression on his face is full of longing and hope and determination.
My mom leans over and whispers in my ear. “Go to him, sweetheart.”
“What?”
“After the ceremony. You two need to work this out,” she says.
“I agree,” Sammy says.
I turn to him. “What?”
“You and Lucas. Like I told him, you two deserve each other. Both stubborn asses and?—”
“Hey. We don’t need that,” Mom says to him.
The rest of the bridal party exits, and guests move toward the cocktail tent. The ceremony is over. Jake and Claire are married.
And right now, I need to find Lucas.
I need to tell him that I’ve thought about nothing but us over the past five days, and I want a real chance. Truthfully, I want all of it. The vows, the certainty, the choosing each other every single day.
We have to try.
CHAPTER 24
