Page 43 of Jingle Bell Flock
I stood, tapping my glass with a fork until the crowd quieted. Harrison was beside me, his hand warm in mine.
“I’m not very good with words,” I started, earning a few knowing chuckles. “But I’m going to try my damnedest to do this right. First, thank you all for being here. It means everything to me and Harrison that you’d celebrate with us today."
I glanced at Jemma, who had started crying again. “Thank you to my sister and Charlie for being the best family a man could ask for. For welcoming Harrison into that family—for supporting us, for showing us what it looks like to build a life with someone you love … even if it took a while to get there.”
I looked down at my wrist, at my dad’s watch. “My parents aren’t here today, but I feel them. I know they’d be happy to see this man beside me. Proud.” My voice cracked slightly, and I turned to Harrison. His eyes were already wet. “They loved Harrison like a second son. I think they knew before I did that we were meant to be.”
Harrison’s hand tightened in mine.
“Most importantly,” I continued. “Thank you to my husband …” I had to pause because saying it out loud, in front of everyone, made it feel real in a way nothing else had until now—not even our vows. “Thank you for coming back to Mistletoe Bay. Forloving me even when I was an insufferable bastard. For being patient while I figured my shit out.”
The crowd laughed.
“To my husband,” I said, raising my glass. “And to forever.”
“To forever,” our guests echoed.
Harrison took the mic from me. “I’m going to keep this short because I’m already crying and we haven’t even cut the cake yet,” he started, getting a few laughs. “Thank you to this town for welcoming me back, for accepting us, for showing me what community really means.” He glanced at my sister with a wide smirk. “Thank you to Jemma for being an excellent schemer and forcing her grumpy brother to take my photo. I owe our entire relationship to your meddling.”
Jemma laughed, wiping at her eyes.
Harrison turned back to me. “And thank you to Jeremy for choosing me every day since that photoshoot.”
His voice got softer as he raised his glass. “To forever.”
“To forever," I repeated, kissing him while everyone cheered.
The opening notes of Hozier’s “Better Love” filled the air, and I pulled Harrison onto the makeshift dance floor. We'd spent weeks debating our first dance song. The first time he’d played it for me, I’d listened to the lyrics and nodded as soon as the last note sounded.
“Yeah,” I’d said. “That’s the one.”
Now, as I held him close, swaying under the string lights with everyone watching, I understood why it had felt right. Something about second chances and finding your way home. About the reverence of real love, the kind that chases you through years and distance and everything that tries to keep you apart.
We swayed together, and I realized this was what I’d wanted at seventeen. This exact moment—dancing with Harrison at ourprom, in front of everyone, no hiding, no shame. We’d missed that chance, but we had it now.
And that was enough.
When the song ended, I didn’t let go right away. Just held him close, breathing him in, feeling grateful in a way I’d never felt before.
“Best day of my life,” he murmured.
I kissed his temple. “First of many.”
“Mmm. Love you, husband.”
“Love you, too.”
