Page 149 of Chasing Olivia (Trace + Olivia 2)

I threaded my arm through his and said, “I’m glad you’re the one doing this. I wouldn’t want anyone else.”

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. His skin was still unusually pale, but he actually looked healthier than he had in the hospital. “I’m honored,” he kissed my cheek.

“You look nice,” I took in his light gray suit. An orchid that matched my bouquet was stuck in the lapel.

“Not as nice as you,” he chuckled. “All eyes will be on you.”

That’s what I was afraid of. I gulped at his words as we followed Avery to the open French doors.

We stepped outside onto a walkway made of white rose petals, it snaked around the property, and when we reached a certain point Avery stopped, waiting for our cue to continue forward.

Luca sauntered up and offered her his arm.

“Breathe,” Gramps whispered.

The air gusted out of my lungs at his words. I had nothing to be nervous about. I took a deep breath, raising my chin.

The music started up and butterflies fluttered in my stomach.

I was glad I had Gramps at my side. He was the one dying, but he was also the one keeping me strong.

We followed the flowered pathway and I gasped when we rounded the trees.

Jars, covered in different colored tissue paper, had little candles lit inside them. They were everywhere, casting the yard with a pretty glow.

The chairs had flowers wrapped around them and at the end of the aisle, Trace stood on the steps of a wooden gazebo. The gazebo was wrapped in twinkling lights and flowers. But my eyes were glued to Trace. He was looking at me with his mouth slightly open. He wore a pair of black dress pants and a white button down shirt. Even though I’d joked about him wearing a tux, I was glad he was more casual. His hair was slightly damp and brushed away from his face. Stubble still dotted his cheeks, but not as much as had been there this morning.

“Told you,” Gramps chuckled at my side.

We walked slowly down the aisle as Gramps struggled to put one foot in front of the other, but I didn’t mind. I wanted Gramps to be the one to do this and if it took us ten minutes to reach Trace, so be it.

Luca stood beside Trace and leaned over to whisper something in his ear. Trace punched him roughly in the arm for whatever he’d said. Luca’s lips quirked up into a smile as he shook his head

Finally, we reached the gazebo, and since there was no need to have anyone officiate the wedding Gramps kissed my hand before placing it in Trace’s. “I love you both,” Gramps coughed, a single tear falling down his cheek.

“I love you too,” I whispered, kissing the tear away.

“Love you, Gramps,” Trace kissed his other cheek. Cameras snapped somewhere, capturing the moment.

I stepped up beside Trace and Gramps sat down.

“You look beautiful,” Trace murmured, his eyes gazing over my whole body.

“You’re not too bad yourself,” I whispered.

He chuckled, shaking his head. He glanced out at the crowd and back to me. “I guess we better get on with it. You know, since they’re waiting and all.”

“Oh, right,” I blushed, glancing out at the guests. Geez, did we really know all those people?

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“Olivia,” Trace spoke loudly so that everyone gathered heard his words, “when I met you, I didn’t know I was going to fall in love with you and make you my wife, but I did know that you were going to change my life,” he squeezed my hands. “You were so shy when I first met you, and I loved making you blush,” he released one of my hands and rubbed his thumb over my cheek. “I still love making you blush. I love making you smile and laugh. It makes my life worthwhile. You make my life better, Olivia. I didn’t know what I was missing until you came into my life. I know you think that I’ve taught you how to live, but it’s the other way around,” he swallowed thickly. “You own my heart, keep it safe.”

He took my left hand and slipped a ring on. It was beautiful and elegant, with diamonds going all the way around it. His words were still sinking in and my emotions were getting the best of me.

“You made me cry,” I released his hands to dab at my face. The guests laughed at my words, but I didn’t care.

“Sorry,” he smiled, and I was surprised to see tears in his eyes too.

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