Page 91 of 5+Us Makes Seven

“I can’t believe you asked me to be your maid of honor.”

“Seriously? Who in the world would I have asked?”

“I don’t know. Clara?”

“She wanted to be the ring bearer with Joshua. I promised her the prettiest dress one night, and I knew she would love coming down the aisle and running to her dad in it,” I said.

“I bet she’s going to steal the show.”

“Everyone will steal the show, I’ve got really attractive people in my life.” I winked at her.

“Hardly. Once you start walking down that aisle in this dress, no one will be able to take their eyes off you.”

It was a mindless conversation I’d had with Carter one evening. I was talking about how my body had changed with having our twins and how some fits and designs didn’t work on my body any longer. It spawned an entire conversation about what looked the best and how Carter would buy me a whole new wardrobe if I wanted. He was such a loving and giving man, but I took those talking points to heart.

I wanted to make him speechless on our wedding day.

“Let me get your veil. It’s almost time,” Emma said.

I walked from the mirror to the window and looked out over the venue. There were seventy guests getting seated in their chairs, all of whom looked ready for this show to get on the road. The rolling hills and the trees in the background were turning all sorts of colors. Greens and reds and yellows and oranges. A perfect fit for the day ahead.

Then, there was Carter.

Standing there in his tailored tuxedo with a crimson red bowtie and a white button-down shirt.

My dress wasn’t the traditional white. Instead, it was a pale champagne. With green and red and yellow beading that cascaded down the princess-style gown. The bodice of the dress was strapless, but I had the tailor add a thin, lacy cover that draped over my arms like a shawl. The neckline had a little dip in it along with a built-in bra to push up my breasts and make them look as perky as they were before I’d breastfed two children from them.

And I was in a pair of flats so I could walk easier along the green grass that hadn’t quite died yet.

Emma emerged with my veil and took to placing it over my face. It fell to my shoulders and covered up the rest of me that wasn’t already concealed with the dress. She handed me my bouquet and I sighed, my mind drifting back to the more traditional weddings.

Most women had their fathers walking them down the aisle. Or had their mothers giving them away. And while part of me had wanted Logan to give me away to Carter, he was also Carter’s best man. Carter’s mother had welcomed me into the family with open arms and Logan was as happy for me as I was, but I couldn't shake the ache in my heart that I would be walking down my wedding aisle alone.

But there wasn’t anything I could do about it.

“Ready?” Emma asked.

I turned to her and smiled before I drew in a deep breath.

“Ready,” I said.

The two of us walked down the stairs before she kissed me on the cheek. She went off to be escorted by Logan down the aisle and I stood behind a tree, shielding myself from everyone. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to quell the fear in my veins.

Then, I felt someone take my arm and slip it around theirs.

I was startled. So much so that I almost lost my balance. A strong arm caught me around my waist and, for a moment, I had no idea who was touching me. My eyes whipped open and I tried to focus my vision behind my tears. But when the face came into view, I allowed them to fall.

“Carter?” I asked.

“You all right?”

“What are you-? Shouldn’t you be-?”

“When I saw Emma walking down the aisle with Logan, I realized the decision you made. And no woman should have to walk down the aisle alone on her wedding day.”

He reached underneath my veil and dried up my tears before we started walking. Everyone stood and gasped as Carter and I came around the corner. I was clinging to him. Focusing on his strong arm supporting mine as the two of us processed down the aisle. Logan was beaming and Emma was wiping tears away. Clara was in her beautiful gown standing with Emma with Carter’s ring.

And Joshua was standing with Logan with mine.

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