Page 106 of Indigo

I need Pax.

“Pax. Get Pax,” I whisper, opening my eyes and trying to breathe through the panic, trying to refocus as it takes over my body and makes me tremble.

She nods, and before I can blink, she’s gone. I lean down, placing my hands on my knees.

Breathe, Indie. Fucking breathe.

This is your wedding day. Pull your shit together.

You can do this.

“Baby…” At the sound of his voice, I jerk my head up, needing to lay eyes on him, and when I do, a wave of relief rolls through my body. My lungs fill, my hands stop shaking, and the world keeps spinning. “Look at you,” he whispers in awe, his eyes roaming over me slowly, adoringly, as I straighten.

He looks incredible in his crisp white dress shirt and deep blue slacks.

“She's not here,” I croak, watching him through watery eyes as he comes closer.

He nods, a sad smile pulling at his lips. “I know.”

“She should be here. It's not fair,” I whimper.

“It’s not fair,” he agrees. Reaching out and placing his hand on the back of my neck, he uses his thumb to rub soothing circles along my skin. “You look so beautiful, Blue,” he whispers, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. “And I’m so excited to be your husband, but if you're not ready to do this...”

I shake my head immediately. I am marrying Paxton Shepard today. Nothing in this world will stop me.

“No,” I say, my voice cracking. “I just needed you.”

He nods, searching my eyes. “You know, she may not be here to hold your hand or walk you down the aisle, but there are so many pieces of her left behind. She's here,” he says, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips. He kisses it and then places it on my chest, against my heart. “She’s here.” He uses his other hand to tug at the green crochet tie he’s wearing. The tie that my mother made for him for his eighteenth birthday as a joke. “And I saved the best for last,” he says, smirking and tugging at his pants, exposing the socks my mum got him the following year.

Bright yellow ducks against a deep blue background.

I can’t believe he’s wearing those in front of everyone.

I let out a giggle, and he smiles down at me so beautifully that it takes my breath away.

“I know you miss her, baby. I do too, but I love you, and I will spend my life treasuring the gift she left me behind. I will love every broken piece of your heart until the ache doesn't feel so bad anymore.”

I nod, unable to speak. He takes my hand in his, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “We doing this together?” he asks.

I nod again, so fucking ready to be his wife. “Let's do it.”

Together, Pax and I walk down the aisle to the awaiting celebrant who holds her hand over her chest as we approach. All eyes are on us. Mismatched chairs hold our guests as they all dab at their eyes, wiping away tears filled with both sympathy for me and joy for us.

Paisley grins at me as she stands beside the celebrant, flowers clutched to her chest. Her smile is so wide that it looks almost painful, and Jagger does the same from his side.

When we reach the end, and we turn to face each other, everything and everyone but Pax disappears.

The world quiets for a moment, and all I see is him.

“I love you,” he mouths to me as the celebrant begins.

“So much,” I whisper back, reaching forward to take his hand in mine.

???

“Will the bride and groom please come on up here for their first dance,” Callum says through the microphone we hired, taking his job as MC for the night very seriously.

Curiosity has me jumping from my chair, mid conversation with Paisley, ready to see which song Pax chose for us.

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