Page 196 of Chasing Infinity

We’ve spent so long chasing it, and now I know, without a doubt, that we’ve made it. Noah and I have each other now for infinity.

Bonus Epilogue

Noah

Another Year Later

“Dude, you need to calm down,” Jordan says, clapping me on the shoulder.

My gaze darts to him and away before I go back to nervously fidgeting with my tie, trying to ensure it’s lying perfectly against my chest. A hand comes out and swats at my fumbling fingers. I look up, aghast, to see Caleb now glaring at me.

“It’s fine,” he says, his voice steady. “Are you ready?”

I take a shaky breath, unsure why I’m so damn nervous and nod. This is a day I’ve been waiting for for what feels like an eternity.

I’m getting married today to the love of my life.

Jordan pats my back once more and then nods, silently telling me it’s time. With both of my best friends at my side, I walk out of the house and find my place in front of the wedding arch set up in my mother’s backyard.

I was a little concerned about getting married in May that the weather wouldn’t have turned quite yet, but we lucked out. The sun is shining brightly overhead, barely a cloud in the sky. The temperature rose to a comfortable sixty degrees, where it’s held steady all day. Though I expect it will cool off once the sun disappears. But until then, it’s a glorious day for an outdoor wedding.

It was Addison’s idea to get married here at my mother’s home. She wanted a quiet wedding, without the pomp and circumstance that would have undoubtedly come if we held the ceremony in town. I didn’t put up a fight. It didn’t matter where we got married as long as we were husband and wife by the end of the day.

My mother quickly jumped on the idea when Addison and I brought it to her. She fully threw herself into the wedding planning, assuring us everything would be perfect. And now that the day is here, I can confidently say she delivered.

Catherine Lockwood went all out for this wedding. I think there’s a good chance she bought out her local craft store of everything white and glittery and every last string of fairy lights. Her entire backyard has been turned into a beautiful wedding scene, including the massive arch covered in tulle and white roses I’m now standing in front of.

Each chair set up has been adorned with a white satin draping with white roses. We only chose to invite our closest friends, so though there are few chairs set up, it still adds to the ambiance of the setting. Our friends and family are already seated, their faces beaming as they wait to witness one of the most significant moments of my life.

The aisle that Addison will walk down is lined with white pillar candles standing securely within a clear vase. White rose petals are already layered along the neatly trimmed grass.

I shuffle on my feet as I stand there, each minute that ticks by feeling like a decade being taken off my lifespan. Finally, after what I’m positive is an eternity, the lone violinist adjusts the melody. I faintly hear the click of the house’s back door opening. A knot forms in my throat as soon as I see her, and I swallow, trying to clear it.

Addison stands proudly on my mother’s back porch, Charlie standing on her right. As soon as she’s in my view, her eyes find mine and a blinding smile crosses her face. My stomach flips with anticipation as she takes small steps down the aisle. Her hand is clutched in Charlie’s arm, and I see him mutter something to her. Addison chances him a quick glance with a smile and then looks back at me.

She doesn’t look away the entire way down the porch stairs and then the aisle. She doesn’t glance at all of our friends and family in attendance, beaming at her as she walks. Her eyes are only for me.

Time stands still as if we’re sucked into a black hole. I still see her moving toward me, but everything else fades away. I no longer hear the music playing or the muffled whispers of the guests. All I can seem to focus on is the love of my life walking to meet me.

I take in every little detail, trying to commit this moment to memory. Thankfully, Addison and I splurged to pay for a videographer, so we would have this moment forever. Yet I still don’t think the video will do her beauty justice.

As soon as she stands in front of me, she hands Grace her bouquet. When she turns back to me, I’m hit even harder with the intimacy of this moment. Addison’s dainty hands slide into mine and her glimmering eyes trace every inch of my face. Her cheeks are slightly pink, and a soft smile plays on her lips.

“Hi,” she whispers to me, squeezing my hands.

I squeeze hers right back. “Hi. You look beautiful.”

Her smile widens, and our officiant breaks our small moment, beginning the ceremony. Addison thought it would be a good idea for Wyatt, Charlie’s husband, to be our officiant today. Instead, I tune him out, focusing on my soon-to-be wife, replaying every moment of how we got here.

If you had told me that very first day that the girl in the seventh grade, with the ratty disaster of a hairdo, would be my wife, I probably would have died from laughter.

And yet, here we are.

Without me even realizing it, Addison Parks became everything to me. And though it took us far too long to reach this point, we made it, and nothing can get in our way now. She’s mine for the rest of our lifetimes, and just as equally, I’ll be hers.

I continue to search her face as the officiant speaks, searching her eyes for everything we’ve been through and what is yet to come. I’ve never been so satisfied with how my life has turned out than at this moment. If I got struck by lighting standing here, I would die a happy man.

Wyatt starts to go through the processes of the ceremony. Though I hear him, I can’t seem to take my eyes off her. I trail over every inch of her face. She seems to do the same, her hazel eyes growing studious as she watches me.

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