Page 172 of Whispers and Wildfire
I stood at the front of the room, my heart pounding with anticipation while I waited for my bride. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, giving me a heady buzz. My brothers stood next to me, decked out in suits, and I had to say, the Havens cleaned up good.
Melanie’s bridesmaids fanned out in the other direction, holding bouquets and anxiously watching the back of the room. We were at Salishan Cellars—the fire last fall had been contained before it got there—in their largest event space, and it was packed. Andolinis, Havens, Baileys, and a host of other people from various parts of our lives filled the rows of seats.
You don’t realize how many people you know until you plan a wedding.
The doors opened, and Melanie appeared, her mom on one side and her dad on the other. My focus sharpened to a point, the world around her going hazy and indistinct. She stood out as if a spotlight shone on her and her alone.
Her strapless white gown molded to her curves, and her hair was pinned in an elaborate updo. Instead of a veil, my beautiful drama queen wore a big, sparkling tiara.
I grinned at her, thinking about how much I wanted to kiss that red lipstick off her full lips.
She beamed at me as she walked up the aisle, her shoulders trembling like she was holding back a giggle. I smiled back, drinking her in.
The woman was everything.
My heart beat harder as her parents hugged her and took their seats. But it wasn’t fear. It was excitement. She stepped up next to me, and as I took her hands, electricity coursed between us. Her eyes met mine, bright and beautiful. She’d felt it too.
The ceremony was straightforward, and the only thing that took me by surprise was how deeply I felt the words of our vows. They speared through me, right in the chest. I meant every word. No matter what life threw at us, no matter how things changed, she belonged to me, and I belonged to her.
We’d face it all together.
Her eyes misted with tears as we both said I do. And then it was done. I drew her in for a kiss.
Melanie was my wife.
Taking her hand, I led her back down the aisle. We stopped just beyond the last row of guests, and I hauled her against me, kissing her again. I couldn’t help myself.
I’d never been so happy in my entire life.
The reception began. We’d decided on a midday wedding with wine and hors d’oeuvres, followed by cake.
Guests mingled, chatting as they sipped their wine, and coming over to share their congratulations and hugs. Our older nieces and nephews ran around, and the babies were passed from person to person. Nathan stood guard in front ofthe cake table so none of the kids smashed into it. He was a smart dad.
When it was time for the best man to give his speech, Theo clinked a fork against his wineglass until everyone quieted. I stood with my arm around Melanie’s waist.
“Hey, everyone,” Theo said. “When Luke asked me to be his best man, I thought about getting up here and cracking some jokes about their relationship back in high school.”
Even without a joke, there was a murmur of laughter.
“But the truth is, it wouldn’t be fair to either of them to judge who they are now based on who they were at seventeen or eighteen. Let’s face it, we’re all a little stupid at that age. Trust me, I work with high schoolers every day.” He glanced at Owen. “No offense, kid.”
Owen smiled and lifted his glass of Coke.
“These two had to travel a long road to get where they are today. But the thing is, I think it was probably exactly what they needed. They grew up and, for a while, went their separate ways. But they didn’t grow apart. In fact, they grew closer together without even realizing it.”
Melanie leaned against me, and I squeezed her closer.
“Luke and Melanie, you’ve shown us all how powerful love can be. You didn’t give up on each other, and I know you never will.” He raised his glass, and the guests followed. “To Luke and Melanie. Cheers!”
“Cheers!” all the guests said in unison.
Melanie and I held up our glasses and took a drink.
After cake—which was outrageously good—I pulled Melanie out into the hallway, where it was quiet. She let out a long breath and brushed a wisp of hair off her forehead.
“Amazingly, I think I like every person in that room. But I’m getting tired.”
“Yeah, I figured.” I pulled a little surprise I’d kept for her from my inside jacket pocket. A pickle in a sandwich bag. “Here.”
