“Knock knock,” the photographer says as she peeks inside the door. “Are you ready for the first look?”
Nodding my head, I say, “I think we need to touch up our makeup quick, but then we will be.”
I bring my mom in for another embrace—I hold on to her longer than usual, needing her warmth to help me through this moment.
After touching up my makeup, I grab my bouquet and follow the photographer outside to the gardens where we’ve planned to do the first look.
He’s standing there in his black tux with his back to me, holding Cadence in his arms, and I can’t help but smile. Walking up to them, I tap him on the shoulder. Carson turns around and matches my smile as tears fill his eyes.
“Holy shit, Mack. Griff is going to die on the spot when he sees you walking down the aisle. And Dad is going to weep like a baby. Look at your mama, Cadey Cat!”
“Mama so pwetty!” Cadence exclaims.
“Thank you, baby! Look at you—you’re so beautiful, baby girl!” I tell her as I take in her blonde hair pulled back with a pearl headband and the crepe dress embellished with pearls to match my own.
We pose for a few portraits together before Carson tells me it’s time to meet my dad and walk down the aisle. I follow the two of them inside to where my dad is waiting for me.
Tears fill his eyes when he sees me. I loop my arm though my dad’s and give it a gentle squeeze. He brings his other hand up to clasp mine. “I can’t believe my little princess is getting married.”
“I love you so much, Dad.”
“I love you too, Princess. It’s not too late if you’ve changed your mind, I’ll grab the car and we’re out of here,” he teases; or at least I think he’s teasing.
“Dad, you know I love Griff with all my heart. I’d never dream of running from him.”
“And he better never dream of running from you again. I just about made him do a blood oath that he would never hurt you again before I gave him my blessing.”
“Dad!”
“What? You’re my only daughter, and Cadence is my only grandchild. I will protect the two of you for the rest of my life. Just because Griffin is vowing to protect you now too, doesn’t change the fact that you were my little girl first.”
“I’ll always have loved you first. Now let’s not make my groom wait any longer. I could hardly sleep last night in anticipation for today. Just don’t let me fall, Dad.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he says as he takes a shuddering breath. We walk hand in hand out the glass sliding doors of the walkout basement that leads to the backyard.
An acoustic cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” plays as we walk to the end of the aisle.
The moment my eyes meet Griffin’s, an audible gasp leaves his lips before his face crumbles into a beautiful quivering mess.
“So when’s the wedding?” Katie asks me.
“You’re hopeless,” I tease.
“Wrong. I’m actually full of hope. That’s how I just know this is going to end up just like I’ve always envisioned. Kenna, in a beautiful white dress, walking down the aisle to my amazing big brother, who will be bawling like a damn baby.”
Katie shakes her head and holds her hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll lay off for now. But promise me one thing.” She looks over at me expectantly.
“That depends,” I reply.
“Promise me I’ll have the best seat in the place. I don’t want to miss a single tear or snot bubble on Griff’s face.”
Griffin looks so devastatingly handsome in his black tux and crisp white dress shirt. His hair is cut shorter on the sides, and his face is clean-shaven. He’s standing beside Carson, who’s holding Cadence.
Once we’ve reached the end of the aisle, Griff still hasn’t composed himself and I’ve got matching tears streaming down my cheeks.
“You’re stunning, Sunshine. Can I kiss you yet?” he asks through hiccupping breaths.
Bennett, who’s officiating our wedding, cuts in, “No, you cannot. I haven’t told you to kiss the bride yet. That’s at the end, remember?”
