I looked back at Garrick and Tatum and said, “Be surprised if they’re not where we are in a few years.”
Carter chuckled, which drew my eyes back to him, “Years? I give Garrick a few months.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah. Never seen him like this with anyone.”
As we finished our cake, Stella, our wedding planner, headed to the stage as soon as the song ended and asked for everyone to take their seats.
Once everyone was in their seats, she brought a microphone to her mouth and said, “It has been my honor to help in the marriage of Carter and Harlee. Seen you two out and about over the years, and I’ve never seen a couple more perfect for each other than the two of you. Cheers.”
I smiled as I took a sip of my drink, and Carter took a pull from his beer.
“First up is the best man, Garrick.”
“Anything ever goes wrong with Carter, we choose you,” Garrick said without humor.
I busted out laughing.
Carter just flipped Garrick off.
That resulted in him getting his head slapped by Mama G.
She winked at me, and I winked back.
I giggled.
Carter shook his head and then pressed a kiss on my temple.
A few more speeches were said, and then Stella took the microphone and said, “And now it’s time for the groom to say a few words.”
Carter kissed me softly and then stood.
I watched the man I was lucky enough to trick into marrying me head to the stage, take the microphone from my mother.
He looked around the space and then right at me, “Most of you know this, some of you don’t. But I first met Harlee when she came over to spend the night with my little sister, Talia. Thought she was as cute as a button. She still is. Only now, she’s the most gorgeous living, breathing thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
I wiped a tear away, sniffled, and then giggled when his brothers all reached forward and pulled a tissue from the little box and handed them to me.
“My mom told me a story once upon a time, and I want to share it with y’all. She said that everyone has their true Darling. The one person who can read deep inside our souls and will always be our safe place.” I watched as his throat swallowed.
“A few months ago, I had one of those moments. One of those moments where your life changes in a second. Let’s talk about that for a moment. One second, it seems so insignificant. But in reality, it means so much.” He sniffed.
“When I was thrown off the oil rig by my best friend, who unfortunately isn’t here tonight, but I know he’s up in heaven smiling down and probably saying, it’s about damn time. There was that split second before I went under, and the only thought, the only image in my head, was Harlee Belle’s smiling face.
“Over the years, she’s always been my safe place. Anytime something has gone wrong, all I had to do was close my eyes and see that little light over a hundred feet deep, and know that she was there, guiding me home.”
“So, if you’ve found your Darling, like I was lucky to do, grab hold, hold tight, and never let them go. Harlee Belle? I love you. Those three words don’t cover nearly enough, but it’s god’s honest truth. I wouldn’t want to ride this thing we call life without you. So, here’s to you. My light. My Incandescent.”
All around the reception area, drinks went up, “To Harlee.”
I was grateful his brothers had all handed me tissues, because I definitely needed them after that.
Once I was in control, I stood up on shaking legs, tagged another tissue, then made my way to the stage.
Carter smiled at me, offered me his hand, and helped me up. Then, I leaned forward and whispered, “As soon as we can, we need to leave. After that, I need you inside of me. As deep as you can go.”
When laughter sounded, my cheeks went pink because Carter still had the microphone in his hand.
