A knock on the door had all three of us turning to see my mother. “It’s time.”
“It’s time,” I softly said as the feeling of anxiety seemed to slip away, and was replaced by a peace I hadn’t felt before.
Doug hit me on the back. “Are you ready?”
I nodded. “I’m ready.”
Preston and Finn walked out of the room following my mother. Everything had been planned so quickly, but it was what Em and I had both wanted. It certainly hadn’t left any time for stressing about venues, or dresses, or guest lists. We kept it small. Family and close friends only.
The wedding was being held in the McKim Lobby at the Boston Public Library. When my mother had suggested it, Emma and I both looked at her and laughed. It was the perfect place to get married.
As I walked toward the steps, I was in awe at how beautiful everything looked. Clear, tall votives with candles lit in each one lined the way to the top. The flowers were simple, yet beautiful. They were scattered up the steps and served to complement the candles and the surrounding beauty of the building, not overpower it.
Finn, Preston, and Doug were already at the top, and I greeted a few friends and family as I made my way up to join them.
With a deep breath in, I slowly exhaled as I stood and faced the double doors in front of me. The music started to play, and it was a beautiful instrumental version of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” being played by a small orchestra.
My heart raced faster, and Doug bumped my arm and leaned into whisper, “Turn around, Harrison.”
I drew in a deep breath and slowly turned to see Emma walking up the steps holding Noel’s hand. I couldn’t have held back the tears if I tried. Both were dressed in white, with Noel holding a small bouquet that matched the larger one Emma was holding. I smiled at Noel who flashed me a wide grin, missing front teeth and all.
When my eyes landed back on Emma, my breath was stolen. She looked like a princess as she climbed the steps toward me, Noel on one side, her father, Rick, who had flown in late last night with Emma’s mom, Lynn, on her other side. We had barely had time to talk to her mother and father, but I could see where Emma got her beautiful looks and kind heart.
As Emma and Noel made their way up the last of the steps, I turned to Doug who handed me a tissue.
“Daddy,” Noel asked as she stared up at me with bright eyes. “Why are you cwying?”
“I’m happy. They’re happy tears,” I said as I reached down and picked up my daughter. Emma faced her father, and he kissed her softly on the forehead before placing her hand in mine.
“Take care of her, she’s my baby.”
Holding onto Noel a bit stronger, I nodded and said, “I will. I promise you.”
When I looked back at Emma, I slowly shook my head. “You look stunning, Em.”
She sniffled and fought to hold back her tears. When one slipped free, I went to reach for it to wipe it away, but Noelleaned over and did it for me. Which only made more tears fall both for Emma and for me.
The ceremony went by in the blink of an eye, and I honestly couldn’t even tell you what was said. Noel had asked in the middle of the ceremony for Emma to hold her, then for Preston to hold her. She might have had a little crush on Preston, which made him shower my daughter with attention quietly while Emma and I exchanged our vows.
The reception was held in the Abbey Room with only those who had attended the wedding. When it came time for me and Emma to have our first dance, I held her close to me. We didn’t pick a certain song that was ours, and we both left it up to my mother to pick the first song we would dance to. It was some Frank Sinatra song that Emma had loved, and my mother had somehow found out about it.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight, Em?”
She smiled up at me. “You have. And have I mentioned how handsome you look this evening?”
I leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips before I whispered, “You have.”
We danced for a few moments in silence before I drew back and looked at her. “I put in my resignation at the firehouse yesterday.”
Emma’s smile faded and she nearly tripped, but I held onto her tightly.
“Why?”
“You once asked me if I was afraid of leaving Noel alone, and I told you every single time. I’m not leaving because I’m afraid something will happen to me, I’m leaving because I want to start a new career.”
She raised a brow. “Please tell me it’s not in politics.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No. What would you say about the two of us opening a children’s bookstore.”
