Owen: If I survive this, do I get a t-shirt that says “I met the Lancasters and lived”?
Owen: Because I’d wear it proudly.
With all of us doing hair and makeup, the place gets noisy quickly. Eventually, we get into our dresses, which are all magenta-colored, of course. Since it is Mackenzie’s wedding, it’d be weird if they were any other color.
But we each got to pick our own style for ourdress. Mine is fitted to the waist before it flares and has a sweetheart neckline. Zoe’s is one-shouldered, long, and slinky, and has a daring slit. Livi’s is about the same length as mine, but it’s a flowy wrap dress with a ruffled hem. Maggie’s is vintage tea-length with puff sleeves. Her other sisters’ dresses are all just as different from each other. I love it because they show off our personalities so much.
Things start to quiet down just a bit as we all finish getting ready and Mackenzie’s hair and makeup artists leave. Mackenzie is standing in front of the full-length mirror, looking at her dress. It’s a white A-line with a V-neck and a deep V back, and the bodice is lace with beadwork that trails down into the skirt part. There are two thin bands of ribbon accenting the fitted waistline, and the tulle skirt is all fluffy and beautiful and fun. Plus, she has the most incredible strappy beaded shoes I’ve ever seen. She looks fancy and stunning without being too elegant to really have fun at her wedding celebration.
Which is exactly what they’re calling it—a “celebration,” not a “reception.”
“You look absolutely perfect,” I tell Mackenzie, giving her a hug.
“Thanks! Ifeelperfect. Can you believe that I’m about to be married to Jace! How crazy and wonderful is that?”
Zoe is also standing near us, and she keepslooking around at everyone, seeming hesitant about something. Then, she asks Mackenzie, “How did you know you wanted all of this?”
“Are you asking about the wedding or the marriage?”
“The marriage.”
“Well,” Mackenzie says, “the fact that both Jace and I can only imagine a future that includes each other was a good clue. For both of us, when we talk about the future and what we want to do together, it excites us more than anything. Wanting to spend the rest of forever with the other person, which we both very much do, is also a good clue.”
Zoe nods, looking deep in thought. I know her mom never married, but she only lived with her until she was about five. She spent most of her years growing up in different homes in foster care. I don’t know what kinds of relationships any of her foster parents had with each other, but I kind of get the sense that they weren’t good. I can see why witnessing Jace and Mackenzie fall in love and get married is intriguing to her. Maybe she hasn’t witnessed that up close before.
The wedding planner comes into the room and tells us that we’re five minutes from the ceremony. I hear the faint buzz of Owen’s text, so I hurry over to my phone one last time.
Owen: I’m seated for the ceremony. I can’t wait to see you. I’ll be the shockingly handsome man in a suit with hearts in his eyes.
Great. Now I have to remember how to breatheandwalk in heels. This man is trying to kill me with charm.
Charlie: If I don’t see you before I’m standing up at the front for the ceremony, wish me luck that my knees don’t buckle. I know what you did to me last time I saw you in a suit, and I’m worried. (Seriously, you should come with a warning label.)
True to her word, the wedding planner comes to get us five minutes later. We meet the groomsmen near the doors leading outside, and we all line up to walk down the aisle. Livi and Emerson are just in front of me, and I’ve got my arm in the crook of my brother Blake’s, with everyone else lined up behind us.
The music starts, and at the wedding planner’s cue, we slip through the doors and step onto the stone path leading to the aisle. The tall garden walls wrap around everything like they’re keeping the outside world at bay, letting this little oasis exist all on its own. Lush greenery climbs everything it can, and flowers in every color spill from planters and trellises,like the whole garden decided to get dressed up for the occasion.
The ceremony is set up in the left third of the space, and all the guests are seated in rows of white chairs flanking a grassy aisle that leads to a flower-draped arch where Jace is already waiting. The other two-thirds of the space has tables with gauzy linens and low, glowing centerpieces, and an open space in the middle just begging for dancing at the celebration. Stone pathways lead to smaller, more secluded gathering areas in the corners. Everything smells faintly like jasmine and excitement.
Just ahead of us, my three-year-old niece, Heidi, and Mackenzie’s four-year-old nephew are very enthusiastically tossing flower petals, with Mackenzie’s six-year-old nephew following behind as the ring bearer.
As we near the front and we’re splitting off, bridesmaids on one side and groomsmen on the other, I grin at Jace. He grins right back. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother happier in his life. He looks so handsome, too!
Then they start the music for Mackenzie, and we all turn to watch her walk up the aisle, her dad at her side. He looks like one proud papa, and Mackenzie’s smile at Jace makes her look lit up by the sun. I look back at Jace now that he can see his bride. I was wrong before—thisis the happiest he’s ever been.
I find Owen in the crowd. It looks like he’s already made friends with my uncle Dale. He smiles at me, and my knees definitely get weak. He’s just such an adorable man. An adorable man who looks downright dazzling in a suit. I have to look back at Jace, Mackenzie, and the officiant just to keep the power of Owen from making me pass out. All eyes need to be on the happy couple, not on me collapsing.
I swear, the moment that Jace begins his vows by saying, “Mackenzie,” I start to tear up. Even before he’s said anything! And then he goes ahead and continues. Luckily, my dress has pockets, and I pull out a tissue. Yes, I came prepared.
“I’ve spent my whole life keeping things compartmentalized. Then you walked in and broke through every line I’d drawn. You’re the first thing that’s ever made me want to stop running and stay.
“I promise to be your constant, wherever we are, however messy life gets. I’ll protect you from flying golf balls, purse snatchers, rainstorms, rogue footballs, and any other danger that comes at you.”
Mackenzie chuckles as she wipes away a tear, and honestly, the rest of us do, too.
“I vow to laugh with you, adventure with you, climb literal and metaphorical mountains with you, and never,everput the toilet paper roll on the wrong way.
“You’re my favorite person. Myhome base. My heart. And I can’t wait to spend forever making you feel as seen, loved, and cherished as you make me feel every single day.”
