Saying I do was the easiest thing I’ve ever done.
And the best thing.
Because now I get to clink a glass of champagne with my official husband, Carter, and with his two best men and my other husbands, Damon and Jace.
“You look perfect,” Jace whispers, and plants a kiss on my cheek.
I am giddy like a little girl, feeling like a queen in my wedding dress. The tailor was a genius, the design hugging my Rubenesque figure in all the right places. Layers of white silk and organza flow from my hips, embroidered with real pearls and delicate faux flowers. Every inch of me is beautiful, and that is precisely what I’ve always wanted.
Real beauty that exudes from sheer happiness.
“Must be because I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” I tell him.
We’re at the wedding reception. It’s small but wonderfully loud, with a handful of friends, most of them from Vanguard, good and kind people who have supported us every step of the way.
Carter and the guys attend to my every need, while I occasionally go over to make sure our kids are equally looked after.
“Matty, how’s your juice?” I ask my boy.
He sits across the table from us, next to a lovely looking Shiloh and our twins, David and Ella, now six months old and keeping Jodie and Margot busy.
“It’s grape; I love it!” Matty exclaims.
“Gosh, you’re so handsome in your little tux,” I chuckle, fawning over him.
“Shiloh is pretty, too,” he says, giving his sister a broad smile.
“I am pretty,” the girl declares, lighting up when Damon nods in agreement.
“The prettiest girl here,” he says. “Next to you, of course,” he adds, looking my way.
I laugh and clink his glass again. “Baby, I’ll let Shy-Shy take the spotlight anytime.”
“Congratulations,” Margot says, holding Ella, who’s close to falling asleep in her arms. “You made it to the official side of marriage. I really hope it doesn’t dampen the mood for you all, going forward.”
Jodie rolls her eyes. “Way to be optimistic, Margot.”
“I’m being realistic!”
David reaches for his sister but sighs in disappointment when he realizes that she’s asleep. I can’t get over how adorable he is when he gets all pouty and fidgety—a clear sign that he’s about to delve into a nap of his own.
The table is rowdy and giddy. The champagne keeps flowing as the estate waiters bring the first round of food over—a variety of hors d’oeuvres and fresh salads, Italian-style crostini, and a broad selection of fine cheeses and caviar. The music is loud, the notes flowing from a marvelous live band that we hired during one of our weekend trips to Portland. I couldn’t have imagined a better wedding day.
“So, how does it feel?” Jodie asks me. “Being married.”
“I’m not sure. I’m way too happy right now to properly describe how it feels,” I reply with a sly grin.
“We made it this far, right?” Jace says. “It’s only going to get better from here.”
“Loving your optimism,” Margot says sarcastically, raining on his parade, though she does it for fun. It’s her style, and I’ve grown not only accustomed but rather fond of it.
Wry humor is her coping mechanism—she’s been healing from so much over the past several months, I’m actually proud of her. Almost a year sober now, Margot shines beautifully in her lilac bridesmaid’s gown, her skin glowing as she drinks grape juice alongside Matty and Shiloh.
“Where is the honeymoon taking you?” she asks Carter.
“We settled on Hawaii,” he says. “Clara made a good case for it.”
“Oh?” she looks at me with genuine curiosity.
