“Yup,” Dylan nodded firmly. “Aunt Vera told me to tell you everything is ready to go.”
“Oh, my god,” Cameron put her hand to her chest. “I can’t believe this is actually happening.”
After slipping into her pair of heels, Cameron headed downstairs with Isla and Dylan behind her. Palmer was in the kitchen with Jonah, Ellie, Brayden, and Everleigh as they finished arranging the bouquets of flowers for the ceremony. How Palmer ever talked the boys into helping her with that task was beyond Cameron.
“Mom,” Jonah left the group to hug Cameron, “you look beautiful.”
“Thank you, honey. You look handsome.” Cameron touched his face on which he had recently decided to grow a beard. It looked good on him, but Cameron secretly hated how it made him look older than seventeen. The beard was another reminder that her baby boy would be off to college in the fall. She still wasn’t prepared for that.
Molly Jaymes, the photographer they had hired, came in through the backdoor to get everyone ready for the photos. She had everything set up in the backyard and was ready to go. Cameron and Melanie had chosen to do their reveal with a freestanding vintage door. It stood in the yard close to the tree line with the sun beaming down upon it through the trees. The plan was for Melanie to stand on one side and Cameron on the other until it was time for the reveal.
Cameron was set into place first before Molly went to get Melanie. She nervously tapped her foot on the ground as she waited for Melanie to arrive. Hearing voices approaching, Cameron knew she was close.
“Okay,” it was Molly, “I’m going to take a few separately, then I’ll have Melanie take a step forward from the door and have Cameron open the door, okay?”
“Okay,” she and Melanie answered in unison.
There was another photographer working with Molly, her cousin Bradley Jaymes. The two worked in sync as Cameron posed for pictures, knowing Melanie was doing the same on the other side of the door.
When Molly finally gave the cue, Cameron slowly turned around and put her hand on the doorknob. She took in a deep breath as she felt the tears already nipping at the corners of her eyes. Turning the brass knob, she opened the door.
Absolutely nothing could have prepared Cameron for the moment Melanie would turn around in her black suit. She looked stunning with the purple tie matching the one Jonah was wearing. Cameron couldn’t contain her emotions and it was clear Melanie couldn’t either. Melanie looked so confident and happy that it made Cameron realize how free she must feel being able to express herself on her wedding day exactly how she wanted to. Holding out her hand, Melanie spun Cameron around before Cameron did the same with her. They laughed as they kissed and hugged.
“You look beautiful.”
“You look amazing.”
“I love this dress.”
“I love that you picked a suit.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it.” Framing her face, Cameron looked into her eyes. “And I love you.”
“I love you, too. I can’t believe we’re getting married today,” Melanie squealed.
“About time.”
“I heard that.” Wrapping her arms around Melanie’s waist, the rest of the world seemed to disappear. “You seriously look amazing. The suit was a great choice.”
“I wanted to tell you before but I also wanted to surprise you. I tried on so many dresses but I kept thinking about the first timeI got married and how I hated my dress. When I tried on this suit, I knew.”
“It is you.”
“It is,” Melanie smiled at her. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Iloveit.”
Leaning in for another kiss, Cameron tried to savor possibly the last relatively alone moment they’d have for the rest of the day.
After a few minutes, Molly instructed the kids to join them for family pictures. Cameron was thankful they’d arranged the photos before the ceremony as it seemed to be helping her get rid of some of the jitters she had. That was helped even more when Isla and Vera joined in with Melanie and Cameron for some goofy friend pictures. And when the Mackenzie kids joined in too, it was a family affair that Cameron didn’t know she needed.
Isla and Vera had arranged two limousines to take them to the ceremony. While the kids and Palmer went into one, Cameron, Melanie, Isla, and Vera went in the other along with Molly. They had a glass of champagne as they laughed and Molly snapped pictures of the four friends.
“A toast to my two best friends,” Vera held her champagne glass up as the rest of them did the same. “I wish you two nothing but love and happiness every day of your lives together. You two have waited so long for this moment that I can’t wait to see what happens next in your lives. Isla and I love you both very much and can’t wait to stand beside you on this special day. We love you. Cheers.”
“Cheers,” Cameron, Melanie, and Isla repeated as the four of them clinked their glasses together.
