Rhys slips into the room with his guitar, and I glance at my watch, itching to get started.
My nephew takes his special seat beside Jace. “You ready, Uncle E?”
“You know it, buddy.” I tug at my sleeve as my heart rate picks up speed. I’m so fucking excited to see my girl. To find out what dress she picked to walk down the aisle in.
“Callie looks real pretty,” Rhys says.
“You saw her?”
“Yep.” He smiles smugly at me. For a hot second, I’m jealous of an eight-year-old.
Jace must see it on my face because he stands taller and steps in front of Rhys. “Chill, E.”
I shake off the feeling. “Sorry. I just want to see her already.”
“I know. Look.” He chuckles and nods towards the door.
Hilly and Jeff, Scarlett and Levi—and their kids—walk into the barn and wave before taking the empty seats in the second row. Rylann’s parents, holding Remy and Riah, join my parents and enter next.
I share hugs with my parents, both of whom tell me how proud and happy they are for me and Callie. Mom sheds quite a few tears, and Dad has to pull her away.
Finally, Mason walks into the room, and my stomach dips with excitement and adrenaline like it does when I’m on a roller coaster.
This is it. My signal.
Mason joins me, Jace, Rhys, Cam, and Hudson at the altar as we wait for the Miller women to arrive next.
Rhys plays the first chords of the song, and one by one, all dressed in varying styles of pale purple gowns—because my wedding planner doesn’t leave a stone unturned—come Rylann, Emery, and Talia. They join us at the altar. My brothers make moves towards their women, but there is only one woman I want to see. Our security guard takes his station at the entrance of thebarn. Always guarding in the background like a camouflaged ninja.
Arm in arm with her mom, Callie walks in carrying a white and pale-purple rose bouquet. My nose pricks with tears as I finally lay eyes on my bride in a white dress.
Holy fucking shit.
She looks like a winter fairy princess. I have no idea what style of dress she’s got on, but I know one thing for damn sure: Callie’s breathtakingly beautiful.
The top of her gown has long-sleeves, made of delicate sheer lace. An intricate pattern of embroidered snowflakes and crystals covers her chest, back, and arms. The snowflake detail cinches at her waist and drips down a quarter of the skirt, which is made of fine silky-sheer layers of organza. Callie’s dress is the perfect representation of her whimsical beauty and winter.
Her barely there makeup is flawless, and I fucking love that she left her hair down in waves around her face with a few choice strands framing her cheeks. And of course, wrapped around her neck is the bluebird collar necklace.
Mine.
As the word pops into my head, our gazes collide in a zap of electricity. She beams, her smile enchanting. Callie slowly progresses down the aisle, and it takes everything in me to stay put.
Callie’s been waiting for me for years. It’s only fair that I wait two minutes for her.
This moment feels better than I dreamed. The balloon in my chest expands with the tornado of emotion.
When Callie reaches me, Diana places her daughter’s hand in mine. Tears roll down her cheeks as she speaks. “Thank you, Eli. For loving my baby girl. For convincing me to be here for this special day. You are a wonderful man, and I know you’re going to take care of her.”
“Always,” I promise.
The song ends, and Callie hands her bouquet to Diana, who takes a seat in the front row.
Finally, it’s just me and Callie.
“Hey, Princess.” My voice is thick with emotion. I squeeze her hand, and her warm touch grounds me in the moment.
“Hey, handsome.” The overhead string lights sparkle in her dark eyes like stars in the night sky.
