“Man, you really are no help,” Caleb seethes in Reese’s direction.
“That’s my job,” quips Reese.
Nate puts in, “On my wedding day I felt like my veins were filled with electricity—hurt like a mother!”
“Do your veins feel like they’re filled with electricity?” Chase wants to know.
“No, man!” I tell him. “It feels more like fucking rocket fuel!”
All of a sudden they all go quiet. Perfect! “So that’s all you guys got? Really!?”
My eyes catch Ryder’s and I follow his gaze between the open rows of high-winding grapevines.
That’s when I hear Sophie’s chosen wedding march, The Goo Goo Dolls’ “All That You Are,” begin to play.
And standing there is my sister Jules, in a lightly metallic-gold sundress with a wide matching sash and shoes. She’s grinning from ear to ear!
The sight of Sophie’s first bridesmaid elates me! She can’t be far behind!
Right?
Livie comes next, then Britt, then Quinn, then Angie … and I really wish they’d walk a little freaking faster!! I feel the beads of nervous sweat roll down my back—attractive.
Connor should be up here by now giving me the “all’s okay” thumbs-up. But he’s nowhere in sight!
Charlie rounds the corner and comes into the aisle. Her eyes and smile beam towards me like headlights on a dark and stormy night. I feel my face almost burst with the smile she puts there.
God, I love that little girl!
Charlie is so absolutely crowd stealing in her little white gown, tossing flower petals for her mother to walk over. They ooooh and aaahhh at her …
And me? It’s all I can do stand still and not go running to find my bride.
Where is your mother???
I swear to God, my heart is going to pound right out of my chest!
How the fuck do guys survive this??
Then literally, it’s like time freezes.
My breath hitches in my chest. It’s her.
IT’S HER!!
She’s coming!!
My eyes lock with hers and I can’t pull away. I can’t look at her dress, or her hair, or shoes, or anything I think that I’m supposed to.
Her face is so incredibly beautiful and flushed and perfect, and she’s happy …
She’s fucking happy!!
My body sways forward. I pull back.
No! Don’t move.
She’s not going to say no. She’s going to say yes. All of her body language says she loves me, says she’s safe and confident.
Jesus Christ! In less than the time it takes for a hummingbird’s wing to flutter, I remember that I almost lost her, and Charlie.
I have to touch her.
STAND STILL!
Then she smiles. It isn’t soft or shy—it’s alive and bright. The strength and fire in her eyes is like a universe of stars.
And it ignites the very core of my soul.
I rush towards her, because nothing else matters except for her.
Our eyes never lose contact and it’s the most powerful sensation I’ve ever experienced.
As my right arm wraps around her waist, my left hand dives up under her hair, and I hoist her up in the air and against me then spin her once around.
I’m full of joy and adrenaline and fire!
“Jesus Christ, Sophie, I love you!” I breathe into her face.
“I love you, Josh …” Tears come streaming down her face. “I love you so much!”
That’s all I need to hear her say. I ball her hair in my fist, press her head down so I can reach her, and take her mouth with mine. It’s the most ardent and passionate kiss, a kiss that both possesses and surrenders at once. With it she owns me—mind, body, heart and soul.
As if she’s just realized we’re standing in the middle of the aisle and I’ve completely broken protocol, I feel her lips curl up over mine as she begins to laugh. It’s perfect!
“You’re perfect!” I speak softly against her soft happy mouth.
Applause breaks out from our guests, and we receive a standing ovation.
“I love you, Josh North!” She twists her hand between us.
I look down and see the gold envelope wrapped around the stem of her bouquet.
“You’re the proud father of a beautiful little girl,” she announces.
“You signed the adoption papers?”
She nods. “Connor witnessed me sign them. Knowing just how far you were willing to go to be her daddy … best letter of all.”
“I love you, woman!” I squeeze her tighter—no way am I putting her down!
I bring us to Charlie, who’s giggling, and in one move I position Sophie on my right hip and scoop Charlie onto my left.
The entire crowd roars with laughter and more applause.
“Are we married yet?” Charlie asks, trying to figure out the commotion.
“Almost …” I gaze at Sophie and will her to feel all of my love. “What do you say, scrapper?”
“I say … Dare you … forever.”