“You are. You were always great, but you’re better.”
“And Declan is the piece that makes me better, Adam.”
Adam grins and pulls me in for a big hug, clinging to me. “I’m so happy for you, Cal. Really happy for you. I like him, and I couldn’t love you more if you were my sister by blood. So, thank you for letting me have the honor of walking you down the aisle.”
“There’s no one else I’d rather have do it,” I reply. “And speaking of, we’d better get down there.”
“Put your lipstick on,” he says and steps aside to watch me primp.
“Okay, I’m ready.” I grab the bouquet of pink roses and cala lilies that were my mother’s favorite and lead Adam out of the room and down the stairs.
It’s evening. The sun is just beginning the set, sending a riot of color through the sky. The trees are adorned with white lights, and pink fabric that matches my dress is draped among the limbs. Tables are set up for eating later, and for now, enough white chairs are gathered in a semi-circle for just Declan’s immediate family, my Uncle Bernie, and Adam to witness the ceremony.
I wanted a very small wedding, and that’s what Declan and his family are giving me.
Adam takes my hand, loops it through his arm, and escorts me down the steps of the porch and down the brick path as a simple piano version of When A Man Loves a Woman that Declan recorded plays on the sound system.
I can see his family, all smiling, some wiping at tears, watching me make the journey to my man, but all I can see is him.
He’s in black slacks and a white button-down, tucked in, with a blue tie that belonged to his father. But it’s his eyes, holding mine, that I can’t look away from. He’s saying everything with those eyes: I love you. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Thank you for being mine.
I can’t wait to marry him.
Finally, we approach, and Adam passes my hand to Declan’s, kisses my cheek, and takes a seat.
“Dearly beloved,” the justice of the peace begins. “We are gathered here, on this beautiful spring day, to join Declan and Callie in matrimony. It was their wish that only those who are closest to them be here to witness this sacred day, and it’s also their wish that they take over from here, reciting their vows and exchanging rings. So I’m going to let them get to it.” He winks at Declan and takes a step back.
“Calliope,” Declan begins, earning a mock-glare from me, but he simply smiles and squeezes my hand. “I love you. Nothing, not even time, will ever change that. You don’t complete me, because we’re both complete on our own, but you compliment me in ways that I didn’t even know I needed.
“Your love is like a song, and our song is an easy melody that plays, over and over, in my heart. Some days it’s slow and sweet, and other days it’s fast and loud, but it’s always love. It’s my favorite song.”
And, cue the tears, damn him.
“I promise you today to always be your partner. To never forsake you, or be unfaithful. I will respect you and I promise to do my best to listen and have your best interests at heart, even in times of anger. I’m going to screw up, Callie, but I will always be here, ready to fight for us.” He swallows and squeezes my hands, three times. “Our family will always be my only priority, for as long as I live.”
He kisses my forehead, then steps back and gives me a moment to catch my breath and wipe the tears from my cheek, not even caring that I’ve already ruined my makeup.