Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
With love and respect. He fusses over it a little too much, but once I understand why, it’s the highest compliment he can pay me.
The church is easily booked on short notice, Brandon’s company built it.
And there’s no shortage of guests to fill it either, with his construction crews all getting a paid day off to join in the celebrations.
Being up until after midnight the night before, working to finish everyone else’s dresses as well as work for clients that I won’t be able to do once we go on our honeymoon, I figure I’m too tired to be nervous.
Too used to Brandon by my side to overthink it. But I hardly sleep a wink, and I know Brandon doesn’t either.
This is it.
Finally, my big day. The most special day of my life so far.
No longer just a guest.
No longer just a bridesmaid.
No longer just a seamstress.
I’m about to be married to the man I love. The most incredible, loving, kind, and sweetest man that’s ever lived.
And he’s all mine.
Mine.
All the bridesmaids from Chloe and Brett’s wedding are here, not just returning the favor either. We’ve all kept in touch and for the first time in my life too, I have a growing network of friends.
Real friends. People I can call or who can call me. We have gossipy girl talk sometimes, or other times we are just there for one another
There’s not a dry eye among us girls as Mark leads me down the aisle.
Brandon towering over everyone, looking like he’s so close even though he’s so far away.
But not for long.
In a few minutes, I’m by his side, with Mark giving me away and Brett acting as ring bearer for Brandon, while Cynthia holds mine until the time we take our vows.
She’s planned it, arranged it, and all at a moment’s notice.
And for the one and only time, I don’t feel like I’m even at a wedding.
I feel like I’m out in the world, telling it how much I love Brandon.
Telling him, and showing him. Proving it by taking the most solemn oath two people can share.
It’s the only time I’ve had my engagement ring taken off since the day he slipped it on my finger, but Brandon removes it just long enough to slip my gold wedding band on before replacing it.
“Closest to your heart. From my heart to yours,” he reminds me, and although I promised myself I wouldn’t, I start to cry.
He’s never been great with words, but everything from his lips today has been pure poetry and I feel it in my chest, hanging on every word until we’re finally alone.
The “I do” still echoing in my mind, etched in my memory forever as the best, closest moment we’ve shared together.
In public anyway.
Everything else is a different story.
There’s a huge reception at the construction company office, but Brandon is keen to slip away and not make a fuss.
“Let ‘em enjoy themselves,” he murmurs to me, tugging on my hand and pulling me away from the crowd.
Cynthia catches my eye and gives me a little wink, letting me know how proud she is of me.
Urging me with a movement of her chin to go with my man.
My husband.
To hold onto him and never let go.
To get busy making that life I’ve only ever dared to dream of.
The one where I’m safe, loved, and have nothing but love to give to my own family.
Brett is waiting by Brandon’s truck, and hugging him hard he challenges Brandon to try and leave without saying goodbye to his oldest friend.
“I knew you’d be here,” Brett says smiling, gripping his best friend with one arm and hugging me close with the other.
“I want you to watch over things while I’m gone,” Brandon says to Brett with an air of caution in his voice.
“You know I will,” Brett says, meaning it.
“You should.” Brandon smiles back. “Because it’s half yours now too. All of it. The other half is all in Ashlee’s name, so you two better not bug me too much about how things are getting done,” he chuckles to himself.
Brett’s stunned and I feel a little confused.
“What will you do with yourself?” Brett asks.
“I think ‘world’s greatest dad’ is something I’d like to have a go at.” Brandon smiles, squeezing my hand.
“I think you’re already halfway there,” I smile back at him.
Both of us hug Brett goodbye.
Our honeymoon awaits.
Two weeks at the lake cabin Brandon’s had built for me as a wedding present.
For us today, and for our kids tomorrow.
And for their grandkids, once we’re done loving each other all we can on this earth.
Extended Epilogue
Two Years Later
Brandon
“Hold still, you’ll make it crooked,” Ashlee says sharply.
Her lips are tight, full of pins that she threatens to stick me with again if I don’t hold still.
Standing on a stool wearing an open backed wedding gown isn’t my idea of how to spend a Wednesday morning, but needs must and all.