Page 51 of Charmed and Alarmed

I hear a watery laugh break from my lips, and the corners of my vision are blurry with tears as we reach the first row of chairs. There are so many people here. My mom and her wife are in the front row mopping their eyes, dance friends I haven’t seen in years, distant cousins, and our colleagues from E&V. All of them present to witness the finale of a love story that was wrong on paper but so,soright in reality.

Holy shit, I’m ridiculously happy.

When we finally make it to the end of the aisle, the waterproof mascara gets its first true test as Dad gives my arm one last squeeze and kisses my cheek. “So proud of you.”

My bottom lip trembles as I watch him step forward to pull Holden into a brief, manly hug before stepping off to the side with the other groomsmen. Is it unconventional? The father of the bride doing double duty as best man? Absolutely. This is my wedding, though, and to me, it feels like a fairy tale.

“Ready?” I ask as I look up at the man who is about to be my husband, my heart fuller than I knew possible.

Holden’s answering smile is breathtaking, and, apparently too impatient to wait for the vows to be over, he gathers my face in his hands, leaning down to kiss me fiercely. There are a few giggles and slow claps from the assembled guests, but he takes his time, showing me exactly how ready he is.

At last, he pulls back, gazing down at me with such obvious love it’s hard to breathe. “I’vebeenready,” he murmurs, using his thumbs to wipe away the tears that have managed to escape down the sides of my face. “Let’s get married, princess.”