Page 94 of Bert
“I know,” Bert whispered back. “I’m just trying not to cry before she even gets here.”
“Good luck with that,” Frazier said with a grin.
The doors at the back of the church opened, and Mary’s sister, Emma, appeared, elegant in a soft rose-colored dress. She walked down the aisle with measured steps, smiling at the assembled guests, and took her position on the bride’s side of the altar.
Then the music changed again, and Mary appeared in the doorway. Bert’s breath caught. His heart stuttered. And yes, dammit, tears pricked his eyes despite his best efforts.
Mary’s father stood beside her wheelchair, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder, but Mary was clearly in control of her own movement, her hands on her wheels, her posture straight and proud. She’d chosen not to wear a traditional wedding dress, and Bert thought her choice was perfect.
Her top resembled a wedding dress’s bodice. It was cream-colored and beaded in intricate patterns that caught the light. Paired with cream, flowing satin pants that draped beautifully, creating an angelic grace that took Bert’s breath away. Her feet, resting on the footrests of her wheelchair, were clad in delicate silver slippers that sparkled. Her hair was pulled up in a soft updo, and cream roses were tucked among the curls, simple and elegant and so perfectly Mary that Bert felt his throat close with emotion.
She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Radiant. Perfect. And she was rolling down the aisle toward him with a smile that lit up the entire church.
Mary’s father walked beside her, his hand never leaving her shoulder, his face showing the complex emotions of a man giving away his daughter. Pride, love, sadness, joy, all mixed in his expression. But his eyes were dry, his smile steady, and when they reached the front of the church, he bent to kiss Mary’s cheek before shaking Bert’s hand.
“Take care of her,” he said quietly.
“With everything I have,” Bert promised. “Always.”
Mary’s father nodded and stepped back to join his wife in the front row.
And then it was just Bert and Mary, facing each other at the front of the church while everyone they loved looked on. He settled into a satin-covered chair at the front, having decided that he wanted to be eye to eye for the ceremony. Not looking down at her… not forcing her to have to tilt her head back so far to look at him. But equals in every way.
“Hi,” Mary said softly, her eyes shining.
“Hi yourself,” Bert replied, his voice rough with emotion. “You look incredible.”
“You clean up pretty well too.” Mary’s smile widened as her gaze roamed over his suit with the cream rose in his lapel.
The pastor cleared his throat gently, a reminder that they had a ceremony to get through. Bert reluctantly tore his gaze from Mary to acknowledge the man who would be marrying them.
“Dearly beloved,” the pastor began, his voice carrying through the small church with practiced ease. “We are gathered here today to witness the joining of Mary Smithwick and Bert Tomlinson in holy matrimony...”
Bert barely heard the traditional words. His entire focus was on the way the light streaming through the windows caught in her hair, and the smile that hadn’t left her face since she’d entered the church. He relished the feel of her hand when she took his, warm and steady and right.
They said their vows and exchanged their rings. “By the power vested in me by the state of Montana,” the pastor said with a wide smile, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Bert, you may kiss your bride.”
Bert didn’t need to be told twice. He leaned over, his hands gentle on Mary’s face, and kissed her. Soft at first, tender and reverent, then deeper as her arms came up around his neck and pulled him closer. The church erupted in applause and cheers, but Bert barely heard it. All his focus was on Mary, on this moment, on the fact that she was his wife now.
Bert moved to stand beside Mary’s wheelchair, and together, they turned to face their friends and family. The love and joy radiating from the assembled guests was almost overwhelming.
That night, after the food had been eaten, the cake cut, the speeches given, and the dancing had continued, they finally left to head home. They weren’t taking a traditional honeymoon right now, but were planning on a visit with Diane in the spring, who also offered them one of her lake homes for a week.
Bert thought about the man he’d been a year and a half ago… cautious, guarded, certain that love wasn’t in the cards for him. Certain that his past failures had taught him to protect his heart rather than risk it.
And he thought about the man he was now, married to the most incredible woman he’d ever met, part of a team that felt like family, building a life that felt full of purpose and meaning and love.
Mary had changed everything. Had shown him that love wasn’t about finding someone without complications, but about finding someone whose complications you wanted to navigate together. Their love proved that taking risks was worth it when you found the right person. Had taught him that adapting and growing together was what made a partnership strong.
“What are you thinking about?” Mary asked, looking up at him with those blue eyes that saw everything.
“How lucky I am,” Bert said simply. “How grateful I am that you came to LSIMT that day. How my life started the moment I met you even though I didn’t realize it at the time.”
“Our lives started,” Mary corrected gently. “Both of us. Together.”
“Together,” Bert agreed, kissing her softly. “Always together.”
* * *
