Page 120 of Mountain Pine
Her gown is flowy and mostly lace with a tighter fitting dress under it. It drapes over her in all the right places and has long sleeves that are extra wide by her wrists. Her hair is down too, which is my favorite way she wears it. Instead of a veil, she has flowers around her head and today, her hair is a darker sunflower color, thanks to the nature surrounding her and the warm glow of the sun. She looks like a fairy goddess.
I’m so desperate to touch her, hold her, make sure this is real that I end up meeting her halfway up the aisle lined with mums, sunflowers, and marigolds. Her bouquet is a shock of colors, vibrant as her, and there’s a few long, skinny, crystals protruding from the flowers. Our rings glimmer from a rose quartz tower nestled in the center of her arrangement.
“You’re so beautiful,” I choke out. Shit, there’s condensation in my eyes.
“You’re so beautiful too,” Taylor whispers back.
Her father clears his throat, and I roll my shoulders back and try my best to sound strong. “I’ll take really good care of her, Sir.”
“You always have,” is his response.
Taylor hooks her arm with mine and we make our way back to my starting point.
Honey Pete is officiating the ceremony for us. I’m cutting this man’s field for free for the rest of my life.
The ceremony begins and I can’t stop staring at my beautiful girl. I don’t know what I did to earn this much happiness, but I’m so fucking grateful.
“You may now exchange your vows. Taylor…”
She squeezes my hands. “Conner, ever since the day I met you, we’ve been inseparable. All my stories… all my best memories… were made with you as the star. Thank you for always being there for me. For loving me just as I am and never making me feel anything less than perfect. I promise I will always do the same for you. And I will keep you safe and loved…” She stifles back a sob. “Until we’re bones in the dirt. Then I’ll love you for eternity.”
She slides a wedding band on my finger.
I blow out a long exhale and wipe my face on my sleeve because I can’t let her go yet. I don’t want to.
“Taylor, I’ve loved you long before I even knew what that word meant because I hadn’t had it before we met. Not until you and your elboos and—”
She snorts a sob that’s half a giggle.
I squeeze her hands harder. “I’m not a believer in a lot of things, but I’ve always believed in you. In us. Our road is paved with a million memories, and a million wishes along the way. Every single one of those wishes I made was for you.”
I think other people are crying. I hear sniffling.
“You made me part of your family, loved me,fed me, took care of me when I was sick and gave me peace when I came from none.”
Fuuuuck I’m sweating and shaking. All my pent-up feelings are trying to erupt.
“I’ve always been scared to feel my emotions. They’re too strong. But loving you has always been the strongest one for me. You’re the sun that keeps me warm and the moon that soothes my soul. You’re every star I’ve ever wished on. Loving you is the easiest thing in the world because I was made to do that. That’s all that is in me.”
Someone sniffles a little louder. I think it’s Nick.
“I promise to spend the rest of my life making sure you are always loved, protected, and taken care of. Until I’m dirt.”
Taylor practically leaps into my arms. I catch her and we kiss and everyone cheers.
I didn’t even get to put the ring on her finger!
“Hang on!” I say, laughing. Holding her hand, I slid the infinity band on her finger and kiss it.
Taylor squeals and jumps on me again. I twirl her around and everyone’s clapping and it’s the best feeling in the whole wide world.
“I’m your wife, now.”
“No.” I press my forehead to hers. “You’re my everything.”
Epilogue
Taylor
