Age 16:
From: [email protected]
Weddings are overrated. When I get married, I want to jump out of a helicopter with my groom. The priest will have to scream over the wind. We’ll kiss when we land. And then he’ll give me a puppy as his first gift to me as his bride.
Sounds a little crazy, but if he’s going to marry me, he’s gonna have to be a little crazy, you know?
And then, of course, cake and what not. BRB. Going to Pinterest now to look for dresses that are suitable for both skydiving and a reception.
Lily
***
Layla stood in front of a full-length mirror in a perfect white gown. The front pieces of her long, glossy brown hair were elegantly held in place by a delicate hairpiece adorned with a subtle floral arrangement. The rest of it cascaded gracefully down her back in soft waves. A few loose strands framed her face, giving her a touch of gentle allure. Her tan complexion glowed with a healthy and natural radiance, complemented by a soft, rosy blush that enhanced her cheeks, reflecting her excitement and happiness on such a special day.
Her white gown was a masterpiece, carefully chosen to accentuate her figure. A sleek, elegant silhouette that hugged her curves. The dress was adorned with delicate embellishments that caught the light and created an otherworldly aura around her.
Why had I ever thought weddings were silly?
I’d witnessed Layla cry at least four times this morning, and every time one of us would ask if she was all right, she would choke out an “I’m just…so…happy” between sniffles. And if Layla was like this, then I couldn’t imagine how much my brother was losing his mind outside.
Liam’s house was the perfect venue for a small wedding. The home itself was cozy and intimate, setting the mood perfectly for what Luke and Layla needed.
It had this charming weathered-wood finish that showed the age of the home despite its recent renovations. There was a pond out back. When he first bought the place, I’d come over practically every day. The aroma of blooming flowers in their boxes on the windows and freshly cut grass reminded me of spring, sunshine, and all things happy. Once Liam added a large covered gazebo with the perfect view of the undeveloped acreage around it, I would pull a chair out there and listen to the gentle chirping of birds or the wind rustling through the trees. Occasionally, a fish would jump out of the pond, creating ripples.
The whole property was a serene, sheltered sanctuary. It felt like home. I’d always wondered why Liam had wanted such a big place after his divorce, but I’d never asked.
The house had three bedrooms and two bathrooms when Liam bought it. And over the years, he’d renovated it room by room. New paint and floors, and even special features in the boys’ room. A firehouse pole and a secret bookshelf door to a closet. Recently, Liam finished the attic, adding an extra bedroom and half bath. He said it was for resale value, but I’d heard the mention of it being his forever home when he bought it. Either way, the attic was just as gorgeous as the rest of the house.
My mom, Rachel, Marigold, and I stood in a half circle around Layla. She fit into this family perfectly, like she had always been here. Her love for my brother was a miracle, since he was a giant nerd and kind of annoying, but we couldn’t have asked for a better addition to the Wells family. After they’d tiptoed around each other for years, the pieces had finally fallen into place perfectly.
My mom wiped at her eyes. “I always knew this day would come. I’ve been waiting for this since the night he came home for dinner and told me his new coworker loved Revenge of the Sith as much as he did.”
Rachel and I couldn’t help but howl in laughter. They were such nerds.
“Aw, you guys should have gotten matching lightsabers that say Mr. and Mrs. Wells.”
Layla sighed as she played with a stray curl framing her face. “They’re on the way.”
Yeah, she was definitely right for Luke.
On the dresser across the room, my phone buzzed, and I stood to grab it. “It’s probably Nathan. He said he would let me know when the boys were all lined up.”
Only when I unlocked my phone, it wasn’t Nathan. It was an email from Angela.
Calla, thank you for being so patient. My son has been ill, so I’m playing catch-up. I wanted to reach out and offer you the job as social media coordinator for the Phillies. If you are still interested, I can send over the offer package along with detai—
My phone fell to the floor with a loud thud, and I froze in place. “Oh my gosh.”
“Is everything all right?” Layla turned in a panic, her breathing turning rapid.
All I could do was let out a manic laugh and shake my head. There was no way this was real.
“Please tell me Luke didn’t get cold feet.” Layla’s eyes went misty like she was about to break into tears.
I blinked, taking in my surroundings. Yeah, that didn’t look too good. “Oh, no. No, no, no. Nothing to do with the wedding. I just have—” I clamped my mouth shut. Nathan was the reason I’d gotten the offer in the first place. I had him to thank for this opportunity, and he was the one who deserved to know first.
“Excuse me,” I mumbled. I bit my lip to hold back a smile and scurried from the room. I hoofed it down the stairs and to the backyard where the boys were milling around.
I halted as I took in the yard. White picket fence lined the perimeter, adorned with delicate blooms that added splashes of color to the landscape. The yard had been transformed into a romantic venue, with a beautifully decorated archway under the pergola, standing as the altar’s focal point. The golden rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow over the surroundings. A soft breeze rustled through the leaves of the nearby trees, creating a gentle whisper that would accompany the vows. The aisle, lined with flower petals in hues of pastel pinks, purples, and whites, led from the house’s entrance to the pergola. A few wooden chairs were arranged neatly on either side of the aisle, each one adorned with a delicate ribbon or a small bouquet of fresh flowers.
Standing alongside my brothers was Nathan. He exuded elegance in his immaculate navy tuxedo. His well-groomed scruff added a touch of rugged charm, perfectly complementing his flawlessly styled hair. I was ready to climb the man like a tree.
At full speed now, I ran to him. I was still barefoot, the neatly trimmed grass tickling my feet as a medley of floral scents hit my nose.
He turned to me and gripped my upper arms, his eyes full of concern. “Is everything all right?”
It took me a second to realize he thought that maybe I was hurt. Adorable.
I gripped his arm back, a smile taking over my whole face. “Yes. Perfect, actually. Can I borrow you for a minute?”
He looked at my dad and my brothers for approval. Luke nodded at him with a small smile, and then he turned to me. “Come on. We can go back here.”
He pointed to the far side of the property, where Liam had a two-car workshop. I grabbed his hand and yanked him around the side of it until we were out of sight of our friends and family. Back here, the trees provided the perfect amount of shade.
“What’s going on?” Nathan searched my face, then scanned me from head to toe, taking in my bridesmaid dress. The enchanting gown draped gracefully in a captivating shade of sage green. Its bodice hugged my figure with tailored precision, accentuating my waist and bestowing an air of sophistication that made me look as if I hadn’t eaten a hot dog for breakfast.
He smiled a little. “You look like heaven.”
I snorted. Man, I loved how cheesy he was. It made my romance-loving heart soar. Squeezing the hand I was still gripping, I bounced on my toes. “I got the job!”
He paused, his eyes widening. “You—you got it?”
My nod was feverish. “I just got an email from Angela. They’re going to send an offer package over.”
Nathan’s initial shock transformed into a radiant and delighted grin, causing him to gently place his hands on my waist. With a surprising ease, he lifted me off the ground and twirled me around in pure euphoria. As my hair flowed freely behind me, my joyous giggles filled the air, adding to the magical moment.
Once I was on my feet again, he embraced me tightly, peppering kisses along my hairline, my jawline, and my cheeks, savoring each tender touch. Our connection intensified as he pressed his lips against mine, a sweet and lingering moment that seemed to suspend time itself.
“What did I tell you? I knew you would get it.”
He had. The man had reassured me over and over that this was in the bag. And instead of listening to him, I’d relied on my own understanding and doubted myself again.
I sniffed. “I love you so much.”
He kissed me once more. “I love you more.”
Our lips collided. I stood on the tips of my toes and pulled him down to me by his tie. In response, he grasped my waist, squeezing me and bringing me as close to him as I could be.
As we took our time walking back to the house, my phone buzzed.
Mom: We’re about to line up. Could you at least wait till after their ceremony to make me more grandkids?
I laughed out loud and showed Nathan the text.
His face flushed and he ducked his head. His once-styled hair was a mess from my hands. I swore he’d never looked better.
“As soon as you’re ready.”
We hadn’t even talked about marriage yet, and the guy was saying he was ready to have babies with me. I honestly didn’t think I could have loved him more.
When we were all lined up, Nathan and I linked arms, and he dropped one more kiss to my cheek.
Layla, her thin white veil in place, walked down the aisle. Luke and Layla had made a joint decision that they were better off without her parents in attendance. When we asked who would walk her down the aisle, Crew offered first. But then we reminded him that he was officiating the wedding.
Eventually, she decided to walk by herself. She just wanted to get to Luke. She said she didn’t need to be given away because he already had her. At the end of the aisle, Luke was beaming, his eyes welling with tears. He looked dapper in a navy-colored suit that matched the relaxed and rustic ambiance. Luke and Layla exchanged their vows and rings, filling the air with their love and commitment and touching the hearts of all of us. Crew happily read their commitments to each other from a piece of paper I was pretty sure he’d just printed out. A few tears of happiness were shed, and the atmosphere was filled with a sense of love, support, and unity.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds practically skipped down the aisle hand in hand, encouraged by cheers and applause from their loved ones. The celebration continued into the evening. The reception was filled with laughter, dancing, and toasts, as the stars twinkled above, blessing the couple’s journey into the future together.
As I watched the newlyweds dance under the string lights, Rachel snickered behind me. “Uh, Calla. There’s a twig in your hair.”
Nathan leaned down to whisper to me, “If we hadn’t been interrupted, it would’ve been the whole bush.”
I laughed and fell into his hold as his arms wrapped around each side of me.
It was then that I knew he was always going to be far better than any romance book boyfriend I had ever had.
He pressed a kiss to the temple of my forehead and whispered, “I don’t think it could get any better than this.”
And I couldn’t agree more.
