Anchor - M. Mabie Page 0,63

and ran my fingers through my hair.

My hair? Her hair, if I were being honest.

There was no wrangling it. I thought of pulling it back into a rubber band. What if it blew in my face? What if I missed the minute she came around the corner? Because of hair? Impulsively, I considered cutting it all off. Hair be damned. I didn’t want to risk not seeing her. Having a clear first view of my bride.

Not seeing her all day had sort of fucked with my head.

I hoped she wasn’t too nervous. Hell, I hoped she wasn’t reconsidering. There was always that chance. No. Deep down, I knew that wasn’t really true. She was mine.

Officially, tonight. She’d be mine forever.

I pulled my arm out straight to expose my watch. It was seven-forty.

Showtime.

Pulling back the crisp, white flap on my tent, I was met with the men I respected the most. Men who had my back. Men who didn’t mind keeping me in check. My twin, my best friend, and two men soon-to-be my brothers. Their grins created a surge of power so far inside me that I felt like I could take flight at any second.

I heard music and the low rumble of the few guests in attendance. The sound of the stream nearby trickled through my head. I blew out another breath loaded with excitement and nerves.

Shane stepped closer to me and gave my bow tie a tug on both sides.

“Are you ready for this?” he asked. His face was one-part amusement, one-part serious.

Was I ever so fucking ready for anything?

It’s funny how you want one thing so bad, dream about it happening, then when something as great as this stared you in the face, you kind of wanted it all to slow down. There was nothing I wanted more, but my heart was tender knowing this was the only time I’d get to live it. Just this once. That’s how you know it’s important. You miss the moment before it even happens.

What if I mess up my vows? What if I miss something?

I had the promises tucked safely in my pocket, but reflexively I patted that side of my jacket—for maybe the hundredth time—to make sure all of my things were there.

Ring. Check.

Vows. Check.

I’d wondered about what she’d written for me, but I hadn’t succumbed to my curiosity. I’d be making those promises blindly and wholeheartedly. Whatever she wanted of me, I’d give it to her.

Had she peeked?

“I’m ready,” I answered. I was sure, but in all the excitement I’m sure I sounded anxious. And maybe I was. I wanted everything to be perfect, but that feat was almost always impossible for us. Still, there was nothing that could spoil the night and that gave me peace. We were perfectly imperfect.

Cory glanced at his watch and gave me the look that said it really was time.

Walking down the side of the chairs, which were situated at an angle. Another thing that Blake and I wanted. No sides. No mine and hers. These were our people. We shared everyone there. My stomach flipped seeing the empty seats near the front, knowing that one was for my mother.

I said a few silent words to her.

Missing out on time with you wasn’t for nothing. You were right. I think she loves you, Mom. You only met a few times, but sometimes she says things or looks at things you loved and I feel you with us. I hope you’re in that seat watching. It feels like you are.

When we were making plans, I couldn’t envision the lights in the trees and the little lanterns that lit the aisle, but Blake had been right. The magic in the air crackled.

Like a team, with me at the lead, we took our places at the make-shift altar built of wood and covered in calla lilies. I looked down the line of my groomsmen. Cory, Troy, and Shane. When I met Reggie’s eyes, he nodded and straightened his posture as the music changed.

Our wedding certainly was different. It had taken us so long to get there. We’d fought for our moment. For our life together. All painful memories of the past healed, sealed together with happiness. This was how it was meant to be. For us.

My father and Carmen came toward us first, walking Foster down the faintly lit lane. It was a little late for our godson, but he was hanging in there. I chanced a look at my brother. He smiled as Foster