Anchor - M. Mabie Page 0,65

my foot bounced, instinctively wanting to run to her, but knowing I shouldn’t. I needed to stay in my place and let her come to me. But somehow it just didn’t feel right. Before I could stop, I was walking to my bride.

Her hair was down, but held to the side with a clip. She smiled, and her head tilted, as I worshiped her with my lucky eyes.

The heavenly violins played.

They played our song. And it was the most wonderful thing I’d ever heard.

Everyone stood and watched as I left my post. I didn’t give a fuck. When it came to her, I never had. Swiftly my feet walked, but they could have been floating, I’m not really sure. I had only one focus. Her.

Her eyes overflowed with tears as I stopped just before her at the end of the aisle.

“I’m sorry, Blake. I know I was supposed to stay down there, but I couldn’t. You’re too beautiful. I had to come to you,” I admitted. She didn’t look upset by my unscripted move.

“It’s okay, Casey.” She quietly laughed. Then she moved the flowers she was holding to her side and offered me her free hand. I moved to her side and took her small hand in mine; then lifted it to my heart.

It was weird and strange and everyone looked at us as we stood together at the bride’s entrance, but it was also exactly perfect.

We were going together. We’ve got this.

She wasn’t a possession to be given to me. There was no exchange needed. But something wasn’t right about her walking alone either. She’d decided she didn’t want her father walking her down the aisle a while back. After I spoke to him, he understood. But there, in the moment, every instinct I had said don’t make her walk alone. It was completely the opposite gesture to commemorate what we had. What we’d been through.

What she’d been through. And I was about to promise to be by her side forever. Starting out, by her side, felt like the only thing that was right.

“I’m glad you came over,” she whispered. “I’d gladly walk to you alone, but walking together is better.” So in sync. She understood my intention so well. Loved that woman.

The violins played.

This time my heart listened.

Four feet, sure and steady, walked our souls to the Promised Land. That may seem dramatic, but I can assure you it was not. In front of us was everything, the vows were our beginning. They were the starting line, and it was finally our race to be had.

Then we were there, watched by the supporting eyes of our loved ones.

At the head of the altar, we stopped and faced each other, but we didn’t part. We stood face to face, fingers locked and pressed to my chest. There was no reason to feel territorial about this woman, as no one was competing with me. It was a weird feeling. I was possessive, only because I wanted her to feel it. She loved my claiming and I’d show her every day that I wanted her for my very own.

“Hello, everyone,” said Dr. Rex. “I’m so honored to share with Blake and Casey in this special ceremony.” As she began talking, we pulled—only slightly—away from each other to let everyone watch the doctor as she spoke. “When they asked me to officiate, I had my reservations. I’m not holy. I’m not a very religious woman. What could I offer?”

Blake watched Dr. Rex with a lovely expression of pride on her face. Yet another decision that made this wedding feel like ours. Not like the repeat of someone else’s. It was stamped with Betty and Lou like our mugs from so long ago. Just like us.

“For those of you who don’t know me, I’m a doctor. A scientist of sorts. I review information. I study. I question. It’s in my nature to dissect issues people have and formulate a plan. A goal. A way.

“As you all know, the scientific and faith-based communities hinge on what they perceive as fact. But Casey and Blake fall into both in that respect. So if some consider this union religious, I’d have to agree. But I also see it as a beautiful example of science and one of the Universe’s most wondrous gifts. Observing their love is marvelous in person.”

My bride’s thumb rubbed back and forth over my hand and my breath hitched, as the moment caught up with me again. Her eyes said, “Look at us.