least the vows. “Damn it.” I laugh. “No more talking. I’m not crying before the wedding.”
“All right, let’s focus on you not tripping.”
“Agreed.”
We make it to the upper deck, and nerves have me gripping Brody’s elbow a bit tighter. I think about how different my life is. I’m not afraid anymore, and that’s all thanks to Eli. I don’t sit and wait for the floor to drop out, I dance on it, enjoying what we do have. He’s been there each step of the way, always holding out a hand for me to hold. When he wanted to leave his show, we talked about it. He wanted me to quit my job, and we talked through my staying. I’m there by his side at his doctor appointments, but I’m not the one running it all. There may come a time when things will change for us, but that’s okay. If it does, we’ll do it together.
Kennedy makes her way over and fixes my veil. “Here we go.”
The double doors open, and I continue to cling to Brody’s arm so I don’t falter in my steps. The space is more stunning than I could have imagined. There are blue and green flowers, beautiful white chairs, and twinkling lights fill the space. It’s absolutely perfect.
The music cues, and the room no longer is what I see. The man I love more than life comes into view, and I melt. His black tuxedo frames his body, showing off his broad shoulders and trim waist. Our eyes connect, and he smiles. My chest clenches, and I fight the urge to run toward him. Suddenly, I can’t wait.
I start to move, but Brody holds me steady.
Each step I take eases the tightness around my ribs. The closer we get, the easier I can breathe.
We reach the end, and Brody places my hand in Eli’s as a tear falls. I look at my best friend who has been a brother to me. He winks and kisses my cheek. “You have a new partner now.”
Another tear drops, and I nod. “Thank you.”
“Be good to her,” Brody says as Eli shakes his hand.
“Always.”
The minister calls attention to us all, and I feel the greatest sense of calm. Here, surrounded by our family and friends, we confess our love. Eli slips a diamond eternity band on my finger, and I place a titanium ring on his. When we picked out our rings, Eli said my ring was to be wrapped with no break in stones. I chose one that was the strongest metal.
“Ellington and Heather have decided to write their own vows,” the minister explains. “Heather, you’re first.”
I take a deep breath and confess what’s in my heart. “I never believed in fate. My world was exactly what I made it to be. I felt that by believing there was something else controlling the things around me, it meant I wasn’t worthy of much because my life was a mess. Therefore, I controlled anything possible. And then I met you. A day that was a way for my friends to force me out of the house for a good time, became my future. I didn’t know that one instant could alter everything I ever believed in, but you did that. You showed me that it was okay to take chances. You gave me a safe haven through the storm. You give me the ability and the strength to believe in tomorrow.” A tear rolls down his face, and I swipe it away like he’s done for me so many times. I take his hand in mine and squeeze hard. I want him to know how much I believe in us. “I promise that I’ll never run from you, not even if you push me outside my comfort zone. I promise that even when our lives feel like they’re crumbling, I’ll stand beside you. I will be your strength when you need it. I promise you will never have to wonder if I love you because I’ll show you in every way. You are the other half of me. You are my belief in fate. You’re my reason for going on. You’re my salvation, and I love you so much. I give you my heart, my soul, and my life from this day forward.”
I release a shaky breath and try not to cry, but I fail. Nicole hands me a tissue, but Eli wipes it away before it falls. We smile at each other and the minister nods at him.
“Love