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Andrew says his vows with no hesitation whatsoever, his eyes on me as if he means every word. I hope I can pull off the same sincerity even though we both know that our marriage is certainly not until ‘death do us part.’
The officiant turns to me, and my heart clenches slightly. It’s my turn.
I take a breath, my hand tightening around Andrew’s as I speak. “I, Emily, take you, Andrew, to be my lawfully wedded husband.”
I swallow down the panic rising in my chest. This is a lot harder than I imagined it would be. “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish…”
I stumble slightly over the last words, feeling the hollowness of them in my chest. “... until death do us part.”
The officiant smiles, unaware of the turmoil inside me. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Andrew turns to me and leans in. His lips brush my mine in a soft, kiss. The guests clap and a few people cheer.
It’s done. The vows are said, the formalities over. I exhale, relieved to have made it through.
There’s lunch and dancing to get through, but that feels like a breeze after the ceremony. The hardest part is behind me.
Chapter 11:Andrew
“Congratulations,” Jack says, leaning across the table toward Emily, his signature grin plastered on his face. “I’m Jack. You know, I usually meet the bride before the wedding, but I’ll make an exception today.”
Emily laughs and I find myself staring at her. I’ve done a lot of that today. She looks stunning, more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her.
As Emily and Jack continue chatting, my eyes are drawn to her perfectly shaped lips. I remember how it felt to kiss her after the vows—how I had wanted to linger, to deepen the kiss, to hold her tighter and closer.
I take a deep breath and remind myself that this is business and Emily’s lips are not part of the contract.
We’re seated at a long head table, facing the rest of the guests who are laughing, chatting, believing that they are here to witness a couple in love wanting to spend the rest of their lives together.
I glance at Emily again. The way she carries herself with such grace, even with all the awkwardness of this situation, is admirable.
And distracting.
The MC’s voice cuts through the buzz of conversation. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the best man’s speech.”
I turn to Jack, giving him a look that says, I told you this wasn’t necessary. But Jack, being Jack, just winks at me. He had insisted on giving a speech, claiming that if one thing had to be real about this wedding, it was the best man’s toast.
He stands up, adjusting his tuxedo jacket, and clears his throat dramatically. “Alright, folks, I’ll keep this short, but not too short,” he says with a grin, the room quieting down as all eyes turn toward him.
“Andrew and I go way back. We served together, and let me tell you, there’s no better way to get to know a man than to serve with him. You see them at their best, their worst, and everything in between.”
As soon as he says it, my chest tightens. The room fades, the sound of clinking glasses and soft laughter drowning in the surge of noise in my head. The memories come fast and hard.
Cover! Get down!The shout echoes in my ears, gunfire cracking through the air. Dust, heat, chaos. The blinding flash of light as an explosion goes off nearby.
My heart races. My skin feels too tight, my hands curling into fists as the panic claws at me, threatening to take me under.
I try to pull myself back, but it’s like being trapped underwater, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps. Sweat trickles down my neck. I fight to stay here, to stay present, but my memories are winning.
A hand grips my arm.
“Are you alright?”
I blink, focusing on Emily’s face. Her deep green eyes are full of concern, her grip on my arm tightening.
Still caught between two worlds, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to nod, even though my heart is still hammering in my chest. Slowly, the world around me comes back into focus.
“I’m fine.”