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It’s a big deal that she agreed to attend the wedding, but our families have become close over the last few months, and that only grew when they attended our ceremony.

Kellan is beside Liam, with his wife, Mia, and McKenna is with her husband, Finn. The only family members who couldn’t make it are Shane and Ryleigh, but they’re due to take their exams soon, and couldn’t spare the time away from university, which is understandable.

When we finally make it to the end of the aisle, Marcus takes a step towards me, and I’m shocked by the emotion in his voice as he reaches out a hand to me. “Thank you for doing this, Jake.”

I grab his hand, but instead of shaking it, I pull him in for a hug. “I’m honoured.” Then, in a whisper that only he can hear, I say, “You better not hurt her.”

As he pulls back, he gives me a hard nod, his expression serious as he tells me, “I’ll protect and love her with everything I have.”

“That’s all I ask.” I turn to face my sister, who is keenly watching our interaction. “You ready to do this?”

Chloe flicks her gaze between me and Marcus, and as soon as she lands on him, her whole body seems to relax, and she doesn’t even need to say the answer. It’s written all over her face.

“I’m ready.”

That’s the officiant’s cue to start the ceremony, and we all fall into place, doing exactly as we practiced just a couple of days before. I only play a small part, but it feels monumental to me.

The officiant asks, “Who gives this woman to be wed?”

I step forward, my arm still linked with Chloe’s. “I do.”

I then hold Chloe’s arm out for Marcus to take, and when he does, letting go is harder than I expected. I don’t see it as giving Chloe away, like she’s property, it’s more me handing over responsibility to Marcus.

I’ve loved, protected, and cared for Chloe my whole life, and now that will be Marcus’ job. He will be the one she turns to when she’s upset or in trouble, and I’m happy for her. I just never expected to feel the sense of loss I’m experiencing right now.

Just as I’m about to step back, to let the ceremony proceed, Chloe reaches out for me, tears in her eyes. “Thank you for being the best big brother. I will always love you.”

I can’t help throwing my arms around her, pulling her in for a big hug as my own tears threaten to fall. “I’m so proud of you, Chloe,” I tell her when I release her, smiling as I take a step back.

Both Marcus and Chloe thank me before turning to face each other. I feel a reassuring hand against my back, and twist to see Indie smiling at me as she leads me over to my seat, before returning to stand by Chloe’s side.

The ceremony plays out in front of me, and I’m a mess of emotions as I watch my little sister marry the love of her life, who just so happens to be my best friend.

I don’t know when exactly it happened, but my eyes drift over to Miles, as they so often do, and I find him sharing a smile with Indie, who is standing on the opposite side of the aisle to him. I had been so caught up watching the bride and groom, I’d almost missed the moment my husband and wife were sharing.

They never got to stand at the top of an aisle, just the two of them, to declare their love for each other. I did with Indie, as we had to get married officially for show, but then the commitment ceremony was all three of us.

I didn’t think it mattered that they never got to do anything, just the two of them, and if it bothered them, they never said anything. But as I watch them together now, I realise they’re using this moment to their own advantage.

With each vow that Marcus and Chloe read aloud, Indie and Miles are mouthing the same words to each other. They don’t take their eyes off one another as they silently repeat the vows.

I’m sure nobody else in the audience has even noticed, but I have, and my heart doubles in size as I watch the two people I love make promises to each other.

Even though we made the promises as a triad, I can tell by the way they’re staring intently at each other, so full of love, it’s important for them to do this.

As Chloe reads her own vows, both of them turn to look at me, very aware I’ve been watching them throughout the ceremony. They both smile at me as Indie cradles her baby bump. Miles’ eyes shine the way mine do when he sees her mindlessly caressing her tummy, not even aware she’s doing it.

He mouths the words ‘I love you’ to her, before doing the same to me, Miles’ smirk growing as his gaze flicks between us.

As I sit here surrounded by the people who I care about the most, looking into the eyes of my husband and wife, I can’t help but wonder how the hell I got this lucky.

Eighteen months ago, the odds of me surviving from day to day could have been decided by the flip of a coin. I was lost to addiction, struggling to cope with the world I was being forced into, feeling more alone than ever before. I couldn’t picture a future, because if I’m being honest with myself, I didn’t want one.

Then, everything changed. I got sober, and I fight every day to remain that way, no matter how much of a challenge it is. I have learnt to enjoy my job, and I’m good at it. I threw away all the rules my dad gave me, and became the leader I wanted to be—fair but firm, someone who earns respect rather than demands it through fear.

But more than anything, I fell in love—not once, but twice. I no longer feel lonely, and never will again. I have so much love for Miles and Indie, and the love they give me in return keeps away my darkness. They’re the sun in my dark world, and they’ve helped shine a light on a future I never thought was possible.

Now I’m a husband, and soon I’ll be a father too. I have people who depend on me, and that’s all I need to keep me on the right path.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still worried I’ll be a terrible father—I don’t exactly have the best role model—but Miles and Indie will be by my side, making sure I don’t mess up.

I have so much love for my husband and wife, and I know my heart will only grow when our little baby arrives. It’s still driving me mad, not knowing if it’s a boy or a girl, but Miles and Indie outvoted me, saying they wanted it to be a surprise. So, I’ll wait patiently, knowing it won’t matter either way, as I’ll still love them with every fibre of my being.

Life has certainly thrown more than its fair share of curveballs at me so far, some of which have hit me in the face, but now I’m prepared to take them on. I want to experience everything life has to offer, and with Miles and Indie by my side, I have no doubt I will love every second of it.

The End