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“It’s beautifully intimate,” the planner says.
“Mmhm. We’re ready.” I hook Dad’s arm and rest my head on his shoulder. “I’m glad you came around, Bear. Means the world.”
“Me too.” He rubs my hand.
“Ah, you’re sweaty!”
“So are you!”
We both belly laugh in the same fashion, and the music plays.
Two doors open into a nice candlelit hall with gothic chairs and some light shining in from the windows. I smile graciously at my aunts and uncles I haven’t seen in some time to my left, and to the mobsters I’ve been acquainted with in some unfortunate situations to my right. But it’s when I gaze straight ahead do I remember why I’m here.
Silver, in all his glory.
A black tux with perfectly tailored pants, white shirt, and black tie. It’s all so traditionally James Bond, but those silver streaks in his beard and hair make him that much hotter. His green eyes pop in the sunlight, and I know in just a minute, he’ll be mine forever.
We get to the altar.
As my dad takes my sweaty hand in his, he hands me to Silver, then gives him a big hearty hug that makes everyone “Aw.”The pieces left of my heart melt into a puddle at my feet. He then walks up to the altar to act as the best man, which makes everyone chuckle.
Once we’re in front of the officiant, we have a moment to glance at each other.
“Hi,” I whisper.
“You look beautiful.”He leans farther in. “And you’re glowing.”He winks.
I hit him playfully.
The officiant’s words are a blur. All I can do is caress Silver’s hand and all I can think about is the life beyond us. My brow furrows when I see him pull out a piece of paper from his left breast pocket.
But we said we weren’t doing vows.
“I know you said we weren’t doing vows,” he repeats my thought as if he stole it from my head. “But, I wanted to say something unilaterally, because, well, this was never in my wildest dreams supposed to happen, and I’m still not convinced I’m not dreaming.”
More “Aws”from my side of the aisle.
“Hey, kid,” he looks up from his paper to see my goofy smile. “We can’t talk about half of the things we’ve been through, because my best man might arrest us,” he says half-jokingly, “but in the end, I wouldn’t change one thing… because after the chips fell, against all the odds, we somehow came together. Me and you, Quinn.” He grips my hand. “I’ll love you forever no matter what. To protect, to hold, and to provide. God. Who would’ve thought it’d take half a lifetime to figure out that I’m able to love again. I have you to thank for that. And I’ll be forever grateful.”
“Awww!”
I cough. “Well now you put me on the spot.”
The crowd laughs.
“Okay, here goes.” I clear my throat again. “When I first met you, you ignored me no matter how hard I shouted. Believe it or not,we were neighbors,” I tell both of our families, evoking more laughter. “But eventually, you came around, and boy oh boy, am I glad you did. You protect me. You love me. Andsomehow… in some impossible way… you got my dad to like you.”
“Damn straight.” Dad winks.
Silver holds up a fist in thanks for Dad’s support.
“Yeah, yeah, this bromance. Can’t stop it.” I roll my eyes. “But seriously. You’re everything to me, and for the rest of my life I want to be wrapped in your warm loving arms, because you’re my person. For all our crazy adventures… you taking me on sets to my favorite shows—which he can’t get enough of, by the way.” I look to the crowd, then back into his big green eyes. “Sharing every moment with you makes time go by too fast. And that’s how I know I love you, Silver, and I always will.”