Page 106 of Jessica's Hero

It’s been six months since I proposed, and I still feel like pinching myself every morning when I wake up to find my beautiful fiancée snuggled beside me. Looking so sweet with her lips pursed and her nose wrinkled as she sleeps, her leg always tossed carelessly over mine.

But not my fiancée for much longer. Soon—in less than fifteen minutes, the officiant promised—she’ll be my wife.

Still looking at my mom, I wave back at her and mouth,thanks, since trying to mouth,I’m actually the luckiest guy in the world, is probably a little too long. Then my gaze shifts to the empty seat to her left. Or not empty, exactly—there’s a photo sitting on it. A large, elaborately framed picture of Jess’s mom.

My throat goes thick to see it, even though I’ve known it would be there for months. It was one of the first things Jess and I talked about when we started planning the wedding; how to make her mom a part of it. Then Oliver gave me the idea, saying he did it at his own wedding to Shea.

I wasn’t sure at first, worried it would make Jess toosad. But she liked it. She said it would make her feel like her mom was there.

So we have a seat at the ceremony reserved and another at the reception. It’s not as good as having her mom here, of course, but it’s something. And we did go back to her grave right after I proposed to give the news in person. Then I stayed there for a few minutes by myself, promising to do the absolute best job I could to always care for her daughter.

“She’s more important than anything,”I said quietly, my gaze fixed on the words etched into stone.“And I swear on my life, I will do whatever it takes to protect her. To make sure she’s happy.”

“It’s tough,” Oliver murmurs. “Missing people. Wishing they could be here. But I am sure Jess’s mom is watching right now. And she’s so happy.”

Unexpectedly, my eyes burn.

This emotional side of me isn’t one I’m familiar with.

In fact, it only comes out when it has to do with Jess. But I guess that makes sense, because she’s my heart. When she hurts, I hurt. When she’s sad, so am I. And if she’s not happy, I can’t be, either.

But today is a happy day. Not one for feeling sad or mournful.

So I tuck aside the bittersweet feelings and say, “I hope she’s happy. Proud of how amazing her daughter is.”

From my other side, Nora leans in. “She’s definitely proud. How could she not be?”

Exactly.

For all the years Jess was so down on herself, all the years the people in town judged her, she’s proven everyone wrong.

My Jess is the strongest person I know. And I’ll forever be in awe of her.

I’m about to reply to Nora when the instrumental strains ofHere Comes the Sunbegins. All my muscles tense. My chest squeezes.

It’s the song we chose for Jess to walk down the aisle.

She picked the first dance song. But this one I chose. Because she is the sun. She’s my everything.

On a held breath, I wait to see her.

Then.

Through the double doors at the back of the room, she enters. Alone, just like she said she wanted to.

And oh.

She’s so beautiful.

I know she’s wearing some sort of white and blue dress and her hair is flowing down her back in shining waves. I know she’s wearing the topaz pendant my mom gave her as something blue, and the diamond earrings I bought as a pre-wedding gift.

I know all these things, but they don’t really matter.

All that matters is my love, my heart, my sun, is walking towards me, her smile brighter than I’ve ever seen it.

As all the guests turn to look at her, a softahhfills the room.

My heart feels like it’s about to explode. Not from nerves, but sheer joy.