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“Everyone always told me the true foundation of a good marriage was love. I’m not sure that’s true.

I think it’s friendship. My wife and I have had some rocky moments, but at the end of the day, we’re still the same two people who fell for one another way back when.

Deep down, those versions of us still exist. Sometimes, they’re just buried. ” — Our Best Kept Secret , Henry Hayes

As I watch Oliver, Grant, and Leo take their places, soft music sifting through the speakers, I can't help but steal glances over at Amelia.

I had to stop myself from going over to her when she was sticking her feet in the water, and when I finally decided to pull the plug and go talk to her, Ella pulled her away.

I should take that as a sign we’re done, but for some reason, I still can’t shake Amelia’s hold on my heart or my head.

I thought our conversations would purge her from my system, but it didn't. I wish it did.

I wish I could unknow her. I wish I could leave her in my memories, but the stupid part of me thinks we might be able to work this out.

She just needs to prove she can fight for me and stick around.

Which already, I know, isn't going to work because she’s going back to England after this is over.

I still have the ring my mom gave me. It sits in my drawer next to some pens, random scribbles on notes, and junk.

I put it away because I couldn't bear to look at it. It reminds me of her. It reminds me she ran from me. It’s a constant reminder of Amelia because she’s still the only person I ever thought of giving it to.

Even though we’ve changed so much these past few years, that has stayed the same.

That ring was always meant to be hers, and she was the only girl I wanted to give it to.

I come back to reality as I see the girls start to walk down the aisle: Sadie first, then Ella, then Hads.

Everyone stands as the music changes to Paige’s favorite song, but this version is more instrumental.

When Paige emerges by herself, her bouquet in her hands, tears already in her eyes, I know I want to feel that one day.

I want to love someone with my entire body. With every atom, I want that. And as Noah hands me a tissue, I realize I’m getting emotional at the thought of simply loving someone so much, their mere presence moves me to tears.

The thing that sends me over the edge is when I look at Oliver, Mr. Unemotional, with tears streaming down his face.

Their love is absolutely beautiful, and no two people deserve this happiness more than them. The things they’ve been through would have crumbled me, but these two are strong, and their love for one another makes them even stronger .

Paige eventually reaches the altar, handing her bouquet off to Hads as she blots Paige’s face, Hads handing Grant some tissues. He’s officiating the wedding, but he needs to be able to speak to do so. The rest of us sit down in our chairs as the wedding begins.

“You look beautiful,” Oliver says as he grabs Paige's hands, pressing a small kiss to her knuckles.

“I love your tie,” she jokes. “It’s as perfect as you are.”

Grant clears his throat before speaking into the microphone. “We are gathered here today to witness the love Paige and Oliver share. I know all of us can attest to them being perfect for one another, and as I look around at this group of people, I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this moment.”

My head shifts to Amelia out of habit, and she turns at the same time I do, throwing me a small smile as she reaches for her neck, the necklace she used to wear no longer there.

“I’ll keep this short and sweet, because I know this one wants to marry this girl as soon as he can.” Grant pauses as we all laugh. Then, he goes through the usual things, and as we get to the vows section, the microphone goes to Oliver.

“Paige Yarrow, I once stood on a beach just like this one and told you you were my sunrise. I still stand by that statement, but you are everything to me. Every smile you throw in my direction, every time your face lights up, all of it. I feel like the luckiest fucker on the planet that those are somehow pointed at me.” Tissues are passed around, and I take a few.

Being able to witness them from where they started until now is making me emotional.

“You are the strongest person I know. You are the light of my life, and I promise I will never try to dim you. I promise to fill our house with tote bags, physical copies of movies we love, and so much happiness, we don’t know where to put it.

I promise to brighten your life, to hold you when you cry over dog videos on the internet, and to love you until the moon and the sun finally meet in the sky. ”

She smiles at him, her face full of tears as the microphone turns to her.

“Oh, shit,” is all she says, the crowd laughing through our own tears.

“I always thought I was destined to be alone, to give more love than I would ever receive.

But as soon as I met Oliver, I realized the future had different plans for me.

I went from being a lonely kid to someone who had everything to lose, and now, as I stand here today, I feel like the luckiest person in the entire world.

Because not only do I feel loved every single day when I open my eyes, but I never have to go to bed crying anymore.

And even if I am crying over dog videos, or whatever it is, I know I have two strong arms to wrap myself in that will hold me and tell me everything's okay.”

She takes a deep breath before she continues.

“Oliver Baker, I promise to love you with everything I’ve got. I promise to stop trying to solve cold cases in the middle of the night. I promise to never try to solve a murder case ever again, because, well, we all know how that ended last time.”

Everyone laughs, but Oliver simply tilts his head at his almost-wife.

“And most of all, I promise to show you every single day that you deserve to feel as loved as you make me feel, because even in the silence, you are loved. You never have to question it. I will go anywhere in the world as long as I’m with you, Ol.”

The rest of the ceremony goes off with even more tears, Oliver’s parents smiling ear to ear. As they’re pronounced husband and wife and they walk toward their collective future together, I’m grateful to have witnessed such a small part of their story with my own two eyes.

Maybe someday, I can have this. Maybe one day, I’ll be able to look back and say the journey was worth it. Maybe instead of writing happy endings for my characters, I can finally have one for myself.

Everything happens for a reason, right?