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John

“ Y ou nervous, man?” Danny asked, standing by the mirror in my old bedroom as I straightened my collar.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d worn a button-down shirt, and my wedding day was probably the last time I ever would.

“If I was, would it matter?” I replied. “You’d be no help anyway.”

He laughed. “If it helps, once they see Claire, nobody’s going to look twice at you. She’s a knockout, and you’re just…well, you.”

I gave his shoulder a half-hearted shove but couldn’t help smiling. I hadn’t seen Claire or her dress, and the anticipation was killing me. She’d insisted that I sleep in my old room last night, saying that I couldn’t see my bride before the wedding. According to her, it was bad luck.

Considering how shitty our luck had been lately, I wasn’t gonna jinx us.

But that was all over now. This was the real beginning of our life together.

A fresh start, where we’d make a million new memories together.

Build a future worth fighting for. Grow old together.

Leave this world a little better than we found it .

Claire was my north star. She filled me with hope so bright and brilliant that it took my breath away. My little bluebird appearing after a long winter.

“On a more serious note,” Danny began, and I snorted.

“You capable of that, you think?”

“Sure. I haven’t had a drink yet. Later is a different story.”

He paused, then put a hand on my shoulder as we both stared at our reflection in the long mirror, leaning on his left crutch for support.

“I’m happy for you, Johnny,” he said, and I could swear I heard something like pride in his voice. I softened a bit. “You finally found a girl crazy enough to marry you.”

I rolled my eyes as he laughed like it was the funniest thing he’d ever said. But for Danny, that was pretty much the equivalent of I love you, so I’d take it.

There was a knock on the bedroom door, and a second later, Kimmy poked her head in.

“You nearly ready?” she asked, and when I turned to face her, she came in and closed the door behind her. She wore one of the few dresses she owned; I’d only seen her wear it to our community dances.

“You look great,” she said, her voice trembling, before covering her mouth with her hand. “So handsome.”

“This seems like my cue,” Danny said, and he hobbled out of the room on his crutches.

For a moment, Kimmy and I just looked at each other, smiling.

It didn’t feel like we needed to say anything; I knew what she felt just by meeting her eye.

She’d always been my right hand, always had my back.

My best friend and my constant companion.

She may not have been my blood, but she was my sister in every sense of the word.

“Granny and Granddad would be so proud,” she said, swiping at her eyes. “I wish they could see you, all dressed up like a gentleman. I think Granny would cry, but Granddad would laugh his ass off.”

I chuckled. “Can practically hear him making fun of the cyberpunk haircut with the button-down shirt.”

Kimmy giggled through tears, then said, “Everyone’s ready downstairs. We should head to the garden.”

“Lead the way.”

It was a perfect, sunny spring day, and the rose garden was bursting with colour.

Between Kimmy, Claire, and me, we’d transformed it into a beautiful space again.

We’d cut back the overgrowth and planted new flowers.

I’d built a simple wedding arch at the end of the path, in front of the bench, and Claire had decorated it with vines and white flowers.

We’d placed torches strategically throughout for when it got dark.

Kimmy and I had set up rows of foldable chairs last night, and damn near everyone in the Valley was there now.

Families I knew well, as well as those I didn’t.

Some of the kids from Claire’s classes were there.

Danny sat with Jenna and their grandparents.

Noah and Isla were farther down the aisle, with little Ely napping in a baby sling at Isla’s breast. The Armstrongs sat in the front row; Sarah had already started crying, while Bruce gave me a sheepish smile as he held newborn Ben in his arms. Kimmy took her seat next to them, and I walked to the end of the aisle, where Abby waited to officiate.

This was my family. And my future was about to walk down that aisle.

Finally, Claire appeared at the garden gate, looking like an ethereal princess.

Her long ivory dress was simple, but it accentuated her curves and had tiny, translucent beads that caught the light.

Her red hair was down in soft waves down her back, braided half-up, with pale pink roses were threaded through it.

I smiled so wide that my jaw ached as she walked to me—a vision.

“Claire,” I whispered, a lump rising in my throat. “You’re so beautiful.”

She grinned. “You clean up nicely yourself.”

I couldn’t help myself; I kissed her. Laughter broke out.

“Supposed to wait for the end, man!” Danny called.

“Like I give a fuck,” I said wryly, and Claire giggled.

“Behave,” she ordered, and I straightened.

Abby looked amused and irritated in equal measure.

“If you're quite finished,” she said to me with a severe look, “we can get on with it, hmm? ”

She went through the usual ceremony, and then we exchanged vows to love and care for each other always. I beamed as I slipped my mother’s wedding ring on Claire’s finger, and then, as soon as it’d started, it was over.

“You’re now husband and wife, for as long as you both shall live. You may kiss the bride.”

“Finally,” I muttered.

I grabbed Claire around the waist, and she squeaked in surprise as I dipped her low and kissed her like it was our last. She kissed me back through giggles, and the cheers and applause were deafening.

I lowered my lips to her ear, murmuring words meant only for her.

“I could live a thousand lifetimes, baby, and it wouldn’t be enough with you.”