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The catamaran yacht pulls away from the dock, and that’s my signal that it’s showtime. Everybody is gathered on the deck to watch the water as we start our journey, and I’d estimate there’s maybe a total of forty people on board. Between the Higgins family, the Wilkinsons, and my family, our group makes up over half of the total attendance here.

The sun is starting its descent in the water, and that’s when the music starts playing. It’s not the traditional music you’d hear on a dinner cruise in the Bahamas. Instead, it’s a piano version of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.”

It’s our signal.

Travis makes his way under an arch of flowers first, and I hear a gasp from someone behind me, most likely my sister.

Tristan walks up beside him, and then I take Harper’s hand in mine.

A crewmember hands me a small bouquet of white roses, and we hear an announcement over the loudspeaker. “Tonight we’re celebrating a wedding, and we’d love for anyone who’d like to take part in the joy to take a seat on the upper deck.”

I wait a few beats as people take their seats, and I spot Vanessa.

She’s shaking her head at me and glaring, and I wish with everything inside me she could just be happy for me. My mom grabs her arm and says something to her, and then she narrows her eyes at me as she says something to Jake. They all make their way up the aisle to take a seat…including Owen, who’s beside Jake.

I move toward the end of the aisle with Harper. I give her a little pat on the back to indicate she should go first, and then my dad moves in beside me.

“Travis told me,” he says softly.

I glance over at him, and tears heat behind my eyes.

“Are you happy?” he asks.

I nod. “I’ve never been so happy.”

“Then I’m happy for you. I’m so proud of you and the woman you have become, and I will always be here for you.”

“I love you, Daddy,” I say softly.

He reaches around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze. “Right back at you, ladybug. Now let’s get you married.”

The tears actually start to fall as I walk down the aisle.

Nobody exists as I walk down the aisle except for Travis and Harper. And my dad, since he’s essentially holding me up as we walk since my knees feel like they may give out at any second.

I have tunnel vision as I walk toward the two of them…as I walk toward my future.

Once I arrive, I hand my bouquet to Harper and turn toward Travis, who’s shaking my father’s hand as they exchange some words I miss.

And then my father takes a seat, and Travis reaches over to take my hand in his. He squeezes mine, and I feel like I’m living in a fantasy world.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Travis and Victoria,” the officiant says, addressing the crowd, and then he turns to us. “Today is a celebration of your commitment to one another. Marriage requires love and patience, trust and support through life’s challenges and joys. Never forget the love that brought you here today as you face life hand-in-hand. As you have chosen to recite your own vows, Travis, we shall begin with you.”

Travis turns toward me and reaches out for my other hand so we’re holding both hands. I didn’t prewrite anything, figuring I’d just speak off the cuff, but now I wish I would have.

“Victoria, the night I first met you, I knew there was something special about you, and the second we were on the same page, fireworks exploded.” He grins at me as he wiggles his eyebrows, and I know he’s talking about the night he told me to sit on his face. I laugh as heat creeps into my cheeks. “It’s been a crazy ride ever since, and my life has changed in ways I never would have imagined three months ago. But this feels right, and if I’ve learned anything over the last few months, it’s that life’s short. Tragically short. And I don’t want to spend another second without you as my wife. I love you, and today I commit to being the man you deserve now and forever.”

I draw in a shaky breath as he finishes his speech, and I’m not sure how the hell I’m supposed to follow that.

My voice trembles as I begin.

“Three months ago, a hot football player hit on me, and I had to say no even though I was miserable where I was at the time. I’m not even sure I could’ve dreamed up what the next three months would have in store for me…for us. I couldn’t have imagined the happiness you and your little girl would bring me, and this is just the start for us. I look forward to all the future holds for us. I love you, and today I commit to being everything you and Harper need, both now and forever.”

He squeezes my hands in his, and I lean forward for a brief kiss.

And that’s when I hear it. A voice from the crowd…a very familiar voice.

“When can someone object to this sham?”

Travis and I pull apart and turn toward the offender as a collective gasp rises up from the crowd gathered to watch us—from our family and friends to complete strangers who happened to book a dinner cruise the same time as us.

“Sit down,” Travis commands from where he stands, but Owen stands his ground.

“This is ridiculous. The two of them just met, and the groom vandalized my home before assaulting me.”

Jake stands to intervene, and I know he wanted Owen and me to end up together, but his next words give me hope that we can mend whatever drama there is between my sister and me and we can move forward as a family.

“Dude, the guy’s kid is here. Knock it off,” he hisses.

But Owen doesn’t stop. “He’ll have a warrant out in Vegas the second he steps foot off the plane, and—”

Jake pushes him out into the aisle and drags him away.

“You won’t get away with this!” he yells as Jake finally gets him inside the cabin, and the officiant looks between the two of us.

I glance over at Harper, and she looks like she’s about to cry.

Travis moves around me and kneels so he’s eye-level with her. “Hey, it’s okay, ladybug.”

“Is that man going to make you go to jail?” she asks.

“No, sweetheart.”

I kneel down beside her, too. “He’s just mad I’m marrying your dad. He’ll cool down and everything will be fine.”

I say the words and I even try to believe them myself, but I’m pretty sure everything won’t be fine. In fact, if he gets his way, I think Owen will do whatever he can to ensure nothing will be fine again.