Page 54 of Third Time Lucky

ASHER

Six Months Later

‘If anyone can show just cause why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace…’

I hold Lucy’s hand tightly and silently.

‘I can’t believe they’re doing this,’ she whispers.

That’s right. Aaron sweet-talked us into going on our yearly Vegas trip as a ‘double date,’ and we’re currently stone-cold sober while Aaron and Madi get married.

I had no idea they were doing this, but here we are.

We have an itinerary. They’ve made plans.

All it took for Aaron to man up was a strong woman.

As the officiant waits for a response, Lucy’s hand trembles in mine – anxiety. She’s had a hard time back in Vegas, and when they told us what they were doing today, she pretty much froze in fear.

And just as the weight of the silence becomes almost unbearable, a voice rings out from the back of the chapel.

‘I object…’

Our heads snap to the back, hearts standing still, especially poor Lucy’s – I know because she’s now gripping my hand like a vice.

‘…To not officiating this wedding,’ the voice continues, now making his way up the aisle and removing the current officiant, taking his place. ‘Traffic was a bitch. Now, let’s fall in love.’

Thank all the Gods that it’s not some ex-partner but only Elvis insisting he officiates the wedding.

‘I think my heart stopped for a second,’ Luce whispers, her free hand raises to her chest.

I’d warn her that it might stop later tonight, but I don’t want to ruin the surprise.

I steal a glance at Aaron and Madi, standing side by side with beaming smiles on their faces. It was their dream for Elvis to marry them in Sin City, where they began. Finally, Aaron looks at peace, like a man who has found his place in the world.

As he slips the ring onto Madi’s finger, a sense of happiness fills the room, and I can feel the genuine love between them radiating outwards. It’s infectious.

A soft smile plays on Lucy’s lips as she leans her head on my shoulder, her fingers intertwined with mine. The ceremony carries on around us, but in that moment, it feels like we are the only two people in the room. I want her to be beside me for every moment of my life.

Yes, I have a plan and a ring box tucked away in Aaron’s jacket pocket for safekeeping until the timing is right.

There’s not a chance Lucy’s going home this weekend without replacing a bad memory with a great one.

But I want our moment to be ours and not shared with the whole world like the last time she was in Vegas.

The ceremony concludes with Aaron and Madi sealing their vows with a kiss. We and the chapel employees burst into cheers and applause as the newlyweds make their way down the aisle, Elvis leading the way with a guitar in hand.

‘How lovely do they look?’ Mitzi says, throwing wedding chapel-shaped confetti at the couple as they walk past.

Yep, we brought Mitzi. She’s such a huge part of our lives that there’s not a lot we don’t do with her. In Vegas she spends most of her time in the hotel we’re staying in, meandering around buffets and casino floors, but she couldn’t miss this.

Without a word, we both rise from our seats and follow the crowd outside. The neon lights of the Vegas strip illuminate the night as we step onto the bustling sidewalk.

‘Did you ever imagine we’d end up here together? Or that my best friend and your brother would marry one another?’ Lucy asks as we walk hand in hand, the sounds of the city swirling around us.

‘I never imagined it, but I’m grateful for every twist and turn that brought us here,’ I reply, squeezing her hand gently.

A car pulls up next to us, and I stop, heading its way.

‘What are you doing?’ Lucy asks, pointing at Aaron and Madi, who are at least a block ahead of us and clearly on a mission.

‘We’ve got one more stop, and we’re Ubering there, for Mitzi’s sake.’

She looks between me and Mitzi, confusion plastered on her face. ‘OK…’ she says, getting into the Uber’s back seat and sliding over for me.

We’re headed to the Neon Boneyard, usually open to the public this time of year, but Mitzi and Paul have reserved it tonight for a party of six. Really, it’s the backdrop of the beginning of the rest of Lucy and my life. I hope.

The closer we get, the more nervous I become.

I’ve never been this anxious, actually. Except when visiting Paul at his office and feeling like he was prosecuting me as I asked to do this.

I knew it was important to Lucy, and this time, he didn’t even threaten me like he did Brandon.

Mostly because I’m not a demon in disguise, but also because there is no question, I love his daughter with everything in me.

We arrive at the site, where vintage neon signs cast a colorful glow over the night. As we walk in, we’re greeted by Aaron and Madi dancing under the flickering lights of a giant martini glass sign as Elvis serenades them with a classic love song.

Lucy’s eyes light up at the scene before us, and she squeezes my hand excitedly. ‘This is amazing,’ she whispers, leaning in close as we watch our friends celebrate their love.

It doesn’t take long for Mitzi to be twirling on Elvis’ hand with a glass of champagne in hers, her infectious laughter filling the air.

‘Want to look around?’ I ask, motioning to the paths through the glowing discarded signs.

Aaron and Madi came first because they were setting the stage.

In front of the famous Stardust sign is a flower petal heart dotted with flickering candles waiting for us.

There is also a photographer to capture every second because I know she’s not expecting this right now and she’s going to want to remember everything.

Truthfully, none of this was originally in my plan, but when I walked into the jeweler with Aaron to help pick out Madi’s ring a few weeks ago, one stood out above the rest, and it wasn’t meant for Madi. Like everything else about us, it seemed like it was meant to be.

‘How beautiful is this?’ Lucy asks as we walk through the signs. After a few minutes, she moves away from me with perfect timing, her phone in her hand, camera on, and the neon lights shining in her eyes.

I take the opportunity to round the corner without her and take a breath, waiting for her to find me.

‘Wait, Ash?’ she calls my name. ‘Where are y— Dad !? What are you doing he—’ Her words stop, and I know things are getting real because Paul just stepped into his part of the plan.

Her voice fades, and around another corner comes Madi, Aaron and Mitzi, all ready with confetti poppers to celebrate what hopefully is a giant ‘yes’ to the question I’m about to ask.

‘You nervous?’ Aaron asks under his breath, pulling the ring from his inside jacket pocket and setting it in my hand.

I grip the box tightly. ‘Incredibly so.’

‘Why? She’s saying yes,’ Madi says, smoothing down the veil now thrown back over her hair. ‘No question about that.’

‘I know. Just the option of no is squeezing my heart like someone’s trying to tie a knot in it.’

Breathe, Ash. You know she loves you, and all she’s ever wanted in life is to have this moment with the right man, and you are him. She’ll say yes.

God. She has to say yes, or my entire world will screech to a halt.

‘Holy—’ Her words stop again when she rounds the corner, her hand in her father’s as they walk my way.

She doesn’t see me until I take a step forward from the edge of the sign, my heart pounding in my chest. She looks at me, then Paul, then back to me, her eyes filled with a whirlwind of emotions. I can see the moment she realizes what is happening.

A tear escapes down her cheek as she nods slightly, already answering the question I’ve yet to ask, unable to form the words that I know are swimming in her mind, while I drop down to one knee. I’ll get on both knees if I must – that’s how much I love this woman.

‘Lucy,’ I begin, my voice barely above a whisper yet echoing in the silent night around us.

‘From the moment I met you for the third time, my life has been brighter, more vibrant… more complete. Every memory that ties us together is worth it right now. And I want a million more moments with you, so what do you think of maybe spending the rest of your life with me?’

For a second, time stands still as Lucy stares at me, her hand flying up to cover her mouth in shock. The world fades away until all that exists is the two of us in this neon-lit haven of discarded memories and new beginnings.

‘Marry me?’ I ask, my heart finally slowing from the race it was on as I see the word ‘yes’ all over her face.

With tears streaming down her face and a radiant smile breaking through, she nods vigorously. ‘Yes! You crazy, amazing man,’ she says, dropping to her knees in front of me and throwing her arms around my neck, nearly knocking me over.

Pops from the confetti poppers startle her, causing her to pull away, sitting back on her knees. Her gaze lands on the ring still gripped tightly in my hand.

‘Oh my God, it’s gorgeous,’ she says, her eyes locking with mine.

‘A gorgeous ring for a gorgeous girl,’ I say, pulling the it from the box.

I’ve never seen her happier as she allows me to slide the ring on her finger.

She holds her hand in front of her, not even noticing our friends around us. ‘This is beautiful. You’re beautiful!’ she exclaims.

I laugh, getting to my feet and helping her up.

‘I love you so much,’ I whisper to just her. ‘Thank you for saying yes.’

‘No wasn’t even an option,’ she says, her voice filled with emotion once again, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck.

Elvis strikes up a celebratory tune on his guitar.

‘I can’t believe this is happening!’ Madi exclaims, tears of joy streaming down her face.

I wrap my arms tightly around Lucy, holding her close as the music, cheers and applause of our friends and family fill the Neon Boneyard. Mitzi is practically jumping with joy, Elvis is singing even louder, and I can feel Paul’s proud gaze on us.

The ring sparkles on Lucy’s finger in the neon lights as she celebrates with her family and friends.

‘Congratulations, son,’ Paul says, clapping me on the back. ‘I’ve no doubt you’re the one she’s been looking for all these years.’

‘I am,’ I say, sure of it myself.

My God, she said yes. She wants to spend eternity with me. Wow. Suddenly, the world seems to spin a little slower, as if savoring this precious moment in time.

‘I love you,’ Lucy says as she steps back into my arms. ‘We’re getting married!’ she says. ‘Not in Vegas, I hope…?’ she asks nervously.

‘Anywhere you want. Tomorrow or a year from now. I don’t care, as long as you’re there.’

She beams. ‘It’s gonna be perfect.’

‘Just like you,’ I say, pecking another kiss on her lips.

The rest of the night is a blur of laughter, music and celebration as we dance under the neon lights, our hearts full to bursting with love for each other and for the friends who have become family.

As Elvis sings another ballad and Mitzi twirls around with Aaron, I know that this moment will be etched in my memory forever as the best day of my life.

Until the next one, when she walks down the aisle and becomes my wife.