Chapter 38 Emmett #2
I nod—because if I try to talk, I’ll probably cry again—looping my hand around Austin’s offered elbow.
Lauren hands me my bouquet of roses, and we follow Sydney and Livvy down the corridor, their matching baby pink dresses shimmering as we pass under the recessed lighting.
Before I even have time to think, each girl is funneling through the entrance that leads to the altar.
Soft, instrumental music plays through the speakers while they slowly make their way along the aisle, fading into nothing as the ushers close the double doors so Austin and I can step up behind them.
Anticipation pumps through my veins as we wait, the wedding march bleeding through the thick wood for several moments.
I dig my nails into the sleeve of his tuxedo for purchase, because honestly, I don’t trust myself not to take off like a racehorse, just to get to Emmett as quickly as I can.
I spent over seven years in agony over my decision to break us, and here I am, marrying the love of my life for the second time.
Do I deserve it? Who knows. But I’ll make damn sure he never regrets a single thing.
The doors open, and like a magnet, my gaze finds his.
My vision blurs with tears, emotion like I’ve never felt before stealing all the breath from my lungs as I begin to walk toward the only boy I’ve ever loved.
Ever touched. Ever dreamed of. His brows pull tight, eyes glistening as they fill, and I swear time stops completely.
He’s the most beautiful human being I’ve ever seen—inside and out—and I can’t believe he’s really mine again. This time, forever.
My feet mindlessly carry me forward, not nearly as quickly as I’d like, though.
The pull to Emmett Hayes has always been incredibly strong, but never the way it is right now.
It’s almost unbearable at first, but gradually ebbs away with each step I take in his direction, until finally, we reach the altar.
I turn to Austin, and he lifts my veil, making sure it’s lying just the way Syd showed him before dropping a kiss to my cheek.
He angles himself toward Emmett, shaking his hand before taking his spot next to Maddox.
The entire room goes quiet, allowing the officiant to begin.
“Dearest friends and family. We’ve gathered here today to witness the next chapter of Emmett and Stella’s love story.
It’s been a long road, with many bumps and wrong turns along the way, but as it usually does, the universe brought them back together.
The couple has decided to write their own vows to express their love for one another.
” She turns to me. “Stella, would you like to go first?”
I let out a shaky breath, handing my bouquet to Arden in exchange for the paper I scribbled everything on last night.
I struggled to find the words at first, feeling like nothing I said would be enough, but when I finally got going, it all just poured right onto the page.
By the time I was done, tears were streaming down my cheeks, peace washing over me like the warmest wave as I drifted off to sleep.
“Emmett,” I begin, my voice trembling. “From the moment we met, my entire world was changed.
Even at five years old, I somehow knew you were the one for me.
It may not have been the type of deep, emotional love that you feel as an adult, but it was the beginning of something pure, real, and true.
You were my sunshine through the rain and my strength when I felt weak, making the world right when everything seemed so incredibly wrong.
“Walking away from you when I did was the biggest mistake of my life, but I left something very important with you that day, and you’ve had it ever since.
Every milestone, every touchdown, every night you went to sleep thinking you were alone—a piece of me was with you.
” I look up, catching his eyes with mine because I don’t need the paper to remember the rest. “So, today, as you do me the honor of becoming my husband again, I want to thank you for keeping my heart safe while I found my way back home.
And now, I want to give you the rest of me—mind, body, and soul.
“From today forward, I vow to be your biggest fan, your best friend, and take your side, even when you’re wrong—which you probably always will be.
” I smile through tears, making him huff a soft laugh in response.
My heart swells at the sound, and I swallow thickly, pushing down the emotion that clogs my throat.
“I love you so much, Emmett. And I can’t wait to be the wife you’ve always deserved. ”
“I love you,” he whispers quietly. I can tell he wants to kiss me, but he holds himself back as the officiant turns his way.
“Emmett, it’s your turn.” His throat works with a rough swallow, and he nods, taking his phone that Theo is currently dangling over his shoulder.
I giggle, rolling my eyes playfully at how completely extra his best man is being, but also loving the support that he has in his corner.
We’re truly blessed to be a part of this team.
“Stella,” he rasps. “From the very second you punched Jimmy Ackerman in my honor, I knew you were my other half. Things were a lot simpler back then, but I made a promise to myself that day—that no matter where life took us, I’d do everything in my power to make sure you never had to do it alone.
“Somewhere along the way, we got lost. As much as it killed me to let you go, there was one thing that kept me from spiraling out of control while fate worked to make things right again. In those moments, where you felt so far away, I’d close my eyes and imagine another universe—one where we were lost together.
We held hands in the darkness, and even when we were pulled in separate directions, our connection never faltered.
“Those years we spent apart felt like an endless cycle of anger, sadness, and despair. But the idea that somewhere out there, a version of us was fighting to get here today gave me the smallest sliver of hope—hope that one day, a beacon of light would lead us right back home.” His brown eyes lift, locking onto mine, and I can feel the love radiating from every part of him.
I can’t stop myself from inhaling deeply, taking in his familiar cologne as the warmth in his voice keeps me tethered to the moment.
“I vow today to hold your hand in every universe,” he continues.
“To walk beside you in the darkness, and always help you find the light. To be the arms you run into when you need to feel loved, and the voice in your head when you think you’re not enough—because you are.
You’re my happily ever after, Stella Hayes, and it’s an honor and a privilege to marry you twice in the same lifetime. ”
My mind flits back to the very first time I saw him, that adorable, crooked smile pulling me in and never letting go.
Like a slideshow, memories from our childhood fade into one another, a beautiful story of two kids who grew together, fell in love, fell apart, and let destiny guide them back where they belonged.
This man is everything to me, and I’ll never forget the way he selflessly forgave, caring for me and loving me as we healed from all the pain and heartbreak of our past. And now, we’re starting over as husband and wife, embarking on a new adventure of endless happiness and hope.
Next, we exchange rings, a symbol of our renewed commitment to one another.
I was ready to use the old ones, since Emmett held onto them for so long, but he wanted to give me the wedding I always imagined—sparkly dress and jewelry included.
In the end, we compromised, melting our old wedding bands down and reusing the metal to make brand-new ones.
I have to admit I love the idea that they grew just as we did, facing the fire and coming out stronger and more beautiful in the end.
Every time I look at it, I’ll be served with a reminder that no matter what happens in life, I have a husband who would go to the ends of the earth for me, just as I would for him.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Ohio, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Emmett, you may kiss your bride.” As soon as the words are out of the officiant’s mouth, his arms are around my waist, lifting me into the air as our lips press together.
Cheers erupt throughout the room, but when he gently pushes his tongue inside, it all fades away.
A barely audible whimper rolls up my chest, but before it can even break through the air, he swallows it, greedily plunging in for another.
My body obliges, giving him what he’s starving for until Syd’s loud voice pulls us back to reality.
“Everybody relax,” she quips. “Grab a drink. Some popcorn. The show is long, but does have a happy ending, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh my God,” I groan, dropping my forehead to Emmett’s chest as it shakes with laughter.
The entire room joins in, and my cheeks heat—because once again, kissing him made me go momentarily brainless in front of our friends and colleagues.
I wonder if it’ll always be like this, neither of us able to control ourselves when the other is around.
My guess is no, since we’ve been this way since high school, but it’s fine.
I’m perfectly happy knowing that I’ll get the most passionate kisses every day for the rest of our lives.
I love the sound of that.