18. Aisle Be There
AISLE BE THERE
CHARLIE
M ackenzie, Livi, my mom, Mackenzie’s mom, and I all head back toward the bride’s room after walking laps around where the reception would’ve been if today wasn’t the most perfect weather ever.
It was a nice way to start off what is surely going to be several hectic hours.
Mackenzie is coming up on her two-thousandth day of walking for at least twenty minutes a day without skipping a single day, no matter what’s going on. Apparently, even on her wedding day.
Over the next hour, all of the bridesmaids show up. With both moms, Livi, Mackenzie’s three sisters, Zoe, and me, there are nine of us in the bride’s room. It’s a good thing the room is meant for big wedding parties like this.
I have a unique buzz set for when a text comes in from Owen, and my ears are already attuned to it. The moment I hear it, I pull out my phone.
Owen: This was my to-do list song for the day. (Sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Don’t judge—it’s what the tune gods wanted.) I’ve now checked everything off.
Wake happy to see Charlie
Try to make missing her flee
Ignore that her note was cute
Get dressed up in wedding suit
Resist texting all morning
Give up, text ‘I failed’ warning.
Owen: That was your warning, by the way. Hi! Good afternoon. I hope all is going well.
Charlie: WHEW. I didn’t want to have to be the first one to crack today. You liked the “Weddings make me mushy. You make me swoony. Today’s going to be a problem” sticky note on your door, huh?
Charlie: P.S. I’m totally picturing you singing that song while hopping and trying to put on a sock.
Owen: I do my best song rhyming while sock hopping .
Why did we wait so long to exchange phone numbers?
We could’ve been texting like this all along!
And why did we wait so long to start dating?
Today is technically our very first date, yet already, I have been missing him like crazy.
Ever since our wall came down, I’ve seen him daily.
But I’m going on a day and a half now without seeing him, and it feels as if it’s been ages.
Owen: Is there anything I should know about your family before showing up?
Owen: And are all your brothers as intimidating as your brother Miles?
Charlie: Oh, they most definitely are. And they WILL grill you, so be prepared.
Owen: Gulp.
Charlie: As far as the rest of my family, know that my mom, Evelyn, is the most intimidating and gracious person you’ll ever meet. But don’t worry—her default is gracious. If she ever aims intimidating in your direction, run.
Charlie: Don’t try to out-compliment my cousin, Frederick. He once complimented a 3-bean casserole so sincerely that the dish cried.
Charlie: Note that my great aunt Sissy will pat your cheek if she likes you. She has dementia, though, and you look enough like a younger version of her late husband that I can’t guarantee which cheek she’ll pat.
Charlie: Seek out my uncle, Dale. He’s a fellow history buff. Just know that if you do, you’re committing to chatting for at least twenty minutes.
Charlie: Someone will likely say at some point, “Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?” Your only acceptable response is: “No, but I’m excited to find out.”
Owen: If I survive this, do I get a t-shirt that says “I met the Lancasters and lived”?
Owen: Because I’d wear it proudly.
With all of us doing hair and makeup, the place gets noisy quickly. Eventually, we get into our dresses, which are all magenta-colored, of course. Since it is Mackenzie’s wedding, it’d be weird if they were any other color.
But we each got to pick our own style for our dress.
Mine is fitted to the waist before it flares and has a sweetheart neckline.
Zoe’s is one-shouldered, long, and slinky, and has a daring slit.
Livi’s is about the same length as mine, but it’s a flowy wrap dress with a ruffled hem.
Maggie’s is vintage tea-length with puff sleeves.
Her other sisters’ dresses are all just as different from each other.
I love it because they show off our personalities so much.
Things start to quiet down just a bit as we all finish getting ready and Mackenzie’s hair and makeup artists leave.
Mackenzie is standing in front of the full-length mirror, looking at her dress.
It’s a white A-line with a V-neck and a deep V back, and the bodice is lace with beadwork that trails down into the skirt part.
There are two thin bands of ribbon accenting the fitted waistline, and the tulle skirt is all fluffy and beautiful and fun.
Plus, she has the most incredible strappy beaded shoes I’ve ever seen.
She looks fancy and stunning without being too elegant to really have fun at her wedding celebration.
Which is exactly what they’re calling it—a “celebration,” not a “reception.”
“You look absolutely perfect,” I tell Mackenzie, giving her a hug.
“Thanks! I feel perfect. Can you believe that I’m about to be married to Jace! How crazy and wonderful is that?”
Zoe is also standing near us, and she keeps looking around at everyone, seeming hesitant about something. Then, she asks Mackenzie, “How did you know you wanted all of this?”
“Are you asking about the wedding or the marriage?”
“The marriage.”
“Well,” Mackenzie says, “the fact that both Jace and I can only imagine a future that includes each other was a good clue. For both of us, when we talk about the future and what we want to do together, it excites us more than anything. Wanting to spend the rest of forever with the other person, which we both very much do, is also a good clue.”
Zoe nods, looking deep in thought. I know her mom never married, but she only lived with her until she was about five.
She spent most of her years growing up in different homes in foster care.
I don’t know what kinds of relationships any of her foster parents had with each other, but I kind of get the sense that they weren’t good.
I can see why witnessing Jace and Mackenzie fall in love and get married is intriguing to her.
Maybe she hasn’t witnessed that up close before.
The wedding planner comes into the room and tells us that we’re five minutes from the ceremony. I hear the faint buzz of Owen’s text, so I hurry over to my phone one last time.
Owen: I’m seated for the ceremony. I can’t wait to see you. I’ll be the shockingly handsome man in a suit with hearts in his eyes.
Great. Now I have to remember how to breathe and walk in heels. This man is trying to kill me with charm.
Charlie: If I don’t see you before I’m standing up at the front for the ceremony, wish me luck that my knees don’t buckle. I know what you did to me last time I saw you in a suit, and I’m worried. (Seriously, you should come with a warning label.)
True to her word, the wedding planner comes to get us five minutes later.
We meet the groomsmen near the doors leading outside, and we all line up to walk down the aisle.
Livi and Emerson are just in front of me, and I’ve got my arm in the crook of my brother Blake’s, with everyone else lined up behind us.
The music starts, and at the wedding planner’s cue, we slip through the doors and step onto the stone path leading to the aisle.
The tall garden walls wrap around everything like they’re keeping the outside world at bay, letting this little oasis exist all on its own.
Lush greenery climbs everything it can, and flowers in every color spill from planters and trellises, like the whole garden decided to get dressed up for the occasion.
The ceremony is set up in the left third of the space, and all the guests are seated in rows of white chairs flanking a grassy aisle that leads to a flower-draped arch where Jace is already waiting.
The other two-thirds of the space has tables with gauzy linens and low, glowing centerpieces, and an open space in the middle just begging for dancing at the celebration.
Stone pathways lead to smaller, more secluded gathering areas in the corners.
Everything smells faintly like jasmine and excitement.
Just ahead of us, my three-year-old niece, Heidi, and Mackenzie’s four-year-old nephew are very enthusiastically tossing flower petals, with Mackenzie’s six-year-old nephew following behind as the ring bearer.
As we near the front and we’re splitting off, bridesmaids on one side and groomsmen on the other, I grin at Jace. He grins right back. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother happier in his life. He looks so handsome, too!
Then they start the music for Mackenzie, and we all turn to watch her walk up the aisle, her dad at her side.
He looks like one proud papa, and Mackenzie’s smile at Jace makes her look lit up by the sun.
I look back at Jace now that he can see his bride.
I was wrong before— this is the happiest he’s ever been .
I find Owen in the crowd. It looks like he’s already made friends with my uncle Dale.
He smiles at me, and my knees definitely get weak.
He’s just such an adorable man. An adorable man who looks downright dazzling in a suit.
I have to look back at Jace, Mackenzie, and the officiant just to keep the power of Owen from making me pass out.
All eyes need to be on the happy couple, not on me collapsing.
I swear, the moment that Jace begins his vows by saying, “Mackenzie,” I start to tear up. Even before he’s said anything! And then he goes ahead and continues. Luckily, my dress has pockets, and I pull out a tissue. Yes, I came prepared.
“I’ve spent my whole life keeping things compartmentalized. Then you walked in and broke through every line I’d drawn. You’re the first thing that’s ever made me want to stop running and stay.
“I promise to be your constant, wherever we are, however messy life gets. I’ll protect you from flying golf balls, purse snatchers, rainstorms, rogue footballs, and any other danger that comes at you.”
Mackenzie chuckles as she wipes away a tear, and honestly, the rest of us do, too.
“I vow to laugh with you, adventure with you, climb literal and metaphorical mountains with you, and never, ever put the toilet paper roll on the wrong way.
“You’re my favorite person. My home base. My heart. And I can’t wait to spend forever making you feel as seen, loved, and cherished as you make me feel every single day.”
And now Mackenzie has to give her vows, and I vow to myself at that moment to be the one to go first when it’s my wedding.
I don’t want to have to cry through my groom’s vows and then have to try to make my voice come out normal.
Mackenzie does a much better job of speaking after emotion, though, than I think I ever would.
“Jace. You are the calm in chaos, the logic in my spirals, and the best thing that’s ever happened because of a blind date gone wrong.”
Jace smiles. I’m so glad I got to be on both comms and cameras for that one.
“I promise to keep things exciting—whether it’s spy-movie marathons, Outside the Bubble Club activities, or just spontaneous cart races in the grocery store parking lot. I vow to remind you, daily, that you are not alone in this world—even when you feel the weight of it on your shoulders.
“I promise to trust you, challenge you, support you, and occasionally distract you with some really fabulous shoes.”
Jace chuckles.
“You’ve taught me that safety doesn’t always come from predictability—it comes from being with someone who would go to any length to protect you, body and heart. Even if things get tough—no, especially when things get tough—I’m all in, forever, Jace.”
They exchange rings, and as they are kissing, I look out at the crowd, and my eyes find Owen’s.
He’s giving me that look that makes me feel like he’s seeing right into my soul.
I’m giving him a look, too, but I’m not even sure what it is.
All I know is that no matter how much I’ve planned not to, I have thoroughly fallen for this man.