Chapter 21
Silas
Darren and Linc took their positions on either side of an arbor decorated with colorful carnations, tulips, and daisies at Beaver Hole Park.
They had laughed themselves silly over the thought of the name printed on their wedding invitations and insisted no other venue would do. Outdoor weddings were always a gamble, but they’d lucked out and the forecasted rain had passed us by. The wind wasn’t missing this party, though.
Lanterns swung on their posts, throwing shadows across the lawn. Aunt Lula’s massive hat tried to lift off, and Iola caught it and shoved it back onto her head. Not too gently either.
I walked up the aisle and handed Lula a few bobby pins to secure it in place.
“Oh! Thank you, dear! I didn’t know it would be so windy.”
“Better than melting in the heat like those summer weddings,” Iola said. “I almost had heat stroke last year!”
Lula chuckled and patted her knee. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“Close enough.” She looked at me. “Keep us old gals in mind when you’re planning these shindigs.”
“Will do,” I said. “It’s bad luck if a wedding guest croaks during the vows.”
“Is that true?” Lula asked her as I moved away.
“Of course. Everyone knows that.”
Iola spoke with full authority. Interesting since I’d just made it up, though it stood to reason.
I took a position off to the side where I could keep an eye on the scene unfolding and nodded to Ed, my sound technician.
Music swelled, and Darren and Linc moved toward the altar, where Judge McKinley presided over the ceremony.
They joined hands, gazing into each other’s eyes, and began snickering like school kids. The audience members exchanged looks.
The front two rows contained their closest friends and family.
“I dare you to get married!” Kevin called out, making them laugh harder.
Darren flashed the crowd the bird.
Evan elbowed Kevin, shushing him. Kevin shoved him back. Garrett and Dawson leaned forward to wrangle their men.
Was I going to have to separate them like a strict schoolroom teacher?
Linc looked at them. “I’m going to say my vows now, if that’s okay?”
They all straightened up as the crowd twittered with amusement.
Darren grinned. “You tell them, Princess.”
Linc rolled his eyes, lips twitching. “We didn’t have the most traditional love story. In fact, we didn’t even like each other at first. But you’ve become my whole world. Which makes sense, because your ego is huge.”
Darren gasped and clutched at his chest. “Where’s the love?”
“I’m getting to that.” Linc took a breath. “I didn’t know you at all when we had our first kiss. Except that you were an amazing kisser.”
“Hell yeah,” Darren said with a grin.
“I had no idea you had such a capacity for love. You don’t need to vow to cherish me.
You already cherish me. I don’t need promises you’ll be there in sickness and in health.
You stayed by my side for the worst case of stomach flu I’ve ever had.
You’re already a man I love and honor every day.
This is just a way to celebrate that you’re the other half of my soul and I’d be lost without you. ”
Iola blew her nose loudly. Someone else crooned out, “awww.”
“Damn.” Darren rolled his neck like he was getting ready to tackle a guy in football. “Well said. Ditto.”
He pretended to turn away, and Linc yanked him back. “Not so fast.”
Everyone laughed as Darren shook his head, smiling.
“I can’t say it better. I’m not a writer, and I know you’re always telling me to use my words, but there are no words that could hold the expanse of my love for you.
It’s infinite. There’s no beginning and end.
My life started when you agreed to love me.
And believe me, I know that wasn’t the easiest decision.
I vowed I’d prove my love to you, and I’ll continue to do that every day we have together.
There’s no me without you, Princess, so please let me worship the ground you walk on for the rest of my life. ”
A hushed silence fell, the crowd transfixed by the love on display. Darren and Linc were always happy and playful when I saw them, but their personal vows spoke of a deep connection.
My chest ached, and I took a tight breath. I’d done so many weddings that I wasn’t usually all that affected by the emotions flying around. These two just hit different. Those vows were everything I’d wanted from Michael and never would have gotten, even if he showed up.
“I now pronounce you husband and husband,” Judge McKinley said. “You may kiss your groom.”
Darren kissed Linc, dipping him back dramatically as the audience laughed. When he pulled Linc upright, he was rosy-cheeked and laughing, eyes glazed with happiness.
They joined hands and started down the aisle, but their friend Truman tackle-hugged them both before they could make it more than two steps.
Kevin and his partner, Darren’s dad, were next. Garrett hugged them both and gave them a push down the aisle before they could be waylaid by more friends.
Darren took Linc’s hand and ran as if they were being chased by zombies. Their laughter echoed through the dark evening sky.
I blinked away my tears and headed for the pavilion where the food was being served. I checked in with Corey to ensure the catering was going smoothly for the taco bar Darren and Linc had wanted.
“We’re just finishing up,” Corey said as he set out bins of fried plantains, fresh pineapple salsa, seared tuna, Caribbean jerk chicken, and roasted poblanos. Of course, they had all the usual Tex-Mex taco fixings like ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and guacamole, as well.
Jamie and Hank came up. “What a beautiful ceremony. Who knew those guys were so sweet?”
“Yeah,” I agreed.
“Wow, this taco bar looks incredible,” Jamie said.
“It should,” Corey said with a laugh. “Half of it’s your recipes.”
Jamie had worked catering for years, but before he left, he brought in Hank’s little brother and trained him.
“Take the compliment,” Hank said. “I hope you made enough because I want to sample every taco.”
I smacked his hand away. “Not until I say you can. Go sit so we can get the reception under way.”
I moved on to check in on the cake, crafted by an Omaha bakery, and then the gift table, which was overflowing with shiny presents.
It was a long night of happy toasts, delicious food, and playful dancing on the lawn. Nothing too formal for this pair.
By the time it wrapped up, I was ready to collapse. Linc and Darren sought me out before they escaped for their honeymoon suite.
“It was perfect,” Linc said, eyes shining. He hugged me. “Thank you for everything. I know they say it’s the marriage that matters, not the wedding but—"
“In this case, you can have both.”
He laughed and looked at Darren. “I know it won’t be perfect, but it’ll be ours.”
Darren wordlessly lifted his hand to kiss his knuckles, eyes dark with emotion.
“It’ll be perfect for you, then,” I said. “You’ve found a love not many people get to experience. Go celebrate.”
“I bet he says that to all his sappy wedding couples,” Darren joked as they walked away.
But I didn’t. Usually, I wished them well while mentally calculating how long it’d be until I was planning wedding number two.
Darren and Linc weren’t the first couple I’d believed would go the distance. But they were the first to make me wish I was in their shoes.
I shed all my fairytale dreams in Pasadena, so why did my chest hurt so badly it was hard to breathe?
And why, with everything I had to do tonight, did I keep scanning the tent, longing for a glimpse of Bryson, even though he wasn’t here?