Chapter 20 #2
"You survived," he says, sliding into the booth across from me.
"Barely."
"Come on. You and Harper are back on track, Daniel's gone, the town's on your side, and you're getting married in just over four weeks. That's a win."
I take a pull of my beer. "When you put it like that, it sounds simple."
"Isn't it?"
"We almost didn't make it, Lucas. We were one fight away from calling the whole thing off."
He leans back, studying me with that look he gets when he's about to say something annoyingly insightful. "But you didn't."
"But we could have. If Harper hadn't come home that day, if I hadn't gone to the market when Daniel confronted her—"
"But you did." He interrupts my spiral. "That's what matters. You both showed up when it counted."
"What if we can't next time? What if—"
"There's always going to be a 'what if,' man. That's just life." He signals for another round. "You know what Maya and I fight about most?"
"Her pregnancy hormones?"
He laughs. "Well, that too. But mostly we fight about the future. Did we move into a big enough house for when the baby comes, how to balance the bar and Maya's career with parenthood, whether we're ready. Every couple has their thing."
"Your fights don't usually involve the entire town picking sides."
"No, but remember when Maya thought she might have to move for that tech job? We almost broke up over it. The only difference between us and you is that your drama happened in public."
The bartender brings our beers, and I recognize the look she gives us—curious but trying not to seem like she's eavesdropping. The Harper and Nate show, still running apparently.
"You two survived the worst," Lucas continues once she's gone. "A manipulative investor, trust issues, the whole town gossiping. And you came through it."
"Almost didn't."
"Look, I've watched you without Harper for years, albeit from a distance. You were functional, sure, but you weren't really living. And these past months with her? Even with all the drama, you've been more alive than I've seen you since you left."
He's right, and I hate that he's right.
"She makes me crazy," I admit.
"She makes you feel. There's a difference." He grins. "Besides, you make her crazy too. It's balanced."
"That's healthy?"
"That's real. You two aren't some fairy tale couple who never fight. You're two stubborn people who love each other enough to fight for it. That's better."
I think about Harper in our living room earlier, surrounded by wedding chaos but looking happier than she has in weeks. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. Plus, the makeup sex must be incredible."
I throw a napkin at him, but I'm laughing. "That's none of your business."
"It is when you two are loud enough to traumatize Duke."
"We are not—"
Lucas raises a knowing eyebrow at me.
Jesus, this town. "We weren't that loud."
"Sure." Lucas raises his beer. "To Harper and Nate, who survived their own worst enemies—themselves."
I clink my bottle against his. "To getting through it."
"To just beginning," he corrects. "The real adventure starts after 'I do. '"
***
Three weeks later
Saturday afternoon, with the wedding just a week away, I'm fixing a loose board on the front porch when a rental car pulls into our driveway. Harper's beside me sorting through last-minute RSVPs, and she goes completely still when she sees who gets out.
"Adam," she breathes.
Her brother looks good—healthier than when I saw him on the few video calls Harper's had with him. His daughter Emma is with him, dark hair and curious eyes that mirror Harper's.
"Harper!" The little girl breaks free and runs toward us. "Aunt Harper!"
Harper drops the RSVPs and catches Emma in a hug, lifting her up and spinning her around. "Look how big you've gotten! You were barely three last time I saw you."
"I'm in first grade now," Emma announces proudly. "Daddy says I get to throw flowers at your wedding."
"You're going to be the best flower girl ever," Harper confirms, setting her down.
Adam approaches more slowly, hands in his pockets. We've only met a handful of times, years ago. He wasn't thrilled when he heard I'd left Harper back then—sent me some choice emails about breaking his sister's heart.
"Nate." He extends his hand.
"Adam." I shake it, feeling the assessment in his grip.
"Treating her right this time?" he asks quietly while Harper's distracted with Emma.
"Trying to."
"Good. I'd hate to have to come back here to kick your ass."
I give him a smile, knowing he doesn't have to worry about that ever again. Harper is mine and I'm hers. This life we're building, it's everything.
Harper moves to her brother's side. "I'm glad you're here."
"Even though I've been a terrible brother? I've missed so much."
"You're here now," Harper says simply. "That's what matters."
Emma tugs on my jeans. "Are you the animal doctor?"
"I am."
"Do you have any animals here? Daddy says you have a dog named Duke."
As if summoned, Duke appears at the door, tail wagging. Emma squeals with delight, and Duke, the traitor, immediately rolls over for belly rubs from this tiny stranger.
"Where are you staying?" Harper asks Adam while Emma and Duke become instant best friends.
"We got a room at the bed and breakfast on Maple Street."
"That's ridiculous. We have space—"
"Harper." Adam's voice is gentle. "We're fine at the B&B. Emma needs routine, and you need space to get ready for your wedding. Besides, we're only here for the week."
I watch the siblings navigate their complicated history—the distance created by grief, the careful rebuilding of connection. Adam pulls out a garment bag from the car.
"Mom's dress," he says. "I know you might already have one, but… I wanted you to have the option."
Harper's eyes fill. "You kept it?"
"Had it cleaned and preserved. There's also this." He hands her a small box. "Dad's cufflinks. Thought Nate might want them. Something borrowed and all that."
"Thank you," I manage.
"Aunt Harper!" Emma runs back over. "Duke knows how to shake hands! Can I teach him more tricks?"
"Duke would love that," Harper says, wiping her eyes discreetly.
Adam checks his watch. "We should go get settled. But we'll be here. For everything."
"Adam," Harper calls as he's heading to the car. "I'm glad you're here. Really glad."
He smiles—a real smile that makes him look younger. "Me too. It's time I started showing up for the good stuff, not just the emergencies."
As they drive away, Emma waving enthusiastically from the window, Harper leans into me.
"Five weeks ago, I thought I'd lost everything," she says quietly. "Now I'm getting married with my brother walking me down the aisle and my niece throwing flowers."
"Life's weird that way."
"Weird but good."
"The best kind of weird."
***
It's Friday night, the eve of our wedding, and Harper and I are standing in our bedroom having a ridiculous argument about tradition.
"It's bad luck," she insists, holding a small overnight bag. "We can't see each other before the ceremony."
"We've had six years of bad luck. One night isn't going to make a difference."
"June will kill us if we jinx this now." She's trying to look serious, but I can see her fighting a smile. "She's invested too much buttercream in our happiness."
"Where are you even going to sleep?"
"Maya and Lucas's. June's meeting us there for a girls' night." She air quotes the last part. "Which probably means Maya falling asleep by nine and June stress-testing her frosting roses."
"And I get what? Duke and bad television?"
"Lucas is coming here. Bachelor party, apparently."
"We're having bachelor and bachelorette parties the night before the wedding? Isn't that supposed to happen weeks earlier?"
Harper shrugs. "Nothing about our relationship has been traditional. Why start now?"
She's right, but I still hate the idea of sleeping without her. These past few weeks since we reconciled, we've been making up for lost time in every way possible.
"This is stupid," I tell her, pulling her close. "We're adults. We can sleep in the same bed and still get married tomorrow."
"Probably." She melts into me for a moment. "But humor me? June's really excited about the whole tradition thing. And after everything she's done..."
"Fine." I kiss her, probably longer than necessary for a simple goodbye. "But this has got to be the last night we ever spend apart."
"Deal." She pulls back, grabbing her bag. "I'll see you at two o'clock tomorrow. At the willow tree. Don't be late."
I kiss her again. "I'll be the one in the suit."
"I'll be the one in white."
"Can't wait."
She's almost at the door when she turns back. "Nate? We're really doing this, right? Tomorrow we're actually getting married?"
"Tomorrow, you're officially Harper Wilder."
"Harper Lane-Wilder," she corrects. "I'm hyphenating."
"Whatever you want, as long as you show up."
"Wild horses couldn't keep me away." She pauses. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Lucas shows up twenty minutes later with beer and poker cards. "Ready for your last night of freedom?"
"I haven't been free since I met Harper."
"That's disgustingly romantic."
"That's the truth."
We play cards, drink beer, and talk about everything and nothing. Lucas leaves at 11 PM with a bro-hug and terrible advice about wedding night expectations.
At 11:47 PM, I'm lying in bed, staring at the spot where Harper should be, when my phone buzzes.
Harper:
Can't sleep without you.
Me:
Same. This tradition is stupid.
Harper:
The stupidest. Worth it though?
Me:
You're worth everything.
Harper:
See you tomorrow, husband.
Me:
See you tomorrow, wife.
I set my phone down and stare at the ceiling, already imagining her walking toward me tomorrow. My wife.