Eleven
Eleven
Despite knowing how talented her friend was, Grace was unprepared for the sight that greeted her when she rounded the corner and stepped into their backyard.
They’d lingered over dinner and now the sun was dipping into the ocean, creating a soft rainbow of blended reds, oranges, and pinks. Patio chairs were set up facing the back porch, their guests sitting in them like the deck was a stage. And boy, had her bestie set that stage to perfection.
The twinkle lights they usually had around the yard were draped around the wide, covered porch. Thick ribbons of delicate organza were draped over the opening of the stairs, twinkle lights and flowers woven into the folds, creating a fairytale-like wedding arbor. And underneath that gorgeous arch was Noah, standing with his hands folded in front of him, watching Rosie lead her between the chairs, up the petal-strewn, makeshift aisle. Morty stood front and center, a stoic expression on his weathered face. Grace felt surrounded by love in such a tangible way, she was sure it was the reason she was able to move forward, take the steps toward a future she’d never imagined.
Noah’s brothers, their girlfriends, Josh, Rob, Stacey, and Tilly stood as Grace walked beside Rosie. From the corner of her eye, she saw Chris was filming and Wes had someone on his phone screen, showing them the event. Just before she reached the steps, Rosie pulled her in to another tight hug and took the bouquet.
Noah extended his hand as Grace took the first step. The feel of his palm sliding against hers sent the same electric tingles as the very first time, making her smile. Together, they ascended the few steps to stand in front of Morty, angled so they could be seen. Grace was only vaguely aware of everyone else. Her heart and gaze and entire being were fixated on Noah, watching her with a shimmery look, full of so much love and pride it stole her breath.
Morty cleared his throat, stood a little straighter. “Guess none of us are topping this dinner party,” he said, making all of them laugh.
When Morty looked at her, she felt all the things she knew he’d never say because they didn’t need to tell each other how much they cared. They knew. Because the most effective way for someone to give love was to show it. By being there, supporting a person, and having their back no matter what.
Morty looked at Noah, narrowing his gaze, but all that did was make Noah smile wider.
“You’re a lucky man,” Morty said.
“I know it,” Noah said, turning his head to stare into Grace’s eyes. “And I won’t ever forget it.”
“Okay, then. Let’s do this.” Morty cleared his throat again. “You two were like oil and water when you first locked eyes on each other.”
Grace’s lips twitched. Noah chuckled.
“Some might think that’s a bad thing, but I’ve lived a lot of years and if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the people you want by your side should challenge you as much as they accept you. They push you to see yourself realistically and to be your best self. Grace did that for me when I met her and I’ll tell you all, it pissed me off.”
Laughter floated up from their friends and family.
“But when I stepped back, I realized she kept pushing me and getting on my nerves because she loved me, and she wasn’t going to let me wither away in self-pity.”
He paused and Grace glanced at him, surprised by the depth of emotion in his eyes. “You make people better, Gracie. The world is better with you in it and I saw this pretty boy looking at you the day we met him.” He hooked a thumb toward Noah. “He saw it. That beauty you have that shines from inside. Your strength. Your kindness. And, reasonably smart man that he is, he went after it.”
“Thanks,” Noah muttered with a lopsided grin.
“The best unions are the ones where both people bring out the best and worst in each other and you know, regardless of which side is on display, that person is going to love you no matter what. Unconditionally. Noah made you realize how worthy of being loved you are, Grace, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. You deserve the world, but there were lots of times I wasn’t sure you’d let yourself have it. Noah, you have the world, financially at least, and you could have let that make you into the kind of man who wouldn’t deserve Grace. But you didn’t. You chose to be the kind of man I’m proud to see at her side. One who isn’t afraid to admit when he’s wrong, one who will stand by her side when she stumbles, and one who will take care of her even though she knows how to take care of herself. You two have created a life together that is enviable. It’s something to cherish and honor, and I’m real happy I get to be the one to stand up here today and make it official.”
Grace’s heart beat so hard she wondered if Noah could feel it through their joined hands.
“You want to say something to each other?” Morty asked, looking between them.
“You first, Gracie,” Noah said, his voice a little rough.
Grace bit her bottom lip, not wanting to cry through her words. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Noah squeezed her hand, giving her strength.
“When I inherited my grandparents’ house next door, my only focus was to create the kind of home I dreamed about growing up. A place where, when I walked through the door, I could shed the weight of the day and feel a sense of contentment and safety that were unparalleled. I wanted a place where I belonged that no one could take away from me. Then I met you and my life changed forever because, until you, I hadn’t known those feelings could come from a person. You make me feel all the things I craved for my whole life. You make me feel safe and loved, cherished and appreciated. Respected and admired. You are my home, Noah. I’ve learned that having your arms around me gives me a sense of happiness no four walls ever could. You see me, you challenge me, and you love me even when it’s not always easy to do so. Being with you is the greatest joy of my life. You are my best friend, the man of my dreams, and I’m so excited to become your wife. I love you.”
Noah stepped forward, brought both of his hands to Grace’s face, and pressed his forehead to hers, closing his eyes as he whispered, “God, I love you, Gracie.”
“Is that your speech?” Morty asked.
Noah gave a watery laugh and stepped back, his hands sliding down Grace’s arms so he could take both of her hands in his. “No. There’s more. So much more. I don’t think a lifetime is long enough to explain how much I love you, Grace. I thought I had it all. Hell, I did have it all. On paper, anyway. And I thought I was happy, even if I was a little restless. Like something was missing. But I didn’t understand the word happiness until I saw you, Grace. Looking at you, from that first moment, filled me with sunshine. I swear my whole body lit up and my heart beat so hard, I was sure people around me could hear it. My whole life, I’d set goals and reach them, check the box, and move on. I felt successful, but I don’t think I ever truly felt whole. Until you. You aren’t just my other half, Gracie, you’re my everything. I used to measure success by what was in my bank account, how many properties I owned, and which fancy clubs I could get into. Now, it’s measured in your smiles, your laughter, the fact that I’m your person and you’re mine. Being your husband is going to be my biggest adventure, my greatest joy, and my deepest honor. I love you, Gracie and I’m going to spend our lives showing you how much, every single day. When I get it wrong, I know you’ll point it out; when I get it right, I know you’ll celebrate with me. And I’ll do the same for you because we’re partners, best friends, and, even though I never believed in this before you, soulmates.”
She heard the sniffling, the aww s, but all she could see was Noah. Morty sniffled, cleared his throat.
“Okay, then. Do you, Grace Travis, want to marry Noah Jansen? Do you promise to love him, even when he messes up, to be his partner in all ways, to accept him and cherish him and stand by his side through all of life’s ups and downs for the rest of your days?”
She nodded, her throat uncomfortably tight. “I do,” she whispered.
“And Noah Jansen, do you want to marry Gracie and spend your life loving her, supporting her, and being the person she turns to in good times and bad? Do you promise to be her sounding board, her safety net, and her home?”
“I so, absolutely, do,” Noah said, his voice strong and sure.
“You two have rings?”
Noah pulled a band from his pocket and Grace did the same. They’d picked them out several weeks ago and Grace had never imagined they’d exchange them in their backyard, with the sound of their friends and the scent of the sea surrounding them. It was… perfect.
Once they placed the rings on each other’s fingers, they continued holding hands.
“Grace, Noah, by the power vested in me thanks to a website I can’t remember the name of, it is a privilege to be able to officially say, you are now husband and wife.” Morty clapped his hands together. “Go on, you’re always kissing anyway. Kiss each other! You’re married.”
Logically, she knew it was impossible that the kiss they shared, their first as husband and wife, was any different from the one they’d shared an hour ago, a day ago. But it felt different. As Noah’s lips moved over Grace’s and his hands curled around her waist to pull her tight against him, the kiss felt like hope and happiness and all the things she had never thought to dream of as a little girl.
Her arms wound around his neck and he kissed her deeper, longer, until the laughter and clapping of their friends breached their bubble of happiness, reminding them that they weren’t alone.
Noah picked her up and twirled her in a small circle before kissing her again. “I love you,” he whispered against her mouth.
Tears burned her eyes but didn’t fall. “I love you. So much. And I always will.”
Noah’s grinned lit her up, sending tingles along her skin. “I don’t know if there’s anything longer than forever, but that’s how long I’ll love you back.”
When he lowered her to her feet, they both hugged Morty and descended the stairs hand in hand. They were passed from one set of arms to another, and when Grace got to Wes, she realized it was Noah’s mom and sister he held on FaceTime.
“Welcome to the family,” his mom said, wiping her tears with a linen handkerchief.
His sister, Ari, put an arm around her mom. They both looked like supermodels—almost too perfect to be real, but their emotion in their gazes was 100 percent authentic.
“I’m so happy for you guys. Congratulations,” Ari said, wiping her own tears.
Noah hugged Gracie to his side. “Love you two. Sorry for the impromptu wedding. I’m glad you were both available.”
“Of course,” his mom said. “We were having a ‘men suck’ Valentine’s girls’ night before you called and reminded us both that there’s someone out there for everyone. I’m so happy for you two.”
They continued to chat and laugh and hug and Grace felt a sense of peace she’d never known. She’d traveled down a lot of roads in her life, some bumpier than others. But she’d do it all again to end up exactly where she was now. And that was true happiness: knowing you were exactly where you were meant to be.