Chapter 20 – He Vows, She Vows.
Waking up next to Pearl was worth the entire scheme. She might be annoyed I’m a snorer, even more annoyed if she found out that I wasn’t actually drunk last night. But she’s never going to find that out.
I downed some whiskey right before I banged on her door and faked the sway. The drama classes from high school were finally getting put to use, and I think I convinced her I was gone with the wind.
She tucked in perfectly to my body the whole night. And I know for me that was the best freaking sleep I’ve had in a long time.
“Hey, I got you something, a gift!” Logan shouts from his bathroom. After leaving Margo’s room, I headed straight up to his suite to help him get ready.
“Yeah? Isn’t it me that’s supposed to get the gifts, not you?” I add, and a little excitement rushes through me as I wonder what it is that he’s got.
“Did you?” His head pops around the bathroom door as he combs through his hair.
“Yeah, of course I did.” I pull it out of my suit bag and wave his wrapped gift around. “I got Hallie something too; it’s just a photo of all of us. Hallie, Max, you, and me from the day you guys got engaged in the café. I don’t think she remembers posing for it.” I smile at him.
“She will love that. To be honest, I don’t remember posing for it either, must have been high on emotions.” I walk over to him and hand him the gift. “Here, it’s nothing special, I hope you like it.”
Tears well in my eyes, it’s a weird day for us. Not in a bad way, I’m so happy for him. He’s one lucky man for getting Hallie, and he deserves the world. But it’s the end of an era for us, gone are the days it was just us.
“This is for you.” He hands me a square brown box. “Both open on three,” he adds.
I chuckle. “Yeah, man, on three.”
“One, Two, Three.”
I take the lid off and pull back the gold tissue paper, then pull out a small item of clothing and place the box on the table in front of me. Opening it, it’s a tiny T-shirt, kid small …
“It’s a little small for me, don’t you think?” I laugh and turn to Logan, and he’s wiping tears from his cheeks.
“Turn it around, douchebag.”
I turn it around and well up when I see the words printed on the top. “Uncle Colton’s my favorite.” Tears stream down my cheeks, and I look over at him smiling at me.
“Hals is pregnant,” I whisper.
“Yeah, fifteen weeks. We went for a scan last week. We wanted you and Max to know before anyone else. Obviously, Aunt Maggie and Harold know too.”
Rushing over to him, I tackle him in a hug. He’s probably the only person I’d let see me cry, and I sob into his shoulder while telling him I’m so happy for them over and over.
After I pull myself together and back away from him, he asks, “Is this real?” Wiping his tears, he holds out a key from the box I gave him. The small card inside the box reads.
The Boston office.To taking the leap.
“Yeah, you were right all those years ago. We’ve wasted so much time sitting pretty in New York when we could be expanding and going forward with the business.” I shrug. “I know you want to go and Hallie too. So now you can, aaaaand I can always come visit, right?” I tap him on the shoulder and laugh.
“Damn straight, but Hals might not want to go now that she’s pregnant.” There’s a sadness to his voice.
“Naah, she will, and even if she doesn’t, and you don’t go permanently, we will still be doing business there. It’s a win for one of us either way.” I give him a sly grin … If he goes, I can still visit if he stays, I still see him. Hashtag the Boston brotherhood.
“Now, let’s get you fucking married.”
******
At the start of June, Barbados is one of the best places to visit.
The weather is perfect, and today the vivid blue sky is cloudless, allowing the sun to beat down on us.
I watch as the guests take seats either side of the makeshift altar on the sand. Logan and Hallie didn’t want guests to sit in a particular place, whether your team groom or team bride they are happy with whatever side you pick.
When I catch sight of Pearl in a long gold silk dress hugging each curve of her body perfectly, paired with a pearl necklace around her neck like a collar and a matching one on her wrist, my knees nearly buckle. She’s looking fucking delicious. She might be upstaging the bride, though. My mouth gapes as she takes her place at the piano near the main entrance where the bridesmaids and Hallie will come in from. Shit, I cannot tent in my pants right now.
I glance down to make sure my cock is not on show through my slacks.
She gazes around the room, her hands hovering above the keys, ready for Vincent to give her the cue. She meets my eyes, and I smile and wink. In true Margo fashion, she flips me the bird and sticks her tongue out. I fucking adore her.
The piano strikes up its first few notes, and Vincent sends bridesmaid after bridesmaid down the aisle until it”s Max’s turn, then Hallie’s. Pearl plays note after note with her eyes closed, completely lost in the music.
Among it all, I hear Logan suck in a deep breath, but I’m too focused on Pearl to look over at him.
“She’s perfect,” I whisper.
“Who? My wife-to-be or the pianist in the corner?” Before I can answer him, he adds, “You’ve been staring at her since we’ve been in here.” I snap out of my trance and see Hallie near the altar. Hallie looks like a princess, a white A-line satin dress with a corset. Simple yet perfect. Her red hair stands out for miles, and I look toward my best friend wiping his tears while pulling her into him for a hug.
That’s what I want.
“Pidge, from the moment you walked into my life, you brought light, laughter, and an abundance of love. I vow to cherish every moment we share together, from the quiet moments snuggled up on the couch to the adventures we’ll embark on together. I promise to support you in your dreams and aspirations, to be your rock through the highs and lows of life.
“I promise to be your partner in crime, your confidant, and your biggest cheerleader. I will laugh with you, cry with you, and stand by your side through whatever life throws our way.
“But most of all, I promise to love you unconditionally, today, tomorrow, and for all the days of our lives. You are my best friend, my soulmate, and my forever love.
“With all that I am and all that I have, I give you my heart.”
Applause ripples through the air as Hallie cries. Logan’s vows were beautiful. I always knew he had a soft side to him. Once Hallie composes herself, she says her vows to Logan.
“Logan, from the moment our paths crossed, I knew my life had changed forever. As I stand before you today, surrounded by our loved ones, I am filled with overwhelming joy and gratitude for the love we share.
“I promise to walk by your side through every twist and turn that life may bring. I promise to cherish you, to support you, and to honor the incredible person that you are. I promise to be your partner in all things, to share in your triumphs and comfort you in your struggles, to listen with an open heart, to communicate with honesty and kindness, and to always strive to understand you better each day. I promise to laugh with you in times of joy and to hold you close in times of sorrow.
“But mainly, I promise to love you fiercely and without reservation, to stand by you through every moment for the rest of our lives.
“I love you more than I can ever express.”
The rest of the ceremony goes as we expected, no dry eyes left, tissues being blown into, and the I dos from Hallie and Logan.
“You may now kiss the bride.”