Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ashley
I stood in the small room off the backyard, smoothing my hands over the white dress I’d chosen, the soft fabric fitting me just right, a simple veil pinned into my hair.
The sun streamed warm through the window, a light breeze rustling outside, and I glanced at the mirror, my bracelet glinting on my wrist, a little keepsake that felt right today.
It was our wedding day, set in Darryl’s parents’ backyard, chairs lined up outside, flowers blooming along the edges, the air buzzing softly with chatter.
My stomach fluttered, but I grinned, steady and ready to walk out there.
Riva slipped in, her maid-of-honor dress a soft blue, her grin wide as she stepped over, adjusting my veil with careful hands.
“Hey,” she said, her voice teasing but warm, giving my shoulders a gentle squeeze.
“You look incredible, Ash. Ready to make everyone cry?”
“Hey,” I said, turning to her, laughing a bit, grabbing her hands and squeezing them tight. “Yeah, I’m ready. You holding up?”
“Totally,” she said, winking, stepping back to pick up the bouquet from the table, a mix of daisies and roses, handing it to me. “Darryl’s out there, looking all fidgety in his suit. It’s adorable.”
“Good,” I said, taking the flowers, my grin stretching wider, imagining him tugging at his collar, nervous but smiling. “Let’s get moving, huh?”
“Yep,” she said, leading me out, the backyard unfolding before us, chairs in neat rows, family and friends filling them, Darryl’s parents up front, Jen beside them with her phone ready.
The music kicked in, soft guitar from a friend of Dad’s, and Riva started down the aisle, her steps slow and steady, giving me a clear shot of Darryl at the end, his suit dark and sharp, his grin breaking big when he spotted me.
I stepped forward, my heart thumping steadily, everyone turning to look, a few soft gasps rippling through the crowd as I walked, the breeze catching my veil, flowers firm in my grip.
“Hey,” Darryl said, his voice low and warm as I reached him, taking my hand, squeezing it gently, his eyes bright and locked on mine. “You look amazing.”
“Hey,” I said, squeezing back, smiling up at him, my chest full and light. “You too. Ready for this?”
“More than ready,” he said, turning us to face the officiant, a friend of his mom’s, an older guy with a kind smile, stepping up to start us off. The crowd hushed, the guitar fading out, and he cleared his throat, his voice carrying clearly.
“Folks,” he said, nodding at us, then the guests, “we’re here to join Darryl and Ashley in marriage. They’ve got their own words to share, so let’s hear them. Darryl, you’re up.”
“Thanks,” Darryl said, turning to me, taking both my hands now, his grip warm and steady, his grin softening into something quieter, sweeter.
“Ashley, you’re my best friend, my partner, my everything.
From the day we started, you’ve been my favorite enemy, pushing me, challenging me, making me laugh when I didn’t want to.
You’ve got this spark, this way of lighting up any room, and I’m hooked on it.
I promise to stand by you, to lift you when you’re down, to cook you dinner even when you tell me not to, because being with you is where I’m happiest. You make every day better, and I’ll spend the rest of mine making sure you feel that too.
You’re my home, and I’m never letting go. ”
“Hey,” I said, my voice catching, a laugh slipping out as my eyes stung, his words hitting soft and deep, a few sniffles starting in the crowd behind us. “That’s sweet, Darryl.”
“Your turn,” he said, squeezing my hands, his grin steady, his eyes shining a bit as he nodded me on.
“Okay,” I said, taking a breath, holding his hands tighter, my voice steady but thick as I started, glancing at him, then out at the crowd, then back to him.
“Darryl, you’re my rock, my safe place, my favorite enemy since the day we started.
We kicked this off with sparks and spats, and somehow you turned into the guy I can’t imagine life without.
You’ve got this quiet strength, this way of making me feel seen, cared for, even when I’m a mess.
You’ve stuck with me through the worst, held me up when I couldn’t stand, and I’ll never stop being grateful for that.
I promise to laugh with you, to push you right back, to share every moment, good and bad, because you’re my best friend, my everything.
And Mom,” I said, my voice breaking a bit, looking up like she could hear, “you’re here with us, I know it.
You’d love this, seeing me with him, happy and whole.
I’ll carry you every day, and I promise to make you proud, to love him like you’d want me to. He’s my forever, and I’m his.”
“Hey,” Darryl said, his voice rough, his hands squeezing mine tight, his eyes wet now, a tear slipping down his cheek as he grinned, the crowd sniffling louder, Jen’s soft sob cutting through, Mom’s hand on her tissue.
“Wow,” Riva said from behind me, her voice thick, laughing soft as she wiped her eyes, the officiant stepping back up, clearing his throat again, his smile wobbly.
“Rings, folks,” he said, nodding to Riva and Mike, Darryl’s best man, stepping forward with the bands, simple gold ones we’d picked together. “Darryl, you first.”
“Yeah,” Darryl said, taking the ring from Mike, sliding it onto my finger, his voice steady but full. “With this ring, I’m yours, Ashley. Always.”
“Okay,” I said, taking his ring from Riva, my hands shaky but sure, sliding it onto his finger, my voice soft. “With this ring, I’m yours, Darryl. Always.”
“Alright,” the officiant said, his voice breaking a bit, wiping his own eyes quickly. “By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss her, Darryl.”
“Gladly,” he said, pulling me close, kissing me deep and slow, his hands on my waist, my arms wrapping around his neck, the crowd erupting in cheers, sniffles mixing with claps, Jen’s loud “Aw!” cutting through.
I kissed him back, my heart full, his lips warm and steady against mine, the moment sweet and real, tears slipping down my cheeks as we pulled apart, grinning big.
“Hey, wife,” he said, his voice low, brushing my tears with his thumb, his grin wide and soft.
“Hey, husband,” I said, laughing softly, wiping his cheek too, his eyes still wet, the crowd standing now, Mom sobbing into Dad’s shoulder, Jen snapping pics through her tears. “We did it.”
“Yeah,” he said, taking my hand, turning us to face everyone, the officiant stepping aside, the music kicking back up, soft and bright. “Hey, folks,” I said, raising our hands, my voice carrying, “thanks for being here. Let’s eat!”
“Food’s up!” Mom called, her voice thick, waving us toward the tables set with chili, sandwiches, and cake, her apron still on, Dad chuckling beside her, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
The crowd moved, sniffling and laughing, hugging us as we walked through, Riva grabbing me first, her arms tight around me.
“Hey,” she said, her voice wobbly, pulling back to grin at me, tears streaking her face. “That was beautiful, Ash. Carol’s smiling up there.”
“Thanks,” I said, hugging her back, my eyes stinging again, laughing through it. “Hope so.”
“Know so,” she said, stepping aside as Jen swooped in, her phone still out, her grin big despite the tears.
“Hey,” she said, hugging me quickly, then Darryl, her voice loud. “You two killed it. I’m bawling!”
“Good,” Darryl said, chuckling, ruffling her hair, pulling me close again, his arm around my waist. “Means we did it right.”
“Yeah,” Dad said, stepping up, clapping Darryl’s shoulder, his eyes red but smiling, hugging me next. “Proud of you both. Carol’d be too.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said, hugging him tight, my voice thick, stepping back into Darryl’s arm, Mom joining us, her tissue crumpled, her grin wide.
“Hey,” she said, hugging us both, her voice soft. “That was perfect. Everyone’s crying, even Ted.”
“Got me good,” Dad said, laughing rough, wiping his eyes again, the crowd settling around the tables, chatter and sniffles mixing as we grabbed plates, Darryl’s hand in mine, the day warm and full, tears drying into smiles, Mom’s presence soft and close, right where I needed her.