Chapter 39
The ceremony’s set to take place before the magnificent fireplace I’m told has special meaning for Izzy and Reid.
Simple flowers and candles adorn the mantle. A funny little bobble head armadillo sits proudly front and center.
The dining room chairs are set in a neat arc around the fireplace, each with a pink satin bow tied on the back. A photographer dressed in all black moves through the space like a phantom.
Mr. Andersen walks his wife to her seat, kisses her reverently, and takes his place in front of the fireplace, hands clasped in front of him. I sit on the end opposite of Mrs. Andersen, leaving room for the family between us.
Harper’s a little princess in her puffy pink dress and glimmering tiara, sprinkling rose petals on her short walk to the fireplace and comes to sit beside her pseudo-grandma.
I don’t know a ton about Reid’s history, but from what Delilah’s told me, he used to be extremely private as a result of an accident that disfigured his face.
There’s no trace of that insecurity as he walks in. His longer hair is slicked back away from his face, beard is neatly trimmed, and his dress shirt’s unbuttoned at the top to not irritate the scarring on his neck.
The groom comes to stand beside his father, who claps him on the back proudly. My heart jolts, grief flooding me from missing my dad. Who he used to be, who he’ll never be again, and most of all, that he won’t remember when I get married.
James leads Delilah to her place beside the makeshift altar. He flanks Reid with a squeeze to his shoulder.
I can’t take my eyes off my girl. Her dress is slinky pink satin, draped like water across her fair skin. A cowl neck teases her breasts, making my mouth water. Her hair’s pinned to one side, revealing the delicate column of her neck.
She’s breathtaking.
Greyson leads Liv to the altar, and they take their places beside their rightful best friends.
A sharp intake of breath has people turning to watch Izzy walk to the altar, but I look at Reid. It’s earth-moving when a man so openly loves a woman. He beams with joy as she makes her way to stand before him.
He pulls her into a hug, unable to resist touching his bride and kisses her tenderly. They whisper sweet nothings to each other; they deserve as many private moments as they want on their wedding day.
Warmth spreads in my chest seeing Izzy so confident in her own skin. She suffered for so many years at the hands of cruel, ignorant people and disappeared behind a facade. She looks like the Izzy I grew up with, but older and herself again.
She tenderly caresses the scarred side of Reid’s face, and he leans into her touch, a balm to his old pain.
I envy him, standing before the love of his life, about to make her his forever.
My attention’s consumed by this woman I loved in secret, who I now love loudly and openly, standing proudly with her sister on the most important day of her life.
Mr. Andersen invites the wedding party to take their seats. Harper moves a spot down by her dad, and James sits beside his mom, lovingly holding her hand.
Greyson and Liv bookend Harper, showering her with praise for her excellent performance as flower girl. And Delilah takes her place beside me. Where she belongs.
Mr. Andersen welcomes us all to this joyous day and says a few words before giving the floor to Reid.
“Go ahead, son,” Mr. Andersen says, choked with emotion.
Reid takes a folded piece of crisp paper from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. When he unfolds it, a tattered piece of paper is revealed and Izzy’s hands fly up to cover her mouth, holding back a sob.
Delilah tenses, her sister’s emotions rippling through her. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her in tight.
“Come here, darlin’,” Reid consoles, pulling his bride into his arms, whispering into her ear and kissing her temple.
When she’s composed herself, he gives her an adoring smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling deeply from the peace she brings him.
He clears his throat and reads.
“Isabelle, words can’t express how lucky I am to marry you. I’m not going to question it, because I’m afraid if you dig too deep, you’ll run for the hills.” Light chuckles fill the room.
“I thought I had a good life, but I wasted it caring only about myself. At one of the darkest times of my life, you brought me back from the brink.” Reid wipes away a stray tear.
James takes his mother’s hand, and Mr. Andersen moves to stand behind his wife—a family strongest together.
“I wish Sam could be here today, and in a way, he is because he lives on in our hearts.” He reaches around his dad to boop the armadillo, whose head bobbles merrily.
“Sugar, you rescued me from my grief, and you didn’t even know it. I can never thank you enough for bringing me back to life.”
There’s not a dry eye in the house, and Izzy wipes the tears from Reid’s cheeks, smiling softly at her groom.
“It’s fitting, getting married at the place I realized my feelings for you.
I was slower to come around, but I promise I’ll spend my lifetime loving you the way you deserve.
It was here I opened up about my dreams for the first time, and you not only listened, but you made it a reality when you drew this.
” He holds the worn piece of paper reverently.
“I like to think Grandpa’s lucky spurs brought you to me, the same way they brought him Grandma. But instead of a girl wearing a red dress in the stands at the rodeo, their luck brought me a firecracker in pink and combat boots.” They both chuckle.
“You made my dreams come true, Isabelle. You gave me a second chance at living, the courage to make my plans a reality, and most importantly, your love. I’m honored to be your husband.” Reid cups Izzy’s cheek and places a soft kiss to her lips.
Delilah looks to me, her adoration clear as day. She gives me a sweet kiss that sends warmth to my toes.
Mr. Andersen resumes as the officiant.
“Isabelle, sweetheart…” he leads, indicating it’s her turn.
She has no paper to read from, or memento to share—she speaks directly into Reid’s soul, her eyes brimming with love. He takes her by both hands, his thumbs brushing across the backs of her hands gently.
“When I was a little girl, we used to play wedding.” She shoots a playful grin at Olivia, Delilah, and me.
“It was a fun game, but I never thought it’d happen for me. The only love I was given was conditional and toxic. For many years it was just my sister and me against the world.”
Delilah rests her head on my shoulder, wiping away tears.
“No boy ever caught my eye because it was a young man destined to steal my heart. The moment I saw you in the middle school hallway, I was smitten. Many years and heartaches later, the universe brought us together in the most unexpected way. You mended my broken heart, and I fell for you more each day.” Her smile’s so wide, I can’t help but smile with her.
“You fought my demons, believed in me, and accepted me for who I am. You saved me as much as I saved you. You’re my best friend, my lover, my person, and now, my husband.
You’ve given me a life I never could’ve dreamed of, and every day you love me unconditionally.
I said yes beneath the sign representing our new life, and I’ll say yes every day for the rest of my life.
I promise to love you with everything I am, forever,” Izzy finishes.
My attention shifts to Delilah as Mr. Andersen has Reid and Izzy repeat the traditional vows, to have and to hold, so long as they both shall live.
Her eyes meet mine, pure love shining back at me. As the happy couple exchanges rings and seals their commitment with a kiss, one truth overtakes me.
I’m going to marry Delilah.
The wedding party floats away in a cloud of laughter to take wedding photos, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
This decision was inevitable. I’ve known Delilah was it for me since I was eight years old. It’s long past time I make her mine permanently.
I lock myself in our suite, ensuring privacy while I do what I need to do. Checking the time, my best friend’s still at work, but I know he’ll respond.
Me: Hey.
CJ: Aren’t you supposed to be basking in merriment?
Me: You’re gonna want in on this.
CJ: Color me intrigued.
CJ: Proceed.
Me: Remember that summer you made me watch every episode of “Four Weddings”?
CJ: Yesssss. I’m listening.
Me: Remember how you insisted you’d plan a better wedding than any of the contestants?
CJ: Please tell me this is going where I hope it’s going…
Me: Could you help me plan to marry Delilah in approximately 36 hours?
I wait impatiently for his response.
CJ: Sorry that took me so long, I was so excited I threw my phone, and it cracked against the ceiling. It shut itself off from the impact and I’ve been screaming at it to turn back on to text you back!
CJ: YES OH MY GOD I WOULD LOVE TO PLAN YOUR SUPER SECRET SURPRISE WEDDING!
Me: Do you think you can plan it all from home?
CJ: *scoffs* Do I think I can plan it all from home?
CJ: Does Taylor Swift make grown men cry?
Me: Like babies.
CJ: Exactly.
CJ: Send me your ideas and leave the rest to me.
CJ: Oh, and add me as an authorized user to your credit card.
Me: Done. I want it to be perfect, but please don’t bankrupt me…
CJ: Did you forget you’re talking to the Bargain Queen of the Rockies? Now leave me alone to make magic.
CJ: But still send me stuff. Leave me alone after you send me stuff.
I pocket my phone, roll my shoulders, and shake out my hands to get some of the buzzing energy out of my body.
I’m going to marry Delilah Tate.
In two days, she’ll be Delilah Hayes.