21. Nate
twenty-one
Nate
Today is the day I marry Lucy Burke. My sister’s best friend’s little sister will leave the church building tonight with my last name.
Despite how hard I’ve tried to keep my emotions in check regarding Violet’s absence today, I can’t help but imagine her laughing somewhere in Heaven when she hears that Lucy and I are getting married.
I’ve spent my days off this week going over Lucy’s simple plans and adding to them.
I know better than to believe that a plain white dress, our immediate families and best friends, and a basket of sandwiches would add up to the dream wedding Lucy’s always envisioned.
She’s giving up too much of this experience by agreeing to marry me for practical reasons.
So, I teamed up with Sloane and Joanne to make sure that Lucy gets the wedding of her dreams.
Even if it’s not with the groom of her dreams.
She should be here with her small entourage of bridesmaids any minute.
I asked my groomsmen, Caleb, Miles, and Aiden, to come a little early and help me set up.
Miles has spent most of the morning teasing me about how quickly I cleared up the confusion about my relationship with Lucy.
Aiden joined in on the ribbing, too. But Caleb has stayed mostly quiet as we’ve worked.
That’s not abnormal for him, but I get the feeling he’s got something on his mind.
As I run through a mental checklist of everything that should be set up before Lucy arrives, a large, rough hand lands on my shoulder. I turn to find my dad smirking under his freshly trimmed beard. “This is turning out nice, son.”
I glance at the lights strung across the pavilion in the little clearing beside the parking lot, the white tablecloths blowing in the gentle breeze, the chairs from the church basement set in neat rows in the parking lot, and the small mason jars full of tiny white flowers and pink roses lining the makeshift aisle.
“Yeah, it’s not bad for two weeks’ notice. ”
Dad nods and gestures toward the focal point of the outdoor ceremony space with his chin. “I’m surprised you were able to put that together in time.”
I run a hand over the back of my head and shrug. “It’s not my best work.”
Dad frowns like I suddenly started speaking a foreign language. “What do you mean? It looks great.”
I tilt my head as I examine the triangular arbor I hastily built this week. “The stain turned out darker than I thought, and the design is too simple. If I’d had a couple more weeks, I could have done something more elaborate.”
Dad chuckles and shakes his head. “It looks good, Nate, and Lucy will love it.”
I nod and draw a deep breath.
Dad frowns. “How are you feeling about everything? Are you ready for this?”
I raise a brow and exhale slowly. “Yeah, I feel good. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
Dad chuckles and pats my shoulder. “I’m sure you’ve heard this from a dozen people already, but I had a feeling the two of you would end up together.”
“Really?”
He nods. “Oh, sure. And not just because of the bet. The two of you have always gravitated toward one another. From the way you chased each other on the playground to the way you looked out for her in high school.”
I avert my gaze, not brave enough to tell him that I chased her for the pure satisfaction of driving her bonkers, and I only looked out for her when she didn’t know that I was.
I hated the way some of the guys at school treated her.
So, I threw my weight around in the locker room a few times, and the message spread pretty quickly—anyone who messed with Lucy would deal with me.
It was the right thing to do since she didn’t have an older brother to stand up for her.
Dad only found out because the coach mentioned it to him after he pulled me off a guy who made a crude comment about her.
Dad clears his throat, and my eyes meet his.
“‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.’ Solomon may not have always made the best choices in his life, but he was wise. You’ve found a good thing with Lucy.
Make sure you treasure it and treat her the way she deserves to be treated. ”
I swallow and nod. Dad pats my shoulder and walks away.
My gaze drifts back to the arbor I built, adorned with flowing white fabric and flowers, and I consider the symbolism behind the triangle shape as I pray.
I ask God to help me be the kind of husband Paul describes in Ephesians and Colossians, the kind of husband who draws closer to the Lord and his family every day.
I can’t give Lucy a marriage built on love—not the kind of love she could have waited for. But with God’s grace and guidance, I can become the kind of husband she deserves.
Mom squeezes my bicep as the music plays, and we start our walk down the short aisle with Dad following us. She lays her head on my shoulder. “I’m so happy for the two of you.”
We come to a stop beside her chair, and I hug her. “Thanks.”
She pats my cheek with tears swimming in her eyes. “Vi would be happy, too.”
I clench my jaw and nod, fighting the heat in my eyes.
Dad pats my shoulder and slides into his seat beside Mom.
As I take my place in front of our little crowd of friends and family, I blink rapidly and try to swallow around the lump forming in my throat.
By the time Joanne is seated, I feel more in control, but I can’t bring myself to glance at the single roses on the chairs beside Dad—the chairs reserved for Violet and Landon.
Our friends walk down the short aisle, and I draw a deep breath.
Sloane carries Quinn down the aisle and helps her throw flower petals.
Quinn grins and claps as the petals flutter to the ground.
I can’t help but smile at my precious niece in her white dress with little flowers tucked into her dark hair.
When she sees me, she reaches for me and calls, “Nae-da, Nae-da!”
Sloane chuckles and tries to distract Quinn with her bouquet as she takes her place on the other side of the arbor from me. The minister motions for everyone to stand, and the music changes to the instrumental arrangement I found for this moment.
I’m not sure if this is what Dan and Shay meant when they wrote this song, but I’d definitely say that Lucy and I are building this “From the Ground Up.”
I can’t see over the heads of our small crowd as they stand for the entrance of the bride.
I haven’t seen Lucy at all today. I don’t know how she’s feeling or what she’s thinking.
I don’t know if she’s calm or stressed out.
I don’t know what she thinks about the plans I went behind her and improved.
My eyes slide closed as I draw a steadying breath, and I pray.
I pray for peace, for God to bless our marriage, and for the strength to be the spiritual leader Lucy and Quinn need.
When my eyes open, they land on Lucy at the end of the aisle with her arm through Henry’s.
Her deep blue eyes roam my face as she walks toward me.
The corner of her mouth lifts in a small smile, and I feel my shoulders relax. My cheeks lift as I smile in response.
Lucy Burke makes a very beautiful bride.