ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟛𝟘 #3
I quietly leaned toward Dixie, grinning. "That one's for you."
"For me?" She looked over.
"You never apologize."
She looked offended. "I do apologize."
"When?"
"When..." She frowned. "I have, Cam."
"I'll keep waiting."
The officiant smiled to himself as quiet laughter rippled through the audience.
"And above all, it's choosing one another." He looked directly at the couple.
I felt Dixie's fingers quietly find mine. I simply turned my hand over until our fingers intertwined.
The officiant spoke for another few minutes. Every now and then I'd glance toward Brody. He was trying so unbelievably hard to look composed.
He looked anywhere except Belle. Ryan caught my eye from where he stood-he looked like he was trying his absolute hardest not to laugh.
Hunter wasn't even trying; his shoulders were shaking as he covered his mouth.
The officiant smiled. "I believe our groom has something he'd like to say."
Brody immediately let out the deepest breath I'd ever heard.
"Oh boy."
Laughter spread through the guests. He reached into his jacket pocket, then searched another.
"...Hold on."
Ryan slowly reached into his own suit pocket before handing Brody a folded piece of paper.
"You gave me this."
"I knew I forgot something."
More laughter rippled across the lawn.
Belle laughed through her tears already. She was just like me on my wedding day.
Brody unfolded four pages.
Dixie slowly glanced at me. "...Four?"
"He originally had six." I whispered back.
Her eyes widened. "You're kidding."
"I wish."
Brody looked down, then back up.
"...Hi."
Belle smiled. "Hey."
"I practiced this, I swear." Brody scratched the back of his neck.
"It sounded way better yesterday." he breathed.
Belle laughed.
"So," He sighed. "I had this whole speech."
"I rewrote it."
"Three times."
Ryan quietly corrected, "Seven."
Brody's smile softened. "I don't actually need these."
He folded the pages in half.
"I know everybody thinks I'm the loud one, I am."
"I'm usually the first one talking, the first one making jokes."
He smiled.
"But I've never really known what to say when it mattered."
"You make me want to be better; you make me want to slow down and think before I speak."
"Most of the time." he laughed.
The crowd followed.
He smiled again. "I love coming home to you, I love grocery shopping with you. I even love watching those awful reality shows because you laugh at them."
Belle wiped another tear away.
"I feel..safe. I didn't know people could make another person feel safe."
"But you do."
"And..I promise that for the rest of my life, I'll spend every day trying to make you feel exactly the same."
Belle was crying openly now.
"So..." He laughed nervously. "Yeah, uh, love you."
"And I can't wait to annoy you forever."
The crowd laughed and applauded softly. Even Dixie smiled.
The officiant smiled toward Belle. "And now, the bride."
Belle unfolded a single cream-colored page.
Dixie noticed quickly. "See, she's much more prepared."
I smiled.
Belle took one steadying breath. "When I met you, I thought you talked too much."
Brody immediately nodded. "Still do."
"I thought you interrupted everyone-you still do. I thought your jokes were terrible, they still are."
Brody placed a hand over his heart dramatically. Belle smiled through her tears.
"And somehow I fell in love with every one of those things."
She looked directly at him. "You've taught me that life doesn't always have to be perfectly planned."
"You've reminded me that home isn't a place, it's a person."
I felt Dixie's thumb absentmindedly brush across mine.
"You've made every ordinary day feel important, and every difficult day feel survivable."
"I promise to keep choosing you, and to remind you where you leave your car keys."
Brody looked offended. "That was one time."
Belle smiled. "It was eight."
The guests laughed.
"I love you. I always will." She finished, looking up at him.
The officiant allowed the silence to settle before nodding.
"Has anyone gathered here today any lawful reason these two should not be joined in marriage?"
Brody slowly looked around. "Just checking."
Belle covered her face, laughing.
The officiant smiled. "I believe we're all in agreement."
After exchanging the rings, the officiant placed one hand over theirs.
"By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
"You may now kiss your bride."
Brody grinned so wide. He didn't hesitate. He cupped Belle's face gently and kissed her.
The applause began almost immediately. They finally pulled apart.
Brody looked at Belle.
Then at everyone watching.
Then quietly pumped one fist.
"Yes! I've wanted to do that for months."
"You couldn't wait until we got off the stage?"
"No-I really couldn't. I even practiced that."
"I believe you."
Everyone laughed again.
I looked over at Dixie. She was smiling despite herself. She watched the way Brody looked at Belle as they started walking back down the aisle.
I rubbed my thumb over my hand; she glanced at me.
"Let's dance."
~