Chapter 1 #2
I went up to Alex, both hands on her shoulders as I held her gaze. My breath was slow and steady, an invitation for her to join me on Calm and Rational Island.
It took a few tries, but soon our breathing was in sync.
“You’re the best at what you do,” I said, keeping my voice even.
“Your beams will hold, trust me. Now, if my calculations are correct, we’re at T-minus twenty minutes or something.
I want you to focus on Cam and Elliot’s faces when they see what you built for them.
Focus on the part you’re playing in the beginning of their happily ever after… ”
Slowly but surely, the panic started to drain from Alex’s eyes. Finally, she nodded, breathing deeply. “Okay.”
“Okay?” I checked in for confirmation, and a smile crept onto her lips. “Okay, good. Let’s go have a wedding. What do you say?”
“Wait,” Reid groaned. “What about my sequencing?”
Hayden, Alex, and I exchanged uncertain glances.
“I barely manage to log into my Netflix account,” I muttered, offering an apologetic shrug.
Hayden grinned, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Have you tried turning it off and on again?”
The first lilting notes from Frankie’s guitar floated out to us.
“That’s our cue.” Hayden led the maid of honor procession, with Alex, Reid, and me following close behind.
Support beams were holding, even as the storm grew outside. Inside, though, Alex’s makeshift winter wonderland was nothing but calm.
I gave her a reassuring nod as we came to stand on Cameron’s side of the aisle, then watched the relief in Alex’s eyes give way to the purest love as her gaze flickered to the entry arch. Seeing the way she looked at Devon nearly knocked the breath from my lungs.
Along with Mia, she walked down the aisle next, taking up Elliot’s side as bridesmaids. Having gone through this all before, Mia’s knowing smile when she looked at Reid spoke volumes.
Meanwhile, I found myself nursing just a tinge of envy at the flush rising in Devon’s cheeks.
I forced my eyes back to the arch. Now wasn’t the time to be wallowing.
Cameron and Elliot came into view, and gasps of awe rippled through the delighted guests. The instrumental lead-in gave way to Frankie’s melodic voice, evoking the deepest of emotions from every person there.
In this winter’s embrace,
We stand,
Two hearts entwined,
Hand in hand.
Through all the storms,
That life may send,
Our love, unbreakable,
Shall never bend.
Cameron and Elliot walked down the aisle together, holding hands, eyes brimming with tears as their smiles threatened to take over their faces completely.
Elliot was breathtaking in a white lace gown reminiscent of the Victorian era. Simple princess-cup sleeves, and a long, flowing train. Her blonde locks were curled and partly swept up, with the rest cascading down her bare back.
As Frankie’s chorus swelled, the lump in my throat became painful with how hard I was trying to keep my tears from falling.
Forevermore, side by side,
In love’s warm glow,
We’ll eternally abide.
Every season,
Every night and day,
Our love will light the way.
The brides took their places, Cameron closest to me. So close, I could see that her smile perfectly masked the tumultuous journey that had led her here.
My heart felt about ready to burst with happiness and love for her.
“We are gathered here today…”
The officiant’s voice faded to the background as I found myself utterly enchanted by the couple. Her words were a serene backdrop to the threatening snowstorm outside, but also a metaphor for the warmth and love blossoming in the moment.
I wondered what it would take for me to stand in Cameron’s spot. To one day declare my love and devotion to a woman who would be my forever.
Cameron’s trembling voice broke through my yearning reverie as she started her vows.
“Elliot, from the moment we met, you’ve been my rock, my joy, and the home to my heart.
Today, I vow to stand by your side, to love you unconditionally, and to cherish every moment we share.
I promise to support you in all your dreams, to hold you in times of sorrow, and to celebrate every triumph.
With you, I’ve found my forever, and I’ll treasure it always. ”
I swallowed hard, careful not to make eye contact with the others. Them, or the empty chair with Mark’s name on it up front. It wasn’t lost on me the way Cameron’s gaze had lingered there when she passed it. The way she bit down on her bottom lip to hide the violent trembling that started up there.
Or the way Elliot’s grasp on her wife-to-be’s hand immediately tightened in a sign of comfort.
Meant to be, is what people say. And with those two, I couldn’t argue that fact.
“Cameron, you’re the love I’ve searched for my whole life.
” Elliot’s voice quivered under the weight of her emotions.
“You’ve brought light to my darkest days, and your laughter is my favorite sound.
Today, I pledge to stand with you, to love you fiercely, and to be your partner in all things.
I promise to hold your hand in every storm, to dance with you in moments of joy, and to be the shoulder you lean on.
With you, I’ve found my home, and I’ll cherish it forever. ”
Tears shimmered in Cameron’s eyes as they exchanged rings, sealing their vows with a promise of ever after. Their love story was a testament to patience, resilience, and the unwavering belief that true love really could weather any storm.
The room erupted in applause and cheers as the newlyweds shared their first kiss, and it was at that moment that all four of us — Reid, Hayden, Alex, and I — gave in to our tears.
We engulfed them both in the warmest embrace before they made their way back down the aisle. Since I was closest, I was crushed into Cameron by everyone else. Laughter, tears, and well-wishes streamed over my head as we clung to each other.
I felt a quick kiss on my forehead and looked up to find Cameron beaming down at me.
“You’re next, Kane.” Her eyes sparkled with love and light and unbridled happiness. “I can’t wait.”
Of all the things to say to me, of all the times to say it… I forced a bright smile and buried my face back in her neck, hugging her tightly.
I wasn’t going to dwell on the lonely ache in my chest when there was this much love around me.
I followed closely behind Cameron and Elliot as we made our way into the reception area. Cam’s jaw dropped when she saw Alex’s creation—a peaceful, snowy paradise that sparkled with magic and love.
“Look at this place!” she breathed, her eyes devouring the finer details. “It’s like a-”
“A fairytale,” Elliot finished. “Oh, Alex, it’s more than I could’ve imagined.”
All the panic and desperation from before was nothing but a bad memory as Alex soaked in the success of her winter wedding coup.
“Everything,” Cameron went on as we moved through the space, “every detail, the flowers… It’s like we’ve stepped into a whole other world.”
The guests’ chatter followed us as the room started filling up, but Cameron and Elliot weren’t ready to take their place at the brides’ table until they’d had a full tour.
Hayden winked at me, then went to fall in step beside Cameron. “Before we get lost in the reception, there’s something you should see.”
Soon, the dessert table stood before us, a tantalizing array of decadent treats, each more tempting than the last. Hayden had pulled out all the stops and she stood proudly aside while Cameron inspected her work.
Towering cakes, delicate pastries, and an assortment of chocolates that could win awards. Mastery was evident in every bite-sized sample.
But that wasn’t why we gathered there.
Elliot held her breath the moment she saw Cameron’s eyes fall on the arrangement at the end of the long table.
It was like the air got sucked out of the room, and I could actually hear her heart hammering in the vacuum.
There, nestled among the delectable desserts, was a collection of intricately crafted houses made of cookies. Each one was a work of art, meticulously designed with care and precision.
Cameron’s breath hitched, tears streaming down her cheeks. The same tears she’d fought back all day.
“How…? How did you…?”
Hayden, close to tears herself, wore a soft smile and motioned at Elliot with her head.
Cameron turned to her wife, blubbering. “This was you?”
“I remembered the story you told me.” Elliot’s eyes shone with tenderness as she took Cameron’s hand. “How Mark used to sneak into your pantry and build cookie houses. I wanted a way to have him here with you—with us—and I figured…”
Her voice trailed off, giving way to fresh tears as Cameron pulled her into a hug that surpassed the need for words. The touching tribute to her son was the purest form of love, and I didn’t blame her for being unable to hold back her tears.
Alex and Reid had me in a desperate grip, one on each of my arms, as they tried to keep it together. I didn’t know what help I was offering, because my own emotional stability was hanging on by a thread.
“This is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me,” Cameron said to Elliot. “Thank you.”
“I love you.” Elliot kissed her gently on the lips.
They fell into a warm hug, holding onto each other with more than just love and affection. It felt as though I was witnessing something so much deeper than that.
The others felt it too because we broke down at the same time, crying like a bunch of babies.
Cameron sniffled as she turned to us, motioning the group closer with a wave of her hand. She and Elliot pulled us in, inviting the four of us into their private moment.
“I don’t mean to be rude or anything.” Mia came up to us, smiling softly. “But the guests are going to start asking questions if this group hug carries on for much longer.”
Reid pulled out first, dabbing at her eyes. “Let them ask. We’re having a moment.”
“She’s right, though,” Alex said, smoothing her dress as she took a shaky breath. “If we don’t get started with the formalities, we’ll be here all night.”