29. Epilogue #2
Though the harpist is playing a beautiful rendition of Yiruma’s A River Flows in You , my feet want to high-step it down the aisle as quickly as possible when I see Graham wipe a tear from his cheek.
Like a wise old owl, my dad keeps my pace steady, patting my hand as if he knows I’m trying to make a break for it and is reminding me to slow down and savor the moment.
Reluctant ly, I pull my eyes away from Graham to scan the seats.
While we decided to keep the ceremony small, we made sure to invite the important people.
Along with a few family friends, we invited Martin, Graham’s dad, and his girlfriend Cindy.
They’re seated beside Preston, one of the only members of the board Graham has become friends with, and Avery, Graham’s secretary.
My side is filled with my family, Stella and Jameson, Christine and her husband, and Mindy from work.
They’re all toting smiles that warm my heart, and the support I feel helps me confidently stride toward the arbor.
“I am the luckiest man alive,” Graham says when I approach him. My dad places my hand in Graham’s then claps him on the back in a manly show of solidarity.
“Yes, you are,” I say with a playful smirk. “And I’m the luckiest woman.”
A chorus of ‘aww’ sounds off behind us, but we focus our attention on each other as the minister begins.
I can’t keep my eyes off the smooth curve of Graham’s lips as he smiles when the minister makes a joke about a happy wife equating to a happy life, or how the light hits his deep brown irises, making them sparkle.
“Are you ready for your vows?” the minister asks, nodding with arched brows like it’s not the first time he’s asked me.
I nod and fully focus on Graham.
“I’ve always wanted a love like my parents had, the type where you didn’t want to go to sleep because it meant spending time without them, the kind of love that doesn’t drain you but fills you to overflowing.
I never expected my love story would include flashing my grumpy boss and then wrangling him into a fake dating ruse where we actually fell in love, but truth is stranger than fiction. ”
Laughter breaks out through the crowd, and Graham squeezes my hands, filling me with confidence.
“Thank you for supporting me in every endeavor, for encouraging me to go after my dreams, for always being there to remind me that I’m just enough of everything that makes me special, and for never letting me forget about breaking the Xerox machine.
” I choke out a cough on that timeless joke.
“I promise to love you for all of my days.”
“I want to kiss you so bad right now,” he whispers through clenched teeth.
My cheeks heat when he winks, and I hold my breath as he starts his vows.
“Rosalina Pinky Wilmington.” I growl at him as the others laugh.
“I never knew what love was until I met you. Or at least the version of love where it was given freely without expectations. You’ve shown me selfless love and support, reminded me that communication is a two-way street, and you always inspire me to want better for myself.
I know our beginning didn’t start off like other love stories, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that our story ends with a happily ever after. ”
Our hands shake as we exchange rings, and I bounce on my feet, ready for the minister to say the words I’ve been waiting months to hear.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” he says. “You may kiss the bride.”
Graham wipes a stray tear from my cheek and pulls me close to whisper, “Rosalina Miller, you are wine in a million.”
He stifles my laugh with a fiery kiss that burns hotter than the sun.
Applause echoes around us, but my focus is on Graham.
The firm pressure of his hand against my lower back as he pulls me to him, the scent of his teakwood cologne wrapping around my every sense, and the way his lips mold perfectly to mine.
Only seconds pass as we seal our marriage in front of our friends, but if it was up to me, I’d stay here in this moment forever.
Music thumps as we approach the reception hall, and Graham stops me outside the door. “I love you,” he says, planting a quick kiss on my lips. “We stay for three hours and then we’re out of here. I have plans for you tonight.”
“Deal.”
We walk inside, hand in hand, to applause and hoots and hollers from our friends and family. Off in the corner, I see a familiar face behind the DJ stand.
“Thom?” I turn to Graham and raise an eyebrow.
After we got back from Fredericksburg and I started spending more time at Graham’s, I eventually ran into Thom…
the doorman. I didn’t feel the need to call him out on his moonlighting as a businessman during speed dating, but I did have a laugh about it later that evening when I explained the whole fiasco to Graham.
“Apparently, Thomas is one of the most sought after DJs during spring break,” Graham answers my unasked question. As weird as it sounds, I trust that Winnie did her due diligence in choosing everything for this wedding.
We make our rounds at each table, chit chatting with different guests. Stella brings me a glass of champagne while Graham and Jameson talk off to the side.
“Look at you, a married woman finally.” Stella bumps my shoulder. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Neither did I.” I raise my glass in the air, waiting for her to toast mine. When my glass goes unclinked, I look down at her empty hand. “Where’s your drink?”
“I don’t have one,” she says.
“You br ought me a drink and didn’t get one yourself?” I play shocked. “Are you the DD tonight or something?”
“Or…something,” she replies.
My brain lags a moment before turning to her with a huge grin. “No freaking way. You’re pregnant?”
Jameson and Graham flinch at my screech, and I pull my best friend into my arms, squeezing her tight. “I’m so happy for you guys.”
I’m in the middle of forcing every detail out of her when I hear, “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s toast to the bride and groom.”
Graham gathers me into his arms on the dance floor, spinning me around the room like I’m Cinderella at the ball.
I melt into his embrace, letting every worry I had about this wedding evaporate into thin air.
A year ago, I never imagined I’d be getting married, or that I’d be thinking about starting my own tutoring business, but if I’ve learned anything since Graham busted down my walls and made a home inside my heart, it’s that I deserve good things and to be loved wholly for who I am.