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The leaves have changed from yellow to deep red and mocha, while brassy debris piles over the grass like an ornate rug.
Lovely colors for a white wedding.
And what better way to celebrate than to walk right into forever with the man I’m trusting to lead us there?
“Are you cold, hon?” Nana whispers as we emerge from her car at the same cute park where Dexter proposed.
Only, today it’s all decked out just for us.
Neat white rows of chairs line the way to an arch dripping flowers. Beyond that, there’s the lake. It’s a deep blue without the reflected leaves, pretty as crystal with its refracted sunlight.
“I’m fine,” I tell her softly. “Is it even possible to be chilly on your wedding day?”
I’m serious. The high is like fifty degrees today and I don’t feel a thing on my almost-bare shoulders under the papery shawl.
She gives me an adoring look that hurts my heart.
For just a second, I think she remembers a time when she was just as lovestruck and giddy as me.
Sighing, Nana slips her arm through mine.
Thank God we pulled this off while she’s still here for me.
Once upon a time, I’d glumly imagined walking down the aisle alone and independent with a halfhearted wedding at forty, if I was lucky.
But this is infinitely better, and so much faster than anything I ever dreamed.
Obviously, it means the world to Nana, too. That fans my butterflies through the full spectrum of feelings, especially when she stops and looks at me with a twinkle of love.
“Annie would be so proud of you today,” she whispers.
It’s hard to keep walking after hearing my mom’s name.
I won’t cry.
Because we’ve practiced this walk a hundred times and I think I only burst into tears for half of them.
Step together.
Together.
Right up to where he’s waiting.
Everyone turns to look at us as soon as we’re in view, coming over the hill.
It’s funny how movies and books always dictate how weddings should be this hyper-stressful affair, so much emotional sacrifice to win the happiest day of your life. But we were in perfect agreement when we decided we wouldn’t bethatcouple.
We didn’t want huge and traditional and expensive, even if money’s no object for Dex.
We wanted special.
We wanted small.
We wantedus.
No gaggles of near-strangers and third cousins and distant acquaintances. We just needed the people who matter most.
And they look at me now, all the friends and family and people who’ve guided us through our lives.
