“Thanks.” I smile up at my big brother. He offers me his elbow and I grab onto it.
Since my dad obviously won’t be walking me down the aisle—you know, since he’s rotting away in prison and attempted to kill us—I asked Cade.
“All right, that’s my cue.” Rae smiles and kisses my cheek and then Cade’s before running off to where she’ll exit into the Kincaid’s backyard.
We could’ve gotten re-married at any number of places, but it only made sense to do it here. The Kincaid’s might live in a different house now, but so many of our adventures took place in their backyard growing up, so it only made sense to start this adventure here.
“I’m proud of you,” Cade says, as we start walking toward the open French doors.
“For what?” I look up at him.
He shrugs. “For never giving up on what you believe in and always fighting.”
I laugh. “Funny, you used to tell me I was too stubborn for my own good.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, well, we all grow up and see things differently.”
“That we do,” I agree.
The music changes and I hear the shuffling of everyone standing and my heart skips a beat.
This is happening.
This is really happening.
Cade leads me out the door and my breath catches. It’s the first time I’m seeing the backyard. I handed over the reins on decorating to our moms—all I cared about was my dress—and they did a beautiful job.
The aisle is covered in white petals and above us is a canopy with more flowers hanging down and little lights twinkling. It looks like a magical fairy wonderland.
At the end of the aisle is a whole wall of flowers in all shades of pale pink and white and in front of them stands Xander with Prue by his side.
He stands with his hands clasped in front of him and he looks like a model in his fitted navy suit and tie. His eyes rake over my body and then stop when they meet mine. I see tears shimmer in his eyes, and he smiles widely as we stop in front of him. Xander takes my hand. Cade kisses my cheek, claps Xander on the shoulder, and then stands to the side of him. Rae is to the side of me and I hand her my bouquet so I can give Xander both my hands.
I don’t know why I feel nervous, but I’m suddenly sweating bullets.
We repeat our vows one after the other and I manage not to stumble over my own name, so score.
Then I hear the words, “You may kiss your bride.”
Xander mutters, “It’s about damn time.”
I laugh as he takes my face between his large hands and kisses me. His hands descend to my back and he dips me down, deepening the kiss, as our family and friends whistle and catcall.
I smile against his lips as he pulls away. “We did it for real.”
“It was always real,” he says with a smile, touching his fingers tenderly to my cheek. He pulls me against him so my body is flush with his despite my poofy dress. He lowers his head, pressing his forehead to mine. “Ready?” he asks.
“Ready,” I concur.
Life can throw whatever it wants at us, but we’ll be ready, and we’ll handle it together, because we’re more than husband and wife, we’re best friends, and that’s everything.
Coming Soon in the series
Dark Hearts—Jace and Nova’s book
Upcoming Release
A Love Like Ours—Coming Fall 2016