Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“I’m so glad I asked you to accompany me.” Maren took my arm. There had been much debate about vows and traditions. Maren didn’t like the idea of being “given away” but did want my moral support, for which I was grateful. “I might fall over otherwise.”
“You’re doing great, honey.” I patted her hand. “Breathe.”
Rowan and John reached the front of the barn, where they took their places opposite Diesel and two of his friends. Jonas stood up front as well. He’d been moved to tears when Maren asked him to officiate. Jonas leaned in, saying something to Diesel that made him smile. Diesel had kept his hair dark after losing the bet over Magnus and me, and he also wore a western-style tux with his vest featuring both green and purple swirls.
“Our turn.” Wren set the baby down, taking a second to adjust the flower basket before reaching for Destiny’s tiny hand. But Destiny was having none of it. Having spotted Diesel, she broke into a run, her first real run. Wren trailed helplessly behind, petals flying everywhere.
“Dada!” the baby yelled as she reached Diesel, who swung her into his arms. “Dada!”
Next to me, Maren laughed so hard she could barely speak. “Just like we planned it.”
“Exactly.” I beamed at her endless supply of resilience and adaptability as the familiar sounds of the bridal march filled the barn. “Here we go.”
Maren floated down the aisle on my arm. As we walked, I spotted so many of our friends and family. Sean and Denver and what looked like a healthy contingent of Murphys sitting with them, including Declan. Tony and Caleb with Scotty in town as well. A lot of friends we knew through the school, including Tony’s sister, along with Elliot and his many brothers. Tate was there with Tennessee, joined by a huge percentage of our first responder community. Mount Hope had turned out for Maren and Diesel’s big day.
When we reached the front, I released Maren’s arm. She went immediately to Diesel and Destiny, and the moment was so perfect I nearly forgot where I was supposed to sit. I stumbled backward, only to feel a firm hand on my elbow.
“Saved you a seat.” Magnus’s voice was a warm, welcome rumble.
“Thanks.” I sank into the seat next to him, relaxing further as he settled an arm around my shoulders. A year ago, we’d both been cautious with public affection, him more than me. Now, though, I let my head fall against him, taking needed comfort in his embrace and presence.
“Dearly beloved…” Jonas started the ceremony, and I tried my best to stay present for the music, poems, and vows Diesel and Maren had chosen.
All too quickly, however, they were dancing their triumphant way back down the aisle, baby running ahead of them.
“They did it,” I said to Magnus.
“We did it.” Like mine, his smile was more than a little misty. And he was right. This was a group effort. The wedding planning had been a team effort, as had Destiny’s first year. All the sleepless nights. All the late-night talks and tears. All the shared family meals. Everything had combined to bring us all to this point.
“We did.” I squeezed his hand. “What a year. What a life. Thank you.”
Taking advantage of all the guests shuffling around us, I leaned in for a fast, sweet kiss.
“And hold that pose.” Proving we weren’t as invisible as I’d thought, Rowan fired off a series of photos with his phone. “Father of the bride kisses father of the groom, story at eleven. I’m framing this picture, by the way.”
“Is it awkward that your dads are dating?” one of Diesel’s friends asked as Diesel and Maren rejoined us.
Diesel shrugged. “It would be more awkward if they weren’t.”
“Agreed.” I could no longer imagine a life without Magnus in it.
“And they have to stay together for the dogs.” Wren clomped over in their new boots. In a moment, the photographer would likely need all of us for more photos before the reception started, but at the moment, everyone was still milling about. “Ben and Jerry can’t go back to the carriage house after having the run of the place.”
“They won’t,” I said firmly. Magnus hadn’t spent a night in the carriage house in months, and we’d made his move-in official over the holidays. “I’m sure we’ll find a new renter soon enough.”
“Does the basement miss us yet?” Maren joked. The bigger move was that she, Diesel, and the baby had bought a small starter house in Sean’s neighborhood. Magnus had chosen to use part of his insurance money to help them get the house, co-signing the loan. Like me, he missed the three of them terribly, even though they were only across town, but it had been the right decision for all of us.