Page 132 of Say You Will

Janessa flicks my fingertip veil into place in the back, and Bronwyn fluffs out my small train. A combination of pillar candles in large glass vases on the path and strings of fairy lightsoverhead glow in the darkness. The wedding planner set up an elaborate trellis on the stone walkway that leads up to where Henry stands at the top, but a row of guards dressed in suits form a phalanx in front of me and my bridesmaids while we get settled in the darkness.

Our approximately forty guests, not counting the bridal party, sit on white wooden chairs near Henry and his groomsmen. Henry and I know every person here. Most of them are his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Clarissa’s husband James is here. Grandma and Grandad Miller sit in the front row next to Nanny Lisa, who is simply Lisa to me now.

I decided to walk myself down the aisle, but as I step onto the stone pathway, I immediately realize my mistake. I was fine last night for the rehearsal, but my knees are rougher today than I expected them to be.

Clarissa leans in. “Are you all right?”

“I can’t do this alone. I’m going to fall on my face.”

“Will you let us walk you up the aisle?” Clarissa asks.

We won’t all fit together through the trellis, but we’ll be fine once we get past it, at least until I get to the chairs. “Yes, please.”

Ryan informs the musicians of the change in plan. Then we line up at the trellis with Sydney and Janessa slightly behind. The string quartet transitions to the song we chose.

Bronwyn crouches next to Phee. “Time to walk and sprinkle your flowers until you get to Daddy.”

Phee bounces. “Ready!”

Bronwyn comes back, and I slide my arm through hers. My left arm hooks through Clarissa’s. Janessa, who carries my cane for me, and Sydney, who holds my flowers, fan out to either side.

The guards separate, and we step forward.

Our guests rise with an audible shuffle, though I only notice in my peripheral vision. Phee makes a meandering path as she tosses handfuls of flower petals on her way to the men at thefront. Oliver, wearing his bow tie, sits politely on the flagstones between Henry and Gabriel. Dean, Noah, and Dante make up the rest of the groomsmen.

I don’t have eyes for anyone but Henry. He got a haircut sometime today, and he stands with his hands clasped in front of him. When he sees me, his palm flies to press against his heart, and his smile fights with tears.

Joy so profound that it almost hurts bursts through me.

Bronwyn and Clarissa keep me steady as I go, though I lean into Clarissa harder each time I have to take one of the steps that occur approximately every ten feet.

Henry lifts his glasses to wipe under his eyes.

I’m halfway up the aisle when Henry takes a step forward, then another, and another, until he’s jogging toward me.

I laugh when he meets in the middle of the path, and I lean toward him, whispering conspiratorially, “Did you forget you were supposed to wait at the end?”

He never breaks eye contact as he smiles back. “I’m done waiting.”

He speaks to my bridesmaids, though he never looks away from me. “Thank you, ladies. We’ll see you up there.”

They pile onto me in a two-second group hug. Sydney passes me my bouquet, and when Henry has his arm around me, they file around Henry and me to walk to the front.

Henry lifts me into his arms. “I’m not supposed to kiss you yet either.”

I lean in to press my lips to his lean cheek. He turns his head at the last second and catches my mouth, instead. Our guests chuckle.

Then he carries me to the bower on the patio.

Epilogue

Ten Years Later

Henry

A Sky Full of Stars | Coldplay

Icontemplate the manin the chair before me. I need answers. I know he has them. He’s lacking only the right . . . encouragement. “You may consult your notes.”

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