Page 158 of Every Chance After

Mom does my hair, expertly knotting it into an intricate, romantic braided updo with flowers intertwined. Mel does my nails and make-up—she’s definitely less of a bulldog now that her best friend is back in her life. Carmela takes care of mysomething oldandsomething borrowedby lending me a delicate gold bracelet with multicolored gems.

Not that I need the tradition, but a little extra luck wouldn’t hurt.

Soon, I’m ready.

I couldn’t have planned a better wedding. It’s more perfect that I didn’t for all its delightful surprises. It’s everything I love in the place I love. With none of the stress of a traditional wedding—I’m not the go-to girl; I’m the cherished bride. Fussed over. Loved.

Music plays. Wade walks me down the aisle behind Tilly, our flower girl. Christie acts as our officiant. Mack is Grady’s best man, and Marigold stands beside me as my maid of honor. Surrounded by our big, beautiful family, I meet the man who changed my story forever on the lake’s edge, ready to pledge my love to himofficially.

With watering eyes, Wade kisses my cheek before moving aside for Grady. He smiles, and I giggle. I can’t help it, especially as he wraps his hands around my waist and pulls me close.

His forehead drifts against mine. “My beautiful Marina.”

“My handsome Grady.”

“Thanks for meeting me here.”

I smile sheepishly. “You know I’ll meet you anywhere. Thanks for making it easy.”

His brow kinks. “Do you like it?”

“I love it.” The words escape in a breathless moan, nearly making me tear up, especially at his worried expression when asking the question. “It’s truly perfect.”

Grady’s smile widens, melting my heart into gooey bits at how in love with him I am. Whenever I think,“Geez, Marnie, in love much?”my heart answers by falling even more, as if love is this infinitely expanding universe that I’ll never stop falling into.

“Shall we begin?” Christie chimes in softly, looking somewhat nervous but sweetly official in his 1950s veiled hat and elegant kimono.

“Okay?” Grady asks me.

“Okay.”

We face Christie but keep our arms wrapped around each other. Christie smiles and relaxes into his sweet words about cherishing love and each other and being grateful for every second. I lean my head on Grady’s shoulder, and he kisses my forehead.

A small wooden box holds our rings. He shows me both together, wedged into their velvet casing. His is a simple gold band, thick and gently engraved with intertwining leaves, reminding me of the trees around the swamp. Mine is more delicate, rose and yellow gold, interlaced with leaves and gems—one main diamond, many smaller ones, and the rest multicolored.

“Ruby for your hair,” he says as he slips it on my finger. “Sapphire for your eyes. Emerald for luck.”

I laugh. “It matches my dress.”

“I knew it belonged to you the second I saw it,” he tells me.

I smile, sliding his ring onto his finger. “Strong and dependable, just like you. I love you, Tripp Grady Tripp.”

He laughs. “I love you, Mrs. Marina Tripp.”

“Mrs. Strange-Tripp,” I correct with a shrug. “I’m embracing the combo. It’s been a strange trip, after all.”

We kiss, gentle and sweet at first, but it turns into more when he lifts me, crushing me against him and laughing as he swings me around. Our family laughs with us.

Our reception lasts hours with dancing, eating, and, yes, even game-playing. Gorgeous bursts of happiness follow the main one.

Grady and Luke doingThe Thingwith Christie as honorary drummer (who knew?).

Marigold confessing that she hopes Peter asks her to marry him soon.

The late arrival of Marty Tripp—Grady’s globe-trotting-for-the-good-of-mankind younger brother.

Lena, Ben, Ruthie, and her friend Adam, arriving from Saddletree Farm and Bakery Café with the most decadent dream cake ever—shaped like a pirate ship, of course.

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