Page 87 of The Sweet Spot
As Chris smiles at me, his eyes become suspiciously shiny as he inhales a deep breath. Micah pats his back as he murmurs something under his breath, and Chris nods repeatedly.
The three amigos.It’s only fitting that the three of us share the stage today.
“You doin’ all right, kid?” asks the tall, dark-haired man at my side.
Jack Merchant offered to give me away today, since my own father and grandfather aren’t with us anymore. I guess it’s fitting as he’s almost old enough to be my dad.
When Chris and I told our friends we were getting married, Jack approached me in private and offered to walk me down the aisle. I sobbed like a baby. Since Ruth is the closest thing I have to a mom—well, she and Maggie both—I guess it makes sense that her partner, Jack, would stand in as my father figure today.
As we walk down the center aisle in the gathering room at The Lodge, I smile at my friends. It’s a small gathering, just our closest friends, but it’s perfect because these are the people I love. These are the ones who love me. But the one who loves me the most is standing right in front of me, his gaze locked on me.
Granny is sitting with Dawn in the front row on the left side of the aisle. I’m not too sure what to expect when I reach her row. Will this be too much for her? Will she understand what’s happening?
Granny reaches out and snags my hand. “My dear girl, look how pretty you are!” Her hand trembles as she squeezes mine. “Your mama would be so proud of you.”
A knot forms in my throat as I glance down at my dress. When Chris and I told Granny we were getting married, she ran to her closet and pulled out a garment bag containing my mom’s wedding dress. I didn’t even know she’d kept it all these years.
It’s a simple, sleeveless, ivory V-neck dress. A sheer layer of ivory lace, decorated with tiny seed beads, lays over a solid ivory satin underskirt, which barely brushes the floor. My bridal bouquet is a mix of ivory, pink, and magenta roses.
Granny points at Chris, her finger shaking. “I told you this one is a keeper,” she says, nodding decisively.
“Yes, you did, Granny. And I agree—he’s most definitely a keeper.”
She releases my hand and shoos me forward. “Well, what are you waiting for? Go marry that young man.”
Jack walks me to the front of the room, where Chris takes my hand. His grip is firm, and his gaze never leaves my face—not for a second. He’s waited for this moment just as long as I have.
My throat tightens when I think about the circuitous route we took to find each other. He left Bryce for Phoenix, and yet he returned. I married the wrong man, and yet here I am. And now we have our chance to be together for the rest of our lives. We finally get our HEA.
Reverend Jones starts reading the vows Chris and I modified to fit us better. Our vows are all about partnership and equality, loving and cherishing, loyalty and acceptance. And while I had reservations as I entered into my first marriage, I don’t have any qualms this time around. Not a single one. Chris is a good man, and he’ll be a great partner.
“Christopher Andrew Nelson, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Reverend Jones asks.
“I do,” Chris says, his voice loud and clear.
“Jennifer Rosalie Lopez, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” I say, smiling as I gaze into a pair of teary dark eyes.
Chris squeezes my hands with a sure and unflinching grip.
“I pronounce you husband and wife,” the Reverend says. “You may now kiss.”
Chris wraps his arms around me, dips me, and kisses me with more enthusiasm than is probably acceptable for a public gathering.
Our guests stand and cheer. And before we know it, we’re surrounded by our friends—our found family—who hug us, pat us on the back, and kiss my cheek.
Once all the noise begins to die down, Hannah makes an announcement. “I’d like to invite all of the guests here today tojoin Mr. and Mrs. Chris and Jennie Nelson in the restaurant for a reception and dinner.”
Hannah and Killian were kind enough to reserve the entire restaurant for our wedding reception. In appreciation, I offered all of the Lodge guests a free dinner at the diner. They also gifted us a night in the Lodge’s honeymoon suite, a beautiful, spacious room overlooking the lake out back.
Chris offers me his arm. “May I escort you to the reception, wife?”
“Why, thank you, husband,” I say as I take his arm.
Dawn escorts Granny, who’s absolutely beaming.
When we enter the restaurant, we’re greeted with applause. Chris grins as he kisses me. “Every time they applaud, I have to kiss you. That’s the rule.”
