“I know it seems like you are, but Dad, you couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.”
“I’m so in awe of you, my darling.”
I rise up onto my tippy-toes, kissing his cheek. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too,” he whispers with so much emotion in his voice. He kisses my cheek just as the doors open, and the string quartet starts to play “A Postcard to Henry Purcell.” It’s an ode to my parents from the party my dad threw my mom for her birthday when they were dating. When I was sad, away in New York, I would listen to it to remind myself of their love for each other and for me. I meet Dad’s gaze for a second just to see his eyes so full of emotion, but then I look down the aisle as everyone stands, and I can’t process anything but him.
Aiden’s eyes widen.
His hand comes over his mouth, and then he leans over, holding himself up on his thighs as he laughs out a sob. Soon, tears are falling down his beautiful cheeks, and I’m done for.
And at that moment, the nerves, the fear, everything, and everyone is gone.
It’s just him.
It’s just me.
It’s just us.
Let’s do this.
Chapter 11
Aiden
I could never ever have prepared myself for this day. The morning was spent shooting the shit with my brother and friends. We played football with Shelli’s brothers and stuffed our faces with really good barbecue. I would find myself looking up at where I knew Shelli was getting ready, just hoping for a glimpse, but I never got one. I wanted so desperately to talk to her, to text her, but we promised we would wait for this moment. As I lean forward, holding myself up on my thighs as I laugh about the fact that I am crying like a baby at the sight of my bride, I know I will always hold this day front and center in my future memories. I could lose everything, my sense of who I am, how to play hockey, who my family is, but I will never forget Shelli coming down the aisle to me.
Me. Some showboating, asshole, loudmouth, spoiled hockey player.
She wants me.
The room is silent as she comes toward me, everyone in awe of her as the violinist gives her the entrance music she deserves. I can’t look at anyone. I can’t process anything. All I see is her. Her eyes, they shine as she holds her head up proudly, walking with such grace and determination. Just as she goes through life. Her lips are curved in the most stunning smile I’ve ever seen, but somehow, I take in her dress. It fits her like a glove and flows as she walks; it’s almost as if she is walking on damn air. She looks like a freaking monarch, which makes sense because she’s the queen of my heart.
I wipe my face free of my tears and step down from the small platform so I can be there to help her up. When she reaches me, I look to Shea, and I don’t feel like a loser for crying. He’s bawling his damn eyes out. Shelli turns to him as he does to her, and she reaches up, wiping his face so tenderly. Shea grins and then reaches for her veil, lifting it up and over the crown she’s wearing. Of course, Elli gets up, helping to make sure Shelli is all set. There is laughter, but I’m unsure from where because I’m in awe of my bride. Elli and Shea both lean in, kissing Shelli on each side of her face before our minister and friend, Ross Kidman, asks, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
Shea stands proudly, having a death grip on Shelli’s hand. She looks up at her father, and he grins down at her as he says, “I do, her father, as do her mother, her sister, and her brothers. We are so incredibly proud of you and who you have become, but most of all, we couldn’t have chosen a better man for you.”
Shea looks at me then, and my stomach drops. “I trust you.”
I chuckle nervously. “No pressure?”
“Nope, just the warning of death by Zamboni.”
Laughter rings through the barn as Shelli grins up at me. Shea takes my hand, pulling me in for a tight side hug. He then takes my hand before laying Shelli’s in mine. I lace my fingers with hers, our eyes meeting, and I feel like I’m floating. Breathless, I gaze into her eyes and whisper, “I love you.”
Her lips curve, and she brings my hand to her lips. “I love you,” she says around my knuckles before kissing them softly, and the song I sang to her last night blasts in my head.