Safe with Me (With Me in Seattle, #5)(75)

“Here we go.”

Stacy leads us to the back door, and I take a moment to peek out at the beautiful back yard I’m about to get married in. Steven Montgomery’s yard is always lovely, especially in the spring. The fresh scent of lilacs fills the air. Seattle weather had mercy on me today and the sun is out with a light breeze floating through, making it perfect.

Alecia has outdone herself, as usual. She managed to get my favorite restaurant to cater, and they are set up and ready to go under the cover of the patio. Steven’s sound system has been wirelessly piped outside and At Last by Etta James has just started to play.

The family is seated in white folding chairs in the center of the yard in a semi-circle, and everyone is here. Leo Nash even returned late last night from his tour schedule so he could attend.

“Okay, girls, follow me.” Stacy winks at me and clenches her pink-rose bouquet in front of her as she sets off down the yard, and the girls follow, side by side, also clutching small bouquets rather than baskets of petals. When Caleb sees them, his face breaks out in a wide smile and he winks at the girls as they stand off to the side.

“Ready, baby girl?” Daddy smiles down at me.

“Absolutely. Let’s go.”

We step outside as everyone stands and smiles at us, but I only have eyes for my handsome man. His gorgeous blue eyes are soft and happy as he watches us approach.

“Nervous?” Dad whispers to me.

“Not a bit,” I whisper back.

“You may be seated,” The justice of the peace, Brian Parker, announces.

“Beena!” Olivia announces from Luke’s lap, making us chuckle.

“Yes, Brynna is pretty,” Luke murmurs.

“Who presents Brynna to Caleb?” Mr. Parker asks.

“Her mother and I do,” Dad answers, kisses my cheek and joins my hand with Caleb’s before taking his seat.

I pass my bouquet to Stacy and stand facing Caleb. He winks at me, making me chuckle.

“We are gathered here to celebrate the union of Caleb and Brynna in marriage, but we are also here to celebrate the union of a family.”

I swallow hard as I watch Caleb’s eyes.

“The sacred vows about to be exchanged are not just between Brynna and Caleb because you will not only be a new couple, you will be a new family. So, Madeline and Joseline, will you please join us now for the special family rites of this wedding?”

Caleb and I step back as Josie and Maddie approach, standing between us. Caleb pulls two necklaces out of his jacket pocket. They are platinum chains with heart pendants that have today’s date inscribed on the back.

As he drapes the first necklace over Maddie’s neck, his strong voice fills the air with the vows he’s written for each of them.

“I love you, Maddie, and I am devoted to making your life full of happiness and accomplishments, nurturing your creativity, encouraging your independence and making sure you always know what a gift you are to this world.” He kisses her forehead and she smiles up at him happily before admiring her pretty new necklace.

My eyes fill with tears as he turns to Josie.

“I love you, Josie, and I am devoted to making your life full of happiness and accomplishments, ensuring that you thrive to your fullest potential and that while you reach for the sky, you remain grounded by the love of our family and our home.”

There are many sniffles coming from our family now as Caleb kisses Josie’s forehead and then turns back to me.

“Girls,” Mr. Parker begins, “Please come stand by me as we marry Mommy and Caleb. We want you to have a front row seat.”

Maddie tugs on the hem of his jacket, and Mr. Parker looks down at her with a smile. “Yes, sweetie?”

“His name is Daddy now,” She whispers loudly so everyone can hear, making us all laugh.

“Of course,” Mr. Parker laughs. “Excuse me.”

“Caleb and Brynna, please join hands and face each other. Josie, do you have the ring for Daddy?”

Josie hops up and down and opens her hand so Caleb can have my ring. I gasp when I see it. We picked the rings out together, but seeing my ring, with the two bands that twist together, signifying our girls, coming together at the center with a beautiful princess-cut diamond takes my breath away.

“Caleb, please place the ring on Brynna’s finger and repeat after me.”

Caleb looks into my eyes as he repeats our vows. His own eyes moisten and it’s enough to send a tear falling down my own cheek.

“I give you my promise to be by your side forevermore. I promise to love, to honor, and to listen as you tell me your thoughts, your hopes, your fears and your dreams. I promise to love you deeply and truly because it is your heart that moves me, your head that challenges me, your humor that delights me and your hands I wish to hold until the end of my days.”

He brings my hand to his lips and gently kisses my knuckle, just above my ring.

“Maddie, do you have the ring for your Mom?”

Maddie grins and opens her hand, revealing Caleb’s ring, a simple thick platinum band, that has my name inscribed inside.

“Brynna, please place this ring on Caleb’s finger and repeat after me.”

Holding Caleb’s hand in my own, I repeat my vows to him, the same he just spoke to me.

As I step back, Mr. Parker finishes our short ceremony.

“May all your days be filled with joy and happiness. It is my honor and great pleasure by the power vested in me by the state of Washington, that I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your beautiful bride.”