Easy Melody(75)

It’s evening. The sun is just beginning the set, sending a riot of color through the sky. The trees are adorned with white lights, and pink fabric that matches my dress is draped among the limbs. Tables are set up for eating later, and for now, enough white chairs are gathered in a semi-circle for just Declan’s immediate family, my Uncle Bernie, and Adam to witness the ceremony.

I wanted a very small wedding, and that’s what Declan and his family are giving me.

Adam takes my hand, loops it through his arm, and escorts me down the steps of the porch and down the brick path as a simple piano version of When A Man Loves a Woman that Declan recorded plays on the sound system.

I can see his family, all smiling, some wiping at tears, watching me make the journey to my man, but all I can see is him.

He’s in black slacks and a white button-down, tucked in, with a blue tie that belonged to his father. But it’s his eyes, holding mine, that I can’t look away from. He’s saying everything with those eyes: I love you. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Thank you for being mine.

I can’t wait to marry him.

Finally, we approach, and Adam passes my hand to Declan’s, kisses my cheek, and takes a seat.

“Dearly beloved,” the justice of the peace begins. “We are gathered here, on this beautiful spring day, to join Declan and Callie in matrimony. It was their wish that only those who are closest to them be here to witness this sacred day, and it’s also their wish that they take over from here, reciting their vows and exchanging rings. So I’m going to let them get to it.” He winks at Declan and takes a step back.

“Calliope,” Declan begins, earning a mock-glare from me, but he simply smiles and squeezes my hand. “I love you. Nothing, not even time, will ever change that. You don’t complete me, because we’re both complete on our own, but you compliment me in ways that I didn’t even know I needed.

“Your love is like a song, and our song is an easy melody that plays, over and over, in my heart. Some days it’s slow and sweet, and other days it’s fast and loud, but it’s always love. It’s my favorite song.”

And, cue the tears, damn him.

“I promise you today to always be your partner. To never forsake you, or be unfaithful. I will respect you and I promise to do my best to listen and have your best interests at heart, even in times of anger. I’m going to screw up, Callie, but I will always be here, ready to fight for us.” He swallows and squeezes my hands, three times. “Our family will always be my only priority, for as long as I live.”

He kisses my forehead, then steps back and gives me a moment to catch my breath and wipe the tears from my cheek, not even caring that I’ve already ruined my makeup.

“I wasn’t expecting you, Declan Boudreaux,” I begin and grin at him. “You were not a part of any of my plans, but you were the best surprise I’ve ever been given, the piece of my puzzle that I didn’t know was missing.” I sniff and nod a thank you at Beau as he passes me a handkerchief. “I thought that I’d walk through life taking care of myself, and I’d done a pretty good job of it. But, then I met you and you taught me a few things.

“First, I learned that it’s okay to lean on someone who loves you. You are my greatest supporter, my fiercest advocate, and I know that when I can’t speak for myself, you are there to help me.” He nods, his beautiful hazel eyes smiling down at me.

“Second, I learned what true unconditional love is. It’s saying, I don’t care what happened yesterday, I’m going to love you today, and every day. No matter what.

“You’ve shown me patience, and loyalty, and you’ve shown me what it means to be truly safe with another person. Loving me isn’t always easy, but then, I guess the best loves aren’t. And ours is the best love I’ve ever been in.”

Declan’s eyes fill as he watches me, listening intently to every word.

“I promise to always value our love, and hold it in the highest regard. I promise to respect you, be faithful to you, and support you in every endeavor, at your side, for as long as we both live.”

He smiles, wipes a tear off his cheek, and pulls my rings, the engagement ring and a matching wedding band that he had made for me, out of his pocket, slipping them on my finger. “These rings represent my love for you.”

I’ve been wearing his band on my thumb, and I slide it onto his finger, repeating the same words back to him.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. And now, ladies and gentlemen,” the justice of the peace says happily, “it is my pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Declan Boudreaux.”

***

“It was such a pretty wedding,” Gabby says with a wistful sigh and leans on the table, resting her chin in her palm.

“Did you write your vows ahead of time?” Charly asks. The sisters and I are all sitting at a table, enjoying some girl talk, while the boys are standing nearby, laughing and giving each other shit about something.

“No, they were spur of the moment,” I reply. “That’s one of the reasons that I didn’t want a lot of people here. I knew I’d get stage fright.”

“Well, they were perfect,” Van says. “You and Dec had us all blubbering.”

“Are you leaving on your honeymoon right away?” Kate asks, taking a bite of cake.