Victorious(74)

Max extends his arm to me. “Shall we, my dear?”

“Yes, please.” I tuck my hand into his elbow, struck by how sad it is that my parents’ choices make it so they can’t be part of my life. Although, looking back on it all now, I wouldn’t change a thing because everything that happened in my past led me to Flynn.

Though nothing about this house is familiar to me, it already feels like home in a way. For the first time since I left my home so many years ago, I feel like I’m exactly where I belong. Who knew the home of my heart would be in Beverly Hills among superstars known the world over by their first names?

Accompanied by the sounds of a string quartet, Max escorts me down the winding stairs and out to the yard, where a gazebo and chairs have been set up for the ceremony.

We emerge from the house into warm, soft late-afternoon Southern California sunshine. The yard is full of people, but the only one I see is Flynn. He is standing with Hayden, Jasper, Kristian and Emmett, the brothers of his heart, by his side, and he is zeroed in on me as I come toward him on the arm of his father.

Max delivers me with a hug, a kiss and wishes for a long, happy life together.

Flynn receives a hug from his father and takes my hand, smiling widely at me. His joy is mine, his happiness essential to me. And I’ve never seen him look happier than he does right now.

I hand my flowers to Candace so I can hold both his hands while the judge, who is a close friend of Max’s, leads us through the recitation of our vows. It is no less emotional the second time I pledge my life and my love to this extraordinary man who has changed my life so profoundly.

“Flynn and Natalie have pledged their lives and their love to each other, and now they wish to share some personal thoughts. Natalie?”

Since Flynn and I agreed to do this, I’ve thought a lot about what I want to say to him, but now that the moment is upon me and people are watching, my brain is frozen until he squeezes my hands, smiles and gazes into my eyes in that intense way of his. I forget about everyone else and focus only on him.

“If someone had told me six weeks ago today that I’d be standing in this lovely yard in Beverly Hills, gazing into the eyes of Flynn Godfrey and pledging to love him forever, I’d have had that person committed. Things like this don’t happen to people like me. Or so I thought until I met you and found out that dreams really do come true, that true love exists, that fairy tales aren’t just for the movies. I never could’ve imagined being loved by anyone the way you love me, and I’ll be thankful for and protective of that love for the rest of our lives. I can’t wait for what’s ahead for us, and I look forward to every minute of our lives together. I love you so much. You’ll never know how much.”

His eyes brighten with unshed tears as he listens to me, and when I finish, he kisses me, sending a soft wave of laughter through the rows of guests looking on.

“I’ll never forget that life-changing moment in Bleecker Park,” he begins, gazing down at me as he speaks, “the first time I ever laid eyes on you and I knew, I just knew you were the one I never expected to find. I love that you couldn’t care less about my job or any of the baggage that comes with it. I love that you see me, just me, the way no one else ever has. I love that I can be fully myself with you and that you accept every part of me.”

A flush of heat travels from my breasts to my face at his reference to the parts of him that I’ve fully accepted. I have to tamp down the urge to laugh at his outrageousness, which only I and a few others will recognize as such.

“I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure I’m worthy of all the priceless gifts you’ve given me, Natalie. I love you now and forever.”

We kiss again, and the judge clears his throat, reminding us we’re not done.

Laughing, we exchange rings—again—and kiss more intently after the judge declares us husband and wife. Again.

Though it felt as real as it could get in Vegas, this time it feels official because those we love best witnessed it. Fluff circles our feet, barking and yipping.

Flynn bends to pick her up and places her in my arms before leading me down the aisle between the rows of chairs where his sisters, their families and others I haven’t met yet cheer for us as we go by.

We take hundreds of pictures in the Godfreys’ beautiful garden, some by ourselves and others with family and friends. We drink champagne and kiss as often as we can before we’re ushered inside and upstairs to the ballroom for the party. The wedding party I didn’t know I had until today is announced, until only Flynn and I remain outside the doors, holding hands and kissing with Fluff dashing between our feet.

“I would’ve have said we didn’t needed this,” I tell him, “but I’m so glad we did it.”

“I am, too. It feels somehow more official now that we have all these witnesses.”

“I thought the same thing earlier. No getting out of it now, Mr. Godfrey.”

He kisses me again, lingering longer than he probably should have with a room full of people waiting for us to make our appearance. “No desire to get out of anything, Mrs. G.”

From inside the room, we hear, “Please join us in welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Flynn Godfrey.”

“That’s our cue, sweetheart.” He extends his arm to me.

I slip my hand into the crook of his elbow.

The room erupts into applause when we enter, Fluff trailing along beside us like the star of the day that she is. Without her, none of this would be happening. Candace picks up Fluff, and I send my sister a thankful smile. I still can’t believe she and Livvy and Leah and Aileen are here. I blow kisses to Logan, who is beaming, and his sister, Maddie.