Breaking my trance, Xander's in my face, shoving me forward, "Bell's on me because you're late, Loverboy. So get your ass in gear and stop gawking like a schoolboy."
I just shake my head, glad things are back to normal. Upstairs, I'm floored by what Bell has done to the place. The observation deck, which I have been on a million times, has been transformed into the most beautiful place on earth. White twinkling lights stream from the open window arches, wildflowers cover almost every inch of the room, the makeshift white carpet ends at the center arch with a perfect view of the Hollywood sign, and everyone we care about is here-my mom, Jack, Serena, Aerie, Garrett, Nix, Xander, Bell, and even Zane.
Garrett moves to stand at the end of the carpet and I have to chuckle because he's trying to be so professional. Looking at his watch, he clears his throat and opens his book. My chuckle turns into a laugh when I see the title of the book he's holding is War and Peace. But really I'm touched that he has put so much effort into things.
Just as the sun begins to meet the horizon, and the Hollywood sign lights up the sky, Zane starts to play Wagner's "Here Comes the Bride" on the keyboard that Bell set up on the back of the deck with the other band instruments. The Wilde Ones will be playing tonight after the ceremony.
Xander taps me on the shoulder and motions for me to stand near Garrett. As I do, everyone takes a seat. When the song stops, Dahlia comes around the corner and Aerie swiftly joins the others. Dahlia has never looked more beautiful. Her dress is long with a scooped neck and thin straps exposing her shoulders. She looks sexy as hell in it. Her hair is loose and flowing with a small simple braid keeping her hair out of her eyes and tucked behind her ear. My heart skips a beat as I look at her angelic face. Her expression is a mixture of love and wonder, her eyes are more hazel than I have ever seen them, and her gleaming smile overwhelms me. That one tear that's been welling in my eye finally falls. And I know that I was able to turn her saddest day into her happiest day.
As she stands there waiting for the music to cue again, her mouth drops open when Ryan Ogden starts to sing "I Can't Wait." Jack is a friend of the lead singer from Runner Runner and his song couldn't be more perfect for me to dedicate to my girl. With just his guitar in hand, he starts to sing and she slowly walks down the aisle with the handful of wildflowers I picked for her from her flower garden this morning. A wave of sadness suddenly overcomes me. For one small moment of watching her walk alone, I wish her father were here to walk her down the aisle and then I wish my father were here, too. But I shove those thoughts aside as I move to meet her halfway.
"Hi," I whisper.
"Hi," she whispers back.
My eyes drink her in. She looks absolutely beautiful in her silky long white dress. It hugs her body perfectly, showing off her amazing figure, and I can't help but think she looks like Grace Kelly. But it's the look on her face that sets my soul on fire.
I manage to say, "You look absolutely beautiful."
Her glossy eyes look at me and then she, too, trails her eyes up and down my body. "You look amazing and I love your shoes," she says with a wink
Then Garrett clears his throat and we both laugh. As I start to tell her how much I love her, she raises her hand and touches her index finger to my lips and mouths, "Shh."
I kiss her finger and then grab her hand, moving to stand beside her. With our fingers laced together we walk the rest of the way down the aisle.
The ceremony is short. Our vows are a mixture of traditional lines mixed with our own words. Dahlia is surprised when it's time for the ring exchange and I actually have matching wedding bands.
"Where did you get them?" she whispers, a look of utter happiness on her face.
I whisper that I got them on the day we were supposed to first get married. Tears roll down her cheeks and when I show her the inscription on the inside of hers, her hand flies to her mouth. I'll take the happy tears over the sad tears any day. I kiss them away, knowing my life was never really complete until I met her.
Looking into her eyes, they tell me everything I need to know as I slide the ring on her finger and say the words that now touch her skin-"I love you more."
The mood quickly changes from deeply emotional to hysterically funny when Garrett asks, "If anyone here knows why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." I can only assume he printed an old-fashioned copy of a wedding ceremony script off the Internet. He looks around in question and then shakes his head, muttering something I can't make out. Then taking a deep breath, it's finally time. I look into her shining eyes as she says, "I do," and I say the same.