“Okay, ladies,” Sam announces and begins stripping out of her casual clothes. “I’m getting dressed and getting married.”
“Want me to touch up your hair?” Stacy asks.
“Yeah, can you make it all messy and cool like that night when Will proposed to Meg?”
“Absolutely.”
Sam, Brynna, Stacy and Nic all file into the bathroom to primp. The rest of us went to our respective rooms earlier to change into something nicer than jeans and tank tops, although I’m beginning to think it wasn’t necessary.
Not if the bride’s wearing leather pants.
Lucy sits beside me and takes my hand in hers companionably. “How are you, darling girl?”
“I’m great. This weekend has been a blast.”
“It sure sounds like it,” she says with a chuckle. “I’m glad. You all needed it. A little play time is good for the soul.”
“It is.” I smile at the kind woman beside me. “Were you shocked when Luke called?”
“Between you and me? No.” She cranes her neck to see into the bathroom. The noise is echoing in the vast space as the girls chirp and giggle.
“I’m surprised it took this long,” Meg adds as she falls into a deep-cushioned couch and sips her soda.
“Sam’s stubborn,” Nat says. “I knew it would happen eventually, but I thought he’d have to work at it a little harder.”
“I’m just thankful that Elvis isn’t officiating,” Jules says as she reapplies her lip gloss. “Are you almost done in there?” she calls into the bathroom.
“Coming!” Stacy calls back.
“Okay, who wants to place bets on who cries first during the ceremony?” Meg asks.
“Neither are going to cry,” I reply with a smirk. “They’re both too badass for that.”
“Have you ever heard the song “Sunshine”?” Meg asks. “Leo wrote that for her. They wrote those vows together. There will be waterworks.”
“I’m not betting against that,” Nat replies.
“Me neither,” Jules agrees.
“He wrote “Sunshine for her”?” I ask with a sappy grin on my face as Meg nods. “That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Still wanna bet?”
“Hell no.”
“We have to go!” Nat yells back to the bathroom.
“I’m ready!” Sam comes walking down the hallway on her high red shoes, those black pants hugging her every curve and that white lacy tank is absolutely stunning, showing off her pierced navel.
Her hair looks messy in a classy, rocker way and her blue eyes are shining above blood-red painted lips.
“You’re magnificent,” I whisper and feel my eyes fill with tears. “Oh, Sam.”
“Oh, my sweet girl,” Lucy sniffs as she stands to hug Sam. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Come on,” Meg says with a sniff. “Let’s put my brother out of his misery and get you two hitched.”
Sam smiles triumphantly. “Let’s do it.”
***
This might be the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever seen. And it’s in Vegas.
Amazing.
This particular wedding chapel offers an outdoor garden option. It’s evening, just past sunset. We are sitting in ornate white iron chairs facing an arbor, covered in white twinkling lights.
“You’re gorgeous,” Mark whispers in my ear.
“Wait till you see your sister,” I reply with a smile.
“It’s a different kind of gorgeous,” he says and brushes his knuckle down my cheek. “You take my breath away, M.”
I take his hand in mine and kiss his palm softly.
We’re all here. All of the Montgomery siblings and their significant others. Nat and Luke, Mark and I. Jax and Logan. Even Leo’s band and their families are here, smiling and anxious to get this show started.
Leo, dressed in black ripped jeans and a black button-down shirt rolled on his forearms, escorts Lucy down the aisle to her seat, kisses her cheek and joins the justice of the peace on the small stage. The song “Sunshine” begins to play, signaling that we should all stand and turn to watch Sam, dressed in her unconventional wedding attire, walk down the aisle with her dad. Neil is smiling at his daughter proudly, clasping her hand tightly in his own, and I can’t help but remember that my daddy will never walk me down the aisle. Mark won’t escort my mama to her seat. Tiff won’t stand by my side as I pledge myself to the man I love with my whole heart.
Will they know anyway? Will they be with me? Can they see how happy he makes me?
I inhale deeply as Mark wraps his arms around me from behind and kisses my head before whispering, “It’s okay, M. Just breathe through it.”
How does he always know?
I feel his chest move against my back in a long, deep breath and I do as he asks, taking a cleansing breath and refocusing on the here and now.
Sam’s carrying a small bouquet of tiger lilies, her eyes are pinned to Leo’s. I glance over at the groom to find him watching his bride, his jaw dropped in awe and love and everything in me goes soft at the romantic moment.
She passes her flowers to her mom when she hugs and kisses her before joining Leo on the small stage. He takes Sam’s hands in his and whispers something down at her that makes her cheeks blush and her smile widen.
“Family and friends,” the tall man begins as we reclaim our seats. Mark wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close to his side. “It’s my pleasure to officiate this special occasion. Samantha and Leo have asked that we make this quick, and I have to say, unconventional.”
“Imagine that,” Will says with a chuckle. We all smile and nod.
“This very special couple has decided to exchange rings as they recite their vows to each other. Samantha, please recite your vows to Leo.”
Sam clears her throat and pulls a ring out of her bra, holding it up for all of us to see.
“Best storage system ever,” Leo murmurs softly, making Sam laugh. She takes a deep breath, reaches for Leo’s hand and looks up into his eyes solemnly.
“I promise you, Leo, until my very last breath, to fight for life, for joy, for us. To never take your actions, words and kindness for granted, and to keep leaving you secret notes when we are away from each other.” Leo grins as Sam slips his ring on his finger and continues speaking.