AUGUST | NH |

TWENTY TWO

Archer

Finally.

Today is the day I finally get to see Dorothea get married.

We've all been working around the clock for the last week to get everything ready for it.

Every detail has been perfectly handcrafted and catered to in order to ensure the event runs smoothly. Keeping it small and only inviting about fifty people, Dorothea felt like that concept alone made her feel like she had more room to breathe.

Even Niall showed up when he could to help out when he wasn't at work. Whether it was carrying in some of the things they wanted to use for their theme or whether it was him helping me tie golden strings around the sparkler packs for their send off.

The wedding happened to fall on his night off which couldn't have come at a better time.

Over the last week, Niall has been on some rough calls. A structure fire that ended in an entire loss, a grass fire that two other fire departments had to come help with, and not to mention the emergency call at three in the morning for a fatality wreck.

I've done what I know I can to be there for him
and help him with whatever he needs, but I know he's tired. Even after we spent all day yesterday in bed watching reruns of old shows, he could probably still use a solid week's worth of sleep.

At the least.

This morning I let him sleep in after giving him a quick kiss and grabbing my bag and heading out of the door, driving in the direction of the venue I've become all too familiar with over the last few days.

Located about thirty minutes outside of town, the wedding venue was an old refurbished Victorian style house with sprawling gardens and an incredible view of the water. Everything was light and open — making the space feel bigger than it was without compromising the feeling of intimacy.

According to the itinerary, the ceremony would take place inside before flowing out to what used to a tennis court, one that would be covered up with some tent like thing, keeping the reception out in the open but also protecting the party in case rain decided to
move in without an invitation.

I easily find the girls in the bridal suite, music playing through a small speaker and laughter ringing out.

"Archer!" Dorothea is the first one to throw her arms around my neck after I sit my bag down. "Today is the day!"

I can't help but smile as I hug her back. "I'm so excited! Tell me where you need me!"

She directs me to a chair in front of a mirror, one right next to Rebekah who reaches over to squeeze my hand. "Today is going to be so much fun."

"I know! I cannot believe it's finally here!" Wiggling in my seat, I prepare to have my hair and makeup done. "Were you able to grab the last bit of stuff you needed?"

"Yep! Everything is ready to go." Sending me
a megawatt smile, I sink back into the chair as someone comes over to me. "Are you ready?"

Nodding, I look over at her.

"Let's get our girl married."

_______

I can feel Niall before I see him.

I always do.

"Hey pretty baby." Pressing a kiss to my temple, I lean into him as his palm slides across the open back of my dress. "I've been dying to get close to you in this dress."

Smiling up at him, I slide my hand under his suit jacket. "You say that like this green suit isn't going to be on my mind at all times."

"You like it?" Pressing his lips to mine, I sigh as his fingertips draw back and forth along my skin in circles. "A little birdie told me green was your favorite color."