Crash Into Me (Into Me Series Book One)

Chapter Thirty Nine - Hart

One Year Later

"You ready, kiddo?" his gruff voice asks me.
I let out my shaking breath and smile, "Yes."
"I am so damn proud of you. I would have never guessed this is where you and I would be standing a year ago. I wasn't sure you would still be with us, actually," he admits. "I definitely didn't think Jackson would be. But you kids proved me wrong, just like you always do."
"Someone has to keep you in line when your wife isn't around," I laugh.
"You're sure you want to do this?" he asks sincerely.
"With every cell in my body," I tell him, the smile that's been plastered on my face the entire day only growing wider. Of course, some doubt sticks around in my mind, but I push it aside. There is no place for the monster's voice today. I refuse to listen.
"Well, let's do it then," he nods, brushing a strand of hair that managed to escape off of my shoulder.

He sticks his arm out, offering it to me. I link my arm through his, holding my bouquet at my belly button. We step up to the French doors of the nature preserve as the music begins to play. I take a deep breath and let it out, blinking quickly so I won't cry. Well, not yet, anyway. The wrinkles around Evans' eyes multiply as he smiles at me, a tear rolling down his cheek. I'm about to wipe it with my fingers when the music swells and the doors are pulled open.

It takes my eyes a second to adjust to the bright sun outside, but once they do, I find myself gasping at the beauty of it all. It's a gorgeous spring day. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, their leaves getting kicked up into the wind and floating around like confetti. The sweet smell of spring blooms lingers in the air. All of my anxiety melts away as soon as my eyes find his. Evans and I take a step forward into the sunshine as the guests rise to their feet.

Before me are my favorite people in the universe. Margaret (Evans' wife), Susie, Carson, Theo, Anna (Theo's girlfriend who keeps his ass in line), Avi, Sarah (Avi's wife), Adelaide, Lucy (Adelaide's fiance), and Mark take up my "side" of chairs, even though everyone here is family and could honestly sit on either side we're so close. Jackson's "side" is comprised of Riley, Brianna (Riley's girlfriend), Jordan, Steve (Jordan's boyfriend), Heath, Holly (Heath's girlfriend), Tony, April (Tony's girlfriend), Mac, and Sekou. Caroline and Connor stand at the altar as well, making up our entire bridal party. Brian stands there as well, in his best suit, ready to officiate the "whole damn thing," as he said when we asked him to.

But quite honestly, the only person I'm looking at is Jackson.

All of the anxiety, all of the worry, all of the doubts, all of the voices in my head telling me I'm making a mistake, that I don't deserve this, that he should be with someone better, fall silent when our eyes meet. He is in all black. From his button-up to his vest to his jacket, the only pop of color on him is his pocket square, a forest green that brings out the gold flakes in his eyes. Jackson can't take his eyes off of me, tears streaming down his cheeks, as an unbreakable smile graces his face. Connor grabs his shoulder, shaking it lightly as he smiles widely at me. Jackson laughs quickly, wiping his eyes as he looks down at his feet for just a second, his eyes immediately returning to mine when he brings his face back up.

My excitement grows more and more the closer I get to him. I'm trying really hard not to cry tears of joy, but it's a battle I'm losing. Evans and I stop before the alter, Brian quickly wiping away the tear that shed. He clears his throat and I find myself laughing lightly at him as he blushes. Evans kisses my cheek as I hand my bouquet off to Caroline. I turn to face Jackson, grabbing his hands in mine. My love for him is so strong that it makes my chest swell. The way that he's looking at me right now makes every hardship, every mistake, every challenge, every night falling asleep by myself and crying, every night spent wide awake in fear worth it.