Page 64 of Wedding Wrecker

Kyle

The click of the shutter is almost too loud in the quiet of the chapel. A part of me still doesn’t believe this is real. It thinks I died hitting that tree, and only dreamt up Logan proposing and then whisking me away to get married the very next day. The elopement might just be a precaution so neither of us gets cold feet, but I don’t care, because when I see his handsome face, colored by the sun flowing in through stained glass, I feel in my heart that I have found my person, my best friend and lover.

He looks so good in the same suit he wore to my failed wedding with Madison, and since that wouldn’t be symbolic enough, I am in the shirt he lent me after mine became unwearable, though we did stop at a menswear shop on the way here, because this is a special day, and the photos taken will remain in our home forever. I let him pick the suit jacket for me.

And it isn’t brown. He chose a dark green with a burgundy tie to go with it, which apparently “brings out my eyes”. When he said that, I knew I’d be buying it.

He squeezes my hands with a smile warm enough to make me melt. I have never been more certain of a decision than in this moment.

I whistle, and four paws tap the stone floor as Jekyll runs down the aisle with a black sock in his muzzle. There wasn’t enough time to train him for being a proper ring bearer, but he does know how to bring the stray socks I leave around the house. I smile when the photographer gets to her knee to capture our dog performing his duties.

“Good boy,” I say, letting go of Logan’s hands to take the little sock-pouch containing the simple bands we got first thing in the morning. The officiant lets out a small chuckle when I tell Jekyll to sit by our side, and I rise to take out our rings as I meet Logan’s beautiful steel-gray eyes. “There they are.”

Just yesterday, I didn’t know if he’ll ever reciprocate my feelings, and today, I’ll be claiming him with a ring. I don’t care that someone could say we’re rushing into things. To me, he couldn’t be a more solid choice.

The officiant smiles at us. “You may now exchange your vows.”

My lungs are burning as I meet his soft gaze. When I speak, words come straight from my heart. “Logan, you changed my life. I was stuck, and you showed me that I can live in harmony with my nature. You're kind, thoughtful, and I'm grateful that we can stand here together. Today, I give you my heart. I promise to always put you first. To cherish and support you for the rest of my life. I love you, Logan,” I finish with my mouth dry as the Arizona desert.

At least I managed not to stutter.

I bite my lip to not laugh when he nervously rubs his eyes with his sleeve.

“Kyle, you showed me that love is something that can still happen for me. I was bitter, and cynical, but you didn’t give up on me. I never told you, but I broke my ankle trying to run away from you. It was the best thing that happened to me, because thanks to it, I got to know your sweet and caring heart. I couldn’t run away. Now, I don’t want to. I promise to show you every day how much you mean to me and appreciate all the little things you do. You make me laugh, you’re hot as hell.” He chuckles, shaking his head, “And I can’t wait for our forever. I love you.”

I choke up, and while I’ve never been a cry-baby, my eyes sting as if someone aggravated them with lemon juice. My hands tighten on his as I try and fail to keep myself from shedding a tear. All my life, I felt like a cog in a machine operated by someone else, but being with Logan gives me the agency I didn’t know I needed. He is my everything. My love, my friend, and the person I want to stand by for the rest of my days. I let the tears fall as I smile at him, choked up but happier than I ever remember being. “Sorry, I should have mentioned how hot you are yourself.”

He laughs and even the officiant snorts a little despite trying to keep her face straight.

Logan reaches over to wipe the tear off my cheek. “Thank you, I wouldn’t have known otherwise.”

I lean into his touch, but it’s time for us to exchange the rings, and I can barely hear the officiant’s voice as I slide the silver band on my man’s finger. “This ring is the symbol of my love, my trust, and commitment to you.”

He grabs my hand with tenderness and puts the ring on my finger. “This is my heart, and I trust you will never break it.”

I shiver, nodding as I can’t keep a wide smile at bay. He is perfect, and I know I’m going to stand by him forever.

The officiant’s voice comes to me muted, but I still listen as I lock my eyes with Logan, determined to do everything in my power to make him happy.

“With the exchange of those rings, you declared your commitment to one another. May your love continue to flourish for the rest of your lives. I declare you married.”

My heart is a drum beating in triumph as I lean in to seal this crazy deal. I try not to laugh into the kiss, because I’m already locking lips with Logan when she says, “You may now kiss your groom.” Oh well, it’s just another thing we’re not doing by the book.

Logan steps closer, pulls me in by the waist and deepens the kiss. I slide my fingers to his clean-shaven face, and I can almost smell the hay from that first night together. I know it was only a fling to him at the time, but in reality it was the beginning of us.

The kiss turns into a hug, and I find it hard to let go. He is now mine.

I have a husband.

Kyle Hone is married to a man and isn’t ashamed of it.

As I pull back, watching him with all the love in my heart, the photographer whispers. “Do you want one taken with your phone?

I reach into my pocket and unlock it for her. Jekyll is making little whines at our feet, and I grin up at my man, playing with the ring on his hand. “Let’s commemorate this.”

“Hell yes!” Logan grins and pulls my hand up to kiss the ring for the picture. “Make sure to get the dog in the photo too,” he asks the photographer, only making me love him more.

She smiles and takes a couple of snaps for us before handing back the phone. More photos are taken with the big camera she came with—by the flower vases, and with Logan picking me up while Jekyll dances at our feet, but then the ceremony’s over, and we head toward the exit, flustered and happy, even if still shocked by the sudden step we’ve decided to take.