Chapter 40

I stared at Erin’s advancing back, and as the opening notes of “All You Need is Love” rang in my ears, I held tighter to my dad’s elbow. This was it.

“Ready, Tiny Kim?” he said.

All I could do was nod since my nerves had stolen my ability to speak. I just hoped it was temporary.

“Remember this. I might be giving you away, but I’ll never let you fall.”

I turned to look at my dad, who smiled at me through teary eyes. “Thanks, Daddy.”

It was a short walk, probably less than one hundred steps. I didn’t need a Fitbit tracker to tell me I’d endured more strenuous passages. But this was the most monumental walk of my life, and I was determined to focus on one thing and one thing only—getting to Nicholas on the other side. “Let’s do this.”

The moment I locked eyes with Nicholas, my nerves were replaced with an overwhelming sense of peace and certainty I was in the right place with the right man. Although I made a conscious effort to take note of the setting sun over the New York City sky and the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings in the distance, I didn’t focus on any of the things I thought I would. There was no contemplation as to what my guests thought of my dress or how I’d worn my hair. I didn’t peek through my side vision to see whether my coworkers sat on the teal folding chairs on the bride’s side or the groom’s. And I didn’t give a single thought as to Hannah Marshak’s date. All I saw was Nicholas, standing in front of a gorgeous circular floral arch. I could tell from the way he gazed at me like we were the only two people on the terrace—all he saw was me.

My father released me and lifted my veil. I gave him a hug and a kiss and watched as he shook Nicholas’s hand and sat next to my mom in the front row. And then, I was staring into Nicholas’s molten brown eyes. He took my hands in his. “Kimmie,” he said.

The temperature outside was fairly mild for early November, but my skin tingled with goosebumps. “Nicholas.” I felt movement from behind me as Erin arranged my dress and then Bridget took my bouquet of blush and ivory roses and hydrangeas. We released a giddy laugh and faced the non-denominational shaved-headed officiant, who spoke of marriage being a celebration of love, commitment, family, and of two people who are in it together and forever. And then it was time to exchange our vows.

Nicholas went first. “Kimmie, I remember when Rob told the squad he was bringing in a new assistant from his old firm. He described you as very organized, quick-witted, trustworthy, and loyal. He failed to mention you were also utterly charming and adorable, but those attributes were obvious to me from the get-go. Still, it took several months to work up the courage to strike up a non-work-related conversation, since contrary to your preconceived notion of me, I was not a player.”

I shrugged sheepishly at my initial assumption.

“We’ve had our share of ups and downs over a relatively brief period, but what I learned from the tough times is how much happier I am with you than I am without you. What’s funny becomes hilarious when I’m laughing with you. What’s interesting becomes mind blowing when we experience it together. What’s yummy is mouthwateringly delicious when we taste it together. And, yes, what’s tiring is utterly exhausting when we muddle through it as a team. But we are a team, Kimmie—partners in everything. This does not mean I expect an invitation to your girls’ nights or plan to start reading chick lit—unless you wrote it. It doesn’t mean I expect you to share my encyclopedic knowledge of classic rock through the ages or that I’ll endeavor to appreciate the nuances of the perfect romcom. It means when you’re falling, I vow to be the one to lift you up. When you’re feeling ‘less than,’ I vow to be the one to build you up until you’re convinced, as I am, how special you are. When you get a bad review, I vow to feed you ice cream and distract you like only I can.” He waggled his eyebrows as our guests chuckled. “I’ve never met anyone like you, Kimmie Long. You’re four feet eleven inches of fire, bravery, passion, strength, and love, and I’m so honored you chose to share all of you with all of me. I will love you forever.”

A tear dripped from my eye. “Showoff. I’m supposed to be the writer.”

He winked. “It’s not a competition.”

The officiant scratched his silver goatee. “Your turn, Kimberly.”

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Nicholas, when I first met you, I thought you were out of my league. You were a successful, ambitious partner-track attorney. And you were gorgeous to boot. I assumed you dated pediatric surgeons, CEOs, and supermodels.” My voice was shaking and I took a moment to gain my bearings. “During the cafeteria lunches we shared together and our first few dates, I learned you were so much more than perfect on paper. Yes, you were a hardworking and skilled lawyer who was beyond handsome, but you were also funny, kind, a really good listener, and a phenomenal kisser.” I grinned at Nicholas, whose eyes were watering even as he smiled back. These words came straight from my heart and it felt brilliant to speak them out loud. “You saw so much goodness in who I already was, but also potential as to who I could be. You instinctively knew I had dreams beyond the comfortable life I was living and you gently coerced me to take more chances.” I studied his face like it contained the meaning of life. “Seeing myself through your eyes made me realize you weren’t too good for me after all. You were perfect for me and me for you. You never let me take the easy way out. While this habit of yours is frustrating at times, mostly when my comfort zone is to cower or give up, you’re exactly what I need. My life has changed in so many wonderful ways because you’ve taught me that anything is possible.” I swallowed hard. “I almost lost you twice, and it’s not an experience I ever want to repeat. And so today, I vow to never forget why I fell in love with you or take our bond for granted. I vow to hug you with both my arms and my heart, and to always kiss you like I mean it. Through conflict and resolution, during periods of intense action and through the saggy middle, when the dialogue is stilted and the internal conflict in plenty, I vow to be your happily ever after and your one true love.”

Nicholas squeezed my hand. “You win,” he whispered.

I squeezed back. “It’s a tie.”

We began the exchange of rings and chuckled along with our guests when George pretended he lost mine. I laughed harder when Caroline removed a candy ring from her bouquet, claiming she came prepared on account of the series of wedding misadventures we’d suffered so far.

At last, it was time to be formally declared married. “By the authority vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The officiant beamed at Nicholas. “You may kiss the bride.”

Right before Nicholas took me in his arms, he presented me with a smile filled with so much warmth and emanating so much joy, I thought we’d both explode from happiness. And then, I was kissing my husband—my husband—against a backdrop of applause and wolf whistles.