Page 21 of Ms. Patti

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered, and they started walking again as the music swelled. Her eyes met Douglas’ and she noted they were damp with tears.

Again, they’d only made it about a third of the way toward the front of the church when Brian stopped, and eased his arm from hers, and another masculine arm entwined with hers.

Gage. Tall, dressed in a suit and tie, his dark hair gleamed under the lights, and his tender smile made her realize her wedding day was complete. Everyone who mattered, those who played a part in her life, all stood in this church at this moment, and suddenly the ceremony didn’t matter. The flowers, the cake, the champagne—none of it mattered—because she had everything she needed right in front of her.

Within a few steps, they were at the front of the church. As she turned to face Douglas, she noticed Nick and Brian bringing a decorated bench and placing it at the front, right where she and Douglas would stand. Instead, her thoughtful family had known standing through the ceremony would be hard, and they’d come up with an ingenious solution—where both she and Douglas could sit side-by-side to recite their vows.

“Dearly Beloved,” began Pastor Bob.

Douglas leaned close and whispered in her ear, “You are my dearly beloved. I have loved you forever, and will love you throughout eternity, my sweet Miss Patti.”

“I love you to eternity and beyond. You have always held my heart and kept it safe. From the moment we met, I’ve been yours, and there is no power on this earth that can keep us apart, my love.”

The sound of Pastor Bob clearing his through had the rest of the people in the sanctuary laughing.

“Mind if I finish my part now?”

“Go right ahead, Pastor. We’ve already done ours. You might as well get to the part where I kiss the bride, because I’m about to.”

Pastor Bob chuckled. “I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Boudreau. Douglas, you may now kiss your bride.”

Douglas wrapped his arms around her and kissed her with a passion and intensity that she matched, pouring every ounce of love she felt into it.

A rousing cheer rose through the church, as Douglas stood and swept Ms. Patti into his arms and carried her down the aisle like a new husband carrying his bride across the threshold, and straight to the double doors, stopping only to kiss her again. Their first thirty years together had been filled with love, laughter, and passion, and it looked like they had another thirty years to keep sharing their joy.

And she couldn’t wait to get started.