Page 121 of Choosing Us

“Absolutely,” Savannah agrees.

Cami nods. “I agree, and it’s awesome that you’re stuck with us now.” She winks as I laugh at that.

Savannah nods. “Your wedding dress will work perfectly for your something new today, and the sapphire bracelet Ryan gave you last night is your something blue, but we need a few finishing touches.”

I look around, not sure what we forgot. I know we kept things simple for today, and I lowkey love how much my parents will hate the fact that I am getting married in an actual barn, but I don’t think I forgot anything.

Vivian smiles at me. “When Mama gave birth to Savannah and me, Daddy gave her a piece of jewelry to commemorate the occasion. She passed the rings on to us.” She nods to Savannah, who lifts her right hand and shows the gorgeous cushion cut sapphire in a dainty pavé setting, and I think I know where she’s going.

“Vivian, I couldn’t⁠—”

She raises her hand to stop me. “Please don’t interrupt your elders, Harlow, it’s rude.” She giggles before even finishing, unable to keep a straight face about our five-and-a-half-year age difference. “I never used to be able to play that card, but now, with you and Cami, I can!”

“Weird flex, Viv.” Cami tilts her head with a smile.

“I know, anyway. You can consider this something old and something borrowed.”

Vivian reaches for her right hand and slides the stunning pear cut emerald ring from her finger. “The setting matches your necklace perfectly, and it’s a nice way for Mama to have a place today, too.”

She slides the ring onto my right hand without giving me a chance to try to refuse before taking hold of my hand with a gentle squeeze. “It’s a joy to have you in our family. Welcome to the Callahans, Harlow.” She leans over and softly kisses my cheek before wiping away a few of her tears.

“Our makeup is doomed.” Savannah wipes away tears with a chuckle.

“It’s perfect,” Cami adds as she joins the group hug.

“Knock, knock, how’s it going in here ladies?” Aisha calls as she walks into the guest room we have turned into a bridal suite at Murphy’s house.

“Good, I think we are ready to go.” I look to Savannah to confirm I haven’t forgotten anything else, and she nods as she pushes a rogue hair back from my face. I wore my dark hair down today but used a pearl clip to have it up on one side.

Aisha grabs the train on my dress to help me navigate the stairs. She’s the only person here from my past. I didn’t want to have any professional colleagues here outside of my immediate team members, and she’s my only friend now that’s not affiliated with the Callahans in some way. Thankfully, our wedding isn’t traditional or formal enough to require bride and groom sides because mine would be very sparsely populated.

My parents chose not to accept my wishes, and therefore, are not here today. We didn’t even do formal invitations, but if we had, I don’t know that I would have sent them one after my father doubled down on my mother’s threats. I may be losing an inheritance by committing this “act of disobedience,” as they referred to my wedding, but I never cared about my trust fund or the money.

I also invested the initial portion of my trust fund that I received at twenty-one incredibly well, and the returns have already secured my financial well-being for the rest of my life, so long as I make wise financial decisions.

I think marrying the newly appointed Chief Financial Officer for Lux is another wise financial decision. When the CFO that Jack and Wells had wooed from a tech start-up left Lux to go back to the start-up world, it was the perfect opening for Ryan to finally accept Jack’s attempts at getting him to come work with him at Lux. I understood Ryan’s hesitation. He didn’t want anyone to think he was handed the job without the right experience. The timing was kismet as the hospital in Forrest Falls is currently being bought out by a larger hospital system in Nashville—one of the exact hospitals that the now-former chairman of the board was determined to compete directly against.

Ryan will be based out of the Forrest Falls location, and occasionally will need to travel, but thanks to technology, he could easily work most days from home and not miss a thing. We will build our lives together here with our family.

We make our way downstairs, and I realize this is the part I will have to make the walk alone.

But before the emotions can overtake me, I am quickly reminded that the Callahans never leave a man behind.

Murphy is standing at the back door that leads to the pathway we will walk to the barn. His hair is more gray than dark brown these days, but I can see pieces of his sons in his face, and of course, the green eyes that match both Vivian’s and Cami’s. The same dimple he shares with Ryan pops as he grins at me.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

“Thanks, Murphy.” I’m not sure what’s going on, but the sisters all have a knowing look on their faces as they smile at me. “What’s going on?”

“Well, we knew your parents were not going to be here today, but we wanted to give you options,” Cami starts to explain before looking at her sisters.

“Right, and this is totally up to you, you get to decide what’s best for you, we are not steam rolling you at all,” Vivian says this to me but is looking at her sister with a fierce look.

“What? I wouldn’t do that on her wedding day … probably. I mean, she just has to make the right decision, and it will be fine. I’m sorry I care so much!” Savannah smiles at me directly. “No, actually, I’m not. I’m not sorry that I care at all. You deserve to be taken care of and have your people show up for you, Harlow. It’s our honor to fight over you.”

“I am really missing something here.” I look from Murphy and the girls, then I notice Liam sneak in the back door and joins us in the kitchen.

“Hey, we’re ready when y’all are. Well, damn, Whiz Kid, you look like a princess.” He leans over and kisses my cheek. “Did she decide?”