I raise my gaze and meet Josh’s eyes. My breathing’s deep as all my nerves rise to the surface.

“Stop trembling,” Reece murmurs. “No one’s going to bite.”

“It’s not them.”

He squeezes my hand.

I’ve never seen Josh’s face so full of raw emotion. His eyes drink me in as we draw closer, and I smile at him as if to tell him everything will be okay.

We made it.

We finally made it.

Reece kisses my cheek and passes my hand over to Josh before taking his place beside him. Josh links his fingers with mine and I let out a contented sigh.

“You look beautiful,” Josh murmurs.

“You scrub up pretty good too.”

He grins.

I’m not really paying attention to the first part of the ceremony. The thought of becoming Mrs Carter makes the butterflies in my stomach dance.

“And now for the vows.”

Josh turns to me. “Delaney, I never realised just how lost I was without you. But finding you again has led me down a path with no regrets. I’m a better man for you, and I’ll be a better husband for your love. You’re my best friend, and the love of my life. How lucky was I to find those two things in one person? All you ever do is love me, even when I’m not sure I deserve it. I promise I’ll spend my life making sure I’m worthy to hold your heart.”

Tears trickle down my face.

“Are you okay?” The celebrant smiles at me, and I nod.

Reece reaches into his pocket and passes me a tissue. Behind me, I hear murmurs and “aww” sounds. I pat my face dry and smile.

“Delaney, if you’d like to speak your vows.”

I nod again, and take a deep breath. “Josh, today we start our married life together, and nothing has ever made me so happy. You have given Amelia and me all of your love, and we both love you with all of our hearts. Whoever thought two crazy kids like us could get our shit together?”

Everyone behind me laughs.

“I swear that I’ll always be here for you no matter what we face in the future. And I’ll even teach you the rules of rugby and cricket if you pay attention for long enough.”

Josh chuckles.

I turn to Amelia and take her hand, giving it a gentle tug for her to join us.

Josh squats in front of her. “I promised your mama that when we got married, I’d make a commitment to you too. And that is that I promise to always be a good father to you, Amelia. I’ll listen, and make you your favourite hot chocolate with more whipped cream than your mother usually lets you have. I love you.”