Josh clears his throat. “Aren’t you supposed to go help your bride?”

“I don’t know, Jess said something about no aisle and that she was going to walk here?”

Oliver slaps me on the back. “Way to fuck up your wedding before it starts. Didn’t you pay attention?”

“No,” I groan. “I was too busy making sure you fuckers didn’t get so drunk you couldn’t get here.”

Before I can argue or try to think about what the hell the directions were, Amelia hops out of the car, her hands going back and forth quickly as if she wants me to walk to her. When I move to take a step, I hear a chorus of, “No!”

“See, I am to stay here,” I say as though it was my plan.

And then . . . then my heart stops. The world stops turning as she exits the car.

The sun is behind her, peeking through the trees and casting the most beautiful halo around her, making it seem as if she’s glowing.

I know I’m supposed to stay here, but my legs want to go. It’s not until I feel Jack’s hand grab my forearm that I realize I was moving.

Jessica takes Amelia’s hand.

My sister comes toward us first, and when she gets to me, she kisses my cheek. “I’m proud of you.”

I laugh. “Thanks.”

Then she smiles at the rest of the crew behind me.

Next is Delia, who gives me a playful wink as she passes.

Winnie, Jessica’s maid of honor, waves her fingers as she passes.

Her mother is last, and I pull her in for a hug when she gets to me. “You take care of my girl.”

“Always.”

“You know,” she says softly, “I always hoped it would be you. You’re a good man, Grayson Parkerson.”

“I think it was always going to be us, no matter what.”

Mrs. Walker smiles. “I think so too.”

And then it’s just her and Amelia. The two of them start to make their way to me, carefully avoiding rocks as Amelia waves randomly. They are both smiling, and I swear, my heart could fly out of my chest. I’ve never known a person could hold this much love.

“Hi,” Jess says first.

“God, you’re gorgeous.”

She beams. “I’m glad you think so.” Amelia looks up at me. “And you are so pretty.”

“Thanks, Daddy. Are you ready to get married?” Melia asks.

I look to Jessica, our eyes locked and I nod. “Yeah, Monkey, I sure am.”

“Never thought I’d see the day,” Josh says as he hands me a beer.

“That I’d get married?”

“No, that you’d convince Jessica to marry you.”

I laugh. “I did something right.”

“I notice you invited Mom.”

She’s currently dancing with Oliver, and we’ve barely said a handful of words to each other.