We arrive at the Cartwright Hotel with only twenty minutes to spare, and two smartly dressed ushers immediately guide us to the gardens.

“Is it strange being here?” Solange asks, her hand squeezing mine.

“Not at all. Feels like a million years ago.”

In fact, it’s cathartic in a way. I was never meant to marry Ella in this place, or anyplace else for that matter. And it’s extra special that I’m finally returning with the woman I love beside me.

Before we can even snag seats, Jaslene marches up the aisle, her head lowered as she speaks into the microphone attached to her headset.

When she reaches us, she points at Solange. “Listen, I know your history. Don’t even think about opening your mouth during this ceremony.”

Solange rolls her eyes. “Ha, ha. I’m not saying a word.”

“Good,” she says, pointing two fingers at her eyes, then at Solange’s. I see everything, she mouths.

“You’ve outdone yourself,” I say to Jaslene, interrupting their banter. “And you should be proud.”

“Agreed,” Solange adds. “Lina would be proud too.”

“Speaking of which,” Jaslene says. “Have you heard from her?”

Solange shakes her head, but she’s bouncing on her toes, and her eyes are dancing with excitement. “Nothing yet.”

Lina and Max are at Surrey Hall Farms for a couple’s retreat this weekend. Lina’s expecting bonding exercises; Max is planning to pop the question in a field of tulips on the outskirts of the farm. He’s promised the tias a photographer will capture it all. I look down at my watch. “Should be any minute now.”

Jaslene shimmies her shoulders. “Okay, I need to make sure the trains are running on time. See you after the ceremony.”

Solange and I continue down the aisle until we reach Larry Bailey, now my boss.

He immediately rises and puts out his hand. “Good to see you, Dean. Thanks for coming.”

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world, sir.”

“Son, when are you going to start calling me Larry?”

I give him a sheepish grin. “Never?”

He chuckles, then looks around him. “You two should have a special place of honor somewhere considering you definitely had a hand in getting them together.”

Solange playfully scoffs at the notion. “Nonsense. Kimberly and Nia were in love before we met them. They just didn’t know it yet.”

She may be right, but Kimberly herself admits that when Solange told her about my attempt to crash the wedding that never was, she, too, mustered the courage to confess her feelings to Nia. Now we’re moments away from watching them walk down the aisle and pledge their love to each other.

Mr. Bailey smiles. “You’re probably right, Solange. Anyway, we’ll talk more during the reception.” He points at me. “By the way, I read your proposal about the pro bono program, and I’m fully on board.”