My wife’s smile is blinding, but I can see the slight twinge of remorse in her eyes. Last night when we were talking, she made a comment about how it made her sad to think that we never shared a wedding like Wes and Shayla are—a celebration of our love for one another instead of a bet gone too far and a fuzzy recollection of actually tying the knot. And it got me thinking—Waverly deserves that. She also deserves a true wedding ring, one that I already had picked out and planned on giving to her at some point before our miscommunication derailed everything. But on this trip, I’m going to give it to her. I want her to be proud of being my wife, to know that although our marriage was untraditional, it doesn’t make what we share any less meaningful.
When the ceremony ends and Wes kisses his bride passionately, we head out to the beach for wedding photos. I’ve traveled to many places in my life, but there is something magical about the beaches in Aruba. Dark rocks stand out against the white sand, crystal clear turquoise water glistens under the sun setting in the distance, creating waves of oranges and pinks in the sky. And even though the backdrop couldn’t be any more beautiful, nothing is catching my attention more than my wife.
The colors of the dresses that Shayla picked out for the girls—the mixture of teal and yellow—looks positively stunning on Waverly. Her sun-kissed skin is glistening against the fabric of her dress that is flowing with the cool breeze coming off of the water. Her hair is swept off her face into a low bun at the base of her neck with small tendrils hanging by her cheeks. And her soft pink lips are taunting me with every smile and teasing look she gives me as we frolic in the sand barefoot after pictures are done.
Wes and Shayla opted for a private dinner in lieu of a reception since it really was just them, me, Waverly, Chloe, and Silas staying after the ceremony. So after photos, we travel into the private room decorated in candles, soft lighting, and a long table with vases of lilies and roses in bright pinks and whites. It’s classy and simple and sets the mood for their intimate affair.
Wes’s mom and dad came for the ceremony, but left shortly after, claiming they had other obligations to return to and barely speak the entire time. My parents couldn’t make it since my father wasn’t cleared to fly yet, and Shayla’s mom and she had a falling out after Wes and she got engaged, so she wasn’t there. But Grace, Wes’s housekeeper, made the trip and will be joining us for dinner, then enjoying the rest of her hard-earned vacation.
Even though the celebration is small and intimate, Shayla still wanted a cake, a first dance, and demanded toasts from Chloe and me.
“Are you okay?” Waverly asks me, seated in her chair to my right.
“What? Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure you’re not nervous? I’m glad I don’t have to make a speech, even if it is just the six of us and Grace.”
“I don’t get nervous,” I reply, stroking her shoulder with my thumb.
The lift of her eyebrow tells me she doesn’t believe me. “You sure about that?”
I reach for her hand and bring it to my lips, kissing her finger where the band of diamonds that I gave her rests. “Yes, I’m sure.”
Chloe stands from her chair, clinking a knife to her glass, indicating it’s time to make our speeches, but I give Wes one more questioning look to make sure he’s alright with what I’m about to do. With a short nod from him and a thumbs up from Shayla, I wait anxiously for my turn, trying to enjoy Chloe’s speech first.
“Shayla, you are the sister I never had. You’re my family, my rock, and my best friend on the face of the planet. We know each other better than anyone else in this world, we’ve been through so many ups and downs in our lives… but now you have Wes. He’s your husband, the man that was meant to put up with your stubborn ass so I don’t have to take on that responsibility on my own anymore,” she says as we all laugh. “He is now your family, but I still better be invited to all major holidays or I’ll start showing up randomly without notice.” She winks. “I am so happy that you have found the person that will love you unconditionally like I do, but you also get to have sex with, because you and I will never have that kind of relationship and lord knows, you’re a happier person when you get laid.”
Waverly snorts as I shake my head. Shayla blushes and Wes bounces his eyebrows at her. I veer my eyes over to Silas for a moment to see him baffled as he stares up at Chloe.
“But seriously, I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. And Wes, thank you for showing my friend that there are good men out there, ones who will want every part of you. I’m not sure a man will ever be able to handle me, but I’m glad you’ve given me hope that there could be one. To Wes and Shayla!” she shouts, holding up her glass as we all join in and then take a drink in celebration.
I watch Silas track Chloe with his eyes as she takes her
