CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

April"s heart hammered against her ribcage, an erratic drumbeat that resonated through the stillness of the forest. She clutched her bouquet like a lifeline, the delicate petals trembling in her unsteady grip. Even the air felt thick, as if charged with her trepidation, making each breath an effort as she stepped into the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy.

With every step along the earthen path, adorned only by nature"s hand, the moment she had been anticipating for months loomed closer—a union that marked both an end and a beginning. The weight of expectation cloaked her shoulders, heavier than the intricate lace of her gown trailing behind her. This weekend had been a tempest of joy and jitters, storms and sunshine, yet here she was, at the precipice of forever.

As she rounded the corner, where the trees parted like curtains unveiling a stage, the scene before her unfolded—simple, yet brimming with significance. Rows upon rows of white chairs cradled those dearest to her: Georgia, her heart and soul, beaming with pride; Caroline, lips pressed into a rare, soft smile despite the unfamiliarity of the setting; Richard, his easy laughter a silent promise of support. Grandma Vera sat with an air of reluctant approval, a testament to April"s efforts, while Uncle Eamon"s face was alight with unrestrained glee that could ignite the woods themselves.

Chloe"s presence weaved itself into the beauty of family, her city sophistication momentarily shelved for rustic charm, while Julia looked on with a warmth that belied recent tensions, her sons nestled close. Friends from different chapters of her life—Alice, Beth, Kellie—shared glances that held stories, laughter, and love, all converging in this singular, extraordinary moment.

Kristy, ever the diligent aide, perched on the edge of her seat, eyes wide with admiration—or perhaps surprise—at the transformation before her. April"s metamorphosis wasn"t just about the dress or the veil, but the culmination of a year"s toil, turning ruins into refuge, chaos into serenity.

Inhaling the scent of pine and earth, April allowed the quiet elation of her gathered loved ones to seep into her bones, steadying her stride. The anxiety that had threatened to overwhelm her dissipated, replaced by a burgeoning sense of rightness. Yes, this was a rollercoaster, but one she rode willingly, arms raised, ready to embrace the highs and lows with equal fervor.

She was doing this. She was getting married—here, amidst the whispers of the forest, under the watchful gaze of those who mattered most. And never before had happiness felt so vast, so overwhelming, that it almost seemed tangible among the filtered light and shadowed ferns.

April"s gaze lingered on the natural cathedral that had blossomed around her, each detail a testament to the beauty in the photo Kellie had showed her just a short few hours ago. The flora of Dune Island had been coaxed into an aisle, vibrant blooms forging a path lined with flickering candles that cast a soft glow against the encroaching dusk. Their light danced upon the petals strewn beneath her feet—a blush-colored carpet unfurling towards the future.

Everything was set on tarps or the carpet that led down the aisle. April was sure that it would become a muddy mess later on, but for now, they'd kept everything clean enough for the festivities.

At the end of this fragrant runway stood Jackson, framed by an arboreal arch that seemed to grow from the very earth itself, large branches intertwined as if in an eternal embrace. Beside him, Henry"s presence was both unexpected and fitting; the man who"d once aided her in finding the tools to rebuild now bore witness to the reconstruction of her heart.

Henry had been there for her as she searched the warehouse store's aisles. He was there for them at every step of the build process, on every project they'd done on the property. Now he was here as they built their marriage.

As April"s pulse thrummed with the weight of the moment, the first notes of the violin pierced the air. The bird watcher, hidden somewhere among the leaves, played a melody that spoke of old tales and new beginnings. The sound wrapped around her like a gentle wind, coaxing forward steps she wasn"t sure she could take.

Yet, when her eyes found Jackson"s—his dark hair tousled, a tear tracing the path along his sun-kissed cheek—the knots of nervousness unraveled. His smile, unwavering and tender, whispered promises not yet spoken, vows not yet heard. In that instant, April understood the quiet strength that he offered her: a harbor in any storm, an anchor amidst life"s relentless tides.

Her heart steadied, synchronized with the rise and fall of the violin"s song. With every candle she passed, the flicker mirrored in Jackson"s eyes, it felt as though the flames consumed her fears, leaving behind only the warmth of love that awaited at the journey"s end.

April stepped forward, the soft rustle of her dress mingling with the symphony of nature around her. The forest was a natural cathedral, alive with whispers of leaves and the sweet scent of wildflowers. She could feel every gaze upon her, but none more intense than Jackson"s, whose eyes never left her as she glided down the aisle.

He stood there, a figure of quiet strength, his hands slightly trembling in anticipation. As she reached him, he caught his breath, the lines of his face softening. "You"re beautiful, gorgeous," he murmured, the words carrying the weight of his awe.

She took his work-roughened hands into hers, their warmth a grounding force. His thumb caressed her skin, a silent language they had come to understand. Leaning close, his voice barely rose above a whisper, "Can you believe we"re doing this?"

"Perfectly crazy," April whispered back, her smile a mirror of his own. "Just like us."

Henry cleared his throat, commencing the ceremony with a grace that belied his usual place behind the counter of the hardware store. With each word about love"s enduring power, April felt a resonance within the chambers of her heart.

Then came the moment for vows, and Henry nodded to Jackson. He took a deep breath, his chest rising with the conviction of his emotions. "April," he began, his voice steady but laced with the gravity of the moment, "you are the unexpected joy in my life." His gaze held hers, unwavering. "With you, I"ve found a wild ride worth taking. You"ve opened me up, made me whole. I've never felt so comfortable around someone before. And so I vow to you to continue to pursue you. To listen to you with a lent ear anytime you need. And to show you every part of myself."

The sincerity in Jackson"s declaration stirred something profound within April. She marveled at the transformation of the man before her, from a solitary ranch hand to her beacon of tranquility. His vows were not just words; they were the map of their journey together, marked with trials and triumphs, leading them here, beneath the sheltering arms of the forest, bound by the promise of a shared future.

A single tear traced the curve of April"s cheek, a silent testament to the weight of Jackson"s words. She brushed it away with the back of her hand, the delicate fabric of her dress whispering against her skin in the gentle breeze that meandered through the trees. The forest around them was alive with the muted sounds of nature harmonizing with the gravity of their moment.

April took a deep breath, her chest swelling with a myriad of emotions as she faced Jackson. His eyes, dark and earnest, secure her amidst the tide of feelings. In his gaze, she found the stillness she had come to cherish, the quietude that quelled her inner tempests. With each heartbeat, gratitude swelled within her; for the man who stood before her, for the serendipity that had entwined their lives.

It was her turn for the vows. She nervously wrung her hands around each other. "Jackson, you're everything I'm not. You're so much more than my partner, you're my rock, my biggest fan, my safety and my joy. You have calmed my troubled waters and brought me into a new life that means more to me than I could have ever imagined. And so I vow to you that I will continue to push you to be your best self. I will laugh with you and keep this special place in my heart just for you. I will love you until the end of our days for these reasons and so many more."

The officiant"s voice, warm and familiar like a well-loved melody, invited them to the exchange of rings. April watched, a smile playing on her lips, as Jackson took the band designed to symbolize their union. His hands, calloused from the honesty of hard work, slipped the ring onto her finger with a reverence that made her heart swell. It settled next to her engagement ring, the two pieces merging into an elegant testament of their commitment.

Then it was her turn. The simple band they had chosen for Jackson rested cool and heavy in her palm, its simplicity a reflection of the man whose hand now awaited it. With a steadiness born from the certainty of her love, April slid the ring onto Jackson"s finger. It fit perfectly, as if it, too, had always been a part of him, waiting for this very moment to claim its place.

In the soft glow of the candles and the last of the day"s sun filtering through the leaves, they stood together, hands joined, hearts intertwined. The world around them faded, leaving only the palpable connection that thrummed between them, as unyielding as the earth beneath their feet.

The officiant lifted his hands, a gesture that seemed to gather the very essence of the forest around them. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The words rolled out over the assembly like the tide coming home.

Applause erupted from the rows of chairs, a symphony of joy that mingled with the birdsong and rustling leaves. Jackson's eyes, deep pools of emotion, locked onto April"s as he leaned in. Their lips met, a tender collision that spoke more than any vow could. The kiss, soft yet brimming with promise, was their silent pledge to each other—an oath more binding than any spoken before witnesses.

Turning hand-in-hand, they descended from the altar, embarking on the path back through their loved ones. The violinist, perched near the edge of the gathering, drew his bow across the strings, weaving an enchanting melody that danced around them like fireflies at dusk.

April's gaze drifted over the guests, all smiles and watery eyes, their faces a blur of happiness that reflected her own inner exuberance. Yet the world seemed to fall away until there was only Jackson by her side—the steady beat of his heart against hers, the warmth of his hand clasping hers, the secure cadence of his steps matching her own. It was a dance as old as time but as fresh as the future that lay ahead.

At the end of the aisle, beneath the dappled light, they paused, turning to face one another once again. Jackson"s expression, usually so serene, shimmered with an intensity that matched the gravity of the moment. His lips moved, voice barely above a whisper, carried on the breeze, "I love you."

Her heart, full to bursting, answered without hesitation. "I love you too."

Their words were simple, yet in the simplicity lay the depth of oceans, the expanse of skies—a love that had been unexpected, perhaps, but now as essential as the air they breathed. They sealed the affirmation with another kiss, a soft press of lips that marked the beginning of forever.