Chapter 10

chapter

ten

Hannah

We've got less than five minutes before the ceremony starts and I've never been more confused in my life. I'm so thankful I've had Eli and Joy's wedding to sorta distract me while I got myself and Abby and partially Joy ready for the big ceremony.

I'm torn because I'm the only bridesmaid and my sweet little flower girl walks down before me. So I won't get to see her face, instead, I'll just have to wait behind her, watching the big bow on the back of her pretty pink dress.

All of the preparation for the wedding, the getting dressed and getting Abby ready, passes in a blur. Yes, it's happening, but in the back of my mind, there's this steady, rhythmic beat: Colton loves me. Colton loves me. Colton loves me.

But does he really love me?

He said he did. And I was the super mature person who just pretended he didn't say it. At least I didn't thank him.

But I know, once the ceremony is over, I can't put off talking to him. I'll have to say something to him.

Then he's walking towards me, wearing a tux and for a fraction of a second this feels like it could be our wedding. And everything inside me stills and grows calm. An overwhelming sense of clarity washes over me.

Love is scary. There's no doubt about that. But what kind of mother would I be if I put my daughter in a glass box and kept her from living just so she wouldn't get hurt? And how can I teach her to be fearless and chase her dreams if I'm too scared to do that for myself?

"Colton!" Abby says. She spins and does a little curtsey. "Do you like my dress?"

He squats so he's eye-level with her. "I love your dress. I nearly didn't recognize you because I thought you were the bride."

"Brides don't wear pink, silly, they wear white."

"Oh, smart and beautiful." He glances up at me. "Just like your mother."

"Why did you cut your hair?" I blurt.

He stands to his full height and he's still taller than me even when I'm wearing heels. "Same reason I'm subletting my apartment and renting the cabin here for the next several months." He leans closer to whisper to me. "To prove to you that I'm a man ready to commit. I want to be here with you and Abby. And if my man-bun made you think I looked too young and carefree to be with you, then it had to go."

I frown. "You're subletting your apartment. In New York?"

But he doesn't have time to answer because the music starts playing and it's time for the flower girl and ring bearer to walk down the aisle.

He steps up to Abby's side and whispers in her ear. I only catch a little something about two options. Then he's dropping to both knees and he knee-walks all the way down the fucking aisle next to my daughter. I'm already crying by the time it's my turn to walk.

When I get to my spot, Abby comes and stands in front of me. It's not where she's supposed to be, but I don't even care. I hold my daughter's hand while the man I love stares at us with his heart in his eyes.

After the vows, I ask Abby what he whispered to her.

"He said I had two options. He could carry me down the aisle or he could walk on his knees. But he wanted us to be at the same level."

That's it. That man is everything. Eli and Joy are barely out of the sanctuary when Colton is at my side.

"Can I escort you two beautiful ladies?" he asks.

"I'm in love with you too," I say, only like twelve hours too late.

Because if there is a way to make a situation awkward, I will find a way. It's like my super power.

He smiles so broadly though that he doesn't seem to care that I have zero cool.

He gives me a brief kiss, then the three of us walk out of the church together.