57. Leah

CHAPTER 57

LEAH

Hendrix Landry has way too much swagger for a seven-year-old child. The way he struts down the aisle while holding Cece's hand is a true testament to just how much like his father he really is. Lauren goes out after the two of them, then me, followed by Ruby and Shane before Tay makes her grand entrance with Tony—my future father-in-law.

As soon as it's my turn to walk down the aisle, I find Sawyer's eyes on me. He shoots me a wink and I can feel my cheeks burning—and it's not from the summer sun.

When I scan the rows of people, I almost trip over my own two feet when I see a familiar face in the crowd. I keep my eyes ahead, as the instrumental for "One Man Band" plays until the rest of the bridal party is in place at the front.

"Lauren," I whisper behind me, keeping a smile on my face so no one knows how badly I'm freaking out right now.

"We're not doing this right now," she says through her teeth as she too smiles, with her eyes trained on the doors where Taylor is going to emerge at any minute.

"Fine. Then we'll do it later." I raise a brow at her, and she shoots me a flirty glare.

"Stop flirting with me, Le, you'll make Sawyer jealous." She nods to where he has a brow raised in our direction and when I turn back to her, she shoots him a playful wink and he shakes his head at us.

"Whatever is wrong with you two, you better cut it out, she's about to walk out," Shane whisper-scolds us, making us immediately go silent and turn to face the doors.

I think after watching 27 Dresses enough times we all collectively agreed that watching the groom's face when the bride is walking down the aisle is one of our favorite parts of weddings as well. So, after getting a glimpse of Taylor and Tony, we all turn to look at Tucker.

He is doing his best to hold it together, but the man is full on sobbing, the purest form of love gleaming from his tear-filled eyes as his bride makes her way to him. I steal a glance at Sawyer who is also red in the face, sniffling back tears as he watches his little sister walking down the aisle. Then he meets my eye and shoots me a wink and I can't help but imagine what our wedding will be like someday.

But today isn't about us…it's about them.

"Who gives this bride to be?" the officiant asks.

"Oh, she makes her own choices, her mother and I just support her in them." The crowd erupts in laughter at the very on brand comment made by Mr. Clark.

He kisses her temple then Tucker takes his place next to Taylor as Tony joins Marilyn on the front row.

I continue watching Tucker, wondering if it's hard for him to not have either of his parents here. He and Tank don't talk much about their mom, but I know their dad was a big role model to both of them. My heart sinks knowing my dad won't be at mine and Sawyer's wedding and that we won't be able to share a father daughter dance together, but I know he'll be smiling down on us even still.

"The couple will now exchange the vows they have written for one another."

TAYLOR'S VOWS

Tucker,

You came into my life by happenstance and while it may seem harsh, I've never been more grateful for a friend's failed relationship (sorry Shaney) that ended with us doing shots at a bar with the most gorgeous bartender I'd ever laid eyes on. The moment you called me Darlin' for the first time the chemistry between us was absolutely electric. And even though I turned you down at first, I will never be able to express to you how grateful I was that you didn't give up on the idea of us. You gave me the time I needed to finally get over the heartache that left me jaded and against the idea of love, you didn't hold back in telling me how you felt about me, and it's that bold vulnerability that finally lifted the veil I had hidden behind and showed me you were who I was meant to be with all along. Your friendship comforted me, and your love healed me in ways you may never fully understand. You are my best friend, my soul mate, and the one person I want to see at the end of every day. You fill my life with so much love and adventure and I can't wait to take on the world with you. I promise to never try to cook without your supervision, to be vulnerable with you even when it's hard, and to always be a safe space for you to land when your mind takes you to difficult places. I promise to love you, encourage you and support you in whatever dream you chase next. I promise to never forget what it feels like to fall in love under a waterfall and that you understand me better than anyone else. For the rest of my life, I am yours and I will love you in a way that proves just that.

TUCKER'S VOWS

Taylor,

If there was ever a time I was glad I knew how to make a proper key lime martini, it was the day you walked into Max's bar. All fiery attitude and a challenge in your tone. I was intrigued from the moment I saw you, and as our friends began to fall in love, I was falling in love with you too. You are unlike anyone I've ever known. Bold, loyal, strong, beautiful from the inside out, and there's not a single thing about you that I haven't fallen in love with through the years. I know I gave you a hard time about you taking so long to plan our wedding, but I would spend all of my lifetimes waiting for the chance to call you my wife. You understand me, you comfort me, you challenge me and encourage me to do the things that I love and above all you let me love you. Even when it was hard to let me in, you took a chance on us, and I will be eternally grateful for the life we've gotten to start together because of that. I promise to support you, protect you and defend you, but to let you do it yourself when you feel as though it is necessary to do so. I promise to always come home to you and that I won't try to keep you out of my hardships, but to let you in and work through them with you, as husband and wife. I promise to make you key lime martinis and bake cookies when you're having a bad day, and that at the end of the day you know how loved, wanted and respected you are. I promise to never let you forget that you have become my favorite person in the entire world. For the rest of my life, I am yours as well Darlin'. I have been from the moment I laid eyes on you.

Taylor was a freaking genius putting tissue in the middle of all our bouquets.

"By the power vested in me by the state of Tennessee I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride."

When Tucker kisses Taylor it's a magazine worthy moment—the sun setting beautifully in the background, him holding onto her like he can't keep his hands off her and the smile on her face as he continues to kiss her repeatedly.

The wedding party begins walking out behind them, Shane and Max, Tank and Ruby, and then Lauren and I on either side of Sawyer.

"I can't wait to marry you, Dove." He smiles down at me.

"Get in line, hockey star. She was mine first," Lauren teases from the other side of him, puckering her lips at me to irritate him further. Sawyer is so used to our shenanigans I'm certain he isn't the least bit affected by us at this point.

"Yeah, well…she's mine now."

"Excuse me, bitches. Is Lauren here with Devil Hottie?" Taylor finally makes her way over to us after greeting other guests as we're standing at the bar that is set up in the corner of the reception tent.

"Girl, I know, I almost tripped walking down the aisle when I saw him," I whisper and her eyes go wide, hungry with need for more details.

"I thought for sure someone had put something in my drink this morning and that I was hallucinating."

"What are we talking about?" Lauren's voice hits my ears and Taylor looks over her shoulder to see Lauren standing with her arms crossed over her chest.

"We're talking about you being here with the guy you claim to hate! Are you sleeping with the devil, Lu?" Taylor drags her over into our little huddle, demanding information.

"Seriously Tay, this is what you want to talk about at your wedding reception ?"

"Piping hot tea is the best wedding gift you could possibly give me. Pour it." She taps her fingertips together like some evil cartoon villain.

"There's no tea. I may have mentioned during a very low, very rage-filled moment that I didn't want to come to your wedding alone and he offered to come with me." She shrugs and our mouths pop open.

"As an arch nemesis does, naturally ," Taylor says sarcastically, proving that Lauren's explanation makes zero sense.

"Could the arch nemesis bother you for a dance?" Luci—Fitz's voice stuns us all silent and Lauren's face turns red. She shoots daggers at all of us before turning to him and taking his hand.

"Is this the part where you grab the cake cutter and bring me to my demise?" He laughs at Lauren's comment and oh my god, if she's not sleeping with him maybe she should be.

"That girl has some serious mother freaking explaining to do when I get back from my honeymoon." Taylor points to the dance floor.

"We have to wait a month to find out what the hell this is all about?" Ruby asks.

"Yes, there will be no tea pouring while I'm gone. I will not be deprived of the opportunity to see this story unfold. Or unravel, depending on whether or not they actually hate each other," she mutters the last bit and I can't help but snicker.

She returns to the dance floor with her dad for their father daughter dance and my heart absolutely bursts when I see Marilyn ask Tucker if he would like to dance for the mother son portion. He spins her across the floor, bringing the biggest grin to Marilyn's face as he swipes a tear from his eye over her head so she can't see. She really is one of a kind, that Marilyn.

"Hey sweetheart, I think I am going to head out." My mom grabs my hand and I pull her in to hug her.

"Be safe and let me know when you're home. Do you need a ride? I know you don't like driving at night."

"Oh, I'll be fine. I just got my new glasses and the headlights on my car are working just fine." She gives me a wink and I laugh, rolling my eyes at her sassiness.

"I love you. Talk to you tomorrow."

"I love you too." She takes one step then stops and turns to face me again. "You're going to make the most beautiful bride one day, LeighAnn. I am so grateful you chose the love side of that line."

" There's a fine line between love and hate, LeighAnn, make sure you know what side you're on before you lose him again."

"Me too mom." I smile at her, and she nods before leaving the reception.