Love grounded me, it says on the side with today抯 date under it.
She holds the cup out for me with both hands like an offering.
Slowly, I bring it to my lips and take a sip.
I swallow, turning the cup around like we practiced so I can offer her the same.
Those honey-sweet amber eyes watch me the entire time she drinks deeply.
I抦 so messed up by her smile that I can抰 even breathe.
We set the cup down a minute later and return to our places.
When we planned everything out, we decided these would be our vows, acted out rather than spoken in our second favorite ritual that still involves being clothed.
We抮e just about to be proclaimed man and wife when Eliza says, 揥ait.?
My heart stops.
揧es??Katelyn抯 face is questioning.
Eliza swallows audibly. 揑 know we didn抰 plan this, but there抯 one more vow I need to make…？
揋o right ahead.?Kate nods at her, smiling.
Eliza turns to Destiny. 揑 can never replace your mother, but you抮e family now. This day needs to be about you, too, honey. I just want you to know that I promise I抣l always love you.?
Here comes the waterworks.
Destiny wipes a tear off her cheek as she runs over and damn near flattens Eliza. 揟hank you, thank you!?
If we抮e having a coffee-themed wedding, it must be laced with so much sugar it抯 practically syrup.
Eliza strokes her hair and turns to me again. 揝orry. I just felt like I had to棓
I don抰 let her finish.
I just sweep her into my arms, attacking her with a kiss that says there抯 no way I could love this woman more.
揑 now pronounce you man and wife!?Kate says cheerfully.
I barely notice. I never take my mouth off Eliza抯， tasting her sweetness down to her soul.
I think I taste my own luck, too, realizing she抯 mine forever. And I think she also realizes it when she shudders in my embrace.
It抯 just a kiss梩he happiest of our lives梑ut this kiss has a weight.
When I finally break away, she sighs, laying her head on my chest.
Applause bursts around us. It抯 amazing how much noise even a small peanut gallery can make when they抮e amped up for your entire future.
I move my head to her ear, keeping her safely tucked against me. 揌old the fuck on. I抦 going to give you another reason to shake tonight, and we won抰 have to worry about interruptions.?
She shudders before she says, 揥e still have a whole reception to make it through. Careful what you promise, Lump.?
揙h, hell.?I pull back to look at her, wearing a shit-eating grin. 揅all me that again and I抣l double down on what I said. If you still think there抯 anything lumpy about me, Mrs. Lancaster, then it抯 my duty to clear that up.?I bring my mouth closer so I can whisper, 揚referably by leaving you so sore for our honeymoon you抣l need me to carry you.?
I love the stunned flash of her eyes and the way she forgets we抮e supposed to be moving until I lock my arm around hers, leading us down the makeshift aisle.
I love that we抣l always have this banter梩he very thing that brought us together in this shop.
From Wired Cup, we all head to a historic hotel attached to a vineyard for the reception. The fires in the hearths glow brightly against the winter chill, painting our special day in orange light that mirrors the embers in my chest.
I watch Eliza and her old man dance to 揝tealing Cinderella.?He still occasionally glares at me, but I think we抣l be friends. Someday.
Every time I glance over at Destiny, she smiles, even if she barely looks up from my wife being spun around by her father.
The next dance is mine.
Finally.
We move with one rhythm, swaying more to our own pulse than the music.
Every time she smiles, looking over my shoulder, I turn to see what remains of the magnificent eight-layered coffee cake. It抯 topped with two mugs with our names on them and decorated with espresso truffles and sea salt.
揇o you wonder if we took the whole coffee theme too far??I ask.
揘ever. It抯 totally us and everyone loves it.?
揟here抯 a first time for everything,?I say with a snort. 揑抦 just glad you put the coffee down long enough to have some champagne with me.?
揧ep.?Eliza smiles playfully. 揇o you remember the party favors? They抮e just about to bring them out.?
揇amn, do I want to??
She smiles, mischief gleaming in her eyes. I can抰 wait to see it again later when we抮e alone. 揕ittle burlap bags of chocolate-covered beans tied with lace. The bag says棓
揂h, shit. Thanks for reminding me,?I grind out. ?Thanks for bean?here.' Right??
Giggling, she pushes her face into my shoulder.
揥e get it. I married a little nerd,?I say, brushing her hair with my hand until she looks at me. 揂nd she抯 the sexiest, sweetest nerd alive.?