Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“Um, I don’t know,” Emma replied as she looked at me.
“The sooner the better.”
“Harrison. What if Emma wants to have a big wedding?” my mother asked.
“I don’t,” Emma quickly said. “I want something small, with just friends and family.”
She turned to my mother. “Will you help me plan something?”
Mom’s face lit up. “You tell me when and where, and I’ll take care of whatever you want.”
“Tomorrow!” Noel yelled out as we all started to laugh.
“How about we see what Santa brought first, then we’ll talk about it,” I suggested.
Noel scrambled off Emma’s lap and stood in front of the tree. Putting her finger to her mouth, she sighed dramatically. “Where to start!”
Ipaced back and forth while Preston, Doug, and Finn, Preston’s brother and another firefighter, sat and watched me.
“This is why I’m never getting married,” Finn stated as Doug laughed.
Preston stood. “Dude, you’re making me feel sick. Stop pacing the floor like that.”
“I can’t help it. What if we’re moving too fast? Am I doing the right thing for Noel? No, I know I am. But maybe we’re moving too fast? No, I want to marry Emma with all my heart and soul. Are we moving too fast?”
When I looked at my three friends, they stared at me, each with a different expression. Preston looked confused. Doug looked amused, and Finn, he flat out looked terrified.
“Yep, I’m never getting married,” Finn stated once again.
“When the right woman comes along, Finn, you’re going to change your mind,” Doug stated.
Pointing to me, Finn said, “If I act like that…no, thank you.”
A knock on the door had all three of us turning to see my mother. “It’s time.”
“It’s time,” I softly said as the feeling of anxiety seemed to slip away, and was replaced by a peace I hadn’t felt before.
Doug hit me on the back. “Are you ready?”
I nodded. “I’m ready.”
Preston and Finn walked out of the room following my mother. Everything had been planned so quickly, but it was what Em and I had both wanted. It certainly hadn’t left any time for stressing about venues, or dresses, or guest lists. We kept it small. Family and close friends only.
The wedding was being held in the McKim Lobby at the Boston Public Library. When my mother had suggested it, Emma and I both looked at her and laughed. It was the perfect place to get married.
As I walked toward the steps, I was in awe at how beautiful everything looked. Clear, tall votives with candles lit in each one lined the way to the top. The flowers were simple, yet beautiful. They were scattered up the steps and served to complement the candles and the surrounding beauty of the building, not overpower it.
Finn, Preston, and Doug were already at the top, and I greeted a few friends and family as I made my way up to join them.
With a deep breath in, I slowly exhaled as I stood and faced the double doors in front of me. The music started to play, and it was a beautiful instrumental version of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” being played by a small orchestra.
My heart raced faster, and Doug bumped my arm and leaned into whisper, “Turn around, Harrison.”
I drew in a deep breath and slowly turned to see Emma walking up the steps holding Noel’s hand. I couldn’t have held back the tears if I tried. Both were dressed in white, with Noel holding a small bouquet that matched the larger one Emma was holding. I smiled at Noel who flashed me a wide grin, missing front teeth and all.
When my eyes landed back on Emma, my breath was stolen. She looked like a princess as she climbed the steps toward me, Noel on one side, her father, Rick, who had flown in late last night with Emma’s mom, Lynn, on her other side. We had barely had time to talk to her mother and father, but I could see where Emma got her beautiful looks and kind heart.
As Emma and Noel made their way up the last of the steps, I turned to Doug who handed me a tissue.
“Daddy,” Noel asked as she stared up at me with bright eyes. “Why are you cwying?”
“I’m happy. They’re happy tears,” I said as I reached down and picked up my daughter. Emma faced her father, and he kissed her softly on the forehead before placing her hand in mine.
“Take care of her, she’s my baby.”
Holding onto Noel a bit stronger, I nodded and said, “I will. I promise you.”
When I looked back at Emma, I slowly shook my head. “You look stunning, Em.”
She sniffled and fought to hold back her tears. When one slipped free, I went to reach for it to wipe it away, but Noel leaned over and did it for me. Which only made more tears fall both for Emma and for me.