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"Not at all I just want to know, before I hand you over to him, what it is about Declan that makes you ready to commit to him for the rest of your life That’s all"

"Well, aside fro…" I reply and chewyour lipstick off," Adaet to put it back on before we go down"

He nods and waits "It’s really pretty siine my life without him He fits Every part of him fits intoHe’s the only piece that will ever fit" I shrug "He’s just… mine"

"Okay" He smiles

"I want you to feel this someday," I murmur quietly and Adam immediately shakes his head "I know, you don’t think you want to settle doith one woirl that just fits you, and you know that you’ll never be the saht"

"It’s et nohy Daddy never really got over losing Mom She was his piece, and when he lost her, he just couldn’t deal with it"

Adam frowns and looks down, then back up at me "You’re in such a better place now, Cal When I think of where you hen you o, to now, it’s like you’re a new person You’re you, but you’re…"

"Better," I reply for hireat, but you’re better"

"And Declan is the piece thathug, clinging to me "I’m so happy for you, Cal Really happy for you I like him, and I couldn’t love youyou down the aisle"

"There’s no one else I’d rather have do it," I reply "And speaking of, we’d better get down there"

"Put your lipstick on," he says and steps aside to watch rab the bouquet of pink roses and cala lilies that were my mother’s favorite and lead Ada The sun is just beginning the set, sending a riot of color through the sky The trees are adorned hite lights, and pink fabric thatthe lih white chairs are gathered in a semi-circle for just Declan’s immediate family, my Uncle Bernie, and Ada, and that’s what Declan and his fah his arm, and escorts me down the steps of the porch and down the brick path as a simple piano version of When A Man Loves a Woman that Declan recorded plays on the sound syste at tears, watching me make the journey to my man, but all I can see is him

He’s in black slacks and a white button-down, tucked in, with a blue tie that belonged to his father But it’s his eyes, holdingwith those eyes: I love you I can’t wait to spend the rest ofle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>