Page 12 of The Next Chapters
And Riley’s affection for her sister settled warmly inside of her as she met Ellie’s comments with her own accepting nod. “You wouldn’t be Ellie Beckett if you weren’t thinking about that,” she acknowledged, and she wasn’t upset in the least for Ellie actually voicing it because she knew very well that Ellie said it from a place of love for both her and Gianna.
Still, after a beat, Riley shook her head and quietly said, “But I don’t think quick is the right word here. It’s impulsive, maybe, but it’s not quick.”
As if summoned by those words, snapshots of her relationship with Gianna flashed through her mind. From that first day, they’d met, on this literal day thirteen years ago, through being roommates for years, to the traditions they’d built, into the turns their relationship had taken in the last year.
Her heart felt full with them, and the emotion swept through her as she said, “Gianna has been the most important person to me for over ten years. I know literally everything there is to know about her, and she knows the same for me. So… maybe we have only been in a romantic relationship for a relatively short time, but it doesn’t change the fact that Gianna and I are closer and more embedded in each other’s lives than a lot of couples who have been together for three times longer than we have.”
She held Ellie’s unwavering gaze so that she could see just how real this was for her. How this wasn’t some flight of fancy she was swept up in.
“We don’t have to get married right here, right now. But even if we waited another year or for five more years, there is nothing that I could learn about Gianna that I don’t already know,” she asserted, confidently. “I’m more sure about that than I am of anything else in the entire world.”
The more she spoke, the more that concerned crinkle between Ellie’s eyebrows disappeared, and by the time she was done, Ellie wasn’t frowning anymore. She studied Riley’s face carefully, and Riley knew she was contemplating what she’d said.
“Let me ask you – and I want you to be brutally honest.” Riley licked her lips, not sure if she’d ever been more serious in her life, as she waited for Ellie’s go-ahead to continue. “Do you think that my relationship with Gianna is going to end in any other way but this? Speak now, or forever hold your peace.”
Slowly, Ellie’s hand landed on the one Riley still had resting on her knee. “No,” she answered several seconds later, her voice quiet. “I really don’t.”
And even though Riley had believed that would be the answer, even though she knew that to be true, hearing Ellie’s agreement – her approval – felt like Riley had gotten the final thing checked off of her list.
She turned to look at the mirror in front of them.
Technically, she supposed, this dress would be the final thing.
Riley had wondered, occasionally, what she would feel the day she got married – if it turned out that she would ever get married.
And even though she’d imagined she’d feel excited, she never knew it would feel like this.
This feeling like she was about to float out of the building, this giddy anticipation coursing through her.
She was getting married to Gianna.
She and Joel were now waiting with the officiant, as Gianna had texted her that she would come down a minute later for “the full wedding aisle effect.”
God, she loved her.
Riley pulled her expectant gaze away from the end of the aisle when she heard Joel sniffle.
Then did a double take, confused. “Are you crying? Are you okay?”
He nodded, swiping his hand hastily over his eyes. “I’m great, I just – you and Gianna are so meant to be. You’re going to be so happy together, and it’s so rare to have what you two have, and I’ve been able to see the entire journey… I just…” He cleared his throat and took in a deep breath. “I’m good.”
Affection washed over her as she reached out and gently squeezed his wrist. “I get it.”
With all of the feelings coursing through her, she wouldn’t be shocked if she started crying soon, either. She –
She had no thoughts when Gianna appeared at the end of the aisle.
Wearing a long, backless white silk dress – somehow both classic and modern – and her hair curled, the sight of her made Riley choke on the breath she’d taken in.
Gianna never failed to be the most beautiful person in any room. And she was going to marry Riley in mere minutes.
“Are you okay?” Joel leaned in and whispered.
Riley couldn’t find the words to answer aloud. They didn’t exist.
Riley wasn’t sure of anything other than Gianna existed in the following minutes. All she could feel was amazement, wonder, and love twisting inside her.
She only touched back down in reality, nearing the end of the ceremony, when Gianna spoke, “I know we didn’t discuss it, given that we only decided to do this a few hours ago.” She smiled brightly at their officiant before settling her gaze on Riley. “But I do have vows I want to make.” She squeezed Riley’s hands, which fit so perfectly in hers. “You don’t have to say anything; I know you don’t like public speaking, and–”