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it. The moment I walked down the aisle to stand with Merrick and vow to be his wife until death do us part.

Six
Merrick
    I blinked double time keeping the wetness in my eyes from blurring my vision. What a vision it was. My Rachael, my beautiful bride, coming down the aisle in time to the aching cello notes to become my wife.
    Mine! Of all the men in the world, this incredible woman was going to marry me. How the hell had this happened? I had no idea—every day was an amazing blur of scents and sounds and warmth and overwhelming love with Rachael. I’m lucky I remembered my name, because I was in no way the same man I was before I met her.
    I was so much better for her being in my life. She needed to hurry down the aisle so I could tell her. All the words were jumbling up, fighting to get out. My mind spun with everything I
should
tell her, everything I
wanted
to tell her, and all the things I
couldn’t
forget to say. The only problem was I knew the moment they were out of my mouth, I wouldn’t be able to remember a word I’d uttered.
    MJ put a hand on my shoulder from behind. It was what I needed—a firm hand—to ground me in the moment. He and I were so much alike, he must’ve known my head was spinning like a top.
    Her descent, which at first seemed to take forever, was over like a flash of lighting.
    There she was. Right in front of me.
    Sylvia kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear before placing Rachael’s hand in mine and kissing my cheek, hers wet with tears. “Take care of my baby,” she said.
    “Always,” I promised.
    Rachael took a step forward, joining me in front of the steps. We looked into each other’s eyes and didn’t say a word, but a million words passed between us. I had the distinct impression that she and I had stood like this a million times in a million different places taking our vows as husband and wife. I’d never been an overly spiritual man, but always believed in God, in an afterlife, and standing with Rachael in this moment, I believed in several past lives lived with her. She’d been my wife in many, many lifetimes. This was our path, familiar and worn, that always led us home to each other.
    Jan’s voice, true and clear, rang out, calling for our attention. “We are gathered here today to unite Merrick and Rachael in holy matrimony.” She beckoned us forward. Rachael handed her bouquet to Maddie before gifting me with a confident smile and taking the three stairs up to the altar beside me.
    I took a deep breath. All of the anxiety and buzzing in my brain stopped; there was nothing but noiseless peace. That was the power of Rachael. She grounded me, plugged me in to the universe, where there was no doubt or fear, only blinding truth and serenity.
    “Merrick and Rachael,” Jan continued, “as you prepare to take these vows, give thought and prayer to the commitment you’re promising one another as long as you both shall live. Love and loyalty alone, in the best of times and the worst of times, will serve as a foundation for a marriage that endures. Patience, mutual consideration, kindness, confidence, and affection are the ingredients to future happiness. Give and take equally, respect, leadership, protection, and support. As two become one, you must trust and rely upon one another and never be divided. Know that you do not walk this path alone.”
    Everyone—bridesmaids, groomsmen, friends, and family—joined hands, Maddie and MJ reaching out for mine and Rachael’s.
    “Call on your friends and family in times of need. To accept an outreached hand is not a sign of failure, but an act of faith. As you take each other’s hands…” Jan nodded to us. I took Rachael’s hand in mine. “Don’t let your grip become intolerable; hold on with tender firmness. Don’t let your grip become too weak; be flexible as you go through change, as such a marriage is made, hand in hand.”
    I expected Rachael to cry during our ceremony with her aunt presiding, but she beamed as