My mother cried before Nina even reached the aisle. My father gripped my shoulder and whispered, "Steady, Jasper," though his own voice shook.
Then the doors opened.
Nina stood there in a simple white dress, her hand curled around her father's arm. She looked at me like there was no one else in the room. No guests. No flowers. No music. Just us.
I remember thinking, "This is where my life truly begins."
During the vows, Nina's voice trembled.
"I promise to choose you," she said softly, looking straight into my eyes. "Even on the hard days. Especially on the hard days."
I squeezed her hands and smiled like a fool.
"I promise to come home to you," I told her. "No matter where life takes us."
She laughed through her tears, and everyone around us laughed too, but for a second, something crossed her face. It was quick. A shadow. A fear. At the time, I thought it was just emotion. Wedding nerves, maybe.
