The big day is here...

I stand at the altar and try so hard to pay attention to the man officiating the wedding, but I can't, not when the most handsome man of all is staring back at me as if I was the only girl in the room. I gaze into his baby blues and feel myself get sucked into his captivating eyes that never fail to make me feel downright beautiful.

I see him mouth 'I love you' and mouth it right back with the dorkiest smile on my face, not caring if guests see us being cheesy with one another. He cracks the sexiest grin that makes me swoon. I blow an air kiss his way, making him chuckle, and I'm not gonna lie, the sight alone does something to my insides.

I bite my bottom lip as butterflies flutter to life in my stomach when I feel someone pinch me from behind. I look over my shoulder and see Mia looking away but I know she's totally guilty. I stick my tongue out at her and face forward, feeling giddy that she could be part of Gracie's big day.

Gracie cut ties with Miranda when she found out what she had done to Nate but not before giving her a piece of her mind. I don't know what exactly went down between the two but I'm pretty sure the two duked it out because Gracie was sporting cuts and bruises when she showed up at my place. She assured Mia and I that Miranda looked much, much worse after she finished with her and I'm not gonna lie, I kind of wish I could have seen what went down between the two. I would have gladly helped Gracie take on Miranda but she refused to let anyone go with her when she confronted Miranda. She told us it was something she needed to do by herself and she did.

She confronted Miranda all on her own and when she finished giving her a piece of her mind, she came over to my place all scratched up and bruised, doting the biggest smile on her face. That day she asked Mia to step in as her bridesmaid. Mia didn't hesitate to accept and I'm so happy that she did because now we're both here, celebrating Gracie and Jared's wedding day and I could not be happier.

When it came time for Gracie to pick a new maid of honor, she proved yet again that she's not a traditional bride, and made us all her maid of honor. Yup, you heard me right. She refused to choose between us because to her we have all played an important role in her life at one point or another and she's just happy to have us all by her side on her big day. That made us all tear up when she told us, and at the same time it made me relieved because I was worried the end of her friendship with Miranda would hit her really hard, especially so close to her wedding, but she surprisingly took it well and has been nothing but smiles since the day she declared us all to be her maids of honor.

I look towards the center of the altar and see Gracie looking at Jared with nothing but love in her eyes and smile. I know what it feels like to look at the person you love with nothing but adoration in your eyes. I guess you can say she reminds me a lot of myself, and I'm so happy I could be here to not only witness it but also play a big role in her special day surrounded by so many people I have come to love in the short time I have known them.

I hear the judge tell Gracie and Jared they can kiss and we all clap excitedly for the newlyweds, who drag out their kiss a little too long. When the judge clears their throat, we all laugh.

We clap and holler for the newlyweds as they make their way down the aisle with the most radiant smiles on their faces and I can't help but sigh. Their love for one another is so beautiful and pure.

I look over at Nate and grin at him while we wait for our turn to walk down the aisle. When it's finally our turn, Nate meets me at the center of the altar and holds out his arm for me. I wrap my hand around his bicep and proudly walk by his side down the aisle. He kisses my forehead and I can swear I hear women swooning in the crowd and I don't blame them. Not one bit. Nate is the most swoon-worthy man of all and I'm so grateful he's mine and mine alone.

We follow the newlyweds and the bridal party to the outdoor area where the party is already in full swing and are met with loud music from the DJ's sound system. I look around and see that the whole venue is decorated in white and mint hues just like Gracie wanted. The rustic wood patio that hangs above the makeshift dance floor is covered in white fairy lights, giving the venue the perfect romantic atmosphere. The whole place is decorated beautifully and looks just like Gracie and Jared envisioned for their big day.

I smile up at Nate and he smiles back. "This is all so beautiful," I comment.

"No more than you," he says, placing a kiss on my forehead. He starts to pull away from me but I reach out for his face and stop him so I can kiss him. There's no need for words when our actions say everything.

I hear someone clear their throat and expect to find Mia, but it's not her, it's Nate's mom who I have met a few times before today.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Carter," I apologize, feeling embarrassed she caught us and she smiles and shakes her head at me.

"Don't apologize, dear. I'm so glad you two are so in love, but please start calling me Edith. Mrs. Carter just makes me feel so old," she says with a grimace and I can't help but laugh.

"Of course, Edith," I respond with a bit of hesitation, not feeling used to it at all.

"That's more like it. And now that I have your attention, I have someone I want you to meet," she tells me and I nod. "I'll give her back to you in a bit," she reassures Nate and kisses me on the forehead before walking away to go mingle with guests.

"So who do you want me to meet?" I ask curiously.

"No one. I just wanted to get to know you better," she says, making me laugh. "I'm sure my husband would like that too. Nate never gives us the chance because he keeps you all to himself every time we see you."

"Yeah, he kind of likes to do that," I admit embarrassed.

"I understand. Young love is truly amazing," she says, reminiscing. "My Georgie was just like that when we first met. He never wanted to say goodbye to me and always had such a hard time leaving my side. I didn't want him to leave my side either once we started dating. I love seeing that my son found that kind of love with you. It makes me happy to see him so happy. It's all I ever wanted for him and Gracie," she tells me, getting teary-eyed.

"You were actually able to steal her from his side?" Nate's dad asks surprised as we approach him. "Oh, honey. Are you crying?" he asks his wife as he takes her in.

"No, I'm fine," she says brushing him off and dabs the corner of her eyes. "Thankfully Nate didn't put up too much of a fight when I took Alexa from him," Nate's mom informs him.

"Well I'm glad we finally have a chance to talk with you," he says and gives me the biggest hug that is nothing but affectionate. I remember being so scared the day Nate presented me to him and his mom for the first time, but my fears were quickly laid to rest when I realized they were the sweetest people ever. They treated me like a daughter from the very first day I met them and have never made me feel left out. Not once. On the contrary, they took me in as one of their own and that's rare because not many people have gone out of their way to make me feel like I belong, but Nate and his family did, and that's something I will always be grateful for.

"Me too," I admit. "I'm sorry we haven't had much time to talk. Things have been very hectic with Gracie's wedding and work, but I promise after today, Nate and I will make an effort to visit you two more often," I reassure them.

"We would love that," Nate's dad says with a big smile.

"So what have you been up to since we last saw you?" Nate's mom asks me curiously.

"I've just been working at the bridal store for the most part and when I have some free time I work on my new Instagram account that Nate helped me start. I was reluctant at first, but with a little encouragement from him, I took the risk and started a body-positive Instagram account to encourage women to own their bodies and love themselves as who they are. Nate being the amazing man that he is, not only helped me get started, he also takes all my pictures, which are stunning. And with his help, I have gained thousands of followers in no time. It's really exciting."

"That's incredible. What do you share on there?" Nate's Dad asks curiously.

"Pictures of me in different outfits so plus-sized women can pull inspiration from what I wear. I do pictures both with and without makeup to encourage my followers to love themselves with makeup and naturally. I also share a lot of pictures of Nate and I so they can see the reason I smile every day," I admit shyly. "People love seeing us together and tell me all the time that our love story gives them hope."

"That's so sweet," Nate's mom coos. I can tell she's touched that people love our love story as much as they do because if anyone is our biggest fans it's Nate's parents. They love us together and are so happy for us and I'm so glad they are.

"I also give my followers makeup tips for those who want similar makeup looks to mine, and I recommend them some of my favorite products that have made my life easier like Spanx and things like that," I explain.

"Spanx are a blessing," Nate's mom comments, and I nod.

"You can say that again."

"We're really proud of what you two have achieved and cannot wait to see what the future holds for you two," Nate's dad tells me and I smile.

"Thank you. I know with your support and encouragement, we will get far in life," I respond and he pulls me in for another hug, which I gladly return.

"Hey ladies and gentlemen," I hear someone say and recognize the voice immediately.

"Betty?!" I say surprised and pull away from Nate's dad to see my boss in the flesh. What is she doing here?

"What? Didn't you know? Edith and I are best friends," she tells me, pulling Nate's mom in for a side hug.

"No, I had no idea. Nate never told me," I admit.

"What didn't I tell you?" Nate asks as he approaches us and pulls me into his side, wrapping his arm around my waist possessively, and I'm not gonna lie, I love it. The way he just comes over and lays his claim on me, makes my stomach flutter. Sorry, not sorry.

"That your mom and my boss are best friends. That's what."

"Whoops. I guess I forgot to mention that," he says with a smug grin and rubs the back of his neck.

"Now I understand why you were able to convince Betty to let me go early for lunch all those times."

"He's lucky I'm fond of him," Betty tells me and I smile.

"I'm kind of fond of him too," I add and look up at him with the biggest smile.

"Just fond?" Nate asks me and I laugh.

"Something like that?" I say with a shrug and he squeezes my side, making me giggle.

"Okay, fine. I'm a little more than fond of you."

"Your love is sweetly sick," Betty comments, making us both laugh.

"Sorry, Betty. We can't help it sometimes," I admit embarrassed, feeling my cheeks blush.

"It's that damn honeymoon phase," Nate's dad says and we smile big from ear to ear.

"A Thousand Years" starts playing and I turn towards the makeshift dance floor to see that no one is dancing to my favorite Christina Perri song. How can people not want to dance to this song? It's so romantic and the perfect slow song. It's also the theme song for the wedding scene in Breaking Dawn Part 1, which makes it ten times better in my opinion, but then again I'm super biased because I was a huge Twihard in my teen years. I guess that sort of makes my opinion invalid.

"May I have this dance?" I hear Nate ask and turn back to see him holding out his hand to me.

"You may," I say, putting my hand in his.

"We'll see you in a bit," he tells his parents and Betty and they roll their eyes playfully, knowing full well we're going to be a good while before we make our way back to them. They know us too well.

He takes me out to the dance floor and kisses my forehead as we begin to slow dance. I sigh, feeling content to be in his arms again. He leads and I follow and this time I don't hesitate or mess up. Nate made sure to practice with me every single day leading up to the wedding day and he taught me well. In fact, he taught me so well, now I can dance to just about any song. Not just slow songs. And I owe it all to him.

"I was starting to think they were never going to give you back," Nate tells me and I laugh.

"I think your parents love me more than you do," I say playfully.

"Doubtful," he says with a smirk.

"I really missed you." My admission brings a smile to his face.

"We were only apart for a few minutes."

"I know but it felt like forever," I admit and he grins.

"It really did feel like forever," he says with a sigh. "Any time not spent by your side feels like an eternity," he tells me and kisses me, making me swoon. "Have I told you how beautiful you look today?" he asks me as he brushes a stray curl behind my ear.

"Not with your mouth but you definitely said it with your eyes when we were standing on the altar," I respond and he grins.

"I could say the same thing about you."

"I was not checking you out," I lie.

"Lies! And you know it," he responds amused. "You pretty much ate me up with your eyes."

"And I don't regret it. Not one bit," I admit unabashedly.

"Is that so?"

"It is," I say with a laugh.

"I love it when you laugh," he says and pulls me in for a kiss that does not last long enough. Not for my liking. I could kiss him forever if there weren't guests around us. "Your face lights up, making you look so beautiful."

"So what you're saying is I'm only beautiful when I laugh?" I tease him.

"Never. You are beautiful inside and out. You are absolutely stunning, gorgeous, and every adjective in the book and I am one lucky son of a gun to have a gorgeous woman like you by my side."

"Have I told you how much I love you, Mr. Carter?"

"You have but it can't hurt to hear it again," he says with a smug grin.

"I love you, Mr. Carter. More than you'll ever know."

"Keep going," he insists with a cute boyish smile.

"You are my whole world and no amount of words are enough to explain just how much I love you. Every day when I wake up, I feel thankful and like the luckiest girl in the world because I have an amazing man like you by my side and I wouldn't have it any other way. You are it for me."

"And I love you, Mrs. Carter. I love you so fucking much," he tells me and kisses me hard on the lips. I place my hand on the side of his face and kiss him with everything I have. When he pulls away, I lower my hand to his chest and smile when I get a glimpse of my gorgeous engagement ring and wedding band that sparkles beautifully under the fairy lights hanging above us.

"It's still hard to believe we're married," I tell him, remembering that crazy night in Las Vegas that happened only a little over two months ago, but feels like it just happened yesterday.

"You're not regretting it, now are you?" he asks me and I shake my head.

"I could never regret what turned into the most amazing day of my life. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if I had to," I tell him because it truly was the most amazing day of my life.

"I would too. I'm so glad I wifed you."

"I'm glad you wifed me too, Nathaniel Carter," I say with a grin, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.