Updated Mar 13, 2026 • ~6 min read
The officiant—a friend of Noah’s named Daniel—smiles at us.
“Welcome, everyone. We’re gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Tessa and Holden. Which, technically, we’re celebrating for the second time. But this time, they’ll actually remember it.”
Everyone laughs.
I’m holding Holden’s hands. They’re warm. Steady. A little sweaty. He’s nervous.
So am I.
“Tessa and Holden’s story,” Daniel continues, “is not traditional. They didn’t meet, date, get engaged, then married in that order. They did it backwards. Got married first, then figured out they loved each other. Which, if you think about it, takes a lot of courage. To choose to stay when you could leave. To choose love when you could choose convenience.”
He’s right. We could have gotten divorced months ago. But we didn’t.
We chose this.
“So today,” Daniel says, “we’re here to witness them choose each other. Again. On purpose. With clear eyes and full hearts.”
He nods to Holden. “Holden, your vows.”
Holden takes a breath. His hands squeeze mine.
“Tessa. I’ve been trying to figure out what to say since the moment we decided to do this. And I realized I’ve been writing these vows in my head for over a decade. So here goes.”
He pauses. Gathering himself.
“I fell in love with you when you were fourteen. You were wearing a yellow dress at your brother’s graduation. You were laughing at something your mom said. And I thought—that’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. But you were fourteen. And I was seventeen. And you were Noah’s little sister. So I pulled your pigtails and pretended I didn’t feel what I felt.”
My eyes are already watering.
“For eleven years, I watched you. Tried not to notice how smart you were. How funny. How dedicated to everything you did. Tried not to care when you dated other people. Tried not to wish you were looking at me the way you looked at them. I was so good at pretending I didn’t love you that I almost believed it myself.”
A tear rolls down my cheek.
“And then Vegas happened. We woke up married. And I thought—this is it. This is my chance. Maybe if we’re accidentally married, she’ll see me. Really see me. And she did. You did. You saw past the arrogance and the jokes and the walls. You saw me.”
He’s crying now too.
“Being married to you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. This chaotic, messy, completely backwards relationship is the most real thing in my life. So today, in front of everyone we love, I’m making a promise. I will love you every day. Make you laugh. Support your dreams. Challenge you when you need it. Stand beside you always. I choose you, Tessa. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. You’re it for me. You’ve always been it.”
I’m full-on crying now. So is my mom. And Eleanor. And half the guests.
Daniel hands me a tissue. “Tessa, your vows.”
I take a shaky breath. Look at Holden through my tears.
“Holden. I spent eleven years thinking I hated you. And I was so convincing that I believed it myself. But looking back, I realize I wasn’t mad at you for pulling my pigtails or being arrogant or annoying my brother. I was mad at you for making me feel things I wasn’t ready to feel.”
Holden’s jaw trembles.
“You challenged me. Made me work for everything. Didn’t let me hide or perform or be anything less than real. And that terrified me. So I pretended to hate you. Because hate was easier than admitting I might love you.”
I squeeze his hands tighter.
“Then Vegas happened. And suddenly I couldn’t pretend anymore. We were married. Living together. Forced to actually know each other. And I learned that you’re not the person I thought you were. You’re better. You’re kind and thoughtful and you make me brave. You make me want to jump without a net. To trust completely. To build a life that’s messy and imperfect and absolutely real.”
Now I’m the one crying harder.
“So today I’m making a promise. I will love you fiercely. Support your dreams. Call you on your nonsense. Make you laugh. Stand beside you always. I choose you, Holden. Not because of Vegas or taxes or convenience. But because you’re my person. My partner. My home. I love you. I choose you. Today and every day after.”
There’s not a dry eye in the garden.
Daniel clears his throat. “Beautiful. Now, the rings.”
Noah hands Holden my wedding band. The one from Vegas. We’ve been wearing them this whole time.
But this time, we say the words.
“Tessa, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment. With this ring, I thee wed.”
He slides it on my finger. Right where it’s been for six weeks. But somehow, it feels different now.
Margot hands me Holden’s ring.
“Holden, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment. With this ring, I thee wed.”
I slide it on his finger. Complete.
“Do you, Holden Reid, take Tessa to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?”
“I do. Absolutely. Forever.”
“Do you, Tessa Morgan Reid, take Holden to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?”
“I do. Completely. Always.”
“Then by the power vested in me, and the State of Nevada apparently—”
Everyone laughs.
“—I now pronounce you husband and wife. Again. You may kiss your bride. Again.”
Holden doesn’t wait. He pulls me close and kisses me.
Not the Vegas kiss we don’t remember. This kiss. The one in front of everyone we love. The one that counts.
The kiss that says we chose this.
When we finally break apart, everyone is cheering and crying and celebrating.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Daniel announces, “it is my absolute joy to present to you—for the second time—Mr. and Mrs. Holden Reid!”
We walk back down the aisle together. Hand in hand. Married. Again.
But this time, by choice.
This time, forever.
END OF CHAPTER 22
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