Updated Mar 13, 2026 • ~5 min read
The reception is everything.
We’re ushered from the ceremony to the same garden, now transformed for dinner. Long tables with white linens. Candles everywhere. Our wedding cake—three tiers that my mom spent days perfecting—displayed on a corner table.
“Mrs. Reid,” Holden says, offering his arm. “May I escort you to dinner?”
“You may, Mr. Reid.”
We walk to the head table. Noah and Margot on one side. Wren and her husband on the other. Our wedding party.
Cocktail hour flows into dinner. The food is perfect—Margot’s caterer friend came through. Speeches start between courses.
Noah stands first as best man.
“I already gave a speech last night,” he begins. “But I want to add one more thing. Holden—you’re not just my best friend anymore. You’re my brother. Actually my brother. And Tessa—watching you find this kind of happiness makes me happier than I can express. I love you both. Congratulations.”
Short, sweet, perfect.
Wren goes next.
“I’ve been Tessa’s best friend since college. I’ve watched her plan hundreds of weddings. Beautiful, elaborate, expensive weddings. And every single time, I wondered when she’d get her own. Well, technically she got two. But this one—” She gestures around. “This one is perfect. Because it’s real. It’s her. It’s them. Holden, you’re a lucky man. Tessa, I’m so happy for you. Love you both.”
More toasts follow. My dad welcomes Holden officially. Eleanor talks about watching her son find love. Hudson makes a joke about being the other protective brother now.
By the time dinner ends, everyone is emotional and full and ready to celebrate.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the DJ announces. “Please welcome to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife—Tessa and Holden Reid!”
We walk to the center of the floor. The opening notes of “The Way You Look Tonight” start playing.
Holden pulls me close. One hand on my waist, the other holding mine.
We sway.
“How are you doing?” he murmurs.
“Perfect. You?”
“Never better.”
“Are you crying?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Holden Reid, are you crying at our wedding?”
“I warned you I might. I cried at Marley & Me, remember?”
I laugh against his shoulder. “I love you.”
“I love you too. So much.”
The song continues. Other couples join us on the dance floor. My parents. His mom with my dad. Noah and Margot.
Everyone dancing. Celebrating. Happy.
This is what I’ve dreamed of for other people. And now it’s mine.
After our dance, the party really starts. Upbeat music. Kids running around. Adults laughing and drinking and dancing.
The cake cutting is an adventure—Holden smashes a piece into my face (playfully). I retaliate. We’re both covered in frosting and laughing.
“You’re supposed to feed it to me gently,” I protest.
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Then comes the bouquet toss.
All the single women gather behind me. I close my eyes and throw.
When I turn around, Autumn is holding it, looking shocked.
Her boyfriend Marcus stands up from his seat. Walks over to her.
And drops to one knee.
The entire reception goes silent.
“Autumn Hayes,” he says, pulling out a ring. “I’ve been carrying this around for two months waiting for the right moment. And watching Holden and Tessa today made me realize—there’s no perfect moment. There’s just the moment you choose. So I’m choosing now. Will you marry me?”
“YES!” Autumn shrieks.
Everyone erupts in cheers.
“Did we just witness a proposal at our wedding?” I ask Holden.
“We absolutely did.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Definitely good. That was beautiful.”
The party continues. More dancing. More toasts. More celebration.
Around 11 PM, Holden pulls me aside.
“Come with me. I want to show you something.”
We slip away from the reception. Walk to the quiet part of the garden where we stood the night before.
“What are we doing?” I ask.
“Remember? Our private moment. Just us.”
Oh. Right. We planned this.
We stand in the darkness. The party sounds are distant now.
“We did it,” I say quietly.
“We really did.”
“We’re married. For real. Everyone watched.”
“How does it feel?”
“Exactly the same as being Vegas-married. But also completely different.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. This time, I chose it. Consciously. With full knowledge of what I was getting into.”
“And?”
“And I’d do it again. Every time. In every lifetime.”
He pulls me close. Kisses me under the stars.
“Thank you,” he whispers.
“For what?”
“For this. For choosing me. For being brave enough to turn a mistake into something beautiful.”
“Thank you for being worth choosing.”
We stand there for a few more minutes. Just us. Absorbing everything.
Then we rejoin the party.
Our wedding. Our family. Our beginning.
The reception goes until midnight. We say goodbye to everyone as they leave. Hugs and congratulations and promises to see each other soon.
Finally, it’s just us.
Standing in the empty garden. String lights still glowing. Remnants of celebration everywhere.
“Ready to go home?” Holden asks.
“So ready.”
“To our home?”
“To our home.”
We leave the venue. Drive home. To OUR apartment. OUR life.
And when we walk through the door, Holden sweeps me up in his arms.
“What are you doing?”
“Carrying you over the threshold. It’s tradition.”
“We’ve lived here for two months.”
“Doesn’t matter. Today we’re newlyweds.”
He carries me inside. Sets me down in the living room.
And we’re home.
Married. Finally. Completely.
END OF CHAPTER 23
Reader Reactions