Soda tapped a spoon against his champagne glass, the sound making everyone in the fellowship hall look his way. "Good evening, everybody. On behalf of Steve and Liv, I just want to say thank ya'll for bein' here. I know they appreciate it from the bottom of their hearts. And, as best man, I've got a few words I'd like to say."

Steve sat with Olivia at his side, the table that had been designated for them adorned with a shiny blue tablecloth and an array of flowers. He held his bride's hand, his gaze focused on his best friend as he listened to the speech that would, no doubt, be replete with emotion.

"I've known Steve almost my entire life. So I could tell you stories from when we were six, ten, sixteen, and twenty-one. And here we are now at twenty-eight. We've seen each other through everything you can imagine and probably some stuff that you can't. He's been my best friend for so long that I can barely remember him not bein' around. Then, somewhere in there, he became my brother, which is why I can stand up today and tell you I love him. But most of ya'll in this room already know how important Steve and me are to each other. What you might not know is how happy I am he found Olivia. I realize that's somethin' any guy could say for his friend, but trust me when I say that we feel everything deeper for one another than anybody else does. Whether it's happiness or sadness or a feeling in between, there's always a strong dose of empathy. So, seein' him with Olivia, it's everything to me too."

Keith spoke up from his place in the crowd, his champagne glass nearly empty. "Hey, Sodapop, you told us you had a few words to say. Wrap it up so we can toast!"

Steve echoed the sentiment, even though he didn't mind if his best friend's speech took a long time. "Yeah, buddy. I love you too, but this is longer than my marriage vows. You're making me look bad."

Soda chuckled as he continued, loving the lighthearted atmosphere that dominated the reception. "Well, all right then. As much as I could go on, I'll just stop here and say congratulations, Steve and Liv. I love both of ya'll, and I'm beyond glad to have yet another sister."

"Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure if it'd be weird to invite my former counselor to my wedding, but Liv thought it made sense. It sure means a lot to me that you're here."

Laura touched Steve's shoulder, the two standing off to the side as the lights dimmed and music began to fill the fellowship hall. "I wouldn't have missed this, Steve. But I will admit that I was stunned you even thought to invite me."

Steve watched as his friends and family ventured out to dance, seeing Olivia with her father, Soda with Emily, and Grace with Elijah. "Really? In my mind, it was automatic to know I wanted you to come. Without you, who knows where I'd be. I mean, it's professional and all, but you had a huge impact on me. One that's worth over ten years now."

"Which makes it pretty personal for you. So, tell me, how is it going with being a counselor?"

"It's fine. I've had some...moments where it's been hard. But I kind of expected that to happen sometimes. Even being trained to listen to the things my clients tell me, I get emotional. I think it would be scary if I didn't though, you know? I can keep it under control, but completely separating myself from the issues I counsel people through isn't always possible. Luckily, my dad and Soda are like they've always been, and they help me with this stuff, even though I can't go into detail about my work. And now, I have Liv too, of course."

"How did the two of you meet? At school?"

"No. I actually only dated one woman from my classes. It was during my second year, and it got bad pretty fast. I just focused on my work for a while afterward. I met Liv at the vet's office Emily's cat goes to, and we went on our first date during my practicum. We really hit it off, even though I was scared out of my mind at the beginning."

"But you pursued the relationship anyway."

"Yeah. I was scared but excited too. I felt myself falling for her, and it was exhilarating. All I was afraid of was me trying to figure out how to navigate things. I wasn't sure how to make the relationship work, and I wasn't very sure about myself either."

"Well, I can see you were successful in finding your way past the fear and uncertainty."

"Yeah. But I had a lot of help. I definitely didn't do it on my own." Steve gazed at Olivia as she glided along the dance floor, her father spinning her around. "I don't think I could have. As much as things have changed, that hasn't. I still need the kind of support I can always rely on. I still need more love than most."

"I'm proud of you, Steve. On a professional level and a personal one. It looks like you're really doing great."

"I guess I am. Even if it is hard to believe sometimes. Whenever I feel like I'm not doing well, I remember where I've been, and that puts it into perspective."

"That's a good strategy."

Steve's eyes moved from the dance floor to Laura, looking at the face of the woman who had not only counseled him for the sake of her job but had cared for him as well. "It is. And today, if any doubts dare to creep in, all I have to do is reflect on the fact that everyone who's ever made a difference for me is right here in this room."

Olivia turned her back to the small crowd of women and girls who had gathered behind her, lifting the bouquet up high before releasing it into the air.

Emily stepped backward as she watched the bundle of flowers soar in her direction. She reached for it just as it started to make its way down, the coveted bouquet landing in her arms. "I got it! I got it! Does that mean I get married next?"

Olivia laughed as she went over to hug Emily. "Only if we go a long time without any more weddings, sweetheart. But it does mean you'll have lots of good luck."

"I think I already have lots of good luck. Do I get to keep the flowers?"

"Of course. You caught the bouquet, so it's all yours."

"Can I call you Aunt Olivia now since I call Steve my uncle?"

"Sure. I'd love that. You can call me Aunt Liv. I don't have any nieces yet, so you can be my first."

"We'll take care of everything here, Stevie. You and Liv should just go and get ready to head off on your honeymoon. I even put ya'll's gifts in your car already too, so you're all set."

Steve had joined his bride in thanking each of their guests as they said their goodbyes for the evening, their departures leaving only the main members of the wedding party present post-reception as he reached for Soda's shoulder at the same time his best friend was beginning to clean up the fellowship hall. "Soda, can I please talk to you outside for a few minutes?"

Soda didn't hesitate, as he could see the desperation in Steve's eyes, something one who didn't know him so well would probably miss. "Sure. Whatever you want."

Steve led Soda out the nearest door, the pair then sitting down in the grass behind the church. "Sorry to do this. I just feel like I'm started to turn into a bundle of nerves."

"There ain't anything to be sorry about. What's got you nervous?"

"Maybe I ought to be saying this to Liv, but I just don't want to right now. She's having such a good time, and I want her to keep doing that. It's her wedding day."

"It's your wedding day too, but you can still talk to me about anything you need to. Maybe it'll help if you say it to me first so you can tell her when you're ready. Kind of like practice."

"It's nothing she won't already figure out. You either, really. 'Cause you know that we haven't had sex yet."

"Yeah. You told me ya'll decided to wait."

"We did. So that means I still don't know what it'll be like for me."

"It'll be fine, Stevie. And she knows what's happened before, so you've got that stuff out in the open just like it needs to be."

"But what if I'm not okay, Soda? What if we go further, and my trauma comes back? I don't want it to ruin my wedding night, and I'm nervous that it could."

Soda wrapped his arm around Steve's shoulders, making sure his friend could feel and soak in the touch as he replied. "I get that, buddy. I don't think it will though. You're not in the place you were years ago. Nowhere near it. But I'll go where your mind's takin' you. Since you're wonderin' 'what if,' let's go there and answer the questions."

"I might not like how that turns out."

"'Cause you're jumpin' to the worst-case scenario. Which is so easy to do. But let's just say you're with Liv tonight, and the memories of the abuse do come back to you. What happens then? What would you do?"

"I might have a flashback. And I wouldn't be able to be with my wife. It would hurt her and me. It could hurt our marriage before we even get started."

Soda watched Steve's face, seeing the concerns and troubles play through his expression as the fear made his anxiety spiral. "No. I've got a different answer. Yeah, sure, the memories could bother you, but they don't have to take control. If you feel them comin' on, you stop and tell Liv. Be honest with her and take things slow. If you have a flashback, do what you have been. Liv loves you, buddy, so don't put all this pressure on yourself. Your marriage ain't on the line over this, so don't give it that kind of power."

Steve wrapped his arm around Soda's shoulders as well, leaning on the friend with whom he could discuss any subject. "I think some of this is just normal nerves too, you know? I mean, what guy doesn't get anxious that this'll go wrong somehow? And it's not like I've had a lot of, um, experience with sex. I feel like I'm figuring it all out for the first time again or something."

"Yeah. I understand, Stevie. Real well, actually. Even if guys don't admit it a lot, I think plenty of us sound more confident than we are, especially if we've got a woman we truly love. 'Cause it ain't just about the physical side of things then."

"I'm nervous over the physical and emotional. They're tied completely together, and if one of them goes off the rails, the other will be coming with it."

"Do you want to know what I honestly think? No holdin' back?"

"Yeah. I do. 'Cause just talking and listening is helping me a lot."

"I think, when you get in the bedroom with Liv tonight, you won't even be able to focus on anything else besides her. The other stuff will just fade away, and you'll wonder how you worried so much about it."

"I hope you're right, Soda. I want to focus on her. Even though our honeymoon won't officially start until tomorrow, tonight is for us."

"Exactly. So how about we go see you two off? 'Just married' sign and all? If you're done talkin' that is. I ain't meanin' to make you rush if you need a bit more time."

Steve smiled as his nervousness became overshadowed by amazement. "I'm a married man."

Soda gave Steve a squeeze as he could feel him relaxing. "Yep. You've got the wife of your dreams. Somebody to be by your side for life. Well, other than me, of course. But we've been knowin' that for a while."

"We sure have. Thank you for talking with me, brother. I do feel better. And thanks for everything you did today too."

"Are you kiddin'? I got to have the honor of bein' best man at my best friend's wedding. That has to be the greatest thing ever."

Steve got to his feet, his hand reaching to pull Soda up along with him. "Just wait till you get your chance to be the groom. You'll really be blown away then." Looking toward the front of the church, he saw Olivia step outside, the wedding gown she'd been wearing now replaced by a casual blouse and skirt. "I know I am."

"I'm blown away from just watchin' you. So it's hard to imagine that feeling gettin' any bigger."

"It will, man. Trust me. When you and Mallory get married, you'll see. We're really comparing things that are great in different ways though. They're two kinds of wonderful. But each one has enough strength to take us right over the moon."

"Well, it ain't like I was going to steal Steve and Liv's thunder by askin' on their wedding day. Besides, I'm all about timing and makin' sure I get it right."

Mallory looked down at her left hand that Soda had yet to put a ring on despite how they both felt about each other. "I know. But we got together just a few months after Steve and Olivia, and they just got married today. So where are we? Not even engaged? I love Liv, but I'd be lying if I said part of me didn't ache when I watched her walk down the aisle, knowing I may never get the same chance."

Soda put his hand in Mallory's hair, his tender touch brushing her light brown locks. "Of course you'll get the chance. I love you, Mallory, and I want to marry you."

"Then where's my ring, Sodapop? I'm almost twenty-six now. I'm ready to be married and start a family. If that's not something you want, I need to know."

"But I do want that. I always have. I've just been caught up with Steve's wedding these last few months. That's all."

"But so have I. I was just as involved as you were. Maybe Olivia and I haven't been friends as long as you and Steve, but I still had plenty to do. It didn't mean I stopped thinking about us."

"I didn't either. I could never stop thinkin' about us. I promise we both want the same things. I'm going to pick out a ring for you real soon, and before you can blink, we'll be caught up in plannin' our own wedding."

"Yeah, there are a few more boxes I need to bring over from Soda's, but those can wait till after we get back on Wednesday."

Olivia joined Steve in what was now their bedroom, the nearly married couple packing suitcases to take on the plane the next morning. "I'm so excited to be married to you. Almost as excited as I am to be seeing the beach tomorrow."

Steve saw the teasing smile on his wife's face, putting the suitcase aside before he took her in his arms and kissed her with all his might. "How excited does that make you?"

"Very. Even more so than the beach."

Steve started to reply, only to be interrupted by the ringing telephone. "Who could that be?"

"Maybe the hotel confirming our reservation for tomorrow night?"

Steve reluctantly let go of Olivia, then picked up the phone to answer it. "Hello? Audrey? Yeah, it's me. Hospital? Why?"

Olivia moved close to Steve, her arms winding around him from behind as she listened.

"Please tell him I'm coming right now. See you in a few minutes."

Olivia stayed right where she was, her arms not releasing Steve as he hung up the phone. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Steve put his hand on top of Olivia's, clutching it tightly as he processed what his stepmom had just told him. "It's my dad, Liv. They think he had a heart attack."