One Little Chance (Sweet River)

Chapter 24

DECEMBER 23RD, 2023

Aunt Sue

Snow??

Aunt Frances

Is this weather okay with your outdoor wedding???

Me

It’s more than okay!

Better than if I planned it myself.

I woke up the morning of my wedding to a rare December snowfall in Sweet River, Texas. The grass and trees outside were blanketed in fresh, glistening snow. Like a wedding gift from God himself.

Our impromptu wedding was supposed to be small and intimate, but we both kept inviting people we ran into throughout the week, especially during the Silk Christmas party. I peeked out my mini blinds into the snow-laden park across the street. It was bursting with over half of Sweet River.

The park where last spring Coach Jordan asked Miss Sophia to have coffee with him was now filling with our friends and family to watch us say I do as the sun set low in the sky.

Chairs were looped with twinkle lights. The aisle was lined with flickering lanterns and a trail of white rose petals that led to Jordan. Our childhood pastor stood at the end of the aisle. Half of his laugh lines were caused by our childhood antics. An old friend strummed a guitar as people took their seats, and the first of the wedding party gathered at the end of the aisle.

As I looked out at the wedding waiting across the street, my breath hitched in my throat. In minutes, I’d be walking across those petals to Jordan. I let the blinds snap closed, placing my hand against my heart to steady myself.

“Sophie girl, are you ready?” my dad asked, appearing in the doorway to my bedroom. “We’re almost up.”

Tears brimmed in my eyes as I said, “I’m so ready.” I could run down that aisle.

I clutched a bouquet of red and white roses to my chest as my dad walked beside me, Jordan’s eyes latched on mine the entire time. The two of us wavered between crying and laughing as I made my way down the petal-laden path.

“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” strummed softly in the background.

My mom beamed on the front row, catching my eye and mouthing, I love you . I watched Jordan and his mom exchange a smile. His sisters stood beside me in red silk dresses and soft white coats.

As I took my spot across from Jordan, Orlando placed a hand on my shoulder from behind me and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

The sun was setting, putting a chill in the air, as Jordan and I promised every Christmas, every New Year, every season, every up and down, every single kiss, every loss, every victory, every moment that we could, to each other.

When our pastor said, “Now you may kiss the bride,” Jordan slid his arms around my waist and dipped me. The crowd applauded, and the music started back up. I could feel his smile against my lips as we kissed. That smile was mine forever.