Chapter 157

Chapter 157
Ryan POV


I woke to soft morning light filtering through the curtains of my room. For a moment, I lay still, letting the realization wash over me: today I would marry Evelyn. Today, I would officially become Oliver's father. The thought sent my heart racing.

Rising from bed, I walked to the window. Below, gardeners were making final preparations in the garden where, in a few hours, our lives would forever change. The wooden arch I had designed and built myself stood at the end of the red carpet, its intricate carvings catching the early sunlight. I'd spent weeks on that arch, carefully incorporating elements that reminded me of Evelyn—delicate curves like her smile, strong supports like her character.

White lilies lined the pathway, their petals almost luminescent against the verdant backdrop. I'd made sure every detail honored something Evelyn loved—the lavender ribbons on chairs, the specific arrangement of flowers that reminded her of her mother, the classical music selection she cherished.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I called, turning from the window.

My father Daniel entered, carrying a breakfast tray and a perfectly pressed suit. His eyes crinkled with pride as he set the tray down.

"Nervous, son?" he asked, hanging the suit on the closet door.

"A little," I admitted, taking a sip of orange juice.

Dad smiled and gestured for me to get dressed. As I buttoned my shirt, he stepped forward to help with my tie.

"You know, I was so nervous on my wedding day I couldn't even tie my own tie," he chuckled. "Your mother nearly thought I was going to run off."

His hands moved with practiced precision, tying a perfect Windsor knot.

"Love isn't just a feeling, Ryan," he said, his voice suddenly serious. "It's a choice you make every day. Some nights, you'll be woken at three in the morning by crying, you'll be exhausted beyond belief, but you'll still get up to care for Oliver because that's what you've chosen—to love him, to love Evelyn."

He finished with the tie and reached into his pocket, producing a small velvet box. "These were your grandfather's. Now they're yours."

Inside the box lay a pair of gold cufflinks engraved with the Carter family crest. I fastened them to my shirt, feeling the weight of heritage they carried.

"Remember," Dad said, squeezing my shoulder, "today you're not just marrying Evelyn. You're officially welcoming Oliver into the Carter family. He's our blood now, DNA be damned."

I nodded, emotion tightening my throat. "I know, Dad. He's been my son since the first time I held him."

The door opened again as Mom entered, elegant in a champagne-colored dress, her eyes already misty.

"Look at you," she whispered, stepping forward to adjust my collar. "My boy, getting married."

She carefully pinned the white lily boutonnière to my lapel, ensuring it matched Evelyn's bouquet perfectly.

"Do you remember when you were five and said you were going to marry 'the prettiest princess in the world'?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly. "I think you found her."

I smiled, remembering the first time Evelyn had come to dinner at our home, how Mom had whispered to me afterward, "That girl looks at you like you hung the stars."

"Her eyes will tell you everything," Mom said softly, smoothing my jacket one last time. "Every time she looks at you, she sees her whole world."

After my parents left, I headed downstairs to check the final arrangements. The garden had transformed completely—white lilies flanked the red carpet, each bloom carefully selected to symbolize the connection to Evelyn's mother. Lavender ribbons adorned the chairs, dancing gently in the morning breeze. A string quartet was tuning up, preparing to play Debussy's "Clair de Lune" as Evelyn walked down the aisle.

I paused at the front row, smiling at the small chair prepared for Oliver with his favorite stuffed toy placed on it. I could imagine him sitting there, curious and excited about everything happening around him.

"Earth to Ryan!" Maxwell's voice jolted me back to the present. He approached in his matching groomsman suit, his signature humor evident in his smile. "The groom shouldn't be daydreaming at his own wedding."

Emma, his girlfriend and one of the bridesmaids, offered a quick greeting before heading off to find Evelyn. Soon after, Ethan arrived, bringing Winston's blessings and a gift from the Finch family—a beautifully crafted silver dining set engraved with our names.

The groomsmen helped with my final preparations, Maxwell joking that I "finally looked presentable." We shared a small glass of whiskey, Maxwell proposing a toast to "the new family."

"Thank you both," I said sincerely, "especially for your support during the hardest times for Evelyn and me."

From the window, I watched guests begin to arrive. Magnus greeted each one enthusiastically at the entrance, distinguished in his gray suit. Winston arrived with several Finch family members. Cassidy and Connor had arrived early, helping coordinate final details.

When the groomsmen stepped out momentarily, I found myself alone before the mirror, straightening my tie one last time. The man looking back seemed different somehow—formal, nervous, but filled with anticipation. I thought about meeting Evelyn, being first her concerned neighbor, then her friend and supporter as she escaped an unhappy marriage. How our love had developed naturally after her divorce, from support to dependence to deep love. And the first time I held Oliver, knowing immediately that I wanted to be the steady presence in this child's life.

After a deep breath, I felt ready for the responsibilities and joys of this new life.

The groomsmen returned, and we took our positions under the arch. The quartet began playing the prelude as guests settled into silence. I exchanged final embraces with my parents, my father patting my shoulder with pride evident in his eyes.

The officiant stepped forward, welcoming everyone to the wedding of Ryan Carter and Evelyn Moore. My heart raced, palms slightly damp.

The music transitioned to the wedding march, and all guests rose, turning toward the entrance. The bridesmaids proceeded down the aisle, Cassidy leading, followed by Emma and others.

Then the officiant announced solemnly: "The bride, Evelyn Moore, escorted by Mr. Magnus Turner."

When Magnus appeared with Evelyn at the end of the red carpet, time seemed to stop. Her ivory gown radiated in the sunlight, her face illuminated with a happiness I'd never seen before. In that moment, I forgot to breathe, forgot everyone else, seeing only her walking toward me.

Evelyn's eyes were fixed on mine alone, and I felt the most powerful emotion of my life surge through me. In that instant, I knew my existence was finally complete.