Violet said her vows first.
"Growing up I wanted to have a relations.h.i.+p like my parents" someday without realizing I already had that with you. We have had each other"s backs since we were toddlers and you are the one person in this world who truly understands me.
"I have always loved you for that, Noah. You"ve always been my voice of reason, my favorite person to talk to about anything and everything, and the best fan a ballerina could ever hope for. I have more fun with you than anyone else but I feel the most relaxed when I"m with you too."
She laughed slightly before continuing. "In terms of supporting each other, I suppose a best friend and a spouse really aren"t that different. I promise to retain my role as your best friend but I also promise to show you how wonderful you are and how much I love you for the rest of our lives."
Noah"s grip on her hands grew tighter and his wide smile threatened to crack his face. Every second since she had appeared in front of him wearing her wedding dress seemed like a dream. This was actually happening after so many years of hopeless wis.h.i.+ng.
He had to clear his throat before starting to say his vows because he was getting choked up looking at his bride. Something about her had been radiant ever since she was a child but it was even more apparent than usual today as she beamed at him with her heart in her eyes.
"After we got engaged, my mom teased me a lot about how I used to say I was going to marry you all the time when I was little. Violet, I"ve been in love with you since before I even knew what that meant.
"You are the kindest, most beautiful, most talented person I have ever had the good fortune to meet. Every day by your side has been a blessing. I can honestly say that I wouldn"t be the person I am today if I hadn"t been your best friend. I promise to spend the rest of my life proving to you that you made the right choice in marrying me."
The officiator concluded the ceremony once the vows were said and Noah was allowed to kiss his wife. He dipped her backwards as his arms tightened around her and the kiss deepened. It was a really good thing she was wearing smear-proof lipstick.
Cheers and catcalls (probably from their brothers) arose from the crowd, bringing Noah back to earth. They still had to get through the reception before he would be able to continue where they left off.
There were dozens of people to talk to, a luncheon to eat, and a program to follow. Everything pa.s.sed in a blissful blur up until it was time for their first dance as a married couple.
The one thing Violet refused to let anyone take from her during the planning process was the ability to ch.o.r.eograph her own first dance. They had practiced on the slick hardwood floor of the kitchen in her—now their—apartment.
It was during one of those casual dance practices that she informed him he threw her off her groove. "You aren"t like any of my other dance partners. My heart races when I dance with you."
In a strange way, it was the highest compliment she could give him. Noah knew all too well how she regarded all of her male partners over the years as nothing but another part of the dance. He had seen it first hand before she had fallen in love with him—he was a wreck from how close they were and she hadn"t been affected at all.
The fact that her opinion had changed meant she truly did love him as a man rather than as a friend. He had been so touched by it that he couldn"t resist breaking the flow of the dance they were practicing by pulling her into his arms and kissing her.
Violet"s eyes sparkled as they glided across the dance floor to a love song that had been popular when they were teenagers. She hadn"t stopped smiling at him since the music began.
The depths of those dark blue eyes pulled him in. Noah never wanted to stop gazing into them but the song ended and other people joined them on the dance floor both to dance and to chat.
Kristen and Scott shot him synchronized not-so-subtle thumbs ups from a few yards away. He rolled his eyes but grinned at them anyway.
So many people had shown up to celebrate today. The Clarks, Quinns, and Griffiths were all there because they were as good as family. His uncle Brian"s family and the majority of the extended Singleton clan had shown up as well.
Violet"s uncle and his wife chatted off in the corner with Aaron, Keeley, and the rest of Mandy"s family. Most of her fellow dancers from the New York City Ballet were here as well. Plus the dojo owner and a few of Noah"s older students.
People from all parts of their lives had come here in honor of their love. Though it was exhausting trying to accept everyone"s congratulations, Noah was touched by how many people came.
When he was little, he wanted to marry Violet because he thought it meant he would be able to see her all the time like his parents did. As he got older and fell deeper in love with his best friend he became more confident it would happen since they were closer than anyone else.
Until she started dating other people and he realized he was in real danger of being left behind. Figuring having her in his life at all was better than not, he let himself sit back and wait until he thought he would lose his mind.
Noah was actually grateful for all of the heartache that had played out over the last year. Without it, his long-standing dream of marrying his best friend wouldn"t have ever come true. n.o.body was happier or more at peace with the universe than he was that day.
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