Chapter 26: The Architecture of a Wedding
The planning of a wedding, Eleanor quickly realized, was a vastly different experience when you were marrying a partner rather than a dictator.
Two years ago, Julian had meticulously micromanaged every detail of their impending nuptials. He had curated a guest list of five hundred corporate contacts, selected a menu Eleanor couldn’t eat, and booked a venue designed solely to showcase his imagined wealth. Eleanor had been a prop in his production.
Now, sitting cross-legged on the floor of her home office with Marcus, surrounded by linen swatches and catering menus, the process felt entirely entirely like joy.
"Okay, so Sarah is suggesting we rent out the Field Museum again," Marcus said, scrolling through his tablet while a Golden Retriever rested its head heavily on his knee. "She says the optics of a five-hundred-person gala would be fantastic for the company’s Q3 PR push."
Eleanor wrinkled her nose, tossing a beige linen napkin aside. "Absolutely not. I love Sarah, but I am not turning my wedding into a shareholder meeting. I want fifty people, maximum. Our actual friends, the board members we actually like, and family."
Marcus smiled, tossing the tablet onto the sofa. "Music to my ears. Where do you want to do it?"
Eleanor looked out the large French doors that opened to the sprawling, perfectly manicured gardens of the Sterling estate. The oak trees were just beginning to show the first hints of autumn gold.
"Here," she said softly. "In the gardens. This house is where I found my footing. It’s where Leo finally learned to feel safe. I can't imagine a better place to start our next chapter."
"The estate it is," Marcus agreed instantly.
Before they could finalize the catering, the office door nudged open. Leo bounded in, wearing mismatched superhero pajamas and clutching a heavily dog-eared book about bridges. He was seven now, taller, and filled with a radiant, unshakeable confidence that never failed to make Eleanor’s heart swell.
"Are you guys doing wedding stuff again?" Leo asked, climbing onto the sofa and squeezing beside Marcus.
"We are, bug," Eleanor smiled. "We're deciding on the food. Do you think we should have chicken or fish?"
"Macaroni and cheese," Leo answered without missing a beat.
Marcus let out a booming laugh. "You know, he makes a compelling argument. But Leo, I actually have a very important question to ask you about the wedding."
Leo sat up a little straighter, his eyes widening. "What is it?"
Marcus shifted so he was facing the boy, his expression turning gentle and serious. "Well, when a guy gets married, he needs someone to stand up there with him. Someone he trusts more than anyone else in the world to hold the rings and make sure he doesn't pass out from nerves. It's called being the Best Man. And I was hoping you would do me the honor of being mine."
Leo gasped, his little hands flying to his mouth. He looked at Eleanor, who was already blinking back happy tears, and then back to Marcus.
"I get to hold the rings?" Leo whispered in awe.
"You get to hold the rings, and you get to wear a tuxedo that matches mine," Marcus confirmed.
May you like
Leo threw his arms around Marcus’s neck, hugging him fiercely. "Yes! I'm going to be the best Best Man ever!"
Watching the two most important men in her life hold each other, Eleanor felt a profound, settling peace. The foundation was set. All they had to do now was build.
