“God you look awful,” I laughed as I walked into the room Kaia was using to get ready for her wedding to Triss at a country club his parents had paid for in Auckland.

“You do too you bitch,” she stuck her tongue out at me and I smiled before wiping a tear away, “oh Koa. I'm just getting married.”

“Mhm. I know. You look wonderful, Kaia,” I whispered and my sister pulled me into a tight hug, “when did we grow up so much?”

“No idea. Um,” she looked around and realized we were alone before smiling and fixing the clip in her hair that held her veil, “Koa?”

“Yep.”

“I'm so fucking scared.”

“I knew you would be,” I moved behind her and slowly fixed her dress as well as adjusted the veil so it laid properly against her hair, “so I banned our parents for a moment and came in to talk you through it. We can leave right now. If you don't want to marry Triss, if you don't feel ready, we can leave. But if he's your soulmate, if you want to spend the rest of your life taking care of wild animals with him, then I know you can do this. You're the bravest person I know. My wonderful big sister. You are a beautiful woman with a heart of gold and the mouth of sailor,” I kissed the back of her head and Kaia laughed, carefully wiping a tear away with a tissue, “there's no one else I'd want as my twin and no one I can see loving your stupid ass for eternity than Triss.”

“Are you supposed to bully me during my wedding?”

“You're going to do the same to me. So yes. Matua is losing his mind. Come on,” I held my hand out and Kaia took a deep breath before taking it, “it's time.”

I handed Kaia to Alexander once she was calm and found Caelan in the crowd. Kaia had offered for me to be a groomsman, wanting me to stand by Triss but I thought it was for the best if he had his friends from university, not wanting to leave my father alone. Caelan was already crying and I rubbed his back as the procession started. The flower girl was actually my Uncle Carter, making everyone laugh as we didn't have any younger girls that could serve in the spot in New Zealand, most of my family unable to attend as my grandfather Remington was incredibly ill and needed round the clock care. My cousin Philip was the ring bearer, fixing his tiny bow tie before he walked down the aisle. Philip was now 6, the second son of my uncle Ezekiel and his wife Belle. We weren't close in age due to Ezekiel and Alexander being 18 years apart. Ezekiel was only 14 when I was born and my parents had effectively raised us together. He was one of my closest confidants, always sharing in my pain and loving me as best he could.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen came down, 6 pairs as Kaia and Triss had a massive amount of friends. All of them were in black as Kaia had asked the entire crowd and her wedding party to wear black and while she said it would be nice for photos, I knew it came down to the fact she wanted to be the center of attention in her wedding dress.

“She looks beautiful,” my uncle Cassian whispered, “oh look at our niece,” he smiled at my aunt Penelope who cleared her throat and nodded.

I turned in my seat to see Alexander escorting Kaia, whispering to her as he did. She was holding back tears and as he handed her over to Triss he squeezed her hand. I knew Alexander was struggling to accept us growing but he loved his kids to a fault and was incredibly proud of both of us.

The ceremony passed without a hitch, Kaia beaming the entire time as I took photos from my seat. I was serving as a backup photographer as Kaia enjoyed how I took pictures and I fought back my own tears when Kaia and Triss shared their first kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Yarber.

My gaze shifted for a moment to Brooklyn and Erica as Beau was sitting between them. Kaia had invited their entire family to the wedding as we were still close and even accepted Beau being there because we once considered him part of our family. He was smiling calmly, watching them leave and we briefly made eye contact. Beau scowled before turning away and I rolled my eyes.

“God, he's a little pissy baby isn't he?” Cyrus whispered in my ear and I snorted.

“He keeps trying to talk to me when I'm at my parents. They even changed the gate code since he had the old one. Can't accept losing me I guess. I'm pretty great after all.”

“Proud of you for being able to say that,” Carter kissed my cheek and I rolled my eyes again.

“I'm 22, not 2. Weird for my uncles to kiss me.”

“We love you,” Carter laughed, making me smile.

“Yeah. Love you too. Do you think the reception will have alcohol?”

“Fucking hope not. I've been sober for nearly 30 years now. Don't want to throw that away because you're sister got married,” Cyrus hauled me to my feet, accidently deactivating the magnetics for my prosthetic as he did and my arm fell off, “oh fuck. I'm so sorry.”

“It's fine. It happens,” shrugging, I picked it up off the ground, “I'll take care of it in the bathroom so I don't freak anyone out. I'll be at the hall in a minute. Dad,” I turned to Caelan and he nodded, “can you take my camera so I don't have to try to manage it too?”

“Of course,” he pulled the strap from around my neck and I waited for the crowd to leave before finding a private bathroom.

“Fuck me,” I muttered, taking off my jacket and shirt before popping my arm back into place and waiting for the signal that it was once again magnetized. It made a few small beeps and I tested my hand and mobility before redressing and leaving the bathroom.

The reception hall was cramped as I moved through the crowd, smiling to myself. The idea that this once wouldn't have been possible for me was now a fact of pride as I gently touched people on the back to let them know I was passing. I was sitting at the family table with my parents, the third in the row as Caelan insisted he sit next to Kaia as Alexander had walked her down the aisle. I also had one more job and waited for the proper time to check the microphone before clearing my throat to get everyone's attention.

“Family and friends, it is my greatest honor to introduce, for the second time tonight, Mr. and Mrs. Yarber,” smiling, I gestured to the doors and they swung open.

Kaia was now in a ridiculously short mini-dress that was the same color as her wedding dress and Triss had abandoned his suit jacket, looking far more comfortable. Clapping and whistles filled the air as they greeted people before Kaia ran over and hugged me tightly, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.

“Thank you, little brother.”

“Always.”

The dinner started followed by dancing until the crowd cleared to let my parents each get a turn dancing with Kaia. They equally made her cry, Caelan barely moving as he held her but Alexander swayed gently, Kaia smiling with her eyes closed the entire time, her head on Alexander's chest.

“And now,” Cyrus laughed as he held the microphone, “it's time for speeches.”

“Boo,” I whined and Kaia glared at me.

The maid of honor was Kaia's best friend for the last 10 years, someone I had barely met as Kaia spent the night at her house all the time. Her name was Michelle and she was a bit awkward but smiling the entire time, talking about the love she had for Kaia and the blessing she hoped Triss had for marrying Kaia. Triss’ best man Ulysses spent his entire speech embarrassing Triss and making all of us laugh.

I was one of the last people up, surprising Kaia as she had no idea Triss had asked me to talk. I was incredibly nervous but knew what it would mean to my sister and carried my champagne glass with me as I stood in front of everyone.

“Good evening. My name is Koa for those that don't know. Kaia is my twin sister, or as she never fails to remind me, my old sister by 14 hours,” I laughed as I smiled at her, “she's also my best friend, the kindest woman I know, and the biggest pain in the ass. Kaia has always been my rock. Even when I struggled to keep myself in this world, I did it for her at first. I couldn't imagine leaving her alone, without that love. Until she met Triss and I immediately hated him. Triss is a good man with a good heart but I was so mad he was taking my sister away from me. But over time, we took trips just the three of us and I found him to be a brother to me as well. They complete each other in a way I never would have thought possible if I hadn't seen that same love in my parents. A few years ago, I was in a car accident. It stole a lot from me but gave me so much too and in the time I was healing, Kaia and Triss were there. Calling me with words of encouragement, love, and jokes. To Kaia, thank you. For being my best friend, my biggest supporter, the person who believes in my choices, and loves me for who I was and who I am now. Triss, you're the best brother in law I could have asked for as I know you'll love Kaia even when she's in one of her moods,” I laughed again and Kaia stuck her tongue out at me before cleaning her face, “to you both,” I raised my glass and Kaia copied, “all I want is for you to keep loving each other, helping each other when you're lost and confused, and showing people that even those without children, those who marry because they simply love each other and can't picture life without the other, that your love is true, no different than theirs. I love you, Kaia. You're the best sister I could have asked for. The one I'd have wished for if you weren't born before me.”

Kaia ran to me and I hugged her tightly, smiling when she pulled back and punched me in the chest, “I can't believe you would do this!”

“Your husband thought it was important you got to hear how I truly feel. I meant every word.”

“I know. Thank you, Koa.”

“Anytime.”

The reception continued and I was grateful to find an open bar.

“Hey,” I smiled at the bartender and he returned it, “what are you guys serving tonight?”

“Well,” he tossed a small towel onto his shoulder, “I can make you pretty much anything, brother of the bride. Great speech.”

“Thanks,” I laughed softly, “surprise me?”

“Gladly,” he winked before grabbing two different bottles and making me a quick drink, “whiskey sour.”

“Ah. Is it any good?”

“Not much of a drinker?”

“Until about 2 years ago I couldn't handle anything that wasn't on a list I made,” I shrugged and took a sip before placing a ten note into the tip jar, “I like it. Thanks uh…”

“Kipton Thorne,” he held his hand out and I switched my glass to my other hand to shake it, “lefty?”

“Koa Bennett. Prosthetic on the right. Easier to shake hands if I don't use it.”

“Fair. I own a pub with my wife back in Christchurch. We just agreed to do this wedding since she's been friends with Kaia from secondary. Feel free to stop by if you're in town. Auckland is a bit far.”

“I still live in Christchurch,” I laughed softly, “sure. What's it called?”

“Thorne’s Pub. I'm lazy,” he laughed softly.

“Kip,” a soft voice called and a man that could have been Kipton’s clone joined us, “go take a break. Queenie is insisting.”

“Ah. My wife calls. It was great to meet you, Koa. Evan, he likes whiskey sours.”

“Alright.”

Kipton left and I continued to stare at the person across from me.

“He's my twin. If you're wondering. I'm Evander,” he smiled gently, “I heard your speech. It was nice.”

“Oh. Thank you,” I cleared my throat, “I'm not trying to stare but why…”

“Ah, is it the hair?” He laughed softly, running his hand through his waves and I nodded, “Kip and I have incredibly ashy blonde hair that looks silver in certain light. It matches our eyes but they're technically blue,” he leaned closer and I smiled, admiring how clear his eyes were, “our Mum is Dutch. I like to think that's why. But we're from Christchurch.”

“And your dad?”

“Oh! He's a Kiwi like us. Just very dark toned, it's why we're tan and it makes our hair seem even more startling.”

“It's… interesting.”

“What do you do?”

“I'm pre-med,” I took a sip of my drink with a smile, “going into pediatrics. I start my program next month actually.”

“Well aren't you impressive,” he teased for a moment, making me smile at how gentle his voice was, “I know you. We went to secondary together. You were a year ahead of me. It was a big deal when we found out you were going into the Olympics. But what happened?”

“Ah. That's a long conversation.”

“Well… Kip will be back in an hour. If you have nothing else to do, I'll be free. He's my boss, I just help run the pub back in Christchurch. We could sit in the garden and talk for a while. The roses here are lovely. Our cousin used this place to get married last year so I'm familiar with it.”

“I'd… love that,” I finished my drink and he handed me another.