She’s glowing. That’s the only word to describe it. The light is back in her eyes and I’d like to think I put it there. Or, at least, played some part in making her shine so bright. She takes my breath away.
Green eyes, the color of the grass in the meadow, sparkle with joy. Her full pink lips are tipped up at the corners in a smile, dark hair falling in long waves around her shoulders and down her back. When I finally manage to tear my eyes from her face I let them roam down, over the golden skin of her bare shoulders and down a deceptively simple dress that gathers around her breasts and cascades like a waterfall to her feet. The sun highlights tiny glitters of gold in the cream fabric. She looks like a Greek goddess. She looks like my every dream come true.
I’ve waited so long for this day to arrive, and now that it’s here, I can’t wait another minute.
Too slow, Rebel.
I want it all. Right now.
So I stride up the aisle to claim my bride, earning a scowl from my father who is giving her away. When she asked him if he would do the honors, I could have sworn I saw a tear in his eye. He’d deny it, of course.
“Wait until we get there,” he grumbles.
“I’ll take it from here,” I tell him, giving him no option but to release Lila.
She just laughs and shakes her head. “This is so typical of you.”
Wait until she sees the other surprises I have in store for her today.
“All your fault for looking so fucking beautiful.” I grab the back of her head and pull her toward me, my other hand on the small of her back. For once, she doesn’t put up a fight. Dipping my head, I kiss her in front of all our guests and she kisses me back, her arm snaking around my neck and her body flush with mine. We’re so close I can feel her heart pounding and I’m almost certain it’s beating at the same tempo as mine. That’s how in sync we are.
“Daddy Jude is kissing Mommy. Again,” my best man pipes up. And now everyone who is here to share our special day is laughing at five-year-old Noah’s words. I love that kid. And I love that he calls me Daddy Jude. So fucking cute.
When Lila remembers that we’re in a field behind our house with our family and friends seated on either side of our petal-strewn aisle and the officiant waiting to marry us, she pulls back and swats my chest. But she’s smiling. One second later, the smile is replaced with a serious look.
“Are you ready to do this?” She holds my gaze, her eyes searching mine as if she wants to make sure there’s no trace of doubt or hesitation. It’s shocking that she could actually think there would be, but I try not to take offense. She has her reasons and if she needs reassurance, I’ll give it to her for as long and as many times as she needs to hear it.
“Born ready. I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.” And it’s true.
Only minutes later, we’re exchanging our vows. I make her so many promises. I vow to love her until the end of time. I tell her that I’ll strive every day to be the man she deserves. To be worthy of her. To never take her for granted and to love her through the good times and bad. I promise to keep a steady course through all the ups and downs. I’m not the least bit worried about promising her the world. I know I’ll keep my word.
Now it’s her turn, and I’m curious to hear what she’s going to say. She looks me right in the eye, and it’s just the two of us in our own little bubble. Her hands are trembling and her eyes glitter with unshed tears but her voice never quavers. It’s strong and steady when she speaks.
“The first time I met you, I thought you were the most annoying boy in the world.” Brody chuckles and mutters something under his breath but we ignore him. “Then you became my best friend. My fiercest ally. The boy who hung the moon and put the stars in the sky. I knew I was in love with you when I was fifteen. The day you gave me your favorite hoodie. Years passed and the boy you were grew into the man I couldn’t live without. I didn’t want to imagine a life... a world... without you in it.” She pauses and takes a deep breath before she continues. “When I lost you, I was shocked and sad and angry that the world kept spinning and life went on. Without you.”
“But now I think we had to go through all that pain and heartache and separation to get to this place. It’s such a good and beautiful place we’re in now.” We exchange a smile. Hers is soft and she wipes away a lone tear. “My love for you grows stronger and deeper every single day. And I promise you that I will love you, and only you, for the rest of my days. I promise you that I’ll be by your side for the good, the bad, and the ugly and all the moments in between. I promise that I’ll show you, in actions not just words, how strong and true my love ...” She freezes, and her eyes go wide.
I’m not sure what to think. Did she forget what she was planning
