My skin prickles with an excited chill, and I notice my heart is fluttering like a hummingbird’s wings. Somehow, my body has figured out what’s going on, but it’s not bothered to tell me. My legs have forgotten how to walk, and Sophie has to help me down the path to the beach.
It’s that magical time of day, just before sunset, and rows of chairs fill the beach. The chairs are filled with people all facing Collins, who stands at an altar, flanked by his brothers. When we reach a spot several yards from the ocean, my feet stop again.
“What is this?” I ask, even though I’m pretty sure my slow brain has finally figured it out.
“It’s your wedding,” Sophie says. She’s crying as she and Kylie work to unravel the large bundle of fabric Kylie’s been cradling. It is, of course, the train for my dress. My wedding dress. As they work to attach the train a wave of emotion hits me. I cover my mouth with my hands, unable to speak.
“Don’t forget to breathe, sweetie,” Kylie says.
Which is when I notice that, with this surprise, Collins has quite literally taken my breath away.
I manage to pull in a shaky breath while I stand there looking down the aisle at Collins who’s eyes have found me and is gazing back. He’s traded in the T-shirt and jeans from this morning and now wears a black tuxedo, which even from this distance makes him look so handsome that I ache to be alone with him.
Sophie slides a piece of paper into my hand and my fingers shake as I unfold it and see that it’s a note from Collins.
Gremlin,
Some part of me has known all along that you are the one I wanted to spend the rest of forever with. From the first day we met, I’ve known that you are the one for me. The five-year-old me knew it. The ten-year-old me—the one who thought all girls were gross—knew it.
Every time you smile, I can’t help but feel happy with you. The sound of your laughter is a song that has the power to lift my spirit. Your kind soul has guided me through so much.
The day you left when we were teenagers, I thought my life was over, and for a long time, it seemed it was. When you came crashing back into my world, you shook things up so much, at first I didn’t know what to think, but now I know what you were doing. You showed me how to live again.
I’m sorry it took so long for the idiot thirty-year-old me to figure it out. But this whole time you’ve had my heart, and I hope on this day you’ll say yes and agree share your life with me.
I love you. I always have, and always will.
My first. My last. Be mine forever?
-Collins
Halfway through reading the letter my eyes have already blurred with tears.
“Are you okay?” Kylie asks.
In an attempt to process everything that’s happening, I blankly nod.
“Good, because it’s time.” Kylie squeezes my hand before turning and walking down the aisle.
Sophie gives me a hug and then heads down the aisle herself, followed shortly by Max who carries a small ring bearer pillow. I look into the crowd and see my parents and even Leila and her husband are here. Another wave of joy hits me as I realize he’s also done this. He’s flown them here just for me. My mom’s eyes find mine, and she smiles so big, I feel it deep inside me. It’s been three months since I’ve seen her, and it takes every ounce of self-control I have not to break out into a huge grin and wave frantically at her.
When Max reaches the front, soft music begins, and the crowd stands up, turning to face me. I realize it’s my turn, and I’m struck with a wave of sheer panic. I can’t believe I really am getting married. Today. Conflicting emotions rush through me. I had no idea this morning that I would be standing here about to get married. A bundle of nerves twists inside me, and I pull in another shaky breath, praying that I don’t faint. Oh God, I don’t know if I can do this. Everyone is watching me, waiting to see what I’m going to do.
I look up, and when I lock eyes with Collins, the strength and love in his gaze warms me, and my body relaxes. I know this is the right thing. My feet find their purpose, I kick off the flip-flops and I take my first step down the aisle, relishing the feel of sun-warmed sand beneath my feet. The eyes of the crowd are on me, but I’m unable to take my eyes off him—the only man I’ve ever loved.
When I meet him at the altar, he takes my hands in his and leans in close. The sound of the crashing waves nearby means if we talk softly enough, our guests won’t hear us, and gives us a moment of privacy.
“Is this okay?” he whispers, wiping a tear from my cheek with his thumb.
“It’s better than I could have ever imagined.” My voice is quiet and a bit shaky, and my vision is blurring again with tears. Collins’ eyes fill with concern. I smile through the tears, and try to wipe them away, but it’s no use, so I laugh.