My hair is woven into a thick braid, the most colorful flower crown playing with the warm pinks and oranges of my eyeshadow and bringing out the gold in my hazel eyes. Brilliant Swarovski crystals cover the straps of my high heels, highlighting my immaculate pedicure.
I touch my neck, the simple diamond hanging on the end of a slim gold chain.
And that makes me look at my ring finger — the one about to be covered with the perfect engagement ring Brandon picked out for me.
And a wedding band, too.
My eyes well, and I turn back around to wrap Riel in a hug. “Thank you,” I whisper.
We met Riel when we first arrived in St. John, and she’s been our wedding planner of sorts, helping us find everything we desired for our ceremony — which wasn’t much, but what we did want, Brandon wanted top of the line.
She’s been a saving grace to me, helping me with flowers, choosing a photographer, decorating the bow of the yacht, and ensuring we have the best local chef onboard for our wedding night dinner.
“One last thing,” I tell her, turning around to face the mirror again. “Help me get this off.”
I’m already fidgeting with the straps of my arm sling when Riel stops me. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Riel, I am not wearing this monstrosity while I get married. I refuse.”
I sigh when I see the worried look on her face.
“I’ll put it on as soon as the vows are exchanged and that man gives me the kiss of my life, okay? Just… please. Don’t make me wear this out there.”
Riel smiles softly, and with a nod, she does as I ask.
When the arm brace is off, I chuckle a little at how that arm is slightly paler than my other, but nevertheless, I feel one-hundred times lighter.
I let myself take in the whole image one last time before my eyes wander to the bits of Cruz Bay I can see off in the distance through the magnificent windows in my cabin. The lush green mountains stretch up over the cerulean blue water, sailboats and yachts peppering the shoreline, and my heart leaps into my throat as I realize where I am.
Realize what I’m doing.
I close my eyes on a smile, thinking of how many times I’ve played through what this day would be like. From the time I was a little girl, I’ve dreamed of what I’d wear, the kind of cake I’d have, the party…
And now, it’s just me and the man I love on an island far, far away.
It couldn’t be more perfect.
“Okay,” I breathe, opening my eyes and taking a long, slow breath. “I’m ready.”
Riel nods, leading the way for me out of my cabin and carefully down the stairs to the main deck. She hides me in the back of the parlor, curtains pulled over the usually open airway that leads out to the bow. I haven’t seen the decorations come all together yet, haven’t seen the lilies and roses and baby’s breath wreaths or arch that match my bouquet. I haven’t seen the freshly polished teak deck, or the fairy lights hung in a zig zag fashion over the bow.
And I haven’t seen my groom — not since dinner last night.
It was torture for both of us to sleep in separate cabins, but it was the one thing I wanted to keep old-fashioned.
And when Riel comes back in through the parlor bar entry, nodding to let me know that everything is ready, I step up to stand right at the edge of the curtain as two of Riel’s friends pull open opposite ends of it back in sync.
And I see him.
And he sees me.
And all the wait, all the time apart was worth it.
I wish I can say I hear the music playing — the sweet, soft sounds of a violin from the musician we hired our first day on the island. I wish I could hear her playing our song, “Unchained Melody,” as I slowly drift across the teak toward where Brandon waits for me at the bow. I wish I could take in the golden rays of sun on the island, the shockingly blue water, the waves softly lapping at the sides of the boat, the flowers and the lights and everything we’d set up for this very occasion.
But I can’t see, can’t hear, can’t feel anything or anyone else but Brandon Church.
He stands tall and regal as ever at the bow, his cream suit casual yet sophisticated, highlighted by the Carolina blue dress shirt underneath. Diamond studs glisten in each earlobe, his hair in a neat, styled fade, facial hair trimmed to perfection. Every inch of the outfit is tapered to fit him, hugging and hanging off all the right places.
I take my time letting my eyes wander the length of him, feeling the pulse of his heartbeat even with the distance still between us. It’s an energy, I realize — one I’ve been in tune with since the moment he stepped onto the same elevator with me at Okay, Cool.