The world around us turns dark as the rain becomes heavier, extinguishing every candle around us, but there’s one flame that the rain can’t put out. As I kiss my fiancé desperately, passionately, my dress still sparkles, keeping our flame alive. I’ve always known that our love can never be dampened, and this moment just proves it further. We kiss for a long time in the rain before he sweeps me off my feet, carrying me back to the house. We’re both a soggy mess, but with his ring on my finger and so much love in my heart, I’ve never been happier. This is the best night of my life, and it’s going to take a lot to top this.
But I know that he’ll manage it somehow. Every day is just going to get better and better with Leo at my side. As we head upstairs to our bed to make love, my heart soars, filled with so much happiness that I could burst.
My dreams have finally all come true.
Epilogue
A few weeks later...
Leo
It’s finally time. The day has come to marry Amelia. Blood, sweat, and tears have gone into making this wedding happen on such short notice, but I can tell it’s going to be worth all the effort. Because once when I see Amelia walk down the aisle, I know that all of the stress will fade away and my heart will swell with the happiness I’ve never had before.
I think about my dad as I dress in my hotel room by the church. I know how things would’ve been if he were here. We’d sit and he’d crack open one of his expensive whiskies, claiming he’d saved it for the occasion despite half the bottle already being gone. We’d have a drink together and he’d talk about the fact that I’m becoming a man in a completely different way. Of course, this isn’t a coming of age wedding for me, but I think if dad was here he’d sense the winds of change. He’d know exactly what’s about to change here today as Amelia and I say our vows. He would understand that for me, this is a brand new start.
Or so I assume. Because the past month has made me feel like I don’t know my father at all. I’ve spent this whole time scurrying around to meet his demands, even though he died over a month ago. How is it possible that he’s still controlling my life from beyond the grave?
I’m grateful in so many ways. I wanted this day to happen, even if we did it in such a short amount of time. I don’t think I would’ve waited much longer to propose, especially given how long I had to wait to be with Amelia in the first place, but I certainly would’ve allowed us time to plan her dream day out for her.
But he forced us to rush, and I still can’t fathom why. I can’t understand why this was so important to him. It’s not like he had any clue of my affections for Amelia. He probably would’ve sent her packing if he knew. So why was he so keen for me to marry? He never met anyone he thought was a good match for me, and the more I think about it, the more I think he set that date up with Claudia as some kind of test. I don’t think he ever wanted me to marry her, which is a relief. At least he hadn’t lost all of his senses.
But he’s not here to tell me why he did the things he did. He’s not here to see how happy I am, despite his meddling. He’s not here to see my love with Amelia unfold, to see how strong the connection is between us, to see us last forever. It makes me sad. Despite his flaws, I miss him a lot. Despite his crazy ideas and his strange methods, I wish he were here today.
I hear a knock on my hotel room door and frown. It can’t be Amelia. We agreed not to see each other until the wedding. Who would be looking for me on the morning of my wedding?
I head to the door and open it. I’m surprised to see Robert standing there, dressed for the ceremony.
“Congratulations, Leo,” he tells me with a warm smile. “I’m happy to see that you’re getting what you wanted.”
“Right,” I say a little suspiciously. I debated inviting Robert to the wedding at all after he claimed that Amelia was too young for me, but he’s been a friend of the family ever since he came into our employ. I knew my father would insist on inviting him if he was here, so I did so. After all, this whole day has been dictated by my father in some ways.