He wasn’t inside. Am I confused? No, I kept checking and it was still there. It felt like it belonged there, but what the hell is going on.
Finally, I found him out on the deck in front of the smoking grill. He was deliciously shirtless, wearing sweats as he flipped burgers.
“Tristan.”
I went up to him, he dropped the spatula and turned to me with a smile.
“Hey, sleepy head.” He kissed me, but I pulled away confused.
“What is this?” I held up my left hand.
“A hand.” I swatted him and he laughed. “It’s a ring, do you like it?”
He held my waist.
“Yes, it’s beautiful but…what—why is it on me?” I asked frantically.
“Because I didn’t want to give you the chance to say no…I want you to marry me, Emilia.”
I gasped. Tears flooded my eyes. I was elated. I was freaking out. And I didn’t know which emotion to feel first.
“You…you want to marry me?” I checked.
He laughed, “yes. You’re so silly. Do you want to marry me?” I nodded slowly.
“Like, right now?” I looked around, checking if there was a pastor hiding or something.
“No, soon. Or however long you want to wait. Let’s just not wait ten years like Levi and Gab.”
I giggled softly.
“Yes. Yes, I will marry you.” I whispered and he pulled me into him.
His kiss lit up my whole body. Giving me everything I had missed and hoped for. I wondered how anything could ever be this perfect. That entire weekend, I don’t think we ever left the bed or put clothes on.
~
Planning a wedding was so much easier when it is not yours, or decorating it at least. It took me seven tries to get the arrangement exactly how I wanted it. Buttercups and lilacs don’t necessarily go together, so it was hard to mix it in. But I was determined to have both our favorite flowers. I mellowed the color difference with baby’s breath and white roses. The azaleas helped too.
I finally got it right, and could focus on other things. Ivy designed my dress from scratch, a beautiful dress very similar to the one I wore at the ball. The only difference was it was white.
“You, look amazing.” Ivy looked over me in the mirror.
The big day was finally here. Because of our work schedule, it did take a year to finally make it to the altar, but it was perfect.
“Thank you, and thank you so much for making it.” I hugged her tight. She looked beautiful in her light purple gown as well. I was so lucky to have a friend like her.
“Can you help me with the train? I need to check the flowers.” She rolled her eyes, but helped me with it.
“I have never seen a bride arranging her own flowers.” Ivy commented as I worked on the altar arrangement. I did hire someone, but I tweaked it just a little bit.
We had a beautiful arch way of buttercups and lilacs we would stand under when we say our vows. I couldn’t wait.
Our relationship was quite the struggle. It took me a month to even find him that first time. And another to let him love me. But I was so ready to marry him.
As I stood across from him at the altar; it all came into focus.
“I do.” I said my part, and he said his.