I look in the mirror at myself. I’m wearing a plain white slip dress that hits above my knees and simple silver sandals. I’m ready to do this, but there’s one small part of me that still feels it’s too soon.
Dad grips my shoulder. “You need to be less hard on yourself and accept that God gave you a heart big enough to truly love twice.”
I look up at him, and he nods.
“Let’s get you hitched.”
I walk out toward the archway that is covered in flowers—white roses, hundreds, if not thousands, of them. As we get closer, I see my sons standing at the edge of the wooden slate walkway, waiting to give me away. Dad nods and stands behind me as I take their arms and start to walk onto the sand. I look up at everyone standing in front of the chairs draped in white cloth and tied in light blue ribbons. I immediately think of Collin and feel the heat building in my chest. I slow down.
Suddenly, the sky darkens, or I think it does, and I look up as a light drizzle of rain begins to fall. My heart hurts, and I immediately think it’s Collin crying.
I look at the boys then at the ground.
“Mom,” CJ whispers.
“Mom, he wants this for you.Wewant this for you,” Matthew whispers.
“I … It’s raining. We should wait.”
“Mom, look at Lucas standing there, waiting. Do you want the guy to have another heart attack?” CJ jokes.
“Mom, look at Lucas.” Matthew laughs out loud. “You really need to look at him, or above him.”
“No shit!” CJ gasps.
I look at Lucas. He’s in a white linen shirt and khaki pants. He gives me a concerned smile then winks and holds out his hand. God, he’s perfect now. He doesn’t deserve this.
“Mom, look up,” Matthew whispers.
I look up and see a rainbow. Now smiling, I look back at Lucas, whose smile broadens as he points up at the sky
“Baby, I’ll wait forever!” he yells to me. “But I can’t promise I can make that happen again. I mean, I’m good, but not that good.”
I walk to him. Hell, I think I may actually be running. I don’t look at anyone, but I hear them all laughing and whistling.
When I get to Lucas, I hug him tightly, and he hugs me back.
“We got this, baby.”
“Of course.” I smile. Okay, I beam. “I do.”
“I do, too.” He takes my face in his hands and kisses me.
We both look at the officiate, who looks confused.
“We done here?” Lucas asks. “We legal?”
“Yes, of course, but you paid for more,” he whispers.
“We’ve paid enough, don’t you think, baby?”
“Yeah.”
“All rainbows from here?” He kisses me again.
“Yes.” I look at the officiate.
“All right. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Links. You may kiss your bride.”