Four.
Because if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t be standing here in this room with the most incredible girl in my arms, hoping to spend a lifetime of New Year’s Eves together, kissing at midnight.
Three.
Two.
“I love you, Isla.”
“I love you, too.”
One.
Wrapping my arms around her waist I picked up her small frame, bringing her up to my height, and pressed my lips against hers, the kiss automatically transcending us to a place of bliss. The way we naturally responded to each other’s touch was another testament to me that what we had was something beautiful and rare. That eventually our souls would have found a way to be together. That I was meant for her, and she was meant for me.
Okay, I was definitely getting too sappy, but man, my girl could kiss.
Epilogue
Slate
3 ½ Years Later
Islapped Wilder’s hand away. “It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not,” he insisted, moving his hands toward me again. “Do you really want to be standing there with a crooked tie?”
Rush rolled his eyes at us. “You guys are worse than me and my brothers.”
“Are your brothers as stubborn as he is?” Wilder said, pointing to me.
“Are your brothers as relentless as he is?” I asked, pointing back at Wilder.
Rush gently shouldered Wilder aside, straightening my tie, which Isla had said matched my eyes, and somehow got it to stay. “There. All fixed.”
Looking in the mirror, I admired the navy suit that had been tailor-made to my athletic and tall frame. I pulled on the bottom of my suit jacket, smoothing it out.
Before Isla, I never would have seen myself here, not in a million years. But now that I was standing here in a fancy suit about to marry a girl who was better than anything I could have dreamed up for myself, it was exactly where I wanted to be.
I turned around to face them. “All right boys, it’s game time.”
They each placed a hand on one of my shoulders. The three of us had been through a lot over the years, and I was grateful for their friendship. It was crazy to think it had been two and half years since we’d played a football game together, but this little huddle transported me back to our college glory days.
“Are you ready for the best day of your life up to this point?” Wilder asked, a look of pride and happiness on his face.
“More than ready,” I answered.
Looking back now, I’d known I would marry Isla back when I’d shown up on her doorstep to tell her I loved her.
Rush moved me toward the door. “Then let’s get you out there.”
Walking outside, I admired the view. Scarlet’s dad and his wife had been gracious enough to let us use the grounds of their home in Georgia to have our wedding. The wide expanse of green grass, mature trees, and a beautiful lake were a picturesque backdrop for us to exchange our vows. White chairs were set up in rows festooned with white and blue flower arrangements on each side of the aisle down the center. An intricate flower arch formed a canopy where Isla and I would stand to exchange our vows.
I stood at the end of the aisle looking out at the small group of people who had gathered to watch the ceremony and share in our day. As we waited for Isla, my eyes kept landing on the one person I’d thought I’d lost as well. My dad.
He sat in the front row, his dark hair combed back, wearing a fancy navy suit like me. His face was freshly shaven, and a content smile sat on his lips. He’d completely transformed from the man he’d been for years since my mom died. It had been a slow transition, and there were still moments when I knew he struggled, but he was actually trying now.
What was the reason behind his turnaround? The same inspiration that had changed me. Isla.
