Bella jumped off the bed and sprinted out the door. She ran back in and handed me an envelope. Inside was the shark tooth necklace that had belonged to Lucas’s father. Lucas always wore it for good luck, and he lent it to me once before a big presentation in school. Wrapped around the necklace was a letter.
You told me we’ve been married in our hearts for a while, and today is just a legal technicality. While that's true, it’s still a huge deal for me. Being married to you, calling you my wife, giving you my last name—you have no idea how much that all means to me. Today you're mine—in every sense of the word.
I laugh every time you call me your Superman. You saved me as much as I saved you. I never knew what it was like to love someone so much you couldn't breathe, that thinking about trying to live without her made you go insane. I think I may’ve demonstrated the "crazy" pretty well a time or two. You saved me from my hollow and selfish life. When I fell in love with you, life stopped being easy. I know what it's like to live for someone else now, and I'll always live for you.
I think you remember my Dad's necklace. He would have loved you. You're beautiful with a huge heart but have a little “spunk,” as he used to say. You need something borrowed and something old, and I guess this can count as both. As much as I know you love me, I know you're a little nervous about today, too. Don't be scared. We're going to have the best life together because I won't accept anything less. For the rest of the time I'm on this earth, I will always be with you. Because I can't be anywhere else.
I don't need the necklace for luck today, because I already have you.
I love you. Always you. Forever.
Instead of stopping my tears, Lucas’s letter made them full-on sobs.
“I’m sorry, Mommy. I thought if you got a present, you wouldn’t be sad anymore.” She climbed back on the bed to cuddle next to me. Her gentle hands patted my hair like I usually do when she’s upset. I shook my head and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you for giving me the present, Bella. Mommy is just a little weird and cries when she’s really happy. I’m mushy like that.”
“Is that why Lucas calls you a mushball?”
I laughed again as I wiped the tears from my eyes.
“Yep, that’s exactly why. Feel like keeping Mommy company tonight? We have a busy day tomorrow!”
Bella nodded and lay down next to me. The minute she fell back on Lucas’s pillow, she was out.
It was late, but I had to text Lucas anyway.
Me: Bella gave me my present and showed me hers. I love you so much. I can’t wait to marry you.
A minute later, my phone buzzed.
Lucas: You really are a bad girl tonight. You were supposed to open that in the morning.
Lucas: But it’s probably better this way, you can get all the crying out now.
He was a smug jerk and knew me so well.
Lucas: I should confess I opened your letter, too.
I felt silly now about the gift and short note I left in Lucas’s overnight bag. I had wrapped a Lego Superman keychain in a letter that said:You’re my hero and the love of my life. Thank you for making all my dreams come true.
Me: Not as amazing as your letter, but I meant every word.
Lucas: I loved it. I can’t wait to start my life with you.
Me: Me too. Goodnight, babe.
Lucas: Goodnight, Baby Girl. And if it makes you feel any better, I’ve been frustrated as hell since I left you.
Me: A little. You brought it all on yourself.
Lucas: I know … I’ll make it all better tomorrow night ;)
Me: Maybe I won’t be in the mood.
Lucas: Yeah, right. Go to sleep, seductress.
God, how I loved that arrogant bastard.
