Willow: Should I get my brothers?
Me: Nah. I just need a good pull to get on my feet.
The muffled sound of her SUV door shutting hits my ears. Anxiety rolls through me as I kneel on the floor.
The front door opens. She flicks the switch, and the string lights turn on.
"What's—" Her mouth drops open and her eyes start to water. She blinks, but a tear escapes.
My heart hammers hard, and I swear it shakes the old floorboards beneath my knees. I grab her hand, softly greeting, "Hey, sugar."
The corners of her lips curve. "Hey, you." Her blues shine brighter, and then a huge smile erupts on her face.
It helps calm me. I chuckle my nerves away, knowing this is the most important moment of my life, and I'm staring at my future wife.
I kiss, then caress her hand, feeling emotions I've only ever felt for her. I rise as tall as I can and start, "You're the only woman I've ever loved. You've helped me become the man I want to be. There's no one I could imagine spending my life with besides you. I don't just want you for the rest of my life, sugar. I need you so I can breathe. So please. Say yes and become my wife. I promise you I'll adore you until the day I die." I open my other hand.
Another tear rolls down her cheek, competing with the bling of the diamond. She inhales sharply, staring at it.
"You can touch it if it helps you say yes," I joke, but I'm suddenly worried she might say no.
A laugh bursts from her. She steps closer, tosses her arms around me, and beams. "Yes! Of course I'll marry you!" She kisses me.
Happiness fills me to the point I might burst. I kiss her back, holding her tight.
She slides her hand into my hair and presses her body against mine.
I retreat from our kiss, stating, "You better slip it on, sugar, because the rest of the night, the only thing you're wearing is this diamond."
She laughs as more tears fall.
I slip the ring on her finger, relieved it fits perfectly, feeling more alive than ever.
She's the only one I've ever wanted. Seven months ago, I never thought we'd get here, but we did. All the years of heartache and pain have finally come to an end. Now, the only thing ahead of us is a lifetime of love.
EPILOGUE
Willow
Three Months Later
Agentle autumn breeze floats across the yard, complementing the ambiance of the soft, instrumental music. Bright leaves rustle in the oak trees, glowing from the hundreds of clear lights strung around their branches. Our friends and family sit in white chairs, facing the Ashcroft fireplace and the original wall on which it was built. It's the only part of the cabin remaining. It roars with flames, and floods the area with the scent of the cedar logs burning in it.
Wyatt stands in front of it, his dark eyes locked on mine, full of love and compliments I don't hear but see. His new, shiny brown boots and cowboy hat match his tan suit. The W on his gold belt buckle gleams with pride. I gave it to him on the second Christmas we were together. He told me he wanted to wear it on our wedding day, and I loved the idea.
Jagger stands next to him in a matching suit, grinning as cockily as ever. Phoebe is on the other side, waiting for me to arrive and take my spot next to her. I'm relieved that Wyatt and I decided to have only one person on each side of us.
Dad holds his arm out, his eyes bright. "Ready?"
I hook my lace-covered arm through his and smile. "Yes."
The music changes to an acoustic country song, written by an up-and-coming band in our hometown. Wyatt and I saw them perform one night when we were out. I raved about how much I loved the singer's voice.
Wyatt contacted the band the next day. He asked them to write something for our wedding. They made him tell them about our relationship so it would be personal and meaningful. Then he surprised me and took me to a bar to hear them sing the song. I was immediately in love with it, and said I wanted to walk down the aisle to it.
Wyatt had chuckled and said,"I guess I'm going to need them to write another for our first dance, then."Which he did. We've listened to the songs so many times that I can recite the words in my sleep, but they never grow old.
Every time we play the songs, my heart skips several beats. Today is no different, but it leaps in my chest, wanting nothing more than to officially tie itself to the man I've loved since I was fifteen.
