"My wife," Kirk whispers with his lips ghosting over mine, the two words rolling off his tongue like the most sacred prayer.
"My husband," I respond, testing the word and finding it suits me more than I expected."I like the way those words feel on my tongue and in my heart."
The Highland wind whips around us as if celebrating our union, carrying the sound of bagpipes that suddenly fill the air.I turn to see one of Kirk's cousins playing a traditional Scottish wedding melody that soars across the mountaintop.It's hauntingly beautiful.
Kirk pulls me snugly into him."Time for the jump, lass.Are ye ready?"
"Absolutely."
I gaze up at my new husband, knowing our lives will be jam-packed with adventure and love.The breeze whips around us, making his kilt flutter and my dress dance against my legs.Behind us, our families gasp as they realize what we're about to do.
"Wait, what jump?"my mother calls out, her voice rising with alarm."Gretchen Carver---I mean, Balfour---what are you two planning?"
But Kirk and I are already hurrying toward the edge of the cliff, hand in hand, with matching grins on our faces.This is the culmination of our love story, defying death together on the very mountain that once tried to yank him away from me.
"Do ye trust me,luaidh mo chèile?"Kirk asks.
"Always," I reply without hesitation.And I've learned enough Gaelic now that I can affirmatively state that I know what those words mean---love of my life.
My father trots up to us with concern etched across his face."Sweetheart, I don't think---"
"It's perfectly safe, I promise!"I shout over my shoulder, though I can tell from their expressions that our families aren't convinced.
Kirk turns to me."On three,mo chridhe?"
"Let's do it."
"One..."Kirk begins, his grip on my hand tightening.
"Two..."I continue, stepping closer to the edge where I can see the verdant Highland valley stretching out below us.
"THREE!"we shout together as we leap off the edge.
The world becomes a blur of color and sensation.Wind roars in my ears as we plummet, but I am not afraid.Kirk's hand remains firmly clasped in mine even as we fall down, down, down, and our parachutes deploy flawlessly.The rush of adrenaline is intoxicating, the sensation of free-falling with my new husband beside me more exhilarating than anything I've ever experienced before this moment.
Kirk grips my hand tightly as the ground races up to meet us.Above us, I can hear the shocked screams of our families, particularly my mother's horrified shriek.Kirk has planned this perfectly, though, like he does with all his stunts.I am fearless because Kirk Balfour loves me, and he would never steer me wrong.
"I LOVE YOU!"I shout against the wind, though my words are immediately snatched away.
My husband wraps his arms around me as our parachutes billow above us.The ground rushes up to meet us, but he's timed it to perfection.We land with surprising gentleness, our feet touching down on the soft Highland grass with only a slight jolt.
"Holy shit!"I gasp, breathing hard from adrenaline and elation."We just did that!Can you believe it?"
Kirk laughs, and a look of pure joy radiates from him as he quickly works to gather the parachute."Aye, lass.Nothing like defying death with your new bride to start a marriage right."
No matter what else might happen in our lives, we will always remember two events---how we met, and our insanely wonderful wedding.
Now, we just need some kids as crazy as we are.
