“All set. The photographer is just about ready in the courtyard, andMiles still doesn’t know about it. Right after that, Luke will come whisk him away and get you both ready for the ceremony.”
Relaxing, I walked over to the desk where the leather-bound book lay. Smoothing my hand over it, I couldn’t wait to give it to my soon-to-be husband. A few minutes later, Ren’s phone buzzed.
“They’re ready for you,” she said, and my heart started to race.
“Here we go,” I whispered as I was ushered out of the suite.
“Miles is waiting for you with his back to the door you’re coming out of. I’m so glad you decided on this first look idea,” Ren said. “It’s a bit of a new custom here in the US and with your gift, I thought it was perfect.”
“Me, too.” But Ren and anyone else around me faded away as I stepped carefully with my beaded-sandaled feet down the church steps when I saw Miles standing there. They must’ve threatened him not to turn around because I could see him start to pace only to stop. I giggled at how hard it must be for him with his nervous energy.
He was so handsome in his white tuxedo that my pulse started racing. When he’d shown me the recent addition to his tattoo a few weeks ago, I couldn’t stop the tears. Nestled next to the music notes was a delicate fairy. He’d said that now it was complete.
My heels made a clicking noise as I walked the short distance to him, the book behind my back. I heard him inhale as I stood behind him.
“Little Fairy?” he asked, confusion coloring his voice. I loved his nickname for me. It always made me feel cherished and knowing it was now forever etched on his body made it even more meaningful.
“Yes, turn around.” My voice was already breathless, anticipating seeing him fully.
“I knew it was you from your perfume, but I thought I wasn’t supposed to see you til...” His words died out as he turned and looked at me.
His eyes slowly roamed my body from my head to my pale pink toes, his hand rubbing his chest, eyes filling with tears.
“Vicky. I. There are no words. Are you sure you’re mine?” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. I huffed out a nervous laugh. “You’re the most beautiful. Gorgeous. There hasn’t been a word created in any language to describe you. I love you. I love you so much.”
In the next moment, I was in his arms, my white figure-hugging gown glistening in the waning sunlight. I felt like a goddess more because of how this man looked at me than the dress itself. It didn’t matter whether I was wearing his sweats and hoodie or a $3,000 dress from Milan. He made me feel beautiful, curves and all.
Long gone were the days of hating my body and wondering how tohide it. I was beautiful, strong, independent, and madly in love with the man who held me.
God reminded me when I was first in San Diego that I was fearfully and wonderfully made. Now, on my wedding day, being held by a man who saw me and loved every part of me, I knew we were a gift to each other.
“I can’t wait to get you alone,” he groaned into my neck, his nose grazing it making goosebumps erupt everywhere. “You always smell so good. Is it okay to finally tell you what your curves do to me?”
Breathlessly, I said, “I think now is a g-good time.”
He pulled away just far enough for our eyes to lock, the hard planes of his body pressed up against the soft ones of mine. We fit perfectly. “I’ve never prayed so hard for self-control as when I’d look at you.” I chuckled at his words, my pulse quickening.
“You have no idea, my almost-husband. I’ve had to do the same. You and your dimple have been the star of all my dreams.”
He leaned back and his eyes floated down what he could see of my body and growled before pulling away completely and reaching for my hand. “Church. Now.”
“Wait,wait,” I laughed, pulling him back. “I wanted to give you something before we say ‘I do’ today.” He hadn’t even noticed the letter-sized book I had in my hands, now held between us.
“Not long after I returned to Rome, I not only started writing MJ, I started writing to you too,” I said, watching his smile grow. He looked down at the book when I raised it up. “It started as just a journal but grew into so much more.
“I had no guarantee that this would be how our story unfolded, but I prayed for it, keeping that hope in my heart. I ended up writing letters the entire time we were apart. Maybe once a month, sometimes more. When you proposed, I compiled them into a book and made this for you.”
He took the book from me, wiping a tear that sprang from his eyes. “Baby, this is incredible.” He flipped through some of the pages, reading a few sentences, looking at me in awe.
“Miles, you encouraged me to follow my dreams, and because I was able to do that freely, I’ve become the woman I am today. I know who I am, how hard I’ve worked to get where I am, but you were a part of that journey. And now, miraculously, God has given me my happily ever after,” I said, kissing him softly as my palm held his cheek.
“And you, my beautiful soon-to-be wife, are the reason my heart beats again. You’re the reason it healed and became whole, willing to open up and love again. I can’t wait to read every single word of this. Thank you. Iwish now I’d givenyoua wedding gift.” We both leaned back, sniffling and wiping tears. I heard something behind me and turned around to see MJ standing in the doorway of the church.
“You already have.” He looked at his daughter who was smiling from ear to ear. “You gave me her.”
His lip trembled for a moment before saying, “How did I get so lucky?”
“I think it was God’s design for us to fall in love, and we chose to say yes to this adventure.”
