I can’t wait to see it on her finger.
I close the lid, softly tucking it away as soon as I spot my parents and siblings off to the side by the tree line. Seconds later, Nick joins them, and I send him a grateful smile. I’m glad he gets to be here for this.
Those first few weeks after Jade woke up, Nick had to go back and reopen a drowning case. It turns out Jade’s family wasn’t the first time Adam killed someone.
At the crunch of gravel and slamming doors, I start to sweat with nerves.
I left Sarah in charge of getting Jade home.
I hold my breath and wait.
The doors to the patio slide open, and Jade steps out.
Sarah took me out for mani-pedis today. She said it was to make me feel like myself again and to celebrate my return to work.
Now we pull into the driveway of my and West’s house and see that everyone has already beat us here. West said his family was coming over tonight for dinner to continue the celebration.
We walk through the house and find it empty. Everyone must be outside on the patio since it’s such a beautiful day.
I slide the glass doors open, and my breath catches.
A path of scattered flowers leads from where I stand all the way to the very end of the dock. Lighting the path are dozens of candles, and when I spot West, my eyes begin to water.
Slowly but surely, I make my way down to my man.
“Jade, from that first day I walked into your bakery, I knew I would marry you someday. I can’t explain it, but my heart knew you were it for me. When we started to get to know one another, you would give me pieces of yourself. Somehow, along the way, I was able to collect the most important one, your heart. I have cherished that piece since you gave it to me, and in return, I gave you mine. Jade, I promise to continue cherishing your pieces for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?”
West gets down on one knee and pulls out a tiny velvet box, popping open the lid. Inside, is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. It reminds me so much of the bracelet I have on my wrist.
Reminds me of us.
“Yes!” I cry through tears. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I’m full-on crying when West slips the oval amethyst onto my finger.
Despite the pain and sorrow that got me here, I’m thankful for it all. Because somehow, someway, it led me to West.
Jade
1 Year Later
“You look beautiful.” Sarah cries.
“Stop crying, or you’ll make me cry!”
“The tears are making great pictures, keep it up!” Wren says from behind her camera lens.
Our tears turn to laughs.
“Okay, okay. That’s enough. I don’t want to ruin my makeup.”
I turn to look at myself in the bedroom mirror one more time.
My dress is form-fitting with intricate lace detail all the way down its cathedral style train. It’s got a V that makes my cleavage look fantastic, and my favourite part of the entire dress is the long, whimsical sleeves. My hair is curled and pinned in a loose updo, and my make-up is simple. In my hair is a floral crown that matches Maysie’s, and I smile at how excited she was to see us match.
“How’s it going in here, girls?” Astrid peeks her head into the room, and when she sees me standing here in my dress, a hand goes to her chest and tears shine in her eyes. “Oh, Jade, hunny. You look so beautiful.”
“Thank you, Astrid.” I smile, holding out my arms for her to come get a hug.
