She keeps walking, and I can tell that she’s starting to get tired. “You know, you don’t need to overdo it on the day you get your cast off.”
“We’re close. Just a little more,” she says with a sparkle in her eye.
“Close to what?” I ask and she stops walking. Her eyes flick to something behind me. When I turn around, I can’t help but smile.
“Really?” I ask.
“Are you opposed to having my name tattooed on you?” she asks with all seriousness.
“Not at all,” I reply without missing a beat. “Just say where you want it.”
“I want to have our names tattooed on our ring fingers. That way, even if we have to take our rings off, we’re still bound to each other for everyone to see,” she explains. “Do you agree with that?”
Reaching behind me, I open the door to the tattoo parlor and let her walk in ahead of me. “I do,” I say purposefully.
When she explains to the tattoo artist what we want, he looks at us both like we’ve lost our minds for a moment. “You know it’s considered bad luck to have someone’s name tattooed on you, right?”
“I don’t believe in bad luck,” she says resolutely. “I believe that love takes work, but if it’s real, it never dies.” Turning to me, she finishes her statement. “I have no doubt that our love is real.”
“No doubt about it,” I agree.
“Okay, they’re your fingers. Have a seat.” He gestures and Andi sits.
I watch as he permanently inks my name on her ring finger. She holds her hand out and inspects his work like she’s sporting a priceless gem. “It’s perfect.” She smiles and stands for me to go next.
Making sure to spell her name for him, I watch as he covers the stencil with the black permanent ink. Her name is now etched into my skin for all time. The ink lays just underneath but is forever linked with me now. In mind, in deed, and in heart, we are already one. In everything I do, she is linked to me and is in my heart. Without her, I am lost, and no matter what the cost to me is, I’ll be standing next to her.
After dinner, we retreat to our suite and enjoy our time together. It’s now late at night, or early in the morning, depending on how you look at it. Andi is lying on her side, dead asleep next to me, but I can’t sleep. The time we were apart haunts me in my dreams, and I wake in a frantic state thinking I’ve lost her for good. Gently turning her over to her back, I kiss her lips. After a couple of seconds, she begins to rouse and kisses me back.
“Andi,” I whisper.
“Hmmm,” she replies sleepily.
“I’m never leaving you again. Ever,” I swear to her. I’m man enough to admit that she’s all I’ll ever need. She’s all I want, and she’s the one thing I can never live without. I’ll gladly let her own me as long as she always stays with me.
* * *
ANDI
Our big dayis finally here, and I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. My best friends Christina, Tania, and Katie are all here to be my bridesmaids. Luke has Brandon, Shane, and his dad, Sam, as his groomsmen.
“Andi, your dress is beautiful,” Katie exclaims.
I picked a knee length, A-line satin summer dress. It’s all white, strapless with a fitted top and a fun, flowing skirt. Paired with my cute, silver sandals—with a small heel—it’s perfect for our wedding. I had originally wanted to opt for something less traditional since we’re in Vegas, but Linda, Luke’s mom, wouldn’t hear of it.
In fact, she kind of shrieked at me when I suggested it.
So, I opted for theIl Sogno Di Vitawedding package at the Bellagio. The package name is so fitting that Luke and I had it tattooed over our hearts. It means “Dream of Life,” and we both feel like we’re living the dream life. Our vows are written, and even though we still need that signed paper to make it official, we already consider ourselves married in spirit.
My cell phone chirps, alerting me to a text message. When I pick it up, I see Travis’s name on the lock screen. Smiling, I open the message and read his well wishes for my wedding day.
“Andi, congratulations on your big day. I’m more than a little jealous that the girl of my dreams has already found her dream man. I wish you all of the love in the world. Yours —Travis.”
Replying to his text, I can’t help but smile.“Always the charmer. Thank you for the beautiful words, Travis. I wish you could be here, but I also understand. You will find your dream girl. You’re too good of a man not to. Love always ~ Andi.”
Christina comes into my dressing room, her smile lighting up her beautiful face, and hugs me. “It’s time, Andi. Are you ready?”
I’m ecstatic and about to bounce off the walls with happiness. “I’m so ready,” I announce. “Let’s go get married!”
