I stare at myself in the mirror, heart racing as I see thiswoman there, all dressed in white and tears in her eyes. I can’t believe I’mgetting married today.
Cayden and I agreed to allow our parents the chance to throwus a proper wedding after both our mothers begged. I couldn’t have cared lessif we went to the courthouse, I actually thought it would’ve been kind ofperfect since we’re both lawyers, but Presley almost had a heart attack.
The bedroom door opens and Melanie enters. Her thick redhair is pulled back with curls hanging around her. “Hi, love.”
“Hi.”
“You are stunning.”
“Thank you.”
“I came up because your mother is fixing Bethanne’s dressand I thought maybe you could use a drink, but you’re pregnant, and can’t, so Idrank it for you. You’re welcome.”
“You need a therapist,” I say with a laugh.
“Know a good one?”
“Yeah, actually,yomama!”
We both laugh because Aunt Brenna is actually a therapist,so the joke is funny because it’s true.
Mel stands next to me, looking at my reflection as well.“Actually, I’m here to give you this.”
She hands me a letter and I recognize the handwritingimmediately. “He wrote me a letter?”
“I have no idea. I didn’t read it.”
I snort. “There’s a first. You went through my mail all thetime.”
My finger slides under the seal and I pull out the note.
Dear Hadley,
When we decided not to write our vows, a part of me wasupset about that, more because I wanted to tell you in my own words what I vowto you. Of course, I promise all the things they make you say, but I want togive you even more. If I could, I’d give you the world, but I can’t do that, soI give you my heart, my soul, my love and my promise that I will spend everyday of my life trying to make you happy. I will protect you and our son witheverything that I am.
We will fight, but I think we do that best, and knowthat even if we’re on opposite teams, I’m always on your side. I will love youno matter how many times you lose to me.
I could say so much more, but I promised your mom andmine that I wouldn’t make you cry. I love you. I can’t wait for you to be mywife. I’ll be waiting for you—always.
Yours,
Cayden
“Well, that was just unfair,” I say, sniffing back thetears.
“No! You can’t cry. I’ll kill him.”
“It was sweet.”
Melanie dabs at my eyes and then fans them. “I’m sure itwas, but you need to get to the barn without tears.”
I grip her wrists, wanting to say all the things in myheart. She has no idea how much I adore her. “Mel…”
“No. Let me say this to you. I know I moved out and we don’tget to have rice pudding for dinner or pizza daily anymore, but I want you toknow that you are my best friend. I am so happy you found Cayden and banged himwhen I left that night.”
I smile, knowing those words were about as close to an ‘Ilove you’ as I’ll ever get.
“I’m glad I got drunk and pregnant too. It’s nice to be awalking cliché.”
