After the party is over and cleaned up, Celeste and I drop my dad off exhausted, making sure he’s all settled before we head home. We check on the birds, who are all snug in their aviaries with plenty of water and food.
Our clothes come off slowly once we’re in my bedroom. Both of us are tired, our kisses lazy and sleepy as we fall into each other. When she rides me, it’s painfully slow and sweet, our gazes never leaving each other’s. We move together like we have all of the time in the world, and if I have my way we’ll have the rest of our lives.
Neither of us have said the words yet, but as we hold each other tightly and share our breaths, the amount of love that flows between us is overwhelming in the best way, with no words needed.
Chapter 26
Gage
I stare completely bemused at the text Gina just sent me.
Hurricane Gina
I didn’t know if you’d want these since we all knew the wedding was for convenience, and we weren’t sure how it would play out. Now that I know what you’re planning, you’re getting them. Take a look at these and tell me that you ever thought this was actually fake. Love you, now do your thing
She’s sent a series of pictures from the wedding. I didn’t even realize she took any, and we didn’t hire a photographer or anything. I told her what I’m planning for Celeste to get advice, and the pictures came along with the advice. I’ll be forever thankful to Wayne for bringing a sister into my life like her.
Love you, too, and thank you. For everything
She responds by hearting my text.
The first picture shows us staring at each other in frontof the Justice, reciting our vows, our hands entwined. We’re looking at each other like no one else in the courthouse exists. The second is a picture of me slipping the ring on Celeste’s finger, and we’re both fixated on the gesture like we’re in our own little world again. Then there’s the kiss. The passion in it cannot be denied, our heads tilted and eyes closed as if we can’t get enough of each other. Finally, she got a shot of the back of us as we were leaving the courthouse, our hands intertwined and heads turned toward each other. The sun silhouettes us very aesthetically, but I can see that we’re sharing a secret smile, like we thought we actually got away with something grand.
All of the memories from that fateful wedding come flooding back. The way Celeste looked that day will forever be etched in my memory, with or without pictures. She was luminous and perfect in that jumpsuit, her hair laced with flowers like some magical nymph from the stories she loves so much. I damn near couldn’t breathe when I saw her. Our first kiss is still branded on my lips, completely altering my entire brain chemistry.
Gina is right, as always. This was never fake. At least not for me, and I plan on telling Celeste exactly how I feel today. The little valuable box I have sits heavily in my pocket, it’s a compulsion to keep making sure I haven’t lost it.
I never bought her an engagement ring or properly proposed to her, and that is getting remedied very shortly. First, we have to take a little drive. Iggy is holding down the bar tonight, and Celeste will be back soon from her community service at the animal shelter. She knows I’m planning to take her on a light, easy hike after she gets home. Hopefully she doesn’t suspect what else I’m planning.
Sitting in my office, I can’t help but think about allof the ways she’s stirred up my life. Heat floods through me looking at the desk where she let me help her live out her fantasy. Hermes says her name several times a day, especially when she’s not here and he misses her. Dinners are now a team effort, dancing around the kitchen and feeding each other little tastes before we sit down for the meal. Her laugh fills what was once a lonely bachelor pad. She’s also pushed me to be better, and own my shit.
I had my first teletherapy session with the same woman that Lyra talks to, Dr. Kirkfield, the other day. It was timed perfectly for a few days after my dad’s retirement party to talk through all of the emotions I’ve been experiencing. She’s wonderful, but I can see why Celeste calls it brutal in the best way, and we’ve only scratched the surface. When it was over, I felt less burdened, but completely exhausted at the same time.
My heart skips a beat when the sound of the door opening pulls me from my thoughts.
“Casanova?” Celeste calls.
“Marco!” I call back.
“Polo!” she laughs, coming to stand in the office doorway. Her shoulder rests on the frame, those grey eyes bright as she looks at me inquisitively.
“You ready to head out? I’m excited to show you this hike I found. You’ll love it,” I tell her.
“I wish you would tell me what it is. Am I ok in sneakers, or should I have bought hiking boots?” she asks.
I shake my head.
“It’s a super easy trail that even kids can do, I wouldn’t ask you to do some insane hike. Neither of us are really outdoorsy, but this one is special.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I’m ready then,” she says with a tentative grin.
The drive up to Millburn, NJ passes quickly with conversation and singing along to the music playing. I hope she doesn’t notice how many times I keep patting my left pocket to make sure the box is still there. It’s fairly mild for the beginning of October, so we’re both in thin sweaters, jeans, and sneakers. Celeste’s hair is in loose waves, skimming around her shoulders as she takes in the area when we get out of the car.
“What is this place?”
“It’s called the South Mountain Fairy Trail. I thought we could use some fresh air and magic today,” I inform her, reaching for her hand to lead her to the entrance. Her jaw drops at how beautiful the scenery is as we make our way onto the trail that constitutes a half mile stretch of the full Rahway trail. Then she notices them.
“Look at all of these beautiful fairy houses!” she exclaims with a gasp, running up to examine one. They’re small, adorable, whimsical pieces of art built to blend in with the trail. Some are wood, some are stone, some have gable roofs, and some even have little chimneys. A couple of gnome figurines sit outside of one. There are mushrooms, moss, butterflies, and some bright flowers that make the whole place feel magical. She lets out the most adorable squeal in the history of squeals as she looks at everything.
