“Let’s stay here forever.” Harry murmurs into my neck, his lips tickling the sensitive skin below my ear. I sigh. It’s a contented sound and reflection of my soul deep and self- replenishing happiness. I cup the back of his neck, pulling his closer to me and love how his hair tickles my hands. I will never get tired of touching him. Ever.

His muscles are relaxed and they cushion my body like we were two halves of the same whole coming back together.

We’re standing on the balcony outside our bedroom. The view is the sun setting along the horizon. It’s what sold us the house, this constant reminder that earth and sky are made possible by each other.

Just like us.

We still love dusk, it’s the time of day where we both feel most alive and connected. It’s like the rest of the world is getting ready to slumber, but Harry and I are just getting started. The breeze tonight is cool but refreshing. Harry props his chin on my shoulder, his check is pressed to mine and my hair blows in long curling ribbons all around us.

The setting sun and the rising moon both sit on the horizon, washing the sky in swaths of mauve and coral.

“Yeah right, two more days and you’ll be itching to get back to Coventry.” I tease him and the arms he has wrapped around my waist tighten enough to make me gasp.

“It’s true,” I protest with a laugh and he laughs back good naturedly.

“Fine, but I love it here. It’s as close as I’ve ever been to paradise,” he says and my heart swells at the satisfaction I hear in his voice.

Keeping Harry happy is my personal mission. My fingers play with the silky, feather soft curls at the base of his neck and he nips my ear.

“And after yesterday, it feels like we should be on our honeymoon and not rushing back to England.” He says his lips dancing on my skin as he talks.

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” I say on a sigh, “But after the church wedding, we’ll be doing just that, so let’s just enjoy this and be excited that we’re going to England to get married, like legally and forever.”

Suddenly, he steps back and spins me around to face him. He frowns down at me.

“Your Aunt said that after yesterday, we’re good and married. That we didn’t need to anything else after that.” He demands.

“Um, Harry, that’s just in the traditional sense. Even in Ghana people still have church weddings or registry wedding after the traditional ceremony to make it legally binding. Customary Law is just that, silly.” I explain, laughing at how his face drops as I explain.

“You didn’t correct me when I told the driver you were my wife.” He counters.

“Why would I do that?” I rise up on my bare toes to press a kiss to his mouth and I stay there, putting us nose to nose, eye to eye. “Ceremonies like yesterdays, pledging our love before God and our families, signing a piece of paper – none of those things change anything about us or our relationship. It was just us telling everyone what we’ve been for a long time. Committed. Each other’s. Husband and wife. Partners… whatever.” I shrug and pat his cheek.

“None of the ceremonies would mean anything if we weren’t all of those things in our hearts.” I hold his gaze, and see all the love I feel for him mirrored there.

He smiles a little roguishly and says “Yeah yeah yeah. Okay, that’s nice. But, I’m so fucking happy that now, in every way that matters and to everyone that cares – we’re married and next week, I’m going to kiss you constantly while the vicar is marrying us. I don’t need his you may now kiss the bride to kiss my wife.” I giggle at how emphatic he sounds. “Took us long enough to get here, I’m going to savor every moment.” He grumbles.

“But it was so worth it, right?” I tease before I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him into a hug.

We stand there, two hearts that refuse to be parted and two souls are each other’s reason for everything.

I spent so many years feeling lamenting my wounds. But I forgot that light can only get in through the cracks.

Growth is painful, but the aches are worth the beauty that awaits.

I needed to meet Harry in Ghana. I needed him to push me, to make demands of me and to love me even when we didn’t know that’s what it was.

It’s been a journey, the last two years. I moved to Coventry six months after Harry came to see me. I needed the time, and I wanted the chance to show Harry that he could trust me.

When his father’s illness forced him back home, I wasn’t ready to leave but I promised him I would come as soon as I was. I saw the lingering doubt in his eyes when I dropped him off at the airport, but I was never worried. I just had some work to do first.

I spent the next few months falling in love with myself again. I forgave myself. I showed myself and my loved ones some grace.

When I felt ready to be give the same kind of love that I wanted, did I go to him. I was able to open my arms and embrace the kind of love I deserve – the constant, forgiving, ecstatic, demanding, generous love that only Harry has ever shown me.

I’ve made his huge cottage our home. I still run my cyber security business – but I have an associate now who does most of the leg work. I’m taking on a larger role in the estates business. I founded an organization that mentors young girls interested in science, engineering and computer sciences and I’m finding my place.

My relationship with Freya is… difficult, but I try for him. And Freya does, too — but there is so much water under that bridge. It’s hard to not want to scratch her eyes out every time I see her.

“You fall asleep down there?” Harry’s lips brush the top of my head as he speaks. I realize I’ve been lost in my wandering thoughts and that my head is burrowed into his chest.

“Mmmm…” I hum at him, “No, but I could sleep right here. Your arms are the best place in the world. I love you so much.” I whisper to him. To the universe that blessed with him – my heart shouts an enthused ‘thank you’.

“I love you more.” He says quietly and decide to let him have that; just for today.

I bask in the fairytale that is my life. I had to fight for it, we never once let go of each other. This love is my truth. My release; And it has set me free.”