“Aarabelle’s dress is hanging in the closet. I need to finish my makeup. Where the hell is my curling iron?” I rush around the room frantic as Reanell, Catherine, and Ashton sit on the bed trying not to laugh.
Catherine stands and walks over. “Sit. I’ll do your hair. Just relax,” she soothes and I listen.
Well, not about the relaxing part.
We spend the next hour getting ready and before I put my dress on, there’s a knock at the door.
Ashton answers, and I hear her and Quinn talking, but soon she closes the door and hands me a small box.
“This is for you,” she smiles and places it in my hands.
I open the lid and there sits another small box.
Then another.
And another.
Until I finally reach the final box. I open it while everyone looks over my shoulder. Inside sits a pair of diamond stud earrings.
“Oh my God,” I gasp. Each one has to be a carat. They’re gorgeous. I immediately put them in my ears and can’t stop touching them.
Another knock on the door.
Catherine rushes over and sure enough, Jackson is on the other side. She walks over with a card and places it in my hands. “At least we didn’t do makeup.” She kisses my cheek and they all sit.
With shaky hands, I open the card. Before reading, I look at Aarabelle, Reanelle, Catherine, and Ashton curled in close to celebrate today. I really am blessed.
My sweetheart,
When our worlds altered, I found myself unsure. The days of not knowing whether I should walk away or find a way to make you see how I felt were agony. I struggled, but then it became easy. The world became ours and we found true, undiluted love. I can now change a diaper. I know about the aftermath of cake for meals. But mostly, I know about love. Years from now when our children are grown, we’ll be able to tell them how we came to be. They’ll know nothing in this world comes easy, but if it’s right, you fight for it. I’ll fight everything and everyone in this world for you and our family. I give you my word—I’ll never forsake you. Now, come get your ass down that aisle and marry me.
I love you,
Liam
I laugh as tears stream down my face. Only he can make me do both at the same time.
“Mama cry,” Aara says as she squirms off Rea’s lap and comes over.
“It’s okay, baby. Athair is just making Mommy happy.”
“Athair!” She looks around for Liam.
“Soon. Do you want your pretty dress?” I ask her as I lift her into my arms.
“Lee,” Rea comes over and takes Aarabelle. “Please no heavy lifting. You’ve been on your feet a lot and you’ll be sitting very little all day.”
I nod and absently rub my stomach.
We get Aarabelle dressed and unzip my gown from its bag. It’s a simple, white dress with large, white beads down the entire back to the train. It has a deep U cut that drapes almost to my butt. It’s classic and has a lot of room for my belly.
Reanell fixes my dress and double-checks my hair. She stands me in front of the mirror and Aarabelle stands in front of me. “Wow,” I say aloud. “You look so pretty, peanut,” I say, trying to keep my mind off the fact that I’m standing in a wedding dress.
In the mirror is a blonde with bright, blue eyes and red lips. Her hair is curled and hangs down her back with a little over the side. In her eyes, you can see how happy she is. I realize as I see myself through someone else’s eyes how right this is. I follow the tulip shaped dress, and even with my bump, it’s perfect.
“Ready?” Reanell asks in a hushed tone.
I glance at Aara and then to her reflection. “I am.”
“Okay, let’s go. Your man is waiting.”
“Rea.” I grab her arm. She stops and looks at me with wide eyes. “I need to make sure I tell you how much I love you and how much you mean to me.”
Her smile spreads and I fight back the emotions overwhelming me. “I know our lives met by chance, but you’re family to me. No matter where the Navy takes us, you’ll always be in my heart.”
Catherine peeks her head in, “I hate to interrupt, but it’s time. Mark is taking this minister thing a little too far, by the way. Just to warn you.” She laughs and dips her head back out.
“Okay, Aara,” I put my hand out. Her small hand wraps around my fingers and we head out the door.
This morning was a little misty out, but the sun is shining through now. We walk down the beach, and Aara and I stand and wait. I wish I had my parents here, but they said they couldn’t make it back so soon after their last visit. My father hasn’t been feeling so well and the travel is hard. Plus, we sprung it on them quickly. Still, I wish my daddy were here to give me away.
“I’m going to head down, and whenever you and Aara are ready . . .” Rea smiles and kisses my cheek.
I squat as best as I can by my daughter and hold her hands in mine. “Oh, Aara. So much has happened in your short, little life, but love has never been missing. Liam will love you, and your daddy will too. You’ll have twice the amount that most little girls have. I love you.”
She plays with the flower on her dress and I smile. Aara looks up and I pucker for a kiss. She leans in and then I pull her close.
“You look beautiful, darling.” I gasp and turn my head only to see my father standing there in his suit.
“Daddy!” I call out and he helps me stand. “You came!” I wrap my arms around him and want to cry.
He laughs in his rich voice that I’d know anywhere. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Liam called after we spoke and bought us plane tickets. He was very adamant and was willing to come down and drive us if he had to,” he laughs again and pulls me back. “Quite a guy you got there.”
“He really is special.”
“So are you,” he taps my nose. “And so are you! Hello, my gorgeous princess.” My father lifts Aara and holds her in one arm. He loops his arm and I circle my hand through. “Let’s go and see that man of yours.”
“Okay.” My voice shakes, but I’m not nervous. It’s quite the opposite. I’m eager and ready. I want to see him. I want to say our vows and start our life together.
We begin the walk and I keep my eyes down so I don’t trip. When I look up, I can hardly breathe. Liam stands with Quinn and Jackson behind him. Reanell and Catherine on my side and Mark stands in between. There’s an archway with white tulle and red flowers all around. A few chairs sit on the side for my parents and Aidan. But it’s the look on Liam’s face that fills me.
His smile is bright and tears fall from his eyes. I walk toward him and he moves forward. My father chuckles as Liam seems to stop himself.
When we reach him, the sun shines from behind him, and his blue eyes pierce through me. “Hi,” I say and wipe a tear from my eyes.
“Hi,” he says and using the pad of his thumb wipes the other.
Aarabelle wiggles from my father’s arms. “Mama!” she yells and Liam crouches down with his arms open. She rushes to him and he scoops her up.
“No one forgot you,” he laughs and holds her on his side.
I press my one hand on his chest and another on Aarabelle’s back. Right here the world is right.
“Dearly, beloved,” Mark begins, and I look at him for the first time.
“You’re kidding me,” I say laughing. “You got a robe?”
“I’m a man of the cloth, my child. Now, simmer down and let my mercy and love come down upon this marriage.”
“Idiot,” I hear Jackson mutter under his breath.
“We are gathered here today to witness Sparkles and Dreamboat create a new world.”
Liam and I both burst out laughing and then Jackson moves forward and slaps Mark on the back of the head.
This is the perfect wedding. Surrounded by our friends who are family, in a setting where we really fell in love, solidifying our union.
“Anyway,” Mark straightens himself. “We are here to see two people I care about deeply get married. Liam and Natalie asked for a traditional ceremony, but well, I don’t think there’s much traditional here. So let’s do this how they are . . . perfect.”
I look at Mark and his eyes soften. We smile and Aarabelle starts to tug on Liam’s face. He’s right . . . there’s nothing traditional here.
“Natalie, did you want to say your vows or let me do them? I got his all worked out,” Mark smirks.
“I’ll say them, thanks.” Liam puts Aarabelle down and she rushes over to Jackson. I swear this kid would never have to walk with the men in her life. I take Liam’s hand in mine and our eyes lock. “I didn’t write anything, so this may be rambly and not make sense.” I take a deep breath and try to work through the jumble of words in my head. “We weren’t supposed to be. It was never in my plans or a possibility. You came to me during a dark part in my life where I wasn’t sure light even existed. I remember when I started to see you as more. More than a friend, and someone I wanted to be near, to touch, to hold, to comfort. You never pushed me because you knew me more than I knew myself. Somehow, you see it all and love me with everything. You and I may not have been supposed to be, but we’re meant to be. My heart is yours, my love is yours, my days and all my nights are yours. I’ll hold you up, stand by you, and give you everything I have.” I take a deep breath and then the dam breaks. “I love you so much. I’ll love you with all that I have.”
Liam’s thumbs rub against the tops of my hand and he smiles. “You’re cute when you’re rambly.”
Mark clears his throat, “Liam, let’s hear your vows. Better do better than that, my son.”
Liam gives him a look and then looks back at me.
“Natalie, I wasn’t looking for love when we found it. I was looking to help. But it was you who helped me. Your smile, your eyes, and your heart showed me what I was lacking. Each day I would find a reason to see you because you made my day worth waking up for. I learned how to change diapers,” he pauses and we smile. “Get a kid dressed, but more than anything, how to be a man. Not a man who cares only for himself and his job, but a man who stands by a woman and steps up. You showed me what love is. We’ll have hard times and we’ll struggle, but I’ll never leave your side. I’ll stand and fight for you no matter what life throws at us. I’ll love Aarabelle and our son the same. I’ll protect you and them at any cost. There will never be a day you feel unloved by me. And if you ever should, you have permission to slap me.” Liam smiles and I laugh.
My heart is full as he says his vows. And with Liam, I know his vows ring true.
Liam pulls at my hands, and I see the struggle to rein in his emotions is strong. “I give you my word, my name, and everything I have as your husband.”
Liam turns his attention to Mark who looks like he’s about to cry. He shakes his head, and I hear sniffles from behind me.
“Rings!” It finally clicks for Mark. “Okay. Quinn, please hand them over.”
Quinn steps forward and claps Liam on the back.
“Thank you, my child.”
I roll my eyes and giggle. He’s so stupid. “You know you got your training online, right?”
“Yes, now hush and allow the grace of my ordination to come upon this union.” He goes back to looking at his booklet.
“I swear . . .” Jackson mutters and I giggle.
Liam and I recite our promises and place the rings we picked out on each other’s hands. His is a solid, tungsten ring with Celtic knots all along the middle. It’s modern but the knots bring in his heritage. They also symbolize the forging of our lives and family. Mine is an eternity diamond band. He fought tooth and nail about it and how he was determined to spend his money how he wanted.
I wait for someone to tell him to kiss the bride, but he takes a third ring in his hand that’s on a fine, gold chain. “Aarabelle,” he squats down as she sits in the sand. I clutch my throat and try to stop from sobbing. “I know I’m not your father, but I’ll be a daddy to you. Here’s a ring of my promise to you. I’ll protect you and kiss your knee, plus I promise to never be one of those jerk stepparents, because I’ll never see you as anything but my daughter.” He clasps the necklace around her neck. There’s no holding back. Tears fall relentlessly, and Reanell, Catherine, Ashton, and my mother are all weeping too. “Oh, and I’ll give you cake for breakfast and ice cream for lunch.”
Liam stands and looks at me. He tugs me flush against him. “Loving you is the greatest honor of my life. You gave me not only you, but two children to love.”
My hand rests against his beating heart. “You’ll never know how much I love you.” I sniffle and he once again wipes my eyes.
“Can I kiss my wife now?” he looks at Mark.
“Make it a good one,” Mark smirks. “By the power bestowed on me from the website of ordained dot com, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Liam wraps his arms tighter around my waist and dips me back. “You heard the reverend.”
His lips press against mine as he cradles me back. Our lips mold to one another as I kiss my husband. The man who I know I’ll spend the rest of my life with because we are a perfect match. He pulls me back up and then lifts Aarabelle. He kisses her cheek and she wraps her arms around him.
“I love you,” Liam tells us both.
“I yuv you,” Aara replies.
I glance at my family and friends around me and joy explodes from within. I’ve never been this happy or more sure of where I am. Sometimes you have to wade through the bad to find the good. Life isn’t easy, but with Liam by my side, I know I don’t have to carry it all on my own. Our love will heal us and lift us up.