“HI, SWEETHEART, I’M ALMOST READY.”
“That’s why I’m calling. Traffic is gridlocked so I’m going to get off the freeway and take Sepulveda Boulevard instead.”
Even though our firm is in Hermosa Beach and many of our clients are local, we often get requests for work in other areas and that’s where Scott’s been today. I normally go with him, especially when it’s for large companies with several properties, but it’s our wedding anniversary and I chose to stay home to get ready and to make him his favorite dessert, an almost flourless chocolate cake. Our daughter, Chloe, is with his parents and I have a special evening planned. He wore a suit today so I also got dressed up and made reservations at our favorite restaurant. I can’t wait.
Seven years ago I married the love of my life. I remember it like it was yesterday. We got married on a beautiful autumn day at Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach. I was getting ready in the bridal suite when I heard a soft knock on my door.
“Danielle?”
Scott!
I could never stop the smile that overtakes my face when I hear my full name passing through his beautiful lips. Aside from my mom, Scott’s the only one who’s ever called me Danielle. My mom only uses it when she’s angry or wants to get my attention; Scott uses it to express his love. I tried to correct him at first but when he said, “A beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” I lost every argument swirling around in my brain and embraced it. He’s the only person I let call me that because it’s his special name, his term of endearment.
I couldn’t help the giggle that slipped out of me as I answered him, in a soft voice, through the still closed door.
“You can’t be here. You’re not supposed to see me before the wedding, it’s bad luck.” I knew that it’s a silly tradition, ever since I met him, my garden’s been full of nothing but four-leaf clovers, but I’ve always been big on tradition and I didn’t want to jinx my wedding day. A day I’ve dreamt about my entire life.
“I just need to be near you,” he said back, his voice also soft and quiet. “I just want to hold your hand. Please.”
I could never deny him. I cracked open the door and stuck out my arm, immediately feeling my small hand become engulfed in the warmth and security of his larger one and was gently guided to the floor.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“I’m sitting,” he whispered back. “I want us just to be.”
“Then let’s just be,” I told him and we sat hand in hand through the slightly open door.
“I’m so incredibly excited to be marrying you. You’re the love of my life.”
I squeezed his hand in response and said, “As you are mine.”
I felt so blessed to be marrying him. He’s my best friend and my greatest support. He is my light and my love and I’ve never been happier.
“I never knew what love was like until I met you and I plan on cherishing every minute with you until the day I die.”
Although his words were beautiful, the word “die” echoed in my head causing a lump to form in my throat. I never want my life with him to end. I couldn’t exist without him.
“Scott, that’s never going to happen. You’re never going to die so we don’t need to talk about it.”
At my sniffle he squeezed my hand and responded, “Oh, baby. Don’t cry, I don’t plan on dying for a long, long time. We have a lot of years ahead of us. Let me hear your smile.”
It was our wedding day so I forced my tears to dry and even though I knew he couldn’t see it, I gave him the smile I knew he was craving. “I can’t wait to give you babies,” I said changing the subject.
“What do you want to have?”
“A little girl that looks just like you.” I felt him smile and my smile got wider at the thought.
“A little girl sounds amazing but I hope that she has your looks. Your hair that glows auburn in the sunlight and those mesmerizing hazel eyes I love so much. I want her to have your strength and your heart, your laughter and your intelligence.”
I sighed through the fresh tears that had fallen once again at hearing his beautiful words. I was just about to argue with him, telling him all the things I love most about him when I was interrupted with a screech.
“SCOTT!” his mother, Beverly, bellowed, admonishing him for breaking tradition. “You’re not allowed to see Dani before the wedding. It’s bad luck!”
I heard Scott sigh and as my hand fell from his, I immediately missed his warmth.
“I just needed to be near her.”
I quickly saved him from Beverly’s wrath by saying, “He didn’t see me.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to be near her,” she insisted. “But first you need to let her finish getting ready so the two of you can get married and begin your lives together.”
I heard his muffled “Okay.” Immediately assuming he just pulled her in for a hug because that’s what he does.
I then heard Beverly say, “I love you too. Now off you go! We have a wedding to get ready for and I have a feeling you’ve ruined her makeup.”
“I love you, Danielle. I’ll see you at the altar.”
“I love you too, baby. I can’t wait—” My reply was cut off when Beverly stormed into the room and closed the door, stopping all further conversation.
The ceremony was beautiful. I was instantly in tears when he started reciting his vows. “Danielle, my favorite color is your blush, my favorite sound is your laugh.” He looked at me with love in his eyes and continued. “My favorite flavor is your lips and my favorite thing is you.”
He continued to take my breath away as he professed his love and he still takes my breath away with every word he blesses me with.
“It’s no problem, sweetheart, our reservations aren’t until six thirty so you still have plenty of time,” I say and then add, “Drive safe.” He always drives safe, it’s the other drivers I worry about.
Sepulveda Boulevard is a major thoroughfare that runs parallel to the freeway. It’s usually very busy but not nearly as crowded as the freeway so we often use it when there’s a lot of traffic.
“I love you, Danielle.”
Danielle…
“I love you too, Scottie.” I hear his breath hitch at the sound of his nickname and I smile.
I’m still smiling a short time later as I take the cake out of the oven to cool. But before I have a chance to set it on the counter, my phone rings, again.
It’s rung a few times but I’ve been too knee-deep in chocolate to answer. Assuming it’s Scott giving me an update on his whereabouts, I place the phone between my ear and shoulder and answer without looking at the screen. “Hey, baby, are you close?”
I freeze when I hear sobbing coming from the other end of the line. “Scott?”
It’s my mother-in-law’s voice I hear instead of Scott’s. “D-Dani…” Why is she crying?
Suddenly her voice is replaced by a male voice and his misery is visceral.
Oh God! I can’t breathe. Something terrible has happened! I can feel it!
“SCOTT!” I scream.
The cake I’m holding falls out of my hands and crashes onto the floor along with my heart. Something is very, very wrong.
“Scott…” I whisper through the tears suddenly pouring down my face. The phone now locked in my hand in a death grip to keep it attached to my ear in the hope that what my gut is telling me is wrong.
But it’s not.
“Dani… it’s Rodger.” Scott’s dad is crying so hard I barely understand him but I do hear three words. Three words I never wanted to hear. Three words that decimate my entire world.
“Scott is dead.”
NOOOOOOOOO!