Three Years Later...

It was finally happening. My wedding day. I was getting married to the man I'd loved from the moment I first saw him that chilly December morning in Scotland.

"You look stunning as always," Brena commented, tears brimming her brown eyes. She reached for a tissue. "Gosh, I'm such a mess today. And this is your day."

I smiled and laid my hand gently on her arm. "Bren, there's no one else I'd rather have at my side as my matron of honor. And Sapphire is going to be an amazing flower girl."

Brena sniffled and nodded. "She has the best godmother."

I hugged her. "Well, she is the best goddaughter."

"Hey!" Sydney yelled from across the room. She walked over to us, holding her dress so it wouldn't trail along the floor. "No sappy moments!"

Brena and I burst into a fit of giggles as Sydney joined us, draping her arms over our shoulders.

"Been a crazy three years," Brena commented. She rested a hand on her swollen belly. In the last three years, our little trio had experienced as many ups as we had downs. Brena was now pregnant with her second child, Sydney was in a wonderful long-term relationship with a man who Brena and I were sure would propose to her any day now, and of course I was getting married to the love of my life.

"I wouldn't trade any of it for the world," I replied, squeezing the hands of my two best friends, my sisters by choice. "And I wouldn't want anyone else at my side." Since Brena was already married, and both she and Sydney deserved to be right at my side, Brena was my matron of honor while Sydney was my maid of honor as well as my wedding planner.

I glanced across the room where Catriona was helping some of the other bridesmaids finish up their makeup. Her cheeks were tinged a pink that matched the streaks in her hair which was pulled back in a simple but elegant french twist at the nape of her neck. She waved to me when she caught me looking.

I exhaled slowly. After all we had been through together, I was pleased we could get through the rough and return to normal.

Catriona turned back to one of the other bridesmaids, giggling, her Scotland accent coming through her voice in a way that made me homesick for the country I'd grown to love even more over the last three years.

Sydney clucked her tongue at me, rummaging over the counter for a compact. She held a thick, fluffy brush between two fingers and effortlessly brushed the pink powder over my cheeks. The softness of the bristles tickled my skin and I tried not to laugh.

"Emmy, when is it my turn?" Brena's daughter, Sapphire Rose, asked me in her cute little toddler voice. She pouted out her lower lip which had been done with very light makeup.

"Soon, my little gem," I replied, using the nickname I'd affectionately given to my goddaughter. I reached out my hands toward her and she took them.

Her little fingers had been painted a pale pink to match mine and the rest of my wedding party. As I looked at the way my hands dwarfed hers, I wondered what it might be like when me and Fionn started our family together.

Someone knocked on the door, and Sydney ran to answer it to make sure it wasn't Fionn trying to sneak a peek at me before the ceremony. Sydney returned with Jared who grinned when he saw me. He was wearing his military suit and his hair was cropped close to his head.

I glanced over at Brena. She bit back a fresh set of tears.

"It's time, Em," Jared said.

Sydney clapped her hands. "Okay, places, everyone!"

My mom came over and gave me a hug. "You've grown up into such a beautiful young woman, Emilie, and I could not ask for a better daughter. Your father would be so proud of you. I wish he could be here to see you today."

My throat constricted and I knew Sydney would have my head if I ruined my makeup, so I just nodded wordlessly and hugged her back.

Me too, I thought to myself. I miss him so much.

Sydney squeezed my arm. "We'll see you out there, bride."

I exhaled slowly and waited with Jared while the wedding march played through the church walls. I counted and watched as the rest of the wedding party proceeded into the church. A series of "aww"s broke out and I knew that meant Sapphire had done her part.

Jared chuckled beside me before holding out his arm. "Ready for your happy ending?"

"I've never been more ready for anything in my life." My fingers slid over his arm, the diamond of my claddagh engagement ring winking at me as it caught the light.

We began our walk down the aisle.

To my future. To my happily ever after.

The Vows

Emilie,

When I wrote you that note three years ago, little did I know it was just the start to a wondrous adventure that we get to embark on together for the rest of our lives. So here's a modified version because the only thing that has changed is that we're three years older and my love for you has only grown each and every day. 

So here it goes: Emilie, when I think of you, I think of late nights, sunrises, and winter afternoons around a fire. I think of romance and mystery and literature. I think of the stars and the way the light shines in your eyes when you get excited. I think of butterflies in the stomach, the way I felt when we kissed for the first time. You're the color of the ocean with an imagination just as expansive. You're the sweetness of a chocolate raspberry milkshake. You're the confidence I aspire to have, the stubbornness I know we share. Your laughter radiates warmth like the sun. And you, Emilie Taylor, are the woman I want to be with. You are the woman I've always wanted to be with since we met.

And with you I know that no matter the distance, no matter what happens, I will love you and have you and cherish you forever and ever. I love you, my wonderful beautiful wife.

***

Fionn,

A little over three years ago, I was at a pretty low point in my life. Over and over again I was told by my friends that time would heal and I'd find someone who loved me so much it would take away the pain. As much as I've hated to admit that they were right and I let my lack of patience get the best of me, they were indeed right. Three thousand miles and one awkward interaction in the early morning hours of a chilly December morning later, I met you and my life was inevitably changed forever. We've had our share of ups and downs, laughter and sobs, but there is no one else I'd rather have by my side through it all than you. I'd like to say it was luck that led me to you, but truthfully I think we were always meant to find each other. 

You showed me I could be happy again and that I could lose myself in the moment without having to think about anyone or anything else. In true romance novel fashion, we met in a most unexpected way and that turned into something more spectacular than I ever could've imagined. Something that was supposed to be a short visit to a beautiful country made me fall in love, twice. But first and foremost, it was you. It's always been you and it always will be you.

I love you, Fionn, my wonderful husband-to-be, for giving me a love that I know is true and will cherish forever. I can't wait for our next adventure together as we grow our little family.