Page 3 of Bride Games
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W ondering what was so mysterious, Emma stepped outside and stood beneath a wooden pergola Eli had built on her back porch. They’d used it all summer when they grilled, had morning coffee, or adult beverages. The cover provided shade from the hot sun and allowed them to sit outside in the rain. Of course, Lucy preferred dancing in the yard but that was a different matter. Since Eli lived in an apartment, he spent a great deal of time at Emma and Lucy’s house. He had even befriended their neighbor, Mrs. Roberts, and often made extra grilled food for her.
Emma loved reliving their happy times. She never tired of her new and improved life and came out of her trance when Lucy said, “Look up, Mommy.”
Staring at the eaves of the pergola, Emma’s breath caught. It was as though hundreds of twinkling lights lit up the dusk sky.
Lucy tugged on Emma’s shirt. “Mommy, do you like our fairy lights?”
“They do look like fairy lights, Luce. I absolutely love them. They’re beautiful.”
“They twinkle. Mr. Hansen said we can leave them up forever if it’s o-tay with you.”
“It’s more than okay.” Emma squeezed Lucy’s hand as she took in their transformed, magical backyard. It wasn’t her birthday, nor a holiday, so she was slightly bewildered about the occasion. Maybe Eli was just being his sweet romantic self. Emma continued down a lush pathway in the backyard covered in pink rose petals and a dozen white flickering candles placed every few feet on both sides. Her eyes widened as she noticed each candle propped up a photo of Emma, Eli, and Lucy from their many activities together—an outing at the zoo, a picnic at a park, playing in a mall kid zone, a board game marathon, and baking together with flour all over their hands, counter, and floor. There was even one photo showing the threesome dancing in the living room with Lucy’s feet atop Eli’s.
Emma’s face hurt from smiling as she savored each and every incredible memory—memories they had made in a few short months. Memories she never thought she’d have with a man, especially one who embraced her daughter so completely and fully. Tears sprang to her eyes as she bent down and picked up each picture as if it were made of delicate hand-blown glass while she relived every moment.
Gulping as a possible, likely realization set in, Emma’s heart pounded as she allowed herself to consider a life she had always thought was out of reach. A life that wasn’t even on her radar. A life that other people led, not her. Emma’s pulse quickened as her thoughts raced. Surely this isn’t…. It can’t be. Can it?
Emma forced herself to slow down as she methodically considered—and attempted to relive—each photo and memory from their past several months together playing mini golf, enjoying croquet in her backyard, barbecues, a Branson show, play dates at the park, and even an embarrassing attempt at pickleball. Their weeks and months together had flown by at warp speed. Emma’s heart swelled. She couldn’t stop smiling as she realized she had never had this much fun in her life, and it was all thanks to Eli Hansen.
Lucy jumped up and down. “Keep walking, Mommy. You’re taking too long.”
Eli chimed in. “Yeah, you might want to pick up the tempo.” When they locked eyes, he winked. Emma’s heart melted. She nodded, knees already weak. “I’m taking in every last detail. You guys outdid yourselves.”
“Mr. Hansen did most of it, Mommy, but I helped with the flowers. Hurry up!”
Emma giggled. “Okay, okay.” Her eyes welled when she spotted Lucy and Eli holding hands. She wanted this precious memory burned in her brain forever. She didn’t want to rush. She didn’t want to forget one detail. Emma took a few more steps on the rose petals as she stepped toward the last flickering candle. But there wasn’t a photo. She glanced from the candle to Eli and her daughter. Lucy held a cardboard sign she had clearly decorated with pink and purple glitter and a sort-of unicorn in the corner. Emma could barely make out the words as tears filled her eyes.