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“Mommy.” Miguel came into the room wearing his little tuxedo and slicked back hair, just like his dad’s.
“Don’t you look handsome?” I laughed, and he raised his eyebrows at me.
When I bent down to his level to fix his messy bow tie, his small brown eyes met mine.
“You look so pretty, mommy.” He whispers with a smile that shows off his little white teeth.
“Thank you, my baby.” I kissed him on the cheek, and my parents were amazed.
My mum held out her hand to Miguel, and they both went downstairs to the venue. I wasn’t sure if I should do this because I was scared. Sebastian and I have been so good together that I don’t want to ruin what we have because marriage changes everything.
My dad could see that I was unsure; it was clear on my face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. I was confused.
“One year after Sebastian left, he sent me a letter to give to you, but that awful Henry told me not to because it would ruin your happiness.” My dad gave it to me, and I gently took it with my fingers.
“After you read this, if you still have doubts, I’ll take care of the rest. But if you’re ready, I’ll walk down that aisle with you.”
Before he leaves the room, he gives me a reassuring nod. I watch the door close. I took a deep breath before slowly opening the letter.
“Dear Aria,
My Aria, before I met you, I was miserable every day because I didn’t have what I needed to be happy. The day you told me you loved me was the scariest and best day of my life. I didn’t know how to let myself love you, but I couldn’t lose you. Your love showed me how happy life could make me, and that alone made me the happiest man in the world. This time, you have a choice. If you don’t come to Florida, I’ll leave you alone forever. But if you do come, I promise to love and cherish you for a long time. “Aria, I will always be in love with you.”
I was crying, and all of my doubts went away. My worries seemed silly. He said he couldn’t be selfish with me, so he was going to give up his love and happiness for me if it made me happy. I carefully put makeup on my nose to cover up the tears, and then I put the letter against the mirror.
I was ready to marry the person I loved the most.
I opened the door and saw my dad standing there with his hand out for me to grab.
“You knew,” I said in a whisper.
My dad says, “I know love when I see it, and that man is very much in love with you.”
I smiled and grabbed his arms. When the big doors opened, my shoulders relaxed. Everyone in the crowd stood up and stared at me when the bright light came into the room. My dad and I began to walk, and I was terrified I would fall on my face, but I knew my dad wouldn’t let me. I saw Sebastian as we walked in a little more. He was standing right in the middle with the priest next to him.
When he saw me, his face lit up, and he opened his mouth to take me all in. I looked down shyly, with a big smile on my lips, and he still gave me butterflies.
When we got to the front, my dad kissed my cheek and put my hand in Sebastian’s. When his hand touched mine, it felt like my body was filling with electricity.
He mouthed, “I love you,” as he pulled the veil off my face.
“I love you too.”
“We are here today to join these two people in marriage. They did not make this decision lightly, and today they are publicly declaring their love for each other.”
We didn’t look away; we kept looking at each other. The priest kept talking, and everything else went quiet. It was just the two of us, and my body relaxed because I knew he was there and would always keep me safe. I remember when we first met, the things we talked about, the fights we had, and the love we had.
“You are the reason my heart beats, and you are all I can think about.”
“I love you, Sebastian.”
My eyes fluttered when I saw Sebastian again, the way he gets to love and enjoy life after everything we’ve been through.
“Yes, we do.”
“We do.”
We both said it at the same time, and I could feel my chest rising and falling with the need to kiss him.
“I, Sebastian, promise to love and support you, Aria, every day with kindness, understanding, truth, humour, and passion. With this ring, I marry you.”
He takes my hand and Caleb gives him my wedding ring. He kisses my hand and then gently pushes the band onto my finger.
“I, Aria, promise to love and support you, Sebastian, and to love each day with kindness, understanding, truth, humour, and passion. With this ring, I wed you.”
I took the band from Naomi and put it on his finger. I then grabbed his tatted hand. I was waiting for the priest to tell us it was okay to kiss. God knows how badly I want his lips right now.
“You are now husband and wife. You can kiss the bride now.”
“I love you,” he said as he ran away.
Sebastian held my cheeks and kissed me softly. I wrapped my arms around the back of his neck and kissed him so passionately that my stomach turned. He dipped me while still kissing me. I smiled against his soft lips. When his lips touched mine, everything else went away. I kissed him even harder, getting lost in the moment.
“Mr. and Mrs. Devereux, I now present you.” The priest yells, and everyone cheers, which reminds us that we are at our wedding.
We pulled away, and Sebastian raised our hands and cheered. I thought he was funny, and my mom clapped and wiped her tears away. I looked to my right and smiled at Caleb, who smiled back. It made me think of Maya. I looked up at the sky and it felt like she was right there with me.
Sebastian whispers in my ear, “I guess you’re really stuck with me now, baby.”
“I guess so,” I said with a smile.
He picked me up and spun me around, and I laughed with joy. He didn’t forget about Miguel; he picked him up and spun us both around. Miguel held on for dear life, but he also laughed at how silly his dad was being.
No one knew we’d be standing here married with family and friends, and Maya, after everything we went through.
I can’t thank her enough for saving my life. If it weren’t for her, I would never have had my son.