Page 159 of In Sheets of Rain

63

Life Was Good

The book I was reading wasn’t holding my attention. I rested my head back on the couch and listened to Mick Hucknall singing. Michael was reading the paper beside me.

I watched his profile. Looked at his slightly too-long nose. His stubbled cheeks. I made myself not reach out and touch him; he was reading.

I spent too long staring.

He turned in his seat, placing the newspaper down on his lap, and looked at me.

I smiled.

He said, “Marry me.”

I blinked. He winked.

Then he said, again, “Marry me.”

Just like that. No fancy restaurant. No windswept mountain top. No picnics on the beach with an audience. No flowers or chocolates or anything.

Just him reading the newspaper and me reading a book and Simply Red singing.

It was perfect.

He looked at me, and I looked at him.

The answer was easy.

“Yes,” I said.

* * *

The ring was white gold like my heart necklace. A solitary princess cut diamond in a flush setting. Smaller diamonds lay on each side, sunken into the band of the ring. It sparkled under the lights. It winked at me.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

Michael couldn’t stop grinning.

* * *

We stood at the entrance of the church. Michael looked handsome in his bespoke suit. Me in a simple cream sheath studded with crystals. The sky was a brilliant blue overhead. Birds were singing. Everyone who meant anything to us was waiting inside the building.

There weren’t many.

“Ready?” Michael asked.

“Definitely,” I replied, smiling.

Then Michael walked with me down the aisle; side by side in this adventure with me. I missed my father, but I knew he would have been proud of me.

I was strong; I was fierce; I was being me.

My niece and nephew clapped. My sister and mother cried. I knew the tears meant something, but maybe that something was joy. I chose to believe that rather than jump to unwanted conclusions. And, besides, I was too happy to dwell on it, standing beside my husband as the photographer took photos of us, Lake Taupo our backdrop.

Snow was on the mountains. The sky was so, so blue. I couldn’t stop smiling.

I became Mrs Kylee Connor at half-past two.