Page 45

CHAPTER 45

Skye

I ’ve been to heaven. Literally. At least for a few moments.

Now, I’m literally in heaven again. Heaven on earth.

A beautiful eternity.

As the old rockers croon the song that united us, Finn sways me in his brawny arms. Just like he did twelve years ago in that tacky chapel off the Vegas strip. His arms looped around my waist, mine around his neck, my head resting on his chest. The heat of his taut body radiates through his T-shirt as his heart beats rhythmically in my ear like a muted drum. Over a dozen couples are dancing, but I’m oblivious to all of them. In my fairy-tale world, there’s no one but the two of us.

His lead is strong. Confident. I follow him with ease, knowing just when he’s going to spin me. It’s slow and perfect. I don’t miss a step. Our eyes meet, and as he draws me back into him, we resume our body-to-body position. How I love being in his arms! Holding him tight!

My eyes closed, I soak in the lyrics. When we got married at the Vegas chapel, they were almost a joke. The cynic in me figured the Elvis impersonator preacher sung this song at every wedding ceremony he performed. It was his routine. I was just happy to be married to the man I loved.

But now, they mean something way deeper. The implication of endless love no matter what happens. An undying love that transcends the passage of time.

As the song comes to an end, Finn sings, his husky voice harmonizing with the duo. Oh so tenderly!

“For my darling, I love you . . . ”

And I always will.

***

Finn

I, Finn Hooker, take thee, Skylar Collins, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.

I hold Scarlet closer to me. Feel her heartbeat.

Love doesn’t die.