Page 172 of Unspoken Lies

Smiling, I nod. “I grew up, but didn’t really get to live,” I correct as I walk back to her and sit. “Now, I get to do that, and enjoy every moment with you here.”

A tear slips down her cheek as she nods shakily. “I hate everything you went through,” she rasps. “I’m glad I get to be here now too.”

Slipping my shoes off, I put mine back on and walk up to the cashier. Mom is right. There’s a certain thrill in buying things in person. My anxiety exists now in certain circumstances, but the world at large is less scary.

“I’d like to buy these please,” I tell the woman with a smile as I pull out my card.

Two years ago, I’d never have thought of doing this, standing on my own two feet. No fear, not a single shake in my hand as I pass over my payment.

Growth and healing come in many ways, the little light bulb moments I get as I do seemingly normal things tell me exactly how far I’ve come.

CHAPTER 38

One Year Later

June 30th

RACHELLE

“Are you ready to get married officially today, wife?” Jared asks with a grin, peeking his head into the bedroom.

Traditions be damned, he can come see me if he wants to.

My dress is layers of blue-black and white chiffon, my heels a pretty silver sandal. My mom just smiled and nodded when I told her I didn’t want to wear an all white dress. I wanted one with as much character as my life.

My hair has grown so much in the past year, and curls to mid-back now. For today, though, I have it braided and curled into a bun that I had a hairdresser do for me. Every detail has been planned, and now it’s time to enjoy the day.

We’re at a hotel tonight for the wedding before flying out on a trip to Greece that will also serve as my birthday present. Thehotel sits on a cliffside and also has a beach. We decided to get married on the cliff, overlooking the world. My stepfather teased that we should have just gotten married at the house we live in now, but what’s the fun in that?

Plus, it’s currently under construction as we expand to include more bedrooms and a safe room. It’s been a little cramped with three extra people living there over the past year, despite the fact that we typically all sleep in a bed together.

This will give us all more room to spread out, and there’s plenty of land now that Jared and the guys bought the empty property on either side of the house.

Checking my makeup once more, my eyes trail over the dusty pinks and browns of my makeup, and the flush of my cheeks. The makeup artist didn’t really need to worry about applying blush because of how high the color is in my face. My lips are a mauve nude color, and my ears have new-to-me icy blue earrings that belonged to my mother. They’re something blue, something borrowed, and something new.

It’s the epitome of work smarter, not harder.

Standing now that there’s nothing else to check, I take a deep breath.

I’m getting married today!Deep welling emotions flood over me, and I blink furiously to keep from crying. It feels overwhelming and exciting all at the same time.

“Hey,” Jared says, walking quickly to me to cup my face. “I can have you out of here in two seconds if you don’t want to do this anymore. Just say the word. There’s a car that’ll take us away and we forget this whole thing.”

“We are not running out on our wedding,” I giggle.

“Well, we’re not anymore,” he teases me, kissing the tip of my nose.

I can feel myself settling, and I know that he created levity to help me. When it comes to Jared, there really could be a car waiting in case I change my mind. I won’t though. I’m ready.

“Shall we?” I ask, smiling as I hold out my hand and pick up my bouquet of flowers.

“We shall,” he murmurs, taking my hand to escort me out of the hotel room and through the hotel to the back door. Picking up my skirts, we walk together as the breeze plays with my hair.

If he’s here with me, it means everyone else is waiting for us up on the cliff. It’s not a long walk, but it’s enough to help me center myself.

“Mr. Reyes is waiting to walk you down the aisle,” Jared says with a low chuckle. “He insisted that I offer you an out, just in case you didn’t want to deal with us all for the rest of your life.”

A surprised laugh flows out of me, and I accidentally scare a bird sitting on a tree branch over my head.