Into the Light

“I kinda don’t want to ruin the moment, but it’s only us.”

“Is it?” he asked with a mischievous grin on his face.

I turned around and walking through the door was Rocky and Bulls, Adriana and Elijah, Eric, Emma, Kate, Logan and Jen. All eight of them were dressed formally in suits and gowns.

“Are you kidding me?” I laughed, unable to comprehend this moment.

“And I didn’t get to do this…”He cupped my face and gently placed his lips on mine. It was THE most perfect, gentle kiss, the kind of kiss that travelled down to the pit of the stomach, smothering it with butterflies.

With my head nestled on Lex’s shoulders, I watched as the others danced. Each one of them dressed to the nines, smiling, laughing, enjoying this trip down memory lane. Having the closest people to me in this one room tugged on my emotions and I couldn’t help the tear that slid down my cheek. Where the hell did Hard-Ass Charlie disappear to? I was seriously crying over the most nonsensical things these days.

“I have to confess something...” Lex spoke.

My stomach churned a little. Oh, for fuck sakes, Charlie, he is yours, he married you!

“What is it, Mr. Edwards?” I answered playfully.

“There was another reason why I did this.”

“Oh?”

He removed my hands from around his neck and placed them in his own hands. “If I had known seventeen years ago in the treehouse that you were the one, I would have saved myself a shit load of misery. No matter what life has thrown at the both of us, here we are, standing here – together. Charlotte, you complete me. For seven years I believed I had met my fate. I had been punished for my actions. But somehow, someone gave me a second chance at life, gave me a reason to breathe again. Charlotte, you are my reason that I stand here with a heart bursting full of love. You are the reason that in five months from now my wildest dreams will come true. I want every part of you, and I need to do this properly. Will you do me the honor of making our family complete? Will you marry me, again?

He knelt down on one knee and opened the small black velvet box, the emerald ring nestled perfectly inside. The diamonds almost blinded me, but I shifted my gaze and stared directly into his eyes, his beautiful eyes, and for some stupid reason my tongue was tied… Was I supposed to respond? I already said yes when I married him; c’mon, Charlie, don’t leave him hanging. Gosh, if only my brain would shut the fuck up… wait, what…

“Yes!” I blurted out.

With his eyes dancing, (I had never seen Lex as happy as I did in this moment) he gently slid the ring on my finger, kissing it softly before he stood and embraced me.

“You know I couldn’t say no, right? I am legally Mrs. Edwards already,” I teased.

“Legally, yes, but emotionally, I needed to do this. This makes it real, to me.”

A loud round of applause followed, along with some whistling (Rocky, of course), echoing throughout the room. One by one, each of them came up and congratulated us. Eric grabbed my hand before hugging me, rambling on about carats and diamonds, followed by more OMG’s.

“It’s so great that you guys are here. Are you guys planning on staying long?” My words were neglected, there was a hush and all eyes were on Lex. Was I missing something?

“The reason why I called them here is because we are getting married tonight.” Lex added.

“Huh? As in tonight, tonight? But we’re already married!”

He nodded.

“I don’t get it…”

“Tonight, at the stroke of midnight, you will become Mrs. Charlotte Edwards again, but this time in front of all our family and friends. A wedding, Charlotte. We never had a wedding.”

“But…but… what?”

“Everything is taken care of. I won’t see you again until 11:50pm, Charlotte. Apparently…” he said in an annoyed tone “I have a stag night to attend to.”

“Yes, and dear Charlotte here has hers.” Bulls responded, much to Lex’s displeasure.

“Okay, I’m confused, really confused, but I don’t care. I trust you, Lex…”

His hands found their way back to my face, placing his lips on mine, this time with more pressure, and I knew without a doubt he was anxious. It was the same kiss he always gave me before we would say goodbye each day before work.

“Six hours till you’re my wife. In the eyes of our family, friends and the whole world…”