Unlocking the door, I moved inside to find the whole first floor painted the exact shade of my silk ribbon. I'd been right when I was a teenager. It was bright and cheery, like it would be impossible to have a sad day in such a happy house.
The house itself was perfect with its pristine hardwood floors, rustic light fixtures, open shelving, and giant windows.
Though, for some reason, the windows that looked out to the back of the yard were covered with white paper.
Trusting the process, I left the paper there as I went through the living room, the family room, the half bath on the lower level, then skipping the kitchen, I went back to the front of the house to take the staircase up.
There were two small bedrooms and a full bath to one end of the hall then one closed door at the other end.
I made my way toward that one, anticipation fluttering in my belly as the knob turned in my hand.
And then there was the master bedroom. Which had been fully decorated. Rustic wood nightstands that matched the dresser, a wooden wall behind the metal frame bed covered in lush white linens.
I swear my heart was swelling big enough to break out of my chest as I turned to look in the bathroom with its clawfoot tub, then opened the door to the closet.
And that was where I found a simple white lace sundress with a note attached.
Put me on. Then come to the kitchen.
Maybe I should have seen the signs then, but my mind was so overwhelmed that no thought was taking root for long enough to really make any sense.
So I just changed out of my clothes, slid on the dress and the flats I found below them, grabbed my bouquet, and made my way downstairs and around to the farmhouse kitchen of my dreams with butcher block countertops, tons of light, stainless steel appliances, and a giant sink.
Then, there standing by the back door, was my father.
Who had changed into a suit.
And, suddenly, it all clicked.
My family being all dressed up. The flowers that got tied together to make a bouquet. My white dress.
"Daddy..." I said, shaking my head, too overwhelmed to think of any other words.
"You and me, baby girl, we have a little walk to take," he told me, eyes looking a little watery as well as he held out his arm for me.
"I can't believe this is happening," I told him, linking my arm through his as he turned toward the back door.
"As a father, I've always sort of dreaded this day. Giving you away. But giving you away to Niro, Andi, this is easy. I know he is going to do everything in his power to give you the happiest life possible."
I didn't have a single doubt about that.
My father led me out onto the back porch then down the sprawling green lawn to where chairs were set up to line a path that made its way up to an altar that was decorated with daisies.
Our loved ones were gathered around, all of them beaming at me as my father led me into the opening of the pathway.
I felt bad even saying this, but I barely even noticed them. Or the music. Or the fact that everyone had brought their four-legged friends with them like I'd once told Niro I would love.
Because my gaze shifted forward.
And there he was.
My best friend in the whole world.
The keeper of all my memories.
The holder of all my hopes and dreams for the future.
In a suit.
With a ring.
I knew what I was supposed to do, how this was supposed to go, what was traditional.
But the second our eyes met, I was breaking free from my father and racing forward up the aisle, getting a couple excited yips from our canine company, before I launched—positively launched—myself into Niro's arms.
"A thousand times yes," I told him before sealing my lips to his.
"Well, that's one way to do it," my Aunt Lo, our officiator, said, a smile in her voice. "I, ah, I pronounce you man and wife," she added.
But we were already sealing the deal.
Because I'd never been so sure of anything in my life.
A farm.
Our loved ones.
Animals.
And a happily ever after with Niro.