“How?” My heart was threatening to shatter into a million pieces and the only thing holding me together was the fact we were both holding my shoe.
“I wanted to know who the amazing woman from the MSW law firm was,” he said with a gentle smile. “It didn't take much to find out.”
“But...” He knew. He knew I lied that whole time. “You didn't say anything...”
“I didn't want to embarrass you.” He stared at the shoe in our hands. “I should have let you say something. I know you did try to tell me.”
I wondered if he could feel me shaking through the shoe. I felt like a leaf in a thunderstorm. “Why are you here?” I asked. Despite his gentle tone, it had been over two days. Two days where I wasn't sure what he felt or if he even wanted me.
“When you said you...” He stumbled on his words and stared at the shoe, brow furrowed and dark. “When you said you loved me, I didn't know what to do. I was so sure it was a lie.”
My eyes flashed up to his, anger threatening to spill out of my broken quivering heart. “It wasn't a lie!”
“All my life, people have lied to me to get what they want. Usually it's money or power.” He met my gaze,
his hazel eyes full of honesty and heartache. “You fell in love with me without knowing I had either. I was just Aiden to you, and I couldn't fathom how that was possible. How could you love someone like me without expecting something in return?”
“I just wanted you,” I whispered. All the hurt and tears I had suppressed and worked through since getting on the plane to leave were threatening to overwhelm me.
“It took me a day and a half to realize that I am a complete and utter idiot.” He paused, his eyes enveloping me in their warmth. “You loved me for something no one else has. You loved me with no thought of any gain for yourself.”
A small, hopeful smile lit his eyes. I didn't dare breathe in case this was all a dream.
“Lena Masterson, I love you. Not because you're a lawyer, but because you bring out the best in me. I want you to be a part of my life,” he confessed. Ever inch of his face shone with the truth of his words. “You are amazing in your own right, and it doesn't matter if you have letters after your name or not. You're funny, and kind; and you make me ridiculously happy. I like the person I am when I'm with you. You complete me.”
I sniffled, my heart expanding in my chest to envelope the whole room. He loved me and wanted me regardless of what anyone else thought. The hand not holding the shoe reached up and touched my face. I realized I was crying, but it was with tears of joy.
“I love you, Lena.” Aiden cupped my face and made me look at him. I peered into his eyes and could see that every word was true.
“I love you, too, Aiden,” I whispered. My heart was ready to burst with joy.
“You are my fate, Lena,” he whispered, holding me close. “I'm sorry it took me so long to light my candle. Do you think you can help me keep it lit?”
“Yes.” I took the shoe and kissed him, not wanting to be apart from him for a second longer.
He pressed his hands into my hair, drawing me into him. I kissed him like a drowning man searching for air. My hands wrapped around his neck and mussed his hair. I had missed him so badly the past couple of days that I never wanted to spend another moment apart from him.
I fought the need to breathe for as long as possible. He pressed his forehead into mine and I could feel all the pieces of my heart knitting back together. His arms were strong and safe, promising me a future of love and devotion.
This was everything I could have hoped for. I looked up into the green over brown depths that led straight into Aiden's soul. They were so beautiful, not just in their coloring, but in what they were full of. Love. More than anything, when I looked into Aiden's eyes, I saw how we were fated and chose to find one another.
I kissed him again, wanting only to feel his heart beat with mine.
He loved me and I him. Together we would keep one another's candles lit with love and barefoot kisses.
Epilogue
I take a deep breath and slip into my shoes.
They aren't the shoes that brides usually wear on their wedding. These shoes are just simple black flats with sand stuck in the cracks near the toes.
“You ready?” My sister Louisa asks, peeking out through the door.
“Ready as I'm ever going to be,” I say. Now that I have the shoes on, my nerves are settling. I know he loves me because these shoes prove it.
My mother fusses one last time with my dress. It's satin and lace and possibly the most beautiful wedding dress I have ever seen. I'm sure all brides think that of their dresses, but for mine, I'm sure of it.
I hear the music start inside the church.