It's perfect. Everything right now just seems so perfect, too perfect to let this moment slip by.
“Mel,” I say.
“Yeah?” she looks up at me, her finger twirling in the center of my chest.
“Would it be crazy if I proposed to you right now?”
“What?” she asks, pushing herself up.
“If I asked you to marry me right now, would you say yes?”
“Are you serious?”
“Wait right here.” Slipping out from underneath her, I run into the house quickly. “I have something here for you. It's not a ring, but I will get you one.”
Dropping to one knee, my hands are behind my back. Tears are already filling her eyes as she looks down at me.
“Marry me,” I say, pulling out the piece of art I made for her and holding it up.
She inhales a shallow breath, tears rolling down her cheeks as she reaches for the sculpture. Her fingers trace the curves, eyes twinkling with happiness.
The sculpture is of her standing on a lily pad naked and wrapped in a giant leaf. It took hours of sculpting and smoothing to get it perfect, and another day of work to paint it.
But it's her, the perfect version of her. Wrapped in nature, allowing it to carry her, cover her, and embrace her.
“I know what I want, Mel, and that's you. I don't need to think about it, not when I can feel it in my heart. You're all I'll ever need.” Reaching up, I take her hand and kiss the back of her palm. “Will you marry me?”
She nods, smiling through her tears. “Yes, yes I'll marry you.”
14
Melody
Six Months Later
Exhaling a slow breath through pursed lips, I run my hands down the front of my dress, fixing any little creases.
It's a simple dress. Flowing at the bottom, fitted around my hips and waist, and tight around my torso. Beading traces the thin heart-shaped hem over my bust line. The small diamonds twinkle like stars under the lighting in the motel room.
I can't believe I'm getting married today.
Bran and I couldn't wait. We started planning the day after he asked me.
We're keeping it small, and decided to have it at the motel where I work. There's a gorgeous little garden in the back, and the reception room inside is perfect size for us. My boss was also more than happy to let us use the place for free. I mean, I have covered enough shifts for him that he owed me one.
There's a knock at the door. A knock I know all too well.
“Come in,” I say.
My brother pokes his head inside and smiles. “Today's the big day.” He steps in and closes the door behind him. “You ready?” he asks. “You really ready for this?”
“I'm ready, Ryder.”
“You know you're not too big to jump on my back and I'll piggy-back you out of here.” He turns sideways and points over his shoulder. “We can make a clean getaway.”
“What about Jenna? You think she's going to run after us toting my nephew in high heels and a gown?”
“You're right. I'll grab my kid and Jenna can give you a piggyback.”
Laughing, I turn back to the mirror and adjust my hair. “You're crazy.”
Holding out his arms, he comes up behind me. “I wouldn't be your brother if I wasn't.” He watches me for a moment, his eyes smiling almost as big as his mouth. “I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a necklace. Wrapping it around my neck, he clasps the back. “This was Mom's. I found it one day between the wall and the mattress in their room. I wanted to give it to you one day, and I think today is the perfect day.”
Touching the small stone, it's a bright green emerald. I twist it between my fingers, and my eyes begin to fill with tears. “I remember this necklace. It's her birth stone. Dad gave it to her for their twelfth anniversary, right before she got sick.”
“Yeah. Now it's yours. It looks perfect on you.” Twisting around, tear drops trickle down my face. “Come on, don't cry. You'll ruin your makeup.” He pulls me in and gives me a big hug. “You know they're both watching you right now and they're so proud.”
Sniffling, I try to stifle the tears. It's just hard to not have either of your parents at your wedding. My father should be walking me down the aisle. My mother should be pinning my hair for me and helping watch her grandson so my maid of honor can have a glass of champagne and fuss over my dress.
“I'm so happy you're here, Ryder. Thank you.”
“Of course I'm here. Did you think I wouldn't be?”
Shrugging a shoulder, I step back and grab a tissue. “I don't know. I mean, this is all happening really quickly, and I know how you felt about Branson not that long ago.”