Perfect Love Story (Love 1)

“Okay, let’s do this,” I tell everyone as I spot Nanny and Grandma Delores sitting side by side. The music starts as I look up and see Jensen walk to the altar at the end of the aisle, flowers all around it. He stands there in his beige linen suit, white shirt with no tie. His hands crossed in front of him as Gabe and Brody stand to his side, wearing the same thing but with just vests and no jackets.

Darla walks down the aisle first, with Crystal following her. I look at my parents, who hold hands. “If you don’t mind, I want to walk down the aisle with Mila.” I reach for her hand, smiling. They nod their head as they walk each other down the aisle. When “Bless the Broken Road” starts playing, I squeeze Mila’s hand before we start down the aisle. My eyes find Blake’s as I look at him and his family. His wife’s eyes brim with tears as I subtly nod at her. I start my walk down the aisle, my eyes never leaving Jensen’s as he wipes away his tears. I pass the rows of chairs that include our family, aunts, uncles, and all of my friends.

When I get to the altar, Jensen grabs my face, kissing me softly. “We haven’t gotten to that part, son,” the officiant says while everyone laughs. Mila walks over to sit with my mother and father, climbing on my father’s lap.

In the middle of the beach, with the water calm as soft waves hit the sand, we promise to love, honor, and cherish each other. I promise Jensen and Mila that I will love them forever. When he slips the eternity band on my finger, my heart fills even more than I thought was possible and a soft sob escapes me. I slip his simple gold band on his finger, and he pulls me to him, not caring if it’s the time or not. I kiss him, wrapping my arms around him, as our family and friends all clap and holler behind us. “I love you,” I tell him when he releases my lips.

He turns to face everyone, his hand grabbing mine as he lifts them in the air. “She’s mine, people.” The crowd goes wild as I laugh with my whole heart.

Some nine months later . . .

I walk on the beach, my feet sinking in the sand, and a notepad in my hand. I sit down in the middle of the empty beach as the sun rises in the distance, the water slowly coming to life. As the waves crash faster and faster, I pull the pen out and start my letter.

Dear Eric,

It feels like it’s been forever since I last thought of you.

I hope you are looking down and know I’m happy. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my life.

I have a husband who I would not only die with, but I would die for. I have a beautiful daughter named Mila. My name now on her birth certificate as her mother.

I wanted to tell you that I forgive you. I forgive you for everything. I have to forgive you because of you, I got my everything. I got my perfect life.

Hailey Walker

I stop writing as I rub my swollen stomach while my son kicks to let me know that today he will be meeting me. I look at the water, a lone bird chirping in the distance. Coming closer and closer, he soars into the sky, and it almost looks like he’s watching me. I get up, the lightness overtaking me as I walk back to my house, to my family.

The End of my perfect love story, or just the beginning!