by Carrie Hogle
As much as Reina loved her apartment, moving back to her home with James was a calming comfort. She loved being surrounded by their history, memories, and all of the touches James had so carefully selected with her in mind. She felt the rightness, the feeling of being where she belonged. No matter where they traveled, or how at home they were with each other, this house would always be their personal haven. Ready to return to the arms of balance she didn’t fuss with moving. She gathered her favorite things and let James handle someone to pack and move the rest. None of the items were things she ever truly needed anyway.
James told her she could have anything she wanted for a wedding.
“Anything,” she asked with a mischievous grin.
He simply gathered her in his arms, nipped her neck, and whispered “anything” in her ear, while completely distracting her from whatever they’d been talking about.
On a breezy fall evening, just as the sun had begun to set behind the mountain, they wed the same way they’d met. Reina and Amy walked out together, in coordinating boho dresses. Reina’s dress was layers of lace and sheer fabric, red toenails peeked out of strappy sandals, a few tiny daisies pinned in her wild curly hair, and a bouquet of fall mums in her hands. Their mountain home was surrounded by trees in full autumn bloom; oranges, reds, yellows, browns, and hints of green creating a naturally beautiful backdrop. As they stepped out a light wind rustled through the leaves and for a moment Reina stood mesmerized. She had the feeling that fate was whispering secrets that she couldn’t quite grasp. At the sound of guitars her attention was drawn back to James, handsome as ever in a black and brown suit. He wore black pants, a brown vest, with a black and brown striped tie over a crisp white shirt. His black jacket was thrown over the back of his chair. Seth sat beside him in a coordinating suit, sans jacket, as James sat singing “Certain Things” by James Arthur to her. Reina couldn’t help but blush as she walked to him. They’d been through hell and back and yet here he was singing to her with love.
A judge, that was a friend of James’ family, officiated the wedding. Trusting James, Reina didn’t ask about him, but Charles and Mark stood slightly behind him as if he could be dangerous. They’d decided not to say the traditional vows. Words could not accurately convey everything between them.
Instead they said simply, “I promise I will always be yours.” Only the two of them understood the true depth of meaning behind the vow.
James brushed his thumb across her lips before putting his hand on the back of her neck and kissing her with the promise of a late night storm.
He wrapped his arms around her and whispered, “Now I have you.”
“If you say so…” she whispered back with a laugh.
The four friends spent the night, filled with love and laughter, around the firepit with drinks and guitars. Reina teased James relentlessly with impish delight. They’d be spending the next couple of months on a private beach in Hawaii. Their bags were packed with satin, leather, and unhurried promises of a passionate lifetime together. They had come full circle and in the process developed an unbreakable bond of love and trust. James had been right; they would always be a balanced pair.
Epilogue
For a “Happily Ever After” this is the end of James & Reina’s story, but the winds of fate are ever changing…
Playlist
A tremendous Thank You to all of the musicians of the world!
You inspire, motivate and console us.
You touch our hearts and speak to our soul.
Below is a playlist of songs I listened to while writing, listed alphabetically by song title.
(All copyrights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended)
Adiago - Secret Garden
America - XYLØ
Bloodstream - Stateless
Blue Jeans - Lana Del Ray
Certain Things - James Arthur
Fire In My Bones - Fleurie
Human - Christina Perri
I Can’t Make You Love Me - Dave Thomas Junior
I Surrender - Digital Daggers
Lament - Jacaszek
Let Me Sign - Robert Pattinson
Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding
Never Let Me Go - Florence & The Machine
Plastic Stress - Terranova
Possibility - Lykke Li
Silhouette - Aquilo
So Close - Ólafur Arnalds (ft: Arnór Dan)
Song From A Secret Garden - Secret Garden
Still Here - Digital Daggers
The Last Time - Taylor Swift (ft: Gary Lightbody)
This Love - Taylor Swift