by Shane Morgan
I fumbled my words after hearing what he said. “Seriously? Wow, thank you…sir. Thank you so much.”
He laughed. “I hear you’re quite a fan of that team.”
“Oh, you have no idea, sir. It’d be a dream come true to play for the Capitals.”
“Well, I’ll keep you posted about that.” He turned to leave, saying before walking away, “Again, good game tonight. It was worth coming out to.”
“Thanks, sir.”
After getting out of my sweaty gear, I showered and went back to the locker room. The guys were now talking about going out to celebrate. I was eager to see my family and friends though. As we started out of the arena, I saw Moya up ahead, waiting by the exit. My heart pulsated.
“You guys go on ahead,” I said, slowing down as I reached her.
They shrugged and continued out the doors.
Steadying my sprinting heart, I lifted her hands into mine and basked in the warmth of her touch. It felt as if I was falling in love all over again.
“Congratulations, babe!” she pulled me in for a tight hug. Letting me go, she asked, “Are they going out to celebrate?” Her was voice was like music to my ears.
I gazed into her chocolate brown eyes as I answered, “Yeah, and they want me to come, but—”
“Go,” she urged. “Celebrate. You deserve it. You were amazing tonight.”
I stood at the doors; their boisterous laughter echoed from outside. There was a time when the only thing I anticipated was the victory party, raving along with my teammates. Now, it didn’t seem as exhilarating as before. I wanted to share my win with the one person who mattered most, because I already had everything: my health, hockey, and my girl. My life felt complete.
Turning back to Moya, I shook my head. “No. I just want to be with you right now.”
She squinted her eyes, asking, “You sure? I don’t want them to come down on you for not hanging out.” Her expression was caught between joy and guilt.
“It’s okay,” I heaved her closer. “Some of the guys left already too. Let’s get out of here.”
I slipped my arm around her waist and guided her towards the exit.
“Where to?” she asked, diminishing her worry.
Reaching the doors, I stopped walking as my mind drifted down memory lane, recalling the moments that brought us closer than we’d imagined.
I stared into her eyes and stroked her cheek, thinking how the only place I wanted to go right this instant was the place where she unlocked her heart to me.
“Let’s go watch the fireflies.”
EPILOGUE
Moya
I waited outside the oakwood doors, anxious, clutching my dad’s arm for support. Soft, romantic music resounded from inside; voices murmured in the air. Until this very moment, I hadn’t realized just how much I’d been yearning for love, and more than anything, to love someone in return.
Marriage was a huge step, a brave one at that. And I was eager to build something this beautiful with Branden, to uphold the validation and permanence of our love for each other. I’d never been more certain about anything in my entire life the way I was sure that he was truly the one for me.
Taking a deep breath, I nudged my dad to let him know I was ready to going inside. The wedding planner opened the door, and Dad smiled broadly, taking the first step.
Everyone stood on cue as the music changed. Dad and I walked down the long, ivory carpet covered in yellow and peach rose petals that matched my bouquet.
I heard gasps and “She’s beautiful” as I made my way towards Branden’s smiling face; the one I never stopped looking at from the moment I entered. If I turned away now, I feared I’d pass out from nervousness, now that butterflies were multiplying inside my tummy.
He moved his lips, mouthing “Wow” as he regarded my ivory dotted, strapless tea length organza wedding dress. I opted for a less than traditional gown since we wanted a summer wedding by the ocean, and this was my grandma’s back in the day. It meant a lot to me that Momma let me wear it.
As I reached the man of my dreams—looking sharp in a gray two-button tuxedo, his hair sleek and edgy, brushed back at the top—Dad handed me over to him following the officiating minister’s words. But before he let go completely, he kissed me on the cheek and gave me one final glance over. He seemed to have collected himself then, filling the spot next to Momma. Everyone sat down once the ceremony began.
I didn’t hear much of what the minister said, caught in a daze of how dreamlike it seemed. Were we really these two young lovers, getting married on this day? If Vanessa hadn’t nudged me to take my bouquet so Branden could put the ring on my finger, I probably would have pinched myself to be sure.
He finished his vows and kissed me on the lips before he was supposed to, convincing me even more that this magical moment was real.
When it was my turn to say my vows, I spoke boldly, “I, Moya Jeanine Douglas, take you Branden Christopher McCarthy, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live.”
His mouth curved into a smile as I put the ring on his finger, and I felt tempted to kiss him too.
We waited for what seemed like forever until finally, the minister said, “I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy. You may now kiss your bride.” Branden didn’t wait another second. He towed me into his arms and kissed me as passionately as he could, lifting me into the air afterwards.
Everyone clapped, took pictures, and cheered for us. I even spotted tears on both our mothers’ faces. Dad beamed at me with sheer pride, and Mr. McCarthy’s lips twitched as if he was going to break down and cry. They each looked so proud.
“Congratulations!” Vanessa squealed, with Warren patting Branden’s shoulder in joy. They joined in with everyone else in tossing rose petals at us as we treaded down the aisle, hand in hand, excited to start the next phase of our lives together.
One thing was for certain, we were ready to take on anything. We had each other.
***
The following week when we returned from our second getaway to his family cabin, Branden and I moved into our cozy one bedroom apartment in Harrington. He’d be going to work part-time with his dad in a few days for the remainder of the summer, and I still had my job at the clothing store near school.
I placed the last box on the floor and peered around the living room, taking it all in. Branden engulfed me in his arms and we stood quietly for a while.
Many would say we were impulsive, that we should have waited until we finished college at least, or until we landed decent jobs to afford a nicer house, maybe even start a family. But then I’d tell them that we didn’t want to wait. The timing felt right for us. “When you know, you know,” Grandma used to tell me.
And now that Branden has achieved his goal, given the opportunity to join the Washington Capitals hockey team for their next season, I’d say we were going to be just fine. Big things would come, and we might experience failure along the way, but we’d always have each other, and that’s when they’d see that our love was true after all.
This was it. Forever was starting right now.
Acknowledgement
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I’ve poured my heart out into the story and my only reward is knowing that you enjoyed it.
Thanks to Leith Coldridge, Lani Ayers, Laurie Treacy, Victoria H. Smith, Rae Hachton, Jaime Shockman, and to all the bloggers who support my work. I can’t express enough how much I appreciate your valuable input.
Last but not least, a very special thank you to my family: my parents, Surine and Michael Morgan, and my siblings: Stacy, Renae, Marisa, and Michael jnr.
About the Writer
Shane’s love for writing started the moment she picked up a Nancy Drew book. At a young age, she began writing short stories, dabbling in a variety of genres: from comedy and drama, to horror and contemporary rom
ance. She currently resides in Rhode Island, and spends her days blogging, reading, and listening to music.
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