by Kari Alice
Lexi broke the silence and in a hoarse tone said, “My parents were married here, you know?”
Caleb pushed down wild blond hairs that blew in his face from her head. “I can see why they would. It’s beautiful here.”
“I feel something about this place, like I can feel my parents’ spirits here or something. Does that sound crazy?” Lexi asked in a distant voice.
“I don’t think that’s crazy at all. A place doesn’t have to be consecrated for it to be meaningful. Obviously this place brought together two special people, and that has to be a blessing of some sort,” he whispered into her ear. “Besides, without them, there would be no you.”
Lexi leaned back onto Caleb’s chest. There was no doubt that he understood her. Even more importantly, he accepted her for all that she was, even her flaws—and her insecurities.
As they drove back to Caribou, Lexi was quiet. She still mourned her mother’s death, and only time and reflection could mend her heart. The drive back seemed to fly by, in contrast to the ride to the lighthouse.
Her thoughts drifted to the idea of officially living with Caleb. She had more of less lived with him for months, but now it would be official. This meant that she would have to change the address on her driver’s license and forward her mail there. She could hardly believe that just a year ago she didn’t know what to do or where to go, and now she had a new life.
“Caleb…” Her voice quivered slightly.
“Yes?”
“I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I just wanted to know…”
“What is it?” he asked with concern in his voice.
“It’s about Ashley and Mike…I just didn’t want you to feel pressured for me to move in with you, if you’re not comfortable with it…” Lexi knew she sounded tentative.
“This again? You know that I want you with me. I love you,” Caleb said, his words soothing her.
“I know you do, but I don’t want you to feel like I’d have no other option but to live with you. What I mean to say is, there isn’t any pressure.”
“You’re going to make me think that you don’t want to live with me…is that the case?” Caleb asked.
“No! I would like to live with you. I just don’t want you to be forced into it.”
Caleb pulled into his driveway. “Nothing about you is forced. If anything, I have to beg you to go along with my plans.”
The corners of her mouth turned up into a sly smile. He’d said the right words and expressed the correct sentiments. Forcing him into such an arrangement was unthinkable, and his kind words reassured her anxious mind.
Caleb cupped Lexi’s chin and gently kissed her mouth.
As they pulled apart, Lexi held her hand over her mouth, trying to prevent that feeling from escaping her lips. Tiring of him seemed like an impossibility.
She walked into Caleb’s house with his arm around her, and Benjamin charged at them, clearly needing attention. Benjamin contented himself by rubbing against Lexi’s shins and meowing.
“I’m not the only one here who wants you,” Caleb said as he watched Benjamin chafe himself against Lexi’s legs.
“It’s good to be wanted, even if it is by a hairy, moody creature.” She looked up, smiling at Caleb. “And I love Benjamin too.”
***
Ashley looked in the standing mirror at the reflection that revealed a bride. Her dress was classic and elegant, much like herself. The dress was corseted at the top, with an overlay of lace that created a tank top that boasted her classic style. The bottom of the dress was full and flowing. She beamed at her own reflection and had a natural rosiness to her cheeks.
“You’ve never looked better,” Lexi said, her voice was heavy with emotion. “Not that you ever look less than great, as is,” she amended.
“I couldn’t have anyone better to stand up with me,” Ashley said as she reached her hand to Lexi. “You look beautiful too, you know.” Lexi wore a similarly styled bridesmaid dress, but her dress was tea length in a shade of pale rose. Lexi’s skin was complemented by the color of the dress. She looked healthier, though that could have been from the bronzer she wore to give her more contrast.
“Ashley…I have something that I want you to wear today.” Lexi went to her purse and pulled out an aquamarine necklace that hung on a white-gold chain. Lexi offered to put it on Ashley. “It was my mother’s.”
Ashley turned to allow Lexi to attach the necklace around her neck. “This is beautiful, Lexi.” Ashley clutched the pale-blue gemstone to her chest.
“I had hoped that you would like it—it’s borrowed and blue, after all.” Lexi tried to act casual, but her voice shook slightly.
Ashely hugged Lexi.
“Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup,” Lexi said as she pulled away and fanned at her own face.
It was as if with the inclusion of the necklace, Lexi’s mom could also be represented at the ceremony. Even though it wasn’t her own wedding, Lexi still wanted to keep her mom’s memory alive.
The ceremony, held at the Averys’ home, was anything but plain. A violinist played “The Wedding March” as Ashley walked down the lace-edged aisle runner. The fragrance of the pale-pink crushed rose petals filled the air. The wedding guests wore expressions of awe at the beauty of the venue, which had been transformed into what looked like a floral haven. Bouquets were everywhere, and they seemed to burst from their vases and planters with blooms and elegant vines. The Averys’ property had been transformed into something both elegant and enchanting.
As the vows were exchanged, Caleb was antsy. He tried to steady himself as he stood by Mike, but he couldn’t hide what he felt, though he tried to keep his emotions at bay. He reminded himself that it was Mike and Ashley’s day, not his and Lexi’s. Ever since Mike and Ashley’s engagement had been announced, Caleb wanted a more binding claim on Lexi. If he was honest with himself, he’d wanted to claim her the first time he’d seen her sitting on the bench in front of him at the BMV. He didn’t want to bombard her or come on too strong, but he had to make a move. At an antique store, he’d found a vintage diamond ring that was at least a hundred years old. After having it reset and sized to fit Lexi’s finger, it was something he’d be proud to present to her.
He’d carried the ring for weeks now in a small pouch in his wallet, but the timing hadn’t felt right. He realized as he stood by his brother during the wedding ceremony, it was finally the right time. He couldn’t calm himself down. He had the appearance of an anxious groom, but Mike hadn’t ever looked so happy or in control.
Pictures were taken after the ceremony. There were various locations that required both Lexi and Caleb to pose to the photographer’s whims. Once the reception was in full swing, Caleb had to further put off his own plans in order to perform his best-man duties. He attended to the obligations with a smile, though he was dying to be alone with Lexi. As Caleb headed to the main house to check on the caterers, he was cornered by Corrine, who had attended the wedding with Tony. Tony wasn’t in sight currently, so Caleb was alone with Corrine. Great, he mused.
“Caleb,” Corrine said. Her voice wasn’t harsh; she had a calmer presence about her. Even the tension of her face that seemed so rooted was now gone. “I wanted to talk for a minute, if you’ll hear me out.”
Caleb stared at her momentarily. There’d been a transformation in her that he didn’t understand. She was still beautiful, but now her beauty was a product of her actions, not only her physical attributes alone. “What is it, Corrine?” Caleb asked, not wanting to waste time. Even though she seemed different, the trust between them had dissolved long ago.
“Honestly, I know that this might sound ridiculous, but I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry for how I was when we were together,” she said.
Caleb didn’t respond right away. Had his ears deceived him? “Of course. It’s all water under the bridge,” he said in a stammer.
“Who I was when I was with you wasn’t the best version of myself. I thin
k I finally found my purpose and what makes me happy. Being a mom isn’t what I thought it would be. It’s so much more than that.” She shook her head as she spoke. “And Tony, well, he makes a better dad than I could’ve thought possible too.” Her smile illuminated her face. Her hair was pulled up into a chignon, and overall she looked softer. Everything about her lacked the edge that she’d once carried.
Her words sounded sincere, without any residual resentment. Any remaining guilt he had about how things had ended between them disappeared. He gave her a brief hug, and in parting said, “You have no idea how happy I am for you, Corrine.” Maybe she’d been put on medication to control her underlying personality disorder, which would have explained her transformation. Regardless of how the change had come about, Caleb was happy for her.
“I can see it in you too, Caleb. You finally look happy,” she said.
“It was really good seeing you. Give that baby a kiss for me.”
“Will do.” She made her way back to the reception area and vanished into the folds of people.
As the reception wound down, Caleb was still motivated to lure Lexi away to the lake that bordered the back of his parents’ property. She’d first resisted his suggestions of taking a walk, because of her fatigue, but he was convincing and insisted there was something that he wanted her to see. As they finally made it to the glasslike lake, the nearly full moon reflected off the still water.
“It’s more beautiful out than I thought possible,” Lexi said.
His eyes were only on her. “Nothing is more beautiful.”
Lexi turned to face Caleb, but he was on one knee. “What?” Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. There was no denying what was happening. Her knees shook.
“Will you marry me, Ms. Lindsay? You are the only person in the world who could complete me…” His voice was low and husky.
She was too stunned to say anything. Instead she nodded and extended her trembling left hand toward him.
He slid the ring on her finger and asked, “Does this mean yes?”
She nodded enthusiastically, making sure that her answer was understood. “Yes! Yes! Yes! Of course I’ll marry you!” The proposal was certainly more than she’d expected from their walk. He always did the unexpected.
Caleb stood up and kissed her, and as he lifted her off the ground, he spun her around. The fatigue that they’d been touched by was now out of sight.
“I can’t believe that this is happening…I love you so much,” Lexi said.
“You have no idea how much I love you. You’re everything to me…”
***
Just over a month after Ashley and Mike’s wedding, Lexi and Caleb convinced the pair to join them for a day trip to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. Both Ashley and Mike had been told that the day would include leisure and a picnic. Ashley wore a pale-blue gingham sundress that was picnic appropriate, with her hair held up in a matching bandanna. It was exactly one year after Lexi and Caleb had met, which hadn’t been a coincidence.
Lexi said that she had to make a few stops and didn’t want to slow Ashley or Mike down, so the couples drove separate vehicles. No one knew the type of errands that had to be completed before meeting up with the others. When Ashley and Mike arrived at the lighthouse, they looked surprised to see Lexi and Caleb dressed so formally. Not only were they formal, but Lexi wore a white lace-draped dress with a low neckline, and Caleb wore a tuxedo. Mr. and Mrs. Avery stood near Lexi and Caleb, and Ashley rushed over to join them. Mike smiled, as if his notion had been confirmed.
Lexi loved looking like a vintage bride, not only from the romantic style of her dress, but also with the way she wore her hair. It had been pinned up at the nape of her neck, but loose blond waves escaped their confines. Pink roses formed a crown on the top of her head, which were the closest match for how her mother’s hair had been. Her image mirrored that of her mother on her wedding day so long ago.
Caleb felt as if his heart had been stolen from his chest. All of his happiness was dependent on Lexi. His every movement was a reflection or a reaction to her. His attention to her was noticeable to anyone who watched them. Never had he ever loved or fixated on anyone the way he did with her. Their attraction was mutual and ran deep.
Caleb’s voice carried over the small crowd. “Both Lexi and I would like to thank you for coming here today. As you might have guessed, we’re getting married. We didn’t want to put it off any longer, and we wanted to be surrounded by family only. We’re so fortunate to have you all in our lives.” Caleb turned toward Lexi and carefully kissed the top of her head, all while trying to avoid ruffling her hair.
The ceremony took place moments later. There was a single violinist who played, but the main sounds were of the small waves that crashed along the shoreline. Lexi took in a deep breath as the vows were read. She imagined that her parents were here with her, standing close by. A distant laugh carried on the wind that was reminiscent of her mother. Lexi’s father wouldn’t be there to give her away, but he was still in her thoughts. As Caleb said “I do,” a strong gust picked up from the placid water. The breeze lifted Lexi’s veil and rippled around both her and Caleb. The few long locks of hair that escaped her hairpins lifted and then gently lowered as the wind gust disappeared. Breezes were common on the shoreline, but the gust had a foreign quality to it.
“What do you think that was?” Lexi whispered to Caleb as they stood at the altar.
“You said that you could feel your parents here. I think that they just wanted to let you know that they really are with you,” Caleb whispered back.
Lexi blinked back tears and nodded. “That’s what I thought too.”
The day was perfection, more than an ideal day for a wedding. The sun was out, but cool air came off the water and kept the temperature comfortable. The blue of the water and sky mimicked one another. The combination of both grass and rock accentuated Lexi’s crisp white dress. Caleb had hired a wedding photographer to capture the day. When the preacher signaled the couple to kiss, Caleb dipped Lexi back and kissed her deeply. At first Lexi wanted to hold back because of the presence of their guests, but finally she gave in to the kiss. Mrs. Avery blushed slightly at Caleb’s romantic gesture, and Lexi heard her comment to her husband that she “never could have imaged Caleb so happy.”
As the ceremony ended, the wedding party headed toward a small area nestled behind the lighthouse, under a pergola that offered protection from the stronger winds, which had just started to escalate. A large table had been set up. White linen draped through the slats of the pergola, and flower arrangements decorated the area. The photographer had Lexi and Caleb pose in the same spots that Lexi’s parents had posed. The newlyweds joined the rest of the party after all of the pictures were taken.
Mrs. Avery took Lexi’s hand into her own. “I told you that you bring out the best in him. I couldn’t be happier that you’re my daughter-in-law now.”
“Thank you. As far as it goes, he brings out the best in me too,” Lexi said with a smile.
“Surprise wedding? It’s sneaky, and you know I love it. The only thing I’d change would be to let me in on the secret next time. I could have catered,” Mike said as he nudged Caleb’s shoulder.
“Then you wouldn’t have been able to relax. I didn’t want you working at my wedding. I just wanted you here,” Caleb shot back.
Mr. Avery walked over to hug Caleb. He patted him on the back and pulled away. “Listen, I want you to use the vacation house. You don’t have to honeymoon there, but both you and Lexi are welcome there anytime. Just let me know when, and I’ll make sure it’s ready.”
Caleb smiled at his father’s offer. His parents’ vacation house was something they’d bought as a gift to themselves after thirty years of marriage. The house was in Bermuda, and when they weren’t using it themselves, they rented it out. Caleb vacationed rarely, but he was finally open to change. Making memories with Lexi was now his top priority.
“Do you think it could be ready in Septe
mber? It might be nice to get away before it gets too cold here.”
“Not a problem, whenever you want,” Mr. Avery said with a wide grin.
Ashley looped her arm around Lexi’s. “Do you realize that we’re now doubly related?” The ends of her bandanna flapped in the slight breeze, but she smiled and was obviously unfazed by the fabric and its erratic movements.
“Who knew that’d ever happen? We’re lucky ladies,” Lexi said with a goofy grin.
“Yes we are!”
The wedding ceremony was perfect in every way; it even seemed as if Lexi’s parents had witnessed it themselves. No other wedding venue could have been better, which was why Caleb suggested having the wedding there shortly after he’d proposed. Lexi hadn’t believed in fate or even in destiny, but those assumptions were different now and allowed her to open up to the possibility of synchronicity. Her life had gone from loss, grief, and loneliness to complete contentment. She was living a life that she couldn’t have dreamt of before. She chose to honor her parents by loving her own life and her husband.
Before Lexi entered Caleb’s life, he hadn’t know what it was that he missed. He hadn’t suffered like Lexi had, at least not knowingly. She had awoken a thirst for life in him, and now with her by his side, his appreciation for his own existence blossomed. They both were forever changed.
Epilogue
It was the end of the workday, and an office meeting was about to take place. The meetings were held every other Wednesday at four o’clock. The meetings didn’t necessarily need a reason but gave the staff an opportunity to voice their concerns. The team gathered in the break room, which contained a large table. A few crumbs remained on the table from lunch. The walls were generic with cream-colored paint, and the room looked thrown together, but it featured a wall-mounted television, a microwave on the countertop, and a full-size refrigerator. None of the appliances matched, but all were functional. This was the only space large enough for a meeting other than the patient waiting area. One good thing about the break room was that the staff couldn’t be disturbed by patients who didn’t observe the Closed sign posted on the door.