by Alison Mello
“Are you sure?” Reid asks, lifting a perfect brow in question. I nod my head, tugging him toward the empty seats beside Rachel and Talen.
“For you, I’ll do it.” Reid’s lips twitch and he walks with me back to our seats.
My heart is racing out of my chest as I buckle myself in, gripping the handle bar and Reid’s hand impossibly tight. “Easy, sweetheart,” Reid says.
The park attendant checks the safety belts before giving a thumbs-up to the man behind the operating table. The seats lift and tilt, so we are lying on our stomachs. I squeeze Reid’s hand. “Don’t let go,” I plead.
“I won’t, Poppy. I promise.”
And we’re off.
***
The adrenaline has yet to leave my body. I am practically prancing around the park, swinging Reid’s hand back and forth as if we’re in a cheesy music video. I have overcome a great fear and the feeling is indescribable. I’m glad I decided to follow through with the ride. And Reid kept his promise—he never let go of my hand.
I sit at a table with Rachel, waiting for the guys to join us with tubs of chicken tenders and fries. “You look happy,” Rachel says suddenly.
I meet her blue eyes and smile softly. “I am happy,” I admit. I am the happiest I’ve been in a long time. And it’s all because of the man who is walking toward us with a stupid smile on his face.
“You deserve it, Poppy. I’m glad you found it with my brother.” Rachel’s voice drops slightly at the end when Reid nears. He arches a perfect brow when his sister looks up at him, dotingly. I place a subtle hand over my mouth, pretending to scratch an itch, to cover my smile.
“What are you two troublemakers talking about?” Reid asks, setting a tub of chicken and fries in front of me before he takes his place by my side. Rachel goes to steal a chicken finger, but Reid swats her hand away. “This is ours. Talen is bringing yours.” Reid shakes his head, happily plucking a piece of fried meat from the container and chewing it slowly and mockingly in front of his sister. “So?”
“I was apologizing to Poppy for having a Neanderthal as a boyfriend.” I practically spit out laughter in my hand as Reid frowns deeply, looking over at me in confirmation.
Talen then makes an appearance and places a kiss to Rachel’s head. When he looks at the three faces around the table, he lets out a strained chuckle. “What’s happening right now?”
Rachel is holding her mother’s mischievous gleam in her eyes, while I am grinning like the Cheshire Cat, and Reid rivals a heartbroken puppy.
Then, Reid surprises all of us, looking at Talen. “Poppy is pregnant.” Rachel chokes on the piece of chicken she was chewing while I begin to cough violently on absent air. Reid looks like a proud father as he pats my back. “Perhaps roller coasters aren’t a good idea, sweetheart. You should have told me sooner.”
“Y’all are messing with me…” Talen whispers.
“Talen…Poppy is pregnant with my child. Why would I joke about that?” Reid asks, his brows furrowing as he looks convincingly angry with his best friend.
Talen looks back at me, his mouth falling open in clear shock. I raise a challenging brow at him.
Rachel is the first to break, laughing obnoxiously and gaining a few displeased glances from guests seated around us. Reid bows his head and chuckles softly while I cover my mouth again and giggle.
Talen lets out three loud, fake laughs before he glares at his friend and sulks while eating his food.
Looking at Reid as he carelessly laughs with his sister, my heart swells with love.
I don’t know how he did it. How he managed to break down my walls and gain access to my heart, but he did. This selfless, determined, charming man before me has done what no one else could do. Not even Rachel.
He has made me happy and loved.
And in turn, I love him.
I have loved him since high school, just as I have loved Rachel and Talen.
But here and now I am finally grasping the truth: I am in love with Reid Holt. He owns my heart now, and as scary at that revelation is, I am certain there isn’t a better man. Reid would sooner rip his own heart out than squander mine.
I reach over and place a hand on Reid’s wrist resting on the table. He instinctively turns his hand over to clasp his fingers around my own, and looks over to meet my eyes. “I need to talk to you,” I say softly. All laughter and joy in his expression is drained and replaced with concern and apprehension. He nods, standing and leading me to a quieter part of the park.
Standing face to face, I grow self-conscious and look to the ground, shuffling my feet.
“Don’t even say it, Poppy. I can’t bear it.” His voice is weak and I tilt my head back to stare into his water-filled eyes.
What?
“The pregnancy thing…it made you think, didn’t it? You’re scared of the future, of being the mother of my children? W-We don’t need to have kids if you’re afraid. All I want is you, no matter what. Just, don’t say those words, Poppy. I am begging you.”
Tears blind my vision as I shake my head. How could he think that? I would have to be a madwoman to even have the thought of breaking up with Reid.
I step closer, placing a hand at the back of his neck and pulling him down a few inches so our lips can meet. Reid instantly drops his hands to my waist and holds tightly, as if clinging to a life source.
When I step back, Reid is out of breath, his forehead placed softly against my own. “I love you, Reid Holt,” I breathe out. It is soft, barely audible. But he hears. He always hears me.
The initial shock on his face is an image I will never forget. And neither is the wide smile that breaks across his face, along with the single tears that exit each of his eyes. Reid’s chuckle is light and happy as he wraps me up in his arms and spins me around.
Perhaps we are in a cheesy music video.
I simply do not care, however.
“I love you so much, Poppy. Thank you.”
I place a hand on Reid’s cheek, causing him to kiss the inside of my wrist. “Never thank me for loving you.”
Chapter 17
Weddings, Engagements, and Stuff…
Reid
December 12, 2016
Talen slowly walks around the edge of the room for the fourth time in the last ten minutes. I run a hand through my hair and let out a sigh. “Will you cut it out?” I hiss. Talen looks at me with wide eyes and an open mouth.
“Dude…what if she leaves me at the altar?” he asks, his face betraying his fear; as if he truly believes my sister will just abandon him on what will be the most beautiful day of their lives.
I shake my head and walk over to place a heavy hand on his shoulder. “My sister loves you, man. She is crazy about you. In fact, Rachel came home from your first date and told me that you were the man she was going to marry. Look where you are, Talen. You are marrying my sister and you are a lucky son-of-a-gun too.” Talen pales and I instantly realize my mistake. “And so is she. I wouldn’t let just some run-of-the-mill guy marry my sister. Rachel knows it too.”
Talen leans against the wall and lets out a deep breath. I see the tension ease off of his shoulders before he meets my eyes. “Thanks, Reid. I’m lucky to have you as my best man.”
I’m still shocked Talen picked me over his cousins to be his best man. I am honored beyond words, but I never understood how much I meant to him. Obviously, Talen will be standing beside me when I marry Poppy, as well. He’s my best friend and I have no male relatives.
I spoke to Poppy not long ago and we are content with only having Rachel and Talen standing up for our wedding.
Poppy and I are going to live a peaceful life, with only those who truly love us. Poppy told me one evening that she fears her father’s absence. She even sobbed when she asked if her grandfather could give her away.
I was heartbroken, seeing my beautiful warrior feeling completely alone and disowned. Her father has no claim to her; the only person who does is her maternal grandfather and soon, me.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be doing the same when I’m getting married,” I tell Talen.
Even though Poppy and I speak of our wedding, I have yet to propose. I know she’s hesitant about being engaged when I’m about to go off to Iraq or Afghanistan.
Poppy is scared about uncertainties. She loves me and I’m overjoyed, but our future is uncertain. Sometimes, I wish I had chosen another path. But I also know that when I return home, by the Grace of God, I will finally be the man she deserves.
Talen chuckles but nods his head.
The wedding planner approaches and tells us that it’s time for Talen to take his place. I give him a quick hug before he leaves the room to go stand at the altar, awaiting a future with Rachel.
I hear the door open and I turn to see Poppy sheepishly walk in. She holds the skirt of her dress, lifting it an inch so she can jog over. I watch her carefully, silently afraid she will trip in her heels. But when she’s in my embrace, I let out a contented sigh and bury my nose into her neck.
She smells of hair product, soap and…Poppy. Coffee still lingers from her shift last night and I can’t help but feel at home when I inhale the scent of my Poppy.
When she steps back and I am no longer concerned about her ability to jog, I am able to drink in her appearance. She is beautiful.
The dress she wears is floor length with see-through lace. I can see the skin at her chest, shoulders, back, arms, and below the knees. The dark green shift underneath the dress renders it appropriate for the public eye. The emerald green dress brings out Poppy’s eyes as they sparkle with happiness and love.
She has her hair pulled to the side in an exquisite braid that is stiff with hairspray. The makeup adorning her face is light and elegant.
I am completely in love. Every time I see her, I am certain I fall deeper and deeper for her.
“You’re absolutely gorgeous, Poppy,” I breathe out, lifting my eyes to meet hers. She blushes, bowing her head for a short moment before she surges with confidence and returns the compliment.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Holt.” Poppy delivers a gentle punch to my shoulder, pulling off a typical “bro-mance” façade.
I grab her hand and pull her up under my arm, placing a kiss to the side of her head. “Are you ready for this?” I ask. Poppy nods her head just as the doors open and the rest of the bridal party enters. Poppy peels away from me to tend to my sister, serving as the perfect maid of honor.
The wedding planner directs us toward the doors we are to enter, where we will walk down the aisle. Talen’s cousins and Rachel’s friends from school go first, until it’s just Poppy and me.
She places her hand in the crook of my arm and I look over at her. She has a small smile on her face before she frowns and leans over to whisper in my ear, “Don’t let me fall.” I want to chuckle, however it is time for us to walk down.
Everyone watches us and I can’t help but imagine the sight of Poppy walking down in white, coming toward me.
Poppy clings to me tightly, and when she manages a small stumble, I easily support her weight. I don’t believe anyone noticed, for no one made a noise or indication of being alarmed.
When I release her, I place a tender kiss to her cheek before letting her walk up to stand by the altar. I take my place beside Talen, nodding to him. He smirks but I see his hands shaking slightly with nerves.
“Here she is,” I whisper a moment before the telltale song “Here Comes the Bride” begins playing. Everyone stands and turns to face the beautiful bride as she walks down the aisle, holding on to my father’s arm.
When my father hands Rachel off to Talen, I smile, for I am happy that my little sister has found the love of her life.
***
The DJ plays an upbeat song, causing Poppy to bounce on the tips of her toes before me. I dance fluently along beside her, smiling as she closes her eyes and sings along to the lyrics. She is at peace, nothing can touch her here.
Rachel and Talen have been dancing since the reception began, and don’t look as if they are about to quit any time soon. Poppy had told me that she intends to dance the entire night.
I begin to grow weary and the music finally changes to a slow song. Poppy smiles up at me, looping her arms around my neck and stepping close so our bodies are pressed against each other. I rest my forehead against hers, closing my eyes as I allow her presence to soothe me.
The days are counting down. Soon, I will be saying goodbye and won’t see her for another year. The thought tears at my heart. Seeing Poppy has become a daily occurrence, something that has become routine. I either visit her at work or we spend the entire day together.
Not seeing her will be a bucket of cold water, a hard slap from reality.
Poppy gently scratches her nails at the back of my neck, her lips brushing briefly against my own. Her confidence has grown to large lengths and she seems to be more comfortable with public displays of affection. “I love you,” I whisper.
Poppy hums in appreciation, and I peel open my eyes to stare into hers. “I love you too.”
After the slow dance, I pull Poppy to the table to eat a piece of cake with a glass of white wine. Poppy is tired, her eyes keep drooping closed, and I know the last few days have been weighing heavily on her. She has been the best maid of honor for Rachel, attending to her beck and call, helping with tears and shouts and doubts. Poppy has often woken up in the middle of the night to phone calls and would hurry over to Rachel’s house to help with whatever was on my sister’s mind.
I grab Poppy’s legs and drape them over my lap, massaging her calves. She lets out a soft moan and leans back in her seat as her eyes close. I chuckle, watching as people continue to dance, some couples gyrating against each other.
I meet Rachel’s eyes across the ballroom and she arches her eyebrows. Glancing back at Poppy, I smile before nodding my head. My heart races as I rise to my feet. “I need to use the restroom,” I murmur, placing a kiss to her forehead. Poppy hums again and opens her tired eyes to watch the dancing, just as I had.
Walking out of the ballroom, I stick my hands in my pockets, letting out a growl of frustration…frustration aimed at my nerves and anxiety. But the next few moments will determine my future and my happiness.
My fingers close around the velvet box just as I hear the DJ speak through the microphone. “Poppy Evans. If you would please step out of the ballroom, there is a surprise for you.” My palms sweat and I begin to pace just as Talen had earlier today.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to propose to Poppy tonight. I spoke to Rachel, asking if she would be all right with helping me and giving up a portion of her night. Rachel practically begged me to follow through with it. However, the proposal wasn’t going to happen unless I felt confident. I don’t want to embarrass her; I know being the center of the limelight is enough. If she feels obligated to turn down the proposal, it will completely mortify her.
I hear the door to the ballroom open and Poppy steps out, looking around with a confused expression. When she sees me, her eyebrow arches with question. Her steps are hesitant as she approaches me.
How is she mine? How did I get so lucky? I thank God every day for gifting me such a beautiful woman.
“Reid?” Her voice is uncertain.
I pull a hand out of my pockets to run a finger down the length of her arm until I take hold of her hand. “Oh, Poppy.” I gulp and take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
“From the first moment I met you in the school cafeteria, I knew you were the one for me. I kept you at a distance because I wanted you to develop your feelings for me on your own. I’m glad I did; I’m not entirely sure we’d be here today if I hadn’t. When I went to college, I found God, and He told me that you are the woman I am to love and cherish. But Poppy, I had already loved you. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you and caring for you.” I sink to my knee, placing a kiss to the hand I have in my own before I turn it over and set the box in her hand. I open the lid to r
eveal the delicate ring. The diamond is one carat with the band splitting down the middle and arching into an infinity sign that surrounds the diamond. The diamond sits in the center, where the band meets. Along one strip of the infinity sign are tiny diamonds that glisten under the light above us. The ring is beautiful and elegant, just like Poppy.
I look up into Poppy’s eyes. “I know marriage frightens you, but you are my warrior, Poppy. Look at all you’ve overcome and accomplished. I am honored to have been by your side. Please, allow me to remain by it for the rest of our lives. Marry me, Poppy.” Tears gather in Poppy’s eyes as she stares down at me for a moment, her mouth gaping open.
She shakes her head and lifts a hand to her lips. “I’m scared,” she whispers, lifting her shoulders to hide her neck, to try to hide her vulnerability. I rise to my feet and gently cup her face, the box still in Poppy’s hand.
“So am I, Poppy. But there isn’t anyone else in this world I’d rather face my fears with than you.” Poppy lets out a sob and leans forward to rest her forehead against my shoulder.
“You’re sure…you want to be tied to me forever?” she whispers against my neck. I let out a sigh and nod my head slowly, gently pecking her shoulder.
“I’ve never been more sure.”
Poppy pulls back and looks into my eyes. “Then I will marry you, Reid Holt. And I will love you until the end.” Poppy’s words leave me breathless and speechless.
I gather her into my arms and spin her around, just as I had done the first time she told me she loved me. I am filled with the same amount of joy as I was that day in September.
Once I am finished with our cheesy moment, I slide the ring onto her finger, a sense of pride filling me when I see it. She is mine and now everyone knows it. Poppy Evans is taken and I am the lucky man.
“When I return to you, I will marry you. I will throw you any wedding you want. Thank you, Poppy.”