Twice Cherished
by Ava Branson
Is there anything more beautiful than a radiant bride on her wedding day? It is one of those moments that should be captured forever on film, and photographing weddings has become my specialty. Michaela Dawson Studio stood testament to eight years of hard work, grueling hours, and obsessive attention to detail.
But that was pretty much all I had to show for it. No husband, no children, no happy ever after of my own. My short-lived marriage hadn’t gone the distance, but it had taught me a few things. Like how screwed up my priorities had been. And how crushing guilt and shame can haunt you mercilessly.
Since then I’d worked equally hard on becoming the person I want to be and not the impressionable young woman I had been. And I had a pretty good handle on it…
Until he reappeared in my life. My first love. My first lover. The man against whom I measured all others, including my ex-husband, and found them lacking.
One look, one touch and the connection returned instantaneously, proving just as strong and powerful as it had been the first time around. And the passion flared brighter, as if that was even possible.
But despite my efforts to change, the choices I’d made all those years ago came rushing back, along with the guilt and regret. No matter how much you love someone—or how much they love you—some secrets are too dark to admit and some betrayals too hard to forgive.
But that was pretty much all I had to show for it. No husband, no children, no happy ever after of my own. My short-lived marriage hadn’t gone the distance, but it had taught me a few things. Like how screwed up my priorities had been. And how crushing guilt and shame can haunt you mercilessly.
Since then I’d worked equally hard on becoming the person I want to be and not the impressionable young woman I had been. And I had a pretty good handle on it…
Until he reappeared in my life. My first love. My first lover. The man against whom I measured all others, including my ex-husband, and found them lacking.
One look, one touch and the connection returned instantaneously, proving just as strong and powerful as it had been the first time around. And the passion flared brighter, as if that was even possible.
But despite my efforts to change, the choices I’d made all those years ago came rushing back, along with the guilt and regret. No matter how much you love someone—or how much they love you—some secrets are too dark to admit and some betrayals too hard to forgive.