Page 124 of Broken Butterfly
It’s hard to speak since my throat is tight as tears stream down my face. “I’ve been too afraid to,” I admit. “Where have you been?”
“Around.” He pivots and bends down to kiss my cheek. “Goodbye, princess.”
I watch him walk away through tear-clogged eyes. After a few feet, he stops and turns slightly in my direction.
“I love you, Liz,” he says over his shoulder, and disappears down the slope of the hill.
Epilogue II
One Year Later…
“For fuck’s sake!” Meredith yelps, sucking on the thumb she just burned with the curling iron.
I burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“Hailey said and did the exact same thing when she was fixing my hair for prom.” I giggle.
“And stop laughing or else you’ll tear up and ruin your makeup.Again. I’m almost done, so sit still.”
“Says the girl who spends half the time acting like a squirrel on crack and can’t stand still for two seconds.”
Meredith twirls my hair around the heated barrel one last time and spritzes it with holding spray. “Alrighty. There. I’m done. What do you think?”
I look in the full-length mirror and can’t stop the smile or the tears from forming. Thankfully, I’m able to wipe them away and avoid another makeup catastrophe. Meredith has worked her voodoo hair magic on me once again. She has my long blond hair cascading down my shoulders and back in long waves. Tiny butterflies are pinned throughout my long lengths, giving me an ethereal aura and making me look like a fairy princess. It reminds me of prom night when Hailey clipped tiny red flowers in my hair.
“Meredith, it’s gorgeous. You, my bestie, are a hair genius.”
She rubs her manicured fingers against her dress front and blows on them. “Don’t I know it, babe,” she says with a waver creeping into her voice when our eyes meet in the mirror.
“If you start crying, I’m definitely going to make a mess of my makeup.”
I look at my wedding gown that’s hanging from the large armoire. Just like when I asked Ryder to marry me, I decided to go a little unconventional. The dress is traditional white and floor-length, but the sides are cut out to reveal my butterfly tattoos. I’m not hiding them anymore. They are a mark of who I am and the woman I have become. Strong. Fierce. Capable. A survivor. The bodice is a halter that ties in a bow at the back of my neck. The waistline is embellished and the front splits almost to my navel.
Faith came in earlier and gave me a pair of yellow diamond earrings that match my engagement ring. Something new, she told me.
“Your hot as hell man is not going to be able to keep his hands off you today.”
“I should hope not!” I answer before adding, “I know I won’t be able to keep my hands off him. Ryder in a tux is just…” I shiver, thinking about how good he looked in his prom tux.
Meredith starts laughing. “Hey, no baby-making in front of the congregation.”
“Knock, knock,” Freda’s voice calls from the doorway. “Permission to see the bride before the wedding?”
“Of course. Get in here,” I tell her.
“Oh, Lizzie. You are so beautiful.”
“Thank you. Meredith gets all the credit.”
Freda takes my hand. “No, sweetheart. You have always been beautiful, inside and out, just like your mom. Ann would be so proud of the woman you have become. I know I could never take Ann’s place, Lizzie, but you have always been a daughter to me, and to Faith too. We’re both here for you.”
I blink back more tears at the mention my mom. I miss Mom and Dad and Hailey so much, especially today—the day I’m going to marry the love of my life.
My half-grin wobbles. “I know, and I love you both dearly for it.” I hesitate to ask her, but I need to know. “Is he coming?”
Freda’s face falls for a second before she composes herself. “No, sweetheart, he isn’t. I’m so sorry.”
