Page 83 of Loved By Two
I love you, now and always.
Yours,
Noah x
I smile and fold the letter and slip it into the same envelope as Jessica's.
Imagining the future, ten, twenty, thirty years from now, when we're old and grey, sitting around reminiscing over all the wonderful things we've done together, as we look at the most special keepsakes and these will be amongst them.
Every word a symbol of our love, commitment, and friendship.
They are my everything.
Today I'll concentrate on the here and now, the present.
I won't obsess over what’s to come. What’s out of my control or what the future has in store for us.
Today is about simply being with the people I love the most.
Chapter Thirty-Four
JESSICA
I sip on my bellini as the finishing touches are done to my hair. I hardly recognise myself.
Jax picked up Lily’s sister Mia from the station this morning. Lily and Avery told me she wanted to be a professional make-up artist. So, I hired her to help with hair and makeup. It seemed only fitting seeing as Lily designed my wedding dress, and it would appear they’re both beyond talented. And if it helps with her portfolio, who am I to deny her the opportunity.
I glance over at my dress hanging from the rail, eager to finally pull it on. The white lace and delicate tulle create an ethereal elegance, adorned in floral embroidery and subtle beadwork. The design is the essence of a fairytale, fitting me like a soft embrace, but the fabric allows me to move with grace with every twist and turn. How Lily managed to design my dress and have it made within three weeks completely blew me away.
They both came wedding dress shopping and no matter how many dresses we looked at I just couldn’t find the one. Eventually Lily started asking me questions and making notes as she pulled out her iPad and pen and began to sketch. And that’s how the idea for the dress was born.
I decided on a simple but elegant bouquet, an avalanche of roses and eucalyptus, this is about new beginnings after all.
“There, all done,” Mia says, holding up a handheld mirror so I can see my hair in the reflection. “What do you think?”
I place my glass on the dresser and stand, checking side to side, loving the low updo.
“It’s perfect.” It’s sophisticated and polished, just what I wanted. “Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure.”
I turn to hug her. Pulling away, I turn back to the mirror, hardly believing it’s me staring back.
I reach for my glass, my eyes catching on my engagement ring now on my right hand until I say I do.
I can’t look at it without smiling. Caleb took me and Noah to the same jewellers so we could pick out our wedding bands. Mine is a black band that fits perfectly with my wedding ring, and it’s the same with Noah’s, only his is a thinner band, but with his engagement ring it fits perfectly. Caleb got a black band too.
“Oh, that reminds me,” I say, promptly placing my glass back down. “I have a little something for everyone.”
I go over to my wardrobe and pull out the big drawstring bag and then reach inside.
And then I pass out the teal bags to Lily, Avery, and Mia.
“Open them,” I say.
Avery raises an eyebrow. “You know you didn’t have to get us anything.”
I nod. “I know, but I wanted to, and this way you all have something tangible, a keepsake,” I reply.
