Page 107 of Collins
Bea walks back in, just as I start stepping into my dress while Lou holds it out for me.
“Oh my god, Johnnie! It’s really happening!” She puts her hands on her cheeks and smiles at me with tears in her eyes. “Ann, I went out to the trailer. Mike’s good. Pills have been consumed.”
Mom smiles at her. “Oh, thank you, Bea.”
The guys are getting ready out in the trailer, and the thought of seeing Collins all dressed up sends a nervous flutter through me. It’s equal parts excitement and something more emotional.
Lou carefully lifts the sleeves, guiding them up and over my shoulders with gentle hands, while Bea moves behind me. The soft rustle of fabric fills the room as Lou fluffs the skirt, letting it fall into place.
Behind me, Bea’s fingers work methodically, fastening each tiny button with precision. I can feel every small tug, every careful movement, as the dress settles against me.
A deep voice clearing his throat makes my head snap up. There stands Crandall, black and white fitted tux, shiny shoes, dogwood boutonnière, and wavy blond hair slicked back neatly, holding a blue box.
He’s so handsome, and Lou looks over adoringly.
“Special delivery.” He holds the box out toward me, smirking.
“What’s this?” I reach out toward him, not really able to move from the spot I’m in, material all around me, and he comes forward, handing it over.
“Don’t ask me, I’m just the messenger.” He backs away, a sparkle in his light brown eyes. “You look beautiful, John.” His voice is soft, and his gaze lingers before it flickers to Lou. “Youtoo, gorgeous.” He throws her a wink, then turns on his heel and starts back down the hall.
He’s barely out of sight when Bea scoffs under her breath, loud enough for all of us to hear. “You’re ugly, asshole.”
Right on cue, Crandall’s head pops back into the doorway.
“Sorry, Bea,” he says, feigning sincerity. “You look…okay.” And just like that, he disappears again.
Laughter bursts from all of us at once.
Looking down at the blue box, my cheeks start to hurt from smiling so much. I take a deep breath and pull the top off. There’s a note on top of white tissue paper.
I can’t wait to marry my beautiful girl.
Do me a favor and wear this today.
See you out there.
I’ll be the one saying “I do.”
- CC
Moving the tissue paper to the side, my breath hitches at the sight of the silky white hair bow looking back at me.
I have my hair fixed in a refined version of my typical messy bun. My veil is made to clip to the underside, and the bow will go perfectly on top.
A white bow with my white dress—a vision of the girl I used to be flashes through my mind.
I’m still the same me, just a stronger, more resilient version. And I’m happy, finally. Again.
I reach over, grabbing my bouquet from the end of the bed. I rub the dull silver tab hanging from deep purple flowers between my fingers and smile.
Time to start the rest of my life.
Our life.
CHAPTER 48
collins
