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I thought I couldn’t possibly love Ben any more than I did the day he proposed. I was wrong. Each day, I love him even more.
I love how patient he is. How kind. How supportive he’s been as we’ve navigated our way through the trauma caused by Stella and Alec, and we’re coming out of it stronger together.
I love all the little things he does for me—the notes he leaves in my lunches, the cute texts he sends throughout the day, the small gifts he hides so I’ll find them when I’m least expecting it.
I adore everything about him. The soft way he looks at me in the morning after we wake up, and he tells me I’m the most beautiful woman in the world. How wonderful he is with Laila. How protective he is of me—sometimes over the top, but I understand—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The last three months have been great, but challenging, too. Amidst all the highs, there were lows—nightmares and panic attacks and lingering anxiety—but wonderful Ben helped me deal with all of it.
Ben. My fiancé. The most incredible man I’ve ever met. Soon to be my husband.
Actually—now that I’m glancing at the clock—in less than an hour, we’ll be married.
I can’t believe it.
My body feels charged with electricity. It’s hard to stand still. My kaleidoscope of butterflies is doing acrobatic moves. I’ve never been more nervous or excited in my life.
“Thea, are you okay?” Ari touches my arm, her gaze concerned.
I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly. “Yes. Why?”
She smiles gently. “Because you look like you’re about to pass out. Or throw up. Maybe both.”
A laugh bubbles up, pushing aside some of the nervousness. “Hopefully not. That wouldn’t be a very good start to my wedding.”
“I was nervous, too.” Her eyes meet mine, understanding. “Not because I was scared, it was just… It’s such an important moment.”
“It’s so big,” I agree. “I’m so excited to marry Ben. To be his wife. But it’s not just him; it’s Laila, too. It’s—” My throat gets thick, and I wave my hands at my eyes, as if that can magically force back the tears prickling behind them.
Ari snatches up a tissue and dabs at my eyes. “Don’t cry!” she orders, giving me her best stern-teacher face. “I don’t have time to fix your makeup again!”
“Last night, Laila asked if she could call me Mom once Ben and I are married.” The memory chokes me up all over again.
“Ah, Thea.” She takes a breath. “That’s good, right?”
“Yeah.” The image of Laila’s face as she asked me—so hopeful and sweet and loving—will stay with me forever. “It’s amazing. I could barely keep from bursting into tears right there in the kitchen.”
Ari’s face goes soft. “Oh, Thea. I’m so happy for you. And you deserve this. Ben. Laila. All this love…”
And now she’s teary, too. We’re both sniffling and grabbing tissues madly, trying to stem an impending flood of tears.
Wads of tissues litter my desk slash makeup table, and we’re both making these ridiculous faces as we try not to cry. Ari has her mouth all twisted and her eyes squinched. When I glance in the mirror, all my features are pinched, like I’m sucking on a lemon.
It’s enough to make me burst out laughing. “Maybe we should get the photographer in here now.”
Ari snorts. “As if. I won’t let him take any bad pictures of you.”
Thank goodness for best friends.
“Thank you, Ari.” I hold her gaze. “For making me laugh. For introducing me to Ben. For being my best friend.”
She stares at me, her expression sobering. “You too, Thea.”
Then a knock interrupts our shared moment. Through the door, my dad says, “Thea, are you ready? Everyone’s here.”
Tears rush to my eyes, but I shove them back. It’s finally time.
I open the door to greet him. “Yes, Dad. I’m ready.”
