Page 93 of Don’t Forget Me

Anything for my readers.

“Ready?” Ezra asked.

“Always,” I chirped.

Ezra helped with the train of my gown as I neared the squealing young women. They held out their copies of So Long, Scotland before me. I grabbed the first girl’s marker and signed the open page. I continued this motion for as many people as I could, knowing that I would be able to meet more of my readers once I was inside the cinema. They were the ones who fueled my passion for writing. I owed everything to them. I wouldn’t be who I was today if it weren’t for the young women and men who had read my story and believed in me.

We headed into the cinema to watch a movie based on our story of love, redemption, and reconciliation. A script that detailed our best and worst moments. I could finally say that I was proud of how far we’d come.

We were no longer the two teenagers who had fallen in love and fallen apart. We weren’t the two frustrated adults hiding the passion we had for one another. No. We were different. We were together. I grinned just thinking about that and raised my gaze toward him. I was quite literally looking at my future.

My past no longer defined me. It was true that my childhood was horrible, but every experience that came after this one would be immeasurable.

His ocean stare pierced my heart.

He was the one.

My person.

How could I ever forget him?

forty two

LYSANDRA

6 MONTHS LATER

A fountain of tears seemed to spill from his blue eyes as his features were overcome with happiness. Watching the emotions flow through him almost made me crumble. I held firmly to the bouquet made of roses and baby’s breath as I walked silently toward the front of the church.

There’d been candlesticks lined at the ends of the rectangular pews, their flames dancing with the soft breeze that came from the open paned windows. White petals were scattered under my trail.

Hundreds of eyes blinked at me. Droplets forming on their eyelids. Most of them smiled as I passed by them. I scanned both sides of the sanctuary and noticed many familiar faces. Camille, Zack, Miriam, Amelia, and Greer.

There was one person who was missing, which pained me deeply. But only because I couldn’t find her. Larissa.

I’d called her number countless times and searched for her on the Internet. We even flew to The Valley to attempt to find her through the cab company that I’d called the day I left. The manager said that she hadn’t been working for company for many years, which meant that she left months after she helped me.

She’d found another job and they never heard from her ever again.

I continued walking forward, stepping into my new life. I could feel my veil moving with me, my dress dragging across the aisle, and the jewels on me shining.

Camille had tears falling from her face. She cleaned them with swiftness as her sweet stare engulfed me. There’d been droplets covering her maroon silk gown. She’d been standing not too far from Ezra as my maid of honor. It seemed fitting to have my children’s aunt as my maid of honor. She had earned the title after the many years she had endured as my loyal companion.

Zack stood on the other side of Ezra. Although I wasn’t quite fond of him in the beginning, he was supportive of our relationship, which made me appreciate him as he sent me a soft smile. I could’ve sworn I saw his eyes glint under the soft chandelier lights. When Ezra told him that we were tying the knot, he claimed the role of Best Man and swore that he would be the greatest uncle if the occasion were to arrive. Although, I’m unsure if he truly kept his promise. You tell me.

I found Ezra’s gaze. Grand admiration etching his profile.

My formative years had been filled with darkness. When I met Ezra, my life had started to be filled with sunlight and life. It was unfathomable to believe that I had found my person. The other half of my heart.

Marriage used to be a ridiculous idea to me.

Love was a farce.

Not for the new Lysandra. The woman who allowed herself to love, care, and laugh.

Ezra extended his hand toward me. I could feel him trembling as I made it to the front of the altar. The pastor beside us began the ceremony by quoting a verse that perfectly represented our story.

“Love is patient. Love is kind. It isn’t jealous. It doesn’t brag. It isn’t arrogant. It isn’t rude. It doesn’t seek its own advantage. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep a record of complaints. It isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, and endures all things.”