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“Tell me what’s going on,” I whine, sick of wearing this blindfold.
“Nope, that ruins the surprise, and your mom is head over heels putting that boy on a pedestal. If I ruin this surprise, she’s gonna throw me in the Hudson.”
I laugh and decide to wait patiently.
“Okay, the boy says I can take off your blindfold. You ready?” “I am.”
My dad gently lifts the blindfold, and I blink, hoping my fake lashes are still in place. A smile spreads on my face. I’m at the end of a long red carpet with Rylan standing at the very end—by the entrance of a merry-go-round.
“He rented out the entire place,” my dad says and squeezes my hand.
My family members line the carpet, and there’s a big tent with tables set off to the side.
The carousel is in the Brooklyn Bridge Park. We went by this place before and I made him ride it with me. Or did he take me here knowing I’d make him ride it? Oh, he tricked me!
I walk down the red carpet with my dad to the sounds of a string quartet. When I get to the end, Rylan thanks my dad and takes my hand.
“I don’t think your dad likes me,” he whispers.
“He’s just going through something.”
Before the officiant can talk, Rylan clears his throat and addresses our guests. “I just want to say something before we get started. As all of you know, this has been a long time coming. Too long. Some of you might think I planned this to be romantic and others might think it’s adorably unique, but the reason I rented out this space and this carousel is because Calista once told me she felt our love was like riding a roller coaster. She never knew when we’d hit a sharp turn or go into a dip. She craved the stability of a merry-go-round. So today, I offer her that future as she agrees to marry me.” He locks eyes with me and squeezes my hand. “This is where we step off the roller coaster.”
A few of the women ooh and aah and I fall even more in love with him if possible.
The officiant clears her throat, and we go through the I dos and the exchange of rings.
Once we’re pronounced husband and wife, Rylan leads me onto the merry-go-round, and because I can’t straddle an animal in this dress, we opt for one of the benches. That turns out to be perfect, because I can kiss my husband privately while everyone else finds a seat.
All the kids and adults get on and pick their animal or stand and hold on to a pole.
“This is so amazing.” I slide under his arm. “You’re too good to me.”
“You’re too good to me. This year has been beyond my wildest dreams.” Rylan kisses the top of my head.
He had a great year professionally and his team made it to the playoffs but got knocked out by the third round. Still, it’s further than they made it last year.
I’m seeing a therapist now to deal with my grief over losing my dream, and I’ve become more active with the park district’s girls’ soccer program. A high school recently reached out to me about coaching their girls’ team all year round, but I like to travel with Rylan, so I’m not sure I’m ready for that commitment. Plus, I just went off the pill. We’re hoping I’ll get pregnant soon. God knows my mom didn’t have any problems in that regard.
“Me too.” I kiss his lips. “Now can we go to the hotel and consummate this marriage?”
“Good news for you, my groin is perfect.” He smiles and I laugh.
“Are you ready to go back to Lake Starlight?”
We’re going on a two-week honeymoon, then true to his word, we’re going to Lake Starlight for the off-season.
“Yeah, I’m excited actually. Maisie is really loving soccer, and I guess Peyton is the fastest on the football team. Plus, you and I will get uninterrupted time.”
Rylan’s made a big effort with his siblings and his nieces and nephews this year. We flew home for a couple birthdays, and he’s getting to know them better as individuals. No more gift cards from Uncle Rylan for Christmas.
“I’m excited too.”
The ride ends and we get off to thank our guests and mingle, but Rylan’s gaze is always on mine from across the tent. At the end of the evening, after most of our guests have gone to their hotels, Rylan asks me for one last ride.
I accept his hand as he leads me on.
“I can’t promise our life will always be this smooth and easy. We’re gonna hit bumps, but what I promise is that I will never, ever leave your side, Calista Bailey-Greene.”
