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Luke Who? Seriously.
He pulls back and holds my eyes and sings about being a fool for me.
My man holds me tight, swaying in perfect rhythm to an amazing song, reminding me of how he sees me. With the flare I didn’t know he had, he dips me and slowly raises me back into his arms, never breaking eye contact. I swallow hard. He’s toying with me. It’s almost like when he takes me to the brink, only to withhold my orgasm, knowing it will build and almost overpower me.
At a break in the lyrics, Eli speaks. “You’re always beautiful. My whole life you’ve been beautiful. But tonight you’re a stunner. It’s like there’s peace that’s settled in your soul.”
He keeps dancing and a niggle of old words flits around my memory.
“The radiance of who you’ve always been is shining through. My bold, loving, brilliant woman. I’m a lucky man to see that.”
My mom’s words echo in my heart.Make peace with yourself. Then give that away to someone you find worthy.
Less than a year. It’s taken less than a year for Mom’s final wish for me to come to fruition.
A year of pain.
A year of fear.
A year of trial.
A year of bravery.
A year of joy.
Almost a year with this man. My man. The one who’s steady, day-in and day-out. The man who holds me or lets me wail or tempers my anger. The man who deserves my peace.
“It’s you, Eli. You make me whole.”
“No, darlin’. This is all you. I’m just the fortunate one who gets to be with you.”
Make peace with yourself. Then give that away to someone you find worthy.
“Thank you.”
He pulls back, holding my eyes. “For what?”
“For loving me and for reminding me of who I am.”
“Bright, I’d take every day of wanting you, every single fight with you, to have you in this moment. To know what so few others know.” He spins me out and then pulls me flush to him. His chin is dipped, and he stops moving entirely. “There might be five people on this planet who know the real you, the vulnerable you. The you who doesn’t have to be strong because she trusts them to care for her and to protect her. That I’m counted as one is a gift you’ve given me that I can never repay.”
Luke Combs’ words swirl around us, and Elias begins swaying to the music again. “Except to say, I will love and protect you every day of the rest of my life. Forever.”
* * *
I’m here.I can’t believe I’m actually here.
Dollywood.
When Eli gave me the stars for Christmas, he gave me tickets to see the Queen herself in Pigeon Forge. Her concert is tonight.
I feel equal parts ridiculous for loving it and overjoyed at being here. The overjoyed part is winning though.
This place is stunning and huge.
We’re on vacation.
Not that I know how to sleep in. Besides, I’m too excited. I’m a kid in a candy store at this point.
