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When I meet Ryan in the entryway to our ridiculously luxurious room, he's frozen, just staring at me. I meet his gaze with a smile. He's wearing a pair of white linen shorts, a brown belt and a navy button-down shirt with watercolour purple, bright blue, and green hibiscus flowers. My smile widens.
"You dressed to match me! Did Holly tell you about my secret-weapon dress? It was supposed to be a surprise," I chide him jokingly.
"She might have shown me the pattern so I could match it," he gulps. For some reason, he looks nervous, and I have no idea why.
"Why are you nervous?" I lean into him, kissing his jaw before whispering, "I'll tell you a secret. I'm kind of a sure thing."
Ryan laughs, the tension loosening in his shoulders that was there a minute earlier. He tucks my arm into his and pulls me in for a kiss. It's sweet. Just lips and on lips, as if he is trying to send messages to me through the spot our lips connect.I love you, his lips say into mine.
The kiss turns more urgent, his tongue coaxing my mouth open. I happily join in, running my tongue along his, tasting the mint from his toothpaste. He pulls me closer, deepening the kiss still.Mine, mine, mine, his kiss says, as my lips reply in kind.
He draws away too soon, forcing a pout from me. He laughs at my disgruntled huff of displeasure.
"If we don't leave now, we'll be late," he says.
"Late for what? It's just dinner."
Ryan just smiles enigmatically and drags me out the door. He walks us to the beach, which looks gorgeous in the low light. It's not sunset yet, but it will be soon. A little further down the beach, a small wedding party is gathered for a late ceremony. There aren't many guests, but I can hear music playing and people laughing. I smile. I would totally consider a destination wedding. This entire resort is Pinterest eye candy.
I turn my attention back to Ryan. He's watching me watch the wedding party with a grin. Then, he's looking around the beach, taking in the salty sea air, the warm sun on our faces, and the cool white sand sliding between our toes.
"Didn't you say we'll be late for dinner?"
"No," he grins slyly. "I said we're going to be late."
"For what?"
A broad smile forms on Ryan's face as he takes both my hands in his and steps back, looking directly into my eyes.
"Did you get too much sun today? You're acting weird."
Instead of answering, Ryan bends to one knee, immediately sending my heart into overdrive.
"Emerson Avery," he starts, calmly holding onto my shaking hands. "I've waited seven years to ask you again, and I still feel the same way I did the first time I did this. You were the first girl I loved as a boy. You're still the woman I love as a man. You're my past, my present and my future. I may not know what our future holds, but I do know the only way forward is with you at my side. I love you, and sometimes I wake up and can't help but think I am the luckiest bastard in the world because you chose me. You're my everything. So please, say 'yes,' this time and marry me. Marry me in front of the people we love most, on a beach at sunset and then be my wife for all the sunsets after tonight. Em, will you marry me?"
I glance back at the wedding setup down the beach. A few hoots and whoops sound from the small crowd. Then, I recognize Holly and Luke waiving like mad, Ollie and Ozzy holding up a large sign, like the ones we see at hockey games, that says, "JUST SAY YES!"
I laugh as I throw my hands around Ryan, drawing him to his feet.
“Yes! Of course, I'll marry you, you idiot." I kiss him all over his face in happiness. I can't believe he planned this all. Looking back, I can't believe I was so dense. Between Holly crying over my dress and our friends and family tagging along for this trip, I can't believe I didn't put two-and-two together.
Ryan pulls a velvet box from his pocket and opens it. The ring inside makes my eyes pop out. The platinum band is shaped like a vine with inlayed, sparkling diamonds, topped with a diamond rose centrepiece that glitters in the setting sun. The entire effect is dazzling, and as he slips it on my ring finger, I can't help but choke back tears of joy.
Ryan picks me up at the waist and swings me around while our families cheer behind us. As we make our way to the wedding, I notice Holly and Lily at the front, acting as my maid of honour and bridesmaid. Mom and Martha and bawling their eyes out while Ozzy stands as Ryan's best man.
It's Ollie that causes me to pause.
"What is Ollie doing?" I ask
"I, dear sister, have been ordained by the internet gods to marry you on this fine evening."
I laugh out loud. This wedding is more perfect than I could ever have dreamed. I look around at everyone I love. They all came here for us, and I can't believe Ryan planned this for me. My heart feels too large for my chest, and my throat is tight with emotion as I take everything in.
The altar is arched and covered with white, blue, and purple flowers that match my dress. Everything and everyone is colour-coordinated to match our tropical theme. Lines of flower petals create a makeshift aisle leading up to Ollie and the spot Ryan and I will say our vows facing the ocean and the setting sun.
There are only a few chairs on either side of the aisle. Holly, Luke, Ryan's mom, Luke's parents and uncle, Lily, Riley, Chase, Holly's mom, Ollie, Ozzy, and my parents are the only guests.
I notice a resort photographer snapping photos of us and taking video. Music plays behind the altar where two palm trees are strapped with wireless speakers, and there's a small table with the registry. Ryan really went all out. He didn't forget one detail.
