AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A knock at the door drew us both out of our playful cake planning. Lucia poked her head in. “Sorry to interrupt,” she said, “but we’re ready to start the staff meeting whenever you two are.”
“We’ll be right there,” Alexander assured her. As Lucia left, Alexander smiled at me and helped me gather up the marketing plans we had been reviewing.
“I suppose cake deliberations will have to wait,” he said with a wink. He drew me close and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “I love you, my dear Etta,” he murmured. “Now, let’s go tackle this staff meeting so we can get back to more enjoyable discussions about our future together.”
I squeezed his hand, my heart overflowing. “I love you too,” I whispered.
As we headed out of his office together to join our colleagues, I sent up a silent prayer of thanks for this amazing man and the life we would share.
***
Alexander and I walked out of the office hand in hand, our fingers intertwined. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the cobbled streets of our little town, and I couldn’t help but smile. After the craziness of the day, it felt good to have a quiet moment together finally.
“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” Alexander said, squeezing my hand. “Getting married. Starting a life together.”
I looked over at him, and his eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at me. “I know. It seems like just yesterday I was driving back into town, and now...”
“Now you’re going to be Mrs. Fairmont,” he finished.
“Mrs. Etta Fairmont,” I said, trying it out. It sounded perfect. “I love the sound of that.”
We walked in comfortable silence for a few moments, both lost in our own thoughts about the future. I couldn’t stop thinking about our wedding, imagining myself walking down the aisle in a simple white dress, flowers woven into my hair. Marla and Lucia smiling at me from the front row. Alexander waiting for me under an archway woven with roses, his eyes lighting up when he sees me.
“What are you thinking about?” Alexander asked, noticing my faraway gaze.
“Our wedding,” I admitted. “Trying to picture it.”
“Any ideas so far?”
I laughed. “About a million. I was thinking of something small, just our closest friends.”
Alexander nodded, considering it. “Maybe in your backyard? We could string up some lights in the trees and have the reception on the patio.”
“Exactly!” I said excitedly. “And I’d love to have wildflowers for the bouquets and centerpieces. Channel that cozy, romantic vibe.”
“As long as I get to marry you, I don’t care where we do it or what flowers we have,” Alexander said sincerely.
I felt a flush spread across my cheeks at his words. He still knew how to make me blush, even after all this time.
We turned onto the sidewalk leading to my house, the cozy Craftsman-style home looking particularly charming in the golden sunset. I spotted a few late blooms on the rose bushes out front and made a mental note to clip some for a bouquet later.
“Yes, I can picture getting married here,” I mused. “Under the big oak tree. My dad used to say it was the heart of our home.”
Alexander gave my hand another supportive squeeze. “I think that’s a beautiful idea, sweetheart. A perfect way to honor him.”
I felt a swell of emotion at the thought. Even though my father had been gone for several years, I still felt his presenceeverywhere in this house. Getting married under his favorite tree seemed the perfect way to have him there on my wedding day.
“And I was thinking,” I said softly, “That I could ask George to give me away? He’s been so good to me.”
Alexander looked at me and smiled, “That would be perfect.”
We slowly climbed the steps to the front porch, neither of us in a rush for this quiet moment together to end. I fished the keys out of my purse and unlocked the front door. Stepping inside, I flipped on the entryway light, illuminating the cozy living room.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked Alexander. “Iced tea? Lemonade?”
“Tea would be great, thanks,” he said.
I went into the kitchen while Alexander settled on the couch in the living room. Filling two glasses with ice, I poured the refreshing peach iced tea my neighbor had brought over. I couldn’t help but think of all the meals I would cook for Alexander, all the late night cups of tea we would share. A lifetime of mundane yet beautiful moments.
