My eyes flashed up to his, anger threatening to spill out of my broken quivering heart. “It wasn't a lie!”
“All my life, people have lied to me to get what they want. Usually it's money or power.” He met my gaze, his hazel eyes full of honesty and heartache. “You fell in love with me without knowing I had either. I was just Aiden to you, and I couldn't fathom how that was possible. How could you love someone like me without expecting something in return?”
“I just wanted you,” I whispered. All the hurt and tears I had suppressed and worked through since getting on the plane to leave were threatening to overwhelm me.
“It took me a day and a half to realize that I am a complete and utter idiot.” He paused, his eyes enveloping me in their warmth. “You loved me for something no one else has. You loved me with no thought of any gain for yourself.”
A small, hopeful smile lit his eyes. I didn't dare breathe in case this was all a dream.
“Lena Masterson, I love you. Not because you're a lawyer, but because you bring out the best in me. I want you to be a part of my life,” he confessed. Ever inch of his face shone with the truth of his words. “You are amazing in your own right, and it doesn't matter if you have letters after your name or not. You're funny, and kind; and you make me ridiculously happy. I like the person I am when I'm with you. You complete me.”
I sniffled, my heart expanding in my chest to envelope the whole room. He loved me and wanted me regardless of what anyone else thought. The hand not holding the shoe reached up and touched my face. I realized I was crying, but it was with tears of joy.
“I love you, Lena.” Aiden cupped my face and made me look at him. I peered into his eyes and could see that every word was true.
“I love you, too, Aiden,” I whispered. My heart was ready to burst with joy.
“You are my fate, Lena,” he whispered, holding me close. “I'm sorry it took me so long to light my candle. Do you think you can help me keep it lit?”
“Yes.” I took the shoe and kissed him, not wanting to be apart from him for a second longer.
He pressed his hands into my hair, drawing me into him. I kissed him like a drowning man searching for air. My hands wrapped around his neck and mussed his hair. I had missed him so badly the past couple of days that I never wanted to spend another moment apart from him.
I fought the need to breathe for as long as possible. He pressed his forehead into mine and I could feel all the pieces of my heart knitting back together. His arms were strong and safe, promising me a future of love and devotion.
This was everything I could have hoped for. I looked up into the green over brown depths that led straight into Aiden's soul. They were so beautiful, not just in their coloring, but in what they were full of. Love. More than anything, when I looked into Aiden's eyes, I saw how we were fated and chose to find one another.
I kissed him again, wanting only to feel his heart beat with mine.
He loved me and I him. Together we would keep one another's candles lit with love and barefoot kisses.
Epilogue
I take a deep breath and slip into my shoes.
They aren't the shoes that brides usually wear on their wedding. These shoes are just simple black flats with sand stuck in the cracks near the toes.
“You ready?” My sister Louisa asks, peeking out through the door.
“Ready as I'm ever going to be,” I say. Now that I have the shoes on, my nerves are settling. I know he loves me because these shoes prove it.
My mother fusses one last time with my dress. It's satin and lace and possibly the most beautiful wedding dress I have ever seen. I'm sure all brides think that of their dresses, but for mine, I'm sure of it.
I hear the music start inside the church.
“I love you, sweetheart,” Mom says, giving me a kiss on the cheek. There are tears of pride in her eyes. She wipes the lipstick from her kiss off my cheek.
“I love you too, Momma,” I whisper. She presses her lips together as tight as she can to keep from crying as she hurries out to take her seat.
“She's so beautiful,” I hear her tell my dad. He's waiting just outside the door. Once Darcie and Louisa leave, it will be my turn.
“See you up there,” Darcie says with a grin.
“Hey,” Louisa whispers. She fixes my veil and smiles. “If this is what it got you, I'm glad you missed dinner last year. I've never seen you so happy.”
I nearly cry. It was a year ago that Aiden bought me dinner after a terrible day and a missed date with my sister. I hug her close, glad to have someone as wonderful as her in my life.
She pulls back and wipes at her eyes. “Don't make me cry or Darcie's going to beat me up.”
We both laugh because we know it's true.
I follow her out the door and Dad takes my arm.
“You sure you want to do this?” he asks, guiding me to the back of the church. “I'll go get the car right now if you say the word.”
“I love him, Daddy. A lot.”
“I know. I just have to ask.” He smiles, but there are tears welling up in his eyes. “You will be my little princess, forever. You know that, right?”
I wrap my arms around him and hold him tight. I am glad I'm still his little girl, even though I'm standing in a church in a wedding dress.
The wedding march begins and my stomach flutters. It's time.
I hold my father's arm as he walks me down the aisle. I glance to the sides, seeing friends and family. To my right, I see Noah and Izzy, waving and smiling. On my left, my cousin Emma and her husband Jack watch with huge smiles. My other cousin, Kaylee and her husband are at the front of the church trying to reign in a very boisterous little flower girl while Aiden's brother, Logan, makes silly faces at the child.
They all fade away as soon as I see Aiden.
I don't see the suit that I helped him pick out. I don't see the boutonniere that my mother insisted upon. I only see his smile and the love he has for me in his eyes.
I give my father one last hug and kiss. He shakes Aiden's hand before reluctantly letting me go.
I'm smiling so wide it hurts and I'm afraid my heart is going to burst out of my chest at any moment its beating so hard.
“Dearly Beloved,” the minister begins. I know the words. These are the words that are going to bind Aiden and I together so that we will never have to be apart again. The promises that we make here today to one another will be what guides us for the rest of our journey together.
The ceremony is short and sweet. I honestly am too excited to remember much of it. I put the important parts, the things I want to tell my children about someday firmly in my mind.