I nervously took my father's arm as he walked me out into the backyard at my in-law's estate. It's okay to call them in-laws at this point, right? We walked across the yard and onto the pink rose petal make-shift carpet as peacocks wandered around in the flower jungle my mother-in-law had created. It was absolutely wonderful. I looked out at the crowd and could only see one face, George.
With my father keeping me steady, which I was thankful for because whoever decided a backyard wedding would be a great idea in these heels needed to be shot. As I thought that I recalled, it was my idea. Well, shoot me now.
George was the most handsome I had ever seen him in his white tux. I was so against white, but now seeing him in it, he looked like every prince charming I had ever read about. He had a light pink rose on his lapel, and his green eyes drew me in the closer I got. Everything else around me was a blur of faces and people. I couldn't believe this was actually taking place.
Ever since I was a little girl, I had dreamt of this moment, and for six years, I had dreamt of this moment with this man.
My father kissed my cheek and handed me over to George, and as soon as George took my hand, the world seemed to right itself. I didn't care what would happen tonight or tomorrow or the next day because I knew I had my prince charming, and together we could take on the world.
I looked down at my hand in his, then up into his eyes, and the world stopped in that moment. He could read my soul the way he does, and I saw the joy in his eyes. I was so glad to have a partner like him to walk beside me throughout the rest of my life.
He brought my knuckles up to his mouth and slightly kissed them before repeating words to me of how he would never leave my side no matter what. That's my paraphrasing. And I repeated the same words back to him. Even though I knew there were tons of people watching and here with us, it felt like it was just the two of us dedicating our lives to each other.
He leaned in to kiss me, and I realized it was done. We were man and wife. I kissed him back hard and eager to be his forever. He turned me to the crowd that seemed to magically appear from thin air, and we were pronounced to our friends and family as officially married.
The night seemed to never end, and yet it was over far sooner than I would have liked. We enjoyed my pick of an Italian dinner, a fantastic Italian wedding cake. Not an ounce of Italian blood in either of us, mind you. And then we danced and laughed and laughed and danced.
My best friend pulled me aside, and as we caught our breath from all the laughing, she looked at me seriously, which took me aback.
"Whatever you two decide from this night on, know that I have your back." I felt like she knew about everything and was giving her blessing. I had told myself that I didn't need anyone's input, but it was good to have the support of my best friend, whatever I might go through.
"Thank you, Trinity." I gave her a huge hug and then pulled her back to the dance floor.
George and I grinned like we were two kids that had never grown up as we climbed into the back of the limo and rode back home. We were leaving in the morning for Bali with everything packed and ready. All we had to do was make sure to wake up in time for our flights.
George clumsily carried me into our apartment, the silly goof. And then he helped me out of my dress. I stood there before him in my sexiest lingerie ever, white peek-a-boo lace panties and bra that gave just a glimpse, just a tiny peek of what lay beneath. He gasped and picked me up again, and carried me to bed.
He laid me down and kissed me like he had never tasted me before, with an eagerness and a drive, and then just as soon as he had started, he pulled back.
"I promised." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small note card. "What did you decide?"
"I…" I didn't know. I just knew that I wanted to be with this man for the rest of my life. And I would love to be the mother of his child. I looked into his eyes as he searched mine. We had each other no matter what, and we could get through anything. I had worked so hard for my career. We both had.
George kissed me softly, "There is no wrong answer."
"I want to have it all," I whispered to him with a smile.
"Open it." He nodded to the card as he put it in my hand. And I read it. I want to have it all.
I looked up at George with tears and my eyes and pulled at his shirt as I undressed him.
*****
We were exhausted and lay in bed tangled together. George kissed my forehead, and I snuggled in closer. We had the rest of our lives to figure out what next. We had each other to conquer each new obstacle and not a worry in the world as we dozed off together.
This was truly the best day ever! I couldn't wait for the next one, and I knew with this man beside me I would have many more to come. For six years, it had been one best day after another.
Nothing would hold us back from enjoying what life had to give. This was the beginning of so many more amazing things to come. I knew it wouldn't be easy but with George and I side by side, anything was possible.