Chapter 56
56
‘Don’t cry, Libs,’ she heard Ethan say. ‘I hate it when you cry.’
But Libby found that she couldn’t stop. The shock of seeing their wedding rings, the very idea that he had kept them, was just too overwhelming for her to comprehend.
‘Please,’ he said, pulling her up next to him and drawing her against him.
She leant against his chest, relishing the strength and warmth of him, but knowing that she must pull away from him eventually.
‘You kept them,’ she whispered, only able to focus on the rings.
‘I couldn’t throw them away,’ he said, sounding shocked that she would think he would do so.
‘Why not?’ she said, against his chest.
‘Because I love you.’
She went still. For a moment, she thought that she had misheard him. Then, when she stepped back to look up into his face, she realised that he she hadn’t. He really had said those words.
‘What?’ she said, wiping the tears from her face.
‘It’s always been you, Libs,’ he told her. ‘I’ve loved you since as long as I can remember. Growing up, every single day. And then I lost you at the prom and found you in Vegas. And I wanted you forever. That was why I married you. And would marry you again if you’d have me.’ He took her face in his hands. ‘I’m not leaving. I’ll never leave you again. I want to see you every day, be with you every day. I never thought I would miss anyone so much as I’ve missed you these past two days. All those years I promised myself that I wouldn’t fall for you. That I couldn’t possibly love you. But that was before I lost you. Now I realise how empty my life has been without you. It’s you, Libs. You’re the love of my life.’
The silence stretched out as she tried to take in what he was telling her.
In the end, she blurted out, ‘You’re such an idiot!’
He burst out laughing before he looked serious once more. ‘Yes, I am,’ he told her, nodding. ‘But please tell me you still feel the same way. That you haven’t changed your mind.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘Of course it’s you. There’s never been anyone else anywhere near close to driving me crazy like you do. I love you. Body and soul. So very much. And I will go on loving you forever and a day. If you leave now, you’ll be taking my other half with me.’
He shook his head. ‘I’m afraid you’re stuck with me forever.’
‘Good,’ she told him, as she pulled his head down to hers. ‘That sounds like the most sensible thing you’ve said all week.’
Any tiny doubts were dispelled when his lips touched hers. It was a kiss of true love, forever love. She could feel how much it meant to them both and they were both smiling when they finally drew apart.
‘I love you,’ he told her, in a stunned voice, staring down at her. ‘You took the best bit of me when you left me in Las Vegas. But now I want to celebrate all the wedding anniversaries with you. I want this to be it. Forever.’ She felt him take the box from her fingers and open it once more. ‘One day very soon, we’re going to take these and slip them on each other’s fingers in front of our friends and families. Because when we marry each other again, I want to do it properly. Okay?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, please.’
Then they kissed once more.
‘Mr Connolly,’ she murmured.
‘Mrs Connolly,’ he whispered back. ‘My forever bride.’
‘Bride!’ Libby gasped in horror. ‘Oh my days! The wedding!’
She pulled up her now sodden trouser bottoms away from her wellington boots and began to run with Ethan alongside her towards Cranbridge.
As they reached the church, everyone was already inside and so there was just room for them to slip in at the back. Ethan managed to get the correct ring box forwarded on to the groom and finally they could relax and enjoy the wedding ceremony.
Harriet stood at the altar, holding hands with Joe, with Paddington the dog alongside them.
‘Dearly beloved,’ began the vicar.
Standing at the back of the tiny, crowded church, Libby felt Ethan’s hand slip into hers. And as Harriet and Joe said their vows at the altar, they squeezed each other’s hand in silent renewal of their own wedding vows.
And this time she knew it would be forever.