Page 29 of Claiming His Student

She found the love of her life at a young age, just like I did. He’s a handsome young man with a good job and a kind heart. I know exactly how it feels to be in her shoes. I remember how excited I was to walk down the aisle and commit the rest of my life to Dylan all those years ago. Thirty years together has proved to me that if you know, you know. I can see the love in Ariel’s eyes as I help her with her dress and veil in preparation for her big day, and I know her love is going to last forever too.

“I’m not even nervous,” she tells me as she sips some champagne. “I know some people get nervous on their wedding day, but I don’t really understand that. I’ve never wanted to do anything more than this. I committed my life to him long before today. At this point, the ceremony is just a celebration of what we share together.”

“That’s exactly how it should be,” I tell her as I thread flowers into her hair. Celeste tsk’s.

“Well, everyone is different,” she says. “I mean, I get what you’re saying, but marriage is a huge thing. It changes everything.”

Ariel smiles. “Not for me. I know how I feel. I know that’s not going to change.”

“Well, I’ve got enough nerves for the both of us then,” Celeste says, finishing off her third glass of champagne. At Ariel’s request, she’s agreed to be both a bridesmaid and the wedding singer. I tsk at Celeste and take the empty glass from her.

“No more. You’re a bad influence on your sister. She’ll be stumbling down the aisle.”

Celeste winks at Ariel and she giggles. I smile to myself. I love seeing my girls bond. They’re thick as thieves, even if they didn’t get on that well growing up. Seeing them having fun together on Ariel’s big day makes me so happy.

By the time Ariel is ready, I have tears in my eyes. She looks so beautiful in her white dress, her white-blonde hair flowing down her back. Out of all our children, she looks the most like me, and I see my twenty-one year old self in her. All those emotions about marrying Dylan come rushing back. I cup Ariel’s cheeks.

“This is going to be the best day of your life. Cherish it forever,” I tell her. Her lip trembles.

“Thanks, Mom. I’m so glad everyone is here to celebrate this with me.”

It’s true. Even though the wedding is in the Bahamas, everyone important has shown up. My Dad has a front-row seat, Gabriel is the best man...he introduced Celeste to her fiancé, after all...and Dylan is getting ready to walk Ariel down the aisle.

There’s a knock at the door and he enters. He looks so handsome today. He’s a silver fox if I ever saw one with steel in his hair and beard. He looks amazing, and his physique is just as good as it was when I met him. His tux makes him look like James Bond and I feel a rush of love and attraction for him.

“There’s the blushing bride,” he says, kissing Ariel’s cheeks. She throws her arms around his neck.

“I’m so excited, Daddy.”

“Then let’s not waste another second. Let’s get you married,” Dylan says. My heart is in my throat as Celeste and I pick up the train of her dress and we all begin the short walk from the hotel to the beach where the ceremony is taking place. Dylan glances over his shoulder and smiles at me. I know he’s thinking about our own wedding day. It was a beautiful day, full of sunshine and good wine and laughter. It was shortly after Gabriel was born so we got to spend our special day with our son. Now, he’s waiting at the end of the aisle with his best friend, about to watch his sister get married.

I have to wipe my eyes. They all grew up so fast. One minute they were toddlers running around and causing havoc. Now they’ve all moved out and found jobs, and lives of their own. They’ve all found their slice of happiness one way or another.

I miss them all, but I still have Dylan. I’m lucky that he fills every single need that I have. My kids have stayed close to home too so I can’t complain. This life we have is perfect, and I don’t take any of it for granted.

Dylan kisses Ariel’s cheek as he gives her away. In an unexpected moment of pure love, Ariel turns around to throw her arms around my neck. I hold her hard. It feels like she’s slipping through my fingers. I guess now I understand how my father felt when I met Dylan. But this is a good thing. Love fills you in a way nothing else can. It becomes the center of your universe and makes you delirious with happiness. This is a good thing. She’s not leaving me behind, she’s just finding something else amazing to be a part of.

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