Page 131 of Foul Territory
I stand in front of the mirror in the guest room in Koa’s parents house—after today, my in-laws’ house—and slip the small diamond stud earrings onto my ears that once belonged to my mom. She wore them on her wedding day too.
“You’re stunning,” Lauren says, from behind me as she fluffs my veil.
“Thank you, but you are the one who is glowing.” She’s currently five months pregnant with a little boy. I surprised her earlier this week with a little baby shower while we were all in town.
“I can’t wait to see Koa’s face when you walk down the aisle in this gown. He’s going to cry.”
“He’s not going to cry.” I shake my head. I do love my dress—it is white lace with a high slit and plunging neckline. The skirt and train flow freely when I walk. It’s the dress of mydreams.
“I will be crying enough for everyone,” she says, grabbing a tissue.
There is a light knock at the door. It clicks open and Wren pops her inside followed by Charlie.
“Everyone is settled outside. I think it’s time,” Wren says, checking the list on her phone. She planned most of the wedding along with the help of Wyatt’s sister-in-law.
“It’s gorgeous by the way. Not as gorgeous as you but I think you'll be happy with the way everything turned out.” Charlie applies another layer of gloss to her lips.
When Koa asked me to marry him last Christmas, I already had our entire wedding planned. It’s been planned since we had our first adventure together in his backyard. Maybe not in full detail, but I knew I wanted to get married to him here where it all began.
Our first date in college was my inspiration. I wanted to recreate the lights in the trees and all the magic I felt flowing through the air that night. We even have a face painting station setup for the kids. Wren already had to warn Wyatt once that he’s not allowed to paint his face—or anything else—until after we take formal pictures.
“I can’t wait to see it.” I helped with the planning and the layout, but the execution was all my family and friends.
“Do you have room for a few more in here?” my dad asks, stepping inside the room with Nash and my mom.
“We’ll wait for you outside,” Lauren says, gathering the flowers and exiting the room with Charlie and Wren.
“My God, if you aren’t as pretty as a picture,” he says, holding my hands and lifting them wide.
“Thank you, Dad.”
My mom embraces me and the tears begin to well. This is the woman I have looked up to all my life. She has taught me to be brave and strong. To always fight for what I believed in and do the right thing regardless of the cost.
“I’m so proud of you, Sydney,” she whispers into my ear.
“You sure you want to marry him? I’ve got my keys. We can get out of here. It’s not too late,” he says, smiling. My mom slaps his arm.
“You know I want this. I love him.”
He sighs. “I know you do. I was kind of hoping I could hold on to you a little longer.”
“You are the reason I know how I’m supposed to be loved and how a man should treat me. You love Mom so well.” I smile at both of them as they stand holding onto each other.
He takes the handkerchief out of his coat pocket and dabs his eyes. “You promise me he loves you as much as I love your mama?” He kisses the top of her head.
“I promise,” I say, kissing his cheek and wrapping my arms around both of them. I want to tell him I think Koa loves me more but then we will be here all night while he lists the ways he loves the woman standing beside him.
“We should get you married then. That boy of yours hasn’t stopped fidgeting since he got dressed,” Dad says.
I nod, but notice Nash over his shoulder leaning against the wall. “Give me a minute.” I nod towards mybrother.
“We’ll be in the hall.” My dad leads my mom outside the room, squeezing Nash’s shoulder as he passes him.
“You look beautiful, Sis. Koa’s not going to be able to handle it.”
“That’s what I keep hearing but I think you underestimate my future husband.”
He walks over to me admiring the clips and jewels in my hair. “I don’t underestimate him. I know him. I’ve seen his face every time you’ve entered a room and every time you’ve left one since you were twelve years old. I’ve watched his fists clench more times than I can count because he was dying to touch you.” He smirks at the memories. “And I saw the way you completely altered his personality when you gave him a second chance.”
