Page 211 of Charlie

My vision is blurry as I clasp them to the bracelet and fasten it around my wrist, lovingly running my fingers over each memory. Their gift couldn't have possibly been more perfect. I pick up the teal present, shaking it and trying to discern the rattle. There's a velvet pouch inside the box – this one is a beautiful shade of turquoise. I dump the contents into my hand, and my heart stops. It’s a key fob. I clench it in my fist and run out of the bedroom, racing down the hallway and into the foyer, and burst through the front doorway. And there, in all her blinding glory, is a beautiful turquoise Jeep sparkling in the October sun. I snatch up the sheet of paper tucked into the windshield wiper.

Charlie,

I saw how you looked at every Jeep we passed when we were back in the States. I figured it would be the perfect vehicle to get around the farm and islands. I can't wait to see you in the driver's seat with your hair whipping around in the wind. We all paid for it, but I picked it out. Just needed to make sure you knew that ;)

Yours Forever,

Lach

I back up a few steps, taking in the tires that reach my hips, and the black accents that make her look like a bad bitch. I open the driver's door and launch myself inside, not able to wait to take her for a spin. It takes me a couple of minutes to get used to the feel of the tires, but by the time I'm turning onto the farm road, I'm golden. All the windows down, crisp air in my lungs, my hair blinding me, I race over the uneven graveled surface. I feel so free. Free from Rob. Free from my mom. Free from the judgment of a small-minded town. Free from a job I hate. Free to run toward everything I want. Suddenly this evening feels so far away. I want to see the guys now. I want to be wrapped in their arms, whisper sweet nothings in their ears. I turn around and drive back to the castle, resisting the urge to turn onto the main road and drive until I find them. Isla is standing on the front steps when I put the Jeep in park, her hand pressed over her heart.

"Is everything okay?" I ask her, hopping out.

"I swear to God, Charlie. If you ever scare me like that again—" She doesn't finish, just pulls me into a tight hug, tucking her chin between my shoulder and neck.

"Wait. You didn't think I was running, did you?"

"I didn't know what to think."

"I'll never run away from you or the guys, Isla. You're stuck with me whether you like it or not."

"Good. Lach did a good job, didn't he?" she asks, her gaze caressing the lines of Jeep. "I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous."

"I'll make you a deal. You can drive her anytime you want, as long as I get to drive the Mustang."

She snorts, then coughs, her eyes watering. "I'll think about it. You know that Mustang is my baby. Come inside and eat lunch with me while we have the chance. Lorna will be here in an hour, and then it will be absolute mayhem until the ceremony."

"Ready?" Isla asks a few hours later, tears threatening to carve a watery track through her freshly done makeup. She looks so beautiful wrapped in burnt-umber velvet, the dress fastened at her left hip with a kilt pin.

"Ready," I whisper, my heart in my throat. She turns me to face the full-length mirror. I take one look and squeeze my eyes closed, breathing long, shuddering breaths in and out. I slowly open them again, hardly able to believe the reflection in the mirror is me. "You're both fucking magicians."

"We are pretty amazing, but this is all you, Charlie," Lorna says softly, smiling.

It’s only my second time wearing this dress. It was the first one I tried on, and both Isla and Lorna were insistent that it was ‘the one.’ It fits like a glove and is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen, let alone worn. The neckline sits just off my shoulders, the sleeves puffing slightly at the shoulders and tapering to a snug fit at my wrists. Boning in the bodice sucks me in tight and puts the girls on display. The full skirt, made from the same blue-gray material, should be the perfect color to match the kilts I'm almost positive the guys will be wearing. Lorna spent the last two weeks adding embroidery to the contrasting center panel. I run my fingers over the stitching, marveling at the details.

"I hope you like it," Lorna says shyly, eyes shining, porcelain skin glowing against the deep russet brown of her dress.

"Like it?" I breathe, stepping closer to the mirror to see her work better. "You are incredibly talented, Lorna. When you said you would add embellishments, I thought you meant flowers or crystals. I never imagined this."

She had embroidered the story of our love into my wedding dress. A stack of books, a croissant, and the pub sign from Portree decorate the bottom of the dress. A little further up is a masquerade mask, the ferry, the cottage, and a piece of toast with one bite out of it on a plate with crumbs surrounding it. The cab, the abbey, and hotel are all there. Lorna has lovingly stitched every important piece of our story into the fabric, autumn leaves, acorns, and flowers tie everything together into a beautiful masterpiece.

I look closer at the castle stitched over my breastbone, down at the charm on my wrist, then at Lorna. "Did you?—?"

"Guilty as charged," she says, winking. "The guys commissioned me to carve wax figures of the charms so they could have them molded and poured." She lifts my wrist, gently prodding at the charms. "They turned out beautifully."

"Thank you both." I sniffle, blinking back tears.

"Don't you dare start crying," Isla threatens, patting tissue at the corners of my eyes. She stuffs a couple of clean ones into the bodice of my dress. "Better safe than sorry," she chuckles, fussing with my curls before cupping my face and meeting my gaze. "You’ve made our whole family so incredibly happy, Charlie. Now it's our turn to attempt to pay you back. Enjoy yourself tonight, okay? Soak it in. Make memories."

Lorna hands us champagne glasses and holds hers up in the air, holding my gaze. "To the first day of the rest of your life."

We walk out onto the terrace, and they help me down the stairs, fluffing out my dress once we reach the grass. Lorna hands me a stunning bouquet of autumnal colors with hints of blue. The three of us link arms as we walk through the orchard, a deep sense of sisterhood tugging at my heartstrings. As we approach the forest, I can hear the dulcet tones of "The Skye Boat Song" greeting us. My heart flutters as the mounds of hydrangeas lining the aisle come into view, beams of sun shining down over pews tucked between the trees. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, then another, trying to calm my racing heart. When I open them again, my parents are walking toward me, a huge grin plastered on my dad's face, tears running down my mother's.

"Charlie. I'm so sorry." My mom holds out her hands but drops them when I don’t come any closer. "I started going to therapy. I promise I'm going to do better. Be better."

"I'm glad you came, Mom." I smile at her and then turn toward my dad.

"Charlie. My baby girl. I don't think I have ever seen you this radiant. I am so damn proud of you."

---