Burn with me

by Rachael Tonks

  I drift in and out of what the registrar is saying, thinking of the last few years we’ve been together. Before I know it, I hear, “You may now kiss the bride.”

  I lean in, pulling her close to me. A little yelp of excitement leaves her as I hold her so close I feel her ragged breaths against my cheek. Resting my hand against the side of her face, I kiss her softly on the lips. Our kiss is broken by the gentle tug of our son’s hands. Amber smile against my lips, just before we part. We both look at little Finn who is standing there, smiling so wide you can no longer make out his eyes. And he has the biggest bluest eyes, at least when he’s not smiling so widely.

  “Don’t forget me,” he whimpers. I reach down, picking him up easily. Amber’s arm wraps around him in an instant.

  “Never,” she says, repeatedly kissing his chubby cheeks.

  “Mommy, you look so pwetty,” he says as he studies her face.

  “Thank you, Finn,” she answers with a huge smile. We turn, walking up the aisle together. Confetti is thrown as the three of us make the short walk back to our huge house. Even after all this time, the place is impressive.

  “Congratulations, you guys,” Josh offers with a pat to my back. “Here, Finn. You want to jump on for a piggy back ride to the house?” He bends beside him, offering his back for the ride. Finn doesn’t hesitate. He jumps right on, his laughter echoing through the small but isolated beach.

  Amber’s hand pulls me to a gentle stop. “Hey,” she whispers. “Thank you.” She smiles coyly.

  “What for?” I ask.

  “For making me happier than I ever imagined possible. For bringing me back to life,” she says, hooking her arms around my neck.

  “I love you so damn much.” I breathe into her ear. Lifting her gently from the ground, I scoop her up in my arms.

  “Let me down,” she squeals, but I decline, shaking my head.

  “No way,” I mumble. “It’s customary for the husband to carry his wife over the threshold.”

  “You don’t need to carry me the whole way.” She chortles, rolling her eyes at the guests following behind us. I power up the small incline, Josh and Finn appearing beside me.

  “Wace you, daddy,” Finn says as they speed up, his lips pushed out in a mock pout.

  “Let’s do this,” yells Josh, as they pull a few steps forward. I speed up, but my feet push further into the sand, slowing down my pace. I couldn’t catch them even if I wanted to. Not with Amber in my arms. I watch the boy who looks just like I did as a child, giggle and laugh. Everything about him reminds me of myself as a child. His hair is the same hazel brown, styled longer. And not because we intended it that way, but that’s the way he always wants it cut. Just like daddy. Unlike me, Finn is very confident, something he gets from his remarkable mother. Finn may look like me, but personality wise, he shines bright just like Amber.

  Warmth spreads in my heart as his laughter is all I can hear, all I can focus on.

  Walking to the grassy area, still carrying Amber, I look up to see all of our friends faces smiling widely. I set her down, interlinking our fingers.

  A waitress walks toward us with a tray in her hand, offering us champagne. We raise our glasses in the air. The small party of friends and colleagues erupt with cheers and clapping. I turn to my beautiful wife, kissing her lightly.

  One by one, our loved ones congratulate us, and I’m in awe of what the girls from the dance studio managed to arrange for today. Molly became such a good friend to Amber in the months after the accident. It was great to see their friendship blossom, especially after she was unable to salvage her relationship with Lily after everything that happened. I tilt my head upward to where the strings of lights drape across, secured to the palm trees. There are lanterns hanging from trees and a huge table, covered by a canopy. It really is impressive.

  “Didn’t we do well?” asks Molly excitedly as she appears in front of us, hands clasped together.

  “You did,” I say, leaning in and hugging her lightly.

  “And the table decorations, you like them?” She pulls back, tilting her head as she seeks my approval.

  “It’s stunning. All of it,” I reassure her. “Excuse us for a second,” I say to Molly, pulling on Amber’s arm. I lead her a few steps away from the party.

  “Before we get swept away by our friends, I just want to tell you something,” I say, putting my arms around her waist, lifting her just enough to place a gentle kiss on her lips.

  “Oh, yeah. What’s that?” she asks, studying my face with intrigue.

  “I just want you to know how complete I feel. Here with you and Finn. How my life has turned on an axis from the miserable existence that I once had to this.” I lean my forehead against hers. “It couldn’t be any more perfect. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive. Thank you for saving me.”

  I kiss the tip of her nose, her eyes fluttering shut.

  “We saved each other,” she says. with a shudder.

  “I didn’t save you, Amber. You’re a fighter. You didn’t give up like I did. You fought and still keep fighting every day.”

  “I’ll never be the person I was before the accident.” Her head drops and I immediately feel annoyed. This wasn’t about me making her feel sad. Fuck. That’s the last thing I ever wanted.

  “Stop,” I say softly. Hooking my finger under her chin, I lift it until we’re eye to eye.

  “You are much more than the person you were before. You’re stronger,” I say vehemently.

  She shakes her head and I see the swell of tears building in her eyes. She suddenly pushes back her shoulders. “Not today,” she mumbles to herself. “Sometimes you have to suffer the bad stuff, to realize when you have it so good,” she says with a sniffle.

  “Look at all you have achieved, Amber. Your own dance school. Something you thought would never be possible after the accident, but you’re killing it.”

  She smiles, her eyes lightening a little. “I know, I know,” she acknowledges. “I chose life. I fought for my life, knowing that life meant being with you. And look at us now.” She leans up, kissing me lightly on the lips. I can’t help the way my heart reacts to her. It’s pounding and it doesn’t matter that this is probably the millionth time we’ve kissed, because each kiss, each touch of her lips against mine, feels as good as it did that very first time. It’s her touch that made me feel again, that made me realize I do deserve a life beyond the four walls of my old apartment.

  Because of her I feel things I never knew existed.

  She gave me all of her, filling the parts of me that were missing. Our hearts hold each other’s, fusing together as one.

  We part from our kiss, her eyes meeting mine. They are full of love and passion. “I love you, Caleb Reed.”

  “I love you more, Mrs. Reed.”

  THE END

  Amy Queau — Thank you for the awesome cover. You brought my vision to life and I’m in awe of your talent!

  Rose David (Amy) — You are amazing. Not only in your role as editor, but as a friend too. I’m truly blessed to have met you, and have loved every minute of working together.

  Lily Garcia — You’re my person, and I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for your endless support and for bringing on board the best beta team ever!

  Beta team — You are amazing. Thank you for everything! To every member of my readers group - Thank you for all of your support!

  Last but certainly not least, thank you to all the amazing readers, who without, I'd be nothing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  BROKEN GIRL SERIES:

  BEAUTIFUL BROKEN GIRL

  KEEPING HOPE

 

 

 
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