We also agreed to keep calling each other Dee and E. It’s who we are to one another, our special name, our term of endearment. I’m extremely possessive and only want Dee and I using our special names. Our friends understood and I was very happy when they agreed not to use it.
“Chance, grab my end of the sofa, will ya?” I shout. “I have to go upstairs and show my girl here what I have hidden under the duvet on our bed.” I grab my crotch again for emphasis.
Justin moans yet again and Chance shouts, “I call bullshit!”
All our friends are at our new home helping us get situated. Nobody could really wrap their heads around our story. Hell, we can’t even wrap our heads around it let alone expect anybody else to. We’re still being asked a million questions and it’s been weeks since the engagement party.
We’ve also reconnected with a bunch of our old friends, some old clients we both knew well, and I’ve reconnected with many of my old neighbors. It was difficult moving back to this area, but with Dee by my side, literally, I’m okay. Everyone understood, joy replaced pity; they were all too happy to have us back in their lives. All our neighbors have come out with food, making it an unofficial block party. That’s how the people down here roll. It’s what makes this area so special.
“Big Mike’s for everyone!” I announce.
Dee and I didn’t go upstairs even though I really wanted to. We drove down the street instead, to our favorite sandwich shop, Big Mike’s Philly Steaks and Subs. The owners are originally from Philadelphia and it’s seriously the best cheesesteak you can find west of the Mississippi.
After we finish getting everything moved in and set up, we hang out on our patio with all our friends, relaxing, drinking, and laughing about everything and nothing while the sun slowly leaves the day behind and the moon lights up the night’s sky. Having lost this, I appreciate and cherish every minute of this second chance.
Once everyone has left and Chloe is asleep, Dee and I head into the family room to just…be.
“Wine?” she asks.
“Absolutely, I think we deserve it.”
“You’re not kidding,” she replies, handing me my drink and cuddling next to me on the sofa.
I put an arm around her and bring her in close to my body. I lift my wine glass and look at her with all the love we both share.
“To our love, to our future, to us…Dee and E, forever,” I toast.
Dee repeats my toast and we clink glasses before we savor the Far Niente cabernet I bought for our first night in our new home. It’s our favorite wine, full bodied, rich in flavor with a hint of oak, so I knew it’d be the perfect thing to celebrate the start of this next chapter in our journey.
We drink, talk, plan, cuddle, and kiss, living in the moment and reveling in each other’s company. I never thought I’d be this happy again.
“What do you think about the business idea?” she asks, her eyes shining with determination.
We’ve been going back and forth about the idea of starting our own design business. On paper it’s the perfect fit but…
I turn toward her to look her in the eye. “You really want to do this?”
She mirrors my position and places her hand on the back of my neck. “Yeah, we need to do this and you know it.”
I lovingly squeeze her thigh and sigh thinking about the many, many times she’s said those exact words to me. When I tell her she’s pushing, she tells me I’m stalling. Some things will never change. Even though I’m in a different place in my life, I’m still hesitant about making waves.
“I do, it’s just such a big jump though.”
She lovingly massages the back of my neck, instantly relaxing me; Dee always knows what I need and I melt into her touch.
“Not really,” she answers. “People have been asking us if we’re going to get back into it again, especially the Endicotts. You saw what they did just so we could take over their project.” When Jonathan and Tracey heard our story and that we were designing again, they stopped all work to hire us. It turns out, they knew of Dani and Scott’s work and had planned on contacting them to design their landscape before the accident. “They’ve been working off your original blueprints so taking over the project will be really easy.”
I take a sip of my wine and nod in agreement. “I know. I still think what they did was insane. The amount of money they’re spending just to have our input is crazy, but who are we to complain.”
“I know, right?” She laughs before taking a sip of her wine, still lovingly caressing the back of my neck. My Dee, always showing her strength and support. “Also, with the house we’re building, it makes sense.” I didn’t think about that but as usual, she’s right.
We’re building a very traditional Cape Cod style house, with gray siding, white trim, dormer windows, and a portico entry with pillars on each side of the front door. We’re using an open floor plan and incorporating many traditional elements such as wainscoting and hardwood floors throughout the entire space. The kitchen will be separated from the great room by a breakfast bar and the house will have open beam ceilings and a large window wall that opens to the backyard. We’re keeping everything warm and casual with a “homey” feel where everyone can come and hang out.
“I agree. Let’s do this!” I say, leaning in for a kiss.
The kiss starts off soft but quickly escalates and before she knows it, I’m carrying my laughing Dee upstairs over my shoulder.
With our future planned and our love firmly in place, she happily goes along for the ride.
“SIT STILL. I STILL NEED to finish your makeup.”
“I don’t want to sit still,” I whine. “I want to get outside already and marry E.”
“Well, I’d be done by now if your eyes didn’t look like a raccoon’s,” Lysee chides.
“You know I slept like shit last night,” I huff, crossing my arms across my chest like a petulant twelve-year-old girl.
“You’d think after the amount of alcohol we drank, you’d have passed out.”
Last night we had my version of the “perfect bachelorette party.” The girls are all staying with me at Heather’s house and Beverly, Mary, and Tonya joined in on our celebration. We hung out, made fruity drinks, gossiped, watched “chick flicks” on Netflix, and ate mounds of junk food. Like I said, perfect… The rest of the night, not so much. It was my first night since I physically met E that we didn’t sleep together and I hated it. Waking up next to him every morning is a gift I never take for granted and I never want to wake up without him again. Sandi chose to share a room with Beth and I bunked with Lysee. She kept the bed warm but she isn’t E. I chuckle to myself when I remember how frustrated she got and smile at what she did.
“Okay,” she huffed. “You move one more time and I’m going to have to beat your ass.”
“I can’t sleep,” I complained.
Lysee looked at me and raised a sarcastic eyebrow. “Gee, Dani, I would never have guessed.”
“Okay, Your Highness of Sarcasm.”
Lysee gave me one more of her looks and left the room. When I shouted I was just kidding, I heard the trail of her laughter as she descended the back stairs. I decided to follow her but when I moved to get out of the bed, she flounced back into the room with a quart of Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey and two huge spoons. I smiled and flipped on the television to HGTV and we settled into an old episode of House Hunters. But when she said, “The rehearsal dinner was something, wasn’t it?” TV time was quickly abandoned.
Since the wedding is in Heather and Jerry’s backyard, we had the rehearsal dinner here before my bachelorette party. Beverly brought over old photo albums of Scott, and Heather brought out the ones from E’s high school days, the ones with Scott in them. I got to see pictures of Scott I had never seen before and while my heart was filled with pain, the chains that bound it were gone and I was actually able to smile. I also got to see pictures of Alyssa and Alex, along with sonograms of the baby. We laughed through all the funny stories
while crying at the fact they’re no longer here. I’ll never stop loving Scott and I’ll always miss him but I’ve found strength I never knew I had, and I found E.
“Nope,” I answer with a smile because she finally put the tube of lipstick down and backed away. “And now…”
“I know,” she sighs. “You’re going to marry your E.” She says the last part with her voice an octave higher, while pretending to be me. But there’s nothing that can wipe the smile off my face because I am, indeed, going to marry my E.
I grew up in a Mediterranean-style home my parents built from the ground up and filled with many personal touches. It’s elegant yet comfortable and I’ve used that aesthetic in everything I design.
In the beach areas, since property is so tight, many homeowners build either down, adding extra space, or create a rooftop space on top of their home. My parents added a basement and converted it into a “man cave” after my sister and I moved out. This is where I currently am, hanging out with my father, Rodger, Charles, Justin, Chance, Josh, and Kyle watching sports, shooting the shit, and drinking copious amounts of whisky. While it’s been fun and relaxing, I’m more than ready to head outside and marry my Dee. It’s for that reason I’m the first one out of the room when we finally receive our orders to report to the backyard where the wedding is being held.
The girls have taken over the top floor and have all been holed up there since yesterday. Last night was the first night since I physically met Dee that we’ve been apart. I hated every single minute of it and it will be the last night we ever sleep apart! I slept like shit!
The entire backyard has been decorated with white Christmas lights. My mom keeps lights up all year round to give the yard a romantic feel but has put in even more in honor of the occasion. Chairs and an aisle flanked by flowers have been set up to greet our guests and the arbor is covered with flowers and other Christmas decorations.
The first Christmas after the accident was spent running as far away from my reality as possible. Justin and I escaped to New York to spend it with his cousin Shannon. Now I look at this Christmas in awe. It’s mind-blowing to me how much things can change within the course of a year. The love we have for Scott, Alyssa, Alex, and the baby will never die and they’re never far from our thoughts. The day may carry a hint of melancholy but we all know they’re together, safe and pain free. We rest better at night knowing that.
My family hosted a rehearsal dinner last night which only included our family and the wedding party. Beverly and my mom brought out old photo albums. Dee got to see pictures of Scott she had never seen before along with pictures of Alyssa, Alex and sonograms of the baby. As I looked at pictures of my family, I felt my world begin to darken. But Dee immediately became my light. She was by my side in a flash, showing her strength and love as she did so many times this past year. In her embrace, I knew I’d always be okay. With that, I took a second look at the pictures and was actually able to appreciate and cherish all those special times.
Dee also announced that we’ll be displaying many pictures of them as well as pictures of Scott throughout our new home. I completely agree with her. It’s a beautiful way to honor their memory.
We laughed, we cried, and we reminisced. Both Dee and I are grateful for our past; we were each blessed with amazing love which ended far too soon. It was a long, difficult and extremely painful journey to survive that loss, but everything we’ve been through brought us to where we are today and we’re now ready to head into our future.
Sunset is my favorite time of the day and from our west-facing backyard, we’re granted a clear view of the setting sun as it descends into the Pacific Ocean. I love watching the sky as it comes alive with color. Brushstrokes of pink, coral, and yellow mix seamlessly with wispy clouds and vapor trails which have gained a lavender hue as the lightness of the day fades into night.
Standing under the arbor, I look out over the people who mean the most to me in this world; people who make a difference in my life. Everyone is dressed in formalwear. We were originally going to keep it informal but being that Christmas is right around the corner, and that this is a huge moment in all our lives, Dee and I decided to go all out and the scene is one to behold.
As the first chords of Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” starts playing, I feel my heart begin to pound, and I have to blink to stop the tears of elation that threaten to spill. They say that “Happiness is being married to your best friend.” Dee is that and so much more and my happiness shines at that level.
Chloe, our flower girl, is the first person I see along with Po, the ring bearer, and both are dressed for the occasion. The sight makes me smile and I instantly relax. All my friends soon follow, and then I see her, my Dee. She’s radiant. My heart stops and starts again and I know in that instant I’m right where I’m supposed to be. My heart’s right where it’s supposed to be.
I don’t know how I got so lucky in love, not once but twice, but I’m embracing it with all that I am and I’m never letting it go.
I’M WALKING BETWEEN RODGER AND Beverly who are walking me only halfway down the aisle. E and I decided he will meet us there and walk me the rest of the way to the altar, as a symbol of us walking towards our future, together. He’s breathtaking. A sense of calm takes over and I can breathe; I’m complete.
We were so worried we could’ve ruined everything if we ever met. That crippling fear kept us apart for far too long, but meeting one another only strengthened the bond we already shared. We lock eyes and, as always, the world fades away. It’s just us. My heart is full, my soul whole, my puzzle finished. Tragedy became triumph. Despair, misery, and unending pain became hope, happiness, and the promise of a better tomorrow. Our nightmare became our dream. And it’s for those reasons I embrace the tears that have begun silently falling down both our cheeks.
The tears gently falling down E’s cheeks mirror mine and say more than words ever could. They speak of pain, tragedy, and suffering. They talk about hope, friendship, and love, and they echo the truth that in our world of loss and despair, something amazing was able to grow. Our eyes meet and nothing else exists. It’s just the two of us and I’m overcome with a happiness I thought was forever gone.
Dee looks exquisite. Her hair is casually tied at the back of her neck, with loose strands framing her beautiful face. The dress she’s wearing is stunning. It’s elegant and strong while still being soft and beautiful. Just like my Dee.
E is stunning. He cut his hair but left his scruff because he knows how much I love it. He’s wearing a black tuxedo that fits his body like a second skin but the most beautiful thing he’s wearing is his smile because his eyes are smiling. My heart soars every time he smiles. I saw the sadness in them disappear the day we physically met, and I cheer because today I can see that sadness is now, forever gone. His soul is alive and that means more to me than anything else in this world.
Once I’m by her side, I whisper in her ear words only she can hear. “Dee…you look…” I trail off, my words choked back by emotion. But I know with Dee, I don’t need to finish.
E’s beautiful whispered words mirror what I’m feeling and even though he didn’t finish his thought, I know he’s talking about so much more than how we look. “E…” is all that I am able to whisper back to the breath of my existence.
“Family and friends,” Father Henderson says to the group. “We are here to complete the circle of life that fate has brought together.”
He looks at us, smiles, and continues. “Two people whose lives were shattered have been brought together in so many ways that my faith has been strengthened through their story, their hope and their love. Dani and Ean are a symbol of the power of God and the mysterious ways in which He works. I am in awe of their story, as I’m sure many of you are.”
No truer words have ever been spoken. Life turned our world upside down, but the love we share, righted it. Dee is my miracle, my destiny, and I am hers.
The truth in Father Henderson’s words ring
with an unparalleled clarity. Tragedy tore our lives apart but our love put it back together. E is my soul and my salvation as I am his.
“Dani and Ean have written their own vows. They wrote both the first and the last part together like they write every part of their lives, together. They continue their vows individually, showing all of us the love and devotion they have for each other, showing us all the real meaning of true love.”
“Dani, Dee…” I start, looking deeply into her beautiful soul, a soul that has captivated me from the very beginning.
“Today I am marrying the both of you. Though you both came into my life at different times and in very different ways, you came into my life when I needed you the most.
“Dani, six months ago I was in dire need of a friend and when I wasn’t looking, you ran into my life, literally. I had lost myself, you found me. I had isolated myself, you brought me out into the light. You turned my anger into happiness and my hate into love. You filled my empty heart and you continue to fill it every day that I am blessed to be with you. You and Chloe have put a brightness into my life that’s propelled me while making me feel calm, while making me smile. And Dee…
“My Dee. When I first texted you I was a shell of a person barely existing. I reached out to you as a lifeline and what I got was that and so much more. You became my friend. You made me smile when I thought it was impossible I’d ever smile again. You became my best friend. You made me laugh after I’d forgotten how. You became my love. You made my heart beat again after it was shattered beyond repair. And along the way, I fell in love with you. You showed me your beauty and your spirit. You gave me hope, strength, and support, but most importantly, through you, I was able to see a future once again and you did it all through text messages. You complete me. You are my life and I vow to spend the rest of my life being your best friend, your strongest supporter, your greatest partner and your biggest love with all that I am.
Saving Each Other (Saving Series Book 1) Page 17
