Below the Sky

Epilogue

Eight years later

The story of the girl I fell in love with is complicated, hard to tell. You see, Riana was a complex person, and I didn't fall in love with her all at once. We went through so many twists and turns, were thrown so many obstacles which would have surely made any other couple break apart. From being kicked out, and leaving the Davis's, the summer I met Riana was one to remember.
I knew then, and I still know now, that though Riana is gone from me, our love is one I will base all my other experiences with people on for the rest of my life. It was so pure, beautiful, and wholesome. Riana taught me many things, but one thing that I will always remember that she showed me is that the sky is beautiful.
It's not exactly the beauty of the sky that is so memorable, but what it means. The sky is beautiful means to appreciate things that usually just get overlooked, but the sky is so gorgeous, and remembering that is so important.

It's my wedding day, a day I have been excited for since many months ago, when Liz had first proposed to me. We had been in my favorite cafe, the Happy Brew, where I had worked for a year or two. She got down on one knee, pulling out a ring and asking if I would marry her. Of course I said yes, but as I slipped the ring on my finger another person, from another time, nagged at me. Was I missing out on something that could have been with Riana, by marrying Liz. No, I loved Liz, and Riana was my past, Liz was my future.
Now, my "maid of honor," Elijah, helps me with the final touches of my dress. I stand in front of a full length mirror, in my dressing room, nervous but also excitement fluttering around in my stomach.
"You look absolutely gorgeous Lila," Elijah says, smoothing out my dress. I am adorned in a long, strapless dress. I wear a small tiara, which my veil swirls down from. My hair is done up in a fancy up do at the back of my head, with wavy pieces out in front framing my face.
"Are you ready?" Elijah asks. I nod my head yes, and he leads me over to the door of my dressing room. We walk out, waiting to start walking up the aisle.
The tradition at most weddings is the groom stands at the alter, while the bride walks up the aisle. Since me and Liz's wedding is for a woman and woman, we're each going to walk up an aisle at the same time, and meet at the alter.
The traditional "here comes the bride," anthem starts blaring, except the DJ altered the song a little so now it sings "here come the brides." Elijah squeezes my hand, and then I move into sight.
Elijah holds my train, and I moved softly up the aisle. I look to my right, and see Liz, her best friend Maya holding her train. We walk parallel, smiles lighting up our faces.
We make it to the alter, and the priest tells us to take hands. I look out into the audience, and with a flutter of my heart I see four people I didn't expect to be here. I had invited my family, but I didn't think they would actually come. I guess I was wrong, because here they are, sitting in the third row.
Oliver is wearing a fancy tux, and Maya has a light yellow dress. It's gorgeous. Mama and Papa look weary, and though they are witnessing their daughter marry another woman, they don't look like they could be any happier.
Me and Liz recite our vows. Hers are beautiful, talking about how she is so grateful to be marrying me today. Mine take a different approach though. I start off talking about how much I love Liz, yes, then I say that I had found love before her once too. This love I found was so beautiful, and pure, and though I'm not marrying this love today, I'm so grateful to have used this love for the foundation of what my relationships should be like in the future. Though they are two different people, I am so lucky to be marrying Liz.
"Do you, Lila Hayes, solemnly swear to take Liz Hernandez as your wife, in sickness and health, for as long as you both shall live?" The priest asks.
"I do," I say.
"And you, Liz Hernandez, solemnly swear to take Lila Hayes as your wife, in sickness and health, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Liz says.
"Then by the power vested in me, I pronounce you wife and wife, you may kiss each other," then Liz's lips are on mine, and we're kissing.
Liz dips me, and though my heart lurches, I don't pull away. We kiss for a second or two, and when we pull away I'm breathless and smiling.
I never did find Riana again. That day at the train station was the last time I ever saw her, and though I do slightly wish we had met up again, I'm also kind of happy we didn't. Without Riana I went on with my life, and met Liz. Though nothing could ever compare to the love me and Riana shared, I don't think I would pick Riana over Liz now, even if she did spontaneously enter my life again.
Me and Liz kiss once more, for good measure, and though she's not Riana, and though me and Riana never did marry, I'm so happy to be with Liz. Liz taught me that I could love someone else after Riana, and Riana showed me that the sky is beautiful.