Since the Beginning

Chapter 25

After everything finally went silent I could still feel the cold, clammy hand on my cheek. The feeling in my throat from crying was gone and I was now lying down, covered in blankets. I opened my eyes to see a curly haired infant sitting beside me. He stared at me with his pale blue eyes. He removed his hand from my cheek and smiled.

“Hey Dace, where’s Daddy?” I asked.

He giggled as Luke walked through the bedroom door with another infant in his arms.

“Good morning.” He smiled at me, setting the dark haired baby down beside Dace.

Her brown, twinkly eyes smiled at me.

“What’s wrong?” Luke asked.

“Nothing, I just had the strangest dream ever!” I replied, sitting up and pulling Jenna onto my lap.

“What was it about?” he asked.

“Every single memorable thing from when we were teenagers; everything since we’ve met.”

“What’s so strange about that?”

“You know that car crash you and Beau got into?” I asked and he nodded at me.

“Well in my dream you had died.”

I looked over at the mirror beside Luke and I’s bed.

“It seemed so real. You know that feeling you get in your throat when you cry? It’s so tight and dry, I felt that.” I explained.

“Well I’m here, so obviously it wasn’t real.” He kissed my forehead.

I glanced down at my hands and eyed the gold band on my finger. Luke and I had been married for a couple of years now. A year after our marriage Dace was born. 3 years later Jenna was born and she’s now one. I told Luke everything I dreamt about and we reminisced on old memories.

“Remember when James dated Melanie?” I asked.

“Yeah! She’s still single though, how awkward.” He replied. “And you dated Beau!”

“Yeah, him and Bayley still going strong?” I asked.

“Don’t tell her but he’s going to propose.”

I cheered as my phone lit up and danced across my bedside table. It was Sydni; today was her and Jai’s wedding. I was maid of honour and she was probably reminding me that I was late.

“I’ve got to go, Sydni’s going to kill me!” I jumped up and slipped into something presentable. “Am I taking one of them?” I motioned to the kids.

“I’ve got them, have fun!” Luke kissed me as I left.

“Helloo!” I sang as I stepped into Sydni and Jai’s house.

“Hey!” Emily skipped towards me.

I hugged her tight.

“Wait, what’s up?” she asked, noticing something was wrong.

“I have to tell you all about my dream last night.”

“That sounds so weird!” Bayley exclaimed after I told the group.

“That must have been terrifying waking up after that and having everything so different.” Sydni added.

“Yeah, tell me about it.” I sighed.

*****

“I do.” Sydni smiled at Jai who stood in front of her at the altar.

I stood right behind her and Luke stood behind Jai, being the best man.

“I do.” Jai repeated, grinning.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” The priest spoke.

The whole church cheered as they shared their first kiss as a married couple.

“Congrats guys!” I kissed Sydni on the cheek later at the reception.

“Thanks babe.” She hugged me. “I never dreamed of such a perfect day and that I’d spend it with such an amazing person.” She added glancing over at Jai who was dancing like an idiot with the four other boys.

“I thought the same on my wedding day.” I followed her gaze and watched the boys dance. “I’m really glad that after all these years we’re still friends and I’m honestly surprised that we’re all with the same people. Like Luke and I, you and Jai, Emily and Daniel, Bayley and Beau.”

“Yeah.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve had so many good times with you guys, I love you all so much.”

“Hey ladies.” Emily strutted over.

We watched as Daniel danced towards us and snatched Emily away.

“They’re next.” Bayley exclaimed as she walked up.

“I hope so, but then again I may have to help him on that one too.” I teased.

“Why do you say that?” Bayley asked.

“Because I remember having to help Daniel ask her out a few years back! He couldn’t even ask her out, the poor kid was so clueless he didn’t even know she liked him.”

Sydni, Bayley and I shared a laugh. I looked down and tugged at my dress while someone’s arm pulled me forward and into their embrace.

“Dance with me!” Luke cried dragging me onto the dancefloor.

A slow song had just begun and he held me close.

“This brings back so many memories.” I whispered into his ear.

“Our wedding.”

“Yes, and even so many things as teenagers.”

“I remember when we first met.” He added.

I pulled back and looked at him.

“Oh, yeah? Tell me about it, then.” I demanded.

“It was your first day of school in Melbourne. You thought you’d snuck in without the teacher noticing you but when she called you up to introduce you, you looked petrified. I thought you were gorgeous and I watched as your eyes scanned the room. I hoped I’d catch your eyes but sadly I didn’t. Thankfully the teacher stuck you with me and I remember getting up and standing so close to you. It took everything in me not to kiss you.”

“Why didn’t you?” I asked.

“I thought you’d hit me or something.” He joked.

I burst into laughter which caused everyone to stare. I looked over at Emily whose attention I had grasped and she smiled at me. I looked around for the other girls, they were looking over and laughing at me as well.

After all these years I still have my amazing friends, I’m still in an amazing relationship with an amazing person, and we all continue to make memories that would last a lifetime. We’ve had our ups and downs as a group but in the end it all turned out perfectly. I couldn’t have asked for a better life than what I got here in Melbourne. I thank each and every one of my amazing loved ones for everything.

The End.