Wounded Heart

Chaper 11

Lydia slowly walked back up stairs, pulling her hair tie out and running her hands through her hair. When she reached her door, she pulled it slightly, scared to face this alone. She has never faced it alone, someone was always with her in the past years and she doesn't think she's mentally prepared. But Lydia knew she had to be strong and do this. Lydia pulled out a big brown box and walked back downstairs, grabbing a bottle of wine as she walked out the back door. Lydia put the box on the back patio table and sat down. She took a deep breathe and poured herself a glass of wine.

     Lydia pulled out the first photo album from the box, her hands trembling. She hasn't looked in the box since the accident, but she felt like today she just had too. It was a now or never moment for her. Lydia trembling hand finally opened the album and there he was, Jackson smiling like crazy. Lydia traced his smile with her fingers, taking in all the features she had lived since the day they met. Then, on the next page, she saw a picture of her and Jackson. Lydia was laughing into his chest and Jackson was laughing with her, looking down at her. It was winter, so snow was all around them. Lydia smiled, she remember this day exactly. Senior year, the day her and Jackson decided to skip class with Scott and Allison. They had been walking in the woods when Jackson told her a story where he got tricked into skinny dipping and then being left without his clothes. Lydia about died laughing, she couldn't believe her Jackson would be tricked into something so dumb. Allison had brought her camera and took the picture, creating memories as she said. The next was of Jackson getting his diploma and the next Lydia getting hers, then of them kissing with their diplomas sticking out on graduation day. There was so many pictures, so many memories that Lydia wanted back so much. Lydia wiped away tears she didn't even realize that had fallen. Album by album, Lydia looked at pictures of her and Jackson and their friends, moments she would cherish forever.

     On the last album, Lydia hesitated. This album was the one she was working on, the one that never got finished. She took another gulp of wine and shook her head. She's going to need this she thought to herself. Lydia opened the album and tears immediately sprang to her eyes. There Lydia was, standing in front of Jackson, in her wedding gown, a strapless laced fit and flare with a slim silhouette featuring a sweetheart neckline, holding her bouquet of flowers. Lydia smiled radiantly at Jackson who had his hand over his mouth, his eyes turning red and getting puffy from crying. Yeah, Jackson cried when he saw her. Then, Lydia saw the picture where they were saying their vows. Lydia remembered them exactly.

:Flashback:

     "Lydia Martin, I have waited 7,640.086 days for this day to come. For the day when I get married to the love of my life. It's been 3,287.179 days since I knew that women of my life was you. Since the first day I saw you in sixth grade I knew you would be the women I would love for the rest of my life. You were there for me even when I hit rock bottom. You were there even when I tried to get rid of you. You were there for it all and I can't express how grateful I am to have you. I promise to do my best to get you everything you deserve and to love you unconditionally for eternity because even after I die when we are old and crinkly together, I'll continue to love you. I love you Lydia Martin and I can't wait to start this chapter of my life with you."

:End of flashback:

     Lydia thought of the vows and smiled. Funny how fate didn't believe those vows. But the one thing fate can't take from her is the truth. Jackson loves her, even now and for eternity, just like he said. Lydia then pulled out the wedding ring, and put it on, crying as her heart started to break again. Lydia pulled her hand to her chest and just started to sob, leaning into her knees.