A Part of My Memory

Prologue

6 MONTHS LATER

ZARA

Harley squealed for the hundredth time. "I'm so excited! Why am I so excited?"

"I wonder," Bridget said. "It's not even your wedding."

"One might think you're the one getting married," Quinn quipped.

Harley laughed, "I just can't believe this day is actually happening." Her eyes met mine in the mirror, where I was getting my hair and makeup done. "The first day I met you, I wanted Elliot to marry you, and it's actually happening! You were the sister I never had."

"Aw, Harley," I beamed. "Save that for the speech, would you? I can't cry before the ceremony even begins."

"Oh, right," she chuckled and then abruptly turned to leave, and it was pretty obvious that she was going to add that into her speech.

I focused on myself in the mirror. In truth, no one could be as excited as I was. I was getting married to my other half, after all. The one and only man who made my heart beat the way it did. I was overwhelmingly in love with Elliot, and now I was getting to spend the rest of my life with him.

ELLIOT

I told myself I wasn't going to cry, but as soon as I saw Zara walking down the aisle, being led by Ma Sarah, I couldn't help myself. She looked breathtaking. Everything about her was breathtaking, and I felt like the luckiest man alive because I was marrying her.

I stepped down from the altar and placed a kiss on Ma Sarah's cheek.

"Take care of her," she whispered before placing Zara's hand in mine.

"Forever and always," I whispered back, and then I led Zara up to the altar with me. "You look stunning," I told her softly while the priest was busy warming up to our guests.

"As do you," she said with a bright smile, and my happiness only doubled. "You better not run out of the church and leave me on the altar," she teased.

"When I leave this church, it'll be with you as my bride."

"Stop it," her smile doubled in size, and the sight was a bit too much for my heart. "You're going to make me cry."

"You've already made me cry."

"Who knew simply walking into a room could draw tears from a grown man?" She said playfully.

I chuckled and drew her closer. "You think you're funny?"

"I'm always funny."

I planned to respond with my own witty remark, but I couldn't help but stare at her. She was gorgeous, and she made me feel so many things. My heart was so full of love for her and my mind was full of thoughts of her and only her. My eyes were drawn to her and only her touch made me feel alive. The thought of spending my life with Zara felt unreal. I didn't know what being in paradise felt like, but I sure felt like I was in it.

"I love you," I told her. "And I can't wait to tell you that every day for the rest of our lives."

She took a breath and raised her chin slightly, blinking, "ah, here come the waterworks."

"I love you so much, Zara," I breathed, overwhelmed by my feelings for her.

"I love you too, Elliot," She sniffled. "And I wouldn't want anyone else as my husband."

Now it was my turn to fight back tears.

"I can't wait to fall asleep and wake up beside you," she continued, her voice delicate. "I can't wait to have mini me's and mini you's running around the house. I can't wait to grow old with you. But right now, at this moment, I can't wait to become your wife. To become Mrs Fraid. You're definitely stuck with me after this."

"Good."

"Okay, let's begin before the lovebirds kiss before the ceremony even begins," the priest said light-heartedly, receiving laughs from our guests.

ZARA

"You may now kiss the bride," the priest finally said.

Elliot wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. I rose onto my tip-toes as he leaned down and our lips met. Cheers erupted and happiness couldn't even begin to explain what I felt.

When we pulled away, Harley cried, "that's it?!"

"Come on you two, you can do so much better," Quinn remarked.

"Go again," Ma Sarah said. "I forgot to tap click on my camera."

We laughed but obliged, Elliot's lips meeting mine again, and this time the kiss probably lasted longer than it should have.

"I love you," I whispered against his lips as we pulled away.

"I love you too," he told me. "Here's to the future, Mrs Fraid."

I beamed. "Looking forward to it."

"You're my wife now."

"And you're my husband."

And I wouldn't want it any other way.