𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔.
Elizabeth Reid learned, at seventeen, that she was going to die. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, she's faced with a question that no one should have to answer.
How do you leave a mark on a wo...
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I stare at the mirror, barely recognizing myself. My dark hair cascades in waves down my back, a far cry from its usual mess. The makeup artist has worked magic, enhancing my features without masking them. My brown eyes, a gift from Dad, seem larger and more luminous than ever.
The dress... it's something else entirely. When Mum and I went shopping, I insisted on simplicity. "Nothing flashy or princess-like," I said. Then I tried on this gown, and all my preconceptions flew out the window.
It's soft ivory, with delicate lace sleeves ending just above my elbows. The bodice hugs my figure, adorned with intricate beadwork that catches the light. From the waist, it flows into a full skirt that makes me feel ethereal. It's perfect.
As I gaze at my reflection, memories of Nathan flood my mind. The journey that led us here hasn't been straightforward, but it's woven with moments that shaped us. I think back to that day on the beach, a day that changed everything.
We were seventeen, and it was after our not-so-date. We went to the beach, and walked along the shore, the sound of the waves mingling with our laughter. I remember the way he looked at me, his eyes full of something I didn't quite understand at the time.
We stood there together, the sun setting in a blaze of colours. Nathan turned to me, his expression serious. "Beth," he said softly, "there's something I need to tell you."
My heart pounded in my chest. "What is it, Nathan?"
He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "I love you, Beth. I think I've loved you for a long time."
The world seemed to tilt, and for a moment, neither of us could find the right words, so he did the only thing that felt right – he leaned in and kissed me. His lips were warm and soft, and in that kiss, I felt a promise, a beginning.
But after that day, I panicked. The intensity of my feelings scared me, and I didn't know how to handle it. I avoided Nathan, ignored his calls and messages.
Yet, Nathan never gave up. He was always there, waiting patiently. When I finally gathered the courage to talk to him, he welcomed me with open arms, his love unwavering. "Beth," he said, holding me close, "I'm not going anywhere."
From that moment, every kiss felt like a reassurance, a reminder that we were in this together. There were countless kisses after that – in the rain, under the stars, in the quiet moments when words weren't necessary. Each kiss was a thread, weaving us closer, binding us in a way that nothing else could.
"You're breath-taking, darling."
Mum's voice draws my attention. She stands in the doorway, eyes glistening. Her pale blue dress complements her eyes - the same eyes my little sister Meri inherited.
"Thanks, Mum," I say, smiling at her reflection. "You look beautiful too."
She moves behind me, resting her hands on my shoulders. We gaze at our reflections, side by side. Despite our differences - her blonde to my brunette, blue eyes to brown - our family resemblance is undeniable in the shape of our faces and the curve of our smiles.
