A Bond Never Broken

Chapter 39

I sat on a wooden pier extended across the ocean, a pen and notebook in hand. I could hear the calming slosh of the waves gently lapping against the dock's legs. As my feet dangled high above the surface of the blue ocean water, I looked out beyond the water in the west and admired the beauty of the sunset before me. The sky is ablaze with color... fiery orange, searing reds, hot as the sun yellow and yet the outer edges of the blazing sky have begun to cool with the indigo of the night. A sunset is more beautiful than our mere words are capable of encompassing.

My mind was buzzing with thoughts, as if it were a hive for honeybees. I recalled the countless times I had been on a pier. Through the good and joyful times of my boyhood when I'd heave a metal bucket full of bait to the edge, sitting it next to my grandpapa's tackle box. To the times where'd I'd be accompanied by my older brother as we'd sip on a beer and talk as we picked and peeled at the condensation-dripping label... to when I wasn't joined by my brother anymore. Yet, my most favorite memory of an old wooden dock was way way back, back to college. I smiled wide as the memory played in my mind. It was all too vivid, a memory held dear to my heart.

"Luke, come on!  You're gonna miss the fireworks!" I heard Caroline yelling from the front lawn.

I shook my head and smirked. Mama just chuckled and said, "Go on, get outta here. I'll finish up the dishes. Ya'll have fun and don't get into too much trouble! Ya hear me?"

"Yes ma'am."

I placed the dirty plate I had in my hand which was  covered in scrapings from our dinner of hotdogs and sweet potato fries into the sink. I quickly rinsed the soap suds off of my hands before kissing Mama's cheek and bolting to the door. Caroline was waiting on the doorstep when i stepped outside. Her face lit up and she cheekily smiled.

"Finally! You're such a slow poke sometimes." She giggled and I felt butterflies flutter in my stomach... this girl.

Caroline dragged me to my pick-up truck, practically running as she did so. I propped her up into the passenger seat before getting into my side.

It was the Fourth of July. We were both off for summer break. We had been together for about six months now. I had graduated this past May and she was going to be a sophomore. I was taking her to Muckalee Creek. A park not too far from there was shooting off fireworks and you could see them clearly from there.

I pulled up to the edge of the water just as the light show began, lighting up the starry night sky. Caroline hopped out of the truck and bounded down to the dock. She settled on the edge and gazed up into the sky, her face showed pure awe as she she watched. Her face was illuminated each time a firework cracked in the sky. Boom..boom..boom boom.. A smile as wide as Texas appeared on her face each and every time. My heart started to thud loudly and I was afraid it would pop out of my chest. I was in love with this girl, no doubt. She would be my wife one day. But Luke, my sub-conscious mind spoke, why can't you tell her you love her then? Because I was afraid she wouldn't say it back. That's why. I shook my head. No, that would change tonight.

I grabbed a comforter from the back of my truck and lugged it down to where Caroline was sitting.  She smiled and stood as she noticed what I was doing. Once I placed the blanket onto the pier, we settled down and watched the show in the sky above us. Caroline leaned in close to me, snuggling her head into my shoulder. I held her close to me, so close I could almost hear her breathe. If you listened closely, you could barely hear the chirping of crickets, but other than that, no sound was audible but the fireworks.

"Luke," Caroline spoke gently.

"Yah?"

It was silent for a moment before she looked up, gazing into my eyes. I notice a glimmer in them that hadn't been there ever before.

"I love you..." She breathed.

Those three simple words hit me like a freight train. Those three words lit a fire in me, a wildfire that would never stop burning.

"I love you too." I said back, full of love.

Those three words 23 years ago were the beginning of everything. The beginning of us. I smiled. We were getting married tomorrow. A whole new beginning. I began to scribble upon the lined paper in front of me.

"Caroline,

Ithink about the time before you were a part of my life. I rememberbeing aimlessly drifting from one place to another, for I was berefta cause in my life. Along came you and from that day forth everythingchanged. You have given me so much that I can never pay you back andI know that I can only spend my lifetime loving you and make you feelsafe and secure in my arms. I know that you are that once in alifetime gift that is bestowed upon lucky ones from Heaven above andyou mean the world to me.

       

Ifind it difficult to find words to express all that you mean to me.From the moment we met, I knew my life would forever be changed. Onthat day, an angel appeared before me with blue eyes so captivating Ilose myself in their gaze, a smile that can brighten the darkestdepths of oceans, and a voice that just its very whisper overfills myheart with incredible joy.

Wewill always be with each other in every mode of life, in all ups anddowns and in all untrodden paths of life. I promise to give you thelife you always dreamt of. We will surely make the best couple onearth. We will have several adventures of life together and evenpromise you the most wonderful intimate time. You too will rememberme always.

When we become old and weathered, covered in wrinkles, the curse of aging, I promise to still love you. To love you with the same love i had for you when we met, the love I have for you now, and the love I will have for you always.

I know it's not easy for you, when I'm gone all the time, but i thank you for sticking it out. I thank you for raising our boys right and being a wonderful mama as well as Aunt to Til. I promise to always put you first, no matter what the circumstances.

I love you to the moon and back,

Luke"