secrets

twenty-four

SIMON
______

Adele has been quiet and seemingly lost in thought all morning, and it wasn't hard to figure out why. Her family's opinion matters a lot to her, and she doesn't want to disappoint them. She doesn't want me to be disappointed, which is something she never has to worry about.

I take her hand and meet her eyes. "You alright, love?"

Her shoulders rise and fall as she takes a deep breath, briefly closing her eyes. "I'm just nervous." She bites her bottom lip, something she frequently does when she is uncertain or shy. It always makes me fall so hard for her.

"Don't be nervous, you know everything is going to be just fine." I say with a confident tone. She gives me a small smile, then looks at the clock on the stove.

"We have to leave in an hour, will you be ready?"

"I'll be ready, when am I ever the one who makes us late?"

She cackles, and my entire face lights up at the sound of her laugh. It's the last sound I expected to hear from her because she seems so nervous. "The last few times we had to go to a formal event, you couldn't find your shoes. Don't you dare do that again." She says, kissing my cheek and then going upstairs.

It's no secret that she is a force to be reckoned with, and it's one of the many reasons why I am so in love with her.

______

I find myself ready a few minutes earlier than her, so I patiently wait at the bottom of the stairs, just like I did on our very first date.

Every time she descends the curving staircase, it seems as though it becomes a glass staircase and she becomes Cinderella. Tonight is no exception.

Her bare feet hit the top step, and every atom of my being focuses on the beauty before me. With each step, I notice another breathtaking detail of my queen.

She is wearing subtle makeup, her sophisticated features highlighted and brought out. A stunning burgundy dress hugs her curvaceous body and a pair of silver heels are in her left hand.

A nervous smile is painted on her lips as I look her up and down, a stunned expression on my face. She is more than a queen, more iconic than Cinderella, and far more beautiful than I ever thought was possible.

I envelope her into a comforting hug, trying to find the words to express to her how exquisite she looks. Her vanilla scent fills my lungs and I can't keep myself from passionately pressing my lips to hers.

"You look absolutely magical, my love." I say as I pull away.

Her nervous smile disappears and is replaced with humbleness. She shakes her head. "That's you, darling. I'm proud to be bringing the most attractive man as my date."

"The honor is all mine, Queen Adkins." I open the door for her and lead her to the car.

On the way there, she sings along to the radio to calm her. It brings me amusement to hear her beautifully sing along to Sam Smith one minute and then the next minute, she nails every word to a Drake song.

When we get there, she tightly grips my hand. Before I can speak, she says, "I have a few things to warn you about."

"Alright, I'm listening."

"When my aunts get drunk, they will ask you weird questions, and they're definitely going to get drunk so be prepared."

"What kind of weird questions?"

"I guarantee they'll ask you if you put your right shoe or your left shoe on first."

I laugh. "That's not bad at all, Adele. I can hand-"

"I'm not finished, babe. My mum is probably going to ask you a lot of things too, just be yourself and she'll love you."

"Got it." I nod.

"And my uncles will probably want you to hang out with them at least for a little. All you have to do is talk about soccer and they'll be happy."

I laugh again. "Anything else?"

"You're really hot and I wouldn't be surprised if my older cousins tried to dance with you. Just say no, you're all mine, alright?"

Nodding, I say, "That's really flattering. Thanks babe." I kiss her cheek and then get out, the energy of the wedding already noticeable.

Right before I open the door to the reception, she squeezes my hand. "I can't wait until my own wedding."

"Me neither." I say with a smile. "I can't wait to make you Mrs. Konecki."

At the sound of that, her entire face lights up and her tense body relaxes. I give her hand one last reassuring squeeze and then enter the loud room.

Immediately, multiple unfamiliar women crowd around us. Adele hugs them all quickly while I awkwardly stand and smile. She takes my hand again and introduces me, saying, "This is my boyfriend, Simon."

They all shake my hand, each of them giving me an interested and curious expression. Adele points out a pale woman among them, one with reddish-brown hair and gentle brown eyes.

"Simon, this is my mum."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Adkins." I say, baffled over the fact that she looks absolutely nothing like Adele but they both possess the same gentle, comforting vibe.

"Please, call me Penny." She shakes my hand, and Adele looks relieved.

As the two of us follow the family towards our seats, I am introduced to an insane amount of relatives, some standing out and some I immediately forget about.

My favorite thing about being introduced to them is seeing the effect that Adele had as soon as they saw and recognized her.

It's the same effect she has on everyone that knows her.

The moment she steps into a room, it's like all your worries and fears disappear. She is the life of the party, she lights up everyone's hearts. She can make you smile within thirty seconds of talking to you, and her soul is so beautiful that you can't help but love her.

As the reception begins, we take our seats and an overwhelming amount of excitement takes over me.

I can't wait to spend time with her family today, simply because I hope one day they become my family.