Guy Next Door

47

On our way to the hall where we will have our wedding dinner, we step into a horse carriage together. Sam doesn't let go of my hand and waves to our family and friends. I chuckle, feeling like he believes we're the king and queen.

When they're all out of sight I look over at Sam with a grin. "Hi."

He squeezes my hand and kisses it. "Hi."

I'm so happy I don't know what to say. I never thought I would be this happy on my wedding day. My expectations was to be happy but this is so much more. I'm fulfilled. Peak Ilah.

"You know" I start and look at the horse that steadily is pacing forward. "When I'm in a situation I sometimes I think about how it would be for past me to see a photo or video of what's happening in that moment. What would past me think or believe? What would you and I believe if we saw a picture of this moment the first time we met?"

Sam chuckles. "I would say someone's really good at Photoshop."

I slap his arm. "You wouldn't believe it's possible?"

"That I, Sam Hayes, would be married to you Ilah Hayes? No, love."

I roll my eyes. "I'd be happy to see that picture."

"Good thing we hired a photographer then" he smiles.

I hook my arm with his and lean my head against his shoulder, like I always do. "This day can't get more perfect."

He kisses the top of my head. "The day hasn't ended yet, wait until we're alone."

I bite in a grin. "Got anything special in mind, Mr. Hayes?"

He leans his head against mine. "It's not even the day I'm happy about, I'm just happy about the future."

"I'm happy about showing my dad the finger, you know, when he didn't think it would end up like this" I say and twine my fingers in his. His hand is so soft and so big. 

"Hope this was proof enough for him" Sam squeezes my hand even harder. 

I chuckle. "If these past six years weren't proof enough then I don't know what is. I wish dad would've seen a picture of us right now when he broke us up."

"Let's not talk about when I did the biggest mistake in my life" he breathes out a sad chuckle. "If your dad was angry now I wouldn't give a damn."

"Yeah, be all confident now" I chuckle. "You we're nineteen and still lived at home, you didn't stand a chance."

"Shut up" he laughs. "Letting you go was dumb, if I knew I was giving all of this up, I wouldn't even hesitate standing up to you and our relationship."

"Good thing you didn't have to" I smile and hug his arm even closer. Touching him is all I'll ever need. 

¤¤¤

"You two just look too adorable for your own good" Vivian smiles and wipes off her probably thirtieth tear. "Look at them, Brian!"

Dad smiles at me and nods approvingly. "Most beautiful daughter in the world."

"We need to take a picture, where's the photographer when we need her?" Vivian waves her arms around and then huddles us together once she's found her. "You guys are making me cry all the time!"

We both laugh as the flash from the camera goes off. My eyes move from the camera to the corner. Tyler and Luna are standing there, looking consumed in a deep conversation. When Tyler went to Australia they broke it off and when he came back they never reunited. 

I watch them walk through a door to a hallway and I decide to follow. But as I take a step in that direction, Sam grabs my arm. "Where are you going?"