Swimming With Sophie

THIS BUMPY RIDE IS SO...

Sophie

The jeep is practically sideways at one point. Why is this a thing? Driving through roads that clearly are not roads. It's not safe. It's actually insane. Thank goodness this bumpy ride has come to an end now that we are pulling up to the resort.

I step out of the Jeep with Luc's help then he turns to help my mom down. Talk about a shock! Seeing her sitting in a jeep at the end of the jungle trail that Luc led me through was more than surprising. He had said that someone special would be waiting to take us back to the resort, but I figured he meant Travis and Lacey, not my mom and dad.

Originally we hadn't planned on having any family with us. I really didn't want to make a big deal about the wedding and having a bunch of people watching the whole thing made my nerves go a little wacko. Clearly my nerves don't need family to go nuts seeing as how I threw a huge tantrum yesterday over a coupon. So now that my parents actually did show up, I'm cool with it.

"It's about lunch time, Sophie. Would you and Luc like to join us for a bite at the café?" my mom asks after fluffing her hair.

"Actually, Michelle, Sophie has other plans. If we're going to be ready for our date at sunset, she's got some things to prepare. And I've got a few errands to run as well." Luc puts his arm around me as he brushes off my mom. Then he steers me away from my parents and into the lobby. Rude.

"Luc, I do need to eat. I could have spared a half hour for a sandwich."

He doesn't stop on his path to the elevators. "Your mom will understand. And don't worry, you've got food waiting upstairs." He takes me by the hand when the elevator opens up and pulls me inside. After pressing for our floor, he leans back into me and presses his lips against my forehead.

"Babe, don't worry. Everything has been taken care of. You're going to be so relaxed later on, I promise." He finishes by pulling me even closer. "I can't wait," he whispers.

"Luc..." How does he always know exactly what I need?

We say nothing more on the ride up. As the doors open, Luc once again takes me by the hand and walks me down the hall to the suite we've all been staying in. I'm expecting him to follow me inside, but instead he stops at the door and turns me to face him.

"This is where we say goodbye until tonight. Lacey is waiting inside with the plan and everything necessary for later." Luc brings his lips to mine, pressing gently, reverently.

I feel like there's something else in this kiss, something he isn't saying with words. Is he worried I won't go through with this next step? I guess that would be understandable after the last twenty-four hours. But I trust him. He's brought me back from the panic and now I want nothing more than to be his wife. I can't wait.

I lean back to look into his eyes, bringing my hands to his face and cradling him between my palms. "I'll be the one waiting for you in white. And Luc," I give him a serious eye, the one I reserve for when I mean business, "I will be there."

The words linger between us, the weight of what I just said heavy in the air. It's my promise to him. I'm not backing out and I need him to know it. I've created this worry and now I need to set it right.

"So will I," he says after a minute of loaded silence. These words have been as important as the vows we will exchange. They have been as needed as the promises we made at the waterfall. It's healing us, little by little.

I give Luc a final hug, not letting it linger too long because I don't think I'll be able to spend the day apart if I hold on any more. Then we smile at each other as I step through the door and let it gently shut. As I enter the main area of our rooms, Lacey is waiting for me.

"I hear you've got plans for me today," I say to my best friend. Honestly I don't know what I would do without these people in my life; Luc, Lacey and even Travis. They have been such a huge support and the reason I've been doing so much better this last year.

"Such plans, honey. I can't wait to get started! But first we have a little spread because I know you ate light very, very early this morning." Lacey gestures to the table, covered with tropical fruits and a chicken dish. Suddenly I'm starving.

"Wow, yup this looks good." I sit down to eat and am not disappointed. As I'm shoveling chicken into my mouth, Lacey hands me my phone.

"I had this for safe keeping. I guess Luc didn't want it to get ruined in the waterfall."

I laugh. Luc always thinks of everything. He's got one of those crazy cases that protects his phone from every threat to technology there is, especially with all of his outdoor escapades. Mine has a kinetic glitter case, practically no protection at all. I love that he planned things so thoroughly.

"It buzzed a couple of times, so you might want to check your notifications." She warns.

I unlock it to find six messages from Luc waiting for me. As I read them, then reread them because I can't believe this guy is mine, the tears flow. I realize as I'm crying from how much he loves me, so fiercely, that I haven't cried at all in the last twenty-four hours. I must have known deep down that our love was strong enough to withstand this little storm. That has to be true, because the way Luc loves me will pull us through the bad weather. I love him enough to prepare for those storms, knowing that they will come. I need to put some plans in place to make sure that our storms aren't hurricanes or tornados.

"Lacey, is there any wiggle room in our schedule?" My voice cracks a little as I ask. The emotion is catching up with me, finally.

"There's a little," she says with question.

"Good. I need to make a phone call after lunch."

Lacey tilts her head to give me a look, but the one I give her in return tells all I need to say. Lacey knows what this is about, and she's proud I'm taking this step.

"Perfect."

She's right. Tonight will be perfect.

^^^^^

So the war on Wednesday continues. I woke up with a cold that day that's lingered. It didn't disrupt Wednesday's update but I've been too miserable to work on Saturday's until today. Meh, wonder what this week will bring...

But we are in the final stretch! We've got one more chapter, then the YouTube transcript, and four epilogues! Can't wait!! So click to the next one and let's see how the rest of the crew is dealing.