Love Will Keep Us - Book 5

Marry Me at Sunset (Part One)

LENA POV

"Good evening, everyone. I'd like to begin by welcoming everyone as we join in this ceremony to celebrate these two beautiful women, Lena Elizabeth Adams and Stefanie Marie Foster." The officiant, one of Gary & Marty's friends, begins as my stomach is finally settled down. It has for as soon as I saw Stef I thought and heard nothing else. I didn't even see our kids anymore who stood on both sides of us. I didn't see our parents, or Tess or our friends or Julius or Gary or Marty.

I saw no one but her and she is glowing. She is glowing from top to bottom and she has never looked more beautiful in my entire life. She really has not as she steps closer to me and does what she always does. She runs her finger down the side of my face in the most affectionate way in front of everyone. I loved that about her, I really did as I smile so wide and she returns it.

"Now, I will say the most unique and wonderful time in life is when you meet that special person that you want to spend the rest of your life with. Sometimes we know instantly, sometimes we don't. Sometimes it might takes years, sometimes decades, sometimes a few months. Sometimes there are obstacles, sometimes there are fears. But if it is truly, truly meant to happen it will and it will be beautiful. Now think back, everyone. Think back to that time you all fell in love. I mean really in love. You will know because it's like something you have never felt before."

As he continues on my mind can't help but wander as Stef's hand remains in mine and we stand side my side so close like always. I can't help but look over at her profile as she feels it and turns to look at me smiling once again. What was it really that had attracted me to her back in 1969? Was it her voice? Was it her smile? Was it her innocence? What was it? Sometimes I still wondered and sometimes I wondered when I knew. When I knew she was the one and when I knew I couldn't go on without her

FLASHBACK 1969

"Stop it! Oh my god! You have to be the funniest woman I've ever met in my life!" Stef is doubled over from laughing so hard as I had just played out for her last night when Jenna and her crew had been ridiculous at the bizarre.

"Who? Me? I can't make this stuff up, Stef! You're lucky you got out of it since you were waiting on that call from Mike," I use air quotes as she blushes.

We both know she's been avoiding him for weeks, and she hasn't taken a call from him since the first week he left on the ship. Licking her lips, she turns back to the oven, and I see her wipe her apron across her face.

What is she thinking? Why did she all of the sudden become shy once more? Slowly through time, her shyness had begun to fade, yet there are moments like now that it returns.

I clear my voice and brush my hand nervously over my hair and try to steady my voice. "So, ya, it was a hoot. Even Tess was cracking jokes when they weren't looking, and we had tears running down our faces."

"Raisin bread is just about finished," Stef says as she changes the subject, and I instinctively move over to her and catch her hand in my own.

She turns to look at me, her cheeks pink and her blonde hair now curling in tiny tendrils around her soft face, and my heart begins pounding in my chest. I forget what I came over to say, and her hazel eyes pierce my soul.

We stand like this for what feels like hours, and I reach out and brush a few strands of stray hair from her face. Electricity flows between us like a freight train, and I watch a soft smile play on the corner of her lips, as I steady my breathing.

"You like raisin bread, right?" She asks breathlessly as I move closer to her and lift her hand slowly to my lips.

I place soft kisses along the back of it then turn her hand palm up and begin kissing along it. My stomach flips out of control as I hear soft moans and whimpers come from her, and I look deeply into her eyes as I feel her hand running over my curls.

"I do. I...love it..." I whisper as she smiles even wider.

FLASHBACK ENDS

Of course I was married to Will at that time but I knew my heart was clinging to hers. Massively and it didn't take very long at all before I had fallen head over heels for this woman standing in front of me right now.