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May bit her lip and nodded, her eyes filling with tears. In the past six months since Sterling had proposed, Reese had only gotten a little time in with May. She and Sterling had planned the wedding date around her release from the recovery center, giving an extra month after so it wouldn’t be pushing May into an immediate change.
May looked even healthier than the last time Reese and Sterling had flown out to visit her. They had gone to Calming Waters a few times a month since their engagement. The first time, Reese had been incredibly nervous, but she and May hit it off right away. Sterling had come up with a way to add a third person to Double Solitaire, making it Triple Solitaire. It was a little awkward and they had to adjust seating a little, but it worked. May was as competitive as her brother and the games often ended in the three of them getting shushed by the staff at Calming Waters.
Each visit, May looked a little bit better. She had gained weight and her hair looked shinier and fuller, her skin clear and bright. Most of all, though, Reese could see it in her eyes. The first time they met, May still had a haunted and restless look about her. It eased over time and today she seemed like a different young woman. Free and light and beautiful.
“I don’t know what you want to do when you finish the course work for your diploma, but I want to remind you that you’re welcome to move out here with us. Sterling’s house, as you know, is ridiculous, and there is an apartment above the garage. If you want a job, Staci and I could totally train you for social media management. We’ve got clients coming out of our ears. You could start as a virtual assistant and work up. Totally up to you, but I want you to know that the offer is open.”
May squeezed her hand. “I don’t know what I’m going to do yet, but I appreciate it. I’ve given Mom such a hard time that I hate leaving her. Everyone else has, you know?”
Reese nodded. This was something Sterling told her that he had to work through. As he had been examining his life and his anger, he realized that he carried an enormous guilt for leaving his mother the same way his father had. Both Reese and his therapist had insisted that the way he left was not the same way his dad did, but Sterling still struggled with it.
“Sterling also offered for your mom to come here. Not live with us, though.” Reese laughed. “I like your mom, but I’m pretty sure I couldn’t live with her.”
May giggled. “I don’t blame you. I’ll think about all of it and talk to Mom. But thank you. You’re good for him, you know.”
Reese felt tears beginning. Exactly the reason Staci insisted she wear waterproof makeup. “We’re good together.”
It was true. Though the engagement had been quick and their relationship unconventional, Reese had continued to sense the peace and confirmation from God at every step in their relationship.
There was a knock at the door. May beamed. “That will be my brother. And it’s my cue to get out of here. You two may be good together, but sometimes you’re a little gross with all the love and happiness.”
“Thank you,” Reese said, giggling. She stood and hugged May, who went through the side door to join the other bridesmaids.
Sterling knocked again. “Do I need to worry about a runaway bride?” His voice was muffled through the door.
Reese stood just on the other side, her hand on the knob, heart beating madly. “I’m here,” she said. “Just a minute.”
Though she had always been against the idea of the groom seeing the bride before the ceremony, Reese had requested to have time with Sterling beforehand after seeing the guest list grow. She wanted something private between them, not in front of the whole church. The photographer waited on the other side of the door to get Sterling’s first reaction to Reese in her dress, but he would take a few shots and leave them alone.
“I’m going to open the door,” Reese said.
“I’ve got my eyes closed,” Sterling said.
The plan was for him to come inside, eyes closed, and let the photographer set up for a few shots. Having him there made Reese feel awkward, but she knew she would want a record of this moment later. She tried to remember Staci’s reminder: It’s just me and Sterling.
She opened the door. Sterling had a huge grin on his face with his eyes squeezed shut. Reese drew in a breath and heard the photographer clicking away. Sterling had never looked more attractive or so happy.
“Hey, there, handsome,” she said. She took his hand and pulled him into the room.
“You know that it’s not fair that you can see me right now and I have to keep my eyes closed,” Sterling said.
The photographer closed the door and nodded to Reese that he was ready. “You can open them,” Reese whispered.
Sterling opened his eyes slowly, as though just waking up. He met her gaze first, still grinning. Then he stepped back and took her in, his smile falling. Reese’s stomach fluttered, and she pressed her palm to it, feeling suddenly nervous. He didn’t speak. Did he not like the dress?
“Sterling?”
His eyes flew back to hers. They had tears poised to fall and his face held an intensity that she had never seen before. He stepped forward so quickly that Reese gasped. He cupped her face with his hands, his gaze intent on hers.
“You have never looked more beautiful,” he said. Reese closed her eyes as he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. It was barely more than a caress, a promise of things to come. When she opened her eyes, he was smiling. His gaze held so much love that it made her chest ache with longing.
“Thank you,” she said. The sound of a door closing startled her, but it was just the photographer leaving.
“Are you shaking?” His hands slipped from her face and wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. “Are you nervous? Do you have a fever? Are you okay?”
Reese was shaking. Her hands trembled, and she felt her whole body shudder once until it stilled in his warm embrace. “I think I’m just overwhelmed,” Reese said. “I’m not nervous now. You came in looking so serious and I was feeling anxious about being in front of all the people.”
Sterling pulled back enough that she could see his face. He smiled. “And people call me an introvert.”
