Intrigued and Enchanted (34 page)

Brandon has seemed a little off this week. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but he’s been a bit on edge. I’ve asked him about it but he just blows it off as nothing and changes the subject. He’s also been pretty cagey on the phone which is odd. Usually I would offer to give him privacy for his calls and he’s the one that pulls me into his lap while he keeps talking, but this week he’s been closing the door behind him when his phone rings.

Saturday morning arrives, and the weirdness continues. Brandon says he has to go to the office for a few hours and leaves abruptly. I get a sinking feeling in my gut, his behaviour reminiscent in some ways of when he was lying to me about Victoria. I try to shrug it off and spend the morning lazing around the apartment, curling my hair, giving myself a bit of a feel good makeover. I decide on my favourite grey jeans, and a lilac lace camisole. When I’ve done all the girly primping I can justify for a day to be spent in the house I get a text from Brandon.

Mr E: Miss Pritchard. Could you come and meet me in the South Field on campus? X

That’s odd. We hadn’t planned on going out anywhere. Oooo, maybe we’re going to have a nice picnic in the South Field. It’s a perfect day for it. I quickly text him back.

Me: I’ll be there in 15. X

I grab my purse, sunglasses and put on a pair of canvas Toms before heading out to meet Brandon.

****

When I arrive at South Field, it doesn’t look the way I remember it. A pathway has been carved out amongst a sea of roses as far as the eye can see, in every colour imaginable. It’s simply breath-taking. As I follow the path I see an opening with a pond filled with water lilies. It’s more beautiful than any Monet I have ever seen. As I continue on my way, I realise that I’m the only person here. My phone beeps in my pocket.

Mr E: Keep following the path sweet girl. X

It never ceases to amaze me when he reads my mind at the exact moment I'm think something! I continue on, taking in the beauty that surrounds me. Every ten metres or so there are plaques with some of my favourite quotations from classic literature including the one Brandon had engraved on the notebook he gave me.

As I get closer to the library I come to an archway of flowers and foliage with Brandon’s trademark pearls and crystals interwoven throughout; it’s a stunning sight. I notice charms, just like the ones on my bracelet, hanging from the top of the archway. It’s so magical, I don’t think I’ve taken a breath since I set foot on campus.

On the ground in front of me is a phone that looks exactly like mine. I lean down and pick it up. The lock screen showing one of the funny selfies that Brandon and I took when we were in London. When I slide my finger across the screen I notice there is a text on the phone. I open it, tears misting my eyes at the effort Brandon has gone to for me today.

Mr E: This is where it all began Miss Pritchard. Look up. X

I lift my eyes as I step forward into what feels like a walled, secret garden of flowers. Brandon is standing there, looking like a vision from heaven in front of me. His black hair mussed as if he’s been wringing his hands through it; his chiselled features, beyond beautiful as a panty dropping smile splits his face. He’s wearing a pair of killer faded blue jeans and a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to show his corded forearms. His biker boots complete his look and I can’t take my eyes off of the perfection that’s walking towards me. His walk is so sexy, almost feline as his muscles flex under his shirt with every step.

I am lost for words when he stops mere inches away from me, his smell intoxicating my senses – clean laundry, cologne and Brandon’s unique smell that makes him that much more endearing. He cups my face in his hands, searching my face for…something. Our lips meet in a passionate kiss, our tongues caressing each other, my hands sliding up and down the length of his muscular back.

Before I get a chance to speak, Brandon drops to one knee at my feet, reaching into his pocket and removing a black velvet box which he holds up to me. My heart is hammering in my chest as I stare down into Brandon’s beautiful ice-blue eyes. The love I feel reflected back at me in his unwavering gaze. I can see his chest rising and falling quickly as he prepares to speak.

“Lily Pritchard. We’ve only known each other for three months, but I feel like I’ve known you my whole life. The day our worlds collided here in South Field has changed my life in every way imaginable. You have given me hope for a future I never thought I would have.”

Tears stream down my face as I listen to Brandon’s words. My breath reduced to panting as my emotions bubble up within me.

“Every day, you show me love that I never thought I would find. Every hour that I spend with you, you bring me joy that I didn’t know existed, and every minute that I get to call you mine, I cherish, and will never take it for granted.” More eloquent, more beautiful than anything I’ve ever read. I’m overwhelmed.

“Lily. I love you with all my heart. I have since the moment I looked into your stunning green eyes. I felt like I was looking into the other half of my soul. If you will let me, I will love you, cherish you, protect you, and do everything in my power to fulfil every one of your dreams in this life and the next.”

He opens the small elegant box and holds the most breath-takingly perfect ring up to me. A large solitaire brilliant cut diamond in a high four claw setting with diamonds running down either side of the band. I have never seen such a stunning ring, it is more than I could ever imagine. He is more than I could ever imagine. I am overcome with pure, unadulterated joy as he continues to speak.

“Will you do me the great honour of becoming my wife? Marry me Lily.”

My hand flies up to my mouth, holding in the sob I know is trapped in my throat. I watch as he lifts the ring from the box, taking my left hand and holding the ring at the tip of my ring finger.

“May I? You’re killing me here baby. Please say something.” I can see the unease in his eyes as he awaits my answer.

“Yes Brandon. I would love to marry you.” I sob tears of happiness as he places the ring on my finger and stands up, pulling me into the most intense kiss we have ever shared. Every fibre of my being reacts to him, to his touch, to his scent, to his heart, that beats in time with mine.

“I love you so fucking much Lily.” He continues to shower my face and neck with kisses as I melt into his body, holding tight to stop my knees from giving way underneath me. My entire body is buzzing with electricity.

“I love you too Brandon. More than I could ever express. You’re my…everything, Brandon.”

Standing in the spot that changed my life on an average Monday afternoon in May, I knew that I had finally found the missing piece of myself, my better half, and the love of my life.

Wherever life takes us, I know every chapter will be amazing with Brandon by my side, writing our story together, hand in hand, hearts entwined, and two halves of the same soul - forever and always.

Epilogue

BRANDON

Four Months Later

Why do I feel so fucking nervous today? I’ve been waiting for this day since the moment I met her. I’m almost as nervous as the day I proposed. It was worth a week of feeling sick to my stomach when I heard Lily say “Yes”.

Lucky for me she did say yes, because I had arranged a party afterwards at Paul’s restaurant with help from Jess. Both of our families were there, Jess’s family and some of our close friends. My mom was a crying mess as soon as we walked in the door to a roar of applause!

It was lovely to see Lily enjoying herself as Jess fussed over her, ogling her ring and giving me the thumbs up. Lily’s face is so fucking beautiful when she’s happy. I want to put that smile on her face, every day for the rest of my life.

It’s been a full on four months getting ready for this wedding. There has been so much going on, but most importantly, Lily and I are deliriously happy together. She also started her novel which is amazing. I’m so fucking proud of her. She decided to use her experiences with Peterson and try her hand at a crime thriller. I think she surprised herself with that decision, but she’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her when she’s sitting writing on her laptop. I think it’s been sort of cathartic for her as well.

Since she started putting it all down in print, her nightmares have eased up. It’s been so hard watching her relive those horrors night after night. I just want to take it away for her. I’m in awe of her strength, she’s the strongest woman I have ever met. She’s been through so much, and yet, she has such a gentle and loving spirit that just calls to me to protect her.

****

The decision of where to have the wedding was a no brainer for me, and when I suggested it to Lily, she absolutely loved the idea. So here I am four months later, standing in the centre of L’Arena in Verona, Italy; waiting for the love of my life to arrive.

Simon is my best man and from what I understand of the role, he should be calming me the fuck down right now. Is he? Fuck no. I think he’s more nervous than I am. I’ve given up trying to work out what he and Jess have on the go. One minute I think things are getting really serious between them, and the next minute I have to listen to Si piss and moan about her blowing him off.

I love Jess, she’s Lily’s best friend and she would do anything for her, but I’m not convinced she’s what’s best for
my
best friend. He puts on a good front, but I know it’s taking its toll on him.

A few months back we managed to make some time to go up to Si’s place in the Hamptons for the weekend with him and Jess. We had a fantastic weekend. Well…Lily and I had a fantastic weekend; I managed to whisk her away for a few hours to the secluded cove where we shared our first kiss. I can remember how fucking perfect she looked writhing underneath me, the sunset as our backdrop, and the last vestiges of sunlight kissing every curve and line of her amazing body. If there is such a thing as heaven, that was fucking it.

I’m hard just at the memory; I need to adjust myself without drawing attention. How the fuck do you do that while standing at the alter with your family and friends staring at you? I’m just going to have to think about something else! One glance at Si and that does the trick. He looks like he’s going to vomit.

“Fuck Si, you look worse than me. What’s up?” He laughs.

“Ignore me man, I’m just being a dick. Jess fucking freaked out this morning. What a surprise! Don’t sweat it. This is your day, and I’m all over the best man thing.” I think he’s trying to convince himself more than he is me. I can see I’m going to have to have a chat with Jess when Lily and I get back from our honeymoon.

Lily has tried to talk some sense into her, but I think Jess needs to realise what she’s doing to Si every time she does this kind of thing. He needs to fucking man up a little. It’s easy for me to say that, but I would do anything Lily asked of me, and I don’t fucking care who knows it. I’m the poster boy for pussy whipped! She’s just so damn amazing.

I thought sitting down to plan the wedding would be a nightmare, but, as usual Lily astounded me with how easy going she was. It probably helped that she had started writing her novel, so a lot of her free time has been spent tapping away on her laptop.

Once we had agreed that Verona was the place we wanted to get married, our mom’s went bat shit crazy, warp speed, hyper drive over the wedding plans. Lily and I just decided what we wanted and let them get on with it. Worked out great for me, gave me so much more time to get Lily naked and sweaty and screaming my name. Fuck. If I could go and get her from her suite at the hotel right now, without being decapitated by my mother, I would do just that; calm my nerves by pinning her down and fucking her so hard she forgets her own name.

I really need to stop thinking like this right now. I’m surrounded by family and friends in the most amazing amphitheatre in the world. They still perform open air operas here at night after the sun goes down. I’m going to bring Lily back here for our first anniversary so that we can enjoy L’Arena the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Lily will fucking love it. She loves everything about this city.

We arrived 3 days ago and the first thing I did was take Lily to see Juliet’s balcony. I even managed to get a photo of her leaning out over it, staring down at me with the most beautiful smile on her face; the fucking picture of perfection, every bards muse; mine…fucking mine! That was the only time we got to explore the city just the two of us, but it was truly fantastic, I can see why Shakespeare was inspired by it; steeped in history, culture and most of all, romance.

Jess and the rest of the women insisted that Lily and I slept apart last night which is why I think I feel so fucking antsy just now - I haven’t seen her today. As much as I resent them taking my wife-to-be from me yesterday, I have to give them credit where it’s due. My mom and Jocelyn have done a phenomenal job organising the décor for the wedding. The amphitheatre has been sectioned into three separate, stunning areas.

There is the dining area – tables draped in crisp white cloths with lanterns set on top of mirrors in the centre. Lily picked out a deep purple for the colour scheme and our mom’s didn’t disappoint. From the menus, to the place cards, to the petals scattered on the tables, everything matches and it all looks breath-taking and elegant, a perfect reflection of my bride.

The second area is for dancing – twinkling lights cover every surface, marking out an expansive dance floor and stage area for the band. I can’t wait to have Lily in my arms, her tight, warm, sexy little body pressed hard against me, teasing me with what’s to come; making love to her for the first time as Mrs Redgrave. Just the thought of it makes me rock-fucking-hard.

Saving the best for last, area number three is where I’m standing right now – the place that I’m going to make Lilly my wife. There are 200 white chairs set out in rows with a white silk aisle running down the centre. The chairs are all tied with purple organza and finished off with a crystal brooch on the back.