Page 121 of Choosing a Forever
Kinsley and Harper are in their rooms, studying or something, I don’t know. We’ve slowly made progress and started building a foundation of trust, but I know it’ll take time. Our family therapist has been a godsend with helping us learn to communicate with each other in the midst of dealing with the grief of losing our parents.
I open mail while I wait for Lizzie. Seeing my parents' names on the envelopes makes my chest pinch with devastation. They should behere.They should be opening these. They should be the ones going to Harper’s doctors’ appointments because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.
But they aren’t here.
And they won’t be coming back.
I wasn’t prepared to get misty-eyed today, but witnessing Hannah—looking absolutely stunning in a white mini dress embroidered with little golden butterflies—and Morgan tearing up while reading each other their vows?
Cue the fucking waterworks.
Hannah and Morgan’s three little girls are in matching pale blue dresses sitting on the laps of an older couple, who I assume are Morgan’s parents. The oldest girl, who looks to be around ten, keeps wiping her eyes. From what Tal told me, Morgan and Hannah both had rough relationships prior to meeting, and their story is full of ups and downs.
I’m happy they found each other.
Emma ended up next to me and is sniffling, too. Her fiancè pulls a pack of tissues from his pocket and passes them to her, and she passes one to me.
Vows are exchanged and the couple kisses, everyone claps and cheers, then they take their seats at the head of the table.
Tal squeezes my thigh under the table, and when I look up at him, his blue gaze is a little watery. “I want to do something like this. Something small and intimate with our closest friends,” he whispers.
“Me, too.”
Emma leans over and points a finger at Talmage. “If you don’t invite me to your vow renewal, I’m gonna be upset.”
Tal grins and shakes his head. “Don’t worry, you’re invited. As long as we’re invited to your wedding.”
“Duh.” Emma rolls her eyes.
“Have you set a date yet?” I ask as a server brings out the appetizers.
Emma shakes her head. “Not yet.Someonewas impatient and proposed way earlier than I expected, so we haven’t discussed a date.”
“Don’t set it for next June,” Tal’s other cousin, Elli, chimes in with a big smile.
“Ah! Did you finally decide on yours?” Emma squeals.
Elli nods. “We’re sending out save the dates when we get back.”
“Aw, guys, we’re all going to be married. Look at us, being happy even though everyone said we wouldn't be.” Emma sighs. “Mackenzie, were you Mormon?” I nod, and Emma grins. “We’re happy you’re part of our black sheep crew, then. Ooo, we should make T-shirts!”
Tal snorts. “I’m sure that’ll go over well at the next Monson family reunion.”
Everyone laughs, then the conversation shifts.
Emma, Wes, and I trade tattoo stories, and Elli and Emma tell me how they met their fiancés. Wes and Ben are a bit more reserved, letting their fiancées chatter away and catch up with everyone, but the way they look at them, it’s clear they’re head over heels.
Talmage keeps his hand on me in some way—on my thigh, wrapped around my own, or on my back—and when our eyes meet, the heat in them makes my whole body light up.
After dinner, the restaurant staff clears the tables to form a makeshift dance floor. Morgan’s parents say goodbye so they can take their kids home for bedtime.
The songs playing are reminiscent of a high school dance, and when “Thinking Out Loud”by Ed Sheeran starts playing, Tal pulls me in, wrapping his arms aroundmy waist and side stepping while he sings along softly to the lyrics.
I didn’t realize how healing it would be, dancing with him like this, but I find myself blinking back tears. Tal and I never got to go to a dance together other than the one time. I could have asked him to a dance in high school, but I was scared of rejection. Having his arms wrapped around my waist and my arms resting on his shoulders, it stitches together another piece of my frayed heart.
“What’s on your mind, Firefly?” Tal whispers against my hairline.
“How we didn’t get to dance like this in high school. I’m grateful we get to now.”
