Page 117 of Liberating Bells
“Ready?” I ask Bells.
She grins back. “Ready.”
We throw open the doors to the hall and step inside. All of our guests are standing at their tables, clapping and cheering for us. We walk hand-in-hand through the hall until we get to the bridal party table at the front.
The space has the industrial feel of a warehouse, but the twinkle lights on the ceiling and the gossamer streamers draped across the windows make it feel otherworldly. Round tables are spread out across the floor, surrounding the big dance area.
The tables are set up elegantly with cream-colored tablecloths and intricate centerpieces consisting of white and burgundy carnations. In between the bigger flowers are small blush-colored roses and pieces of greenery. Around the vases full of flowers are small votive candles, giving the tables a soft glow.
Izabel and I settle into our seats. As everyone else sits down, we hear the clattering of knives against champagne flutes and glasses. I look at Bells and give her a crooked grin before claiming her lips with mine. Our guests applause as we kiss.
Before too long, the event staff come out and serve dinner. It’s a delicious spread of either chicken or filet mignon served with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies. The room is alive with laughter and conversation as we all dig into our dinner.
After we’re all stuffed, and the plates are cleared away, the DJ announces that we’re going to go ahead with the toasts. I hear Josie groan next to me, and I laugh under my breath. The staff hurries about, delivering flutes of champagne, and a microphone is provided to our table.
Juliet goes first and gives everyone her biggest smile. “Izabel is my best friend. I remember when we first met each other at Hawthorne Academy, all those years ago. We were assigned as roommates in the dorms. I took one look at the skinny blue-eyed girl wearing bright purple leggings and a pink turtleneck shirt. I knew right away that she needed my professional help.”Everyone chuckles. “Since then, I’ve acted as Izabel’s personal stylist and official advisor.”
Jules launches into memories and anecdotes that have everyone laughing. Izabel wipes the corner of her eye with her napkin and smiles at her friend. Juliet raises her glass to us, and our guests follow their lead. I lean over and press another warm kiss to my new bride’s lips, and the room erupts in cheers again.
Josie stands and then smooths out her suit when it’s her turn. She holds the microphone up and begins her speech. “When I was little, I used to dream about what happily ever after would look like. I never imagined that I would get to witness it happen right in front of my eyes, but here we are. Ryan and Izabel are a real-life fairytale that has finally reached its happy ending.
“I’m new to this friend group, so I don’t have the repertoire of embarrassing stories that Juliet has graciously shared with us. But there is one thing that I know to be true with every ounce of my being: there is no more genuine love than what Ryan and Izabel have for each other.
“In the short time that I’ve known the couple, I’ve witnessed what it means to truly be in love. They’ve each overcome so many obstacles to get to this point, and I’m thrilled that they have found their happy ending in each other.” Josie gives me a wide smile. “I once told Ryan that love wasn’t supposed to be easy. It can be messy, ugly, complicated. It can simultaneously bring out the worst and the best in a person. But it is also the greatest thing that you can ever experience. Love is always worth fighting for.
“Ryan and Izabel have been through the messy and the ugly, and they came out better and stronger for it. They’ve fought and clawed and conquered. So now all that’s left is their happy ending.” Josie holds up her champagne glass. “Ryan, Izabel, I am so happy to be part of this special day with you. I wish you allthe happiness, and I can’t wait to see where life brings you. Just know that whatever comes your way, you can handle it together. Because honestly, I’ve never seen a love like yours, and that will see you through anything. Cheers!”
I give Josie an appreciative smile and then lean over to kiss Izabel again. Her hand comes up to my cheek, and she leans her forehead against mine. I look into her eyes and grin, my heart feeling like it’s going to overflow with tenderness: blue and green, the perfect match.
After the other toasts are made, Izabel and I take the floor for our first dance. The gentle melody of our song comes through the speakers, and I draw her in close to me. We sway slowly to the music. The violin and piano notes echo throughout the hall.
“Today was everything I hoped it would be,” Izabel says against my shoulder. She draws back and then looks into my eyes. “I can’t believe we made it.”
“I can,” I tell her. “And now we have our whole lives ahead of us.”
Bells leans her head against my chest again. “I can’t wait.”
EPILOGUE
Izabel - 7 Years Later
I look up,startled when I hear the front door crash open. My eyes dart out to the backyard where Amy and Ashton play their favorite game of “princes and princesses” in the jungle gym. Amelia is dressed up in a sparkly princess costume, and Ashton is swinging a plastic sword around.
Juliet and Liam are spending the day together at the winery, much to Amy’s pleasure, their son Ashton is hanging out with us all day.
Our oldest child, Amelia, was born less than a year following our wedding. Ryan and I didn’t waste any time. He wanted to be a dad more than anything. I’ll never forget the moment we found out together. I’ve never seen Ryan cry so many tears of joy before. Until nine months later, when he held his daughter for the first time.
I get back to cutting up the apple slices I’m working on. Those kids have been playing hard for a few hours, so they’ll be wanting a snack soon. Amy absolutelyadoresAshton. Almost asmuch as she loves her father. Ashton is two years older than her, so he tolerates her at best. I enjoy watching them play together. Ashton is always so patient and lets Amy dress him up or boss him around to do her bidding.
As I watch the kids play outside, I hear the unmistakable sound of grocery bags crinkling as they’re set on the counter. Then a pair of large muscular arms wind around my middle. My lips pull up into a smile as my husband presses his lips in the hollow spot right behind my jaw.
“Heya, Bells,” he whispers in my ears, giving me goosebumps even all these years later.
I spin around and face him, resting my hips against the edge of the counter. My arms wrap around his neck, and I stand up on my tiptoes to give him a proper kiss. When I pull away, I rub my nose against his. “Hey, yourself.”
“How are the munchkins today?” he asks, glancing out the door to watch Amy and Ashton play.
Ryan was out of town all day yesterday and overnight. He had a few out-of-town clients he had to check on, so he and his partner slash best friend, Josie, went on a small business excursion. They got back into town this morning and did a little work at the office before heading home.
