12:00P.M., September, 20th
Hunter age nine
Isabel age eight
Today, I am getting married. Today, I will be a changed person. Today, I will be united with my best friend forever. But, right now, I get free time with my wife-to-be. Isabel and I pick cherries off the trees by her house. Her mom will bake a cherry pie as a wedding gift for us. Her mom makes the best cherry pies.
Isabel collects a handful of red fruit and drops them in the basket, glancing at Tyler and Hero while they laugh and splash each other in the stream. “I can’t believe we’re getting married.”
My stomach twists with disappointment and I feel my whole face frown because she says that like she doesn’t want to. “You don’t want to get married to me?”
She reaches down to smooth the wrinkles between my eyebrows with her fingertips. Isabel does that all the time when I pout. It makes me feel like a child, but I love it. “I do want to marry you, Hunter. I just can’t believe Caleb and my parents agreed, I can’t believe their throwing us a real wedding. Do you not see them assembling everything?”
I look back and notice Ivan rolling out the white aisle that Isabel will soon walk down. My dad and Isabelle are chatting happily as they add white orchards and white roses to the bowery altar.
“It only makes sense that they’re part of this,” I say, looking back at her.
“Really? Why?”
“Because, this is special. You’re special to me. And I plan to keep you for a really long time. Forever, Isabel. You’re mine.”
Her pretty face colors red and she turns her head to hide her massive smile.
Yeah.
I’m marrying my best friend today.
I can love this girl forever.