You’re Still The One by Erika Kelly

Chapter Twenty-Five

Stella thumbedthrough two weeks of Griffin’s texts.

Griffin: I wish you’d talk to me. I miss you so fucking much.

Griffin: Wish you were here. I miss the way your perfume lingers in the house.

Griffin: We keep the Christmas lights on, but we both agree your smile shines brighter.

Griffin: Are you okay? I miss talking to you.

Griffin: I hate how I treated you in the police station. Been thinking about it a lot, the way I shut you out.

Griffin: The other day, I realized I’ve been stuck in that courtroom when the judge made me feel like the lowest form of humanity for what we did that night.Wanted to tell you that in person. Think we could meet up?

Griffin: I love you.

Griffin: I fucking love you.

Griffin: Wish you’d talk to me.

Griffin: Can we talk? I just miss you so much. I can’t stand it.

Griffin: I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but when you’re thinking, you get this little divot right between your eyes. It’s cute. I want to kiss it.

Griffin: You know what I miss? Just talking to you. You make me laugh. You make me feel good. Do I do that for you?

Griffin: Can’t sleep. For a long time, I wanted to go back in time to that night with the guys and make a different choice. Now, I want to go back to that night in the police station. I want to walk in the door and go right up to you, pull you into my arms, and say, You all right? I want to hold your hand as we face the Pilsons, the officers, and our families. I want us to be a team.

Griffin: I promise to never turn on you like that again.

With each text, she felt herself weakening.

Oh, another text came in. Right then.

Griffin: I love you.

She ached for him. She was coming dangerously close to forgiving him.

But he’d always been great with words.

It was his actions she couldn’t trust.

Her cell phone vibrated on her desk. Austin.

Well, that cheered her up. “Hey. How’s it going over there?” Even though she and Griffin were kaput, Austin continued to get off the bus at the hotel and spend some afternoons with her. She loved that boy.

Actually…confronting the judge and taking Austin home…that was definitely action.

Maybe he really is changing…

“It’s all wrong,” Austin said.

Fear sped through her so fast, her fingertips burned. “What?” She got up. “What’s wrong?” They were setting up for a New Year’s Eve wedding. It had to be perfect.

“You said it shouldn’t look like Christmas.”

“That’s right.” She pulled her parka off the hanger in the closet. “What’s he doing? Is he putting up garlands? Don’t they have my schematics?”

“They’ve got strings of lights. Red and green. Big bulbs. It’s ugly.”

“Christmas lights? What in the world? Put Carl on the phone.”

“I can’t.”

“What do you mean you can’t?” She grabbed her purse off the hook and reached into the inside pocket for her keys. “Where is he?”

“He went to the storage room to get more lights.”

“More lights? Are you serious?” She raced across the office. It was Christmas Eve, so of course, Quinn hadn’t come in. No one had. “Don’t go anywhere. I’m on my way.”

She was already late for Christmas Eve at her parent’s house. She should just text Carl and tell him to go home. They could meet next week and fix things then.

But wait, what’s Austin doing at the chapel?

Oh, dammit.

She’d just run over there and check on things.

She’d only be a few minutes late for dinner.

Stella fumed the entire ride. Carl should’ve waited until next week to work on this wedding. He certainly shouldn’t have enlisted the help of a fifteen-year-old boy. She was going to have a conversation with that man.

Strangely, when she got to the parking lot, she found it full.

Maybe there was a service going on?

Cutting the engine, she flipped down the visor to check her lipstick. She’d been so busy all day she’d barely looked up. When had she last eaten?

Griffin wasn’t around to fill her minifridge anymore.

And didn’t that depress the hell out of her.

Forget it. Let’s see what’s going on, and then I get to my parent’s house and eat with my family.

Her heels clicked on the asphalt. As soon as she reached the walkway, she noticed spots of pink. She reached down and picked one up. Rose petals. She breathed in the lovely, fresh scent.

Wait, what are those? Laminated photographs were strewn along the entire path to the chapel.

She picked up the first one. It was old, a blurry shot of her family at the lake. That’s me. She must’ve been two or three. In a striped bikini, she stood at the shoreline watching her sisters play in the water. Other kids were there, but there was one in particular who caught her eye. A dark-haired boy wearing board shorts. He was reaching for her.

Oh. My. God.

That’s Griffin. A memory flickered, as subtle as a breeze lifting the edge of a curtain. He’d been reaching for her hand, walking her into the water. Because she’d been scared?

No, because she’d been left behind. Her sisters had gone in, not even thinking about her.

And she’d wanted to play with them more than anything in the world.

In the next photograph, she was seven. She knew because she was blowing out seven candles on her cake in the main dining room of the Homesteader Inn. Her mom had taken her for high tea, just the two of them.

She was sitting up on her knees, leaning forward to blow out the candles, and there were fingers curled around the back of her chair. Griffin. She laughed out loud, glancing up the walkway. “Where are you, Griffin James?”

But no one answered.

She picked up the next one. It was the Fourth of July, and the whole town had gathered for fireworks at the lake. Her ten-year-old self gazed up at the sky, utterly in awe of the display. Beside her, Griffin was looking at her.

He was scowling at her.

She smiled so wide it hurt. “You even wanted to kiss me back then, didn’t you?”

Where is he?

Another image showed a bunch of kids snowboarding. She did a hasty scan, looking for them. There, in the back row. That’s Griffin. In the front of the group was a girl in a white and navy designer snowsuit, her arms thrown open wide.

Show-off.

The next one was Stella’s Sweet Sixteen. There were balloons, streamers, and a stack of presents. A handsome, muscular teenager stood to the side of the cake table, arms crossed, watching Stella blow out candles on her birthday cake. Stella had her lips pursed, ready to blow, but the camera had captured the moment she’d glanced at Griffin.

She looked so happy, so full of joy.

She’d loved him her whole life.

Now, the next one, she recognized. This one’s mine. She’d brought it to Dallas and New York and kept it in a drawer in the carriage house. How did he get it? Her mom had to be in cahoots with him.

Wait, Austin had called her.

There’s no problem with the staging at the chapel.

What in the world is going on?

She loved this picture. It was a selfie she’d taken of her and Griffin in bed when she was seventeen, the first night they could freely be together. They looked giddy and so in love.

Walking forward, she picked up the next one. Her heart twisted. It was taken at Lulu’s rehearsal dinner, well before she’d gotten drunk and messy. She’d never seen this one before. They were gazing at each other with pure adoration.

She loved that man with all her heart. Every fiber in her body ached for him.

And then, at the end of the path, she picked up the most recent one. This is from the tree trimming. Arms around each other, she was gazing up at him, while he smiled down at her, their faces bathed in the soft glow of fairy lights.

The promise in their eyes said, Let’s do this forever, okay?

Her heart thundered. I can’t believe he did this.

It’s so romantic. She neatly tucked the photos into her purse. Whatever he had planned, she wanted to remember this moment forever.

And when she looked up, Griffin was there, kneeling in front of the closed chapel doors.

Stella broke into a run. “Griffin.”

He got up just in time to catch her, lifting her and swinging her around. “I missed you.” Setting her down, he kissed her like he’d nearly lost her. Like he never, ever wanted to let her go. But then, arms trembling, he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. “I’m going to need to stop kissing you for about twenty minutes, okay?”

“No. Don’t stop kissing me. Not yet.” What was she saying? Yet? No. “Not ever.”

“You’re the love of my life, and I’ll never stop kissing you.” Cupping her face, his thumbs caressed her cheeks. “But right now, I’m trying to go big, so bear with me.” Holding one of her hands, he got back down on a knee and gazed up at her. “Stella Cavanaugh, I have loved you my entire life. I love everything about you. Your big personality, your bright, glowing energy, your kindness, and your great big heart. You make me whole, you make me happy, and I never, ever want to be without you again.” He pulled a ring out of his pocket, gazing up at her with love and adoration. “Will you stand by my side through whatever life throws our way and love me for the rest of our lives?”

“Well, I’m not keen on an end date because I can’t imagine an existence where I’m not madly in love with you, but I’ll take what I can get. Yes, Griffin, I’ll marry you.”

Grinning, he slid the ring onto her finger. It took a moment to get the right alignment since both their hands were shaking. Her heart was just so full.

She held her hand out in front of her to take it in. “This is stunning.”

“I know diamonds are traditional, but they’re not you. You’re passion and joy and zest, and this ring…is you.”

“But five rubies?” Joy spilled hot and wet onto her cheeks. “It’s so extravagant.”

“Exactly. You’re extravagant with your love. You’ve filled me up with it, and I want to do the same for you.”

“You do, you sweet man, you do.”

He stood up. “I’m glad you said yes.” Pulling open the door, he said, “It would’ve been really embarrassing if you hadn’t.”

Someone whispered loudly, “They’re here. Sit down.”

The chapel was bursting with people. She was so stunned she just stood there and took it all in. Her parents, sisters, and brothers-in-law took up the first pew on the left, and Griffin’s family had the right side. Panning the faces, she recognized her friends, teachers, coaches…pretty much everyone she’d ever known had shown up for…

She leaned closer to Griffin. “This isn’t an engagement party, is it?”

But before she could answer, a profusion of sparkling blush-pink tulle hustled toward her. When it arrived, Knox peeked around it. “You ready to get dressed?”

“Me?” She shot a look to her fiancé. For real this time. “We’re getting married?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Right now?”

“That’s what I’d like. You in?”

“You bet I am.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “You take my breath away.” She rubbed the lipstick off his mouth with a thumb. “See you in a minute.”

As she followed Knox, she noticed her sisters and mom breaking away and racing up the aisle. They all convened in the bridal dressing room, and when Knox hung the dress on a hook, Stella recognized it immediately.

“That’s the one in your shop?”

Her mom said, “It sure is.”

“You should see the cake,” Coco said. “You’re going to die. It’s this luscious tower of strawberries and cream.”

“And for the reception, I made all your favorites,” Lulu said.

For the first time in her life, Stella was rendered speechless. Her family saw it, and they crowded around her, wrapping her up in their love and support.

“Are you disappointed that you don’t get to plan your own wedding?” Lulu asked.

“You’ve given me literally every single thing I’ve ever wanted.” And, no, she planned weddings for a living. She definitely didn’t want to plan her own on top of that.

“Well, let’s get you dressed.” Her mom ushered her into the changing room.

“Hair up or down?” Gigi stood at the dressing table with an array of hair and beauty products.

“Down, please.”

“You got it.”

Lulu smiled. “Let’s get you married.”

Flowers scented the air, candles flickered, and moonlight spilled in through the stained glass windows. Then, in the most spectacular gown she’d ever seen, Stella headed down the aisle on the arms of her mom and dad.

She couldn’t stop smiling.

She’d waited for this moment for so long.

All through the years of thinking she’d lost him for good, she’d had this deep-down gut feeling of resistance. Hope had never died because they were meant to be.

And now…

She lost her step. “Oh, my God. I’m marrying Griffin James.”

Her dad laughed. “Only if you want to.”

“I want to more than anything.”

“Then, let’s not keep him waiting.”

The standing guests smiled warmly as they headed down the aisle. They knew. Everyone knew how long she’d loved this man.

At the altar, her mom took her bouquet and handed it off to Lulu. After a hug and a kiss, her parents took their seats.

With a deep breath, she turned to her groom. “I get to marry you.”

Laughter rippled across the room.

She’d meant to whisper it. Well, actually, she’d meant to say that in her head. Oh, well. It was true, and she just wasn’t the type of person to suppress her joy.

Griffin brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. Beside him, Austin stood looking grown up in a suit and tie. She mouthed, Handsome to him, and his cheeks flamed.

And then the officiant spoke, snatching her attention away from her guys.

“Please be seated.” Declan flashed her a grin. “Don’t worry. I got a certificate in the mail. I know what I’m doing.” He flicked a glance to Griffin. “Pretty much.”

Griffin gave him an impatient roll of his hand. Go on.

“Right.” Declan cleared his throat. “Griffin wants me to thank everyone for joining us at this impromptu affair. He knows it’s Christmas Eve, and the fact that you’ve made their wedding a priority is the very reason he asked you to witness and celebrate the lifelong commitment they’re about to make. Because you’re their people.”

Stella shot a glance over her shoulder and smiled at the crowd, so grateful for their love and support.

“He also asked that I keep it quick, so here we go.” Declan unfolded the piece of paper in his hand and read from it. “The road Griffin and Stella took to this moment hasn’t been easy, and it’s been filled with challenges they weren’t prepared for. But they’ve taken each one and used it to not only grow stronger themselves but to deepen their bond and commitment.” He gestured toward Stella. “Since you didn’t have time to prepare your vows, how about we let Griffin go first?”

“Oh, I don’t need time. I’ve been rehearsing my vows since I was twelve years old and doodling his name all over my notebook.”

Once again, laughter rippled across the chapel.

Declan nodded to her. Go for it.

She was so in awe of her groom she could hardly think. Look at him. This gorgeous man with his thick, dark hair, the sleeves of his button-down rolled neatly to his elbows, exposing the colorful ink on his forearms, is mine. For good this time.

His eyes glistened, and he swallowed past what she knew was a lump in his throat.

This man was her whole heart and the other half of her soul. “Griffin James, I love you. I love the way you care about your family and your employees and your entire community, and I’m just so lucky to be the one you chose to fall in love with.” She clutched his hand. “I vow to love you big and bold. I will love you through chaos and quiet nights, through diapers and rolling walkers, and everything in between. I vow to love you, fight with you, support you, laugh with you, and never, ever leave your side. And I vow to give one hundred percent of myself to you, to us, and to our family.”

“Think you can beat that?” Declan asked Griffin.

Their friends and family chuckled, but her groom didn’t. He’d grown intense, urgent. “Stella, you’re my best friend and the love of my life. I was told to write my vows, but that’s not what they are. They’re privileges. It’s my privilege to wake up to your beautiful face every morning. It’s a joy to get to laugh with you, play with you, sleep with you, scheme with you, and watch you change the world with your brilliant ideas. I vow to never give up on us, to love you through good and bad, and to never walk away from us again.” He drew in a slow, unsteady breath. “I still can’t believe I get to marry you, but tonight, I give you my heart, my commitment, my attention, and my whole self. Wherever life takes us, wherever we wind up, I know that as long as you’re with me, that’s where I’m meant to be.”

Declan looked impressed. “That’s good, man. Okay, it’s time to exchange the rings.”

She gazed helplessly into Griffin’s eyes. “I don’t have one.”

“We got this.” Austin dug two gold bands out of his pocket. He handed her one and dropped the other in Griffin’s palm.

“I give you this ring as a symbol of my eternal love and commitment.” Griffin slid the lovely ruby-studded band onto her finger.

Never taking her eyes off him, she said, “I give you this ring as a symbol of my eternal love and commitment.”

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He looked beyond them. “You might want to cover the kids’ eyes for this next bit. Now, you can seal this pact you made tonight with a kiss.”

They reached for each other at the same time, their mouths joining, their hearts beating in sync, and their lives forever joined.