Choosing Forever

The farmhouse was silent. Okay. Not silent. It never truly was silent anymore. But it was peaceful. The refrigerator hummed quietly in the kitchen and the grandfather clock ticked calmly in the living room. Chickens pecked around the oak tree out back, blissfully unaware that tomorrow everything would change for them as well. Becca stood at the sink, drying her hands at the kitchen window, mug of coffee still in hand. Tomorrow. Life hadn’t exactly dealt her the best hand… but after everything life had thrown her way… Tomorrow she will be Craig’s wife. She couldn’t believe she was going through with it. The smile appeared before she even registered what she was doing. “You’re smiling again.” She jumped, turning to see Sarah leaning casually against the doorway, arms crossed and eyebrow raised in mock disapproval. “What?” Becca asked, lifting her eyebrows as she shoved her mug into her pocket and wiped her hands out of her jeans. “You know,” Sarah said with a shrug. “That smile.” She supplied it. “I’m not smiling.” Becca lied, playing along with her little sister’s ridiculous game. “You’ve had it on since Tuesday.” Sarah giggled. By midmorning, anyone wandering through the farmhouse would have marveled at the swarm of activity. Mrs. Henderson rocked onto the front porch, stepping lightly as she carried a pan of cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven. “I know you’ve got tomorrow’s breakfast covered, Honey, but no bride should have to wait until morning to eat good food.” She smiled, setting the pan down on the table and gently ruffling Becca’s hair. Craig dropped by as well, leaving a box of folding chairs on the back porch. “I thought you were going to forget me and make breakfast on your own!” He laughed. “I was afraid you’d forgotten about my famous casserole.” Mrs. Henderson exaggerated a gasp. “I brought cookies!” She exclaimed happily. “That’s even better.” Craig agreed, earning him a high five from Becca. The youngest of the three hugged Mrs. Henderson at the waist. “I hope you never stop bringing food when you come over.” She told her. “I don’t plan on it.” Mrs. Henderson promised, bumping her forehead against the child’s before heading back toward her car. The dining room table was covered with wildflowers Becca and Craig had collected earlier that week. White daisies. Baby’s breath. Lavender. Queen Anne’s place. The oldest carefully wrapped twine around several small mason jars while the middle-aged one hugged candles to the bottom of them. “They don’t need to be perfect.” Becca soothed, handing them some ribbon after the string was tied. “I know.” Her oldest daughter said, not breaking eye contact with her work. “But I want them to be pretty.” She finished. Craig chuckled from the porch where he’d overheard the entire conversation. “They already are.” That afternoon, Becca found herself sneaking away to the backyard. The old oak tree towered over the edge of their property, leaves stretching toward the sun. Tomorrow, they would stand beneath those branches and say their vows. She pressed her hand against the coarse bark. “So much has happened under this tree.” Craig walked around behind her quietly. “It just felt right.” He said simply. She turned to find him in the yard behind her, two glasses of sweet tea in hand. “I was supposed to be alone today.” Craig shrugged as he set one down in front of her. “Figured dropping chairs off at your house didn’t really count.” She laughed, taking the glass from him and squeezing his hand. “Guess that’s your loophole.” For several moments they simply stood there, in comfortable silence. A gentle breeze blew the leaves above them. Nugget inched her way across the ground somewhere nearby, loudly proclaiming to anyone who would listen that she had laid another egg. Craig snorted softly. “Think she’s trying to compete with tomorrow?” “She always does.” Becca agreed, drifting closer until she was pressed against him. A few moments passed before Craig glanced up at the tree. “The first time we talked under here, after you got back…” He started. She nodded in acknowledgment. “I was scared.” “I know.” Craig squeezed her hand gently. “You were so scared I’d leave you again.” “If I let myself hope…” She whispered. “If you let yourself hope that things could work between us…” He finished for her. “…I’d lose you.” She finished softly. Craig carefully brushed her tears away with his thumbs. “And now?” Becca looked up at the tree, tiny string lights already wrapped around the limbs waiting for tomorrow night. Now she knew hope wasn’t something to fear. It was something to fight for. “To protect.” Craig supplied. He smiled and nodded at her. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Craig glanced at his watch. “I should get going.” “So should you,” Becca said with a small laugh. “See you tomorrow?” Craig asked as he leaned down to give her a quick kiss. “Of course.” She replied automatically but then smiled at him. “I’ve been waiting three years to hear you ask me that.” He rolled his eyes but winked at her. “I know what I mean.” “I do.” He pressed his lips to her forehead and took a step back. “Get some sleep, Miss Hill.” Becca smiled after him. “Tomorrow…” He nodded once, smiling to himself before tossing the vehicle into gear and backing down the gravel drive. She watched him go until his truck headlights disappeared. For quite some time she stood underneath the oak tree. Twinkling lights glowed gently above her. Stars started to dot the evening sky one by one. She thought of the scared young woman she once was. The woman who thought love meant sacrificial with no reward. No safety net. The woman who thought she had to forget her own worth to be loved in return. She took a deep breath and whispered it to the night; thankful for a life that was not perfect, but redeemed. Tomorrow she wouldn’t just be walking down the aisle to get married. She would be walking toward a future she once thought would never be hers. And for the first time… She wanted forever.