Chapter 2: Under the Same Stars
1389 Words
Birds chirped. The day had begun.
Sunlight peeked through her bedroom window and spilled onto the quilt resting at the foot of her bed.
Becca opened her eyes and smiled.
Today.
She took a deep breath and pushed herself out of bed. Today was the day.
She wasn’t anxious. She wasn’t scared.
She was ready.
She felt peace.
There was a soft knock on her bedroom door.
“Come in.”
Sarah walked in with two mugs of coffee.
“I thought the bride would want breakfast in bed.”
Becca laughed.
“I woke up an hour ago.”
Sarah shrugged.
“You’ve been staring at the ceiling already.”
“No, I haven’t.”
Sarah rolled her eyes.
“You totally have.”
The sisters laughed. They always knew how to make each other smile.
For a few moments there was nothing but comfortable silence between them.
Sarah walked over and sat on the edge of Becca’s bed. She reached across and squeezed her hand.
“I’m proud of you.”
Becca looked down at the sparkly engagement ring sitting on her finger.
“I was scared I’d never get here.”
“I know,” Sarah replied. “But you did.”
Across Town
Craig struggled in front of the bathroom mirror, trying to tie his tie for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“What aren’t you watching YouTube for?” his middle sister joked, leaning against the doorway, trying desperately not to laugh.
Craig sighed heavily. “I’ve been doing this already.”
“Not successfully.”
His oldest sister walked into the room and grabbed the tie right out of Craig’s hands. She fixed it into a perfect knot in less than sixty seconds.
“There.” She turned to him and looked him straight in the eyes.
Craig looked at himself in the mirror. “How did you know how to do that?”
“I learned from the best.”
“You let me teach you?” He chuckled.
She smiled. “You taught me it’s okay to ask for help.”
His eyes softened as he looked at his sister. “That’s better.”
A Country Evening
The sun began to set as guests trickled into the family property.
Wood benches sat beneath the sprawling branches of the old oak tree, lining a grassy aisle strung with hundreds of tiny white lights.
Mason jars filled with candles sat on each side of the aisle. Their light flickered in the summer evening breeze.
Wildflowers sat in mismatched wooden barrels at the entrance of the aisle.
Baby’s breath, lavender, and white daisies filled the barrels.
Nothing extravagant.
Everything from the heart.
Mrs. Henderson blinked back tears as guests continued to arrive. It hadn’t even been an hour yet.
“Linda.” She spoke.
“It’s not been an hour.” Her friend laughed.
“I know.” She whispered. “But I’m already here.”
The Walk
The song “Can’t Help Falling in Love” played softly on an acoustic guitar.
Guests stood as Becca walked down the aisle.
Wildflowers weaved through loose curls that danced over her shoulders.
She wore an ivory lace dress that flowed behind her as she walked. It rippled softly in the summer breeze.
No veil. No fancy crown.
Just Becca.
The girl Craig fell in love with when they were kids.
The oldest walked on her left. The middle on her right.
Her newborn nephew ran ahead of her. He tossed petals onto the ground in front of him, giggling.
Occasionally, he would throw a handful in the air, giggling with pure excitement. More ended up on the ground than in the air.
The guests chuckled amongst themselves.
She reached her daddy’s arms and smiled.
This was it. It was perfect.
Craig’s eyes blurred with tears the second he saw his bride walk down the aisle.
“I knew I should have dressed like Michael Jackson for your walk down the aisle.” He joked through his tears.
She giggled before pulling him close for a kiss.
The Vows
The pastor beamed down at the soon-to-be couple.
“We are gathered here under God’s creation to celebrate something pretty incredible.”
He went on to talk about love, grace, and choosing each other every single day.
He finished, looked at Craig, and cleared his throat.
Craig met Becca’s gaze. “Rebecca…” He started.
“When I was young, I thought love meant never letting go of each other.” She said softly.
Craig smiled warmly at his bride. “Life changed my mind.”
“Love means waiting.” Becca continued. “Love means learning to be patient.”
“Showing up,” Craig added. “And showing up again.”
“And again.” They finished together.
“I promise to choose you on Mondays when it feels hard to smile.”
“On Thursdays when life doesn’t go as planned.”
“For the rest of our lives.” Becca smiled at Craig.
“I promise to laugh with you.”
“And cry with you,” Craig responded.
“I promise to cherish your dreams.” Becca glanced down at her soon-to-be husband.
“To never stop believing in the miracles found in ordinary days.” Craig lifted his bouquet to be placed back atop the bouquet table.
Forever
“So, by the power invested in me…” the pastor said, smiling.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Craig lifted Becca into the air for a kiss.
“Congratulations, you may kiss your bride.” Everyone cheered.
The kiss was soft and full of promise.
Craig let her gently down, and they embraced.
There were cheers from beneath the tree.
Little Ellie had hollered so loud she woke up the chickens hiding in their coop.
Nugget clucked loudly and shook her feathers behind them.
The crowd erupted in laughter.
“Even the chickens think it’s okay,” The women in the front chuckled.
Dancing beneath the Moon
Long wooden tables dressed in white linen sat beneath strands of twinkling lights.
Barbecue pits were full of meat. Fresh vegetables from their garden covered one table.
Homemade rolls sat on another with potato salad and beans. Sweet tea and lemonade filled several ice chests.
Three different pies sat on the dessert table. But the crowd’s favorite was the one piece of chocolate cake with fresh wildflowers decoratively placed on top.
As the meal came to an end, someone turned on an old country playlist.
Children were seen dancing barefoot in the grass.
Mrs. Henderson dragged Linda into the line dancing.
Sarah laughed so hard she choked on her sweet tea.
Craig found his wife beneath the old oak tree they had married under hours ago.
“Mrs. Hill.”
Becca chuckled. “Morgan now.” She said, gesturing towards her new husband.
“I like the sound of that.” Craig scooped her into his arms.
“Dance?” He asked, pulling her close.
“There’s never just one dance with me.”
They swayed slowly beneath the full moon. The music eventually drifted into the background and was replaced with crickets chirping and the breeze blowing through leaves.
Guests slowly began to make their way toward the house. For a few moments, the couple had the backyard to themselves.
Becca rested her head on Craig’s chest. “You know what my favorite part about today was?”
“What?” Craig whispered in her hair.
She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “Everything.”
“I know.” He kissed her forehead.
Her eyes scanned their small farm. Twinkling lights, their old farmhouse, family, friends, and stars blanketed the sky above them.
Nothing about this day was extravagant.
Everything about today was filled with love.
“Today was us.” She said, pointing to his heart.
“And tomorrow will be us again.” He kissed her neck.
Slowly, she dropped her head back down to rest against his chest.
“We made it, babe.” He whispered.
“No, we just started.” She replied, scootching closer to him.
Above them, stars filled the night sky.
Beneath the star-lit night, two souls who loved each other more than life itself stepped into forever— together.
- Writer
