Anchor - M. Mabie Page 0,62

out in the yard. I remember the conversation like it was yesterday. When you have twins, you can’t help but compare them. Cory and Casey were always different. Anyway, we were speculating on what kinds of women they’d marry. It was easy to list things that would make Cory happy—thankfully he found all of them in Micah.

“But when we talked about Casey, we didn’t know what the hell he would go for. It was hilarious. I remember their mom laughing and laughing as she told me, ‘You know what? It doesn’t matter what she’s like as long as she lights him up. Because if she does, his world will revolve around her.’ How right she was, son. She’d be so thrilled to know you found the one who lights you up, just like you and your brother lit her up.

“Blake, we love you, sweetheart. Take care of our boy. Casey, the Moore women always know best. Remember that. Congratulations.”

The night filled my heart so tight I thought the walls of it would collapse from its fullness.

We were so blessed. I was so thankful. So grateful. So damn lucky.

Casey walked me to my door, and we were quiet as we strolled down the hall. No rushing. I don’t think we were too eager to part for the night. Just like a good book, when it’s just right, you never want it to end. But I knew it wasn’t a bad thing, because on the next page, the next day, I was marrying the man of my dreams. Oh, how I’d wished for him. I thought about the days when it had seemed impossible. To think I’d almost thrown it all away.

“Casey, we really made it, didn’t we?” I asked when we stopped by my suite’s door.

“Yeah, we did. It wasn’t that bad of a trip,” he said grinning. Wasn’t that bad? It was a shame his memory was failing so early.

“Piece of cake,” I humored.

“So you think you’ll be able to sleep tonight?”

“It’s going to be weird sleeping in separate hotel rooms again.”

He moved my hair back off my shoulder and kissed my neck sweetly. I listened as he inhaled me. The print on my heart his lips made stayed even after he pulled away.

“Want me to text you to sleep, one last time, for old times’ sake, honeybee?”

My lips quivered and I jumped into his arms. We held on tight. Chest to chest. Embracing everything. Our bodies. Our hearts. Our mistakes. Our pain. Our victories.

“You’re my best friend, Casey Moore. I love you so much. Thank you for loving me.”

Our mouths kissed, lips washing lips with affection and honesty.

“I do love you,” he said as he put me down. “How about your trouble meets my trouble at the altar tomorrow?”

“Deal.”

He unlocked my door for me and then puckered his lips for one more kiss before I shut it with him on the other side.

My phone buzzed in my clutch.

Casey: Don’t forget to brush your teeth tomorrow. You’ve had a little spinach in between your front teeth all night.

I ran to the mirror to check. Standing there, I replied.

Me: Liar. Not funny. I almost fell down getting to the mirror.

Casey: Are you still standing there?

Me: Yeah.

Casey: See how pink your nose is?

I giggled. He was such a turd.

Me: It’s not pink.

Casey: Now who’s a liar?

Casey: Did you know the average married couple only has sex fifty-eight times a year? That’s like once a week.

Me: Or fifty-eight times in one day, depends on how you allocate your time.

Casey: I’m still afraid.

Me: We’ve never been average.

Casey: I hope we never are. Were you about to send me a picture of your boobs?

He never quit. I didn’t send a tit pic, but I sent him one of me laying there in bed.

Casey: That’ll do. You look sleepy, honeybee. Goodnight.

Me: Goodnight, Lou. See you tomorrow night. I’ll be the one in the wedding dress.

Casey: God, I’ve waited a long time for this.

Me: Me too.

Casey: I’m so glad it’s finally here.

I fell asleep smiling knowing that in good times and in bad, we’d always make it.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

THROUGH ALL OF OUR struggles and victories, we’d made it.

I looked at the reflection in the mirror in the small tent. Knowing she was only a few hundred feet away made me crazy. It had been the longest day of my life, but it was finally the night.

Our night.

I swallowed the lump of emotion stirring in my throat as I straightened my bow tie, took a long breath,