An Unexpected Gift
A sweet little romantic flash fiction
Well, apparently Notes has a word limit now? I tried to put this into a Note and it wouldn’t go the full length. So, I suppose I’ll do this instead. Surprise! A little sweet, romantic flash fiction for you. Enjoy!
She stood in the mirror one last time, trying desperately to get the last button on the back of her dress to fasten.
“Oh, let me help you with that.”
“Oh!” She didn’t see him come in, scurrying quickly around the privacy screen.
“Savannah, what are you doing?”
“You’re not supposed to see the bride before the wedding. It’s bad luck.” She could feel her cheeks flushing.
“Then how do you suppose I get us there, then?”
“Well, John, you’re supposed to keep your eyes on the road, not me.”
“Oh now, that’s not fair. You know I can’t resist looking at you.”
She cleared her throat in a very unconvincing manner.
He sighed, chuckling, his smile widening. “If I promise to close my eyes, will you let me help you then?”
“Promise?” She asked, peeking her face around the border of the screen.
“On my honor.”
“No peeking.”
She slowly came around the screen and back to the mirror, straightening up. Then, took John’s hand gently in hers, guiding it to the unset button.
The moment his hand graced her bare skin at the hemline, she felt her breath catching, getting lost in his touch. Too lost to realize the button was already done. For he had other plans, moving on, the tips of his fingers delicately tracing the silhouetted edges of her dress all the way up her back to her shoulder blade.
She closed her eyes and sighed, his hands coming to her waist, pulling her into him, his lips leaving a trail of kisses up the curve of her neck. She was already forgetting how to think, how to breathe.
“Are you certain?” he whispered against her skin, “It isn’t too late to change your mind.”
This shook her from her trance, “Change my mind?”
He paused, looking up at her in the reflection, the both of them forgetting all about the button or the superstition.
Without another hesitation, she turned around to look him in the eyes. “Not a chance,” she said, her smile beaming as their lips met.
“I thought it was bad luck to see you before the wedding.”
“Oh shoot! The wedding! We’re going to be late.”
She nudged away from him, stumbling to pull her shoes on as she hopped out the door.
“I don’t think the cows will mind, dear,” he yelled after her.
“No, but Father Murphy might.”
He chuckled, following her lead out to the car.
When they arrived at their little hill, the edges of the forest just beyond the tall grass of the meadow, Father Murphy stood erect, book in hand. He beamed as they came down the path to him, hand in hand, coming to a stop at a large tree.
“You made it! I was beginning to worry,” he exclaimed. “Are you ready?”
They both laughed nervously, taking each other’s hands as they stood face to face.
The wind weaved its way around them, an embrace of warmth and presence, stirring the grass as Father Murphy’s voice filled the air. Each word an echo seemingly carved from the meadow itself, as though the earth beneath them was marking the moment in its own way. Quietly.
The skirts of her dress floated against her, lapping at her legs, her hair pulled up, whirled neatly around itself with but a few rebellious strands, John moving each aside for her. Their gaze locked but not wanting to disturb Father Murphy’s train of thought, the both of them mouthed a quiet “I love you” to each other, Savannah’s cheeks flushing, heart fluttering.
At one point, Father Murphy leaned in slightly. “Now, this is the part when you normally would exchange the rings but, seeing as you decided not to—“
“Actually,” John interjected, reaching into his pocket.
“John, what did you do?”
He pulled his hand out and unfurled his fingers, revealing two simple golden bands.
Savannah gasped. “John, I—“
“I know you said you didn’t need it, but…as it turns out, I do. I hope you don’t mind.”
Without another word, tears welling in her eyes, she put her hand on his face, coming closer to kiss him.
After a moment, Father Murphy cleared his throat. “May I continue?”
Both of them laughed softly, gaze still enraptured by the other’s eyes as they said their vows, sliding each ring up the other’s finger.
When all was said and done, Father Murphy said his goodbyes, leaving them alone together. Just the two of them, their next kiss witnessed only by the clouds, the stars, and the wind who couldn’t help but bring its warmth to the moment. Their moment.
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This was lovely 💕