Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Yep, that sounded about right.
“All that is to say…” She grabbed the wine glasses and handed me mine, sitting back on the bed, facing me. “I think he would do whatever you wanted to do. If you wanted a long-distance relationship, he’d move mountains to make it happen. That’s the kind of person he is. That’s what you mean to him.”
I stared into my glass. Tiny bubbles formed as I swilled the wine inside it, making a tiny whirlpool that kept spinning even when I stopped. “I know that, but it’s not that simple, is it? Sure, we could try a long-distance relationship, but based on what? A reconnection over a week-long fling over Christmas? Less than two weeks ago, we were still biting each other’s heads off. What happens if I go back and everything changes? There’s nothing to build a relationship on right now, Hazel.”
“Your feelings are enough.”
“My feelings are—”
“Enough,” she repeated softly. “That’s what makes a relationship work. Not seeing each other face to face every day. Not holding hands and walking across beaches in the sunset or whatever else people do to show off on the Internet. It’s caring. Caring enough to fight for each other, caring enough to choose each other every single time, even when it’s hard.”
Wow.
I never thought I’d be getting a relationship therapy session off my little sister, of all people.
“Is that what you do?” I asked. “Choose Julian every time?”
“We choose each other. Over everything. Over everyone. Every single time. We choose us and the life we want to build together.” Hazel reached over and pushed my hair behind my ear with a gentle smile. “He said he’d marry me in an alleyway, you know?”
I returned her smile with a small laugh. “I heard something like that. Isn’t it hard, though?”
“Sure, it’s hard. But that’s what love is. I love him enough to know I would choose him from thousands of miles away, no matter the situation.”
“Sounds like a fairytale.”
“Ah, who knew a woman who provides other people’s happily ever afters could be so cynical?” she teased, nudging me with her elbow. “You know what you need to do, Sylvie? Choose yourself.”
“That goes against literally everything you just said.”
“You need to choose yourself before you can choose anyone else. What makes you happy? What do you want? What do you see in your future?”
I stared at her.
“You asked me all those questions the day I asked you to plan my wedding, you know. I bet you ask them to every single bride who contacts you.”
“I… Yes, of course, I do. They’re perfectly reasonable questions.”
“They are. They make perfect sense.” Her eyes twinkled. “But, Syl… Have you ever asked yourself?”
A lump formed in my throat, and I looked down. There wasn’t just a lump, but a twist in my stomach. A tight knot that clenched more intensely with every breath I took, with every realisation that I hadn’t.
“I think,” Hazel continued softly. “That choosing to stay here at Castleton Manor after our fight was the first time you’d chosen something you wanted in a long time. You choosing to stay with Thomas was you choosing your own selfish needs and wants above everything else. And you’re so happy. There’s just… I don’t know. A magic about you now. Like you’ve got your sparkle back. It’s not because of him, it’s because of you. Because you finally chose you. And I think, instead of spending the next week lamenting over what could be, ask yourself what you want. Ask yourself what’ll make you happy, and you’ll get your answer.”
“Do you really think it’s that simple?”
“Yes.” She took my hand and lightly squeezed my fingers. “I really do.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE – SYLVIE
“And on that note, all I can say is, she’s your problem now, Julian.” I raised my glass in the direction of my brother-in-law and winked.
Hazel pouted playfully.
Julian grinned, lifting his glass back in response.
Nana chuckled.
The only person who seemed unamused with my speech was my mother, who was currently looking at me with mild disapproval, but that was hardly new.
Julian’s brother got to his feet, covering a laugh with a cough, and said, “Wow. I spent hours writing this thing, but how the heck am I supposed to follow that up?”
The guests all laughed.
He looked over at me. “I think you have an unfair advantage having been to hundreds of these things. Couldn’t you give me some tips beforehand?”
Laughing, I shook my head and motioned for him to get on with it. “Don’t ruin my schedule!”
Hazel nodded frantically. “You’re thirty seconds behind, quick! Start talking!”
I swatted at her as she fell into a fit of little giggles, collapsing against my arm. Julian’s brother gave the piece of paper with his speech on a good shake, cleared his throat, and got on with it.
I had no idea how we’d even reached this point. The entire day felt like a fever dream. Was it real? Had I really watched my baby sister get married? Had it really gone off without any issues whatsoever? Was I really sitting here at the top table at the reception, knowing that the only thing that could go wrong would be someone having a few too many?