"Free drinks at the Recovery Room," said Frank standing up.
Casey and Ricky walked hand in hand down the aisle.
"We'd like to thank everyone for coming but my wife and I are going to go spend some time alone."
Casey held tightly to Ricky's hand as they left the church, it was a few hours before sunset and the early evening sky looked beautiful, she had this last wonderful, amazing day to spend with the person she loved more than life itself.
"So where are we going now?" asked Casey as they got into his car.
"Where ever you want."
"Back to your place, I want to spend every second with you, just the two of us."
"Do you know what time you're going back?"
"Midnight."
He reached over and squeezed her hand, "Then let's make the most of it."
They got to Ricky's apartment and he stuck the key in the lock but the door wouldn't open.
"I can't believe this!" said Ricky as he pulled on the door knob, it wouldn't budge.
"Did you get the lock changed?"
"No, I didn't," he tried his key again but it was to small for the lock.
"Here let me try," said Casey bending down to the door knob, there was a clank as her necklace hit the door, she reached for it to move it out of the way but then she stopped. She hadn't even realized that she was wearing the key around her neck.
She gently took it off and stuck the key in the keyhole, it was a perfect fit. "It fit," said Casey excitedly turning to Ricky.
"What fit?" he asked .
"The key, my key, I've worn it forever and I never knew what it went to but it fit!"
"Let's open it shall we?" he slowly turned the knob, scooped her up into his arms and they walked through the door.
Ricky was so surprised that he almost dropped Casey, this was not his apartment, there were white roses everywhere and the place was absolutely spotless, his couch was gone and replaced with a small table littered with food and drinks, his bed...well his bed had grown twice it's regular size and was decked out with silk sheets, this was not his apartment.
Casey also couldn't believe what she saw as he put her down, her key had opened up the door to Ricky's apartment and here they stood in this paradise.
She walked over to the table and picked up a small piece of paper, Casey,
Congratulations
Ed
Casey turned to Ricky and grabbed his hand, "I guess this is our wedding present from up above," she said smiling and kissing him. This day can't get any better, she thought happily.
Ricky decided to just go with it, so he poured he and Casey some sparkling apple cider.
"A toast, to us," he said lifting his glass.
"To us," Casey said as their glasses clinked together.
"Isn't this wonderful?" asked Casey kissing her husband .
"Yeah, it is," he said holding her close, he was never going to forget this, or her.
"Dance with me," she said, and music started to play.
Casey wrapped her arms around him and they danced, she reveled in the moment, the feel of his hands, his breath on her neck as he kissed her, the sound of his heart, she was aware of all of it and it seemed like time had stopped just for them.
Ricky held her close, he never wanted to let her go, but he would, he had to. When she left it was going to be hard but she knew that he loved her, more than anything and that was something neither of them had been able to hold onto last time, just being with her, looking into her eyes, it was magical.
"I love you Ricky," she whispered as the song ended.
"I know," he said kissing her forehead, they were both aware of how little time they had left together, but Ricky was determined not to let it ruin the night. " Why don't we have something to eat?" he asked pulling her towards the table.
"I'm not hungry," she said kissing him on the mouth.
Ricky picked her up and carried her to the bed, he lay her down, never breaking the kiss, he buried his hands in her hair, her beautiful, long, silky hair, he could never forget how soft it was.
He pulled away from her lips, "You are so beautiful," he whispered into her ear.
Casey looked into his eyes and kissed him again, "Make love to me."
Ricky kissed her neck as she sat up, he moved to her back and unzipped her dress, he gently pulled the dress away from her body, he kissed her slowly, his hands running over her smooth back. Casey fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, yearning to touch him, to become complete with him. She finally released him from his shirt, touching his chest, his skin. She had never felt so connected to anyone as they made love amidst the silken sheets.
Ricky held her close as she lay against his chest, he could feel her breathe, he could feel the warm tears that rolled off of her cheek and down his chest.
"I don't want to leave you ," she said softly, more tears falling, "I can't, I can't leave you."
"You have to, Casey, no matter how much we want this to last forever it can't," he said feeling his own eyes well up, how could he let her go?
Casey closed her eyes, she hadn't wanted to cry, to hurt so much but how could she not? Though there were no clocks or watches she knew that she didn't have much time left, she could feel it.
She looked up at him and smiled through her tears. "I was so lucky to find you."
Ricky tightened his arm around her and with his other hand he wiped away her tears, "I was the lucky one, to find an angel," he said leaning down and kissing her.
Casey couldn't stop the onslaught of tears and she turned away, seconds she could feel it, in a moment she would be gone, she took a deep shaky breath and looked up at Ricky, she wanted his face to be the last thing she saw.
"I love you, Casey," he said moving a strand of hair away from her face. It was time for her to leave, he knew it as much as she did.
"Always remember me," she said calmly, and then she was gone.
Ricky took a shaky breath, "I will, forever," he said softly.
THE END.