Susan stood in front of the mirror, smoothing over the snowy white fabric. She knew she looked lovely, but there was a twinge of something that she couldn't quite place. She couldn't believe that in the morning she would be getting married for the second time in her young life. The twinge she felt may have been jitters. She rarely liked being the center of attention. The twinge may have been that she was being selfish. Her first wedding day didn't end so well, and she really wanted a day to remember happily. The twinge may have been the guilt. Her husband's death, his sacrifice had given her everything. Her life. Her daughter's life. Her future. Their future.
She pulled the dress down and off, stepping out of it and carefully replacing it on its hanger in the wardrobe. Her fingers touched the half a sash in blue and yellow tartan and then did the same to the new garter in the new red colors, caressing it between her fingers before placing it in the good luck pile. She closed the wardrobe and was surprised, but not quite, to see Seamus standing close to her.
"How do you do that?" she asked. "Sneaking up on me like that? Oh no! You're not supposed to see the bride before the wedding. It's bad luck." She went to push him away.
He drew her into his arms. She fit so well, she knew as he kissed the side of her head. "I've a few more minutes before tomorrow. We're safe," he reassured. Her arms went around his waist and as she rested her head on his shoulder, he tensed. "What is it? What's wrong? Second thoughts 'bout what we're doin' tomorrow?"
She shook her head slowly, but said nothing.
"Susan." He felt her tears as her shoulders fell and for a moment, he supported her, but she recovered quickly.
"It's nothing. I'm being foolish." She bit her lip and looked into his eyes. Her mouth opened and she went to look away, but Seamus' finger on her chin drew her gaze back to his.
"I know. I went half mad…well, truth be told, I went beyond mad with me own…survival, I did. Ya can't let the guilt consume ya. Ernie gave his life for ya, and sure he'd not've expected ya to survive and not live. Move on. Don't even need be me. Ya can change your mind." His eyes twinkled as he smiled out of the corner of his mouth.
She touched his cheek and leaned in for a kiss, this one much deeper, much longer than the one he first gave her. "I'm not changing my mind, Seamus. You're stuck with me." She ran her fingers through his hair.
He laughed, tilting his head back. "Stuck. I ain't stuck with anythin'." He kissed her again and when he did, the twinge became a tingle and it took every effort she could muster to push him towards the open window. Tomorrow, he'd never have to leave again.