Happy New Year! I hope all of you have a great 2013!

Here it is... Enjoy...

Flashbacks in italics...

I Honestly Love You

The cool breeze rolled in off the water, nudging the palm leaves just enough to let a little more sunlight through. If one looked up, they would have to squint at the sudden brightness overtaking the somewhat shaded area surrounded by the clearest of blue backdrop. Everyone was milling around waiting for the signal to finally take a seat, to finally witness something magical, that no words could really describe the aura surrounding them at the moment. The weight was a subtle yet pleasant air, just heavy enough to wrap those in presence in warmth. The din was suddenly cut short when one person turned around to see a figure off in the near distance, which gave the signal to the remaining guests to let their words trail off and focus on the movement behind them. The nervous figure moved cautiously in their slightly cumbersome attire. A slight nudge from behind gave them the encouragement to continue their steps in between the rows of chairs neatly set side by side. A subtle chuckle emanated from now neatly coiffed blonde-haired 'older brother', when he was heard saying "Don't look down or you will trip".

The sun's rays filtered through the room gently waking Simone from her deep slumber. She blinked her eyes a few times to adjust to the new intrusion of light, then realized her movements were being impeded by a strong arm around her waist when she tried to reach for the clock to see the actual time. She instantly stopped caring about what time it was. She moved back into Annabelle's form until there was no space between them, closing her eyes, realizing that last night had not been a dream. She suddenly felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off of her shoulders. She knew that even though that many years had gone by, laced with so many emotional highs and lows, where distance and time seemed to work to their detriment, but finally one thing, regardless of anything else that life had thrown at them, brought them back into the same space. One heart not truly being able to beat without the other. Of course life would go on, their paths would cross now and then, but that feeling of incompletion, would never leave, never burn out. This was the only true path for either. No matter how long it took. The only true way to feel whole, the only true way to smile at the new day, the only true way, for each, to really live. Simone felt Annabelle stir a bit and let out a soft moan. She was soon being greeted with a kiss to her shoulder, then the space around her was suddenly cooler as Annabelle left the bed for a brief moment, not realizing that Simone was fully awake at this point, swimming in thoughts of the past, present and future.

"Stop fidgeting" Jason stated as he leaned into Annabelle's space and whispered so only she could hear.

"I'm not fidgeting. These shoes are not as comfortable as I thought" Annabelle replied barely turning her head not wanting to make it obvious that she was having a discussion considering all eyes were on her at the moment.

"Well, you look like you are doing the potty dance, just in case you were wondering" Jason retorted with a slight chuckle, still keeping his eyes down the aisle, hands together, and his shoulders squared.

"Remind me to kick your ass once I get out of this monkey suit" Annabelle said slightly above a whisper, garnering a slight chuckle from Collins who was standing across from the two, trying to keep her composure.

The bed dipped beside Simone, who still hadn't moved from the spot she woke up. She was soon feeling that warmth return as Annabelle wrapped her form around the blonde-haired blue-eyed beauty, when she heard, "Good morning beautiful".

"Good morning" Simone replied as she turned enough to pull Annabelle to her chest as she gave her a light kiss on the lips then on top of her head.

"Did you sleep well" Annabelle asked as she wrapped her leg over Simone's wanting to be as close as possible.

"As a matter of fact I did" Simone said as a grin formed over her features relishing in the contact.

"Well, if you must know, I haven't slept that good in, well, too long" Annabelle stated as she rolled a little more on top of Simone, causing both of their hearts to beat a little bit quicker.

"I have had better sleep, but... Simone was cut off by a slight slap of her arm and a raised eyebrow from Annabelle.

"Is that so, hmmmm" Annabelle said as she rolled away and out of the bed, feigning a hurt look on her face.

"Annabelle I,.. Simone trailed off when all she saw was Annabelle's retreating form head out the door, robe flowing behind.

Simone laid back down, a slight smirk formed over her lips, as she took a deep breath, and on the exhale, had a full blown smile washed across her face. Her senses were soon being overwhelmed with the smell of coffee as she sat up on her elbows, but then laid back down, giving Annabelle her space for a few moments while she closed her eyes, allowing herself to review last nights events in the peace and quiet of the new morning.

"She looks beautiful" Collins' mother Jane whispered as she leaned over toward the Senator, who was seated with a big smile across her features as she noticed her daughter and her 'big brother' in some sort of discussion then took in Collins attempt to stifle a chuckle at the antics before them.

"Yes, she does. I am so happy that she finally agreed to wear something other than a t shirt and jeans" Victoria replied with the same reverence toward Collins' mother, not taking her eyes off of her daughter.

"I am sure they will live a long and happy life together" Collins' mother said as she gave the Senator's hand a slight squeeze for reassurance.

"I hope Annabelle behaves herself long enough for that to happen" Victoria replied with a slight shake of her head, still in awe of this moment, never thinking they would be here, to witness this.

"She has come along way Victoria" Jane stated as she also had smirk forming on her face, knowing Annabelle's tendency to be mischievous.

"Yes, she has, and I know Simone has her work cut out for her, but, they are meant to be together, I know it in my heart. They love each other. I don't ever think I have seen anything so obvious in my many years on this earth" The Senator remarked as she finished by saying, "Thank you for being in her life, well our life".

"I am happy to have you both as a part of our family" Jane said with a final squeeze of the Senator's hand as the music had changed and the sound of people shifting in their seats had them both brought out of their banter.

Simone padded her way quietly into the kitchen, finally releasing herself from her self imposed daydream a few minutes earlier, so she could properly greet the musician who was busy preparing what smelled like pancakes and a fresh pot of coffee. She moved some of Annabelle's hair off to the side and gave her a gentle kiss to the side of her neck, before wrapping her arms around her waist, feeling Annabelle tense for a quick moment and then relax into her arms, knowing that they were finally just reconnecting. No words would do at this moment. They just needed the contact to know this was real, not some fleeting dream that woke either during their nights apart, leaving them breathless with a heavy heart, knowing that the space next to them was empty. This was surreal for each. Neither wanted to break the spell with short utterances of the morning. Neither wanting this moment to end, just to feel, the safety, the warmth of each others presence, the moment, finally real. Both with eyes closed, shifting subtly back and forth, hands beginning to roam, were brought out of their daze when the slight scent of pancakes just about to be burnt wafted through the air. Simone backed away slightly allowing Annabelle to finish her mission in this still early morning hour.

"I hope you like your pancakes on the crispy side" Annabelle quipped as she placed a stack on the plate barely turning around to make eye contact with Simone.

"Nothing that a little syrup won't fix" Simone replied with a slight giggle as she grabbed the plate and her cup of coffee to make her way to the table.

Annabelle didn't respond, she just touched her coffee up with a bit more creamer and took her seat across from Simone.

"Thank you, for breakfast" Simone said as she raised her mug signaling her appreciation for the caffeine that would soon be coursing through her veins.

"You are welcome" Annabelle replied with a similar action toward Simone.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, taking a few bites here and there washing down the mixture with a sip or two of coffee. All the while, never taking their eyes off of each other. Simone was about to make a comment about Annabelle's expression when she heard, "Simone, I have something I want to ask you".

The air shifted like a subtle sigh. No one really needed to look back to see what was about to come. The sun moved in the sky just enough to shed another path like a spotlight emanating from the trees. The picture was like many of those that Simone would have put her name on. She would have captured the scene so eloquently with her camera and her description, that those who could not attend would feel like they were present. In this moment, Simone's thoughts were not on the surrounding landscape. She wasn't thinking that she needed to shift her position to get the right angle, the right view. She only focused on the one sight in front of her, a few steps down this path, to her future, with the blonde-haired blue-eyed beauty that captured her heart, her soul all those years ago, and never let go. The moment seemed to last forever, her eyes locked on blue, acclimating slowly to the slight wisps of hair now moving in the breeze and settling back on blue. She felt the gentle squeeze from the hand that guided her to her natural calling. The hand that also traveled the world and took in it's beauty through a lens. The hand that assured her this was the right thing, the right person, the right time to take a step into the unknown, heart first. She glanced over to the elder Bradley, grateful that he was here to witness this day, grateful that he was here, arm gracefully wrapped around arm, guiding her slowly toward her love, her life. With the subtle nod of his head, they moved forward in unison as the music played, signaling the last piece of the puzzle needed to complete this picture. A few steps, and a few more notes, the two were face to face, heads bowed slightly, eyes locked, and breath held.

"What is it" Simone asked, not truly being able to read Annabelle's expression at this point.

"I just wanted to reiterate what we were talking about last night. That you would be able to take some time off in the near future" Annabelle replied as she nervously folded her hands together.

"I told you, yes, I would take time off, I would love to spend anytime with you that I could. I just need to know when" Simone answered as she reached out to reassure Annabelle's seemingly nervous state.

"Well I have an idea of when, there is really something else I need to ask you before that" Annabelle said as she took a deep breath then slowly reached out and took Simone's hand in her own.

"Annabelle wh... Simone was cut off by Annabelle squeezing her hand a little more than before. "Simone, I am so glad that you are here with me now, or that I am here with you now. I still sometimes think that this is all a dream, that I am just going to wake up and I will be back on the road, in some random hotel room, not having talked to you, reached out to you, reconnected with you. I know this has been a long road to get here. As much as this might sound weird, I am grateful that we are here, no matter what we had to go through to get here". Annabelle took one of her hands and ran it through her hair, her eyes flicking up toward Simone's. She became lost in her own words for a moment. "For the love of God, this is not coming out how I wanted it to"

"Annab... Simone was quickly silenced by Annabelle's next words.

"Simone, I love you. I will never be able to tell you with words how much. I hope you will let me show you from here on out. Simone, will you marry me"?

Words and looks were being exchanged with everyone hanging on the edge of their seats, listening to the professions of love from the couple that were solidifying their love for one another for all to witness. Collins handed Simone a tissue as Annabelle recited her vows that in her mind, only Simone was privy to at the moment, focused solely on her face, words not really needing prodding or thought. Annabelle was given a small nudge from Jason, as she was trying to keep a strong front as Simone spoke her usual exquisite prose as she slowly rubbed circles on the back of Annabelle's hands, while looking her in the eye. Annabelle couldn't contain a stray tear that appeared, it slowly made its way down her cheek and was resting on her jawline until Simone, taking mercy on Annabelle's situation, reached out and smoothed it away with the pad of her thumb, without any hesitation in her breath, continuing her words of love. The words were finally spoken, rings were exchanged, with reverence to each, giving pause to allow an answer.

"I do" Annabelle said as she let out the smallest of sighs, a smile forming along with that mischievous glint shining brightly in her eyes as she waited for Simone, to follow suit.

"I do" Simone replied while she immediately stepped into Annabelle's space, placed her hands on either side of her face and brought her in for their first kiss of the rest of their lives, not even waiting to be told to do so.

Okay boys and girls... I hope you all enjoyed the journey. There may be an epilogue to follow...

Thank you so much for sticking with me. Your loyalty to this story and your reviews helped me to finish the journey for these two.

Cheers...