Another thing I just started writing. I guess we'll see where it takes me.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Prologue

Ronnie stood alone in the alcove of the little church, mentally calming herself. In a few short minutes, she would walk down the aisle and be married to the man she loved. A few fat raindrops hit the window as she peered outside at the dark clouds. It was a deep disappointment, although she would never admit it, that the weather was so dark today. Secretly in her heart, she had hoped for sunny skies. That when she made that journey towards the front of the church, her father would be there with her, in the light. Ronnie blew on the window and traced the outline of a heart onto the cold glass. "I love you, Daddy," she whispered.

In her mind's eye, she pictured him there standing by the entrance to the sanctuary. He was happy, with a smile on his face. A familiar ache pierced her heart, the same one that returned every time she thought of him. Even in death, he was still with her. She gently touched the rolled-up papers that were tied with a black satin ribbon. Their song. The last song she had played for him. Most days, the music stayed locked away in an airtight container to preserve it. But not today. Today, it was part of her flower arrangement, with a few red and white roses tucked into the bow.

The memories of that summer were still fresh in her thoughts, the good, bad, and tragic. Those few months had set into motion a whirlwind of events that had shaped and changed her life forever. It was the summer she had discovered first love, hope; it was the summer where she had bridged the space between childhood and adulthood, not by choice, but through trials and heartbreak. Sometimes, she wondered what life would have been like if she had refused to come to Wrightsville Beach, Virginia. Not that there had been a choice, but she still wondered. Her musings were interrupted by Pastor Harris, who entered the small room. "Just a little bit longer," he told her with a smile. The trembling of his lips told her that she was not the only one thinking of her father on this day. She hugged him fiercely, feeling the thready rhythm of his heart.

"He would be so proud of you, Ronnie," he managed to say. "Even in the…last days, our final conversations were about you and Jonah. How proud he was to have children like you. Without you, he wouldn't have lasted as long as he did." As she shook her head, he stopped her. "No, he told me himself. You children gave him the will to fight the battle. Every moment, even the little things, he cherished because he knew the day was coming that he would be able to be there for you. You showed him God, in the most beautiful way possible, Ronnie. I can never thank you enough." His words brought joy, entwined with bittersweet pain.

"Thank you, Pastor Harris." Oh, how she wished her father could be with her.

"There's one more thing," he said, clearing his throat. "Your father….He left this in my care. Something just for today." He went to a cupboard in the corner and unlocked the door." Inside, there was a small box, wrapped in brown paper, seemingly untouched by the years.

"Thank you…so much," she told him sincerely. He gently squeezed her shoulder, in a reassuring sort of way.

"You're very welcome. I'll leave you alone." And with that, he was gone. She touched the brown paper, inhaling its musty scent. Then, slowly, she picked at the tape. The wrapping fell away, and she gasped. A small wooden jewelry box lay before her. The lid was inlaid with a beautiful stained glass, lovingly crafted by her father. She opened the box to find a plain white envelope lying inside. For my precious daughter the first inscription read. Ronnie couldn't keep the tears from forming. A painful lump filled her throat. She brushed the moisture away from her eyes, trying to keep from smudging her makeup. Dare she open it now? The last words from her father. Or should she wait, letting the words remain unsaid, until the moment when she needed his wisdom, guidance, his enduring love to keep her heart encouraged.

It had been a hard few years since her father had died, a time period full of change, both good and bad. People had come into her life and left just as abruptly. There had been few constants in her life since that summer. She walked to the window and again checked the weather. The clouds were lifting. A smile lifted the corners of her lips. Maybe even in heaven, her dad was pulling strings for her to have the wedding of her dreams. She cracked open the window, and the fragrance of the salty sea breeze filled the room. Another knock sounded on the door. "Come in," she called, stuffing the envelope back into the box and placing it on the windowsill behind a curtain.

"Hey," Jonah said peeking around the door, his ever-deepening voice soft. "You about ready?"

"Getting there," Ronnie said, the full meaning behind her words was evident. She could hear the sounds of people entering the church. Her heartbeat quickened. It was almost time.

"Well, you've got a few more minutes. Pastor Harris misplaced his notes again for the tenth time." He rolled his eyes. "I'll come back in a little bit. Do you want me to send Mom back?"

"It's okay. I need some alone time." He only smiled at her, a tinge of sadness in his eyes. The door was shut, and she was alone again. She removed the jewelry box out of its hiding place and took the letter out of its hiding place. Once again, she couldn't decide what to do. She read the inscription again, letting the words sound in her head over and over.

"You are here with me, aren't you?" Ronnie spoke into the stillness. There was no answer, but in her heart, she knew. With a soft sigh, she slid a nail under the envelope's seal. She pulled out a couple sheet of paper. With the sea breeze enveloping her in its warm grasp, she began to read. As she absorbed each word, her mind drifted off to previous years, as she remembered the events that had brought her thus far.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it.