Connected by the Tide (28 page)

His eyes narrowed in confusion. “What?”

“Take me to Ren’s.”

“What?” he asked.

“Just do it. I need to talk to her.”

“No!” Henry said.
“Absolutely not!”

Coen looked at her. “Baby, what’s going on?”

“I’m not getting married unless she’s here. I don’t know where she lives, and I know Henry won’t take me. Let’s go.”

“You’re serious?” he asked.

“Coen, I’m never been more serious in my life.”

He sighed. “You’re lucky I love you so fucking much.” He turned
to Henry and Nancy. “Stall them.” He picked up Sydney and cradled her in his arm so her dress wouldn’t get ruined from the dirt in the driveway, and took her outside. He placed her in the passenger seat then drove off.

Henry gripped his hair. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

Nancy smiled. “I can.”

“I’m such a fucking asshole. I ruined her wedding day.”

“No, you didn’t,” Nancy said. “She chose to do that.”

“It’s still my fault.”

“You two love each other so much it’s ridiculous.”

Henry didn’t have a response to that comment. They w
alked outside and told the crowd it would be a few minutes. There was a cake emergency. The crowd bought it and patiently waited. Henry stood in the driveway and waited for them to return. Even though he felt horrible about it, he hoped Ren would come back with them. He hoped Sydney could convince her to take him back. He waited with Nancy, checking the time every few minutes.

Coen’s truck pulled into the driveway. Henry felt his heart accel
erate when she saw Sydney open the passenger door. It was just the two of them. His heart fell, feeling worse than it did before. If that wasn’t enough to convince her, then nothing would convince Ren to take him back.

Another car pulled in the driveway. It was Ren’s. She stepped out of the car then looked at Henry. They locked their gazes for a long time. Tears were streaming from her eyes, falling down her face.

“Ren?”

She came around the car and ran into
his arms, jumping into his embrace.

He squeezed her tightly and started to cry with her. “Baby, I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“It’s only you, I swear.”

“I know.” She sobbed into his neck. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

“As long as you’re back, I don’t care. Just don’t leave me again.”

“Never.”

He held her tightly, sobbing into her neck. He felt so happy it hurt. He couldn’t believe he was holding her, feeling her blonde hair against his skin. She wore a blue dress that accentuated her eyes. She felt so light in his arms. He pulled away and kissed her, feeling the overwhelming taste of salt. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. “I love you, Renee.”

“I love you, Henry.”

He placed her on the ground then cupped her cheek, wiping her tears away. “What about Dane?”

She shook her head. “Henry, I was trying to trick him, get him to admit that he was the one who hurt Andre. I suspected he did that to my Andre because I wouldn’t take him back.”

“Was it?”

She nodded. “I got it on tape. He’s going to trial.”

“That’s so great.”

“I know.”

He kissed her tears away. “I feel so much better now.”

“I could never be with him again, Henry.”

“I’m sorry for doubting you.”

“Sydney told me what you did.”

He looked at her. “What did I go?”

“You went to my dad and told him to go to Andre.”

He looked down then met her gaze.
“Yeah.”

“I can’t believe you did that for my family.”

“I would do anything for you. Anything.”

“I’m so sorry for hurting you.”

“Forget about it.” He pulled away and looked at Sydney. She was standing next to Coen, giving them some privacy.

He marched over to her then hugged her. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“I would do anything for you, Henry. That’s what friends do for each other.”

“But it’s your wedding day.”

“Your happiness is more important. You brought Coen back to me. I had to bring Ren back to you.”

“I love you so much, Sydney.”

“I love you, too.”

“Can we get married now?” Coen asked.

“Oh, yeah,” Henry said as he pulled away. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s cool,” Coen said. “But really, I
wanna get married.”

Henry clapped his hands. “Let’s get this show on the road. Coen, go to the front
, and Sydney will meet you there.”

Coen grabbed Sydney’s
face and looked at her. “You look so beautiful. That’s the first thing I wanted to say to you.”

“You can say it again when I get there.”

He smiled then walked away. “I’ll save the kiss for the altar.”

Henry picked up Sydney so she wouldn’t get her dress in the dirt and carried her back to the house. Nancy and Ren followed behind.

Sydney fixed her hair again and adjusted her veil. “Now I’m even more nervous.”

“Hey,” Henry said firmly. “I got you. You aren’t going to fall.”

“Okay,” she said.

He turned to Ren. “Take a seat in the front. I’ll join you in a second.”

She kissed him. “Okay. I’ll save you a seat.”

“You
’d better,” he said with a smile. Nancy rushed out the door and grabbed the hand of the groomsman, walking down the aisle.

“You ready?” Henry asked.

She took a deep breath. “I’ve wanted to marry him as soon as I touched him.”

Henry smiled. “The wait is over.” He extended his arm
, and she took it.

They left the house then reached the end of the aisle. The soft music played over the speaker
, and everyone stood up when they realized the bride had arrived. Henry felt her arm shake as she stood there.

Everyone smiled at Sydney, taking in her perfection and beauty.

Henry stepped forward and guided her down the walkway. When he looked at Coen in the front, he saw his eyes water with tears. They didn’t fall, but they coated the surface, shining in the light. His eyes started to turn red. All the women
aww
ed when they saw Coen cry.

Sydney sniffed when she looked at him, her own tears bubbling.

Henry guided her forward until he reached Coen.

Coen extended his hand
and took Sydney away from Henry, pulling her to him. Henry let her go. He’d thought this moment would be difficult, but it wasn’t at all. He’d never felt happier for someone else. Seeing Sydney cry while she looked at Coen brought him joy. Henry knew he wasn’t the man who was destined for her. Coen was exactly what she needed. He stepped away and took the seat next to Ren.

Henry placed
his arm around her, and she rested her hand on his thigh.

The ceremony began
, and Dr. Jones married them on the beach under the trees. Coen held it together until he said his vows, which he had written himself. A tear fell down his cheek as he confessed his love for Sydney. He wasn’t wearing a suit like the rest of the groomsmen, but a white shirt with sleeves rolled up. He was very casual, but it fit the moment. No one noticed anyway, since Sydney outshone everyone with her beauty.

Henry glanced at Coen’s forearm and recognized something he
hadn’t noticed before. On his left forearm was a new tattoo. It was a green seahorse that mirrored the tattoo of the dog on the opposite arm. He wondered what it meant.

“Baby, I never thought this day would come
, because I didn’t think you would be stupid enough to settle for me, your lesser half. You are far more beautiful than I am, more courageous, more inspirational, and more compassionate than I’ll ever be. When I look at you, I see everything that’s beautiful in the world. Your eyes are the seaweed in the deep of the ocean, the moss on the north side of the tree, the color of the frogs in the pond. When I look into them, I don’t just see my reflection, but I see everything you see, the way you see the world. The colors are vibrant and bright, torching in a blaze of fire and heat. I see the sun light the trees and give them life. I see the rainforest, untouched and flourishing. I see the stem of a flower, the connection of the petal to the earth. The light that comes from you is what makes this world beautiful. You aren’t just the strongest woman I know, but the strongest person. Yours is the light, Sydney. Yours is the light that guides me through darkness. Yours is the light that touches us all. Yours is the light that I will love the rest of my life. I’m honored that you chose me to be your mate for life, your seahorse.”

“I love you, Coen,” she said through her tears.
]

“I forgot that part. I love you
, too, Sydney.”

Sydney broke
down into tears when she said her vows. Coen squeezed her hands and listened to her, his eyes still glistening. “I always had to pretend that everything was fine when it wasn’t, that I wasn’t scared every day of my life, that something wasn’t missing. I was alone for the longest time, hoarding my secrets and fears. When you came, you broke down all my walls, even though I didn’t want you to. You made me realize that it was okay to be weak, that it was okay to be scared. I never had a family when I was growing up, and that gave me a huge hole in my heart. You filled that space many times over. You aren’t just my husband, but my best friend and my family. I’m so lucky that you came into my life. I can’t imagine what I would be without you.”

He wiped her tear
s away. “You’ll never have to worry about that.” He leaned in and kissed her.

Dr. Jones cleared his throat. “I guess we’ll jump ahead.”

“And one more thing,” Coen said, a smile on his face. “You have a smokin’ body.”

Sydney blushed
, and the crowd started laughing. Her cheeks turned red, and she shook her head slightly.

Dr. Jones chuckled then finished the ceremony, making them kiss for a second time.
“For the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Coen Marshall.”

Everyone stood up and cheered, clapping their hands and whistling as the happy couple walked down the aisle. Henry smiled as he watched them go, happy that his best friend
had found the happy ending she deserved.

Ren leaned into him. “I want that someday.”

He rubbed his nose against hers. “That makes two of us.”

37

Dinner was served on the beach. They had tacos from
a restaurant Coen and Sydney liked. It was cheap, and it was delicious. Henry ate three because he was so hungry. After being apart from Ren for a week, he hadn’t eaten much, just what his brother manipulated him into eating.

“My brother told me what you did,” Henry said.

She flinched. “What?”

“That you persuaded him to visit our mom.”

“Oh, that.”

“I can’t believe you did
that.”

“I can’t believe you went to my dad and yelled at him.”

“I didn’t yell.”

“Sydney said you told him to pull his head out of his ass.”

He smiled. “I might have said that.”

“That was ballsy.”

“I did it for you.”

“I know,” she said as she rubbed her nose against his. “I still can’t believe that.”

“It seems like we are always trying to fix each other’s problems.”

“Because we love each other.”

“And no one else,” he added.

“No one.”

“I really want to sneak behind a tree right now.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“I get you all weekend. We aren’t leaving the bedroom.”

“Am I supposed to object?
” she said.

“You should. I sound pretty creepy.”

“I like creepy.”

He stood up and pulled her to
her feet. “Let’s dance, baby.”

“I love dancing.”

He held her close and swayed with her to the music. “You look beautiful.”

“I just threw this on.”

“It’s a dress. It was a safe choice.”

“I didn’t even have time to throw on underwear.”

His eyes shined. “You have my attention.”

“I was hoping we could do it in the back
seat of the car again. I really liked that.”

“As soon as this is over,” he whispered. “I’ll be inside you soon.”

She placed her hand on his neck and fingered his hair. “You look so handsome, Henry.”

“I’ve been getting that
comment a lot today.”

“I bet you have. You’re gorgeous, Henry. And you’re a sweetheart. That’s impossible to find.”

“I’m only a sweetheart to you because I’m in love with you.”

“It still makes you a sweetheart.”

He looked at her. “So is this issue over for good?” he asked as he looked at her.

She nodded. “Yes. I was wrong, Henry.”

He didn’t argue with her.

“And after seeing the
light in your face when you saw them get married, I have no doubt.”

“I’m glad. My heart is yours for the keeping, Ren. Keep it safe.”

“I will.”

“Can I cut in?” Sydney said.

“Ask my girlfriend,” Henry said.

Ren smiled. “He’s all yours.”

Coen swooped in and dipped Ren. “May I dance with my future best friend-in-law?”

“You may.”

Henry held Sydney close to him and stared into her eyes. “You look so beautiful.”

“Coen said that
, like, a million times already.”

“Because it’s true.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you worked everything out with Ren.”

“So am I.”

“When’s your day?”

“I wanted to wait until graduation, but I don’t know if I can.”

“Coen and I couldn’t wait any longer. There’s nothing wrong with that. When you know, you know.”

“And I do know.”

“Then you should go with it.”

“I’ll think about it. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“What’s the seahorse tattoo mean?”

She danced with him and rested her hands on his neck, her green eyes shining like the inside of a rainforest. “It’s personal.”

He smiled. “Okay.”

“I have a tattoo, too,” she whispered.

He raised an eyebrow.
“Really?”

“It’s not in a place where it can be seen.”

“That sounds pretty hot. What is it?”

“A blue seahorse.”

“I’m sure he loves it.”

“He hasn’t seen it yet. I got it last week
, and we haven’t been having sex.”

“No wonder why Coen’s been in such a bad mood lately.”

She laughed. “I’ll make it up to him.”

“He’ll love the surprise.”

“That’s why I wanted to save it for the honeymoon.”

“You’re never leaving the house now.”

“That’s the point,” she said mischievously.

“I love you,” he blurted.

“I love you, too.”

“I’m honored you let me give you away.  I was the perfect person to do that.”

“I know.”

Coen came back. “I want my wife back.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to hog her.”

He spun her around then dipped her, kissing her as he held her. She giggled as he rubbed his nose against hers.

Henry walked back to Ren and held her to his chest. “I wanted to ask you something.”

“Yeah?”

“This is completely hypothetical.”

“Go on.”

“How would you feel about getting married before we graduate?”

She smiled wider than he had ever seen her. Her eyes glowed like shining orbs. “I would love to.”

“Good to know.” He held her close to him, forgetting about all the people in the background. People were eating cake at the tables, laughing and having a good time. The music played and they swung to the music, the sun setting farther down the horizon. The evening was warm, with just enough of a breeze. It blew through Ren’s hair and made it dance slightly. He looked into her eyes and saw his reflection. When he stared at himself, he saw a man who was whole and complete, someone who had lost everything but found it again. When he met Ren, he’d never expected her to be his future wife, but now as he held her to his chest and moved his body against hers, he knew that was exactly what she would be. If he was meant to be with someone, it was her. He didn’t know what he’d seen in Sydney, because she paled in comparison to Ren, the love of his life.

When he looked into her eyes, he saw his past
as well as his future. It would be beautiful and happy. She would be the mother of his children, giving him gorgeous girls and powerful boys. He would make love to her every night, never growing tired of feeling himself move inside her. He would receive two extra brothers that he already loved, and two more that he knew he would love just as much. She would be everything that was missing, the piece of his life that built the foundation for everything else. She was more than everything, if such a thing existed. “I wish I could tell you how much I love you,” he whispered.

She met his look with tears under the surface. “You already did, Henry.”