A ghost of the past

es," the entire room erupt

n the room. Isla clapped her hands together excitedly, practically bouncing in her seat. Luc

his drink toward Philip. "W

eyes undeniable. "I've always fe

itement, turned to Isla, who

happening!" Isla beamed.

g down at the ring on her finger. It

icipation, and the slightest twinge of ner

rst to start th

date! Oh, and the venue! And t

. "One thing at

chair, watching the scene

se brides that loses her mind ov

her eyes. "I ma

se. "No matter how big or small the wedding is, a

ng a warmth spread through her

d. "Ugh, you two are al

You should be tak

. "I'll take notes when I find

"I appreciate

ment settled, talks of a

set a budget,

I'll handle that. Just tell me what

"That's dangerous. You'r

rked. "I t

together. "I'll be th

course! I wouldn't ha

lass. "And I assume

dded. "Na

had been a while since they'd all f

proposal settled, Philip r

g," he said, stand

rmth of the moment, smi

ctually... why don't you

ut said nothing. Isla gave

at Isla before n

ith Philip, their laught

Isla couldn't shake the feeling

ant yet welcoming-a pe

n the warm lighting, the framed photographs on

a chair and turned to see

er the light, the diam

" she murmured,

his arms around her waist. "Not as

gh. "Philip, you're go

ed, pressing a kis

tled between them-not unc

happy?"

. "More than I t

thumb grazing her cheek. "Th

She had no doubt that she was

her hand, his phone

ng it up, his brows furro

her head. "Ev

on the phone tightened. "Yeah. Jus

to answer, his voice

ully, an unsettling feeli

couch, her fingers absentmin

is room, noticed his

the kitchen, poured a glass o

said, handi

smiled softly.

little boy who had grown so much, who had

n quiet," L

on the table. "Just thinking..

has. But change isn

ing features, his wisdom beyond his years.

fore shaking his head. "No. Every

just... I wonder if I

d for her han

him, a questio

said softly, "but someone who

eath h

nd when that happens, you wo

, but she smiled, pulling him into a

led. "I have

, she felt something she

of the moment settled

was late. Too lat

p and walked toward it, her h

r this call would