Making Memories

Making memories. 

It’s all a girl ever wants for herself. Faith Hilton had conquered Gunner Travis’ heart back in middle school; the track star falling for her beauty and kindness.

She had finally given her own heart to him in high school, and she has been happy ever since. Gunner was a passionate dreamer, a stubborn man, and a heartthrob. But it didn’t matter, because he was all hers. 

Today, four years later, they are still together and now have a beautiful baby girl. She is proof of their love. A family was all Faith wanted, and now her dream has come true. 

Palmer Wright, her best friend, was marrying Christopher Melbourne, the love of her life, and she’s her maid of honor. She remembered when he arrived in town, shy and introverted. Palmer had saved him from the school bullies, making it her mission to be in his life forever. Even though four years of being apart had been torture for them. 

Making precious memories. 

“What are you thinking?” Palmer asked, looking at herself in the body-length mirror inside her childhood bedroom, wearing an ivory V-neck asymmetrical lace dress with rhinestone champagne cowgirl boots. 

The beautiful gown was custom made for her and it made her look stunning.

She noticed how quiet Faith was, and knew when something was bugging her. 

“Nothing. Just how lucky we are to have men like ours. I’m happy, Palmer, and I’m sure Christopher will do the same for you,” Faith replied. 

She smiled at her best friend while she got up from the bed, standing behind her as they looked at each other in the mirror; her turquoise high-low chiffon strapless bridesmaid dress, fixed with long, heavy curls in her hair. 

“I’m very lucky indeed. Christopher is the one for me, Faith. I'm so glad to have come back to him, or else I would have regretted it.”

"You both deserve each other."

They both hugged each other and worked on their finishing touches to be ready for the wedding. As Faith worked on fixing Palmer’s dress, they heard a knock on the door. 

James peeked in to check on Palmer. The sight had him almost in tears as he walked over and held her delicate hands in his.

“I can’t believe you’ll be getting married today. Where has my little girl gone?” He asked, letting those tears out, kissing her knuckles, his lips lingering on her soft skin.

“I’m still your little girl, Dad,” Palmer replied, hugging him tightly, trying to hold back her tears so she would not ruin her makeup. 

“Let’s not delay this anymore. The groom is waiting.” Faith urged them with a soft smile to leave the room and join the rest of the guests in the ranch’s backyard. The décor was beautiful, with white roses and hanging lights; along with the chairs and the makeshift wooden dance floor for the evening reception.

Christopher couldn’t help but smile as tears of happiness rolled down his pale cheeks at the sight of the wonderful woman in front of him. He used to think he was never enough for her, but Palmer was never the one to make him feel that way. She loved him unconditionally. 

As soon as she reached the altar, the pastor started the ceremony while they gazed at each other with love and admiration, holding their hands lovingly. 

Faith’s eyes traveled to her fiancé’s, smiling at him while mouthing the words ‘I love you’ as he mouthed them back, looking at her like she was the most amazing thing in the world. She couldn’t help but blush at the way his eyes would admire her in that beautiful dress.

The ceremony went by in a blur. Christopher and Palmer had said their vows to each other, and after the pastor had declared them husband and wife, they sealed their love with a tender kiss before walking down the aisle and towards the reception area, where everyone was ready to have fun. 

Faith had gone to the kitchen to help Daisy and Grace with the food, while Gunner had stayed with the guys outside, serving drinks and grilling steaks in the barbeque.  

“So, when are you and Gunner taking the step and getting married?” Daisy asked, raising her eyebrows at Faith, grabbing a bowl of potato salad to take outside.

“We wanted to wait until Chris and Palmer came back. It's just a matter of deciding the date,” Faith shrugged her shoulder while smiling at Daisy before walking out. 

She waited indeed, but the gossip in the small town had spread like wildfire. The couple had a baby without getting married first, but Faith didn't care. She loved Gunner, and when they decided to take the step, they would do it. 

Their little girl had been a surprise for them. 

Within two years of being in college, Gunner and Faith had conceived Cheyenne. Faith had to leave her degree on hold to care for her while Gunner stayed behind, finishing his career at her insistence. 

The wedding was in full swing. The townsfolk danced, chatted, and drank the night away as the bride and groom prepared for their first dance as husband and wife.

“It was a beautiful ceremony. Maybe we could have something like it,” Gunner said as he approached her, with little Cheyenne in his arms. 

“Yes, maybe. For now, let's celebrate their wedding. Palmer deserves it after all she fought for him.”

Putting the potato salad bowl on the buffet table, Faith walked away from the party’s chaos and headed towards the quiet fields behind the house.

All she could do was think of her days in college, how her career could have taken off and be a fashion designer, but she had to leave it all behind as soon as Cheyenne had come into their lives. A beautiful baby girl with the mix of her mother’s dark skin and her father’s lighter one. Her eyes were as blue as his, making her the talk of their small town.

With no other choice, she returned and stayed with her parents until Gunner graduated. Only receiving visits from him on the Holidays and the occasional weekend as the college was quite the distance from their home.

“What are you thinking, beautiful?” Gunner approached her, wrapping his arms around her waist while looking at the starry night sky in awe.

“Not much. Where’s Cheyenne?” she asked, concerned.

“She's with your mom. I figured you might need me, so I left our daughter with her to come to check on you.”

He turned her around, looking at her beautiful hazel eyes while stroking her cheeks to comfort her, knowing something was bothering his fiancée. All Faith could do was smile at him, making sure he believed it, so he didn’t ask any more questions. 

“Why don’t we go back? My speech as the best man is about to start, and I have a great one for them.”

She nodded. “Let’s go.”

Holding her hand, he pulled her towards the reception area to join the rest of the guests. Palmer and Christopher were sitting at their bridal table, looking around for them before they could continue the celebration. 

Faith sat next to her best friend, giving her a warm hug while Gunner headed towards the DJ to grab a microphone and a bottle of beer from the passing server before starting his speech. 

“Well, everyone. Settle down as the best man is going to start his coolest speech ever.” Gunner started as a wave of laughs could be heard in the crowd. Turning to the bridal table, he took a deep breath, looking at his best friends who were happy as they could ever be.

“I just want to start by saying it has been such a great pleasure meeting you both. Palmer, your beauty and kindness have broken many hearts, except for mine, of course,” he said, making the crowd laugh again. “You are a lucky gal for having a man like Christopher. And Chris, you are lucky as well for stealing Palmer's heart and giving her a happy ending. I wish you all the best, and may you both have a lot of babies and grow old together.”

Raising his glass, everyone joined. “To, Palmer and Christopher.”

“To, Palmer and Christopher!” They all followed in unison as Gunner walked over and hugged them both, wishing them the best in their future.