“You look worn out. And yes, you were out of your mind to work until three in the morning. Emily, you are killing yourself.”
“Maybe so, but look what I have in the bank. It’s all paid off for Ian and me. We’re finally getting married, seven years late, I grant you, but in a few hours I will be Mrs. Ian Thorn, wife of Dr. Ian Thorn.”
Aggie’s eyes narrowed. “It’s that white shirt and tie thing, right?”
“That’s part of it, but I love Ian. I’ve loved him since we were in the ninth grade. He’s a part of me just the way I’m a part of him.”
“Right now, off the top of your head, don’t think, just blurt the answer…how many times have you seen Ian in the past seven years?”
Emily’s jaw dropped. “Seventy-five? That’s a guess…it’s probably more…that’s a stupid thing to ask me, Aggie. You have no idea how hard it is for Ian to get fifteen minutes to himself. Most of the time he’s half dead. We spoke a lot on the phone, sent cards. A day didn’t go by when we weren’t in touch. We agreed early on that sacrifices would have to be made. We knew what we were doing. We made it. Today is the big day. I’ve never been this happy in my life. Ian…he’s…he’s so happy he can’t talk straight.”
Aggie’s lips compressed. “I’m glad you’re happy, Emily. I could never do what you did.” She shook her head.
“That’s because you and Rob didn’t have a dream, a plan. Ian and I did. I’m not saying that’s wrong for you two. It was right for Ian and me.”
“You always said you weren’t going to have a backyard wedding with the potato salad in plastic bowls,” Aggie groused.
“I did say that. It was silly of me. This wedding is only costing four hundred and fifty dollars. I’d rather have this and money in the bank. Ian agreed. I’m wearing my aunt’s wedding gown and Ian is wearing his best dark suit. You have a lovely dress. It’s simple, but it’s what we can afford.
“Ian’s friend is going to take some pictures. You made the wedding cake as your gift to us. So, what’s missing?”
“Nothing, I guess. I just want you to be happy, Emily.”
“You keep saying that. Right now I am the happiest almost-bride in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.”
“Sit still so I can cover the dark patches under your eyes. Don’t blink,” Aggie said, sponging makeup under Emily’s eyes. “I’m going to use some extra rouge, your skin is too pale. A little sun wouldn’t hurt you, Emily.”
“No time for sunbathing. Do you know what I’m giving Ian as a wedding gift?”
“What?”
“The bank book. He has absolutely no idea how much money I’ve saved these past seven years. Do you believe he never asked? Not once.”
“How much did you save?”
“I’ve got twenty-three thousand dollars. It’s not all in the passbook savings account. I invested some of it. Ian’s eyes are going to pop right out of his head.”
“What’s he giving you?” Aggie asked.
“I have no idea. I don’t even know if he knows the groom is supposed to give the bride a present. Giving me his name is enough for me.”
“Don’t forget all those white shirts he’s giving you to iron,” Aggie said tightly.
“Am I wrong or don’t you like Ian?” Emily asked.
“I like Ian. He’s very charming. When he wants to be. But I do think he’s taking advantage of you. Emily, you have worked like a dog since the day you graduated. You’ve been working seven days a week forever it seems. You’re always tired and you don’t remember what it’s like to feel good. You’re only twenty-five and already you have some bad varicose veins. You should have a doctor look at them.”
Emily burst out laughing. “I think I’m going to have a doctor looking at them for a whole week. I’ll respect his opinion.”
“It’s not funny, Emily. Jeez, I’m going to miss you.”
“We’ll write. Not a lot, but I promise to stay in touch. Ian still has another year and then his residency and more schooling if he wants to specialize, which I think he’s going to want to do, and then, Aggie, it’s clear sailing for both of us. I can start school, get pregnant, and have the best of everything. A few more years aren’t going to matter. At least we’ll be together. Be happy for me, Aggie.”
“I am happy for you, Emily. All I can say is Ian better make you happy or he’ll have to take me on. Rob and I will straighten him right out.”
Emily’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Aggie, I want to show you something. I want to share it with you so you won’t worry about me. Last night when I got home, so dead tired I thought my legs and feet were numb, I was just going to fall in bed with my clothes on, but I turned on the light and taped to the outside of the window was a letter from Ian. He must have stopped by late and left it. It was so like Ian I cried and cried. I know it by heart, but I’m going to read it to you. Listen to this,” Emily said, pulling the folded piece of paper from inside her bra. “I want to keep it close to my heart. This will set your mind at ease where Ian is concerned.”
“Let’s hear it,” Aggie said, perching on the side of the bed.
Dear Emily,
I say “Dear Emily” because there is no dearer, sweeter person in the whole, wide world, than you, dear Emily. I love you so much I want to say all the right words, words poets write and talk about, but I don’t know them. Please, know in your heart that I love you more than life itself. I never dreamed anyone could love me the way you do. Know that love is returned in the same way.
You are my life, my reason for being. Without you I would not be where I am today and where we will both be tomorrow and all the tomorrows yet to come. I am going to dedicate my life to healing the sick and to making you happy. The day will come when I can give you everything your heart desires for the rest of my days.
These last years have been hard, especially on you, Emily. We’re going to see daylight soon. I promise to spend the rest of my life making it up to you for all your sacrifices.
I had to write this letter on this last night before we become one in every sense of the word. Thank you, Emily, for being you, for loving me. I will love you forever and ever. My heart is yours, dear Emily.
“That’s beautiful,” Aggie said.
“I’m going to read this every day of my life even though I know the words by heart. When I’m old and gray and sitting in a rocking chair with my grandchildren at my feet, I’m going to show them this and tell them that true love is worth waiting for, worth all the sacrifices that need to be made.”
Ian and Emily settled into their new life with gusto. Atlanta, Georgia, was far enough away from New Jersey that neither Emily nor Ian worried about family visits. Ian settled into the Emory School of Medicine while Emily got a job working at a tacky lounge called Sassy Sallie’s.
Ian studied. Emily worked. The only thing breaking the monotony was Ian’s days off, which were few and far between. Emily found herself working double shifts just so she wouldn’t have to be alone in the tiny apartment they called home. They were making it, though, unlike some of Ian’s married friends who couldn’t tolerate the long separations, the constant workload, and lack of companionship. Three couples had separated, the wives filing for divorce. At each new announcement by Ian, Emily hunkered down and worked more because of the worry in Ian’s eyes. “It won’t happen to us, Ian, I swear it won’t.” Constantly she reassured her husband that they were different and they both understood what was involved when they got