I placed the laced veil over my eyes, pulling it at places until it laid flat. I scanned my dress in the mirror and shook out the back of my hair. I'd always dreamed about getting married ever since I was a little girl. Exchanging vows on white sand with the sounds of the ocean in the background, a gorgeous wedding dress, all of my family and friends. I sighed as I stared at myself back in the mirror.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and I looked over my shoulder to see my mother standing in the doorway. I gave her a warm smile as she took a few steps in, her heels clicking against the bamboo floors.

"You look beautiful." She said as she appeared in the mirror behind me. "But I do need my veil." She chuckled. I took one last look in the mirror, comparing her crisp white dress to my short rose one.

That's right, my mother was about to get married to the man I mistook as our realtor nearly 3 years ago. Over the years Dan really filled the spot of the fatherly figure, although it did take me a little while to warm up to him, I'm really glad that I did. My mom has never looked happier and more glowing than she does today.

"As do you." I returned the compliment as I handed back the lace piece to her. She adjusted it on her head with ease, something I was not very skilled at. The sun peaked through the window and reflected off her diamond ring with every move she made. Dan was very successful as well as my mom, so cash was rolling in and they sure did impress me with the ring. She turned to me and gave me a sheepish smile, grabbing the sides of my shoulders.

"You know Michael is coming." She slowly said. I nodded my head at her, tugging my lips to the side.

After over 2 years, Michael and I had broken up a little over 8 months ago. And it was over the most ridiculous thing. We'd finished our 'honeymoon phase' and had been fighting for days straight. I was the one to call it off and to this day it has been one of the worst mistakes I've made. I grew up with fighting and screaming and decided that I didn't want that with Michael, so I left. And he never chased after me.

"I haven't seen him since." I told her, scrunching up my nose.

"Maybe this is the time to change things." She suggested. I shrugged my shoulders and looked down to the floor.

"I better get out there before people start wondering where I am." I breathed out. My mom pulled me into a tight hug luckily just as I felt the lump in my throat which she was able to get rid of. "I love you." I spoke over her shoulder. She pulled back with the biggest smile I've seen.

"And I love you more. Get out there." She nodded towards the window and out to the beautiful beach scenery. My mother may have also used me as an inspiration for her wedding.

I stepped out of her dressing room and out into the cool evening air. The sun was just about to set and instantly regretted bringing a jacket. I was about to walk down the aisle and to my seat right in the front row when I realized I was the last person to show up. I searched the rows of chairs for any familiar family members, but was more caught by the familiar white hair peaking through the crowd.

I took a deep breath and crossed my arms in attempts to rid my goosebumps. I walked down the aisle and up to the front row with the feeling of Michael's eyes on me the whole time. I was sat just at the end of the row and to my luck, or maybe not my luck, Michael was sat right behind me.

In full truth, I'd never gotten over Michael. And I don't think I ever would. I don't know Michael felt about all of it since we haven't made a sliver of contact since we broke up, but I guessed he was over it, or well, me.

Music began playing, signaling that my mom was preparing to come down the aisle. Everyone's head turned to the back and to where people started lining up to walk down. I couldn't help but glance at Michael and take notice that his arm was wrapped around the chair next to him that a family friend was sat in. My eyes trailed along his arm, stopping at his hand where he had tattooed a lighthouse on his thumb.

I had been so focused on Michael that I hadn't noticed people were beginning to turn around. I slowly looked back to Michael's face just as he turned back around. My eyes met his for a second and it was as he expected for me to be there looking at him. I swallowed and quickly faced forward and let my hands drop in my lap. I looked down to my bare thighs, running my thumb over the same small lighthouse I had tattooed into my thigh.

The ceremony had finished sooner than I had expected and I stayed put as I watched my family and a few strangers pile out. There was a bit of commotion and I wasn't in the ideal mood to deal with chaos, even after I just witnessed one of my mother's happiest moments of her life.

I stayed put in my seat and soon enough I was the only one left on the beach, still sat in my same chair. I sighed to myself as I texted the three same girls I've had as best friends and asked them about their trip to London that they've been planning for what seemed like years. I was invited along but as you can tell, I had a wedding to attend and there was no way I was going to miss this for anything.

I smiled as my screen lit up with their ridiculous pictures they'd taken along the way. Just as I began to reply back, I felt a weight on my shoulders then a feeling of warmth. I looked to the side to see a black jacket draped over my arms and as I looked the other way I found the owner of the jacket. He had his hands tucked into his pockets as he walked over to me, sitting down in the chair next to me.

"You looked a little cold." Michael spoke. I raised my eyebrows and nodded my head once, not exactly sure if I was ready to talk to him or let alone face him. Which I really had no choice now. He inhaled deeply as he rested his ankle over his knee and slung an arm around the back of my chair. "How have you been?" He asked. I looked up from my lap and moved my hands to the sides of my chair.

"I've been alright." I replied, gripping tighter as I watched the waves crash down. "And you?" I built up the courage to turn to face him, looking him dead in the eye. In the first split second I could see him collapsing on the inside whether it was said or not. I knew Michael all too well and with just a look it was all over. I knew he'd missed me just as I missed him.

"Just as good." He said, looking out ahead of him just as I was moments ago. He cleared his throat, sitting up straight this time. "So, um, I know this probably isn't the best time, but I didn't know when I'd ever see you again and I thought it would be the best possibility-" He stopped himself once he saw the small smile growing on my face from his rambling. He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. "I just wanted to apologize." He finally spat out. I waited a few moments to let myself process his apology before giving him any reply.

"You shouldn't have to apologize." I told him. He reached over to me, resting his hand on my thigh. I glanced down to see our lighthouse tattoos pairing up perfectly then back up to him. All I could think about was the quote he explained for me: 'Bright eyes shine for lost souls.' That was the reason for the tattoos, we were each other's light houses. We had pieced each other back together.

"I do." He assured. "I was just scared."

"So was I." I admitted right after he finished.

"And being scared shouldn't be an excuse for me, or anyone. Everyone uses that excuse. It has no meaning." He explained. He let out a sigh, taking his hand off my leg and placing it over my own. "I guess what I'm trying to get at is that I want to give this another try." He said. I blinked a few times at him, trying to get out an answer for him.

"I-I don't know." I stammered. The song 'Goodnight Moon' had just began playing from the tent behind us where everyone else was gathered. I had fallen in love with song over the years almost as much as I had fallen in love with Michael.

"You remember this song. I know you do." He stood up in front of me and held out his hand. I reluctantly took it as slipped on the suit jacket once I stood up after him. He led us over right to where the water would creep up onto the sand. He took my hand in his and hand another on my waist as mine fell on his upper arm. The music was faint in the background, but was just loud enough to keep a pace for our swaying bodies.

"We haven't done this since we were 17. I'm getting too old for this." He chuckled. I had missed his laugh dearly and was something I longed for. It was like a sense of relief washing over me.

"You haven't even turned 21 yet." I told him as I clung to him tighter. He looked down at me then out to the water.

"What's your point?" He questioned, his smile being fought back. I rested my head on his shoulder, inhaling the same smell of mint and cigarettes. I remember I stopped pestering him about the nasty habit a few months after I returned home. "So how about giving this, us, another go?" He asked again. I picked my head up from his chest and was finally able to stare back into the comforting green eyes I'd yearned for more than anything.

"I'd love to."