One String Attached

61.

.Riley.

"Can I please take it off now?" I ask James, a blindfold covering my eyes as he guided me through to whatever he had planned. He stood behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist from behind while we walked, him directing the way. His head rested by the crook of my neck and after two or so more steps, I feel him smile against me as he kisses my cheek and then whispers into my ear,
"Now you can."

The moment I take it off, I look around me to find we were stood on the grass, surrounded by a bunch of cameras all circling us and pointing in mine and James's direction.
There were one or two photographers stood in the corner, talking amongst themselves, and then confusedly, I turn my head around and look up at James as he held me by the arms to keep me balanced.

He smiles down at me and then leans his head forward, his nose brushing against the tip of my own softly.
"Happy fourth wedding anniversary," he whispers, moving his hand to hold mine, giving my palm a gentle squeeze and twiddling my ring around my finger. He kisses me lightly before pulling away and then looking into my eyes which were stunned and full of shock . . .

He shakes his head partially and then sighs, his soft smile remaining on his face.
"It's okay," he tells me, nodding. "I know you've had a lot on your plate lately and a lot to think about with Bryson and everything so I understand if you forgot," he whispers. I shake my head at him, smiling softly and wrapping my arms around his neck.

This wasn't like when we were teens and we forgot our three year anniversary of dating. This was something else. I wouldn't forget a wedding anniversary. Not if the earth was crumbling down.

"Who said I forgot?" I chuckle softly, before passing him a piece of paper filled with the words of a poem I had written for him.
"Did you write this?" he asks after unfolding it and looking over the words across the page. I roll my eyes at him, laughing slightly.
"Yes, James. I'm more than just a pretty face," I tell him, making him smirk a little before he begins to read over the words.

Our anniversary means a lot,
So much more than any other day;

Because today's the day I celebrate my love for you,
And cherish you in every single way.

You hold my heart so tight to your chest,
Even when I want to back away I can't.
You make me release my fists and form two palms,
You calm me down and know how to enchant.

Through passing time our love still grows,
A caring relationship we're still yet to explore.
We've had our ups and downs through time.
But you don't know what it means to be able to call you mine.

I could say I've loved you since I was only four.
But I find my love for you only seems to grow more and more.
It's cheesy, I know, but it's all so true.
You're the only one I've ever been this close to.

I love you.

Love, Riley Xx

"I love it," he tells me, folding it up once again and then smiling down at me. "I love you," he adds, creating a domino effect as I smile back at him before he presses our lips together.
When we pull away, I raise an eyebrow, gesturing towards the cameras that had been set up all around us.
"Soo," I whisper. "Care to explain?"

He smiles down at me, keeping his arms wrapped around me. "Do you remember what we did on our honeymoon?" he whispers to me tenderly, holding me close to him.
It takes a moment for me to catch on, but when I do, I smile.
"Photoshoot?" I inquire, and he chuckles, nodding his head.