Cecelia Ahern - P.S. I Love You

She pressed the button and breathed a sigh of relief, closing her tired eyes. She didn't even feel angry with Daniel, in fact, in a really childish way, she was glad he had done something to stop them from having their little chat. So she had been dumped and not the other way around, as she was expecting. But Daniel couldn't have been that much in love with her, she reasoned, if he was able to get over her and go back to Laura so quickly. Ah well, at least she didn't hurt his feelings . . . but she did think he was a complete fool for taking Laura back . . .

“Are you getting in or what?”

Holly's eyes flew open; she hadn't even heard the elevator doors open. “Leo!” she smiled, stepping in and hugging him. “I didn't know you were coming down!”

“I'm doing hair for the queen bee today,” he laughed, referring to Denise.

“Is she that bad?” Holly winced.

“Oh, she was just in a tizzy because Tom saw her on the day of her wedding. She thinks it'll be bad luck.”

“Well, it will only be bad luck if she thinks it's bad luck,” Holly smiled.

“I haven't seen you for ages,” Leo said, glancing at Holly's hair and making it very obvious.

“Oh I know,” Holly moaned, covering her roots with her hand. “I've been so busy at work this month I just haven't had time.”

Leo raised his eyebrows and looked amused. “Never did I think I would ever hear you say those words about work. You're a changed woman.”

Holly smiled and was thoughtful. “Yes. Yes, I really think I am.”

“Come on, then,” Leo said, stepping out onto his floor. “The wedding isn't for another few hours; I'll tie your hair up so we can cover those awful roots.”

“Oh, are you sure you don't mind?” Holly bit her lip, feeling guilty.

“No, I don't mind at all.” Leo waved his hand dismissively. “We can't have you ruining Denise's wedding photos with that head on you, can we?”

Holly smiled and dragged her suitcase out of the elevator after him. That was more like it, for a minute there he was just being too nice.

Denise looked at Holly excitedly at the head table of the hotel's function room as someone rapped a spoon against their glass and the speeches began. Holly fumbled nervously with her hands in her lap going over and over her speech in her head and not even listening to what the other speakers were saying.

She should have written it down because now she was so nervous, she couldn't remember the start of it. Her heart beat wildly as Daniel sat down and everyone applauded. She was next and there was to be no running into the toilets this time. Sharon grabbed her trembling hand and assured her she would be fine. Holly smiled back at her shakily, not feeling at all fine. Denise's father announced that Holly was going to speak and the room turned to face her. All she could see was a sea of faces as everyone stared up at her. She stood up slowly from her chair and glanced over at Daniel for encouragement. He winked at her. She smiled back at him and her heartbeat slowed down. Her friends were all there. She glanced down the room and spotted John sitting at a table with his and Gerry's friends. John gave her the thumbs-up and Holly's speech went out the window as a new one formed in her head. She cleared her throat.

“Please forgive me if I get a little emotional while I speak but I am just so happy for Denise today. She is my best friend. . . ,” she paused and glanced down at Sharon beside her, “ . . . well, one of them.”

The room laughed.

“And I am so proud of her today and delighted that she has found love with a wonderful man like Tom.”

Holly smiled as she saw tears fill Denise's eyes. The woman who never cried.

“Finding someone you love and who loves you back is a wonderful, wonderful feeling. But finding a true soul mate is an even better feeling. A soul mate is someone who understands you like no other, loves you like no other, will be there for you forever, no matter what. They say that nothing lasts forever, but I am a firm believer in the fact that for some, love lives on even after we're gone. I know a thing or two about having someone like that, and I know that Denise has found a soul mate in Tom. Denise, I'm glad to tell you that a bond like that will never die.”

A lump formed in Holly's throat and she took a moment to compose herself before continuing.

“I am both honored and petrified that Denise asked me to speak today.”

Everyone laughed.

“But I am delighted to have been asked to share this beautiful day with Denise and Tom, and here's to them having many more beautiful days like this together.”

Everyone cheered and reached for their glasses.

“However!” Holly raised her voice over the crowd and held her hand up to silence them. The noise died down and once again all eyes were on her.

“However, some guests here today will be aware of the list that a marvelous man thought up.”

Holly smiled as John's table; Sharon and Denise cheered. “And one of those rules was to never, ever wear a 'spensive white dress.”

Holly giggled as John's table went wild and Denise broke down into hysterics remembering the fateful night when the new rule was added to the list.

“So on behalf of Gerry,” Holly said, “I will forgive you for breaking that rule only because you look so amazing, and I will ask you all to join me in a toast to Tom and Denise and her very, very 'spensive white dress, and I should know, because I was dragged around every bridal shop in Ireland!”

The guests in the room all held up their glasses and repeated, “To Tom and Denise and her very, very 'spensive white dress!”

Holly took her seat and Sharon hugged her with tears in her eyes. “That was perfect, Holly.”

Holly's face beamed as John's table held their glasses up to her and cheered. And then the party began.

Tears formed in Holly's eyes as she watched Tom and Denise dancing together for the first time as husband and wife, and she remembered that feeling. That feeling of excitement, of hope, of pure happiness and pride, a feeling of not knowing what the future held but being so ready to face it all. And that thought made her happy; she wouldn't cry about it, she would embrace it.

She had enjoyed every second of her life with Gerry, but now it was time to move on. Move on to the next chapter of her life, bringing wonderful memories with her and experiences that would teach her and help mold her future. Sure it would be difficult; she had learned that nothing was ever easy. But it didn't feel as difficult as it had a few months ago, and she assumed that in another few months it would be even less difficult.

She had been given a wonderful gift: life. Sometimes it was cruelly taken away too soon, but it was what you did with it that counted, not how long it lasted.

“Could I have this dance?” A hand appeared before her and she looked up to see Daniel smiling down on her.

“Sure.” She smiled and took his hand.

“May I say that you're looking very beautiful tonight?”

“You may,” Holly smiled. She was happy with how she looked, Denise had chosen a beautiful lilac-colored dress for her with a corset top that hid her Christmas belly, and there was a large slit up the side. Leo had done a beautiful job with her hair, pinning it up and allowing some curls to tumble down onto her shoulders. She felt beautiful. She felt like Princess Holly, and she giggled to herself at the thought.

“That was a lovely speech you made,” he smiled. “I realize that what I said to you was selfish of me. You said you weren't ready and I didn't listen,” he apologized.

“That's OK, Daniel; I don't think I'll be ready for a long, long time. But thank you for getting over me so fast.” She raised her eyebrows and nodded over at Laura, who was sitting moodily on her own at the table.