Following Bliss (The Quest series) (15 page)

Daniel
continued, “I think you’re right. I think Shelby is the one for me. But I don’t
know how to do this—I’ve never even lived with a woman. I spent so much time
protecting and cutting myself off from women after I lost you that I’m clueless
now. I didn’t feel worthy of giving and receiving deep love from a woman. I’m
going to need a lot of help and guidance with this.”

As he said this,
the face of an intuitive BodyTalk healer that Daniel had seen before popped
into his mind. He hadn’t thought of her in months, but Gabby was quite gifted
and had been a big part of the reason why Daniel made the leap to getting his
studio and focusing solely on his writing.

“Are you telling
me to schedule a session with Gabby for help with this big transition I’m in?”
Daniel couldn’t believe how quickly the image had popped into his mind and how
sure he felt that his mom—right here in broad daylight, in the middle of a condominium
property—was communicating with him.

The wind came
through again, covering Daniel’s entire body with chills.

“Okay, got it. I
have a resource to help me with next steps. Thank you mom. You are seriously
the best. I only wish I had realized I could have been communicating with you
for the past 11 years. Better late than never though, right?”

Daniel quickly
felt the breeze again, only this time it seemed to circle him, as though his
mother was wrapping her arms around his body, hugging him.

# # #

Shelby wasn’t
home more than a half hour when her doorbell rang. After five hours on a plane,
she was less than thrilled. The only thing she wanted to do was meditate, take
a sea salt bath, and go to bed. But, that, apparently was not in the cards.

“Kathryn? What
are you doing here? You didn’t even call!” Shelby said as she opened the door
to find Kathryn standing in front of her, a bottle of sparkling white in one
hand and bridal magazines in the other.

“I figured that
what you needed after five days with a man you clearly love…” Kathryn pointed
her finger at Shelby as she walked in the door, “And don’t even bother arguing
with me, I could feel the love energy emanating all the way from Maui. What you
needed was some good girl time with me and
Bride
magazine,” Kathryn
flopped down on the couch, dressed in her typical getup—workout gear of black
leggings, a sports bra (today was purple), a white v-neck, three-quarter sleeve
T-shirt and a purple (Kathryn was a huge fan of the color) sweatshirt.

“What, did you
just get back from the gym? And now wine and bride stuff?” Shelby was having
trouble hiding her irritation.

“Um, yeah,
post-workout meal. I figured you would have some Maui chocolate and macadamias
to go with this feast for rockstars. And don’t give me attitude; you know
you’re dying to discuss how you’re doing your hair at my commitment ceremony,
along with how excited you are to bring Daniel as your date.”

Shelby couldn’t
help but crack a smile. She
had
picked up some macadamia nuts and chocolate
for Kathryn, and while she hadn’t officially asked Daniel to the commitment
ceremony, she planned to. And she really was dying to talk to Kathryn about her
revelation that he felt like the guy for her, but that she didn’t even know
what to do with that realization.

Grabbing the bag
of chocolate nuts, along with two glasses, she joined Kathryn on the couch.

“Okay, you got
me. But less about my hair and more about the fact that I’m totally head over
heels for this guy. I want to move in with him and spend my life staring into
his gorgeous blue eyes. What is wrong with me?” Shelby moaned as she
instinctively opened the bag of chocolates, taking a handful and giving the bag
to Kathryn.

“Now, that’s
more like it Shelby!” she said playfully rubbing the top of Shelby’s head,
mussing her hair. “You’re getting to the good stuff now. Trust me, I know about
the love-induced freak-out. I had a big moment with Scott where I was like, “I
can’t do this!” And found myself ogling some stupid waiter. When you meet the
guy, it can bring up all sorts of stuff. But, that’s okay. You’ll work through
it.”

“And how exactly
do you suggest I do that? I almost found myself saying, ‘Hey, since your lease
is coming up on your studio and I’m ready to quit my job to go for my dream,
let’s merge our happy little solopreneur lives together.’ On the airplane ride
home, I realized I was in big trouble. Sure, I always thought I would end up
with one person for the rest of my life at some point, but it suddenly seems
like that rest of my life person is coming to me fast. But, Daniel is too
fantastic of a man for me
not
to consider a future with him.”

Kathryn sank
back into the couch. “I get it girl. But know this, there
is
one man in
this world that will make you want to believe in spending the rest of your life
with one person.  Besides, you can’t think of it like that—it’s too
overwhelming. It’s choosing him every day.”

“How do you know
you’re going to choose Scott every day? Because having a commitment ceremony,
getting married, whatever it is that you’re doing, is saying, ‘Hey
everyone—look at the person I’m going to spend forever with!’”

“Okay, first of
all smarty pants,” Kathryn said as she poured them both a glass of wine. “We’re
having a commitment ceremony, because we feel that the institution of marriage
has too much negativity attached to it. It’s not the kind of energy that we
want hanging over us or in our relationship dynamic. There’s all this charge
around divorce, and the roles of ‘husband’ and ‘wife.’ We understand that when
we come together in a relationship, our souls have a contract. It may last a
lifetime and it may not. But either way, relationship is a sacred contract that
we want to honor. So, instead, we’re creating a ritual of our own to
commemorate our commitment to one another. Commitment is energetically a very
powerful statement to make to yourself, one another, and the people you love
most in the world—not to mention the Universe. And with a commitment ceremony, we
are free to create it in the way we want, so that we don’t fall prey to
carrying out the roles we saw our parents or other loved ones emulate. We can
create a partnership that truly honors each other as individuals and as a
couple.”

Shelby held her
hand up in mock defense. “You don’t have to explain it to me, but since you
did, it sounds lovely. I just never know how to explain it to people. Anyway,
please continue, as I know you have much more to say on this topic…”

Kathryn grinned.
“Damn right I do,” she held her glass up for a toast. “And as far as how do I
know I’m going to choose Scott every day? It’s simple—I don’t.” Kathryn took a
sip of wine. “But, what I do know is that I’m going to wake up every morning
and set the intention to be the most loving, giving, kick-ass person I know.
And I know that if I’m being that full expression of myself, that Scott is the
only man for me. So, no matter how irritated I get or whatever is coming up for
me, he’s the one I’m meant to do it with. I can feel it deep in my soul. And
that, missy,” Kathryn was pointing at Shelby again, “is worth a million
commitment ceremonies.”

Kathryn’s eyes
had grown misty and Shelby could feel the truth in her words. No matter what, Kathryn
knew that Scott was her choice, the one she was meant to walk today’s path with—and
whatever the future held, they would both honor it with the sacredness that
they were entering into their lives together with. Shelby took a sip of her
wine as she felt her heart expand, knowing Daniel was the same for her as well.

Chapter 9

Daniel’s studio
felt oddly different when he returned. As he tossed his keys on his desk, he
had a strange feeling like his home no longer belonged to him, but to someone
else.

He tried to get
comfortable, but nothing seemed to work. He tried lying down, but sleep
wouldn’t come, even after his long flight. Instead he felt antsy and restless,
as though he needed to be doing something else. He sat up and tried to meditate,
but again, his mind went elsewhere—writing novels and thinking about Shelby. They
had texted briefly when he landed, he let her know he had arrived and planned
to rest, and then would call her. Nothing more.  

As he sat on his
bed, pillows propping him up as he leaned against the wall, legs crossed, palms
face up, and eyes closed, he replayed some of their magical time together in
Maui. He was forever changed by the two weeks. Now, what? His connection with
Shelby felt stronger than merely a girlfriend. He felt an undeniable urge to
merge his life with hers. Could they move in together? He had never lived with
a woman before, but if he was going to do it, he knew Shelby had to be the one
to do it with. Even so, taking that kind of step made Daniel nervous. He was in
uncharted territory.

He looked back
at his last text from Shelby.

Don’t worry –
do what u need 2 & let’s chat when ur feeling up 2 it. So glad ur back! And
so ready to b in ur arms. Xoxo

Shelby was like
an angel to Daniel. An angel that he may have missed had his mother not come
through from the other side to guide him. But, now what? Could he just jump
into living together with her? Did that mean he wanted to marry her? He had to
write. Sitting in “meditation” wasn’t doing him an ounce of good, as his mind
spun round and round. He hopped off the bed and meandered over to his desk and
his computer.

Daniel closed
his eyes and placed his hands over the keyboard, just as he had done the week
before the Willamette Writers Conference and just as he had done in Maui.
Somehow, his fingers knew exactly the story that needed to come out. A few
pages in (he was around Chapter 8 of 11 in his new novel), Daniel began
noticing that his character Phillip was at a crossroads that wasn’t too unlike
what he was experiencing in his own life.  Sure, it was the late 1800s, but a
man still battled with the pull to do his work and create a family. Daniel’s
character had a heart. He loved Jasmine, but also felt called to the open road.

Was Daniel
feeling the same thing? Was there more that he was feeling called to beyond
Shelby? His mind was so enmeshed in possibilities that he had to keep
writing—there was nothing else for him to do. He had to let whatever the answer
was for Phillip (and possibly him) come through. This was not something he
could figure out with his mind. Two hours later, his fingers stopped moving and
Daniel felt complete. Phillip now knew what he was going to do and the choice
he had to make, and so did Daniel.

With that, he
picked up the phone and called Shelby.

# # #

“I love you.”

Shelby had
barely said “hello” when Daniel immediately interrupted her. He said it again
in case she didn’t catch it the first time.

“I love you.”

“Well, hello
there. I love you too. You doing okay?”

“Shelby, I am
fantastic. I spent two hours working on my novel. The characters are winding
down, they’re making their choices and it’s great. Really great. When can I see
you?”

Shelby laughed.

“You’re cute.”

“Thank you. So,
do you want to come by my place, say, in about an hour?”

“I would love
to, however, I am otherwise predisposed. I’m not sure if I mentioned it to you
or not, but my closest friends, Kathryn and Scott, are having a commitment
ceremony next weekend and so I am helping the not-bride bride tonight with the
other not-bridesmaids bridesmaids for last-minute preparations and such.”

“Oh wow, that’s
so sweet of you. You’re going to be at it all night?”

“Let me say
this, we’ve got two bottles of red, some dark chocolate, and place cards, so
yeah—it’s gonna be a long night. “

“Do you need any
boy help?”

Shelby laughed
again. “You are seriously. The cutest. Ever.”

“I know. And
thank you.”

“Well…there is
one thing I do need.”

“Anything,”
Daniel wasn’t sure what he was opening himself up to, but something about connecting
with Shelby’s energy made him come alive.

“I do need a date
to the not-wedding wedding next Saturday. Are you available for that? Say
around 4-ish?”

“I thought you
were going to ask me to do some difficult man stuff like fix a carburetor or
something. Date with a beautiful woman to a love-centered event? Done and done.
I’m there. Just tell me what to wear and I’m yours.”

“Perfect! This
not-wedding wedding is totally casual; you could get away with khakis and a button-up.
I will be standing up with the not-bride bride, so I’ll be decked out in head-to-toe
pink. Save your cheering for later. Hopefully, you won’t mind being with the girl
who looks like a bottle of Pepto-Bismol,” Shelby laughed. She wasn’t sure when
she was ever so giggly with a man. But, something about the energy between her
and Daniel made her giddy.

“I actually like
Pepto-Bismol, so you’re all set. And please let me know if there is anything
else I can do to help out, okay?”

“Absolutely. And
Daniel?”

“Yes, Shelby?”

“I love you.”

# # #

Kathryn and
Scott’s big day arrived quickly. Fortunately, Shelby wasn’t entirely wrapped up
with not-wedding wedding duties all week and managed to sneak in a dinner with Daniel
the night before. They played it low-key, choosing to spend time after dinner cuddled
up on his navy blue couch, rubbing each other’s feet, which eventually turned
into full body massages. Shelby couldn’t help but think about exactly this
(particularly when Daniel was lightly kissing and caressing her back as she lay
face down on his bed, softly moaning from the pleasure of it all) as she walked
down the aisle with William, Scott’s not-groomsman groomsman.

“You okay,
Shelby?” William whispered out of the side of his mouth.

“Yeah, I’m fine,
why?” Shelby whispered back.

“You’re walking
kind of fast, so wasn’t sure where your head was at.”

Shelby took a
deep breath and slowed her pace.
Focus, Shelb,
she scolded herself.

Kathryn and
Scott’s commitment ceremony was a simple affair, but elegant and lovely all the
same—much like Kathryn and Scott.

Fortunately, the
Universe had blessed them with a sunny and clear, yet crisp November 11 day, so
they were able to hold the ceremony outside. White chairs lined the lawn at Delia’s
Garden and a white trestle accented the stage area where Scott and Kathryn
would profess their love to one another. As Shelby walked up the aisle, she managed
to spot Daniel, who was sitting on the groom’s side, watching her, video camera
in hand. Daniel’s offer of help had come in handy when Kathryn’s previous video
support fell through. It also kept Kathryn from having any sort of not-bride bridezilla
moment, something Shelby and everyone else was grateful for.

Damn, he
looks good,
Shelby thought as she walked past him, smiling. She felt like
the most blessed girl in the world. After her conversation with Kathryn, she
felt more certain than ever before that moving forward with Daniel was what she
wanted. She didn’t care if dating for a little less than two months was too
soon—she knew in her heart that he was the one for her. All the synchronicities
and the visits from his mother only further supported what she felt was true in
every cell of her body, mind, and spirit.

Shelby snapped
back to reality as Kathryn walked down the aisle. She couldn’t believe how
stunning Kathryn looked, her champagne lace fitted gown hugging her slender
body in all the right ways. She looked over at and Jess and Audrey who were
doing their best to fight back tears. Tears poured down Scott’s face as he watched
Kathryn come toward him as Gavin DeGraw’s “Follow Through” played softly in the
background.

Shelby looked
around, as many of those in attendance also wiped away tears. And it wasn’t
solely from the sight of Kathryn or even the tenderness of the loving lyrics.
There was an energy enveloping all of them. Shelby felt the hairs on her arms
and on the back of her neck stand on end as goosebumps covered her. Just then,
a slight breeze blew through the garden. Shelby made eye contact with Daniel.
Something was brewing…and she was sure Daniel could feel it as well.

“Kathryn and
Scott have asked you all to be here today to join with them in this beautiful
ritual to co-create their life together,” said the officiant, a woman in her
mid-forties with long, flowing, amber locks and a form-fitting navy dress that
made her look like a goddess sent from another world. “Each of you has offered
something meaningful to the lives of Kathryn and Scott, and so you are here to
bear witness and hold space for their loving union.”

The officiant
paused, and Kathryn and Scott squeezed one another’s hands tightly, both of
them now with tears streaming down their faces. Kathryn leaned in, placing her
hand on Scott’s face, kissed him, and whispered, “I love you.”

Shelby felt her
eyes well up with tears. The love between them was so heartfelt, it was
impossible not to join them in this expression. She looked out into the audience
and noticed that everyone was riveted and feeling the intensity of love and emotion
between Kathryn and Scott.

The breeze
picked up again and the officiant raised her hand to offer a blessing.

“We call on
Mother, Father, Earth, Gaia, God, Goddess, Loved, and Lover to bless this union
between Kathryn and Scott.” The wind picked up, blowing the woman’s amber locks
behind her as Kathryn and Scott moved in closer together to hold one another,
their arms wrapped around each other’s waists. “May their love cover the far corners
of the earth and may its blessings reach all with whom they come into contact.
May they truly know love as it has been created and may that love set them
free. May all the elements surround Kathryn and Scott, supporting their love
journey together, and may the heavens and all the physical and non-physical
beings in it and here on earth, join together to show their love and support
for this union.”

The wind blew
with a forceful gust, leaving behind a soft whistle that sounded a lot like an
“Amen” from beyond. The audience must have picked up on this as well, as
everyone instinctively replied with an “Amen.”

Before she knew
it, tears also fell down Shelby’s face, while chills covered her entire body.
She could feel the energies around them—it was as if they were all standing in
a circle around Kathryn, Scott, the officiant, Shelby, Jess, Audrey, William
and the other two not-groomsmen groomsmen. She glanced briefly over at Daniel,
who sat motionless, his mouth slightly open in what Shelby assumed was awe.

Kathryn and
Scott looked at one another, pressing their foreheads together, noses touching,
their faces beaming.

“And so it is.
Your loved ones, in physical and non-physical form, are here with us today to
offer their unified blessing for this sacred union.”

By the time
Kathryn and Scott spoke their vows to one another, there was not a dry eye in
the garden. Shelby was overcome with emotion, as much as she teased Kathryn
about her not-wedding wedding, it was only now that she fully understood what
Kathryn had been trying to tell her all along. The vibration was so high, the
non-physical support, along with all of their loved ones in physical form
supporting them, that Shelby now understood why it could not have been a
traditional wedding.

The love between
Kathryn and Scott was not only of this world. It was of lifetimes and it was a
love that would go on forever, no matter what the outcome, extending even
beyond their current lives. This was not something a legal document could
contain. It was not something a government could reign over. It was beyond pen
to paper—it was eternal love.

# # #

Daniel was
astounded at the commitment ceremony happening before him. Shelby looked
stunning standing beside her closest friend, and the garden seemed to be
vibrating with such powerful energy ever since the woman with the amber hair
began presiding over it.

Around the time
when Kathryn and Scott were reciting their vows, Daniel felt a hand on his
shoulder. He looked up suddenly, but no one was there. He closed his eyes and
heard his mother’s voice.

Beautiful
ceremony, isn’t it? It’s time that the union between two souls be honored at
the level it is deserving of.

Daniel smiled.
She was always so eloquent with the way she spoke. She continued.

You know that
this is next for you and Shelby, don’t you Daniel?

Daniel
inadvertently looked up. She wasn’t anywhere to be seen, but her voice and
touch was so strong, it felt as though she was right there with him.

While in
man-made time, you and Shelby have not been together long, you have, in truth,
been together for many lifetimes, which is why it feels so natural to move in
together even now. Do not worry about what others think or say Daniel. Honor
what is in your heart.

Daniel took a
deep breath. While he had always felt he would someday commit his life to
another, he was never fully certain of what that would look like for him.

Haven’t you
found it odd that your writing soared from the week of the writers’ conference,
where you met Shelby? And then from the very minute you met Shelby, everything
in your life has expanded? Your confidence increased, your writing flowed, even
money has been coming to you effortlessly since she entered your life. The
Universe is always communicating with you, Daniel. We, those of us on the other
side, are always communicating with you, Daniel. Shelby is your destiny point.