Here is the story starter sentence:

She felt as though she had just been given a death sentence as he slipped the ring on her finger.

Here is LOVE STORY STARTER #1

Pastor Henderson’s voice came toward me like water rushing through a tunnel.    I gulped down the knot of dread in my throat when Max lifted my hand.  He started repeating the words after Pastor Henderson.  I felt as though I had just been given a death sentence as he slipped the ring on my finger.    I closed my eyes for a moment to allow another face, another smile into my thoughts but Max squeezed my hand and snapped me back.  I knew I had to give my full attention to Pastor Henderson now.   I focused long enough to get through my wedding vows without a stumble.  Later, I posed in front of the altar for a photo shoot with my best friend and maid of honor.

“Are you okay?” Sandra asked

“Yes.” I said, holding onto my smile for the photographer’s camera.

“I wish you hadn’t done this.”   Sandra said.

Her words pushed me out of the pose, and I gave the photographer the time-out signal.  I turned to Sandra taking her hand and led her away into the dressing room locking the door behind us.   I walked across the room to the full-length mirror on the wall and stood in front of it to see if I still appeared the happy bride.   From the mirror, I saw the disappointment in Sandra’s eyes as she watched me.

“Look, you of all people know why I did this.”  I said.

“No, I don’t.”  Sandra said.

“I can’t do it alone.”

“You have resources and support.”

“I don’t want to do it alone.”

“You could have raised your child without this farce.”  Sandra said.  “I’m doing it.”

“But, I’m not you.”  I said.   “I don’t want to raise mine alone.”

“His father was willing to make a family.”

“Yes, but I didn’t want to marry him.” I said.  “He was just a fling.”

“Isn’t that what Max is really?  A fling?  An escape from the one you want but can’t have?”  Sandra walked around and stood next to the mirror facing me.  “You know you don’t love him.”

I looked directly at her face and saw her tight lips.   I knew I could never make her understand.  I just don’t have her strength.

“Look, Max has been a good friend over the years.  He will be a good husband, and he adores my son.   That’s all that matters.”

“That’s what you say, now.”

“That’s what I know now.”

“Ok, I give up.” Sandra said.   She turned and walked toward the door yanking it open.   I walked passed her, and we both stepped out into the hallway.

“Here comes your husband now.” Sandra said.   I saw Max and the photographer coming our way.

Soon we were finally done with all of the posing and posturings.    We rushed to the reception. We walked into the captain’s ballroom to the applause of our guests, and all I could hope for was to keep my smile in place.   After standing in the reception line, dancing with Max and my Dad, my feet ached. I needed a breather.   A restroom break was the perfect excuse.  Even in my wedding dress, I was able to sneak outside and up to the promenade deck.   The health club/spa was dark, but the door to the lobby area was open and offered the refuge I needed.   I sat on the bench farthest away from the door so that I wouldn’t be seen by anyone taking a late night walk.

Sandra was right but so was Max.   There was no reason for me to raise Joey alone.   Max and I had been friends for a long time.  This friendship was a good start.   Wasn’t it?   I’ll learn to love him in time.  Won’t I?

The moonlight gleamed over the calm of the ocean beyond the ship. I wanted that peaceful feeling to embrace me now.

“Hey”.

I jumped at the sound of that voice and turned toward the door.

“Sorry.  I didn’t mean to scare you.”   A tall silhouette said and slipped in the doorway.

“Troy?”   I said.

“Yes”.

“You’re here?”

“Yes.” The tall silhouette said as he walked toward me opening his arms.

I stood up and glided right into his embrace.  Now I was calm again.