Destiny Ever-Changing (27 page)
"Yes, it is," I mumble, my face buried in Will's shirt. "He's gone, and maybe it's better that way. He needs to concentrate on working everything out with his father anyway."
He pushes me back and looks directly into my eyes. "He loves you. I've never seen him like this before. I promise you, it's not too late."
"Maybe, someday." I kiss him on the cheek, wave goodbye, and continue on my way.
By the time I make it to Nana's house, the moonlight is the only thing left to guide me. I begin fiddling for my keys as I approach, but a dark figure is also approaching me. Just as my fingers wrap around my pepper spray and my heart is beating out of my chest, I hear the sweetest sound in the world.
"It's just me, Laura," Brooks chuckles. "I'm still not a stalker."
I can't think of anything to say, no sort of a reply. I just run—straight into his arms.
He tightens his strong arms around me, picking me up off the ground and burying his face in my hair. "Exactly the response I was hoping for," he whispers and lowers me back to the ground.
"I thought you left!"
"I did. Well, kind of. Once we got to the airport, Dad saw how miserable I was and encouraged me to come back; he didn't want me to give up like he did. And, needless to say, he didn't have to suggest it twice."
"I'm glad you came back. And thank you for the notes, but you were wrong about one thing."
"Impossible. I meant every word I said. No matter what happens, even if you don't truly love me, even if we don't end up together, I love you and I always will."
"But that's the part you're wrong about. I told you a lie yesterday in an attempt to make things easier on myself. I
do
love you."
One corner of his mouth turns up into a partial grin. "What did you just say?"
"I said that I love you."
He moves in closer and slips one arm around my waist. He places his other hand at the side of my head, his fingers delicately weaving through my hair, and he turns my head up to meet his—his lips only a fraction of an inch from mine and his sweet, moist breath tickling my nose.
"I love you, Brooks," I whisper as I reach up to take his face in my hands.
A low growl escapes from his throat. "I love you, Laura."
Unable to take the suspense any longer, we both close the practically non-existent gap between us, and his soft lips graze mine. At first, his delicate kisses cover my mouth and then trail down my neck to my collarbone, but then, he rises once more, pulling me closer and kissing me deeply, his tongue lightly caressing mine.
The white-hot heat between us gradually takes over, sending us both into a frenzy. My hands snake their way up his shirt and explore his solid chest, and his fingers trail up my back, sending chills up my spine.
He forces me back suddenly and takes a few deep breaths. "Woah, we need to slow things down a little. We haven't even had our first date, yet."
"Well," I say, pulling him back to me, "I wasn't going to let anything happen just yet, either." I lean in and kiss him on the cheek.
"But you aren't opposed to kissing before the first date?" He grins.
"Usually, but I'll make an exception if you'll tell me one more time."
"Tell you what?" He's not very good at playing dumb.
Crossing my arms, I raise my eyebrows at him. He scoops me up and cradles me in his arms, gingerly running the tip of his nose from the base of my neck and up to my ear as he carries me toward my room. He gracefully scales the stairs, carefully slips the keys from my pocket, and opens the door, all while I cling to him helplessly.
Then, Brooks gently places me on the couch and positions himself over me. Not even caring about him telling me anything anymore, I pull him toward me, wanting him closer.
He just smiles and caresses my cheek. "I love you, Laura Carey."
Epilogue
One year later . . .
Brooks:
Standing at the front of the church, I'm suddenly reminded of all of those insane dreams I had when I was engaged to Jacqueline, and I look up at the ceiling and laugh to myself, thankful that the puppet masters are gone.
As the piano's melody fills the room, Will and Ashton step into the church auditorium and saunter down the aisle arm in arm, still beaming from their recent engagement. Will had insisted on proposing in front of everyone at the rehearsal dinner last night.
I still think my proposal to Laura was much better. Although, only Laura and I witnessed it. I stressed myself out for weeks, trying to come up with a clever way to propose, but I kept going back to the same idea.
It was just six months ago. I asked her to walk down to the cave with me just before sunset—as we had done many times prior to that evening. We sat in the cave and talked for a bit, all while I tried to mask my fidgeting, shaking hands. I didn't exactly think she would object my proposal, but I had my doubts if she was ready for that kind of a commitment just yet.
Finally, I had more than enough suspense. Taking the flashlight from my pocket, I shined it toward the two hearts painted near the entrance. "Laura, do you remember the day you found the note from me?"
She nodded and grinned. Her eyes darted over to the heart and to the crack above it that once held my note. "Of course, I do," she said, turning back to me. "Best day of my life."
Realizing that she didn't look closely enough, I had to devise a new plan. "Which crack was it? I don't remember."
She snatched the flashlight out of my hand and pointed it at the crevice. "You're such a man. It's
that
one
. . .
uh . . . what is that?" She jumped up to inspect the tiny object glinting in the beam of light. Pulling the ring out of the narrow gap, she gasped and spun around to find me on one knee behind her.
"Do you remember what my note said? I told you that I could only dream to one day have your heart. Laura, please make my dreams come true and be my wife."
After dropping to her knees in front of me, she wordlessly wrapped her arms around me and cried. I didn't know how to take her reaction—she was either happy about the proposal or upset that I'd asked.
Finally, though, she whispered, "I'd love to be your wife, Brooks. And, just so you know, I gave you my heart that day."
And that's how a proposal should be, the kind of proposal I never thought I'd get to make. She did make my dreams come true that day.
After Will and Ashton take their places on each side of me, I begin shaking all over—not nervous but anxious to see my bride—my Laura. Even as the rest of the wedding party strolls down the aisle, I keep my eyes locked on the door. Once the doors close and the wedding march begins, I can hardly contain myself. And apparently, Laura can't contain herself either.
As soon as the attendants reopen the ornate doors, she slightly hikes up the front of her dress and sprints down the aisle, and I run to meet her halfway, picking her up and twirling her around, much to the delight of our family and friends.
Finally, we make it up to alter, and the preacher begins the service, rushing through the ceremony as we requested. Laura and I are nearly jumping out of our skin as he drawls through all of the typical ceremonious dialogue. And within two minutes flat, we race through our vows and exchange rings. Then, I hear the joyous words that I've so impatiently been waiting to hear.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," the preacher says proudly as he joins our hands. "Brooks, you can
finally
kiss your bride."
As everyone in the church laughs raucously at his comment, I am only focused on one task. I fling her lacy veil back over her head and hungrily draw her in to me, her body fitting perfectly against my own. But as my head inclines toward hers, she stops me just short of her lips by placing a single finger over my mouth.
"Tell me," she breathes.
"My dear sweet wife . . . I love you."
"I love you, too." She grabs my jacket lapels and pulls me in for a kiss that causes both of us to forget the world spinning around us.
Laura:
"Honey, I'm so proud of you," Nana beams as she enters the reception hall, immediately inspecting the wedding band on my finger. "And Brooks, too. I'm happy to finally have a grandson."
"Thanks," I say, still euphoric from the ceremony. "I still can't believe I'm Brooks's wife." I think back to the day that I first told Brooks that I loved him, and I realize how those words have transformed my life. So much changed on that night.
"Well, you deserve him. He's a sweet boy, and he's been good for you. I love you both. I'm just going to miss you living with me. I've absolutely loved having you there."
I smile at her, straightening my veil. "Luckily, I'll only be living a mile down the road, so I'll see you every day."
"You two are newlyweds, so I better not see you at all within the next few weeks!"
"I'll try, but I'm not making any promises." I lean over and kiss her soft cheek. "You know, Nana, we wouldn't be at this wedding right now if it wasn't for you. You're the one that encouraged me to read Mom's journal, and I'm positive I wouldn't have ever met Brooks if I hadn't."
Brooks steps up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. "We owe you, Nana. Well,
I
owe you. I have my father back,
and
I just married the most beautiful woman on the planet."
"Now, now," Nana says, "I didn't do a thing. Maybe, you should thank your mom." She winks, hugs us both, and joins my aunt and uncle at their table.
I reach down and touch the locket hanging from my neck. "Thanks, Mom," I whisper.
Brooks nods in agreement. He smiles and takes my hands, pulling me toward the center of the room to share our first dance as husband and wife—our first of many.
The happiness we are feeling right now seems so surreal. It's hard to believe that just one short year ago, we thought fate was out to get us. We thought we were doomed to a life of misery and disappointment. Isn't it funny how a little book can change everything? Looking back, we don't know if my mom actually brought us together somehow, but we did learn one thing about destiny . . . it is ours to change.
Table of Contents
Chapter Two — The Beauty and the Beast
Chapter Four — Mergers and Acquisitions
Chapter Six — The Puppet Master
Chapter Seven — Lost and Found
Chapter Eight — Clearing the Air
Chapter Nine — Following in Her Footsteps
Chapter Eleven — All Out in the Open
Chapter Fourteen — Hard Truths
Chapter Fifteen — Green with Envy
Chapter Sixteen — In the Company of Nakedness
Chapter Seventeen — It's So Over, Again
Chapter Eighteen — Consequences