Stone Cold (20 page)

“Are you ready to do this?” Phil asked, pulling back and offering his arm.

“So ready,” she said, beaming, as she slipped her arm through his.

Drake’s breath got trapped in his throat as he watched Cassidy walk down the hand-made white silk aisle running along a length of manicured grass between rows of gilded chairs.

It felt like he’d been waiting a lifetime for the day he’d almost convinced himself would never come. After losing his parents, then his grandparents, and being betrayed by his brother, he’d given up on family, believing he was destined to be alone. Until Cassidy walked back in to his life and reminded him that he’d just been waiting for her to find her way back to him.

His life felt complete as he watched Phil kiss his bride and join their hands. Cassidy was his family now. Cassidy and the baby she was carrying. It seemed unfathomable that his heart could swell with so much love for someone he hadn’t even met yet, but he knew the relationship he had with their child would change him in ways he couldn’t even begin to understand yet.

As the minister spoke the familiar words, commencing their ceremony, he was lost in Cassidy. His mind drifted to all of the unforgettable moments they’d shared. The good, the bad, those that felt like they would break him and those that made him feel reborn.

The minister invited Cassidy to read her vows to Drake and he began to fear he would never survive this without breaking down in front of the hundred guests gathered under a massive floral embellished white tent on their manicured property.

A sense of calm and ease seemed to permeate the air around him, letting him know she had no reservations about joining their lives.

“I remember the first time I saw you,” Cassidy said, squeezing his hands. “I was more than a little star-struck.” Smiling, she said, “I thought I knew who you were from the articles I’d read and interviews I’d seen. But I quickly realized you were nothing like my perception.”

Drake listened, mesmerized by her words as she took him back to a day he would never forget.

“You weren’t some heartless guy who only cared about his bottom line. You cared about people. Not just your artists, but their families too. That’s when I realized I was in deep trouble. I was seriously crushing on you.”

Drake smiled when a ripple of amusement moved through their guests. She wasn’t the only one who was infatuated. The day he met her, all other women ceased to exist for him. He became consumed with getting to know her better, and eventually being the one who facilitated her dreams.

“I never, in my wildest dreams, thought a guy like you could love a girl like me.”

It pained Drake to know Cassidy had thought so little of herself back then. She had no idea how much she had to offer, but he couldn’t have missed it even if he tried. She was special, and she drew him to her like a magnet.

“You were everything I wasn’t.” Her voice was choked with tears when she said, “But you represented everything I wanted to be. You were smart, strong, successful… you had it all.”

He wanted to tell her he didn’t have it all until he had her, but he knew his time would come.

“You became the person I modelled my life after.” Offering a shaky smile, she glanced over his shoulder at the friends he’d assembled to stand beside him on this day. “I know that may sound strange, but when I was faced with a tough decision, I found myself asking what you would do.”

He had no idea she’d felt that way, but was touched and humbled by her admission.

“I didn’t have any role models growing up,” she said, quietly. “There was no one in my life to show me a better way. You were the first person I’d ever met who was actually living their dream and through you, I began to dream too.”

Closing his eyes, because he could no longer trust himself to hold it together, Drake sensed flashbulbs going off around them and he knew the select few members of the press who had been invited to the wedding were getting their money shot right now.

“When I came to Nashville, I wanted to be a singer because I didn’t know what else to do with my life. I don’t know if I really believed it was possible though until you convinced me you saw something in me.”

Trying to fixate on anything other than her beautiful eyes, his eyes fell to the sparkly diamond on her ring finger. He knew it would take an iron-will to get through his vows and he was determined to tell Cassidy everything that was in his heart.

“You may not realize this, Drake. But you really are a dream maker. Wannabe singers like me come to this city every day, hoping to make a name for themselves and one word of approval from you changes their lives forever because they know that if you believe in them, they have the talent to make their dreams come true.”

Taking a deep breath, knowing she wasn’t finished with her sweet torture, Drake smiled through his tears.

“You made
my
dreams come true,” she whispered. “Not when you told me I was a talented singer, but when you told me you loved me. I believed that if someone like you could fall in love with me, I must be something special.”

Kissing her hands one by one, he said, “You have no idea how special you are, lady.”

The minister smiled before inviting Drake to share his vows with Cassidy.

“In a lot of ways my life ended the day my parents died.” If anything could have made this day more perfect, it would have been having them there to share his wedding day with him, but he knew they were here in spirit, smiling down because their son had finally found his princess. “And it started again the day I met you.”

A tear slipped down Cassidy’s cheek as she squeezed his hands. He knew she was struggling as much as he was. They were private people and putting their love on display wasn’t easy for either one of them, but he wanted Cassidy to have the fairy-tale wedding she deserved.

“The years in between were something of a blur, to tell you the truth. I remember working a lot, but I don’t remember much else. Relationships weren’t even a blip on my radar because I’d already decided I’d never risk loving and losing like that again. But you changed all that. Falling in love with you wasn’t a choice. It was as natural as breathing, and that’s when I knew you were the one…”

“I love you,” she mouthed.

He smiled back at her, marvelling at how she knew exactly what he needed to hear, when he needed to hear it. “The one I wanted to build a new life with. It hasn’t always been for us, Cassidy, but I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. Losing you made me realize that living without you isn’t an option. You’re a part of me, every breath I take, every beat of my heart, my reason for smiling when I have no reason to smile. You make the worst days of my life bearable and the best days of my life better. So, thank you, for agreeing to be my wife, the mother of my children, my everything.”

He was dying to kiss her, to make their union official, but he dutifully waited for the minister to invite them to exchange rings. His was a wide platinum band with a row of diamonds in the middle and he knew this was the one and only piece of jewelry in his collection that would never come off. He wanted the world to know he was Cassidy’s husband, because in spite of all of the accolades he’d earned in his career and the awards he’d won, the title of her husband was the one he was most proud of.

When their lips finally met to a chorus of cheers as the minister pronounced them husband and wife, the only thought going through Drake’s mind was,
Thank God, she’s mine.

***

By the time Drake linked hands with hers and led her away from the guests who were still dancing, drinking, and celebrating, Cassidy was exhausted. She just wanted to slip into bed and make love to her husband, but she didn’t want to be the one to call an end to the festivities.

“Where are you taking me?” Cassidy asked, leaning her head on his shoulder as he led her to the pool house.

“Have you ever been in here?” he asked, nodding toward the small stone building.

“No, Dora said you were just using it for storage.”

“I was, up until six weeks ago.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, stifling a yawn.

“Let me show you,” he said, reaching for the doorknob.

Cassidy stepped into the most beautiful little sanctuary she’d ever seen. There was a small modern kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, a single bedroom and bathroom and a spacious living room with an office nook. The space was finished with hardwood floors and slate tile, cinnamon-colored walls and soft suede furniture. The overhead lights bathed the space in a soft glow and Cassidy could see it afforded a lovely view of the lit pool.

“This is beautiful, but why did you do all this?”

“We’re having a baby soon,” he said, touching her stomach. “You’re going to need some help if you plan to continue writing music.”

Cassidy was aware her life was about to change in unimaginable ways and while she was so excited about becoming a mother she was afraid of losing the momentum she’d begun to build with her career. “Drake, I don’t want a stranger raising our baby. He or she is going to be my first priority. I want you to know that.”

“I do know that,” he said, hugging her as he nuzzled her neck. “You’re going to be an amazing mom, honey. I have no doubt about that.”

It was important that he believed in her because as excited as she was, she also found her new role a little daunting. “I appreciate that.” Looking around, she said, “I still don’t understand why you did all this.” A knock on the door prompted Cassidy to shift toward the sound. “Who’s that?”

Drake winked at her as he called, “Come in.”

Liz poked her head inside, frowning when she saw them. “I’m sorry to interrupt. Dora said you wanted to see me.”

“I did.” Drake stepped away from Cassidy, reaching for his mother-in-law’s hand. “Liz, I want you to know how proud we are of you. The changes you’ve made in your life are nothing short of miraculous.”

“I’m not the only one who’s come along way, Drake,” she said, softly. They all knew she was referring to Katie, Lee, and Cassidy. “But I appreciate the sentiment. It means a lot to me that I’ve earned your respect. I’ve never seen my daughter so happy,” she said, her glassy eyes resting on her daughter. “And I know I have you to thank for that.”

“She’s changed my life in ways I can’t even begin to describe,” Drake said, slipping an arm around his wife’s waist. “Speaking of life changing events…” His eyes fell to Cassidy’s face and he asked, “Do you mind if I let your mama in on our little secret?”

“Um…” Blushing furiously, Cassidy said, “I kind of already did. I told her and Katie earlier. You don’t mind, do you?”

Drake chuckled. “Just couldn’t keep it to yourself a minute longer, huh?”

Cassidy smiled, grateful that he wasn’t disappointed he wouldn’t be able to share in her mother’s joy. She knew he missed his parents now more than ever and she wanted more than anything to include him in the new relationship she was building with her mother. “I guess not. You’re not upset, are you?”

“Of course not.” Kissing her cheek, he watched Liz take in her surroundings. “You’re probably wondering why I asked you to come down here.”

“I am kind of curious,” Liz said, folding her hands in front of her.

“I thought about all of the things I could give Cassidy as a wedding gift.” Smiling at his wife, he said, “Cars, vacations, none of it seemed appropriate. That stuff doesn’t matter to your daughter, Liz. What’s important to her is the life we’re building together and our new family.”

Cassidy was struggling to hold back the tears and she could tell she wasn’t the only one. Her mother seemed as overwhelmed by Drake’s sweet words as she was. She knew that if they had a daughter, she would want her to one day find a man who loved her this much.

“That new family includes you,” Drake said quietly, smiling affectionately at his mother-in-law. “I hope you know that.”

“It’s so sweet of you to say that,” Liz said, sniffling self-consciously. “Cassidy was a huge part of my recovery and I know being apart for so many months was difficult for you, Drake. I really appreciate the sacrifice you made. Letting her go couldn’t have been easy for you.”

“I’ve never really let her go,” he said, dropping a tender kiss on the corner of Cassidy’s mouth. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to. This woman owns my heart, Liz, and she always will, no matter how far apart we are.”

“We’ll never be that far apart again,” Cassidy said, slipping her hand under his black blazer so she could rub his back. “I can promise you that.”

“You don’t know where your career is going to take you yet, sweetheart,” he said hesitantly. “And I want you to be open to the possibilities. Whatever you decide is right for you, we’ll find a way to make it work.”