Troubled Waters (The Lake Trilogy, Book 2) (24 page)

“You’re the closest thing I have to a brother, so I think it’s fitting.” Luke’s endorsement is all that’s needed to change the mood and begin moving us to some level of normalcy. Marcus is dead, so things will never really be the same, but we can at least move on knowing that the threat of being found out is over.

The doorbell rings and Wes excuses himself to identify our unexpected guest. I suppose he’ll always be on duty. “It’s Holly,” he says when he returns.

“I’ll wait for you on the dock.” Will kisses me quickly before he exits through the back door and swiftly disappears through the Spanish moss.

“Hi,” she says quietly as she enters with Wes at her side.

“We’re so sorry for your loss, Holly,” Claire offers. “Would you like something to drink or eat?”

“Thank you, but, no. I’m leaving tomorrow. I’ve identified the body and he’s going to be cremated, so I’ll be taking his ashes home.” Holly’s voice is small and sad.

“I’m really sorry it ended this way,” I tell her. “I never wanted Marcus to get hurt.”

“I don’t blame you, Layla. Your intentions were pure. Next to me, you were the only person in Marcus’ life who took him for who he was. Everyone else has used him as a pawn in some twisted game. And, unfortunately, the people really responsible for Marcus’ demise will never be made to pay for what they’ve done.” She pauses, sighs, collecting her thoughts. “If it’s any consolation, he really did care about you.”

“I know he did.”

“I’ll let myself out. Thank you for all you did…tried to do…for Marcus. And, Layla…maybe one day we can be friends. We must have something in common if Will cared for both of us.”

“Thank you, Holly.” I nod knowing that I can never be her friend. Will is very much alive so there’s no way I can let her into my life in any capacity. I feel badly about that. As hostile as I was with her at our first meeting, she proved to be helpful. She filled in the missing pieces, and her phone call to Marcus bought Wes and his team some time in getting to me.

Holly leaves and I immediately make my way to the dock after closing the door behind her. I push the last vine out of my way and find Will seated quietly, his feet dangling over the edge.

“Hey,” I say, getting his attention.

“Hey,” Will responds but doesn’t turn around.

“Are you mad at me?” I ask him as I take my shoes off and sit next to him.

“I’m not mad, Layla. I was scared. When Furtick called and told Luke what happened, I thought I was going to lose you forever. Marcus was so unpredictable. I don’t know what you were thinking.” Will’s eyes lock on mine and I can see the pain and fear he’s pouring out.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but…now you have an idea of how I was feeling. Only…for all I knew, you were really gone.” I take his hand in mine, caressing along the top by his knuckles. Will’s eyes fill with sadness for the pain he caused me and I squeeze his hand to let him know that I’m really ok. “I had to try and reach him, Will. After our conversation in the garden, I understood the pain he was experiencing. You experienced it, too, but…you at least had your mom. Marcus didn’t have anybody. Holly was there for him, but she couldn’t be responsible for his emotional wellbeing. Everyone gave up on him, Will, and I just couldn’t do that.”

“I understand. It doesn’t change the fact that I was scared out of my mind. But, I understand. You’re just so incredible. You were so brave today.” Will pulls me close and I rest my head on his shoulders.

*****

Waking up this Christmas morning was absolutely the best. Luke and Claire invited Will and Eliana to spend the night after a light Christmas Eve meal. Eliana slept in my room while Will and I slept in the Great Room in front of the Christmas tree. We stayed up until after midnight just so we could be the first to officially tell the other Merry Christmas.

As I lay on the couch, stretching and rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I see Will, laying there on the floor next to me and know that I have already received the best Christmas gift ever.

We ravage through our gifts in a much less orderly fashion than Luke, Claire, and I did last year. Last Christmas Claire made me wait to open all of my gifts, giving me my cherished Kindle as a grand finale.

There are no big gifts this year as I think we were all a bit preoccupied with the whole situation with Marcus, but the clothes, jewelry, and small electronics being unwrapped are a huge hit with everyone. The fact that we’re all together truly is gift enough.

While I’m relishing in the glad tidings we’re all enjoying, I can’t help but think of Holly. I know her parents aren’t mourning the loss of Marcus as they should, but I’m sure Holly is huddled under a dark cloud on what is supposed to be day full of joy. I think for a few minutes about calling her, but decide against it. As much as I owe Holly for the distraction she caused, enabling Wes and Luke to come to my rescue, inviting Holly to be a part of my life is out of the question.

Luke sent Taylor and Cline home to be with their families, discharging them from their service to us with a nice retirement package. With Wes a permanent fixture in our family, we’ve got all the extra muscle we need. Even though there isn’t an imminent threat to me or to our secret anymore, Luke still has Wes in his employment as our private security. It feels a bit silly to have him employed by us…it’s not like we’re the Kennedys or anything…but it’s nice to know that he’s staying.

I think Eliana is glad he’s staying as well. I’ve watched her get a little more comfortable, and a little more flirtatious, with him over the last few weeks. Wes seems lighter now, too. It’s great to see Eliana embracing who she is and feeling safe enough with Wes to show that.

We fill the day with cooking and music and games. Wes has a booming laugh that no one saw coming, but we’re so happy to receive it. I crush Will and Wes in Monopoly and take a victory lap around the kitchen, landing in Will’s arms just as Claire announces that it’s time to eat.

As we gather around the table it’s hard to not take note of how cozy Eliana and Wes are.

“So what’s up with your mom and Wes,” I whisper to Will.

“I don’t know, but they’re going on a date on New Year’s Eve. It’s so weird to see her with someone like that. I’ve never seen her so happy!” Will whispers back. His lips brush against my ear and I feel a tingle of joy come over me.

“It appears that all is right in the world again, huh?” I say to Will, smiling uncontrollably.

Claire puts the last dish on the table and she and Luke take their places at the heads of the table. I look at all of us seated around the feast and feel the sting of tears welling up in my eyes. This is my family. We have all travelled such rocky paths to land where we are. It feels as though we all give a collective sigh of relief knowing that peace is finally upon us.

“Claire, the roast is to die for! What did you do to it?” Eliana asks as she puts another fork-full in her mouth. Claire says Turkey is for Thanksgiving, Ham is for Easter, and Roast is for Christmas.

“You’re going to laugh, but it really is the easiest thing in the world! I put a packet of dried French Onion Soup mix on it, then about a cup of water. I cover it in the pan and cook it on 250 for eight hours. About halfway through I throw the carrots, potatoes, and onions in. I’m so glad you like it!” Claire has done her fair share of internet searches for easy and impressive dishes in her quest to become a better cook. We experiment with different food quite a bit, but she took it on as a challenge to herself. I must say that she’s really outdone herself!

“I’d like to make a toast,” Will says, pushing his chair out and standing. “This is a very special holiday for me. For the first time in, well, ever, I am seated at a Christmas feast with the knowledge that
each
person around this table loves me. Each of you has sacrificed more than one could ever expect from another person.

“Luke, Claire…you made Layla and me being together possible. Without your support, I’m not sure where we would be. You have given me so much encouragement and guidance. I just don’t know how to thank you.

“Furtick…Wes…you saved my life when you saved Layla’s. I will forever be indebted to you. No words or deeds will ever be enough to thank you.

“Mom…” Will starts but begins to get choked up. “Mom…you gave up everything for me. You never left me and you did everything you could to protect me. You are so much stronger than you ever gave yourself credit for. Watching you over the last six months…I’m just so glad that you’re finally seeing that.

“And Layla…the love of my life. We’ve been through
so much
over the last 18 months that I can’t believe you’re still here with me. I will do my best to make the next 18 months as completely uneventful as possible. I couldn’t be a happier man. I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, baby.” I stand up and kiss Will sweetly, joining in his toast. “I couldn’t agree more with every word. To family!”

“To family!” everyone echoes.

Eliana and I pack up all the left overs, setting some aside for her and Will to take home, although I’m not sure why since they’re both at the house all the time. It used to be just Will, but now that Eliana and Wes are getting close, she’s here just as much as Will.

The girls wash the dishes while the guys get the Great Room cleaned up. We tidied up some, but it still looks like Christmas threw up in there. Once everything is done we reward ourselves with coffee and dessert around the fire pit on the patio.

“Isn’t this lovely?” Eliana remarks.

“Yes, it’s just perfect!” I say. “Best Christmas ever!”

“Not yet, it’s not,” Will says.

Will stands, followed by Luke who goes over to the end of the patio near the door to the porch and flips a switch I didn’t know was there. All of the sudden the trees surrounding us light up with white twinkling lights. Not just on one tree or even in one section, but every single tree in the back of the house is lit. I look at Will who is standing at the step of the dock holding out his hand and a surge of nervous excitement shoots through every fiber of my being.

“C’mere. I want to show you something,” he says.

All eyes are on me and I’m speechless. I follow him, taking his hand. As we move along the dock I’m overwhelmed. The lights carry through the thick trees and are strung and wound around the Spanish moss like icicles. Between the chillier air and the sparkling lights, Will has turned this place into a kind of winter wonderland.

When we reach the end of the dock I’m just as mesmerized. There are white lights wound around the railing with white tulle. Everything is softly glowing and reflecting off the water. It’s the most magical scene I’ve ever witnessed.

“Oh, Will!”

“Don’t say anything…not yet,” Will instructs before taking a deep breath. “Layla, when I met you I was in a lonely place, but you brought me out of it. You gave me so much to look forward to. You gave me hope. But these last six months…they were some of the worst of my life. I had to let you go, and just when I got you back, I almost lost you.” Will takes another deep breath and looks at me with his intense blue eyes. “But I don’t want to talk about the past anymore. We’re on the threshold of a new year, and I can’t think of any better way to end this one.”

Will drops to his knee and takes my hand in his. I gasp and cover my mouth with my free hand. Tears well up and overflow from my eyes, running in a steady stream down my face.

“Layla, when you came into my life I expected nothing but maybe a good friendship to come of it. But, somewhere along the way I realized everything I ever needed was standing right in front of me in you. I want you. I want your beauty and poise. I want your flaws and mistakes. I want your strength and resiliency. I want your incredible smile and that infectious giggle of yours. I even want your sarcasm. I want everything that is you because…I want you. There are eight billion people in the world and
you
are the
only
one I want.

“Layla Michele Weston...I was born to tell you I love you…will you marry me?”

I open my eyes and find my hand resting on the pillow right in front of my face. I smile as I’m greeted by the sparkle of the engagement ring Will gave me just a week ago. It really is the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. It was Claire’s grandmother’s wedding ring. When Will told me that, I think I cried harder than when he proposed. The white gold setting has five diamonds set across it, with a woven pattern along the front and back. It is exquisite and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t love it more.

I was shocked at Will’s proposal. I mean, I’ve known for a long time that Will and I are going to get married one day, I just thought he’d wait a bit longer before making it official. But, proposal now, or proposal later, there was only one answer I could give him. And even though I starting crying uncontrollably, I was able to squeak out a resounding
yes
.

So much for making the next 18 months as uneventful as possible!

Will is asleep again on the floor next to the couch where I am stretching myself awake. We stayed up to watch the ball drop in Time Square and all the festivities unfold. A few of our favorite bands were playing, and there were awkward on-air proposals, along with the continued training of Ryan Seacrest who will one day take over the whole event from Dick Clark. We ate junk food and toasted with Luke and Claire to a promising New Year.