Emerge into Forever

by Andrea Michelle

  The story for Riley and I is being written in a strange order, but in the end, we’re together and that is all that matters. We only have one step left.

  I decided a week ago sitting beside Riley that this was what I wanted forever. I needed her for a lifetime.

  I awoke to the sound of music playing on the piano and felt it wrap around me like a blanket of loveliness. I walked to the living room finding Riley sitting behind the piano wearing a dark purple silk nightgown, lost in its melody. She stole my breath. Her beauty captivated me. Her eyes were shut as I sat down beside her. She didn’t say anything. She just rested her head onto my shoulder and continued to play.

  “That was beautiful. I’ve noticed you play it a lot. Is it special to you?” I asked her, after she stopped playing and turned to me.

  “It’s called Without You by Mattia Cupelli. I don’t know its real meaning, but I find it tells our story. It’s sad and mournful, but I feel like redemption and healing is heard, too. Love is lost and then found again. At least, that is my interpretation of the song. It’s like us.”

  I stared lovingly into her gorgeous eyes and mentally thanked God for our second chance at happiness.

  “You’re so beautiful to me,” I told her.

  She smiled, “You make me feel beautiful.”

  Our soft breaths became warm and the moment changed. She reached her hand to my cheek and studied my eyes, tracing my face with her gaze. I closed my eyes, leaning into her touch that was so sweet and genuine. I felt her lips graze mine and reached around her waist to guide her to straddle my lap. I kissed her deep and full of emotion.

  She released my lips and we sat still, lost in the moment.

  “Do you want me to teach you how to play?” she asked, turning around and sitting on my lap to face the piano.

  She took my hands and placed them on the keys, then placed her delicate fingers over mine. Something about that moment was so sensual, so beautiful.

  “Like this?” I asked.

  She nodded and moved my fingers, teaching me the different notes on the piano just as I had taught her on the guitar. When I realized the song she was guiding my fingers to play, I smiled.

  “Is this Sad Song by We The Kings?”

  She turned her head over her shoulder, “Yes, another that I think is so like us.”

  I began to sing the song and she followed in the next verse. We sang and played together. It was beautiful. It turned into a night of music like many others had become since we had moved in together. I grabbed my guitar and sat on top of the piano as she played. She had told me that In My Veins by Andrew Belle was one of her favorite songs that I’d sung. I laughed when she admitted to secretly recording me from her bedroom window. We heard a version with Erin McCarley one night when we were on youTube and fell in love with it. So, that night we sang it together. I loved making music with her. There was something so personal about it, so intimate.

  I put the guitar down as she climbed onto her knees in front of me, placing her hands onto my legs, then up my chest and around my neck. “I love you so much, Joshua Parker. More than I ever thought it was possible to love a person.”

  I fell in love with her again that night. I pulled her body onto the piano and lowered her down onto her back. Caressing her face and memorizing every feature she was blessed with. “I love you, Riley Shaw. Always and forever.”

  I needed to kiss her. That intense desire to press my lips against hers and savor the taste of her was always so strong when we were alone. I lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her softly at first, but slowly becoming more demanding. She moaned as my hands glided up her legs and underneath her nightgown. We ended up making love on top of that piano shortly after, christening the instrument of music. I knew in my mind that for the rest of my life, she would be mine. No more sad songs for us. Just love.

  I smile at the memory, and wave at her holding our daughter, not knowing what I’ve been planning since that night. I watch her mouth move as the words, “That’s your Daddy. Mommy thinks he’s a hottie,” leaves her lips. I smile so wide and wink at her. She always gets flustered when I do that. Warmth envelops me at the thought of still giving her butterflies.

  We’re doing a sound check and going over the new song we’ve been rehearsing without words of course. One, Riley has never heard this song for a reason. The music has always spoken when words fail. I’m combining this notion and making my intention very clear.

  I have a band now, which is sort of strange, but kind of cool. I was glad my label agreed to let me play here locally in our hometown. It’s my thing and it’s come full circle. Finally.

  “You nervous?” Collin asks as he comes up to the side of the stage.

  I shrug. “Not nervous about her answer, no. Nervous I screw up the question, yes.”

  He grins and bumps fist with me. “You’ve got this. She’ll say yes. It’s been you since y’all were kids. This just makes it final,” he says.

  I get waved over as it’s almost time to start so we say our goodbye’s and he goes to sit down next to his goddaughter and my future…um…wife maybe.

  I shake my head and wipe away the nerves. I don’t get nervous. I feel almost a euphoric high when I’m on stage, drunk on the adrenaline and music. Today, though…today, I’m jittery. Shaking my hands to get the blood to flow and remove the numb feeling I have in them, I try to listen to the directions being given to the band and I. The blood is roaring in my ears, though, and my heart is beating loudly like a marching band. I’ve got this. I can do this and she will be surprised and happy.

  I introduce myself and smile. “Welcome!” The crowd erupts into cheering. “I’m Joshua Parker and so very happy to be here again this summer.” More cheering. It’s still so strange to me.

  “I have a few songs to share with you and maybe a surprise song up my sleeve,” I say chancing a glance to Riley. Her eyes are now looking at me curiously, then rolling when I wink at her. Her mouth curves up into a crooked bashful smile. It’s adorable.

  I play the set and the time comes for me to lay my heart on this stage and pray that the brunette with lovely blue/green eyes walks over here and picks it up. Holding it in her palm and telling me, yes…forever.

  I glance to the drummer and he begins the beat. The beat of my heart and my words to her. This song

  Listen up baby, there's no maybe

  You're my girl and I'm your guy

  This might sound crazy, but see here lately

  I've been thinking bout a future where you're my wife

  I broke a promise and broke your heart

  Lost you too soon when life pulled us apart

  We fought so hard and our time came around

  Lasting love was what we found

  You’re done running

  I’m no longer chasing

  You let yourself fall into my arms

  No longer a fool

  No longer scared

  We’ve been caught up in this storm

  Here’s the thing, I’m not going to lie

  I want more when I look into your eyes

  I see our child and know that you’re mine

  A question rolls around and I think that it’s time

  Forgiveness and hope lives in our hearts

  A beginning chapter for our forever to start

  We fought so hard and our time came around

  Lasting love was what we found

  You’re done running

  I’m no longer chasing

  You let yourself fall into my arms

  No longer a fool

  No longer scared

  We’ve been caught in this storm

  So, tell me baby.

  Do you think that maybe

  You want to be my wife?

  Cuz, I’m done pretending

  I want you for the rest of my life.

  I place my guitar down and reach into my pocket walking to the front of the stage and hopping off. I hear gasps and oooh’s and ahhh’s. I ignore it all.
My eyes are set on her. She has tears in her eyes and a shy smile. My microphone is attached to my headpiece and the entire world on this field can hear me.

  I get down on one knee and grab her hand. “Riley Shaw, I’ve spent my entire life loving you and you continue to amaze me every day. That love only grows and creates beautiful creatures like our Gummy Bear, right there.” I grab Hope’s toes, “Hey, baby girl. Daddy loves you,” I say making her mouth open in a wide happy smile. I look back to her momma. “But, baby, I want this to be real and right. I want to see you walk down an aisle and say the words that give us forever. I want to love you for the rest of my life and then some.”

  Her knees grow weak and she kneels down in front of me, placing Hope on the blanket beside her. I grab her cheeks and wipe her tears with my thumbs. “Will you marry me, pretty girl?”

  She tackles me to the ground and I fall to my back laughing as she kisses me on my mouth, my cheeks…everywhere. The crowd is cheering and giggling. “Is that a yes?” I ask.

  She sits up onto her knees. “It’s a hell yes. Yes, yes, yes!” I slide the ring on her finger and claim those pretty pink lips in front of everyone.

  Our forever is going to be so beautiful.

  Mrs. Riley Parker and our Gummy Bear—happily ever after.

  THE END

  Please, show your support for this author by leaving a review. Thank you.

  This is the end of the series for Josh and Riley, but it will never be the end of them for me. These characters are embedded so deep in my soul that I am struggling to say goodbye to them I want to write their every moment for the rest of their lives, of mine. They are in my veins. They bleed from my heart, and I hope that they have moved you as much as they have me. Thank you for embracing them with love and kindness.

  You are cordially invited to the wedding of Josh and Riley. A short novella will be available soon. Ever After will be the exchanging of vows for Josh and Riley and the honeymoon. Thank you for joining me on this ride of highs and lows. I hope you enjoyed it.

  Enjoy an excerpt with a glimpse into the future.

  This is happening. This is finally happening. I look around the field at the faces of our close family and friends and smile, almost breathless. I didn’t care that this wasn’t a church, or somewhere fancy that is decorated with flowers with candelabras. No, I didn’t care one bit because this was our spot by the lake.

  The lake is a place that has so many memories for us. She gave herself to me here—her heart and her body. Today, I give her my soul. I give her a lifetime of new memories to be made. Today, I will be making a promise to love and cherish her through sickness and health; through the good and the bad till death do us part. We will exchange our own poetically written vows.

  Clear Christmas lights hang from the tree, our tree, and tea light candles line the walkway to the pier by the lake where I am now standing impatiently for my bride. In the distance is a white tent where we will later gather to celebrate, sing our duet and dance as husband and wife. Even the tent is lit with clear lights and tea light candles. It’s perfectly simple.

  Simplicity isn’t something neither she, nor I have had, but this…this is the one simple thing we’ve done since we fell in love. I’m holding my breath and my heart is pounding in my chest to a rhythm for the butterflies in my stomach to dance to. I can’t wait to see her. I know she will be beautiful. Breathtaking. Precious. And mine.

  Her beautiful blue/green eyes will lock with mine and we will be connected as one, mind, body and spirit. She will mouth the words, “I love you,” as she walks to me. “I love you. I love you. I will always and forever love you.” I will say it over and over again. I will never, ever let her forget it. Not for even a moment. Never again.

  It’s the part of the night when the sky is an array of colors as day turns into night—pinks mixing with orange and violet. The stars begin to twinkle, this time with promises of forever and always for us.

  We’ve escaped the world of doubt and shame. We’ve left the past behind and now we’re here emerging into forever. A beautiful forever where I give her everything and she gives me yet another gift I will cherish.

  Author recommended books:

  For Nicky, A Torey Hope Novel Book 1 by A.D. Ellis

  Elizabeth Decker views herself as shy, totally average, and pretty much insignificant. She’s nothing special, at least not compared to her little sister, Audrey. Elizabeth is content with her plain and lonely future; she’s too insecure to contemplate a relationship thanks to her sister. Audrey is a bombshell and uses this to get what she wants. She’s a girl who will stop at nothing to control anyone and everything around her. She craves power and doesn’t care if she has to hurt Elizabeth to get it.

  Nathaniel Morgan has spent his whole life fighting for his twin brother, Nicholas. Somewhere along the way, he lost himself. Now he’s just getting by. He’s devoted to his family, but emotionally detached from the women he burns through like wildfire. He has no plans of getting into something as complicated and committed as a “relationship.”

  Nicholas Morgan has placed the new librarian, Miss Elizabeth, on a pedestal and is begging her to meet his twin brother, Nathaniel. Elizabeth and Nathaniel agree to meet, for Nicky. Both are caught off-guard when unexpected sparks fly between them. This was not in their plans. Will Nathaniel and Elizabeth be able to escape a past that still plagues them? Or, will the past, suspicions, and insecurities come between them one too many times?

  **This is a contemporary new adult romance. It should only be read by ages 18+ due to adult themes and situations. This book is a stand-alone but should be read before book 2 in the series.

  Because of Beckett, A Torey Hope Novel Book 2 By A.D. Ellis

  You met Audrey Decker through Nate and Libby’s story in For Nicky, A Torey Hope Novel Book 1. This is Audrey’s story. It is highly suggested that you read For Nicky before reading Because of Beckett so that you can be emotionally vested in Audrey’s story.

  Audrey Decker is a mean girl, a bitch, a bully. She has no plans to stop treating people badly and she’s definitely not going to stop using sex as power. But when she ends up in therapy against her wishes, an ugly and painful repressed past is uncovered and Audrey’s world is tipped on its axis. Everything she thought she knew, everything she thought she was, is all changing.

  Jeremiah Jordan returns from serving two years overseas with a detached and hardened heart. When his world is rocked with unexpected news and difficult challenges, Jeremiah faces them head on. He’s comfortable with where he is right now; he has his parents close by and his son is his world. He definitely doesn’t have time for the hassle that has always accompanied dating in the past. He doesn’t have it in him to put effort into forming relationships that may just hurt him or his son again.

  A chance encounter, second chances, and a little boy who believes in learning from mistakes is all it takes to bring Audrey and Jeremiah together. However, deserving a second chance and taking that second chance are two very different things. Learning from mistakes and letting go of the past may be easier said than done. Can Audrey and Jeremiah push through the pasts that are haunting both of them or will their romance wither and die under the weight of it all?

  Because of Beckett is a story of love, forgiveness, and second chances.

  **Recommended only for ages 18+ due to harsh language, adult situations, and mature themes. Certain pivotal points of Audrey’s history may trigger unpleasant memories for some readers.**

  Forgive Us Our Trespasses (Redemption Book 1)

  M.L. Steinbrunn

  How long would you wait to be with the one that you love? How much of yourself would you hide in order to keep them?

  Brooks knows the moment he meets Vivian that he will do whatever it takes to protect her, even if it means leaving her. Running from his past, he spends the next decade trying to forget the shattered heart that he left behind.

  Is there any betrayal worth the cost? Are there some sins that cannot be forgiv
en?

  After a lifetime of rebuilding the walls guarding her heart, Vivian confronts the harsh reality that some fortresses are not meant to stand. Winding through a gray fog of disappointment and deceit, she must conquer her deepest fears to accept the love she believes she is too unworthy to have.

  As the paths of these two battered hearts cross once more, together they seek redemption for their sins. However, when the secrets of their pasts come knocking on their door, forgiveness and love will be tested, and they will be forced to answer the question: “When the lies run out, will the truth finally set you free?”

  Forgive Us Our Trespasses is an adult contemporary novel and is not intended for younger readers due to mature content.

  Lead Him Not into Temptation (Redemption Book 2)

  M.L. Steinbrunn

  Jennifer MacLauchlan is not who you think…

  I’m damaged, but not destroyed.

  I’ve been betrayed, but I remain loyal.

  The only people I love don’t know the secrets I hold. They wouldn’t want me anymore if they did.

  Casen Thompson refuses to acknowledge the world that left him behind…

  I may be tattered, but I’m not torn.

  I’m trusted by many, but I have faith in very few.

  My love for music and the desire for the family I never had is the glue that holds my shattered soul together.

  When these two volatile personalities collide, a firestorm of emotions erupts forcing both to face the fears that keep them from everything they have ever wanted. Secrets are unearthed and forgiveness is tested as Jen struggles to accept that Casen might be everything that could fix her.

  Will Jen trust herself enough to truly lead Casen into a temptation that he can’t walk away from?

  Lead Him Not into Temptation is an adult contemporary novel and is not intended for younger readers due to mature content.

  Silver Series by E.J. Shortall

  These stories contain mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. They are intended for readers 18+