The Promise

by Ford, Mia

  Jamie juts his chin out confidently, making me feel very proud of him. “I’m telling you not to kick Lydia out. I know that you don’t approve, you’ve made that abundantly clear to me before, but I like her.”

  I’m not sure how much I like the fact that Jamie knew about his father’s dislike of us as a couple and he didn’t really tell me. It makes me feel very uncomfortable, but this isn’t the time to query that.

  “You like her like you do like all the others, don’t you?” Mr. Vardi waves his hand in the air dismissively. “She’s just the latest one on a very long list. You’ll get bored of her soon enough, why cause a row?”

  His words feel like a slap in the face. If I wasn’t frozen to the spot, I’d probably stagger back.

  “I won’t get bored of her.” Jamie moves to my side to show his support. Unfortunately, all that really does is bring the attention back on me. “I love her, Dad, this isn’t just a thing.” He turns to give me a smile which I simply cannot return. “I am in love with Lydia and I want to be with her forever.”

  Mr. Vardi isn’t blown away by his son’s declaration, he simply snorts with derision and shakes his head. “You are ridiculous. Do you not even understand how crazy this is? You’re too young for this sort of decision?”

  “No.” Jamie shakes his head vigorously. “I know it might sound like it to you, but it isn’t. It shouldn’t though, I mean, weren’t you pretty young when you met Mom? Couldn’t this be the same?”

  Mentioning his first wife was definitely a mistake, Mr. Vardi’s face becomes even angrier. My shoulders hunch up around my ears in panic while I wait for the next batch of yelling. Surely this is going to cause an even bigger screaming fest than before? If we hadn’t put the final nail in the coffin of Jamie and I before, it was sure as hell there now. We were done. No way in hell that Mr. Vardi would allow us to happen.

  “This is not the same,” he hissed. “Don’t you dare compare at all.” He moves closer to us and I can physically feel myself recoiling. “If you continue on with this relationship then your inheritance is done.”

  A thick oily silence clings to the air. I guess this is it, the moment we work out whether or not where we’re going next. Of course, I would much prefer this to be a conversation between Jamie and I in a calm, collected environment where we can both put our sides of the plan across, but I guess that isn’t happening.

  “I don’t want the inheritance,” Jamie finally declares with a loud pride. “I want Lydia.”

  Mr. Vardi’s eyebrows shoot up into his skull. I guess he wasn’t expecting this as much as I wasn’t. Jamie’s words are reassuring, I guess he does really love me, but I don’t know if he’ll follow through.

  “If you’re serious about this, then I want you to pack your bags right now, and I want you out.”

  He leaves the room and I turn to stare at Jamie with a shocked expression. “Now what?” I plead. “What do we do now? That was crazy. Have you lost your freaking mind?”

  He laughs loudly. “You have no idea how good that felt, to finally stand up to my dad.” He wraps his arms tightly around me and pulls me closer to him. I crash against his body and lean into him. “And we move on. That’s okay with you, isn’t it? It’s not like you want to stick around here, is it?”

  I think of my dad briefly, but I know he’ll be happy for me to do whatever I need to.

  “No, but are we really going to manage it with no money? Not that it’s all about the riches, but we’ll need something to survive.”

  He kisses me gently, making my chest swell with love. “I have it all planned out, trust me.”

  “You do?” I can’t help but be a little doubtful, this is a massive step he’s asking us to take. “Really?”

  “I promised you, didn’t I? I promised you, and I’m always one to stick to my promises. I thought you trusted me.”

  “I do trust you, of course I do. I’m just scared that all the odds are totally stacked against us.”

  “Oh, they are.” Jamie tosses his head back and laughs. “But we’ll make it. I’m confident about that.”

  I wish I could share his confidence, but I suppose I’ll just have to wait and see. It won’t be so bad trying something new anyway, I don’t want to be stuck in a bubble for ages. If opportunities aren’t coming my way, then I guess I’ll just have to make them happen. With Jamie by my side, it doesn’t feel so scary, chasing after an adventure. Maybe it’ll even be really fun, who the hell knows?

  And what’s the worst that can happen if it all goes wrong?

  No, probably not a good idea to think of that.

  “Okay.” I nod determinedly. “Let’s do this.”

  He holds me to him again, and something really important flows between us. An expectation, a promise for the future. I’m absolutely filled with a wonderful anticipation.

  10

  Jamie

  Six Months Later…

  “Are you ready for this?” I ask Lydia happily while snaking my fingers through hers. “This is a pretty big step. There’s still a lot of time to back out if you want to… I would hold it against you though. To be honest, I don’t think I would ever forgive you. I might end up really upset… not that this is a guilt trip or anything.”

  She rolls her eyes and snickers at me. “Sure, sure. It’s far too late to start worrying about moving too fast now, isn’t it? We told each other we loved one another after a few weeks, not long after that we were forced to move away so we chose to live together in the city all alone with only each other to rely on, and if that wasn’t enough… well.” She rubs her hand over her slightly swollen belly and smiles brightly at me. “Now, we have a baby on the way. So, yes, it’s too late. Even if I wanted to back out now, I couldn’t. You’re stuck with me.!

  But as she pushes herself up onto her tiptoes and she presses those gentle lips up against mine I can see she doesn’t mind. Of course all the odds were stacked against us in the beginning, but Lydia and I have gone from strength to strength every single day, and our love just keeps on getting better. We really are perfect. I wouldn’t want to be ‘stuck with’ anyone else in the whole world. When I knew that she was the one, I was right. My instincts were very much correct and I’m so glad I stuck to them. Even when others didn’t agree with me.

  “That dress looks really nice on you,” I comment happily as I look her up and down, enjoying the lace detailing that runs up the sides of her body and over the top of her cleavage. “White suits you.”

  “Oh, this old thing?” She gives me a wink. “I thought I better wear it today since we’re eloping.”

  “Could we really get married anywhere else in the world, other than Las Vegas?”

  I glance around, looking at all the twinkling neon lights. This is perfect for my wedding. I might have grown up with a whole lot of money, but that doesn’t mean I need the lavish lifestyle. I’m happily learning to do without. Well, not totally without. It isn’t like Lydia and I are struggling for cash. Ever since I got a job at one of the top advertising firms in the city, we’ve been doing pretty well. And I like that money too, because it’s mine. I haven’t had it handed to me, I’ve earned it which feels amazing. I’m good at it too. Really good. I’m working my way through the company, doing really well as I do. It’s awesome. I love it, I finally feel like I have a purpose.

  “Where is my dad anyway?” Lydia looks over my shoulder. “He should be here by now.”

  Lydia’s father is surprisingly very accepting of us. Ever since he learned that he would be able to keep his job he hasn’t had any issues with us at all. In fact, he’s been the only one to help us out when things have been tough. Luckily, that period didn’t last for too long. He desperately wanted to come and see us tie the knot. My father, less so, but that’s fine, I don’t blame him. His own romantic journey has been a very complicated one. He’s in the middle of yet another divorce, and this one is really costing him because of the twins, so I suppose making up with me and finally seeing that I’m as happy
as I’m ever going to be isn’t the top of his list.

  Hopefully, getting rid of Sandi will be a positive thing. She was never any good for him. Now, maybe he’ll start looking for someone that he can actually love like he did my mom. I don’t see it though. I have a funny feeling that it will be a vicious cycle that he can’t get out of. At least, not for a very long while.

  It’s okay, I don’t need to be the top of his list anymore because I’m the top of Lydia’s always. And now that we’re about to have a child I have a big old list of how not to be a parent which I’m sure will be very useful. I won’t be anything like my father, I refuse to be controlling, I’ll be involved but not overbearing.

  “He’ll be here,” I reassure her gently, while kissing her head. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

  “Good because I’m growing impatient. I’m ready to be your wife already.”

  She didn’t want to take my name at first, which I can understand after the massive deal that my father made of it. He acted like the name meant everything, that it was the name of the royal family or something. But it isn’t. It’s just a name to the rest of the world, but it’s my name and I want Lydia to have it. I want us all to have the same name when the baby is born. We’re going to be a family in every sense of the word. Thank goodness she finally saw it from my point of view. It’s a way to unite us, where it could’ve divided us.

  It still crushes me that I almost didn’t stand up to my dad that day, purely out of shock. He almost crushed me down and squashed me once more. Thank God I had enough love in my chest to allow me to finally speak out. It damaged my relationship with my dad, but it wasn’t really there anyway so it doesn’t matter.

  “Hey there, guys!” Lydia’s father calls happily. Much to our surprise he has a woman on his arm. That’s something I certainly wasn’t expecting! I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with anyone before. “Sorry I’m late, but I was just talking to this lovely lady, Mary is her name. She actually lives near us. Can she come to the wedding?”

  I give Lydia a curious look, wondering if she’s going to be okay with this. I think she will, I know that she’s keen for her dad to move on with his life, especially since we don’t live anywhere close enough anymore. So, it isn’t a surprise when she laughs happily and nods. She’s so happy in the middle of our love story that she doesn’t mind who her father falls for. Or hangs out with as the case might be since they probably aren’t going to move at the speed of light like Lydia and I. I do know that she wants him to be happy too, so why not in Vegas.

  “Sure, the more the merrier.” She nods enthusiastically. “Shall we go in already? It’s time to get wed!”

  Lydia takes my hand and she drags me into the cutesy Vegas chapel that she’s chosen for us to get married in. There are a couple currently in a ceremony at the moment so we take our seats out in the hallway while we wait. Lydia rests her head against my shoulder and she leans into me, trusting me once again. I love the fact that Lydia has always been more than willing to put her faith into me, even when it’s terrifying and she doesn’t have to. Like when we moved away. She really didn’t have to do that, it was me who threw my life away, but she allowed me to take control of everything and thankfully I was able to prove her right. I did okay in the end, and I know I always will. Now that we’ve been through that I can have trust in myself too.

  “We’re going to be parents soon,” Lydia mumbles while running her hand over her stomach. “That’s crazy.”

  Our little miracle wasn’t necessarily expected, it wasn’t in the plan for us to end up pregnant but again, it happened and we’re happy about it. My life used to be so structured in a way that I didn’t like, so this freedom to simply see what happens is awesome. I have a great belief in fate now, everything happens for a reason.

  “I know.” I touch her belly gently, my heart swelling with joy as I do. “I really can’t wait.”

  At that moment, we’re called into the chapel and its time. I search inside myself, waiting to see if any nerves are finally about to kick in but nothing happens. I’m nothing more than ecstatic. I give Lydia a grin to convey that emotion and she’s giving me the same look back.

  “Come on then, it’s time.” She nudges me in the side. “Time to finally keep your promise.”

  Knowing that my promise is finally coming to life is really something. I meant it when I said it, of course I did, but now the words I spoke to Lydia on that random afternoon on the stairway in my father’s house consume me. I feel wonderful about them. I hold Lydia close and know that it’s going to be amazing.

  The organist plays the wedding march as we walk into the chapel hand in hand. Lydia’s father and his random date – who I do hope sticks around since she’s probably going to be one of the witnesses named on our wedding certificate – take their seats and we carry on walking forwards, all the way to the gentleman standing at the front.

  “We are gathered here today…” he starts as soon as we get to the front of the aisle. “To celebrate the union of Jamie Vardi and Lydia Burns.” Even those words send an intense shiver racing up and down my spine. “I believe that you have written your own vows?” We both nod. “Okay, then please go ahead.”

  Lydia jumps in and goes first. “Jamie,” the words fly out of her mouth. “I love you. I’ve loved you for my whole life and now I’m so happy that I get to be your wife.” She gets teary eyed and emotional which only makes me want to hold her tight. “I promise to love you, to hold you, to be your partner forever more. I vow to be the best version of myself for you, to look after our child, and to ensure that we have a happy life.” She’s so emotional now that she can barely get the words out. “I love you so much, and I can’t wait for the rest of our lives.”

  It’s my turn. Shit, I should have gone first because now I’m a mess. “Lydia, I…” I cough, trying to suck down the golf ball lodged in my throat. “I once made a promise to you, I promised that I would marry you and here we are.” I wave my hands around. “And now I want to make another promise to you.” I suck in a deep breath. “I promise to look after you forever, I promise to love you, I promise to be the man that you deserve.” I have more to say, but I can’t really get it out. I’m too much of a wreck. “I promise to be yours forever.”

  Other words are spoken by the minister but I can barely hear them. I’m swimming in love and happiness. I finally have everything that I’ve ever wanted and more. I have my happy ever after at last…

  * * *

  By the way, did you read my latest Christmas Romance - “That Christmas Eve”! It is currently at #21 on the entire Amazon store. I have included a sneak peak of the same on the next page. Go ahead and enjoy!

  * * *

  11

  Sneak Peak: That Christmas Eve

  "Are you kidding me?"

  He is my brother's best friend?

  That hunk of muscle attached to a to-die-for smile and light-my-fire eyes? That billionaire who sizzles my insides every time he says my name?

  I didn't have a choice. I got him alone during our Christmas Eve party, and I told him to unwrap his gift. Me.

  But Josiah left me with an unexpected gift of his own. A bouncing baby that's the spitting image of him.

  I can't believe my family hasn't figured it out.

  They think I'm some romance-crazed maniac who can't say no to men.

  But Josiah's the only one I've ever really wanted.

  And now he's back. And I'm screwed.

  Because I still want him. And I know he still wants me.

  But bad boys don't want babies, they want babes.

  Can I tell him the truth without losing him forever?

  Chapter 1: Josiah

  The smell of Christmas fills the air. I don’t know what the smell is exactly, I can’t describe it with words, but it’s here, all around me regardless. Or maybe it isn’t the smell, perhaps it’s the atmosphere instead. Everyone gets so excited at this time of the year, and it’s infectious. Even for me, who doe
sn’t have a family to go home to for the holiday season. That’s something I should be used to, but it still hits me every single year.

  “This business is incredible, Josiah,” my childhood friend, Dax, declares proudly. “You are so lucky.”

  “I know I am,” I reply quietly. “Trust me, this isn’t something that I take for granted.”

  I inherited Allen Industries, a very successful shipping company from my parents when I hit eighteen years old and was finally old enough to leave the care system. They might have been killed in a car accident when I was three years old, too young to really remember them, but they still left me this. It was run by the same manager that I still have employed on the staff for all those years, and it’s still just as successful right now.

  “Some of us really hit the nail on the head, huh?” Dax smiles and nudges me in the side. “I left that orphanarium with nothing and you have this. My parents had nothing in life and I still don’t have it now.”

  Guilt weighs down on me. I didn’t bring Dax here to show off and now I’m a bit worried that’s how it comes across. When he called, I just told him to meet me here because I thought it would be easier.

  “So, what are you doing with yourself these days?” I ask awkwardly while brushing my shoe on the floor.

  “I’m working in an office that sells stationary, but to be honest it isn’t a great pay. I just need someone to give me a chance, you know? I might not have the best education in the world, but I’m hard working…”

  A light bulb pops above my head as an idea that I hadn’t even considered comes to mind. “You could come and work here. I need someone to run the admin side of things if you think that would suit you?”

  “Oh no!” Dax immediately looks embarrassed. “I wasn’t saying it for that.”