Untwist
Page 18
My heart overflowing with how lucky I am to have her when I see the necklace she said she wanted me to wear today resting just below my throat.
“Renita.” I’m at a loss for words.
“It’s perfect, isn’t it? The first thing I did was take this off the shelf in your father’s office the day Elizabeth fired me. Then I grabbed your costumes and left. I wish I would have been able to get more of your mother’s things, but this, I was not letting Elizabeth get her hands on, I don’t know why your dad had it there, why Elizabeth never found it. It doesn’t matter, it’s yours. I made a choice to hold on to it until the time was right to give it to you. I don’t regret it, not when today is the day for you have it.”
I can hear my mother’s voice as she thanked my father for this heart-shaped blue sapphire necklace. He gave it to her the Christmas before she passed away. Her mind already lost to who we were. He put it on her and she never took it off. I always thought she was buried with it, the same with her wedding rings.
My dad took them both. He was saving them for me.
“Thank you, Renita. Not only for this, for loving me, guiding me, protecting me. For making the choice to raise me. Mostly, for being my mother. That’s what you are to me. The best choice my parents ever made was hiring you. I’m ready.” I touch the necklace. Feeling my parents’ presence as I pick up my bouquet of bluebonnets, the sweet aroma surrounding me along with the woman I love more than words can say.
“Unconditionally, Ellie Mae. Always.”
We turn and look out the door into the back yard where the sun is less than minutes away from setting.
I’ve seen hundreds of sunsets over the past year, each one as exquisite as the next, but I’ve never seen one look quite like this. Because standing on the edge of the field full of blooming bluebonnets along with a scattering of white twinkling lights and the rolling waves behind him, is my prince. Waiting for me to become his wife.
Logan’s wearing a black suit, white shirt, and a black tie. Gabe stands next to Logan dressed the same. He couldn’t choose which one of his brothers he wanted as best man, so he asked the man who chose to raise the three of them as his own.
Lazaro if officiating. Who would have known that the mafia boss was also ordained? I didn’t, and neither did Logan until we announced the date and Lazaro offered to marry us. Seems fitting since the man held his own part in me being here today.
Our only guests are Aunt Sandy, Lane, Seth, Logan, Rocco, Eric, and my employees.
So much has happened in the past year. So many good things that every day I wake and feel blessed.
Logan and Lane found a building to start their business. Logan designed the inside himself and once the building permits were pulled, materials ordered, both he and Lane went hands-on with helping Andrew.
Mitchell Brother Holdings is now Mitchell Brothers and Associates. They’ve been in business for about three months, and as of last month when Seth returned from rehab, he’s working with them.
Changes. I see them in everyone’s future. Everyone’s except Lane, and it saddens my heart. But today isn’t the day to contemplate on anyone’s future except mine and Logan’s.
As for me? It took a couple of weeks for me to get settled and find a job. I went to work at the consignment shop Renita used to take us to. I now own it and we’re opening another one in Houston shortly after Logan and I get home from our honeymoon.
I have no idea where we are going. I was told to trust him and I do.
Utterly.
Wholly.
Drawn. As if Logan can feel me, those forest green eyes lock on mine.
It makes no difference how many times he looks at me the way he is now. So full of want and need. A love that can never be unbound holds me captive.
Unravel.
Undone.
Untwist.
“Come on, Aunt Ellie, it’s time.”
Lexi stands by the door in her pink tulle dress that flares at the bottom. She looks like the little princess she is. Her toothless smile is big and wide as she holds Norah’s hand. Her blonde hair piled on top of her head. Pinned around a glittering crown.
Our sweet angel has adapted to her new life like we knew she would.
“I’ll be right behind you.”
“You’re the prettiest bride ever, Aunt Ellie. I have Uncle Logan’s surprise in my bag. I didn’t even tell Daddy our secret.”
Warmth and anticipation cover me as she and Norah slip through the same door I went through, chasing down my biggest fear.
Not anymore, every time I walk through it, I feel safe, secure and home.
My mouth goes dry and I take a step forward, gazing one last time in the mirror and smoothing my dress. With a few alterations, my mother’s dress fits perfectly. Hugging me in all the places that drive Logan wild.
“Let’s get you married.”
Taking Renita’s hand, a fresh round of tears ready to fall when Roberta Flack’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” starts playing.
A frown appears on Logan’s face when I don’t move as we rehearsed last night.
“Lord have mercy on my soul, I did not raise this girl to be mean.”
I hold back my laugh. “I’m not being mean. I told you I want to walk down the aisle with him holding what Lexi is giving him in his hand.”
Logan’s frown turns into a sly smile when he bends to Lexi’s height, and she hands him the photo, giggling as she points to the circle she drew. Her hands and mouth running a mile a minute.
Adorable.
Glassy eyes full of more love than I’ve ever seen this man showering me with beams from him as I make my way toward him. My legs begging and screaming to run.
Every cell in my body comes alive, my heart pounding at my ribs as I meet the man of my dreams. I see his face, I hear his voice, I feel his hands as he tenderly cups my cheek.
“A baby. This little dot is our baby?” He lifts the ultrasound. His voice shaking as well as his hands. As much as my lips.
Shivering and shuddering at the man who is going to make an excellent father. The man who came into my life like a storm.
It started out rough and violent. Secrets and lies that could have destroyed. Through it all, we fell in love, finding something deep, intense and extreme.
Everything.
“Yes, Logan, that’s our baby. I’m pregnant.”
Words I wasn’t able to say before feel as right as this man tripping out of my mouth.
This road we’ve traveled has led us right where we want to be.
Home.
A family.
Devotion.
Love.
His sly smile remains, eyes raking up and down my body, glinting with all the things he was planning on doing to my body later.
I can’t wait.
Logan slides his hand to my neck, and his face in the waves of my hair. My pulse hasn’t stopped fluttering crazy wild since I woke. Now it’s taking flight. Soaring and pressing against the hand that holds me close at night.
“Thank you for loving me, trusting me, wanting me. I love you, Ellie. Going to love this one with all I have.”
Not surprisingly, Logan drops to his knees, one palm resting on my stomach.
“I promise to protect you and your mother for the rest of my life. You will never go a day without knowing how much you are loved. Daddy will talk to you later, right now I have to make your mother my wife.”
And he does.
The End.
About the Author
USA Today Best Selling Author Kathy Coopmans is a Michigan native where she lives with her husband, Tony. They have two son's Aaron and Shane.
She is a sports nut. Her favorite sports include NASCAR, Baseball, and Football.
She has recently retired from her day job to become a full-time writer.
She has always been an avid reader and at the young age of 50 decided she wanted to write. She claims she can do several things at once and still stay on task. Her favorit
e quote is "I got this."
Professional Inquiries
Kathy is represented by SBR Media. For inquiries regarding foreign rights, audio, and other media outlets, please contact Stephanie Phillips.
stephanie@sbrmedia.com
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