by Ivey , Tasha
"Usually, but I'll make an exception if you'll tell me one more time."
"Tell you what?" He's not very good at playing dumb.
Crossing my arms, I raise my eyebrows at him. He scoops me up and cradles me in his arms, gingerly running the tip of his nose from the base of my neck and up to my ear as he carries me toward my room. He gracefully scales the stairs, carefully slips the keys from my pocket, and opens the door, all while I cling to him helplessly.
Then, Brooks gently places me on the couch and positions himself over me. Not even caring about him telling me anything anymore, I pull him toward me, wanting him closer.
He just smiles and caresses my cheek. "I love you, Laura Carey."
Epilogue
One year later . . .
Brooks:
Standing at the front of the church, I'm suddenly reminded of all of those insane dreams I had when I was engaged to Jacqueline, and I look up at the ceiling and laugh to myself, thankful that the puppet masters are gone.
As the piano's melody fills the room, Will and Ashton step into the church auditorium and saunter down the aisle arm in arm, still beaming from their recent engagement. Will had insisted on proposing in front of everyone at the rehearsal dinner last night.
I still think my proposal to Laura was much better. Although, only Laura and I witnessed it. I stressed myself out for weeks, trying to come up with a clever way to propose, but I kept going back to the same idea.
It was just six months ago. I asked her to walk down to the cave with me just before sunset—as we had done many times prior to that evening. We sat in the cave and talked for a bit, all while I tried to mask my fidgeting, shaking hands. I didn't exactly think she would object my proposal, but I had my doubts if she was ready for that kind of a commitment just yet.
Finally, I had more than enough suspense. Taking the flashlight from my pocket, I shined it toward the two hearts painted near the entrance. "Laura, do you remember the day you found the note from me?"
She nodded and grinned. Her eyes darted over to the heart and to the crack above it that once held my note. "Of course, I do," she said, turning back to me. "Best day of my life."
Realizing that she didn't look closely enough, I had to devise a new plan. "Which crack was it? I don't remember."
She snatched the flashlight out of my hand and pointed it at the crevice. "You're such a man. It's that one . . . uh . . . what is that?" She jumped up to inspect the tiny object glinting in the beam of light. Pulling the ring out of the narrow gap, she gasped and spun around to find me on one knee behind her.
"Do you remember what my note said? I told you that I could only dream to one day have your heart. Laura, please make my dreams come true and be my wife."
After dropping to her knees in front of me, she wordlessly wrapped her arms around me and cried. I didn't know how to take her reaction—she was either happy about the proposal or upset that I'd asked.
Finally, though, she whispered, "I'd love to be your wife, Brooks. And, just so you know, I gave you my heart that day."
And that's how a proposal should be, the kind of proposal I never thought I'd get to make. She did make my dreams come true that day.
After Will and Ashton take their places on each side of me, I begin shaking all over—not nervous but anxious to see my bride—my Laura. Even as the rest of the wedding party strolls down the aisle, I keep my eyes locked on the door. Once the doors close and the wedding march begins, I can hardly contain myself. And apparently, Laura can't contain herself either.
As soon as the attendants reopen the ornate doors, she slightly hikes up the front of her dress and sprints down the aisle, and I run to meet her halfway, picking her up and twirling her around, much to the delight of our family and friends.
Finally, we make it up to alter, and the preacher begins the service, rushing through the ceremony as we requested. Laura and I are nearly jumping out of our skin as he drawls through all of the typical ceremonious dialogue. And within two minutes flat, we race through our vows and exchange rings. Then, I hear the joyous words that I've so impatiently been waiting to hear.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," the preacher says proudly as he joins our hands. "Brooks, you can finally kiss your bride."
As everyone in the church laughs raucously at his comment, I am only focused on one task. I fling her lacy veil back over her head and hungrily draw her in to me, her body fitting perfectly against my own. But as my head inclines toward hers, she stops me just short of her lips by placing a single finger over my mouth.
"Tell me," she breathes.
"My dear sweet wife . . . I love you."
"I love you, too." She grabs my jacket lapels and pulls me in for a kiss that causes both of us to forget the world spinning around us.
Laura:
"Honey, I'm so proud of you," Nana beams as she enters the reception hall, immediately inspecting the wedding band on my finger. "And Brooks, too. I'm happy to finally have a grandson."
"Thanks," I say, still euphoric from the ceremony. "I still can't believe I'm Brooks's wife." I think back to the day that I first told Brooks that I loved him, and I realize how those words have transformed my life. So much changed on that night.
"Well, you deserve him. He's a sweet boy, and he's been good for you. I love you both. I'm just going to miss you living with me. I've absolutely loved having you there."
I smile at her, straightening my veil. "Luckily, I'll only be living a mile down the road, so I'll see you every day."
"You two are newlyweds, so I better not see you at all within the next few weeks!"
"I'll try, but I'm not making any promises." I lean over and kiss her soft cheek. "You know, Nana, we wouldn't be at this wedding right now if it wasn't for you. You're the one that encouraged me to read Mom's journal, and I'm positive I wouldn't have ever met Brooks if I hadn't."
Brooks steps up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. "We owe you, Nana. Well, I owe you. I have my father back, and I just married the most beautiful woman on the planet."
"Now, now," Nana says, "I didn't do a thing. Maybe, you should thank your mom." She winks, hugs us both, and joins my aunt and uncle at their table.
I reach down and touch the locket hanging from my neck. "Thanks, Mom," I whisper.
Brooks nods in agreement. He smiles and takes my hands, pulling me toward the center of the room to share our first dance as husband and wife—our first of many.
The happiness we are feeling right now seems so surreal. It's hard to believe that just one short year ago, we thought fate was out to get us. We thought we were doomed to a life of misery and disappointment. Isn't it funny how a little book can change everything? Looking back, we don't know if my mom actually brought us together somehow, but we did learn one thing about destiny . . . it is ours to change.
Table of Contents
Destiny Ever-Changing
Dedication
Prologue — It's So Over
Chapter One — Finding Solace
Chapter Two — The Beauty and the Beast
Chapter Three — Mystery Man
Chapter Four — Mergers and Acquisitions
Chapter Five — The Journal
Chapter Six — The Puppet Master
Chapter Seven — Lost and Found
Chapter Eight — Clearing the Air
Chapter Nine — Following in Her Footsteps
Chapter Ten — Hideout
Chapter Eleven — All Out in the Open
Chapter Twelve — Redemption
Chapter Thirteen — The Cove
Chapter Fourteen — Hard Truths
Chapter Fifteen — Green with Envy
Chapter Sixteen — In the Company of Nakedness
Chapter Seventeen — It's So Over, Again
Chapter Eighteen — Consequences
Chapter Nineteen — Revelations
Epilogue