by Cameo Renae
“Well, I can’t help it,” she said, linking her arm in mine. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
“I second that,” Em said, standing beside me. “You look like a princess.”
“Only thanks to you,” I said, hugging her. “And look at you, drop dead gorgeous in that fitted, red gown.” Her hair was pulled up and accented with red roses and baby’s breath. Her bouquet was a mixture of red and white roses—same as mine, just smaller. “Besides, I would never have found the perfect dress if you weren’t with me.”
“That’s what a best friend—slash—maid-of-honor is for. It’s been a blast, especially after the hellish period of time you’ve endured.”
“Yeah,” I sighed. “But I have him back, and this moment makes all those years worth it.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand how it happened, but I’m glad you chose to share it with Tyler and me. God gave you and Michael the most amazing gift, a miracle, a chance to start where you left off, and not many people would understand that. But it couldn’t have happened to two more amazing or deserving people.” She hugged me tight.
“I agree.” My mom sobbed from the side, coming in for a group hug.
“Okay, you two need to stop.” I sniffed and looked up to stop the tears from falling. “I can’t go walking down the aisle looking like Bozo the Clown. It will ruin the wedding photos.”
“Here,” Em said, lifting her dress, ripping a bag off her thigh labeled 911. In less than a minute, my face was back to pre-tears, powder and all.
“Now suck it up, buttercup. No more crying,” she ordered.
“I’ll try.”
The small chapel sat atop a snowy hill in Alaska. The backdrop was magnificent—white, snow-covered mountains and flocked spruce trees. It was everything I’d dreamed of for my magical winter-wonderland wedding.
The inside of the chapel was decorated with white tulle wrapped with thousands of twinkle lights, ribbon, and dozens of red and white roses. A few, very close, family and friends attended, those who knew the truth—who knew it was Michael.
Not too long after, I introduced him to Mr. and Mrs. Young, and they somehow knew he was their son. I don’t know how, and I couldn’t explain it, but they looked at each other and just knew. Plus, it hadn’t hurt when Michael was able to share some information with them that only he would know.
Once they’d settled down with their hugging and crying, we told them what had happened, and another family was mended. They fully supported us from that day forward.
As two violinists began to play inside the chapel, Emily gave me one last hug and took her spot ahead of me.
Nervous, I stepped forward in my matching four-inch heels, which took a few weeks to learn to walk in. My mom grabbed my arm and steadied me.
“Just breathe, sweetheart,” she whispered.
I nodded and took in a deep breath.
My stomach twisted in knots as Emily walked down the aisle, and when the music changed, my mom linked her arm around mine.
“Ready?”
I gave her a nod, barely holding myself together.
Sitting in the pews were everyone we loved and trusted. All those who believed in us.
They all stood as my mom and I entered the room.
As we proceeded down the aisle, the first face I saw was Lucy Crow. She held out her hand to me as I walked past, and I grabbed hold of it. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she offered a single nod and a smile. Her nephew sitting beside her also wore a broad smile.
On the right side of us were both Tyler and Emily’s parents. To the left were Michael’s parents, and Dr. Frank and old Mrs. Kelly. All of them teary eyed, with smiles of joy on their faces.
As I finally directed my eyes to the front, my tears could not be restrained any further as I looked upon him. My Michael. My one true love.
Tyler, wearing a black tux with a red tie, was standing by his side. Grabbing Michael’s shoulders, he whispered to him.
Michael was glowing.
He was wearing an all-white tuxedo, with matching shoes. His hair was combed back and…he was the most handsome thing I’d ever seen. A combination of the two men I loved. Each of them giving themselves so I could continue living happily.
As I reached the front, my mom gave me a kiss, then stepped back to Frank, while Michael took hold of my hand.
In front of the minister, our friends, family, and before God, we made our vows to each other. To live every moment to its fullest, laugh every day, love without limits, and to continue breathing…one day at a time.
When it was all done, Michael gathered me in his arms and kissed me, forever sealing our promise to each other. Then he grabbed my hand and placed it on his chest.
“Forever in my heart,” he breathed, then kissed me again.
As we turned, the minister introduced us as Mr. and Mrs. Michael West.
He’d kept Mason’s identity, for many legal reasons. Having the middle name Michael couldn’t have been more perfect, because no one questioned why we all called him Michael.
When we turned to the audience, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. As we walked down the aisle, they all threw rose petals and cheered, the photographer stealing pictures.
Outside, someone had pulled up a snow machine, and on the back was a sign that read JUST MARRIED. It was perfect, and I suddenly understood why Emily had insisted on a gown with a removable skirt.
She quickly stole me away into the bathroom and stripped off the outer layers of my dress, and made me put on snow pants and a jacket. Then, she slipped a backpack over my shoulder.
“What’s in here?”
“Necessities.” She winked, then tears fell from her eyes. “I love you, Lizzy, and couldn’t be happier for you. You deserve this.”
“I love you too, Em.”
We hugged and cried happy tears. “Okay, he’s waiting,” she said, grabbing her 911 kit. After a few dabs and powder puffs, she nodded. “You’re good to go.”
“Thank you, for everything. I wouldn’t be standing here if you hadn’t made me come down to California.”
She exhaled. “Thank heavens. What I thought was a complete disaster actually turned into something amazing.”
“Destiny,” I said, knocking shoulders with her.
“Destiny,” she repeated. “Now go.” She wrapped me in one last hug. “And do everything I would do!”
“Ha!” I laughed.
Outside, Michael stood next to the snow machine with two helmets.
After hugging all of our guests and thanking them for coming, I made my way to him.
My husband.
My heart swelled and nearly burst at the thought.
Michael helped secure my helmet before his, then assisted me on the back of the snow machine.
“Ready?” he asked.
I could hear his voice clearly in my helmet. “Yes,” I answered, enthusiastically.
“Hold on, baby.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my body against his. I smiled at the memory that flooded my mind, of the first time I’d ridden on a motorcycle with Mason. Every time I thought of him, I felt a sense of peace wash over me, like he was watching and smiling from above.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“To a secluded cabin a few miles away.” His head twisted to the side. “You know how we always dreamed of getting married, having kids, and growing old together?”
“Yeah.”
“We just got married,” he said, matter-of-factly.
“We did.”
“And now, my wife, I’m going to work long and hard to fulfill the next item on that list.”
Heat filled my insides and I snuggled closer. “I’m looking forward to it.”
ONE YEAR LATER
Michael was given a clean bill of health; the tumor Mason had been battling, had completely disappeared, and hadn’t come back. Another miracle.
In celebration of his health
and our one year anniversary, Michael surprised me, and took me and our three-month-old son, Jonathan Mason West, to the Grand Canyon. We’d arrived late at night and went straight to bed.
The following morning, I woke up with the light streaming through the window. Jonathan was sleeping, but Michael was gone. Looking around, I noticed the sliding door to the balcony was open. I slipped out of bed. Tiptoeing quietly to the door, I peeked outside. The view of the canyon was even more stunning than I’d remembered it.
As I stepped out, Michael turned with a cup of coffee in his hand and a smile on his face. Déja vu hit me like a ton of bricks, and it was like I was back here with Mason. A sense of appreciation overwhelmed me, of having known him—a lost soul, who needed love.
“Why did you bring me to the Grand Canyon for our anniversary?” I asked.
He set his coffee on the small table and wrapped me in his arms. His warm lips brushed my forehead. “Because this was where you found happiness again. And the one person who gave you that happiness, also allowed me a chance to return to you. For that, I will always be grateful, and won’t let his memory fade.”
I had the best of them both, but it was Michael—had always been Michael—whose soul was joined to mine. He was my soulmate. My forever love.
He held me in his arms and kissed me deeply. “I love you, Liz.”
I gazed into his eyes and spoke the truth. The truth which was buried deep within my heart, even after all those years. “And I love you, Michael. I always have, and I always will.”
He pressed me tightly against his muscular frame and I breathed him in.
“Is the baby sleeping?” he asked.
My eyes widened. “Yes, why?”
“How about we get started on baby number two?”
“Mmm,” I hummed against his lips. “I’m looking forward to it.”
On most days, I was still in awe I had my Michael back. I knew that one day our time on earth would be up. But I wasn’t afraid of death. Because on that day, when we would finally cross over from one realm to the next, I knew, beyond a shadow-of-a-doubt, our love would transcend all time and space, and remain…
Forever in our hearts.
I hope you enjoyed Michael and Lizzy’s final story. It was a hard one to write, but I knew it was necessary. They deserved their Happily Ever After, and finally received it after all these years.
Remember:
Never take those you care deeply about for granted. Hold them close, and love them without regrets. Don’t just tell them how much you love them, show them. Because one day, in the blink of an eye, they could be gone.
May every day be a new adventure!
Live, Laugh, Love, Dream…
XOXO,
Cameo
I’d like to thank the amazing people who made this book possible.
To the readers who loved Michael and Lizzy’s story and wanted more. Thank you for pushing me to write this story.
To my husband, my forever love, and the inspiration behind this book...thank you for loving me unconditionally and for helping me with this beautiful story line.
Special thanks to those wonderful women who helped polish these pages.
First and foremost, my kick-butt editor, Victoria Schmitz. In the book world, she’s the butter to my bread.
Also, to my awesome beta readers for catching the little things and giving me awesome feedback:
Karla Bostic
Jennifer Jimmerson
Jaclyn (Jaci) Chaney
Cheree Castellanos
Kirstie Ader
Last but not least, the two who made the cover and the pages of In My Reality beautiful:
My cover artist: Stephanie Hobbs
My formatter: Nadege Richards.
2016 YA Author of the Year/Penned Con. - 2013 Break out Author by Young Adult & Teen Readers.
Cameo Renae was born in San Francisco, raised in Maui, Hawaii, and recently moved with her husband and children to Alaska. She's a daydreamer and a caffeine and peppermint addict, who loves to laugh, loves to read, and loves to escape reality. One of her greatest joys is creating fantasy worlds filled with adventure and romance, and sharing it with others.
One day she hopes to find her own magic wardrobe and ride away on her magical unicorn.
Until then... she'll keep writing!
HAPPY READING!
For updates on Cameo you can visit:
Website: http://cameorenae.com
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