Love Letter Duet: The Encore Edition

by Callie Anderson

  I pulled the car into the parking lot and glanced over at her. “I think I want to go back to work.” She pouted her lips. “Maybe go on a vacation. Go to Europe.” She shrugged and threw her hands in the air in defeat. “I don’t know, we should do something fun.” She looked at me with a spark as I held the door for her and smiled. “We should do something fun.”

  Walking in, Emilia stopped mid–step and gasped. The nurses and staff members who had worked with us for the past four months were gathered around and clapping as Emilia walked to her recliner. A banner that read ‘Last Chemo Day’ hung above her station.

  This was the last fucking time.

  Mary, a sweet, elderly nurse who had taken care of Emilia before, hung the chemotherapy bag and inserted the syringe into her port. She would sit by her chair and share stories about her grandchild with us. Though I couldn’t wait for this treatment to be over, I would miss Mary.

  Emilia reached for my hand and I brought the back of it to my lips. Four months ago, when we sat at this very spot, I’d wondered if we would make it here. I had no clue what was in store for us, but now a vision of my future was clear in my head. I didn’t want to spend another day away from her. I didn’t want to lose her again.

  This time, I wanted her by my side forever.

  Emilia continued to talk about the places she wanted to visit while I drew a love letter on her forearm. I wrote the same letters over and over until I caught her attention.

  She stopped talking and looked over at me. “What are you writing?”

  “You figure it out.” I winked. Sliding my hands over her milky skin, I wrote the letters M–A–R–R–Y–M–E.

  Emilia’s eyes widened and she looked over at me. When she didn’t respond, I drew a question mark.

  “Are you asking me?” she whispered shakily. I knew her divorce with Jeremy was finalized and there was nothing keeping us apart anymore.

  I pushed off the chair and lowered myself to one knee. Digging into my back pocket, I pulled out the engagement ring I had bought earlier in the week. I knew I wanted to marry her from the moment I fell in love, and now that this bump was over, I wanted to start fresh. I wanted to hold on to her and never let her go. We could be a family and give us a real shot. We could put all the bullshit behind us and start over.

  I took her hand in mine and cleared my throat.

  “Emilia Darcy, you are my best friend, the mother of my daughter, the love of my life, my yellow gel. The story of our love is only beginning. Let’s write our own happy ending. I love you, Em. Marry me?”

  Emilia’s eyes pooled with tears. With a trembling hand, she caressed the side of my face. “Yes!” Her smile grew wide. “I will be honored to be your wife.”

  I stood and captured her lips with mine. Tears of joy dripped down her face and applause erupted around us. Pulling my lips away, I rested my forehead on hers. She was going to be my wife.

  “I love you.” She beamed up at me.

  “When we got here today you said you wanted to do something fun.” I joked and gave her a chaste kiss.

  “I don’t want to wait.”

  “We don’t have to.” I pulled away from her and slipped the ring on her finger. “I’ll marry you tomorrow if you want to.”

  Emilia laughed and showed her ring to Mary. “Tomorrow I might be a little sick. How about in three weeks?”

  I nodded and leaned forward, resting my head on her legs and closing my eyes. Thank you, God, for not taking my girl.

  The scent of roses and lilies wafted through the house. Emilia had requested that I not see her until she walked down the aisle, so I sat on the bed in the empty guest room with my arms resting on my knees as I stared at the pattern on the carpet. It had been four weeks since Emilia’s last chemo treatment and today would be the most beautiful day of our life together.

  The day I married the love of my life.

  I would vow to love her and cherish her all the days and seconds we had together. There would never be enough time with her. I could have seventy years with her and still that wouldn’t make me happy. I wanted her for all eternity.

  “West?” I heard my mother’s voice on the other side of the door before she pushed it open. “Oh, my child.” She cupped my face as I stood to greet her. “I can’t believe my baby is getting married.”

  “Mom.” I held her hand and kissed her palm.

  “Almost everyone is here and I wanted you to have something before we started.” My mother placed a jewelry box in my hand. “My father gave this to me when I turned sixteen.”

  I pushed back the lid and was greeted with a diamond eternity band. Each small diamond looked as if it was floating on its own. “I know she asked to use the ring Mama gave you and I know you can give her something much more beautiful and more expensive than this, but I’ve been holding onto this ring for you. I didn’t know when exactly to give it to you, but I figured it was now or never. You can give her this one if you want. I’ve had it sized to fit Emilia’s ring finger.”

  “It’s perfect.” I held the small band in my hand.

  Axel knocked on the open door. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” Walking over to me, he reached for my shoulder. “You ready?” His eyes were glassy.

  My mother leaned up and kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you out there.”

  Axel cleared his throat again. “You need me to hold that?” He pointed to the band. “I think that’s what a best man is supposed to do.”

  “You okay, Ax?”

  “Bloody hell.” He threw his hands in the air. “I’m a little emotional, okay!” I bit my tongue so I wouldn’t laugh. “I feel like I’ve been in this relationship since the get–go and it’s about time you two got your shit together.”

  I laughed and tapped him on the shoulder. “I’m sorry it took so long to figure it out. I hope I didn’t inconvenience you.” I handed the diamond band over to him and nodded. “Let’s go see my wife.” I said.

  When Emilia told Leslie we were getting married, Leslie insisted on being in charge of the decorations—it was her maid of honor duty. Emilia didn’t argue. We wanted to be married. Nothing else mattered.

  Beautiful flower arrangements were scattered throughout the house, and candles covered most surfaces. Twinkling lights were strung through the air, setting the sky alight with infinite stars, and swirls of rose petals led down the steps of the deck to an arch of roses on the other side of the lawn. I stood to the right of the arch waiting for Emilia. Axel stood behind me and the string quartet began to play the Pachelbel Canon in D Major.

  Leslie came out first, smiling through her tears. She walked down the aisle and stood across from me. Pure joy was present on her face when our eyes met.

  “Shit, I’m such a baby when it comes to weddings, especially this one,” Axel muttered in my ear.

  Everyone stood when Emilia appeared at the door. A crown of small flowers rested on her head, and a lace dress hugged her body. With a bouquet of pink flowers in one hand and Lyra holding onto the other, she walked toward me. She was my queen. She was perfection.

  My everything.

  My beautiful bride.

  My soulmate.

  She took her time as she strolled down the aisle, savoring every moment. “Hi,” she mouthed when she finally approached me. Handing her bouquet to Leslie, she reached for my hand. Lyra stood between us holding both of our hands.

  “Dearly beloved,” the minister began once everyone took their seats, “We are gathered here to join Weston Carter and Emilia Darcy in holy matrimony.” He continued to speak as I stared at the stunning woman beside me.

  “Do you, Weston, take Emilia to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Pastor Curtis asked.

  “I do.”

  “And do you, Emilia, take Weston to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

  Emilia’s smile grew. “I do.”

  “The ring?” he asked.

  Lyra handed my band to Emilia and Axel handed me hers. I took Emilia’s hand. “Emili
a, I promise to always be the person who earns your love. You are my best friend. You are the one I love the most. We’ve shared so much together, but I know that the future holds so much more. I promise to learn from you, to cherish you, to care for you in sickness and health. I promise to be your family, to be your friend, and to love you always.”

  Emilia brushed a tear from her eye and reached for my hand. “Weston, you gave me no choice but to love you. You call me your yellow gel but, in reality, that’s who you are to me. You have the purest heart and the most beautiful soul. There are days I look in the mirror and wonder why you picked me.” She bit her lower lip to hold back her tears. “In front of our daughter, our family, and our friends, I give you my heart, my promise that I will walk with you, hand in hand, wherever our journey leads us, living, learning, and loving, together. Forever.”

  “By the powers vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Weston, you may kiss your bride.”

  I released Lyra’s hand and framed Emilia’s face. “I will love you all the days of my life.” I brought my lips to hers and kissed my wife.

  “I will love you through all eternity,” she whispered against my lips when I pulled away.

  Leslie handed Emilia her bouquet and I scooped Lyra into my arms. For the first time, the world greeted us as the Carter family.

  The deck had been transformed into a beautiful reception hall. Christmas lights were strung above like twinkling stars, and a few round tables were scattered about the make–shift dance floor. A jazz band began to play as I brought Emilia to the center of the dance floor.

  I cupped her face. “You make me so happy, Mrs. Carter.”

  “Hmm,” she moaned when I kissed her lips. “I really like the sound of that.”

  I pulled her closer to me and she whimpered. “Are you in any pain?”

  “No.” She smiled up at me. “I just can’t believe I’m hugging my sexy husband.” She pushed up on her tippy toes and kissed me, running her hands up my body and lacing them around my neck. Her mouth opened and her tongue invaded my mouth. Hungry for her, I deepened the kiss.

  “Are you two going to dance or make out the whole time?” Axel shouted.

  Our lips pulled away from each other and we turned to look at him. Emilia laughed and rested her head on my shoulder. As the band sang Frank Sinatra’s ‘The Way You Look Tonight,’ I held her close as our bodies swayed to the music.

  Our guests danced, the food was impeccable, and Emilia laughed non–stop throughout the evening. As the night grew on—our wedding night—I fell more in love with her. I didn’t think that could be possible, but it was.

  I was standing by the bar with Cinthia, her former boss, and her husband, Scott, when Emilia wrapped her arms around me. “Mr. Carter,” she whispered in my ear. I turned and draped my arms over her.

  “Mrs. Carter.” I pulled her close and pressed my lips to hers.

  “The love you two have is so beautiful.” Cinthia put her hands over her heart. “And to think I was there at the very beginning.”

  Emilia tucked into my side and laughed. “Yes, and he wouldn’t take no for an answer.” Her gaze looked up at me. “Can I borrow you for a moment?”

  “Excuse us.” I followed Emilia across the room and inside the house. “Is everything okay?” I asked.

  She stopped and turned to face me. “I want to consummate our marriage.” Her hands ran down my face.

  “Emilia . . .” I shook my head slowly. “Our reception is in mid–swing.”

  “Come on. Please?” She bit her bottom lip and gave me the most irresistible and devious grin.

  “Now?”

  “Right now.” She giggled and tugged on me to follow her. “I told Leslie I was feeling a bit tired and I was going to have you bring me to bed. She said she would handle the guests and Lyra.”

  I chuckled. “What if they hear us?”

  “We’re husband and wife. I hope they hear us.”

  In one quick movement, I swooped Emilia into my arms and carried her to bed. If we were going to consummate our marriage, we were doing it the right way. Emilia’s giggles echoed through the house as I kicked open the bedroom door. Roses were scattered around, and bedroom candles had been lit, making the room glow.

  “I guess Leslie knows what I wanted.” She looked at the room and then over at me. Kissing her tenderly, I stepped over the threshold and into our bedroom. Gently, I placed her on the floor and stared at my beautiful wife.

  She went to remove the crown of flowers on her head when I stopped her. “Let me.” My fingers ran up and down the side of her body. The soft lace of her dress brushed against my skin. I lowered her zipper, the soft cream material falling from her body and pooling on the floor at her feet. I took a second to admire her beautiful body. Her white bra and matching panties had little blue bows in the center. Emilia bit her lower lip and looked aside bashfully. Cupping her face, I placed feather–like kisses along her chin, down her neck, and over her collarbone.

  Her skin was warm under my touch, but goosebumps popped up all over her body. I unclasped her bra and let it join her dress at her feet. Without any force, I scooped Emilia into my arms and placed her gently on the bed. I tossed my jacket to the ground and loosened my tie. Towering over her, I kissed around her port and down to her breast as Emilia attempted to unbutton my shirt. She stopped when I captured each nipple between my lips. I pressed a trail of soft kisses down to the scar on her abdomen.

  “Weston,” Emilia moaned.

  My fingers coiled around the sides of her panties, and slowly pulled them off. I was desperate to be inside her. Discarding my pants and boxers, I positioned myself between her legs. Emilia held onto me. Our bodies pressed against each other, and I slowly pushed inside her.

  Her body hugged mine as I, ever so slowly, made love to wife.

  The following morning, I woke to Emilia stretching on her side of the bed. Rose petals were stuck to our bodies, and I picked a few that were stuck to her skin.

  “Morning, my sexy husband.” She reached across and ran her hands up my chest.

  “I like the sound of that.” I kissed the top of her head.

  “I can’t believe we are going to spend a week in Hawaii!” Her eyes beamed up at me.

  “Just me and you.”

  “Hmmm.” She moaned and hugged me tighter. I shifted on the bed until her back was facing me. My lips grazed her neck and over her shoulder. Emilia bent her neck forward, giving me more skin to kiss. “Weston,” she moaned louder and I understood what she needed.

  I reached around her body and cupped her breasts. Kneading them softly, I bit down on her shoulder, my erection pressing against her lower back. Emilia reached behind me and stroked it. Shifting her body, she aligned me at her entrance and pushed back. I filled her with every inch. Slow and steady, I held her close to me.

  When we were finished in our bedroom, we showered and joined the real world. Lyra sat in the kitchen with my mother. “Morning, sweet pea.” Emilia leaned forward and kissed Lyra’s forehead.

  “You look very beautiful, Lyra,” I said. She was dressed in a Disney princess dress.

  I want to look like Mommy did yesterday.” Lyra looked over at Emilia. “You looked like a real life princess.”

  Emilia smiled and tickled Lyra.

  “Are you guys all packed?” my mother asked.

  “Yes.” Emilia looked over at me. “Surprisingly, I packed less than he did.”

  “Whatever.” I pulled mugs out for coffee. “My clothes are bigger than yours.”

  I’m going to miss you, Mommy.” Lyra turned and hugged Emilia.

  “I know, I’ll miss you too. But I promise I’ll bring you something back. Mommy will find something special just for you.”

  Emilia and I sat in the first class section of Hawaiian Airlines. My hand laced with hers as we waited for takeoff and I twirled her wedding band, loving how it fit so delicately on her small finger.

  She turned and pe
ered up at me. “Are you nervous about leaving Lyra?”

  I shrugged. “I feel a little guilty for leaving her. But with what I have planned for you, that guilt is growing smaller by the second.” I winked at her.

  “I do want to enjoy my husband.” She ran her free hand over my face and winked.

  The six hour flight from LAX to Maui was peaceful. Emilia sat back, enjoying a book she had picked up at the airport store. I asked her to join the mile high club with me, but she slapped my arm and went back to reading, so I took the time to read emails. Pointless Statement had worked on some music for our next album, but nothing was set in stone. With Emilia’s health improving, I needed to get back in the studio. I sent an email out to the guys setting up a few studio dates for when I returned.

  We were greeted with leis once we landed, and Emilia pulled out her camera to capture the scenery as we drove to the hotel. Emilia and I checked in to the luxurious Grand Wailea Resort. Emilia entered our suite, and her hands trailed over the mahogany furniture as she moved further into the room. I dropped my carry–on on the bed and tipped the bellhop. The bedroom lanai overlooked the crystal blue water and the white sandy beach. Emilia stood behind the railing, looking out at the horizon. Coming up behind her, I kissed her neck and pressed my body against her.

  “I want to have you right here,” I whispered in her ear.

  Emilia moaned and reached behind me, grabbing my growing erection. “You can have me anywhere you want.” She released her grip and turned to face me. “But first can we go find some food?” A smile grew on her face. “I’m starving.”

  I kissed the tip of her button nose.

  Each day was an adventure we enjoyed together, in and out of the bedroom. On our first full day, we had a local take us to a private waterfall. It took longer than usual as we hiked up the mountain since Emilia needed to stop periodically to rest. When we reached the top of the cliff, Emilia reached for me. She stood tall, but her hand was over her heart as she tried to catch her breath.