The Price of Love

by Cassy Roop

  I lay her back on the bed. I rid myself of my clothes and find my way inside of her. My life was complete with her. I fantasized about a family and growing old with her. Because no matter what, as long as I had her by my side I could do anything. She as my heart, my soul, and my life. And as I made love to her, I showed her just that.

  Epilogue

  (Four months later)

  Tristan

  As long as I live, this image will forever be burned in my head. Seeing her walk towards me in her beautiful flowing gown on the arm of my best friend had my heart racing. Cassie stood alongside of me waiting with awe.

  Kendall glowed more and more everyday as we await the birth of the baby. But today, she was more beautiful than I had ever seen her.

  When I imagined our wedding, this was the place I wanted it to be. It was the place where we held the best memories. It was also the first place I told her that I loved her. So along with Cassie and Jackson, we made our way back here, to Paris. As I stood with Cassie and the minister next to the Wall of Love, I could not envision an even more perfect day.

  Jackson and Kendall finally make their way to us and Jackson placed Kendall’s hand in mine. Neither one of us wanted a huge wedding. Since Kendall’s family was no longer with us, and I was estranged from my mother and my father had passed, we decided that Cassie and Jackson was all the family we needed.

  Kendall smiled up at me sweetly and I could tell her eyes are already glistening. I could only hope that they are tears of joy; the same joy that I was feeling at this very moment. I gently rub my thumb on the top side of her hand. She gives it a reassuring squeeze and we both turn to face the minister.

  “Tristan and Kendall, we are gathered here today to unite you together,” the minister began.

  “Kendall, Tristan has prepared his own vows and would like to share them with you now.” I could see the surprise on her face. I did not tell her that I had prepared this. I did not want just the traditional words said to her. She deserved to hear words from my heart.

  Turning to face her, I began to say the words, “Kendall, in your eyes I have found my home, in your heart I have found my love, and in your soul I have found my mate. I take you to be my partner in life and your partner in parenthood. You are my life, my every heartbeat. I promise to live in truth with you because this one lifetime will never be enough. I love you Kendall.”

  I turned to Jackson who then handed me her ring and I turned to Kendall and slide it on to her finger. I placed a kiss on where the ring sits on her hand before looking into her eyes.

  “Tristan, Kendall has also prepared her own vows,” the minister said to me. Now it was my turn to be surprised.

  “Tristan, you have given me back the one thing I have missed most in my life, family. When I look at you that is what I see, a family, a partner. I promise to love you and to try to always be worthy of your love in return. I will respect you, encourage you and cherish you every day for the rest of our lives. I love you Tristan for, now, for tomorrow, for always.”

  I could not help but get choked up at her words. Cassie hands her the ring and she slides it onto my left hand. She then repeats my gesture and kisses my hand where she placed the ring. We both then turned back to the minister with our tear filled eyes.

  “Love is sacred and comes with a price. The price of love is giving your heart to someone and trusting them to cherish it beyond all reason. Kendall and Tristan you have pledged your love for one another today before God and friends to do just that. May love always be on your side and trust always be in your hearts. I now pronounce you husband and wife. Tristan, you may kiss your bride.”

  I smiled and glanced behind Kendall to Cassie signaling her to do my request before I leaned in and kiss my wife. With this kiss I promised her all over again every word I said in my vows and promise to give her more. When we finally come back up for air, Kendall noticed the thing I asked Cassie to do for me.

  Taking her by the hand she approaches the wall where there was a single yellow post it note attached.

  “I love you, Mrs. Price,” she read the words on the paper and then turns to me. “I love you, Mr. Price .more now than I could ever imagine possible.”

  We once again sealed our future with a kiss.

  Kendall

  (Two months later)

  I stood on my back porch looking out into the back yard at all the decorations that were hanging. The smell of barbeque was permeating the air. Cassie was barking orders at the catering staff.

  After our wedding, Tristan surprised me with our beautiful new house. It was a small country estate outside of the city. He said he wanted a yard for our children to run and play in and a place where we could have a dog and peace of mind from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

  Today was Tristan’s birthday. As I waited here with our friends at a party I planned for him, I could not help but look back and reminisce about how far I had come. I was thankful to God for giving me a second chance at a family. Even though my parents were not with me, I knew they are looking down on me and they are so proud.

  Cassie walked up and saw that I was emotional. “Kendall sweetie are you ok? Do you need to sit down?”

  I laughed. She and Tristan had both been walking on eggshells with the baby due any day now. I knew I had been on pins and needles with anticipation. I was going to be a mother.

  I heard the front door open and heard Tristan’s surprised reaction to seeing all of our friends here to celebrate his birthday.

  “Kendall Price, I thought I told you no parties,” he said jokingly.

  “And you believed me when I agreed?” I teased. His laugh was contagious.

  “I should have known better. Come here and kiss the birthday boy,” he demanded. I do as he commands and soon we are locked in a hot, passionate embrace. I was broken out of my temporary love induced coma with Tristan as I heard throats clearing all around us. When I was with Tristan, everyone and everything else gets put on a side burner. Even our house full of guests. I blushed crimson. We were surrounded my hoots, hollers, and catcalls.

  Tristan leaned in and whispered in my ear, “See, if all these people weren’t here we could be in our bedroom right now and I could be buried inside of you.”

  A shiver ran down my spine and I blushed even more. He always knew how to get to me.

  “Well, I will just have to make your present extra special tonight then won’t I?” I teased back.

  He smiled before giving me one more quick chaste kiss on the lips and wandered off to greet our guests.

  The afternoon went by as we cherish our time with our friends in celebration of my husband’s birthday. Cassie and I left him and our guests to go inside to light the candles on his cake. In the kitchen I reached up into the cupboard to find the candles just as I felt a trickle run down my leg. I paused and look down at the floor to find a small puddle under my feet.

  I glanced up at Cassie who was looking at me with worry. “Cass, I think my water just broke,” I said quietly.

  Her face lit up like Christmas and she started jumping up and down. “The baby is coming! Oh my God! Ok. Wait here I will go get Tristan.” Seconds passed and Tristan came barreling into the kitchen in a panic.

  “Baby is it time? Is it really time?”

  I smiled up at him. “Yeah I think so,” I replied.

  “Ok, ok. Uh, Uh Cassie run upstairs and get the suitcase by the door. Jackson! Jackson!” he yelled looking for his best friend.

  “Dude what’s wrong you act like…” Tristan interrupted him before he could even finish his sentence.

  “Jackson get the car, Kendall’s water broke. My baby is coming!” Jackson ran out the front door and as Cassie ran down the stairs with my suitcase.

  Tristan led me to the car and we made our way into the city to the hospital.

  I did not feel many contractions as we left for the hospital, but by the time we arrived and I was admitted, they were coming on top of one another. I had never felt such searing
pain in my life. Cassie and Tristan were both pacing the room in a nervous stupor.

  The doctor entered the room. “Mrs. Price how are you feeling?” he asked.

  Really? How was I feeling? I feel like I was about to be ripped in half, but thanks for asking doc!

  “Fine,” I said as I gritted my teeth in pain.

  “After this contraction subsides I will check you to see where your progress is.”

  After he did as instructed, he peeled the gloves from his hands. “Mrs. Price are you ready to become a mother? You are fully dilated. Want to try pushing?” he asked.

  I nodded my head.

  “Do we know what we are having?” the doctor asked.

  Tristan walked over to my side and takes my hand. “No we wanted it to be as surprise,” he said as he looked down at me and smiled. “But my guess is a boy.”

  “Well we are about to find out. Alright Mrs. Price, on your next contraction I want you to bear down,” he said with a smile as he puts on a fresh pair of gloves.

  What could I say about pushing? I felt like someone was trying to slice me open with a razor blade. But it was all worth it as soon as I heard the most beautiful sound of my baby’s cry as he enters the world.

  “Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Price. You have a beautiful and healthy girl.”

  “A girl?” We all question at the same time.

  The doctor wrapped the baby in a blanket and then handed her over to Tristan.

  “She’s beautiful. She looks just like you, Angel.” He said as I made room on the bed for him to come and sit next to me. I looked into the beautiful blue eyes of my baby girl and I was in instant love. What surprised me the most was that she did look just like me and a lot like my mother. I could not stop the tears from running down my face.

  “What should we name her?” Tristan asked me. We had all been pretty certain that it was a boy, so we never really thought much about a girl’s name.

  “Hmm.” I said as I think. Then it hit me. It really was the perfect name.

  “Angelina,” I said. “We can call her Angel.”

  Tristan looked at me and smiled. Placing a kiss on my forehead he said, “That’s perfect.”

  Cassie came closer and Jackson entered the room. With these four people next to me and my beautiful baby my life was now whole and complete once again.

  “Looks like instead of collecting baseball cards with my son, I’m going to be collection shotguns to protect my daughter.” Tristan said.

  We all laughed. Having a girl was unexpected, but a welcome one at that. Just as finding love with Tristan was unexpected. I thank God every day for bringing us back together. I was so glad that I paid the price of love and trusted my heart to Tristan. Now I get to look forward to a bright future with a wonderful family. Nothing could be more perfect.

  The End

  Acknowledgements

  Where to begin? There are so many people I have to thank that helped make this book possible. First and foremost I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For it is through Him that all things are possible.

  To my family: My husband and three beautiful children who had to sacrifice their time with me so that I could follow my dream of one day becoming a writer. Honey, no other man would put up with half of the crap I throw at you daily, lol. Thank you for being my rock, my support and my heart. I love you today, tomorrow and always.

  To my babies: Mommy loves you more than life itself. God truly blessed me when he chose me to be your mother. Thank you for being the light of my world and the joy in my heart. I’m sorry about all the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and takeout you had to endure while Mommy wrote her story (although I’m sure you didn’t mind).

  Mom: No matter what, you have always been there for me. No words can describe how much I love you. You have always told me that I can do anything I wanted to in life. Never once have you ever told me my crazy ideas were stupid or unreachable. You are not only my mother, but my best friend. Thank you for always sacrificing yourself for me and Joe. Thank you for your love, encouragement and support. Look Ma!! I’m an Author!!

  Mia Michelle: You are the sole reason that this book was ever written. You gave me the courage to take the leap to actually putting my stories on to paper. Thank you for all the Facebook chats, advice and friendship you have shown me. I only hope that one day I can have half the talent as a writer that you do in your little finger. You are my favorite hussy!

  Katie Mac: Just like Mia, you have helped me so much in my journey to become an author. Thank you for your kindness, encouragement and support. I love you girl!

  Kahlen Aymes: When I read the Rememberance Trilogy, I knew right then I wanted be a writer. It was your amazing talent that gave me the courage to go after my dream. Thank you for your advice and support during my journey.

  To my IndiePendents girls Annalisa, Amber, Casey, Savannah, Tara, Delisa, Rachael, Alissa, Ashley and Kay: Words cannot describe how much each of you mean to me. From all the advice to crazy late night chats about sex songs, Shemar Moore, and all of our other antics. Thank you for allowing me into your world and for being my biggest supporters. Thank you for the non-stop advice and answering all of my questions (all 1000 plus). I love each of you to the moon and back!

  To my December Baby Mamas: Thank you so much for helping give me the courage to write this book. You gals were there with me from the very beginning. Not only did I get to share my actual baby with you, but my book baby as well. Thank you for going on this journey with me.

  Melissa Gill at MGBOOKCOVERS: Thank you so much for my beautiful cover art! I told you exactly what I wanted and you delivered. I cannot wait to see what you will do with my future projects.

  To my editor Anna Coy: Thank you for combing through my tangled mess of words to help me create the best story I can give to the world! You rock!

  Finally, thank you to my friends, family and fans who have supported me along the way. Thank you for every single Facebook like, share and pimp job you have done in helping me get the Price of Love out into the world. Your support means everything to me!

  Please if you enjoyed The Price of Love, I would love if you left me a review on Amazon and Goodreads!

  I hope you have enjoyed reading The Price of Love! Be on the lookout for book # 2 The Cost of Love, Jax and Cassie’s story coming soon!

  About the Author

  Cassy is a work at home mom where she spends her days surrounded by children running her in-home daycare. She loves to cook, read and spend her nights and weekends being a Les Mills group fitness instructor.

  She has been a lover of all things romance from a very early age. She hopes and dreams that everyone can receive their happy ever after. A good ol country girl at heart, she was born and raised in Arkansas and now resides in Charlottesville, Virginia with her husband and three young children.

  cassyroop@gmail.com

  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cassy-Roop-Author/273152699508767

  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7847487.Cassy_Roop

  Twitter: @cassyroop