“I never thought I'd find us here.” Cam’s voice came from behind me.
I spun around with a big smile, “Me either.”
“You ok?” He rubbed my arm.
“I’m more than ok.” I turned my head to the sound of music.
“It’s time.” Keira whispered with full excitement. “See you down there, Mrs. Edwards.” She winked, and they started their way down the aisle.
“You ready?” Cam held his arm out.
I placed my hand on his arm, “You have no idea.” I took a deep breath. “Breathe, just breathe.” I whispered.
Everyone stood, when we came into view. My heart fluttered when I saw him. Our eyes connected. My breathing settled. Everything faded. The closer we got, the more my heart wanted to explode. This is it; this is what my soul was created for. To find him.
Stefan nodded to Cam, when we stopped in front of him. I turned to Cam, hugging him tightly. “Thank you.” I whispered in his ear. He smiled down at me, and then took his seat.
Stefan took my hand, “Hi, little one.” He whispered.
I smiled, whispering back, “Hi.”
We turned to face each other. You look beautiful. He mouthed as the officiant started speaking, I didn’t hear a word of it. Stefan had captivated my world, my heart, my soul, and I was lost in him.
It’s been three years since we’ve been married. Stefan has been in my life for six, and they have been the best six years. We still live in the brownstone. We talked about moving about a year ago, but we both are attached to this home now. It’s where we fell in love and fell back into each other. A lot of our firsts were at this home.
Keira and Leo moved to a bigger home outside the city. Cam moved back to Florida to be closer to his grandparents. I didn’t think I was going to survive him moving so far away, it was a tear filled goodbye. He visits from time to time. Tristen met a girl and we run into him at events. Stefan and he are cordial now. Jess and I are actual friends. I never saw that one coming. I ran into her two years ago while I was out shopping and we decided to have lunch. Ever since then we talk at least once a week.
We visit Nebraska a lot to spend time with Stefan’s Mom and Nan. I ended up selling my Mom’s house. Stefan told me that we could keep it. I thought long and hard about it, but I felt it was time for someone else to make memories in it.
My eyes scanned the room that I was trying to somehow organize. I wasn’t sure where I wanted the dresser. Or if I even bought the right one? My brain has been so frazzled recently. I touched my forehead, giggling to myself, remembering Stefan finding the TV changer in the freezer the other night. I’ve officially lost my mind.
I thought coming to New York would give me some sort of purpose, but it ended up changing my life into something I never thought it could be. I discovered who I was, how to love, and how to be strong. I missed my parents every day, but I think they would be proud of who I have become.
Stefan leaned on the corner of my old room, “You went from grey to pink? You had to choose pink?”
I laughed, turning to face him. “I like pink.” I placed my hand on my stomach. “Lucy is going to love pink too.”
He smiled, “Oh you think? What if she likes green?” He wrapped his arms around me.
“Then green is the new pink. She can like whatever she wants.” I pressed my lips to his.
He kissed me again, and then picked up the painting. “Do you want me to hang this?”
“I do.” I touched the corners of the frame.
“Where at?”
“Above the rocking chair.” I pointed.
“Here?” He held the painting up against the wall.
I stared at the blue waters on the painting my Mother gave me before she passed away. “Yes, that looks perfect.”
He set the painting down, “You are perfect, Mrs. Edwards.” He wrapped me in his arms again, “I love you.”
“And, I love you Mr. Edwards.”
THE END
ALSO BY VICTORIA ASHLEE
WWW.VICTORIAASHLEE.COM
UNDER THE OAK TREE
SNEAK PEEK
Chapter One
Her body was lifeless, under the oak tree in the middle of Sanderson Field. The sun had started to rise, but her lights went out that night. Her long golden hair was dangling in his arms. The blood had soaked her white shirt and brown jacket. The bruises on her face told a different story than the one she let the world know. They were older, with a green tint. Even with the markings she still had innocence in her.
*
“He stayed?” Officer Sims asked when he walked into the Emergency Room. Sims had been a police officer for Franklin County for twenty years.
“Yes. Right over there.” The nurse pointed across the room. The man she pointed to sat in a blood stained shirt.
“You think he did it?” Sims asked his partner; Anderson.
Anderson ran his hand over his mouth, “I don’t know. Word was that she was sneaking around with the two of those boys, could have been either one.”
“Yeah, but he stayed.”
“I can’t believe this is Claire Cunningham. She was the homecoming queen of my sister’s class.”
Sims grunted, “Get mixed up with the wrong guy though, and you’ll find yourself in some trouble.” He looked back at the Nurse. “Do you think she’ll make it?”
She shook her head, “I’d tell her family to say their prayers.”
“Her father is Kevin Cunningham. He isn’t going to let this rest until someone is behind bars.” Anderson said.
“That, we can both agree on.” Sims started walking across the room, “Let’s go. We still have to do our job.”
Claire
Three Months Earlier
Claire was coming home from her family’s annual lake trip. Jason Matthews, her high school sweetheart, had proposed in front of both their families that weekend. The moment she arrived home she rushed to see her friend Jenny Tate at their favorite shake shop. Claire walked in, the bell dinged when she opened the door. A few people stared at her when she entered, but she paid no mind. She was used to the attention.
“Claire, over here!” Jenny squealed, waving her over.
Jenny Tate was a lanky brunette, with porcelain skin, and an attitude like a firecracker in July. Claire and Jenny had been best friends since they were five. The town gossips would call them thick as thieves. People always thought Jenny was a bad influence; Claire being a lawyer's daughter, and Jenny being dubbed the town’s wild one.
“My, my look at the time.” Claire pretended to look at her watch, then held her hand out for Jenny to look.
“Oh my word! Look at that diamond! It’s beautiful!” She jumped up, wrapping her arms around Claire’s neck. “I can’t believe it!”
They both sat at their usual booth, sipping on strawberry milkshakes, sharing stories from their holiday weekend. They picked at a plate of fries in the middle of the table. People stopped by the table to congratulate Claire on her engagement.
Word travels fast in this town. After all she was marrying Alan Matthews’ son. Alan Matthews came from old money, one of the most reputable families in the area. Claire was the daughter of Kevin Cunningham, one of the most notable lawyers this side of the Mississippi River. The pairing was perfect, especially since Alan and Kevin had a law firm together. Alan had won a huge case a few years back which made him a local celebrity on top of his old money heritage.
The entire town wanted to be invited to their wedding. Their pending engagement had been the top topic of conversation ever since they started dating their junior year of high school.
Claire looked down at her ring, “I wanna kick myself. I didn’t even know he was going to propose.”
“How could you not? Everyone knew.” Jenny sipped her drink.
“Well I didn’t.” She half laughed. Claire always wondered when she would get married, she had always planned on marrying Jason, but something felt off. She wasn’t as excited as she thought you’re su
pposed to feel, but she and Jason made sense. So, it has to be right.
The door chimed, causing Claire to look up, breaking her away from her thoughts. Her eyes caught the sight of Clay Williams. He looked in her direction, and noticed her gaze. Clay was three years older than Claire, but everyone knew him. His father was the local craftsman. If you needed something built, Clay’s father could do it. He stood much taller than everyone, he ran his fingers through his wavy brown hair, and smiled at the waitress revealing his dimples.
“What are you staring at?” Jenny turned around to look.
“Nothing,” Claire said quickly, and looked down at her shake.
“Clay Williams. That boy is trouble. You know his Mom mysteriously disappeared one night, and they never heard from her again? Rumor is that she jumped off the bridge at the entrance of town; couldn’t find a body. That’s probably why he’s so rough around the edges.”
Claire’s eyes held Jenny’s, “She died?”
“Killed herself,” Jenny’s eyes went wide. “No one really knows the truth, but he’s pretty dangerous. I watched him get into a fight at a bar one night; beat the guy to a pulp. Built up anger I guess. He’s hot in that dangerous way, but don’t tell my momma I said that. She would not approve.”
Claire looked up again, past Jenny. Clay glanced in her direction, but didn’t look away when his eyes met hers. She was listening to Jenny talk, but everything blurred when her eyes met his. He looked away when the waitress placed his to-go order in front of him. He smiled at the waitress again, nodding his head. He looked at Claire one more time before walking through the door.
The door chimed again. Claire exhaled a deep breath that she didn’t realize she was holding. She leaned back in the booth and looked up at Jenny. “What did you say?”
“Are you ok?”
Claire smiled, “Yes, perfect.”
Jenny reached across the table and took Claire’s hand, “Come out with me Friday. It’ll be fun. We can celebrate your engagement. Bring Jason.”
“I don’t know. My father has that dinner planned with Jason’s family. You know when they get into the whiskey and cigars they never stop talking.”
“You better hush. People can’t know that the two of them drink like skunks.”
Claire rolled her eyes, “Do you think they ever get tired of pretending?”
“Are you sure you’re ok?”
Claire laughed, “I’m fine.”
“So, about Friday, you’ll come?” Jenny gave her a helpless smile.
“I guess so.”
Jenny squealed, “Oh it’s going to be so much fun!”
They finished their shakes, and paid their tab. Jenny planned for Claire to meet her at a small bar called Tenpenny's on Friday. Jenny had a crush on a guy in a band that was conveniently playing that night.
“Jason and I will be there.” Claire hugged Jenny. “I will tell my father its life or death.”
Jenny rolled her eyes, “Tell him it’s death, because I will just die from sadness.”
Claire laughed, “Bye.”
Jenny left in her Blue VW Beetle with a wave. Claire walked over to her car, and started digging around in her purse to find her keys. She stood there for almost three minutes scavenging through her purse, dumping everything on her trunk hood. She huffed in frustration and looked back at the restaurant, realizing she must have left them inside.
She made her way back toward the door, looking down at her phone to find Jenny’s name to see if she had accidentally grabbed her keys. When her hand reached the door, she jumped when the door swung open, causing the bell to chime once again. Clay Williams was standing in front of her, she felt like a deer in headlights. Her eyes traveled down to his hands. One had hold of another to-go meal, and the other was holding her pink keychain dangling in the air.
“Did you lose something?” He asked. His voice was deep, and commanding. It sent a shiver through Claire. She stood frozen, her heart beating fast. She tried to speak, but couldn’t.
He gave her a strange look, “I think these are yours.” He held the keys out.
“Yes, where did you find them?” She stuttered, taking the keys from him.
“The waitress found them, and asked me to run them out here to you.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, “I saw you leave earlier.”
He held up the to-go bag, “My father asked me to come back. He didn’t take kindly to the fact that I had a burger, and all he had was canned soup.”
“Oh.”
“Well, have a good night.” He nodded, walking past her.
“Wait,” She spun around. “What’s your name?” She asked him, very well knowing who he was, but she liked organic introductions.
A smile formed in the corner of his mouth, “Clay.” He held his hand out to shake hers. “Who might you be?”
She stared down at his hand, and then placed hers in his, “Claire.”
“Well, Miss Claire, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
She smiled, “You too.”
He left her standing there at the front door of the shake shop. He drove away in an old green truck. The tail gate had a little rust in the corner. You could tell the truck was used for work due to the small dents. She caught herself staring as the tail lights disappeared. There was something about him that made her want to know more. She wasn’t sure if it were the rumors, or because he seemed kind, which contradicted everything she had heard. She looked down at her keys, running the pink keychain through her fingers, and then made her way toward her car.
*
It was almost 10PM when she got home. The light from the front porch of her parents two story home was shining bright. She knew they would be waiting for her. How her father’s mood would be was another question. She walked through the front door, and heard her mother call out to her.
“Claire is that you?”
“Yes, Mamma. I’m home.” She shut the door behind her, and then started up the stairs.
“Claire, will you come in here?” Her father called out.
She sighed, walking back down the stairs, and into the sitting room. She was awaiting the impending verbal lashing for arriving home after 9. She might be 21, but her father always kept close tabs on her. She was his prized possession.
To her surprise she saw Jason sitting next to her father holding a glass of iced tea. She stopped at the entrance of the sitting room, “Oh hi. I didn’t know you were here. Did you tell me you were coming?”
“Does he need to tell you he’s coming over? He’s lived next door for ten years. Plus he’s about to be family.” Her father’s demeaning voice spouted off.
Jason smiled, “It’s ok, Sir. I should have told her.” He stood and walked over to Claire taking her hand. “I just couldn’t wait to see you. I felt so bad for leaving the day after we got engaged.”
“It’s fine. I understand.” Claire forced a smile. Deep down she was a little upset. He never told her why he needed to leave, just that he needed to do some things in town.
“I’ll let you two visit.” Claire’s father stood, and walked into the kitchen.
Jason sat down on the sofa, “Where were you?”
“I was with Jenny at the shake shop.”
He sighed, “I don’t know why you insist on being friends with her.”
Claire sat down next to him, “She’s been my friend forever. You can’t just cut people out of your life.”
“Yes you can.” He said bluntly.
She furrowed her eyebrows at him, “What’s wrong? I thought you were excited to see me.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re in a bad mood.”
He sighed, “I just think that since we’re getting married we have an appearance we have to keep up. Jenny just doesn’t fit our lives now.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing, your father just said…”
Claire stood up, “My father?! No, I’m not having this conversation.”
&nb
sp; Jason stood, “Don’t get upset. I’m just looking out for our future family.”
“I love you, but I won’t live my life by my father’s rules. I don’t care about public appearances. I’ve been friends with Jenny since I was a kid, and I’m going to stay friends with her.”
“How are we supposed to have a good marriage if you won’t listen to me?”
She sighed, “So, you want me to not have an opinion? Just follow everything you say?”
“That would make this easier.” He said firmly.
“I’ve been back less than twenty four hours, and you’re already arguing with me.”
“I’m not arguing, I’m advising.”
“No, you’re telling.” Claire snapped.
“Claire Cunningham, do not speak to him like that. Have some respect.” Her father stepped into the sitting room.
She looked at her father, “You put him up to this. You told him I was with Jenny.”
He stared back at her, confident in his next words, “Do you want to succeed in life, or be grouped in with people less than you?”
“Stop trying to make him you.” She snapped. “I’m going to bed. Goodnight to the both of you.” Claire walked out of the room, and up the stairs. She slammed her door shut.
She turned her lamp on, climbing under her purple duvet. She heard the front door shut, and looked out her window. Jason was walking across the grass back toward his house. He looked up at her window, and waved. She gave him a small wave back.
A knock on her door made her turn her head. “Claire, honey you shouldn’t have stormed off like that.” Her Mom said from the hall.
“I don’t feel like talking.”
Her Mom opened the door anyway, “What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing. I just don’t like when Dad forces his way into my life.”
She sat down on the bed, “He just wants what’s best for you.”
Until Him: Book 3 - Until Then Series Page 26