When Light Leads to You

by C. R. Ellis

  “¿Mamá, qué significa este cuadro?” asked a small voice nearby.

  Mommy, what does this painting mean? The question broke me out of my trance, and I pulled my eyes from the painting to find the voice’s owner—an adorable little girl wearing a romper decorated with palm trees and a hair clip made from seashells that held her thick, braided ponytail in place atop her head. Her wide eyes brimmed with curiosity. She looked like a mini version of her mother, and the realization brought back memories of the times my mom took me to art museums as a child.

  “Mira, mi amor,” the mom replied patiently, gesturing at the middle of the piece. Look, my love. The girl directed her attention back to the painting and studied it with renewed desperation.

  “¿Murieron?” she asked in a small, distraught voice. They died?

  The mom knelt over to comfort her sniffling daughter. “No, corazón. Vivieron,” she said gently, pointing to the work’s title. No, sweetheart. They lived.

  The girl read the words and her tears were replaced by a large smile, finally understanding what her mother meant. She reached up and threw her arms around her mom’s neck and hugged her tightly. The sight made my own heart constrict with a barrage of emotions. I wasn’t trying to overhear their conversation, but their interaction entranced me almost as much as the artwork did. I strained my eyes to read the work’s title like the girl’s mother had instructed her to do.

  Amar es Vivir.

  To love is to live.

  The words crashed down on me like a summer rainstorm. I let myself stand there for far longer than I should’ve, but my feet refused to move and I was powerless to stop the feelings consuming my mind. Finally, for once, I allowed myself to listen to everything my heart said to my head.

  “It’s your show, Jas, I’m just here to back you up.” Jade’s voice echoed through my computer screen.

  I smiled back at her. “Thanks, JP. I really appreciate all your help. Not just with the party, but with everything you’ve done for me lately. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  Her head tilted to the side and she pretended to contemplate that scenario. “Probably resort to a life of criminal mischief. Or maybe you’d learn how to crochet and peddle your handmade toe socks on the streets.”

  I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “You have a weird obsession with toe socks, you know that? You’re seriously the strangest person I’ve ever met.”

  She echoed my laugh. “That’s hilarious, coming from the person who picks out ‘uh-oh’ chips to eat first.”

  “Hey, folded chips are the best chips.”

  She shrugged and threw up her hands in an I-give-up gesture.

  “Okay, I’m going to finish packing. I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t be surprised if I tackle you in a bear hug at the baggage claim.”

  Jade nodded, her dark tendrils shaking loosely around her face. “Not if I tackle you first! Can’t wait.”

  “There will be NO tackling by or of my fiancé! Need I remind two wedding planners that a bride on crutches is a big no-no?” Emmett’s voice called from somewhere behind Jade’s computer.

  “Fine, no tackling the bride. Buzz kill,” I huffed loudly enough for him to overhear. Emmett just laughed.

  “Feel free to tackle the groom though,” Jade suggested, a glint in her eyes that only shone when she was teasing the love of her life.

  I laughed. “I’ll pass. He’ll probably never come pick me up at the airport again if I emasculate him like that.”

  “Okay, fair enough.” Jade chuckled, looking beyond the screen to find Emmett. “We’ll see you tomorrow night. Safe travels!”

  I turned off my computer and packed it into my carry-on bag just as my dad poked his head into the room. “Ready to head out for your farewell dinner?”

  I nodded. “You didn’t have to go out of your way for me with reservations, Dad. We could’ve cooked.” I told him not to go all out for my last night, but I was excited he had. I loved eating Spanish food and was relieved that I’d get to have it one last time before heading home.

  “Nonsense. It’s not every day my only daughter comes to visit.”

  “Well, your only daughter is sorry she’s leaving after just a week. She’s also sorry for not making more of an effort to talk more often.”

  “Life happens, sweetie. I’m happy to have you for any length of time; no visit is too short. But I will gladly put you on the plane myself if it means you’re going to work things out with Dean.”

  I smiled against his chest after letting him crush me in a dad-hug. “Thanks, Dad.” I pulled away as he ushered me out of the apartment. “And I’ll let you know how things go with Dean.”

  He picked up on the stress in my words and on my face. “Hon, don’t sell yourself short. I have a feeling things are going to work out just fine for the two of you.”

  “I hope you’re right, Dad.”

  Chapter 36

  Dean

  I’ve never been a particularly patient man. But some things are worth the wait.

  Dean Preston, (not so) patiently biding his time

  “Why can’t we eat at Mom and Dad’s if it’s just going to be a low-key get together for my birthday?” I asked grumpily.

  My birthday was in two days, and I just wanted to get it over with. Jasmine’s birthday was four days after mine, and I was still debating if I should do something special for her or leave her alone. I tracked her flight online, and called her dad a couple of hours after she landed. He’d been surprised to hear from me, but didn’t question my motives for checking up on her. I talked to him a few more times while she was gone, but I didn’t ask for specifics about Jasmine, and he didn’t volunteer them. I just wanted to know that she was okay. She’d been stateside for a couple days now and hadn’t tried to contact me. I tried not to read too much into it. I decided I’d go to her and explain that I’d been an idiot to push her away if she didn’t come around by her birthday.

  Jade sighed. “Because, dear brother of mine, we are past the age of having our parents cook our favorite meals for our birthday. We are adults, which means celebrating with restaurant-prepared meals and overpriced cocktails,” Jade responded, grabbing a beer from my fridge and plopping her tiny body on my couch. “Besides, since when do you turn down seafood by the lake?”

  Nate sat next to her and chimed in with his two cents. “It’s better than sitting here wallowing like you have been, D. It’ll be fun.” His brown eyes clashed with mine, and I knew he was right. He’d been respecting my space and assured me he wasn’t taking my moodiness personally, but I felt like a jerk for being so caught up in my own misery that I hadn’t spent more time with him lately.

  I looked at Emmett, expecting him to back up their arguments. He just shrugged. “Hey, man, call me Switzerland; I’m not picking sides. I’m just here to watch The Walking Dead.”

  They both had valid points. I might’ve been totally miserable without Jasmine, but eating crab legs and shrimp with my family did sound like a decent enough way to spend my birthday. “Okay, fine. But it’s just going to be the six of us, right? And no presents or cake.”

  Jade rolled her eyes, like my apathetic attitude annoyed her. “Whatever you say, Mr. Anti-birthday. Six-thirty work for you?”

  “Yeah.”

  She nodded and pressed play on the remote.

  JADE:Mom and Dad are running late w/ Nate. Emmett and I are waiting at the bar because they won’t seat us without the complete party.

  My phone buzzed again before I could reply. I tried to ignore the pang of frustration I felt every time I got a text that wasn’t from Jasmine.

  JADE:I ordered you a Miami vice, so hurry up or I’ll drink it myself. Don’t even try to act like you’re above drinking a fruity drink. It’s your birthday, you get a free pass on all the girly drinks you want.

  I was in the parking lot when I got her text, so I didn’t even bother responding. I just walked into the restaurant and made my way to the bar where I
spotted Jade and Emmett waiting. She jumped out of her seat when she saw me and launched herself at me like she hadn’t just seen me two days ago.

  “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” she screamed, doing her best to break my eardrum.

  “Thanks, J,” I replied, setting her back down on the ground. “Though I’m not sure I have any hearing left in my right ear now.”

  She waved off my alleged hearing loss with the flick of her wrist. “That’s just because you’re officially old now.”

  Emmett’s eyebrows rose. “Hey! You realize I’m two months older than Dean, right?”

  She patted his arm and flashed him a smile. Her eyes danced with humor and amusement. “Don’t worry, Boston, I’ll keep you young.”

  “So, how long did Mom and Dad say they’d be?” I asked, not really caring, just trying to keep them from starting something that would end in a make-out session I had no interest in witnessing. Nothing says happy birthday like being the awkward third wheel of the group.

  Jade checked her phone and glanced at Emmett. “Not long. I’ll, uh, go call Mom and see if I can sweet talk the hostess into giving us our table without them.” She hopped off the bar stool and took off for the front of the restaurant.

  “What was that?” I asked, turning toward my future brother-in-law.

  “What was what?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Sinclair. What was that look she just gave you?”

  “Oh, uh…she wants me to meet her in the bathroom for a quickie,” he said with a grin before he tipped his beer back against his mouth.

  “Bullshit. I swear to God, Emmett, I will kick your ass for not telling me if there is a fucking cake with waiters ready to sing happy birthday to me when we get to the table.”

  “Dean! Emmett! Come on,” Jade called from the hostess stand.

  I turned back to Emmett and tried to read his expression. His lips twitched, but he remained silent. “I’ll remember this next year for your birthday.”

  “We’ll see.”

  My eyes narrowed with suspicion at both of them, but I followed behind the lovebirds anyway, thinking about how I’d pay them back for whatever torture they were about to inflict upon me.

  The hostess led us toward a back room that had an amazing view of Lake Austin, clearly designed for large groups, which should’ve tipped me off, but I was too distracted to let the direction of our movements register. Jade stopped just outside the room and twisted free of Emmett’s grip, standing on her toes to lean into me. “Happy birthday, D. I think this one will top the rest.”

  I opened my mouth to ask her what she meant, but my voice was drowned out by a loud, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” call from inside the room directly in front of us. I turned my attention from Jade to the sight in front of me. There were probably fifteen or so people there, including Nate and my parents, Charlie and Alexa, a few more people from Cobalt, and some friends from college that I hadn’t seen in years, all standing and smiling at us.

  I turned back to Emmett and Jade, who both looked at me with shit-eating grins on their faces. “You both suck.”

  “You didn’t think you’d get through your first birthday back in the Lone Star State without a surprise party, did you?” Jade asked with an eyebrow arched halfway up her forehead. I shook my head, bewildered at the fact that my sister had pulled one over on me like this.

  I turned my attention to the group of people waiting to greet me and was pulled into a hug from Alexa, who grinned from ear-to-ear. “Hey, stranger! Happy birthday.”

  “You get an AARP membership yet?” Charlie asked, clapping my back with one hand and shaking my hand with the other. I grinned, appreciating the fact that my friends came out, even if they were giving me shit.

  I wove my way through the crowd of my friends and family, saying hello and thanking them for coming. I pulled Jade in for another hug when I made my way back to her. “Thank you for this, Jade. I thought I didn’t want to celebrate, but I was wrong. This is nice, and I’m glad you went behind my back and planned all this.”

  She crossed her arms and batted her eyelashes, relishing my admission that she was right for once. “You’re welcome, but it wasn’t me,” she corrected, walking toward the head of the table. I cocked my head and followed her movements.

  Jade picked up a glass of water and clinked a knife against it while clearing her throat to gain everyone’s attention. “I’m not up here to make a long, sappy speech, but I’m glad you all could come out to celebrate the birthday boy. We all know how hard it is to keep secrets from him,” she said, tilting her head and flipping her hair in my direction. Muffled laughter erupted from the crowd. “But, Dean, there is someone here who wants to make that speech, and I think you’re going to want to hear this.”

  She stepped aside and my eyes gravitated to the person standing behind her.

  I did a double take when I realized it was Jasmine.

  She looked gorgeous in a dress that clung to her body in a way that made my chest instantly ache. It felt like time froze, and she was the only person in front of me. Our eyes met as a small smile teased her lips. I forced myself to stand still and let her talk, despite the desperation to kiss her burning in my veins.

  She cleared her throat as she picked up her drink. “To echo Jade’s sentiment, I’m really thankful you could all come out tonight to celebrate Dean’s birthday. I know some of you traveled from out of state, so it means a lot that y’all would make that trip on such short notice. I realize it’s a little unusual to have a surprise party for a thirty-first birthday, but I guess that’s just what happens when someone’s been in another state for so many birthdays.” She shifted in her heels and twisted her hands together, obviously thinking carefully about her next words. “I wanted everyone to come because I know you all are responsible, in some part, for Dean’s happiness throughout his life. From family members to family friends to college friends, I know Dean values each and every person here. And there’s no better way to show your love and appreciation for a person than by just being there for them.

  “A long time ago, Dean was there for me when I was at my lowest point, even though I didn’t think I needed him. He might not have even known it at the time, but it meant everything to me, and it took me too long to properly thank him for it. I realized though, that that’s just the kind of person Dean is. He’s kind and caring, sweet and genuine, and he makes me laugh more than any other person on Earth. It’s those qualities, among others, that made me fall in love with him. Again, it took me too long to be honest with him about my feelings. The truth is, I was afraid—afraid of rejection, afraid of losing one of my closest friends. But two different people recently reminded me that fear isn’t something that should dictate our decisions. We have to rise above the binds that tie us to our fears, and not let our fear of the unknown dictate our actions.”

  She stopped, squared her shoulders, and met my eyes dead-on. I kept her gaze as I slowly moved through the crowd, following the path that everyone cleared for me.

  “I’m a firm believer that we’re all presented with an opportunity to overcome our fears, and this is me taking mine,” she continued. “Dean, I love you more than you’ll ever know, and I’m sorry for being stupid and questioning that.”

  Her voice lowered on the last part of her speech as she watched me walk toward her. When I reached her side of the table, she grew shy and averted her eyes from mine. I reached out and cupped her face between my hands, bringing her gaze back to me and pressing our bodies together. She slowly wrapped her arms around my torso.

  “Jasmine, you’re wrong; I do know how much you love me. I didn’t need you to plan a birthday party to prove it, but I love you even more than I already did for doing this for me. I never should’ve let you leave, and I’m sorry I did. But I’m not sorry that your trip to Spain brought you back to me. The next time you get on a plane with a foreign destination, though, I’ll be in the seat next to you. Count on it.” My head dipped, bringing my lips down to press against hers. Her arms wove
around my neck as I slipped my hands into her hair, holding her close.

  Cheers and clapping erupted behind us, but I didn’t care. I was soaring through the clouds with her mouth on mine, and her body in my arms, never wanting to come back down again. Our kiss was much too brief, but for now I knew I had to play nice with the other guests and not drag her off to the nearest dark corner.

  She pulled back and smiled broadly. “Happy birthday, Dean. I hope it’s everything you thought it would be,” she murmured, leaving her arms around my neck. She started playing with the strands of hair at the base of my skull, and I never wanted her to stop.

  Everyone seemed to sense that we needed a moment and began busying themselves with their own conversations and looking over the menu. Our bubble couldn’t last forever, but I wasn’t willing to let her go just yet.

  “Oh it’s definitely more than I thought it would be. Thanks to you.”

  Jade came out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around both of us. “I love you both, and I’m so happy you figured your shit out,” she squealed, squeezing us both. “Now let’s get the party started! Save the R-rated parts of the reunion for behind closed doors.”

  We both rolled our eyes at her, but I glanced over at Jasmine and knew she was imagining all the things our R-rated reunion would entail. Those eyes of honey darkened as they swept over my frame. She bit her lip, instantly making me want her. “Jas, you’re going to need to rein it in with the come fuck me eyes and biting your lip like that. You said it yourself—people came a long way to see me, and it would be very rude of me to tell them I’m ditching my party because my girlfriend and I need some alone time.”