by Cassie Cross
Abby pressed her lips together for a moment before she could speak again. “I know.”
“Speaking of Cole,” Becca said, walking over to the dresser. “He asked me to give you something. In retrospect, it probably would’ve been smart for me to have done it before you put your makeup on. He wanted to give it to you himself, but I didn’t trust him not to push the door open to get a look at you. I know how you two are; you can’t keep your hands off each other. So I told him I’d do it so I didn’t have to break his fingers if he tried something.”
Abby laughed, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. “Okay.”
Becca handed her a small white box. Underneath it was a picture, and Abby gasped when she saw it. It was one of the few she had of her and her mother, all worn around the edges from years of holding it tight. The sight of this picture always made her sad, but not today. Today, she was nothing but happy. It felt nice to look at this picture with a new set of eyes, under different circumstances, on the best day. The two of them stood in the middle of the kitchen of the apartment they lived in when Abby was six. They were laughing, bright pink frosting smeared all over their faces. They had been making strawberry cupcakes; her mother’s special recipe.
Hands shaking, Abby opened the box.
Inside was a strawberry cupcake, just like the ones her mother used to make.
“He made a whole batch of them last night,” Becca said, unable to hide the note of affection in her voice. “He wanted to give you a whole box of them, but he’s picky, you know? This is the only one that turned out perfectly. He was real fussy about the shape, spent fifteen minutes frosting the damn thing. He wanted it to be just right.”
Abby took a deep breath and smiled, wondering exactly how she’d gotten to be so lucky. To find a man like Cole, to have him treat her like a queen. She’d only told him about these cupcakes once, in passing, when he’d asked her about the picture. It was a two minute memory that she shared with him, and somehow he knew this would be the right moment to bring it to light again.
Abby saw a little white paper peeking out from beneath the cupcake. Gently, she pulled it out.
Written on fancy white card stock in Cole’s handwriting was a simple, “I love you.”
There were no platitudes, no ‘I’m sorry’s, no ‘I know how much you want her here.’ Just three simple words, the most perfect thing he could’ve written on that card. He loved her, and that was enough to get her through anything.
“You couldn’t have found a more wonderful man,” Becca said.
Abby swallowed the lump in her throat, and smiled through her tears. She couldn’t wait to tie herself to Cole forever. It had always seemed like such a long time, but when she thinks about it in terms of her future with him, it seems like the blink of an eye; not nearly long enough.
“I know,” Abby replied.
No one could love her more than Cole, no one could love her better. No one could make her happier. Those were the most calming thoughts you could have about a person before you committed yourself to them for the rest of your life.
Becca picked up a compact and touched up Abby’s powder, then gave her a watery smile as she offered her a hand, then pulled her up off the bed.
“Come on,” she said, leading Abby to the door. “Let’s go get you married.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
COLE STOOD on the porch looking out at the ocean, letting the calming sea air wash over him. He was more anxious than nervous, just wanting to get this part of the day over with so he could slip his ring on Abby’s finger and start the rest of his life with her by his side. He knew that was a fairly ridiculous way to look at things; this was his wedding after all. But the thing is, he had already committed himself to her in every single way that mattered to him, all he needed to do now was make it legal. As the gaggle of lawyers kept on retainer could tell you, Cole never had any patience for making things legal, and he certainly never saw the romance in it.
The romantic thing was when he’d proposed to her, when she’d said yes. When he’d purchased a home for them to build their life together in. In his mind, the romantic part of this day would come much later, when he and his bride were far away from the prying eyes of his beloved friends and family.
He just wanted to see Abby, wanted to touch her, wanted to kiss her. He looked down at his watch, counting down the minutes until he’d see her walking out onto the porch, making her way toward him. He sighed, wishing the minute hand of his watch would move a little faster. Five minutes. Five minutes until he’d see her. In twenty she’d be his wife. His wife. Just thinking the word made a carefree, unbridled smile bloom across his face. He knew he probably looked like an idiot, but he didn’t care; he’d be an idiot for Abby, hell…he probably always had been.
“Now that’s the smile of a man in love,” Judge Michaels said as he fiddled with the button on the cuff of his shirt. Once he was situated, he reached out and wrapped his large, calloused hand around Cole’s, giving him a firm handshake.
“Judge,” Cole said with a smile. “Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for asking me,” he replied. “You know, there was a time in your life when I never would’ve seen this day coming.”
Cole winced a bit at that admission. Judge Michaels was an old friend of his father’s, and he’d managed to get Cole out of a few scrapes when he was younger. Back then he’d often find himself in front of the judge for legal proceedings that were entirely different from the one he was presiding over today. It was never anything too major, just public intoxication and a few other misdemeanors, but those incidents were parts of his life before Abby that he didn’t really like thinking of, even though he was still a teenager when they happened. They reeked of misspent youth and a certain kind of indignity that he didn’t like associated with thoughts of her.
“You and me both, sir,” Cole admitted with a smile.
“Judge, excuse me,” Scott said, nodding at the older man. Scott patted his brother on the back and ushered him off to the side, just to the right of the small altar. “You all right?” The corner of Scott’s mouth quirked up a bit as he asked the question.
“Just anxious,” Cole said, rubbing his hands together. He wanted to feel the weight of Abby’s ring on his finger. “I just want to be married to her already.”
Scott laughed. “Believe me, I understand the feeling. And just so you know, I took Dad’s cell phone. Told him he could have it back at the end of the night.”
Cole laughed. “Thanks.”
“Hey,” Tristan said, approaching the brothers and wrapping Cole in a tight hug. “Scott’s going to vouch for me on this one; I didn’t decorate your car with condoms like I said I would.”
“Car’s condom-free,” Scott affirmed.
“Scott?” Sara said, calling him over to her. Before he turned away, he gave Cole a smile. “Guess I’ll see you on the other side.”
“I’m proud of you, man,” Tristan said. “Who would’ve thought?”
“You know, you’re the second person today who’s said that. Who knows how many have thought it,” Cole said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Tristan grinned. “It’s a good thing. You know, you and I didn’t really have the best examples growing up, we really didn’t have anyone to show us how to make a relationship work. I can’t seem to do it, that’s for sure. But you met Abby, and she changed you. She changed you in ways I don’t even think you can see.”
Cole nodded, knowing his friend was right. He knew for sure that Abby had loosened him up, taught him to enjoy life in a way he hadn’t been able to—or hadn’t let himself be able to—before. It was one of the countless things he owed her for. And he was going to make sure he spent the rest of his life showing her just how grateful he was for everything she’d done for him.
“I know she did.”
Tristan looked at Cole for a moment, silence blanketing between them before Tristan finally spoke. “Let’s get together more often when you come back, okay?”
“I’ll make sure Abby invites Becca,” Cole replied, grinning.
“It’s not Becca,” Tristan said quickly, seeming to want to say more before he thought better of it. “Well, it’s not just Becca.”
“Okay.”
“Tristan, honey,” Olivia said, her voice dripping with cheer. “Go take your seat, we’re about to start.”
Tristan shook Cole’s hand. “Good luck,” he said, and Cole wasn’t sure if he was wishing him luck for the ceremony or wishing him luck for the talk he was about to have with his mother.
Olivia reached up and straightened his tie, and if Cole didn’t know any better he could’ve sworn that he saw tears in her eyes. His mother was someone who simply did not get emotional.
“She looks beautiful,” Olivia said as she reached out and straightened Cole’s tie. “And you look so handsome. You’re both going to be so happy together. So very happy.”
Cole took Olivia’s hands in his, then leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mother.”
Olivia began to walk away, turning around only to say one more thing. “Oh, Scott took your father’s phone, just so you know.”
Cole laughed. He looked over at Jack, who was already seated. His father had offered him a quick hug a few minutes before he stepped outside, but that was pretty much it; he just took his seat and waited for the proceedings to begin.
And begin they did.
Everyone was seated, and Cole stood next to the judge. And then Abby was standing in the doorway leading out to the patio, wearing a gauzy dress that made her look like an angel. The flash of color from the flowers she held made her seem more vibrant than ever. And when Cole looked at her, his heart thundered in his chest. He always thought he’d be overwhelmingly nervous in this moment, but he wasn’t, not at all. He just wanted her next to him.
When his eyes met hers, she smiled that smile that was brighter than sunshine, and there was no music, no grand entrance. She just walked over to him and handed her bouquet to Becca, then took his hands in hers.
It was like they were the only two people in the world.
Just the way it should be.
CHAPTER NINE
THE VERY second Abby saw Cole standing at the altar, all she wanted to do was kiss him and tell him just how much she loved him. She didn’t even see the adoring eyes of her family; both the family she’d made in Becca and the family she was marrying into. Her gaze was locked on Cole’s, and she couldn’t stop smiling. When she finally reached him—a trip of only a few steps that seemed like miles—she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. If he was surprised by it, he didn’t let it show. In fact, he almost seemed to be expecting it.
When they parted, Abby cupped his face with her hand, her eyes searching his.
“Thank you,” she whispered, and his forehead fell to hers. He understood everything she wasn’t saying in that moment: Thank you for the cupcake. Thank you for including my mother. Thank you for being in my life. Thank you for loving me.
The judge cleared his throat, and everyone laughed. “Maybe we should wait for that until after the ceremony,” he said. But all that did was make her want to do it again.
“Well get on with it then,” Cole said before he snuck one more kiss.
Cole held Abby’s hands and gazed at her lovingly as he promised to love her forever, ’til death do they part, and Abby, she did the same. They slid rings onto each other’s fingers and finally, finally they were husband and wife. And nothing in Abby’s life had ever felt as right as that moment did, when Cole cupped her face in his hands and kissed her lips, all soft and sweet, sealing the promises that they’d made to each other that morning.
Of course Abby would always remember what Cole was wearing (tan pants with a white shirt and blue tie that matched the flowers she carried), and she’d remember what they ate for dinner that night (filet mignon with roasted asparagus and fingerling potatoes), but she’d remember the little things, too. Like the way he looked at her when she was laughing, or how he kept his hand on her thigh during dinner because he just had to touch her, or the way he took her hand and led her away from the table while everyone was still eating just so he could dance with her while no music was playing. She’d remember their walk down to the pier, and how they just sat together in the quiet as they dangled their feet over the edge. She’d remember the way Becca kissed her cheek as she wished her well, and the way Olivia and Jack welcomed her to the family while she and Cole were standing in the driveway, right before he led her to the car.
“Where are we going?” Abby asked, once Cole was in the car beside her. He grinned, a sly thing, and clasped her hand in his. He leaned down and pressed a kiss against her ring before he started the engine.
They pulled out onto the long, winding road that ran alongside the shoreline, seeing nothing but hazy purples and oranges in the sky as the sun slowly sunk down below the horizon.
“Cole,” Abby laughed. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said.
CHAPTER TEN
TRYING TO be at least a little inconspicuous as he watched Abby from the driver’s seat, Cole carefully tried to gauge her reaction as they drove down the secluded road in the residential area on the far side of town, about fifteen minutes away from his parents’ home. If she had any idea at all where they were headed, she didn’t let on. She just closed her eyes and let the wind from the open window blow through her hair.
It wasn’t until Cole turned down the long, nondescript driveway that Abby’s breathing picked up. He tried unsuccessfully to hide his smile as the gravel crackled under the tires and the house came into view. She recognized exactly where they were now; she gripped the armrest and pushed herself up in the seat, as if somehow that would bring her closer, make it easier for her to see. He pressed on the accelerator just a tad, feeling the excitement build as he got ready to give her the biggest present he’d ever given her.
“Cole,” she said, her voice shaking. She looked over at him with wide eyes, her cute, perfect little mouth shaped into an ‘o.’ Honestly, this was the exact reaction he was hoping for when he first started planning this night a few weeks ago. When they’d left his parents’ house, she thought they were headed to the airport, ready to hop on the plane. But tonight? He had something much, much better planned.
He pulled the car into the circular driveway, coming to a stop right in front of the steps that led up to the wraparound porch, and Abby seemed like she just couldn’t believe her eyes. She’d been looking at this house in the real estate section of the Times for months now, and he’d found links to the realtor’s site in the browser history on their computer. It had been all he could do to keep this from her in the weeks since he’d purchased it. He’d seen the disappointment on her face when it disappeared from the listing sites, but he didn’t say a word.
It was a beautiful piece of real estate, he had to admit. His wife had excellent taste. It was somewhat similar to the house that belonged to his parents: classic and large, very New England. White siding and black shutters. Three stories and more windows than they could probably ever open. Beautiful beach views, and room to stretch out. He would’ve married her here, but giving her this at the same time they were trying to plan a wedding would probably have been too much of a shock to her system.
“Stay here,” Cole said as he climbed out of the car, quickly walking around to her side and opening the door. He took her hand and helped her out, completely unable to take his eyes off the expression on her face.
“What did you do?” she whispered, even though he knew that she was smart enough to realize exactly what it was he had done.
Cole could feel Abby trembling as he took her hand, and right then he just wanted to kiss her. So he slid the pad of his thumb along her bottom lip and pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that was soft and slow and warm, everything he wanted this night to be.
He led her up the porch steps and opened the door, then quickly lifte
d her up, laughing at the surprised shriek that escaped her lips, and carried her over the threshold.
“Welcome to your new home, Mrs. Kerrigan,” Cole said, smiling at the sound of his name. Her name. Their name, he supposed. Abby just stood there next to him and took it all in. The freshly painted walls, the cavernous ceilings, the pristine wood floors. Everything in this house was a blank canvas that she could cover with all the different shades of her. “Come here, let me show you my favorite part.” He pulled her towards the back of the house, where there were bay windows and French doors everywhere and a wraparound porch, complete with the swing she said she wanted.
They stood there, looking out at the ocean; a small stretch of beach that belonged just to them.
“Why did you do this?” Abby asked. There wasn’t any censure in her tone, just genuine curiosity. Cole imagined that it must’ve been difficult for her to accept things like this, given the way she grew up. That was one of the many reasons he wanted to shower her with everything he possibly could, why he wanted to offer her every single good thing in life.
Cole looked into Abby’s clear, deep eyes and smiled. “I did it because we lead busy, hectic lives and it’s nice to get out of the city on weekends. We need room to move, fresh air to breathe. I did it because we need a place that’s far away from work and other obligations. I did it because I have good memories of the beach house when I was I kid. So many great things happened there, and I want our children to have the same kinds of memories that I do. I want them to have a place where they can bring their friends,” he said as he reached over and brushed a tendril of hair behind her ear. “A place where they can get married, when they’re ready.”
Abby wrapped her fingers around his tie, pulling him down to her until their lips crashed together. “I love you,” she whispered against his lips, over and over, and he could taste the salt of her tears. He knew she wasn’t just thanking him for the house, she was thanking him for the memories that they would make in it.