Facade: Facade

by Ashley Suzanne

  “I really do have to go, though. I’m not ignoring you. Skylar needs some dinner taken to him at the shop since he’s going to be there for a few more hours. You know how he gets when he’s hungry.” Boy, do I. The kid’s worse than a woman on her period craving a candy bar and potato chips at the same time.

  “Okay, I’ll come by next week and we’ll catch up. I need to meet Jacoby at his house, anyway.”

  I hug Mira goodbye, get back in my car and head toward Jacoby’s house. I really hope he’s had enough time to do whatever was important enough to cut off my kiss and kick me out of my apartment.

  Pulling up, I see his car in the driveway. Instead of knocking like I usually do, I push in the access code on the garage panel and walk into the house. I find Jacoby typing away on my laptop in the dining room.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Hold on, give me two minutes,” he says, completely concentrated on whatever he’s doing, “almost there.” He punches the keys a few more times and then leans back, looking satisfied.

  “Okay, so you wrote our story, where you see us going. I kind of played off that and possibly gave you the best ending possible for your book.” Now I’m intrigued. I probably won’t use it to end my book, since I didn’t write it and all, but the fact that he’s interested in what I’m working on enough to write something back to me warms my heart; I’m so in love with this man.

  “Can I read it?” I ask. Jacoby turns the laptop to face the other chair at the table. I sit down, crack my knuckles sarcastically and start to read what he’s written.

  I don’t know why, but summer is my favorite season. When I was younger, I guess it was because of the half-dressed girls and hormones floating in the air. Now that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, it might have something to do with the fact that I have the girl of my dreams and my daughter with me on a beach.

  Six months ago, if you would have said, “Hey Jacoby, I’ll bet you a thousand dollars that you and Kylee will make it,” I wouldn’t have taken it. There was always something about Kylee that made me think I couldn’t be the person she needed. Never did I imagine, she just needed someone to show her how to love and give her that love right back.

  Walking along the white sandy beach, Kylee and Shelby come into sight. My girls look absolutely stunning; sun-kissed skin, hair cascading around their shoulders, and bare feet with light pink toenail polish to match their fingers.

  “Daddy, can we go in the water?” Shelby asks, walking hand in hand with Kylee. If I wasn’t sure Dawn was her mother, I would swear it was Kylee. The only difference between them is their hair color. Where Kylee’s is red and naturally straight, Shelby’s is so blonde it’s almost white and the natural curls could rival Shirley Temple.

  “We’ll have to wait a little while longer, baby girl.” My eyes start to mist when I look at them. Both are wearing long, cream-colored dresses, emphasizing the tan on their skin.

  “But Kylee said we could,” Shelby pouts and I eye Kylee who’s holding on to my daughter’s hand, giggling.

  “Trying to run already, Red?”

  Kylee, still hand in hand with Shelby, walks directly up to me and kisses my cheek. Shelby latches onto my leg and Kylee whispers in my ear, “Now why would I run? It’s highly unlikely. Especially since I ditched my birth control.” A slight blush tints Kylee’s cheeks and my heart’s beating like a jackhammer.

  “You threw it away?” I ask in a hushed tone.

  “Figured that Shelby would need a little brother.” I take Kylee’s face between my palms, stare into her eyes for any hint of doubt and softly kiss her ruby lips when I see that she’s all in.

  Getting to this point was no easy task, but would it really be worth it if it was? I don’t think so. My grandfather always used to tell me, “Son, when it’s hard or seems unimaginable, that’s how you know it’s going to be exceptional.” I always thought he was talking about business, but until this very moment, I realize he was talking about love—about my grandmother.

  “Are you guys almost ready?” Mira hollers from the edge of the water. I should have known when I suggested Hawaii, Kylee wouldn’t go without her best friend.

  I wanted a simple vacation, just Kylee and Shelby, but what can I do? Tell her no? That’s not going to happen. Ever.

  “We’re coming, hold on a minute,” Kylee says, taking my hand in hers.

  Shelby runs ahead of us and takes Mira’s hand when she reaches the water. I’m almost a little nervous that she’s going to just dive right in, but Mira hikes her up on her hip.

  Kylee stops to talk with Skylar and he claps me on the back.

  “Get your ass down there, I’ve got her. You ready, Ky?” Skylar asks as I continue walking.

  By chance, I happen to hear Kylee respond. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

  Once I’ve reached the ocean, I look out into the vast body of water and think back on all the important things I’ve done in my life. Not many seem to compare to this moment right now.

  Kylee and Skylar finish their chat and head toward Mira, Shelby and I. Skylar places Kylee’s hand in mine before he envelopes Mira in a loving embrace, Shelby standing between them, staring at the water like she’s going to make a break for it.

  “We are gathered here today, to witness the joining of two hearts, Jacoby and Kylee.” The minister continues with the traditional wedding spiel, until it’s time to exchange vows. One thing Kylee and I wanted was to write vows for one another.

  “Jacoby and Kylee, please join hands and read the vows you’ve chosen to write for each other.”

  My heart is beating out of my chest, nervous I’m not going to be able to get a coherent thought out of my mouth. I look the love of my life in her eyes and start at the only place I know. “Since the moment I met you, I was captured. Not only by your beauty, but by your intelligence, kindness and spirit. I thank God every day that you walked into my office. I am honored to be your husband and I promise there won’t ever be a single day that goes by that you won’t know this. Reality is only in the moment; tomorrow is something completely new and a new realty. Forever is a wish, a hope, a dream. Kylee Renee Anderson, you are my forever and my always. You are my constant.”

  Kylee’s eyes are glazed over, tears threatening to spill. It takes her a moment to compose herself enough to speak, but when she does, the most beautiful words come out of her mouth.

  “I’ve never known what real love was. I stopped dreaming of it for so long that I forgot it existed. Until you wove yourself into my heart. I tried to get you out, God did I, but something deep in my soul told me to hold on to it and never let go. I’m so thankful that I didn’t, because you’re everything I could ever want. You, Jacoby Alexander Roberts, are my dream come true. A dream I didn’t know I still had, until you. It was always you.”

  Kylee’s smile shines brighter than I’ve ever seen as I slip the platinum band onto her left ring finger. She looks into my eyes, staring straight through to my soul, telling me we’ve got this, as she glides the titanium band onto mine.

  “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride,” the minister says. I waste no time taking Kylee in my arms, kissing her with every ounce of love I have for her.

  The only time I’ve been happier in my life is the day Shelby was born, and this is a very close second.

  I take Kylee’s hand and walk on the warm sand, the grains moving under my bare feet. Shelby runs to me, detaching our hands, only to replace herself in the middle.

  “Are we a family now?” Shelby asks, looking up at me with her big blue eyes.

  “Yes, baby girl, we’re a family now.” Kylee and I glance at each other, both smiling.

  “So, we can go in the water now. Right, Kylee?” This little girl and her obsession with the water.

  “Of course. Last one back to the house is a rotten egg,” Kylee says, letting go of Shelby’s hand and running ahead of us.

  �
�No fair,” Shelby whines, picking up the bottom of her dress just like Kylee, and taking off in a mad sprint.

  I take back what I thought earlier. This is the happiest I’ve ever been. My two best girls, so in love with each other, running to change into bathing suits.

  My life has officially started.

  By the time I finish, tears are streaming down my face and the hiccups that follow an ugly cry are more than apparent. He wants to marry me and start a life with me.

  “That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read,” I say, looking up only to find Jacoby’s no longer sitting in front of me. I must have really been into the story to not realize he’s moved.

  I stand up in search of Jacoby, when I almost trip on him kneeling at the bottom of the stairs, holding a little black box in his hand.

  “What are you doing?” I ask, laughing.

  “Just think of it as an instruction manual,” he replies, smiling.

  “I didn’t mean you had to propose to me right this second. I just know where I want to end up. I want our story to end together, wherever that might be.”

  “Red, how about we stop writing manuals and start making memories? I really do love summer weddings and if we start planning now, I’m sure we can book somewhere amazing. What do ya say, Red? Be my wife?” Every doubt I’ve ever had about him flies out the window, along with any insecurities I’ve harbored. Right here, in this moment, I’m all in.

  “Only if you’ll be my husband.” Jacoby cocks his head, his gaze blazing through me as he takes the exquisite platinum band with the largest diamond I’ve ever seen and places it on that very special finger all those girls dream about.

  “You already know, Red. Put this one in the book.” Little did I know, I’m one of those girls. Planning a summer wedding in a few months should be no problem, right? Oh well, I don’t care. We can hop on a plane and get married in the mountains for all I care. As long as we’re together, that’s all that matters.

  ~~~ The End ~~~

  Love is a feeling, a real, raw, and unscripted emotion so sensationally pure, unable to dull even under the strain of a world against it, strong enough to heal the broken and warm even the coldest of hearts. – Madeline Sheehan, UnBeautifully

  Thank you so much for reading FAÇADE! Kylee and Jacoby were a really good time to write and I’m not sure if I could have done it if you guys didn’t beg for it. Façade was intended to be a novella, but with all the support and encouragement, I turned it into a novel. Thanks again for taking a chance on a girl with a dream!

  Keep an eye out for EPIPHANY, coming Summer of 2014.

  Epiphany will be the final book in The Destined Series. I’m sure I’ll have some tricks up my sleeve, but rest assured a HEA will be included. Who that HEA belongs to is still up in the air. *winky face*

  Make sure to read on … I’ve included some of my favorite stories at the end of this book. Entice by SE Hall, Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan and Little Things by Madison Street. I can’t wait for you to fall in love with some of the most amazing characters I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  BP – Thanks again for making this process easy for me by letting me do my thing. I know it’s not easy having a writer for a wife, but you do it effortlessly. Thanks for being my support system and to the moon and back, I love you.

  Pamela – There are no words to express how much I adore you. You’re always on my side, no matter what, and it’s a great feeling to have. I love more than anything working with you and I hope that this year brings you all the joy and success you deserve. Meeting you was one of the best moment (and fangirl moments) of my life.

  Stephanie – My rock. My hero. My critique partner. My best friend. All I can say is thank God for long distance being included in our cell phone plans. You are the only person in the world that I can talk to for hours and then miss you as soon as we hang up. There is nobody else who understands me like you do, and I don’t know what I would do without you. You have inspired me to be a better person and a better writer. Your help is invaluable. We have the kind of friendship people crave, and I’m blessed to have you in my corner. #TheDJBooth <---- See what I did there!

  Toski/Sommer – My dynamic duo of exceptional cover photography and design. Mother hell, you guys are BEYOND amazing. The brand you’ve given my work is .. wow .. it’s just WOW. I can’t even put into words how much I love my covers. I know I’m biased, but hell, they’re beautiful! Thank you so much for taking a chance on me and believing in my work so much you put your names on it! It’s a huge honor to be working with such amazing women such as yourselves.

  Tiffany – You are the best editor a girl can have. Since you started working on my books, my life has been so much easier. Knowing that I have the best copy available to give to my readers is the best feeling in the world. I appreciate you more than I can say. You are my Red!

  Madeline – Are there words? Are there feelings? I don’t even know. What I do know is, you’re my Yoda. You help me, push me and give me drive I didn’t know existed. You told me a while ago, that I needed one person to be totally candid and myself with. You are that person. You’ve opening my eyes to things I never thought I would be open to, and now I’m a slut for paranormal. You should be proud. So many things in this book are things I’ve taken from our conversations. I hope that you see them and laugh hysterically, knowing I put a piece of us into this book! Jesse James Hideout better watch out, we’re coming for you!

  Manda – The other half of me. If Mira and Kylee were real people, they would be us. Their conversations, their dates, their attitudes, they are US. Who has Pitch Perfect dance parties to get out of a funk, we do. Who drinks for no reason, every reason or made up reasons, we do. Thank you for being my friend, I appreciate you. PS .. Please marry Global and put her out of her misery. I’ve always wanted to be a best man in a wedding *hint hint*

  My mommy and sister – I’m so proud to be from our dysfunctional family. Good times and bad, I can always count on you two to make me remember that family is always the most important thing. No matter how much I want to hang up on mom when she’s in a fit or punch Brooke in the nose for being a brat, I will take anyone on for being mean or hurting you.

  My 2 little boys – How I have missed you. Writing is no easy task, especially when you’re a mommy. My 2 boys, Tyler and Brayden, are the reasons for everything I do. I want you boys to know that if you have a dream, you can achieve it. With hard work, anything is possible. Reach for the stars boys, whatever you want is out there ready for you to take it. Thank you guys for having each other to play with when I hide away to write these novels to buy you toys and video games. (Yes, that is why my children think I write)

  My Readers – JESUS! You guys are the best readers any author could have. You’re always on me, encouraging me to write more to satisfy your hunger for these characters. I know it’s not easy waiting for the next installment, but you guys never rush me; always wanting the story to be perfect before it reaches your eReader. I write because it’s the only thing I want to do; I publish these words for YOU.

  My Beta Readers – Manda, Stephanie, Tiffany, Toni, Christen, Brittany, Carrie, Anna, Heather (my coffee buddy), Tabby, Sammy, Kellie, Joni, Christy, and Jessica. You butches make my life. If there’s something to catch, you catch it. We have some of the funniest conversations known to man and you guys allow me to torture you with my sick and twisted sense of humor. I didn’t want to name you, in fear that another author will snatch you guys up, but you all deserve so much recognition. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

  My Angels – GIRLS!!! All of you that promote my work, tell others about me and give me amazing teasers, WOW. I’m in awe of how amazing you actually are. It’s only going to get better Angels, and I’m so happy you’re along for the ride. I can’t call you all out by name, because, well, there’s just too many, and I would forget someone and that person would probably be Virginia and she would cut me off my Jase fixes. I can’t h
ave that!

  Bloggers – You guys take my emails and run with whatever I send you. That’s love. I adore each and every one of you. Thank you so much for reading, reviewing and telling your followers about my books. Without you, my books would just be books, not favorites. They wouldn’t be loved, cherished or talked about constantly. I owe all of you big time!

  My Family – OMG, I have the craziest, off the wall, unconventional family of all time. We’re all kind of crazy, but love each other unconditionally. There’s never a time that I call and can’t get a hold of one of you. My nieces and nephews are my life. Sister and Brother-In-Laws are the best of all time. Cousins rock my world. Aunts and Uncles make the world go round. Grandparents make the holidays that much more special. Step parents love like we’re blood. Thank you all for being a part of my life!

  A few special shout outs – Here ya go babes, I’m calling out a few people who have shown me so much love over the last few months and I talk to these people on a weekly basis. Heather (my coffee date babe), Eye Candy Bookstore, Alma, Amber, Toni, Dirty Diva’s, Sam, Sammy, Leanne, Mia, Erin, Don’t eat the cake, it has crabs, Chrissy, Traci, Jessica, Mariah (the most beautiful cover model ever), Hilary, Julie, Gail, Deuces Babes, Poppets, Kim and Cami, Tiffany, Virginia, Ellie, Hilz, Lacy, Cyndi Maggie, Chantel, HEA Book Shelf, Tabby’s Tantalizing Reviews, Chicks Controlled by Books, What To Read After Fifty Shades of Grey, Sarah’s Book Blog, I’ll Be Reading, Love N Books, The amazing bloggers who took part in my promotion over the last few months, and all the rest of you that I’m sure I missed. I hate naming people because my poor mind is fried from just finishing this darn book. I LOVE YOU ALL!! Thank you.

  About the Author

  Ashley Suzanne is a married mother of three little boys as well as a daughter, aunt, sister, best friend, birth mother, blogger, book whore and author. Ashley is a native to the suburbs of Detroit, with most of her family living in Kentucky and New York.