For the Love of Gracie (The Southern Devotion Series)

by McClung, Amy

  Ashton replied, "I was fourteen, in high school. We were watching it on the news during first period. It was as though none of us could look away. The teacher ended up getting in trouble for letting us watch it for so long. I remember seeing people jump from the windows. It was like watching a movie, it was unreal. Being here today makes it so real."

  Gavin, Ashton, Cameron, Angel and I had our picture taken in front of the sight. All of us looked very serious and our eyes were ready to spill with tears. We headed back to the hotel for the evening. Cameron and Gavin said their goodnights while Angel went to set up some drinks for our evening of girl time.

  "This time tomorrow, you'll be Mrs. Ashton Collins."

  My heart fluttered at those words. "I can't wait." He pulled me forward and pressed his lips to mine. His tongue ran across my lips lightly, pressing me to open and invite him in. I opened my mouth and pressed closer to him.

  "Ahem!" Cameron interrupted.

  I giggled, pulling away from Ash. "Uh-oh, it's the make-out police again."

  Cameron smacked my bottom. "Get to your room young lady. It is getting close to midnight and you cannot afford any bad mojo for tomorrow!"

  One last kiss from Ash and I reluctantly left him to go to my own room. Angel had a couple of cold beers waiting for us. She turned on the television and found a movie on for us to watch. We had run ourselves so ragged, that the couple of beers we drank put us straight to sleep.

  In the morning, I woke up smiling. I bounced on the bed to wake Angel.

  "I'm getting married today!" I exclaimed.

  She reached back to slap me and pulled a pillow over her face as she mumbled something in Spanish that didn’t sound like a nice word.

  I ran to get in the shower and my phone beeped. It was a text from Ashton.

  We can't talk or see each other but we can text. I missed you last night. Walk to the door. Place your hand in the center, right over the peephole.

  I texted him back, one handed, and said, 'done'.

  Now press your body against the door and press your lips to it, I'll do the same on this side.

  I did as he asked. I heard snickering from behind me and saw Cameron texting and laughing.

  I stood with my hands on my hips. "What the hell are you doing?"

  He snickered. "Making you look like an asshat as you molest the door. Ash left his phone here last night, I couldn’t resist! Shit, you'll do anything he tells you to do." He made the motion of a whip with his hand and made a sound to accompany it, "Wi-kssh."

  I rolled my eyes. "As if Gavin doesn’t have you whipped as well."

  He grinned. "Touché."

  The wedding was in Central Park and we had three hours until we were supposed to be there to meet everyone. Ashton's parents were meeting us there with Katelyn. They flew in the night before and kept watch over her so that Derrick and Ashton could spend time together.

  Angel fixed my hair. She curled the edges and pulled one side back with a beautiful comb edged in diamonds. "The comb is your something new. Mary Jane and I bought it for you. As for your something old, " she reached in her purse and pulled out a pair of thunderbolt rainbow earrings, "remember these?"

  I doubled over in laughter. "I wore those every day of high school! They were my favorite earrings until I lost them when we went camping. Where did you find them?"

  She smiled. "I found them when I was packing the house. Now for your something borrowed." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a necklace.

  "That's MJ's mothers necklace," I said as I reached for it.

  Angel nodded. "She sent it for you to wear today as your something borrowed and as a piece of her with you." To hold back the tears, I inhaled deeply through my nose.

  "Last but not least, your something blue." She held up a blue garter belt and wiggled her eyebrows at me. I grinned and stuck my leg up for her to slide it on.

  Once we were all dressed and ready to go, we stepped outside to hail a cab. Angel gasped as she saw a horse drawn carriage approach. "Dang girl, that's the ride you need! Let me ask how much it would cost, maybe we can get it for you!"

  Before she could move, the man on the carriage yelled out, "Ms. Gracie Walker, Mr. Cameron McIntosh, your carriage awaits."

  Ashton and Gavin must have arranged the carriage for us. Angel, Cameron, and I squealed with delight as we climbed up into the coach. We were on our way to the park, in style. I felt like a true princess today in my beautiful gown. Everyone on the street waved and took pictures of us. Angel looked beautiful in her red satin dress with thin diamond belt. Cameron was dashing in his white tuxedo with his red rose boutonniere.

  When we arrived at the park, I saw Ashton and Gavin standing together, under a flower archway. Ashton's gaze met mine as I was helped out of the carriage. His face illustrated the joy that I felt. We both sucked in our bottom lips to keep from crying.

  Katelyn ran up to me with her basket of flowers. She stepped in front and led the way by scattering the petals. She was thrilled at the opportunity. Before Angel started her walk, she whispered, "Don't ruin your make-up or Cameron will kill you." I laughed and gave her a thumbs up. She moved down the carpeted walkway to stand beside Ash. Cameron stuck his arm out to me.

  My family had wanted to come, but they were overseas on business for my stepfather. They made a family trip of it and had planned it long before I knew I was getting married. We decided it was poetic for Cameron to walk me down the aisle.

  "I love you, baby girl," Cameron whispered as he kissed my cheek.

  "I love you more, Cam." He handed me over to Ash and we joined hands. Cameron stepped over to Gavin and held his hand. The minister would perform both ceremonies at once.

  When it came time for the vows, I began, “Ashton Collins, you are my very best friend.” Cameron cleared his throat, loudly. I chuckled. “My very best straight friend.”

  Cameron gave a curt nod. “Much better.”

  A wave of laughter erupted. “From the first moment I met you, I knew I loved you. When you met me I was incomplete, like an unfinished painting. You came into my life, as a friend, and opened my eyes to the beauty and the goodness in this world. When my world became dark again, you brightened it with your love for me. You took me in and you protected me and loved me, unconditionally. Your love, literally, saved my life.”

  Ashton had tears in his eyes as he smiled at me. It was his turn. He sniffed back his tears and took a deep breath, I gave his hand a squeeze. “You say I saved your life, but you saved mine. I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you. The night I met you, my life started over. You make me laugh. You amaze me with your strength and loyalty. I knew that first night that I wanted to know you for the rest of my life. No matter what role I played in your life, I wanted to be part of it. You’ve brought me more joy than I ever thought I could feel again. You’re my best friend, the love of my life, my Gracie-bug.”

  Everyone around gave a resounding “Aww.” I laughed through my tears of bliss. Ashton winked at me as he squeezed my hand.

  Epilogue

  Ashton and I had been married for two years and I kept waiting for the day I’d wake up from this fabulous dream. Each day, I came home from school, expecting that he wouldn't be there because I had imagined the whole thing.

  After a long day of classes, I wanted to curl up on the couch with Ash and relax with a glass of wine. As I opened the door, my heart stopped at the sight in front of me.

  Ashton was holding her in his arms, gazing into her eyes, and telling her how beautiful she was and how he never thought he could love someone as much as he loved me.

  A tear fell from my cheek as he glanced up and said, “Uh-oh, Autumn, mommy’s crying again.”

  Autumn was five months old and I still hadn’t gotten used to the sight of her with Ashton. He was the best father that any woman could want for her daughter.

  “They’re happy tears though.” He grinned and patted the seat next to him.

  “What have you a
nd our princess been up to all day?”

  Her chubby cheeks shifted as her little plump lips formed into a grin at seeing my face. Ashton passed her to me to cuddle.

  She giggled as I press kisses against her chubby cheeks and spoke in my cartoon voice to tell her that I missed them both so much today.

  Once I had hit my last trimester of pregnancy, I took the next semester of school off so I could spend time with the baby after she was born. I started back once she turned four months and it was almost time for me to graduate.

  Ashton spent the day with her while I went to school. He ran his business mostly from home now. We set up an office for him to meet with clients in the third bedroom. When they couldn't meet at the house, he could meet them at their clubs at night, so it worked out that one of us was always with Autumn.

  We decided to name her that because that was the time of year we met. She had black hair like Ash’s and she had his smile. Her soft hair had small, soft, curls. She was a chubby baby that was very happy and very easy to get along with. She loved everyone. She rarely cried and she was, of course, the most beautiful little girl in the world.

  Even at such a young age, it was easy to see that she adored Ash as much as I did. Cameron and Gavin had a baby girl via surrogate, shortly after we found out we were pregnant. They named her Addison Grace, which meant the world to Ashton and me. Cameron spoiled her rotten.

  I thought, between Autumn and Addison, he would go broke in no time. He dubbed himself Uncle of the Year, but I had to say I agreed with the title.

  “How was school?” Ashton asked.

  I was working on my doctorate in psychology. If all worked out, in a year, I would complete my studies.

  “Not bad. We start our internships soon. I spoke to my counselor and she has agreed to let me intern at her practice. She is going to give me a few of her patients, after she speaks with them first. She asked if it would be alright to tell them about my experience, to make them more comfortable. Of course, I told her it was fine.”

  Ashton nodded. “I’m so proud of you, bug.”

  Life was good. I could say that now, without a doubt. The first few months without Angel and Mary Jane were difficult. We found that we talk as much as we ever did. It was still hard not to see each other every day, but we had been down to visit twice now, and they came up to meet Autumn.

  What Hudson did to me was something no woman should ever suffer. The way I finally found peace with what happened was something I could be proud of now.

  THE END

  Look for the next installment of The Southern Devotion series, coming 2014.

  Follow my Facebook author page for updates. www.facebook.com/AmyKMcclung

  If you or someone you know has been the victim of rape, abuse, or incest, find a crisis center close to you for help by logging on to http://centers.rainn.org/orYou can reach your local crisis center at any time by calling National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE (4673).

  Suicide is never the right choice. If you feel suicidal, find someone to talk to. You can log on to http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Or call 24 hours a day/7 days a week

  1-800-273-8255

  No one is ever alone, there is always someone out there willing to help.

  Acknowledgments

  For the inspiration of Gracie’s friends in this book, I’d like to acknowledge my “Looza” buddies. We created the Looza events three years ago and those are some of the best memories I have. We may not see each other every day, but you’re all very special to me. Without you, there wouldn’t be crazy card games, wacky shots, stories of immense TMI nature, pirate talk “Argh where’s me cup?” and nights of good natured debauchery.

  To my beta readers…

  Chasity, girl you know I adore you! You helped make my last book (The Dark Moon) a success with your help on editing. You also made me smile and feel so confident about my Gracie story! You continuously keep my writing confidence up. You’re a sweetheart and so funny too! You’re just an all-around awesome chick and I appreciate you more than you know! You know I love ya!

  To my girl, Leah B, what can I say, you’re a Godsend! You’ve also kept my writing confidence up more times than I can count. You always love my characters as much as I do, which thrills me! You've done so much to help make sure Gracie is a success, I don't know what I'd do with you! I'm so glad to call you friend, love you, girl!

  Ruthi…Her Awesomeness. What can I really say more than that? I cherish our friendship so much. You give the best tackle hugs! You always keep me laughing and are ready to kick some metaphorical ass if needed! I love ya Ruthi-girl!

  Mary Ann, my awesome editor, you are a sweetheart, a ball-buster, and a genius all wrapped up in one! I admire you so much for your ability to stand up to people, I've never been one who was able to do that. I let people kick me repeatedly and just cry until I allow myself to get over it. You stand up for yourself, for your friends, and I respect that immensely! Your friendship and support means a lot to me! Love you!

  To Becky and Justine of Bex N Books, you ladies have been amazing to me! You both keep me laughing! You surprised me with a month long spotlight and words cannot express how excited I was or how appreciative! Thank you for everything you do for authors in general, You rock! I love you both!

  I've been very lucky and made many amazing friends in the book community. We share a love of books, we boost each other's confidence, we 'pimp' each other out, sometimes we even inspire each other. It's an amazing community!

  Some of my biggest supporters have been right here at home. My mom 'pimps' me out to everyone she knows. She has sold more books for me than I have sold for myself! Both of my parents have been fantastic in supporting me in this endeavor in my life.

  Last, but in no way least, my husband. He was the inspiration for Ashton in this book. He is my Prince Charming, my saving grace. He may not read my 'mushy' books but he supports me in every facet of my writing. He encourages me to keep going, even when I'm ready to give up. He helps me with technical support, allows me to bounce ideas off him, even helps keep my Facebook pages running. Without him, I'd be a mess. Daniel, my best friend, my love, my everything…thank you!

  I enjoy making new friends to share my love of books with. Feel free to come join me on my Facebook page…

  www.facebook.com/AmyKMcclung is my author page on Facebook where I share information about my writing. I also pimp other authors, do lots of giveaways, and just post random thoughts at times.

  www.facebook.com/CascadesOfMoonlight is the book page for my first set of books, a YA Paranormal Romance, The Parker Harris Series. I'd love for you to get to know Parker and her friends. My next YA series will be a spinoff of Parker Harris with a character introduced in the second book.

  Friend me on Goodreads so we can share books!!

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  About the Author

  Amy McClung was born in Nashville, TN. She is the second oldest of four girls. She married Daniel McClung in September 2005 and they currently reside just outside of Nashville.

  She graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1996. In 2002 obtained her general certification in medical coding and billing and in 2009 she obtained a specialty certification in Hospital medical coding and billing. Amy and her husband are both fans of fantasy novels as well as avid movie collectors.

  Her favorite past times include watching movies, drawing, and reading fantasy novels. Her first book was a means of therapy for her as it enabled her to escape reality for a while during a difficult transition in her life.

  The Parker Harris Series is the first series of books by this author. Cascades of Moonlight is Book #1, Dreams, Spells, and Mo
onlit Tales is Book #2, and The Dark Moon is Book #3. Her next series will be a YA Fantasy series called The Crispin Sinclair Chronicles, a spinoff of The Parker Harris Series. For the Love of Gracie is the first installment in a series called The Southern Devotion Series. This series will contain New Adult books that revolve around different characters each time. The next book in the series is untitled but will revolve around the characters of Mary Jane and Derrick.