"Abs, seriously? This is ridiculous. I need to talk to you."
She huffed for a second, knowing that she was being childish, then gave in to his adorable pleas. "Can you do me up first?" She opened the door and Edwin quickly slipped inside the room, closing the door behind him.
Abigail turned away and Edwin’s eyes skimmed over her soft, bare skin. He swallowed a gulp of air and slowly zipped the dress all the way up. He brushed aside the soft veil of fabric sprouting from her hair and kissed her neck. "You look amazing," he whispered.
Tears pooled in her eyes. Happy tears. "Thank you."
"Come." Edwin clasped her free hand and pulled her to an elaborate, antiquated chair.
She took a seat, as Edwin pulled up another chair for himself, careful not to disrupt her gown. He leaned forward and took both of her hands in his.
“How’re we doing?” he asked, gulping back another breath.
“Honestly?" she said, letting her nerves start to show. "I'm terrified.”
Edwin delivered a teasing smile. "And here I thought you might be a little more encouraging."
Abigail cupped Edwin’s cheek and tilted her head to express her love. "Eddie, I can’t imagine my life without you in it."
Even with his beautiful bride-to-be near tears, he couldn’t help but tease her. "You realize once you say I do, there's no turning back."
"I do," she answered.
A genuine smile kicked up on Edwin's mouth, as he leaned forward to give his beautiful bride a kiss. With a tender press of his lips, Edwin massaged away her tension, and charmed her back under his spell.
"I love you," he said, then brushed a kiss on her chin.
Abigail hooked her arms around his neck and stole another kiss. "I love you so much."
Edwin brushed his lips against hers one last time, before pulling her to her bare feet. "Before I go, I just wanted to give you this.” He pulled out a beautiful, white gold locket from inside his jacket and dangled it out to her. “I know it might not go with your gown and I understand if you don’t want to wear it today, but I wanted you to remember that this is the day I gave you the other piece of my heart.”
He dropped the locket into Abigail’s hand and handed her a small scrap of paper folded into a small square. “Read this after I go,” he said, smiling. “I'd better get back out there anyway, before they come looking for me."
Abigail nodded, doing her best to keep it together, then pressed a firm kiss to Edwin’s lips. "I love you," she whispered, unable to quit saying it. She was so happy.
Her hand brushed off of his silky chest as Edwin hurried for the door. "I'll see you at the altar," he said, waggling his eyebrows and taking off before he could catch her resulting smile.
Abigail smoothed her fingers over the dainty heart-shaped pendant, feeling an engraving on the back. Holding it between her finger and thumb, she squinted to read the inscription. “Just Friends Forever.”
She pressed her lips together, to hold back the tears, certain that she was going to drop some when she opened it up. Taking her time, she opened one half of the pendant. Inside, she found her favourite engagement photo. When she slowly opened the other side, she was shocked to find that it was empty.
After carefully unfolding the little note, Abigail broke out in a tearful laugh.
“This piece of my heart may appear empty,
But you know that’s not a fact,
After our vows our said, I’m taking you to my bed,
And our baby will fill that gap.”
It was a sad attempt at a rhyme, but it had Abigail clutching at her heart. She closed the trinket and wrapped the dainty chain around her wrist a couple of times, holding Edwin’s heart in the palm of her hand.
Abigail disappeared into the private bathroom and dusted a fresh powder over her face. She was surprised how flawless her skin looked, considering how poorly she had slept last night. The nightmares she had endured had been enough to put her in a mental hospital. Tears started to well in her eyes as she remembered the threats, but she refused to mess up her face again.
As she reached for the door handle to bolt from the small, windowless room, darkness splashed over her. The air grew thin and cool, and a chill skipped up her spine. Abby tore her eyes from the blackened door and straightened herself to face the large wall of mirror, knowing exactly what was happening. Jenny was going to make good on her threats.
Red glowing eyes stared back at her in the reflection. Abigail slid her hand up the wall, without blinking, her fingers inching toward the light switch. She managed to get the lights to flicker back on, but she never took her eyes from her sister. Jenny sat cross-legged on the bathroom counter and her eyes flickered a magnificent shade of purple.
"But...but…" Abigail stuttered.
"But...but," Jenny repeated, mocking her.
"I thought you could only come out at night."
"I prefer the shadows,” Jenny said, with an evil grin set on her face. “And it adds to the mystery, wouldn’t you agree?"
"What do you want?" Abigail snapped, the words bursting from her lips.
"Ooh, feisty. You know exactly why I'm here." Jenny gave Abby a pointed glare, her violet eyes seeing right through her. "I warned you."
Abigail nodded her head, trying to convince herself of a blatant lie. "I've been distracted from reality lately. That's why I'm dreaming you up right now," she told herself.
"Oh, trust me. This is no dream. I think it’s time for you to cash out while you still can. There's the door." Jenny pointed toward the closed door. "Start walking and don't look back. Vera can take it from here. She doesn't want you to marry Edwin anyway."
Though Abigail knew that Vera never really approved of her, it hurt to hear Jenny say it out loud. "How do you get off making my life a living hell? What did I ever do to you?"
"You. You. You,” Jenny chanted. “It’s always about you. Do you think my life is so peachy? I'm dead, Abigail. You lived. You think life isn’t fair? Try death on for size."
"No," Abigail shouted, more angry than sad.
Jenny’s legs were draped over the vanity, and she kicked them up and down, like a carefree child. "Cameron still grapples with himself over Pheobe’s loss of her mother, you know. He still blames himself for Tessa’s death. I can just imagine what kind of effect it's going to have on him to know that he could have saved you. Then there's Edwin."
"You would never." With teeth clenched, Abigail had officially lost her cool.
"Oh, I would and I will. It's too bad that your luck will cause yet another tragic accident. And on your wedding day. What a shame."
"Stop it!" Abigail screamed, unable to take much more.
"I know what you're feeling about Cameron right now. It's okay, Abby.” Jenny crossed her leg and rested her hands on her knee. "It's hard to pretend not to love someone, when every time you look at him all you see is everything you ever wanted."
If what Jenny said was true, Abigail was sure to die a mysterious death and join her in eternal misery by week-end. But Jenny was wrong. And Abigail had already reached her daily limit for craziness. "That's enough!" she shouted.
"You marry Edwin and you're signing his death certificate," Jenny stated, then disappeared on a black flame sparking from the vanity light.
Aubrey forced the door open and rushed inside the bathroom to hold Abigail in her arms. "What's going on?" she asked, rocking Abigail into submission.
"I don't know," Abigail whispered, relieved that Aubrey had come alone.
"You don't have to do this if you don't want to," Aubrey insisted, surprised that Abigail was having second thoughts.
“It’s not that… it’s Jenny.” Abigail took a tissue from Aubrey’s hand and dabbed it under her eyes to prevent her mascara from running.
“Jenny?”
“She’s coming to me again, Aubrey. I know how ridiculous it sounds, but she is. And now she says she’s going to kill Edwin if I marry him.”
“And you really think sh
e’s capable of it?” Aubrey said, not doubting her for one second.
“I wish I could say I’m not willing to risk it, but marrying Edwin is the one thing I’m not willing to leave up to fate.”
***
"IT'S TIME," VERA chimed, floating into the room.
Abigail's best girls, with help from her mother, had put her back together, and not a minute too soon. Vera thrust the bouquet of flowers into Abigail's hand and urged the bridesmaids to get a move on, pushing Abigail along after them.
Abigail's father met up with her in the hall and reached for her arm to help her along. "Hi, Dad," she said, softly, still clutching Edwin’s heart in her palm.
He smiled at her, his eyes lighting up. “You look beautiful, honey.”
Abigail started to get choked up, when the music flooded the church. “Thanks, Dad.” She had been waiting for this day for what seemed like an eternity. No one – not even Jenny – would stop her now.
The wedding planner handed out the bundles of soft ivory flowers to the bridesmaids. After adjusting the dark ribbon on them, she insisted that Aliah go. On cue, moments later, Aubrey gracefully stepped onto the aisle. She instantly discovered the uninvited guest. She smiled and nodded at Cameron, despite the terrifying squeeze in her stomach when she saw him sitting there.
Hiding from the rising crowd, Abigail anxiously squeezed her father's hand. The wedding planner was calling for her, but her feet wouldn't move. Tears glistened in her eyes. This was the happiest moment of her life.
"Are you ready for this?" her father asked, with a whisper.
The wedding planner stomped her heel to grab their attention and shot daggers from her eyes.
"I've been ready for this since the day I was born," she said, showering her father with a soft smile. Though her voice was smooth and she looked entirely put together, her knees were knocking under her silky dress of feathers.
Her father kissed her on the cheek and pulled the wispy veil over her face, before towing her to the main stage. The organ sounded, deep from the choir's canopy, and Abby appeared in the archway at the foot of the aisle. She clutched her bouquet of warm-hued roses and prepared to take her first step.
Abigail clutched onto her father's arm and he led her proudly down the length of the aisle. Her spectacular train spread out behind her and whispered across the floor, making a glorious trail of silk and lace and feathers. The thin transparent material covering her face only amplified her sense of serenity, as she fixed her eyes on her handsome target.
Everyone stared as Abigail breezed toward her groom. Then her father lifted the veil, kissed each of her cheeks and whispered in her ear. "Jenny is here today, watching over you,” he insisted, as if that were a good relief to hear.
Abigail heard a soft cackle coming from the canopy and she knew that Jenny was surely listening. If he only knew. She drew out her best poker face, handed her flowers to Aubrey and turned whole-heartedly to her groom.
"You look absolutely radiant," Edwin whispered.
Abigail blushed and glanced at the floor as she accepted both of his big, warm hands. A sense of comfort and familiarity washed over her, but a tedious ache lurked in her side. Abigail's mother dabbed the tears from her eyes as the priest proceeded with the prayers.
As the ceremony advanced closer to the exchange of vows, Abigail's hands grew warm. She wondered how long she had before Jenny unleashed her wrath on the wedding party. Edwin too was perspiring heavily, though the room was cool and breezy. A pew near the back of the room continued to creak and groan and Edwin knew it was only a matter of time before shit hit the fan.
Cameron shifted uncontrollably in his seat. Ashley glared at him and pressed her hand firmly on his leg to steal his attention.
"Don't wreck this for her," she warned, scowling at him.
At that very moment, the priest announced the unnerving words that every young couple dreaded after watching one too many chick flicks. "If anyone has an objection as to why these two shalt not be joined in this holy union, then speak now or forever hold your peace.”
An unnerving silence washed over the crowd for that breath-holding moment, as Ashley clutched onto her brothers leg with a crushing grip of death. Then the moment passed, the vows were shared, and Abigail was pronounced Edwin’s wife.
The priest stood at the head of the couple, his small eyes widening behind his small reading glasses, when the couple’s ceremonial lip lock continued a little longer and a little more heated than he preferred.
The company cheered and rose out of respect, focusing on the bride and groom, as the happy couple hustled down the aisle and out of the church.
Ashley squeezed her brother’s leg, remaining seated with him. “You did the right thing.”
He slumped in his seat, knowing that he had. She had chosen Edwin. He had always known they would find a way to be together in the end.
***
JENNY'S EYES SPARKLED RED as she gazed over the canopy waiting for the news. But the news never came. Abigail was supposed to terminate the deal. She was supposed to tell Edwin it wasn’t going to work. Cameron was supposed to put an end to this madness. But no one stepped up to the plate.
“No!” Jenny cried out, as the jovial couple made their exit.
Unfortunately, for Jenny, it was too late. She had her chance, and that chance had been blown. Abigail won. With that knowledge, Jenny’s eyes slowly stewed until they turned a soft green, much like her sisters. Then her skin tingled and grew warmer, until she vanished in a cloud of misty, black smoke.
A couple of the choir members had heard the beautiful woman in the balcony, who looked strikingly similar to the bride, and were looking around to see where she had gone. They both looked at each other recognizing that the woman had just disappeared. Poof. Gone.
And that was the last Edwin and Abigail Santora would ever see of Jenny Jenkins.
EPILOGUE
2 years later.
AFTER A LONG DAY at work, I peeled off my shoes and hobbled through the house. “Honey, I’m home!” I shouted. Where was everyone?
I figured Maya must have been asleep but, as I approached the couch, I heard lots of sweet, girly giggles. Maya was definitely not sleeping.
“Where’s your dad?” I asked her, wondering why he would leave a toddler unattended. Then I peered over the sofa. There was Maya, sitting on her father’s perfectly firm abs and pointing at his sleeping face, wearing the biggest and happiest of smiles.
I gasped and covered my mouth, unable to hide my smirk. “Oh, Maya. What did you do?”
Edwin began to stir when he heard his baby girl’s fresh round of giggles.
“Edwin, honey,” I said, in an attempt to wake him. “Long day?”
His dark lashes fluttered open, confusion marring his handsome features. “I must have fallen asleep.” His lips were covered in a beautiful coat of red lipstick and his eyelids were stained a dark shade of blue.
“You think?” I said, snickering now.
“Hey. What are you girls laughing at?” he asked, tickling his baby doll’s belly.
I scooped her into my arms and kissed her cheek repeatedly. I had only been gone for a few hours, but I had missed her so very much. Her pudgy cheeks were so soft and edible. “Maybe we should go get your father a mirror to show him how beautiful he looks,” I said to Maya, smirking with her.
Edwin combed his fingers through his hair, his hand getting caught on a handful of clips that Maya had not-so-carefully arranged there. “Girls!” he growled, as if somehow I was involved in his beautification. “Uh, oh,” he said.
“What?” I asked, crouching down to put my squirming toddler on the floor.
He started to growl and Maya squealed. “You’re in trouble now.” Edwin let her have a head start and then chased after her. He lifted her into his arms, growling like a beast, and then kissed her repeatedly, until the lipstick was smeared all over her face.
Edwin lowered a giggling Maya to the floor and she came running right t
o me. Edwin followed her and casually laced his fingers in mine. “That’ll teach me to fall asleep on the job,” he admitted, with a generous smile.
Maya cupped her tiny hand on her father’s face. “Uh oh,” she said, her adorable lips puckered into a beautiful o shape, as she stared at the red stains that had spread across his mouth.
Edwin kissed his beautiful baby on the cheek and then shared a gentle kiss with me, all while rubbing his hand over my full, rounded tummy. “You have made me the happiest man alive,” he said, his eyes warm and dreamy.
Hiking our little bundle of sweetness higher on my hip, I drew his attention to Maya. “I think I may have had some help.”
A smile tugged at Edwin’s lips, as they closed over mine again. Then he withdrew from our kiss to share his promise, with me and our growing family. “I will love you and my girls for the rest of my days.”
THE END.
Copyright © 2013 Christa Simpson. All rights reserved.
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COMING 2014
Working Title: Those Summer Nights
(Subject to change.)
Kellan went on his nightly walk, stalking the sand like he was on a mission. He hadn’t seen Amberly since she had escaped from his arms days ago, and he was getting rather impatient. He even considered demanding that the park ranger tell him where he could find her. But that would only make him sound desperate. But damn if he didn’t feel desperate.
As he plowed down the beach, he couldn’t help but hear the sound of spraying water coming from the men’s public washroom. Had some kids left the water running? He figured he’d better check it out. He crept toward the room, wondering whether the rugrats had taken off yet and quietly slipped inside the room of cement, hoping to spook them.
He stopped in his tracks when he saw the source of the noise. It was coming from the one person he wasn’t expecting to find and the one thing he was glad he did.
Amberly stood there, beneath the spray of a shower, her delicate arms stretched above her head, her hands laced into that long, striking red hair. He knew he should say something, but other parts of him wouldn’t allow it, as he watched the water dip between her perfectly perky breasts and cover over the rest of her flawless, porcelain skin. But mostly, he couldn’t take his eyes from those soft, shapely curves, appreciating the way the wet, see-through fabric clung to her petite body.
A Twist of Fate (The Twisted Trilogy) Page 27