“Crap. I hope this doesn’t delay the flight.”
“It’s Seattle,” he assured me.
“What does that even mean?” I teased.
We pulled out of the driveway and onto the main road to get us to the airport. With the snow, a forty-minute commute would probably be a two-hour drive, but we had plenty of time before our flight took off so I tried to play it cool.
My phone vibrated, and I glanced down, expecting it to be Ayden’s mom again, but my heart stopped when I looked down and saw a text from my mom.
I sighed.
“What? What’s wrong? Do we need to go back home?”
I shook my head.
“My mom just texted that she and my dad won’t be coming to the wedding.”
“You’re kidding.” It wasn’t a question. We already figured it out, so why another text was sent, I had no clue.
“This is the kind of mind twisting I’ve always told you about. I really don’t get it. I think we already latched onto the idea they wouldn’t be coming. Why wait until the last minute to remind me I’m not that important to them?”
Truthfully, the thought of them being there made me cringe, and I’d gotten used to the idea of them not coming. I had imagined how the entire event would play out. Jason was even walking me down the aisle for crying out loud. I guess one part of me was relieved to make it official they weren’t coming, but I’d rather have heard months ago.
“I’m so sorry, babe. I honestly can’t believe it. I was actually thinking they might change their mind, and I was going to sic my dad on them. He can talk to a tree stump and be perfectly happy.”
I giggled and shook my head in shock. “I honestly figured I wouldn’t hear from them until after the wedding.”
Ayden slid his hand to my leg and rubbed it slowly.
“Did I ever tell you about the one time I planned to spend Christmas with my parents when I was at boarding school?”
“I didn’t know you were even at boarding school,” Ayden said.
“It was short lived when I was in junior high. Anyway, we’d planned for me to come home for the holidays, but after I’d flown home, they weren’t at the airport. They’d forgotten that they’d told me I could come home in December so I sat at the airport for hours while they were with Ivy and Heath at some mountain resort. A stranger at the airport finally realized I’d been stranded there and somehow tracked down my parents. They sent a car for me after hours at the airport. How in the world can you forget your youngest child is coming for Christmas?”
Ayden grimaced and shook his head.
“It was like I was always an afterthought.” I let out a deep breath.
“They’re the ones missing out. Not you.”
I nodded and bit my lip. “I suppose I should write them back about how sorry I am to hear that.”
But I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Not this time. This time I let my fingers and heart do the talking.
Not a surprise. Thanks for letting me know.
“Whoa.” I whistled. “I can’t believe I just sent that.”
“What? What did you send?”
I read him my text and his eyes widened. “I’m impressed. That took some balls.”
I giggled and furrowed my brows. “Or an extraordinary amount of hormones flowing through the veins.”
He laughed. “Well, either way it should make you feel good for once.”
“True.”
He was right. No matter what my parents did, I always attempted to keep the peace and never spoke my mind. It might be a small gesture, but I was thrilled I finally said what I thought.
I kept staring at my phone wondering what my mom thought about it. My stomach started twisting in knots as I thought about how to fix it. But fix what? I didn’t do anything wrong.
“Do you think she thought I thought she was actually coming?”
“I don’t really know. This is their pattern. How many times have they said they’d come visit you just since we started dating.”
He was right.
“I don’t want to deal with the drama that can come with pointing out the obvious to them. I’m not used to saying much of anything beyond yes, no, please, and thank you. It’s always been the elephant in the room.”
“Hon, I’d say it’s more than an elephant in the room. You finally hit your limit with them. You asked them several times if they were coming. We all know money isn’t an issue and neither is travelling. They have the one and do the other all the time. Everyone has a limit and you hit yours.”
“I still feel like crap about it.”
“And that is why I love you. You’re a fabulous human being. Speaking of fabulous humans, what do you think that was all about with Brandy and Aaron? Has she mentioned anything to you?”
I froze.
“Not really.”
And truthfully, I knew Brandy was still hiding something from me, which I pressed her about once we were leaving the restaurant. I asked her about the trading of glances between herself and Aaron when her mom brought up the wedding, and she ignored my question completely.
I drew in a deep breath, hating the idea that I was hiding something from Ayden, but I would focus on Brandy’s relationship since I didn’t want to relay or fib about the other revelation they exposed last night.
“I assumed things were going well, but it certainly didn’t feel like it last night. When your mom gave us both the presents and talked about Brandy’s wedding, I saw Aaron stiffen and Brandy refused to look in her mom’s eyes.”
“I know. I felt like they were hiding something from us, too.” He was quiet for a minute. “Especially from me.”
We’d hit the snow “rush hour” near the city and were constantly bobbing back and forth in the sparse traffic as unskilled drivers kept slamming on their brakes.
“I wonder at what point people realize they aren’t supposed to do that?” I asked.
“About the time they’re in the ditch,” Ayden laughed, as we slowly drove by one such SUV that was being pulled out by State Patrol.
“Probably shouldn’t jinx ourselves.”
“Good call.”
It felt like I was on the high seas, and we yet were only going fifteen miles per hour on a freeway not on the Bering Sea. I swallowed down the nausea and stayed focused straight ahead on the snowflake confetti.
“I know this sounds horrible, but try not to let my sister’s situation bother you while we’re in Bermuda. This is our moment.”
“Well, I’ll try not to.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious,” Ayden added. “Aaron has seemed like he’s been in heaven, especially recently.”
“Oh, no. What if he found someone else?”
“There’s not a soul out there more perfect than Brandy for him.” Ayden frowned.
“Preaching to the converted on that one. Oh my word though. I would just be sick. I can’t even think about it. What if she’s keeping it from us until after we get married so she doesn’t detract from our happiness? That would be so Brandy.”
Ayden’s scowl deepened. “I refuse to believe it. I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves, and it will all sort itself out.”
“Do you think you can ask Aaron? See if you can get anything out of him?”
“Sure. If that will make you feel better, I can try. But I’ll be honest, if I find something out that will devastate you, I won’t tell you until after the wedding.”
Sounded familiar!
“Please.” I rolled my eyes. “You’re talking to a woman whose fiancé didn’t remember her weeks before the big day. I can handle whatever it is.”
Ayden turned off onto the airport exit, and my excitement level went through the roof. We were about to fly across the country and tie the knot.
“You know what’s cool about this whole thing?” I asked, as he turned into the parking garage.
“I can think of many things.”
“That we’re all getting married. You, me, and baby Rhodes will
be at the ceremony.”
I looked down into the azure water and saw all the way to the bottom. Ayden’s arm was wrapped around me as we stood on the wooden platform that hovered over the crystal clear water shimmering deep below the earth’s surface. Spectacular crystal formations surrounded us, and our tour guide flipped us jokes mixed with history while the group we were with ogled at the beautiful formations.
Colored lights bounced off the ivory crystals providing a dazzling display of underground magic as we treaded deeper into the caverns. And to think, I didn’t even know the caves existed until we spotted the signs from our scooter.
“And don’t lean too far over the railing or your camera might end up with the others down below,” the guide continued. I peeked over the railing and saw necklaces, watches, loose change, a couple cell phones, and a camera sunk deep into the sand. “We only do a scoop once a week, and all the change goes to our retirement funds.”
The group chuckled, and we were led deeper into the caverns. I glanced behind me, noticing just how far away we were from the entrance, and I wondered how much deeper we’d go. I wasn’t looking forward to the million steps back up to the surface, but it was worth every step to be down here with Ayden. It felt like one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I felt Ayden’s eyes on me and blushed, giving him a sideways glance. It felt good to still be noticed and, by the look in his expression, desired.
I turned my attention back to the cavern in front of us that sparkled with green lights bouncing off the shimmering crystals that dripped from the cave’s ceiling. The idea that something this beautiful could be hidden felt truly enchanting, and I wondered how many hidden worlds existed on our earth yet to be discovered.
“Maybe we should lead expeditions into the great unknowns of the world,” I whispered to Ayden.
“I thought that was what parenthood was,” he teased.
I had a sneaking suspicion he was right.
Ayden tightened his embrace, and we followed the group into the last cavern. This cave had even more formations hanging and twisting from above and jetting up from below. The air was moist and stagnant, and I had an urge to flee, but I focused on the wood railing in front of me and steadied my breathing. There was something about being so far in that made me feel vulnerable. I glanced at Ayden who caught my gaze.
“You doing okay?” he whispered.
“I think I’ve hit my limit.”
He squeezed me and slid his hand away from my waist to give me space and air. The guide was finishing up his spiel and collecting tips. I glanced around the group as they began to disperse and tapped Ayden.
“Ready?” I asked.
Ayden slipped a bill into our guide’s hand and thanked him for a wonderful time before following me back along the wooden platforms. When we reached the steps leading out, I felt the fresh air hit my bones and was grateful to have made it without any embarrassing situations.
We scaled all nine thousand steps—well, that might have been an exaggeration, maybe a couple hundred—and made it to the dazzling blue skies and bright sunshine.
I looked around the patio and saw a beautiful garden down the steps.
“That was something magical a person doesn’t see everyday,” Ayden said.
“It’s pretty incredible. This whole trip has been pretty incredible.”
“And we haven’t even gotten hitched yet.”
“Hitched?” I chuckled.
I leaned my head on his arm as we wandered through the gardens.
“It’s funny coming from somewhere that is cold and wet that somewhere like this exists at the same time with flowers blooming and sunshine pouring over us.”
I glanced at the purple flowering vines that intertwined the wrought iron fence and the red and white poinsettias that edged the path.
“Maybe we should move.”
“And give up feeling the constant mist on our skin ten months out of the year?” I asked.
“It would be pretty tough to give up.” He sounded hesitant. “We should probably head back soon. Our guests are going to start arriving.”
“And before we know it, we’ll be at our rehearsal dinner.”
He pulled me under the shade of a large palm tree and rested his hands on my hips.
“Lily, thank you for putting up with me. All of me.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Why would you is more to the point.”
I shook my head. “You’re an amazing man. Protective and fiercely loyal with the heart of a saint.”
“Don’t let that get out,” he murmured.
“Well, maybe saint is the wrong word. How about the heart of a man who deeply loves his fiancée?”
He grinned. “Probably more accurate.”
Ayden looked around the gardens and not a soul had followed us out here. His eyes fell to my mouth, and his lip curled slightly in admiration.
“What?”
“Waiting this long has been torture,” he murmured.
Ayden’s gaze hungrily searched mine. The dynamics had shifted somewhere along the way of us waiting. He knew he had the power over me to do things I wouldn’t normally do. And I realized he’d had the power to push me one step beyond, but he’d respected my wishes while we waited for our honeymoon. No matter how I wanted to believe that I was the one calling the shots, it wasn’t true, and I enjoyed stumbling upon that fact as he pressed his lips to mine.
Ayden’s mouth was soft, hinting of peppermint. I giggled internally realizing he’d been planning this moment, and nothing but sweet desire drifted through my body for the man I was about to marry.
I let out a soft gasp of anticipation as his hands slid down my back, bringing me in closer. It didn’t matter that we were in public in the middle of a garden where people could watch and whistle. All that mattered was that I was in Ayden’s arms.
My mind submerged into the blissful realization that I no longer had to be in charge, my heart was no longer afraid to be shattered. Ayden’s kisses intensified, and my arms slipped around his neck, tightening my hold on him.
We were both losing our self-control, and the moment Ayden took a step backward with me in tow and leaned against the palm tree, I knew we were in trouble. I ran my fingers through his hair with an eagerness I hadn’t predicted. The idea of waiting until tomorrow seemed extreme as his lips gently tugged at mine before he brought his head back up.
I licked my lips, and his smile deepened in satisfaction.
“I was beginning to worry…” his voice trailed off.
“Worry?”
“Your resolute determination against…” He scowled playfully. “Giving me what I wanted…had me worried.”
“And what exactly do you want?”
“All of you.”
His hands worked their way around back to my hips, and I took a step back.
Satisfaction coursed through his gaze, and all I could do was grin. He knew how close he was to making me unravel.
“You said something about the guests earlier,” I mumbled, lost in a daze and left to wonder why I’d resisted him for so long. “Why do I suddenly feel like the shoe is on the other foot?”
“Because you’re perceptive,” he replied, pleased at the power he’d regained.
I sighed and drew my finger along his abdomen in wonderment, feeling the hardness underneath.
“You healed up well.”
“The ice packs and antibiotic ointment did the trick,” he laughed. “Trying to change the subject, I see.”
“What subject?”
“The subject of us. In our suite.” He looked at his phone. “In twenty minutes. Naked.”
My heart flittered with fulfillment, but even with all my growth as a human, I couldn’t resist torturing my future husband. I took a step forward and snuck my fingers under his shirt and then along the waistband of his board shorts, getting dangerously low to an area that could drop him to his knees.
His gaze hardened as his eyes locked on mine, and my fing
ers sank deeper before slipping away. I sucked on my lip and flashed him my widest and most innocent expression before turning around and walking away.
Even with my moment of almost weakness, I managed to get back to the hotel, change, and wiggle my hips just enough to leave Ayden groaning as we left the hotel room to meet everyone on the beach.
By some miracle of God, we’d all made it out of the storm of the century to arrive in Bermuda where we found ourselves wandering beaches and Crystal Caves.
I was so excited. The texts had started coming in that they’d all arrived at the hotel and would meet us downstairs at rehearsal time. It felt as if the world had suddenly been flung into fast-forward with no signs of stopping.
“Are you ready?” Ayden whispered, while we waited for the elevator. “There’s no turning back soon.”
I laughed and shook my head, leaning against him just as the elevator opened up.
“No, playing dirty,” I glanced up at him as we stepped into the elevator.
“I never would,” he insisted, slowly following behind.
I pushed the lobby button and stood a few feet away from Ayden. There was something electrifying about being in small spaces with him, and he was using it to his advantage.
“I don’t bite.”
“Yes, you do.” I smiled and his mouth broke into a daring grin.
“Maybe sometimes.”
Without another floor passing, he stopped the elevator and wound his arm around my waist while swooping me into him. His mouth scattered along my neck, and my pulse raced as his other hand ran up my bare leg, the sundress working too much in his favor. The elevator buzzed, and a woman’s voice broke over the elevator music asking if we needed assistance. I giggled at the rude interruption as Ayden released me, and he reengaged the elevator after apologizing to the mystery voice.
The plan had been to meet everyone on the beach, but as the doors glided open, we were greeted with Brandy and Gabby’s smiling faces.
“We heard the elevator buzz and we knew it had to be you,” Brandy informed us.
“You did not.”
“And she’s got rosy cheeks,” Gabby pointed out.
Beyond Promise Page 15