by Q. B. Tyler
“I’ll give you one if you give me a chance to make this right.”
I look away from Diana towards the door and smile. “You have to make it right with more than just me.”
“I will. I’ll fix everything.”
“It won’t happen overnight,” I warn her. There are years of pain that they need to work through.
“I know.” She nods in understanding.
I nod. “Then I think we will be just fine.” We both stand and I wonder if she’s going to hug me, but I don’t think either of us are ready for that.
“I’m going to fix my face, and then I’ll be right down.”
“Of course, I’ll give you some space,” I say as I make my way out of the room.
“Charley?” she calls after me, and I turn to face her. “Welcome to the family.” She gives me a small, genuine smile, and then she’s gone.
“So, you’re having lunch with my mother next week?” Will asks as he climbs into bed next to me.
Lord give me strength. “Indeed.”
“You going to tell me what that’s about?”
“We just had a…mother to mother talk.”
He nods. “I’m supposed to have lunch with her and my brother on Monday.”
“Ah, the weekly lunch.”
“They both want to talk to me.” He presses his lips to my temple. “Something tells me you had something to do with that.”
I turn my head to look at him and pucker my lips allowing him to kiss me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He chuckles. “It’s funny, you came to me because you needed help, you wanted change… and somehow you were the one to change me.” I turn around in his arms so that I can face him. “I had years of issues built up, and you’ve somehow slowly broke down all of them.”
“It’s amazing what love can do.” I smile, knowing that he did the same for me.
“Can you believe this time next year, we’ll have a baby?”
A smile finds my face immediately. “Do you want to know if it’s a boy or a girl?”
“Mmmm, no.” He shakes his head.
“Me either.” I giggle as I snuggle closer back to him.
“I can’t wait to marry you,” he whispers in my ear.
“So, no to eloping in Europe, right?”
“I suppose that’s up to you, and how lunch with my mother goes.” He raises an eyebrow at me and I roll my eyes.
“She seems to be coming around…” I trail off, “but I’ve got my eyes open.”
Two months later
“Careful!” I point as Will and Drew move boxes into the house. We leave for Europe in three days and for some crazy, unknown reason, we decided to move out of his townhouse before we left.
“Baby, get inside, it’s chilly out here.” Despite the movers we hired, Will and Drew are still moving a fair share of our stuff as well. We’d been moving since yesterday morning, and it finally seemed like there was light at the end of the tunnel. I look around the living room and there is shit everywhere. I’d hired an interior decorator, that I’d be meeting with next month when we returned, to help furnish some of the rooms that I had no idea what to do with. Coming from a townhouse, to a large, five bedroom house, clearly called for much more furniture than we already had. And now we needed a nursery.
Hours later, Will and I are sitting on our bed, the only piece of furniture in the whole house that we assembled. “You know this is the only room of the house we didn’t christen when we were here?” he growls in my ear as I remember that we wanted to leave something sacred.
I bounce excitedly on our new future marital bed and grin. “Are you suggesting that we change that?”
“Yes, I am,” he says as he begins to peel my clothes off of me slowly.
I sigh as I think about the fact that I’m here, in a new house, with the love of my life, about to embark on a new chapter of life together. I’m starting a family, the new life inside of me growing stronger by the day.
Last week, I had lunch with Bree, Matt’s best friend’s wife, that he’d had an affair with a while back and I finally disclosed everything that Nathan didn’t know like who exactly my affair was with. She was supportive, understanding, and begged me to let her know when the wedding would be. She also apologized for never telling me about her and Matt. But that was the last thing I was concerned about.
On top of everything, she had actually given me some interesting news. Matt was moving too. To San Francisco. His job had promoted him, and he’d jumped at the opportunity to relocate. My guess is to get away from the drama of his failed marriage. Nevertheless, I was happy for him. He deserved happiness. Happiness that he couldn’t find with me. My hopes are that maybe he could find it elsewhere. As much as Matt hurt me—as much as we hurt each other—if it weren’t for him, there’s a chance I never would have met Will. My happily ever after.
* * *
IT IS RARE THAT IT snows in Atlanta, but every once in a while, when the North gets a crazy February snow storm, we are blessed with a few flakes, our streets covered with a thin sheet of white powder. Will and I are outside, the snowflakes falling all around us, and I can’t help but feel that something magical is about to happen. I feel his hand laced with mine and, despite our gloves, I can feel the spark between us.
The sky has gotten darker since we’ve been walking around the park near our house, and it makes the air more gray and magical. The ground is completely covered, and the snow is already piling up on the branches making for a complete winter wonderland. I pull my hat further down over my ears as the snow begins to fall more heavily. We’ve been walking in silence for a few minutes when I feel his hands on me, prohibiting me from taking another step.
“Charlotte,” he says, and my heart races out of lust hearing my name fall from his lips.
“Will.” I can see the breath I let out, as well as his as he’s breathing hard at this point.
“I don’t want you to think that I’m…stealing your thunder.” He smiles. “You’ve asked, I said yes… when we were naked.” He teases.
My mouth drops open and I playfully hit him, until my brain realizes what’s happening.
“I was in this spot a little under a year ago when I realized I was in love with you.”
“Really?” My eyes light up. I look around trying to memorize the scenery before turning back to him. He pulls his gloves off his hands and cups my face, giving me a slow kiss on my lips and, despite the cold temperatures, I’m warm all over. His tongue massages mine gently and when he pulls away I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face.
“Charlotte Pierce,” he starts, “my favorite patient. The one that got under my skin from the start and stayed there. For so long I thought you were just burrowing your way into my mind. I spent so many nights, trying to get you out of my head. So many times, I tried to stop thinking about you. But it was no use, because you had burrowed your way into my heart. You are the best person that I’ve ever met in my life, and I plan to spend the rest of my life proving to you that I’m worthy of you…that me and…this,” he points between us and I get the point he’s trying to make, “is worth…everything.” At this point, I don’t even try to stop the tears from streaming down my face. “For the first time in maybe my entire life, you’ve shown me what unconditional love feels like. You loved me even when I was at my lowest. You loved me even when the world was against us…when we were backed into a corner. You fought for me and for us, and I promise to do that with you for the rest of our lives. You and me against the world, baby.” He pulls my gloves gently from my hands, before he brings them to his lips, kissing them gently before he lowers himself to one knee. “So, since you’ve already asked…” he smirks, “I’ll ask you in a different way. Will you spend the rest of your life with me, Charlotte? Spend…forever with me?” He opens the ring box to reveal the most gorgeous, not to mention large, oval shaped diamond ring.
“Oh my God, yes!” I scream so loud I wonder if all of Georgia h
eard me.
He’s immediately on his feet scooping me into his arms and spinning me around once before he sets me on his feet.
“I love you so much, Charlotte. I am going to make you so happy.”
“You already do, Will. We are going to be so happy together.” He slides the ring on my finger and I’m in awe at the beauty of this piece of jewelry. I don’t know how long I’ve been staring at it when I feel his lips at my temple.
“Do you like it?”
“Like it?! Will I’m in awe, it’s so beautiful,” I tell him as fresh tears find my eyes.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmurs in my ear, and I look up to find his eyes shining with love and adoration.
I press my lips to his, and I’m lost in his kiss as the snowflakes surround us—a couple who fell in love against all odds.
During my divorce, I spent so much time regretting the time that I lost, but I’ve realized that without my failed marriage I wouldn’t have been ready for the perfect one with Will—my marriage counselor.
The End.
* * *
Will and Charlotte’s story is complete. It feels odd to type that, it was even more surreal typing the words “The End.” These two possessed and consumed me in a way that I feel like they’re embedded deep in my soul somewhere. For all of you that joined me on their journey, a million thank yous! The shares and comments and kind words moved me more than you know. Although their story is complete, I can promise you’ll see a glimpse of their life through someone else’s eyes. Lauren’s story is up next and as you can probably guess—hers is nothing like Charlotte’s.
I hope you’re ready for the next ride.
* * *
Carmel, Helen, Kristene and Erica: Thank you for being the most fantastic betas! Neither of the Bittersweet books would have been possible without you. Your love, support and friendship mean the world to me. Love you guys!
Liz: Thank you for making my books so beautiful! I can’t to see what you come up with next!
Meli, Suzan, Christelle, Alexis, Melissa, Amanda, Jeanette, Kelly, Samantha, Kristina, Rachel, Harlipen, Paula, Leslie, Nani, Pat, Carol (x3), Kerri, Colleen, Gayle, Hope, Regina, Amber, Candice, Crissy, Aby, Kris, Karen (x2), Gloria, Julie (x2), Connie, Nichole, Tonya, Tatiane, Cindy, Lori, Shannon, Kim, Marie-Lyne and SO many more including Everyone in the Hive(s) and all of the Witches: Thank you for being on this ride with me. Thank you for your excitement. For making me laugh on the regular and making me believe in myself. For being the family I’ve made for myself. You’re the best.
* * *
Write. Wine. Work. Repeat. A look inside the mind of a not so ex-party girl’s escape from her crazy life. Hailing from the Nation’s Capital, Q.B. Tyler, spends her days constructing her “happily ever afters” with a twist. Romantic comedies served with a side of smut and most importantly the love story that develops despite inconvenient circumstances.
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OTHER WORKS
My Best Friend’s Sister
Bittersweet Surrender
Bittersweet Surrender