From the minute we met, we were an “us.” He’s the love of my life and I never want to be without him.
“BABE, CAN YOU DROP BY the realtor’s office on your way to Alex’s karate class?”
Alyssa and I got married right after graduating college, went on an amazing honeymoon through Europe, and had Alex shortly thereafter.
“Sure, baby,” Alyssa says, getting ready to leave. “I can’t believe you’re finally doing this.”
“We’re finally doing this,” I correct her while closing the space between us to kiss her.
I’ve worked as an architect for a large firm since college, but opening my own shop and finally getting my furniture out into the world has been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid. My dad and I converted our garage into a workshop when I was in middle school and we’ve spent countless hours over the years building the furniture we’ve designed. I love creating outdoor furniture; it’s a passion of mine and has always brought my dad and me together, no matter how busy we are.
I hope to one day partner with a local environmental design firm. I love designing unique pieces for exterior spaces in the beach communities in Southern California and know, with the right partners, I can really bring out their full potential, especially in this new market.
The complexion of the South Bay has changed in recent years. Many families who have done exceptionally well in technology or finance have moved in to these neighborhoods, changing it, like the entertainment industry changed Malibu, from a sleepy beach town into something I don’t recognize. Something I don’t want to recognize. The small beach cottages that give this city its character are systematically being torn down to create multimillion-dollar McMansions. These people are making the city what they want it to be. However, on the plus side, the wealth that’s been flooding in has made business owners such as myself, my parents, and many of our friends successful where we otherwise may not have been.
Even though I design for the rich and the new, sleek, ostentatious homes they build, it’s not what I want for myself or for my family. We own one of the original small cottages near the ocean in an area that doesn’t permit cars. The streets are called “Walk Streets” because the pavement has been replaced by sidewalk with barriers at each end. Since cars can’t drive down these streets and since property is so limited, families have set up play equipment in front of their homes for their kids. There are always bikes and other things lying around during the day, making our neighborhood feel like one big backyard. The area is very safe, everybody knows everybody, and we all have each other’s backs.
I love having the ocean literally at my back door and take advantage of it as often as I can. Our home reflects that lifestyle. The front of our house is marked by two very large, rectangular shiplap planters that Alyssa keeps filled, year-round, with all types of flowers. My outdoor furniture fills the space between the planters and the split-front barn door. We always keep the top part open to let in the wonderful beach air, to keep an eye on our six-year-old son, Alex, or to greet our friends as they walk by.
The interior of our home is light and airy. Our living room, which is painted a soft sand color, has a very “shabby chic” feel. An oversized sectional covered in light denim sits amongst great accent pieces reminiscent of what you’d see in a Pottery Barn catalogue. Our kitchen is off to the right of the living room and is open and bright, with white cabinets, sand-colored granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances. Behind that is a hallway which leads to the bedrooms, bathrooms, and a small office. Our garage is detached, common amongst some of the older homes that still exist in this area, and opens to an alley. A courtyard is tucked in the space between the house and the garage and we put in a small spa which Alex uses as a pool.
We also live within walking distance to Alex’s elementary school, a charming little place tucked securely in the embrace of our neighborhood. We’re always there helping out and love being able to walk him to and from school.
The best news of all? Alyssa is pregnant with our second child, a daughter, so I’ve been drawing up plans to add a second story to our home, while still keeping the same feel.
“It’s been your dream your entire life, babe,” she tells me with a smile.
“Sweetheart, you’ve been my dream my entire life.” She giggles. I love her giggle as much today as I did the first time I heard it. “You, Alex, and our baby girl.” I kiss her five-months-swollen belly.
“Our dream,” she whispers, her face lighting up with that smile of hers that has me falling in love with her all over again.
“DADDY!” Alex shouts with excitement as he comes barreling into the living room in full karate gear. He’s always moving and so full of life. A brilliant, beautiful kid who looks just like his mother.
“I’m getting my yellow belt today!” he announces with pride.
“Way to go, big man!” I tell him with a giant smile, as I hold out my hand for a fist bump.
“Are you coming to watch?” he asks, his little hand bumping my much larger one.
“Ahh, sorry, buddy,” I answer, disappointment erasing my smile. “I have that appointment today with Mr. and Mrs. Endicott, Sam’s parents.”
Jonathan and Tracey Endicott’s son, Sam, goes to school with Alex and the two of them are close friends. The couple made their money in technology, gaming to be exact. They bought and will be tearing down a home in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Manhattan Beach and have hired me to not only create their outdoor space but to design their entire home. It’s my biggest project to date and my mind has been working full time ever since they hired me. Even though they have money, they work hard, are not pretentious, and want their home to reflect that. I respect a strong work ethic and know I can do right by them.
“Sam’s sick, Daddy. He can’t get his yellow belt today and he’s sad he can’t go,” Alex says with a frown on his face. “We were supposed to take him with us.” He stops, his little face scrunching up in thought. “Do you think I should wait too?”
I squat down to his eye level. “You know something, Alex?”
“What, Daddy?” he asks, his eyes wide with curiosity.
“You are one super-cool dude.” I tap him on the nose and continue. “But I think Sam will be very happy when Mommy takes you over to his house after karate so you can show him your new belt.”
“YAY!” he cheers and turns to his dog. “You hear that, Po? Daddy thinks I’m one super-cool dude!”
“Woof!” Po responds.
Our 110-pound goldendoodle, who ran in the room with Alex, always likes to join in on the action. We adopted him a little over three years ago and Alex named him after the main character in his favorite movie, Kung Fu Panda. I trained him to bark when he hears his name, knowing Alex would think he’s talking to him.
“We have to get going, Alex. We have just enough time to run Daddy’s errand before your four o’clock class,” Alyssa interrupts, grabbing her purse and his backpack containing things to keep him busy. We learned early on to never leave home without it. “Give Daddy a big hug goodbye.”
He throws his little arms around me and squeezes tight. Alex, the new baby, and Alyssa are my life; I don’t know how I’d ever survive without them.
“Bye, Daddy!” Alex says waving his little hand as he heads for the door.
“Bye, buddy!” I say back to him with a full heart.
I stand up and give my wife a passionate kiss. Even after all these years of being together, it still feels like the first time. She was my first, is my only and will be my last.
“See you after karate,” she says as she hoists the bags over her shoulder and leaves.
“Drive safe!” I holler as Alyssa gets in the car. I say that to her every time she leaves but today something doesn’t feel right; I can’t explain it but there’s a pit in my stomach and a lump in my throat that’s making it hard to breathe.
I shake off my negative thoughts. Just because things are going great doesn’t mean somet
hing bad is going to happen, right?
If I only knew…
“HI, SWEETHEART, I’M ALMOST READY.”
“That’s why I’m calling. Traffic is gridlocked so I’m going to get off the freeway and take Sepulveda Boulevard instead.”
Even though our firm is in Hermosa Beach and many of our clients are local, we often get requests for work in other areas and that’s where Scott’s been today. I normally go with him, especially when it’s for large companies with several properties, but it’s our wedding anniversary and I chose to stay home to get ready and to make him his favorite dessert, an almost flourless chocolate cake. Our daughter, Chloe, is with his parents and I have a special evening planned. He wore a suit today so I also got dressed up and made reservations at our favorite restaurant. I can’t wait.
Seven years ago I married the love of my life. I remember it like it was yesterday. We got married on a beautiful autumn day at Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach. I was getting ready in the bridal suite when I heard a soft knock on my door.
“Danielle?”
Scott!
I could never stop the smile that overtakes my face when I hear my full name passing through his beautiful lips. Aside from my mom, Scott’s the only one who’s ever called me Danielle. My mom only uses it when she’s angry or wants to get my attention; Scott uses it to express his love. I tried to correct him at first but when he said, “A beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” I lost every argument swirling around in my brain and embraced it. He’s the only person I let call me that because it’s his special name, his term of endearment.
I couldn’t help the giggle that slipped out of me as I answered him, in a soft voice, through the still closed door.
“You can’t be here. You’re not supposed to see me before the wedding, it’s bad luck.” I knew that it’s a silly tradition, ever since I met him, my garden’s been full of nothing but four-leaf clovers, but I’ve always been big on tradition and I didn’t want to jinx my wedding day. A day I’ve dreamt about my entire life.
“I just need to be near you,” he said back, his voice also soft and quiet. “I just want to hold your hand. Please.”
I could never deny him. I cracked open the door and stuck out my arm, immediately feeling my small hand become engulfed in the warmth and security of his larger one and was gently guided to the floor.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“I’m sitting,” he whispered back. “I want us just to be.”
“Then let’s just be,” I told him and we sat hand in hand through the slightly open door.
“I’m so incredibly excited to be marrying you. You’re the love of my life.”
I squeezed his hand in response and said, “As you are mine.”
I felt so blessed to be marrying him. He’s my best friend and my greatest support. He is my light and my love and I’ve never been happier.
“I never knew what love was like until I met you and I plan on cherishing every minute with you until the day I die.”
Although his words were beautiful, the word “die” echoed in my head causing a lump to form in my throat. I never want my life with him to end. I couldn’t exist without him.
“Scott, that’s never going to happen. You’re never going to die so we don’t need to talk about it.”
At my sniffle he squeezed my hand and responded, “Oh, baby. Don’t cry, I don’t plan on dying for a long, long time. We have a lot of years ahead of us. Let me hear your smile.”
It was our wedding day so I forced my tears to dry and even though I knew he couldn’t see it, I gave him the smile I knew he was craving. “I can’t wait to give you babies,” I said changing the subject.
“What do you want to have?”
“A little girl that looks just like you.” I felt him smile and my smile got wider at the thought.
“A little girl sounds amazing but I hope that she has your looks. Your hair that glows auburn in the sunlight and those mesmerizing hazel eyes I love so much. I want her to have your strength and your heart, your laughter and your intelligence.”
I sighed through the fresh tears that had fallen once again at hearing his beautiful words. I was just about to argue with him, telling him all the things I love most about him when I was interrupted with a screech.
“SCOTT!” his mother, Beverly, bellowed, admonishing him for breaking tradition. “You’re not allowed to see Dani before the wedding. It’s bad luck!”
I heard Scott sigh and as my hand fell from his, I immediately missed his warmth.
“I just needed to be near her.”
I quickly saved him from Beverly’s wrath by saying, “He didn’t see me.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to be near her,” she insisted. “But first you need to let her finish getting ready so the two of you can get married and begin your lives together.”
I heard his muffled “Okay.” Immediately assuming he just pulled her in for a hug because that’s what he does.
I then heard Beverly say, “I love you too. Now off you go! We have a wedding to get ready for and I have a feeling you’ve ruined her makeup.”
“I love you, Danielle. I’ll see you at the altar.”
“I love you too, baby. I can’t wait—” My reply was cut off when Beverly stormed into the room and closed the door, stopping all further conversation.
The ceremony was beautiful. I was instantly in tears when he started reciting his vows. “Danielle, my favorite color is your blush, my favorite sound is your laugh.” He looked at me with love in his eyes and continued. “My favorite flavor is your lips and my favorite thing is you.”
He continued to take my breath away as he professed his love and he still takes my breath away with every word he blesses me with.
“It’s no problem, sweetheart, our reservations aren’t until six thirty so you still have plenty of time,” I say and then add, “Drive safe.” He always drives safe, it’s the other drivers I worry about.
Sepulveda Boulevard is a major thoroughfare that runs parallel to the freeway. It’s usually very busy but not nearly as crowded as the freeway so we often use it when there’s a lot of traffic.
“I love you, Danielle.”
Danielle…
“I love you too, Scottie.” I hear his breath hitch at the sound of his nickname and I smile.
I’m still smiling a short time later as I take the cake out of the oven to cool. But before I have a chance to set it on the counter, my phone rings, again.
It’s rung a few times but I’ve been too knee-deep in chocolate to answer. Assuming it’s Scott giving me an update on his whereabouts, I place the phone between my ear and shoulder and answer without looking at the screen. “Hey, baby, are you close?”
I freeze when I hear sobbing coming from the other end of the line. “Scott?”
It’s my mother-in-law’s voice I hear instead of Scott’s. “D-Dani…” Why is she crying?
Suddenly her voice is replaced by a male voice and his misery is visceral.
Oh God! I can’t breathe. Something terrible has happened! I can feel it!
“SCOTT!” I scream.
The cake I’m holding falls out of my hands and crashes onto the floor along with my heart. Something is very, very wrong.
“Scott…” I whisper through the tears suddenly pouring down my face. The phone now locked in my hand in a death grip to keep it attached to my ear in the hope that what my gut is telling me is wrong.
But it’s not.
“Dani… it’s Rodger.” Scott’s dad is crying so hard I barely understand him but I do hear three words. Three words I never wanted to hear. Three words that decimate my entire world.
“Scott is dead.”
NOOOOOOOOO!
I HEAD OFF TO MY new business, my dream. I’m so excited to finally be doing this and so are all my friends and family, who have always proudly flaunted everything I’ve ever created for them and have been forever asking me when I was going to open my own store.
Many of my clients who I’ve done architectural work for are also excited to see me branch out on my own and all the enthusiasm and support I’ve received have given me the impetus to take this step.
I rented storefront space on Main Street in El Segundo, a sleepy little beach town at the mouth of LAX. It looks like the town of Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show and the people are just as welcoming. Main Street is flanked with boutiques, small restaurants, and mom-and-pop shops.
The space I’m renting isn’t terribly big, but I know I can make it work. The previous tenants ran an artisanal olive oil shop and designed the interior to be very European and very elegant with textured walls and hardwood flooring throughout. They sank a lot of money into it and when the fad began to die, so did their business. Their loss became my gain.
I have the whole thing laid out in my head. The front of the store is going to be retail while the back will contain offices, a conference room, and a small workshop/storage area, with a dining area in the corner. My mom is an interior decorator and will be using one of the back offices when she needs to meet with clients; I’m excited to be able to work with her.
I’m also going to be spending more time with my dad and we’re already planning what we’re going to make. The furniture I want to showcase will have a European flair to match the interior of the store. Each grouping of furniture will be contained in its own vignette and will be designed to have the feel of being in an outdoor space. I’ll also have my portfolio on hand to take custom orders.
I’m naming the store Allie’s Retreat. Once I get the signed paperwork back to Eric, my realtor, I’m planning on hanging the sign out front and surprising Alyssa with it. She doesn’t know I’m using her nickname but I know she’s going to love it. I can’t wait to show her and see her reaction.
Saving Each Other (Saving Series Book 1) Page 2