Series Starter : Firsts in Series Collection

by Kaylee Ryan

  “Anything you need,” he tells me. He’s being so amazing through all of this. I sit down on the floor between Liam’s legs and begin sifting through the stack of papers. There’s a copy of Gran’s will, which outlines that she has already planned and paid for her funeral, when the time come. She’s to be buried in the same cemetery as my parents and grandpa. The house and all of her remaining assets are left to me. The house is paid for, so there’s no mortgage to worry about.

  “This gives you time to go through her belongings and decide what you want to do with the house and everything else without the pressure of a mortgage.” Liam’s trying his hardest to help me stay sane. I love him.

  The stack also contains the deed to the house, as well as all her banking information she had already listed me on so there would be no issues with having it tied up in probate court. There’s an addendum in the will explaining where I can find documents such as my parents’ marriage license, birth certificates, etc. Gran had apparently kept all of it when we sold the house after they died, just in case I would want it someday. Tears prick my eyes, I miss her so much already, and it hasn’t even been a day.

  Liam’s gently massaging my shoulders while I work my way through the stack of documents. Occasionally, he’ll lean down and kiss the top of my head. I don’t even want to think about how this day would have been without him here. I suddenly realize I forgot to congratulate him on his win today. I look over my shoulder at him. “Congrats on your win. I’m sorry I forgot to tell you.”

  “Hey,” he says, moving all my hair from one shoulder to the other. “You have nothing to be sorry for.” He leans down and kisses my cheek. I smile weakly and turn back to the task of sifting through the mound of paperwork. Really, it isn’t a mound, just a small stack, but the heaviness it brings to my heart makes it look like a damn mountain.

  I’ve finally worked my way to the bottom of the stack and find an envelope with my name written on it. I suck in a breath and feel the tears start to slide down my cheeks. Liam puts his hands under my arms and lifts me onto his lap and engulfs me in a hug. A hug so loving and full of emotion, one that only Liam can give. “You don’t have to read it now.”

  Logically, I know he’s right, I can put it aside and call it a night. However, my heart knows these are her final words to me, and even though I know it’s going to shatter my heart, I want to read it. I want to know what she felt was important enough to transcribe into words on paper, knowing she was leaving me.

  Liam’s rubbing soothing circles on my back. I sit up to face him. “I need to know.” I slide the envelope open and pull out the letter. I rest my head against his chest, preparing myself for the onslaught of emotion that’s sure to consume me because of the piece of paper in my hand.

  Allie Girl-

  Since you’re reading this, you already know I took care of all of the funeral arrangements, and you should have received all important documents, or at least know where to find them. Everything is yours now, Allie. I don’t want you to feel obligated to keep the house. I want you to do what is best for you. Home is where your heart is.

  I want you to know how much I love you. You’ve brought so much joy to my life. I’m so proud of the young woman you’ve become, and I know your parents would be proud of you as well. It saddens me to know I won’t be here to see you get married or become a mom. I’ll be watching over you, and know I’ll be with you every day in spirit. Each time life throws you something new, good and bad, I will be there.

  You’ve found yourself a fine young man to spend your life with. Let him love you, Allie. Paint your canvas full of vibrant colors and enjoy the laughter and love life brings you. I have your past, but Liam has your future. Don’t be afraid to give your whole heart. Live and love fearlessly.

  I’ll always be with you. I love you, Allie Girl.

  Gran

  I let the letter fall to my lap as my body heaves with sobs. Liam holds me tighter. He doesn’t speak, but then again, he doesn’t have to. He knows I just need to process the emotions racing through me. We sit like this for what feels like hours. Finally, I reach for the letter and hand it to him, so he can read it himself. He shakes his head slightly. “I read it over your shoulder, baby.” Kissing the top of my head. “I do, you know.” I look up at him in question. “I love you like a bee loves honey.” I chuckle, I can’t help it. He’s obviously trying to lighten the mood and it works. He always seems to know what I need.

  I stand up, pulling him with me, leading him down the hallway to my bedroom. Exhaustion is taking over and all I want to do is fall asleep in his arms. After changing for bed, brushing my teeth, and washing my tear-stained face I crawl into my bed beside Liam. Of course, he doesn’t disappoint as he draws my back against his chest and secures his arms around me. I faintly hear him telling me he loves me as the exhaustion seizes me.

  The next few days are nothing but a blur. Since Gran had everything planned and paid for, all we had to do was wait for the minister to be available. Since Gran and I have no other family, I settle for a small graveside service. Liam’s parents are here with Hailey, as well as Aiden and his parents. Judy and her husband are here and a few ladies from her church. That’s it, small and simple. We lay Gran to rest with Judy singing Amazing Grace.

  Chapter 36

  Liam

  The weeks following the funeral are tough for Allison. My beautiful girl is heartbroken. We all rally around her, giving her support the best we know how. It’s almost as if she’s just going through the motions to get through each day. Hailey suggests that since spring break is coming up we should try to schedule our Gatlinburg vacation. We all agree the trip might do Allison some good. Aiden and I are also excited, because it’s right before the draft, and we’re both nervous as hell. Add in school wrapping up and worrying about Allison—we’re all pretty stressed.

  Allison agrees to the trip, just like we knew she would. Hailey calls and gets everything scheduled for the weekend leading into spring break. I’m nervous, yet excited to get away. I want my happy full of life Allison back. I don’t know what to do for her. I know she needs to grieve, but she also needs to live. I’ve found her reading the letter her gran left her several times. She has read it so much the sheet is starting to wear at the creases.

  The trip to Gatlinburg is nice, the weather is good, and the company even better. Hailey sits in the back with Allison and gets her singing along with the radio. I actually catch a real smile in the rearview mirror, and I make a mental note to do something really nice for my little sister. The cabin we’re staying in is beautiful. It’s a three bedroom, a pool, hot tub, and game room. My parents have really out done themselves.

  The first night we decide to go into town and have dinner at the Hard Rock Café. After dinner, we’re walking downtown, checking out the shops when we come upon a tattoo parlor. Our freshman year of college Aiden and I got wasted and ended up getting matching tribal tattoos on our biceps. I’ve been thinking about adding to mine and so has Aiden. We walk into the parlor and speak to the guy at the desk. He immediately starts working on the designs we have in mind. I feel Allison walk up beside me. “What do you think, beautiful, you like it?”

  She smiles widely, nodding her head yes. “I want one too.”

  This is the first I’ve ever heard Allison mention being interested in getting ink. I throw my arm over her shoulder and tuck her close to my side. “What are you thinking about getting?”

  “Well, actually I was thinking of getting script on the side of my foot.”

  “I’m digging it. What saying?”

  “Live and love fearlessly,” she replies softly.

  I kiss the top of her head. “It’s perfect.” I’ve seen her read the letter from Gran enough times to know those are the words written in her letter. I can only hope this will help her heal. What started out as Aiden and me adding to our current tribal tats, turns into all four of us getting ink. Allison gets her script on the side of her foot, and it looks sexy as hell. Of
course, anything on Allison is sexy as hell. Hailey ends up getting a fancy H on the top of her foot. Aiden and I both add the first letter of our last names to ours.

  The tattoo seems to soothe something in Allison. Maybe she feels like Gran and her words will always be a part of her, but once we leave the tattoo parlor, my girl is back to normal. She’s laughing and dancing in the street with Hailey, and I feel like I can breathe again. I hated seeing her in so much pain and not be able to do a fucking thing to make it better.

  The rest of our stay is an absolute blast. During the day we hang out at the cabin, lounge around the pool, and play in the game room. At night we hit up the club scene in Gatlinburg, there’s only one club, but the girls want to dance, so we dance. We laugh, dance, and drink the night away. We close down the club and continue our bash in the hot tub back at the cabin. Aiden and I also brought our guitars along, so we play and sing while the girls dance around the fire and sing along with us. When the day is done and we all retreat to our rooms, I make love to Allison.

  Back home after the Gatlinburg trip, life is good. Allison’s still sad at times, but her tattoo seems to help her in the grieving process. The draft is a few weeks away, and I have her engagement ring burning a hole in my pocket, or Aiden’s drawer rather. Aiden and I have talked a lot about how and when. I didn’t want to do it while she was still so deeply mourning Gran, but now she’s doing better. She’d the old Allison, so I need to get my shit in gear and plan how I’m going to ask her to be my forever. I decide I definitely want to do it before the draft. I need assurance that no matter where I get drafted, if I do actually make the draft, she’ll be with me.

  Aiden and I are in meetings upon meetings with our coach and agents. I have a fucking agent. This is taking up a lot of our time, so taking Allison away for a night, even to the beach house, isn’t in the cards. I have to improvise with a romantic setting at the apartment. I know I’ll need help, more than just from Aiden, so I call in reinforcements, Mom and Hailey. After swearing Hales to secrecy, I’m able to tell them my plan and what I’ll need from them to pull it off. It’s the week before the draft, and I’m running out of time. I’m a nervous wreck for a multitude of reasons. Mom and Hailey are, of course, on board and over the moon that I’m asking Allison to marry me. Neither one of them were surprised I already had the ring, they were, however, surprised that it’s been almost five months, and I still hadn’t found the right time to ask her. I explain about not wanting to ask her too soon after Gran, because she was mourning. I want her to remember this as a happy time in our lives. A day we can tell our kids about, when we are old and gray. I know, I know, totally losing the man card, but love does that to you.

  It’s Wednesday, the day before we fly to New York for the NFL draft. Today’s also the day that will determine my future, even more so than the draft. With Allison’s schedule and mine, tonight is the only night I can get her in the apartment alone. Hailey’s job is to take her out shopping and keep her away until seven o’clock. Mom, who also brought Dad with her, Aiden, and I get to work on the apartment. We re-arrange the living room furniture, so all the furniture is pressed against the wall. We throw scarfs over the lamps to dim the lighting and place extra-large throw pillows, which Mom picked up, on the floor for Allison and me to sit on. The kitchen is transformed to resemble a romantic restaurant with table cloth, candles, and daisies. Everything is perfect, so I say goodbye to my family as I rush through a shower. I dress in a pair of well-worn jeans and a plain white t-shirt. This is me, and I want her to just see me tonight, just Liam, the one who’s madly in love with her.

  My phone beeps, and I quickly read the text.

  Hailey: We just pulled in, good luck, big bro.

  Me: Thank you.

  Game time and this is the biggest play yet. My nerves hit me hard, and I feel flutters in my stomach. Oh, shit! What if she says no? Just as I’m about to break out into full blown panic mode, I hear the handle on the door turn. I walk to the door to greet her, and as soon as I see her, my fears disappear. I love this girl, and I know she feels the same.

  I lean in to kiss her lips. I’m afraid to get too close, afraid she’ll feel her ring in my pocket. “Hey, beautiful.” I take her bags and her purse and lay them down on the couch that’s pushed next to the wall.

  “Hey, what’s all this?”

  “This is me, having a romantic night with my girl. I’ve missed you. Things have been crazy, and with the draft starting tomorrow, I just need Allison time. You keep me calm.” That’s the truth, even though I’m leaving out the proposal. “Come on, I conned Mom into cooking for us. I wanted tonight to be special, so I didn’t even attempt to do it on my own.” At that, she laughs.

  I lead her into the kitchen, and she gasps. “Liam, this is beautiful. I can’t believe you did all of this.”

  Kissing her cheek, I pull out her chair. “You, my beautiful girl, deserve to be romanced.”

  I serve us lasagna and a bowl of salad, placing the bread sticks on the table. I sit down in the chair right next to hers. While we eat she talks about her day with Hailey, I admit I asked Hales to keep her out of the apartment, so I could set all this up. We decide to wait on dessert, so I lead her into the living room, and we sit down on the pillows in the middle of the floor. This is it, I reach for my guitar.

  She smiles brightly. “You’re going to play for me?”

  I return her smile, even though my insides are shaking. “Yeah, I thought I would play something if that’s okay?”

  She nods, so I strum a few chords on my guitar before I begin to play “I Live My Life For You” by Firehouse. I belt out the lyrics, begging her to understand what she means to me. Once I finish the song, I stand and lean my guitar against the wall. I walk back to Allison, offer her my hand, and tug her to stand up with me. I gently wipe the tears from her cheeks with my thumbs.

  “Allison, before you came crashing into my life I thought I knew what happiness was. I didn’t think I needed love or someone by my side to share my moments with. Since meeting you, I’ve realized the moments are just that unless you share them with someone you love, that makes them memories. Memories filled with love, passion, sadness, laughs, and tears.” I take a deep breath. “You, my beautiful girl, have captivated my heart and soul. You’re my best friend, and I live my life for you. I don’t want to live without you entwined in every aspect of my life. I love you.” With that I get down on one knee and pull the ring out of my pocket. “Allison Shay Hagan, you are the air I breathe and blood in my veins. Will you be my forever, will you marry me?”

  Chapter 37

  Allison

  I can feel the crocodile tears rolling down my cheeks, and I’m unable to contain the smile I know is shining upon my face. I don’t need to think about the answer as Gran’s words flash through my mind. ’Let him love you, Allie.’ ‘Live and love fearlessly.’ I launch myself into his arms and crash my lips to his, kissing him with all the love inside of me. He pulls away, and I groan in protest. I bury my face in his neck breathing him in. Liam clears his throat.

  “Um, is that a yes?” His voice is thick with emotion.

  I lean back and grab his face with my hands. “That is a hell yes!” I crash my lips to his, opening my mouth, inviting him in. When we finally have to come up for air, Liam grabs my hand and slides the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen into place. I look up at him, and then back to the ring. “Liam, it’s beautiful.”

  Smiling he says, “That’s what Gran said when I showed it to her.”

  I snap my head back to look at him. “W—what do you mean, when you showed it to her?”

  “I bought the ring before Christmas. I showed it to Gran while we were there and asked her permission to ask you to be my wife. I had no idea that…” he trails off, not wanting to finish his sentence.

  “She knew,” I whisper.

  “She’s here with you, beautiful girl. She held the ring and said it was perfect for you. Aiden has been hiding it, because I was afraid y
ou would find it in our room. I was just waiting for the right time to ask you. I knew it was you I wanted months ago, I just wanted the timing to be right.”

  I have so many emotions running through me. I’m elated Liam wants to spend the rest of his life with me. It’s official, we’re getting married. I’m stunned he’s been holding onto the ring for months. I can’t even describe what I’m feeling, knowing Gran saw my ring and she knew Liam was my forever. I’m sad for the fact Gran isn’t physically here to see me marry the love of my life. Liam says she’s here with us, and I have to believe he’s right. She is here, watching over us.

  Standing on my tiptoes, I press my lips to his. “I love you, Liam MacCoy,” I speak softly against his lips.

  “I love you too, future Mrs. MacCoy.”

  Liam’s cell phone rings and he groans. He snatches it off the table he has pushed against the wall. “Somebody better be bleeding,” he snarls, and I smack him on the arm. He gives me a look, letting me know he isn’t impressed with the caller.

  I can hear Hailey on the other end asking if he has asked me yet. Before he can reply, I pull the phone out of his hands. “I cannot believe you kept this from me,” I tell her.

  The reply I get is, “What did you say? Please tell me you said yes.”

  “Of course, I said yes!” Screaming commences on the other end of the line, and I have to pull the phone away from my ear.

  Grinning, he takes it back from me and hangs up, not even bothering to tell her goodbye. “I should have known better than to answer.” He lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses my ring.

  “It’s beautiful.” I meet his gaze. “We’re getting married.”

  “Hell, yes we are, but first I’m going to make love to my fiancée, then we’re going to have dessert, then I’m going to make love to my fiancée again, and then we need to get some rest because tomorrow we fly to New York to determine our future.”