by M. C. Decker
“Hey! Look who finally showed up?” Carson said as Camden and Sam walked into the room behind him.
“Hey guys! Guess what, thanks to Brad and my mother we’re going to start a new Thanksgiving tradition! Since we have more food here than we know what to do with, I was thinking we could all go to the soup kitchen before we come back here and have dinner,” I suggested.
“I think that sounds like the perfect holiday tradition, Gorgeous. Almost as good as the Christmas tradition we’ve already started this year,” he flirted, placing a kiss to the tip of my nose.
Returning from a day at the soup kitchen, we came home to eat our very own Thanksgiving meal. I even managed to cook the entire meal without burning an entire thing. Even Brad complimented me on my cooking. It was the perfect holiday except for the fact that Carson would be gone in less than twenty-four hours.
One week had passed since Carson moved to Minneapolis. He’d gotten Marissa settled into the new facility and she seemed to be thriving in the new environment–especially with the expanded art therapy treatment. I missed him like crazy, but he’d called me nearly every night which had helped to somewhat ease the pain. Thinking that I hadn’t heard from him yet today, I pulled out my phone to send him a quick message.
Ashlynn: Hey, I miss you. I thought I would’ve heard from you by now.
Carson: Hey, Gorgeous, I was just thinking about you. I hate to do this, but I don’t think I’ll be able to talk tonight. It’s been a crazy day and I still have a few hours left here at the hospital. Call you tomorrow?
Ashlynn: Yeah, sure. I understand. I wanted to talk to you about Christmas though. Do you have any vacation days? I just didn’t know how long I should stay.
Carson: I don’t think I’m going to have much time, but we can talk about it tomorrow. I love you.
Ashlynn: OK. I love you too.
Tossing my phone back in my purse, I was slightly disappointed by our exchange. It was the first time since Carson left that I felt like he hadn’t made time for me. Before I had a chance to feel too sorry for myself there was a light knock on my office door.
“Come in,” I yelled, assuming it was Brad.
“Hey, I brought you a surprise, but you need to close your eyes,” Brad said, stepping into my office.
“OK,” I said, skeptically. Hearing the shuffling of feet, it took all my willpower not to open my eyes. “Can I open them yet?” I pleaded.
“Just a few more seconds,” he said.
“OK, you can open them now,” a familiar voice said.
“Carson?” I asked. “Is that really you?”
“It’s me, Gorgeous. Open your eyes and see for yourself.”
Opening my eyes, I was shocked to see Carson kneeling in front of my chair holding open a ring box. Inside the box was the most exquisite, solitaire diamond.
“What’s that?” I gasped.
“It’s an engagement ring, Ash. I want nothing more than for you to be my wife. Ashlynn Renee Sommers, will you marry me?
“Eeeeep! Say yes,” I heard Brad squeal from out in the hallway.
“I don’t understand, I thought you were in Minneapolis. Why are you back here?”
“After just the first day, I knew I couldn’t be away from you. I made sure Marissa settled into the new facility, and I came home. I can visit her every few months. She’ll be fine there without me.”
“What about your job?”
“I called Joleen, and she doesn’t plan on coming back to St. Therese. The position was mine if I wanted it. I came in earlier today to sign the contract.”
“So, you’re back? For good?”
“Yes, now say ‘yes’ already!”
“YES!” I shrieked, leaping into his arms as he smothered me with kisses.
Ashlynn
Five Years Later . . .
“I CAN’T BELIEVE you talked me into getting the biggest Christmas tree on the lot,” Carson grumbled, opening the door of the minivan. “I’m going to have to call Cam to help me get the damn thing up. I’m getting too old for this, Ash.”
“You’re the one who wanted the tradition of a real Christmas tree. And, you know the kids are going to pick the biggest one! After all, we have the largest selection on the first of November!” I reminded him, pulling Savannah’s car seat from the back. “It’s not my fault if the kids expect it now.”
“They’re too little to know any better. I doubt either of them would even realize it next year. You always talk about wanting one of those pink metallic trees. We can start a new tradition. I’m sure Savannah would just love that when she gets older.”
“I know, Daddy,” Gabe said, pulling on Carson’s leg. “Can we go see Santa now?”
“Not yet, Buddy,” he said, patting him on the top of the head. “Breakfast with Santa isn’t until morning.”
“Pancakes for breakfast, Daddy?” Gabe asked.
“I’m sure there will be pancakes, Bud,” he answered, patiently. Carson was such a good father. He was just as understanding and caring with our children as he’d been with me all those years ago.
“With chocolate chips, Daddy?” I couldn’t help but laugh at my son’s question.
“Ashlynn! What are you teaching our children?” Carson yelled.
“Breakfast for dessert, Baby. I can’t be blamed for teaching our children logic,” I laughed, pecking him on the lips.
Carson
“Did Camden and Sam leave?” Ashlynn asked as I walked back into the living room. “I was just about to boil a pot of hot chocolate.”
“Yeah, Sam has hockey practice early in the morning.”
“Oh, OK, that’s too bad. The kids would’ve loved it if they could’ve stayed.”
“Cam promised they’d all come back before Christmas,” I told her.
“Mommy, can we open our presents now?” Gabe asked from beside the tree. After Cam helped me get it up and into its tree stand, Ashlynn and Gabe started hanging the ornaments as Savannah napped in her pack ‘n play.
“Not all of them, Baby,” she said, shaking her head. “That one is for Daddy anyway. Can you give the present to Daddy?”
“Here, Daddy,” Gabe said as I took the wrapped package out of his chubby, little hands.
“Open it,” she said slyly as if she’d been keeping a secret.
Ripping open the box, I pulled out our family’s annual Christmas ornament. The same ornament I’d promised Ashlynn the first year we’d met.
Looking at the glass bulb, upon first glance, I noticed a family of snowmen with each of our names written under each snow person and kitties: Daddy, Mommy, Gabe, Savannah, Steve Urkel, and Fresh Prince. What I failed to notice the first time was the word “baby” written in the belly of the mommy snowman.
“Wait. Are you pregnant?” I asked in shock. After we had Savannah, we decided we were happy with two children. A healthy baby boy and girl–what more could we possibly ask for?
“I am,” she said, a smile forming on her lips.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I took a test last week. I went to the doctor today to confirm it. I’m due in early June,” she said, excitedly.
“This is the perfect gift,” I exclaimed. “I love it and you.”
“I love you too.”
“Now, let’s put the kids to bed so we can take care of the third part of our yearly Christmas tradition. I plan on making love to my pregnant wife under that tree all night long,” I whispered into her ear, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.
Turn the page to read
the Prologue of Love Entwined
LOVE ENTWINED
James Bentley
One final time, I patted my side pocket making sure the ring box was securely planted in its rightful place, before getting behind the wheel of the Corvette convertible I’d rented for the evening. I wanted the night to be perfect. I’d never had the opportunity to take Ireland to prom when we were in high school and when she told me that she’d never gone at all, I knew immediatel
y that I wanted to do something special for her. Call me pussy-whipped, but at least I knew I’d be buried deep inside hers later tonight. This senior—more like senior citizen, I thought to myself—would definitely be scoring this evening.
I was sure Katie had already shown Ireland the gown I’d purchased for her to wear. I’d also scheduled an afternoon appointment of pampering for both of them at a local spa. I really had no idea what girls did for hours in those places, but Katie said she would handle it. You could call me a complete idiot for handing my credit card over to that woman, but nothing would be too extravagant for my Shamrock.
Needing to make a quick stop at the architectural firm to pick up some blueprints, I then went on to the construction site to check the progress of my most recent design project. I didn’t want any interruptions or surprises tonight—just Ireland’s toned legs entwined with mine in bed, or maybe wrapped around my waist as I slammed into her, pressed up against the wall.
I had about thirty minutes to spare before the limousine I’d rented for Ireland was scheduled to drop her off at Iridescence. Located on the sixteenth floor of the MotorCity Casino Hotel, Iridescence was known as the hidden gem of Detroit and I’d been able to secure the entire restaurant for just the two of us.
We’d been there once before and Ireland had raved about the floor-to-ceiling windows which overlooked the city with a view of the Ambassador Bridge. Every time we’d driven past the building since then, she commented about how much she wanted to dine there again. I told her we could go anytime, but she always insisted it was too expensive and we always wound up taking a five-dollar carryout pizza home from the local pizza parlor.
I’m not sure she would ever get used to the fact that I was part owner in a very successful firm and had more than enough money to drop on a nice dinner. But, tonight and every night from now on, I wanted her to know that everything I had was hers—including my heart, and my future. Tonight, I was going to ask her to be a part of that future as my wife.
I was surprised to see my business partner/best friend’s car in the parking lot when I pulled up to the construction site. No doubt he was going to bust my balls for my choice of wardrobe tonight.
“Hey Greg, I didn’t expect to see you here. After all, it’s after four in the afternoon and a Saturday no less,” I quipped, grabbing a hard hat before stepping onto the site.
“Fuck you, asshole,” he retorted without looking up from the design he was poring over. “And, I really should be asking you the same thing. Katie told me you had some top secret date planned for you and Ireland tonight.
“I take it she was right since you’re dressed in that god-awful penguin suit,” he joked, momentarily taking his eyes off the blueprints he’d been studying.
“Yeah, tonight’s the night,” I told him, patting my side pocket once again. “I just wanted to make a quick stop here to make sure everything was in order and then I’m taking Ireland to our prom at Iridescence. Didn’t Katie tell you all about it?”
“Yeah, she did, but I honestly tuned her out after she spoke the first few words. I love my wife, really I do, but you know how she can go on and on,” he said.
“And on,” I laughed.
“Right. So, I flipped on an episode of Sons of Anarchy and nodded my head a few times. She isn’t any the wiser. But, congrats man. I’m happy for the two of you even if you are lame as fuck with setting up this whole prom thing.”
“Yeah, yeah. I knew you were gonna give me shit for it. Honestly, I didn’t give Staci the proposal that she deserved and maybe that’s one of many reasons our marriage was a joke. I was a senior in college who’d just knocked up his girlfriend and thought I needed to get down on one knee to be a real man. I didn’t do either of us any favors. Had I known she was going to fuck other guys the entire time we were married I would have fought for custody of Tanner and hit the road.”
“Sorry I even mentioned it, man. Go to your prom and put a ring on the girl of your dreams. You know Ireland is like the little sister I never had and I know you’ll treat her right.”
“Thanks, Greg. I wasn’t really looking for your approval, but since Ireland doesn’t have any family, I guess it really does mean a lot,” I said, patting him on the shoulder.
“Now I only have twenty minutes before I’m meeting Ireland and I need to check out the archway and make sure it’s up to our client’s standards. Clark wasn’t pleased with the results when he stopped by day before yesterday and I told him I would take care of it by Monday. You know how fucking picky that man can be,” I yelled down as I began climbing the scaffolding.
Clark and Kelly Miller were known as some of the snobbiest restauranteurs in metro Detroit. Clark, especially, walked around like he had a constant pole stuck up his ass and everything had to be perfect down to the exact dimensions of the floor tiling. However, he’d believed in me since I began working in the field over a decade ago and I’d since designed every one of his restaurants in the state. I wasn’t about to let him down now, especially over a fucking archway.
“You might want to grab a few of the safety hooks before you get up there too high. The workers were complaining about some of the planks slipping earlier today,” Greg called out.
“Nah, I’ll be fine. I’ll just be up there a minute and I don’t really want to get any wrinkles on this—what did you call it—penguin suit. Besides, I have a thick skull and this hard hat will protect me,” I said, tapping on the thick, yellow plastic.
“I’m surprised you were willing to put on the hat—wouldn’t want it to ruin your hair,” Greg yelled back.
“Safety first, fucker,” I shouted, just as my feet began to slip from under me. I reached for the guardrail, but only grabbed a fistful of air as I began my descent down to the cold, unforgiving concrete. I barely heard Greg’s muffled scream through my own rapidly beating heart. And then there was only silence.
Three Days Later
Everything was fuzzy as I began hearing voices off in the distance.
“Jamie—Jamie, open your eyes for us again? Come back to us.”
I opened my eyes and was greeted by my favorite pair of blues. So many emotions rested inside Staci’s eyes. Why did she look so forlorn, so confused even? I looked over her shoulder and saw Tanner, our son, standing behind her. For some reason, he looked taller, older even.
“It’s OK, I’ve come back to you—to both of you. I’m here now,” I whispered, my throat still raw from the ventilator tube.
I wasn’t sure what had happened, but I knew I was in a hospital room. I’d heard doctors and nurses discuss my accident, but I wasn’t sure of the details or the severity of my injuries. I remember waking up and calling for her earlier, but instead I was greeted by a stranger in my room. There was something about her—something comforting and so familiar even. I assumed she was just a nurse and probably made all of her patients feel that way. She held my hand and I swear she even had tears in her eyes, but I could have been imagining it, or just so hopped up on pain medication that my mind was playing tricks on me. After all, why would a nurse cry for me?
“Oh thank God you’re awake,” Staci said with relief. “I’ll go get the doctor. He should probably examine you now that you’re awake.”
“Just give me a minute with you,” I pleaded. “I just want to hold you.”
My entire body was screaming in pain, but in that moment I didn’t care that my arm was bandaged and in a sling, or that every time I took a breath my chest burned. I would worry about the doctors later. All I wanted and cared about right now was my wife and my son.
“Jamie,” she said, pulling back. “Do you remember anything—anything about the accident—about falling?”
“No, I didn’t even know I’d fallen. It’s all pretty fuzzy. I only remember waking up briefly and calling out for you. The nurse said she would get you.”
“The nurse?” she questioned.
It was when Staci turned her head that I noticed the woman, who I assumed had been my nurs
e, sitting on the bench positioned near the window. She did in fact have tears streaming down her face, but I still had no idea who she was or why she was crying.
"Jamie, she isn't your nurse. That's Ireland," my wife explained.
"Ireland?" I knew an Ireland once, but we hadn't seen each other in nearly two decades. Why would Ireland be in my hospital room?
"I don’t understand. Why is Ireland here?"
"Because you were planning on marrying her, Jamie."
“Staci, you aren’t making any sense. How can I marry another woman when you’re my wife?”
“Jamie, we haven’t been married for nearly a year,” she said, biting down on her lip. “I really think I should go get the doctor now.”
Her words stunned me. My world as I knew it was crashing around me. I wanted nothing more than for deep sleep to consume me once again. I shut my eyes and prayed that when I opened them this nightmare would be over and I would remember—everything.
Love Entwined is available now
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I want to thank my readers—you amaze me every single day. Without you, I wouldn’t have continued on this writing journey. Your daily messages over the last four years have been the highlight of many of my days. The friendships I have made with many of you, I know will last a lifetime. For that, I’m truly grateful. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there are so many wonderful books to choose from and I’m truly honored that you took the time to read mine. Thank you for the bottom of my heart!
To my beta readers: Johnaka McCosker and Tammi Hart—thank you for helping me dig deeper and making Take Me There a much more polished story. You answered my unending questions and, in the process, have become some of my dearest friends. Thank you and I love you all more than you will ever know!
To Johnaka McCosker: Thank you for giving this PA thing a whirl with me and for keeping me on my toes–or trying to at least–on a daily basis. My days would be incomplete without our daily chats and gif messages.