Saved by Him

by Kristie Leigh

  “Julianne, I’ve been dreaming of how I would do this for so long, but I don’t even know where to start.”

  I smiled down at him, thinking I knew the feeling.

  He took my hand in his and continued, “I’ve loved you as far back as I can remember. We’ve been through so much together. Good and bad. But through it all, we’ve come full circle. I’ve said this before, but I want you to know that I love Calum like he’s my own, and I’m so grateful that I’m able to be part of his life. I want us to be a family for real.”

  I was blubbering, sniffling, wiping my nose with my right hand. It was quite unladylike, but I didn’t care. I’d dreamt of this moment since I was a little girl, and I couldn’t believe it was happening.

  “I want you to know that I’ll choose you forever. I’ve always chosen you, and I’ll continue to choose you until the end.”

  Another sob broke free, and Hunter gripped my hand.

  “There’s only one thing I want to change about Calum and you, and that’s your last name. Julianne, will you marry me?”

  I nodded. My head bobbed up and down repeatedly.

  “Is that a yes?”

  I laughed, taking a deep breath. “Yes. Of course. It’s always been you.”

  He slipped the ring onto my finger and jumped up, nearly knocking me over, kissing me breathless before pulling back and taking my face in his hands.

  “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

  I looked behind us at the bed and back at him. “Do you think we could celebrate in that bed?”

  “As tempting as that is. I have a few more surprises before we can utilize that bed, and I fully intend to use it over and over tonight.”

  I gripped him tight. “Promise?’

  “Promise. Now let’s check out this bathroom, one more room, and then the backyard.”

  I went to move toward the window, but he pulled me back. “What’s out there?”

  “You’ll see. Patience. One room at a time.” He kissed me breathless again.

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes, sir.”

  “Mmm. I like the sound of that.” He swatted my ass as we moved toward the bathroom.

  He showed me the bathroom; again, everything was perfect. The tub was to die for. I couldn’t wait to relax in there tomorrow. Hopefully, I would need a soak due to being nice and sore.

  Heading down the hall, we stopped in front of Calum’s door. His name was on the door just like at Hunter’s house. I looked up at Hunter, and he grinned like a little boy. He opened the door, and it was decorated just like Calum’s room at his place just on a smaller scale.

  “Oh, Hunter. It’s perfect. Thank you. He’s going to love it. The magic bed is clearly a gift to me, though.”

  “Well. That’s a gift to us both.”

  I looked back at him, standing in the doorway. He appeared a little unsure. “What do you mean?”

  “Well. I was hoping—”

  “I’m kidding. I know what you meant. I just wanted to see you squirm a little. I don’t want to spend a night away from you, so I was hoping you would stay.”

  “Really? That’s such a relief because it was going to be a little awkward when I just moved all my shit in.”

  “Nah. I was actually planning on tying you to the bed, so this works out.” I walked over and kissed him lightly on the lips, running my fingers through his beard.

  “Let’s go check out this backyard because that bed is calling our names.”

  He reached down, gripping my ass to lift me up, and pushed me against the doorjamb. “As much as I would love to bend you over right now.”

  I ground into him, and he dropped his head to my shoulder.

  “Fuck it. The backyard can wait.”

  I laughed as he carried me back to our bed and tossed me onto the middle. He climbed onto the mattress and hovered over me.

  Smirking, he brushed the hair out of my face. “My little hurricane.”

  “Hurricane? Do I destroy you?” I knew I looked all kinds of confused.

  He shook his head. “No, but you have the ability to. My feelings for you are so powerful it’s scary but thrilling and intense all the same. You have the potential to completely destroy me, but I’m willing to battle any storm as long as it’s with you.”

  Epilogue

  Jules-One Year Later

  Growing up, I was never one of those girly girls. I didn’t dream of my wedding day. But I could say without a shadow of a doubt that every single time I had pictured this day, it was always Hunter waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

  Looking into the mirror hanging on the master bedroom wall of Hunter’s house, I took in my reflection. I chose an empire waist with a Princess Bride feel and a modern twist. Taylor did my hair in a knotted bun with a loose crown braid, and my makeup was flawless but very natural thanks to Carley.

  Taylor, Carley, Courtney, and Macy came up behind me and gazed at me in silence.

  “I’m getting married, guys. Can you believe it?” I squealed like a teenage girl.

  They all laughed. “Of course we can. We’ve been waiting for this day as long as you have, girl,” Carley piped up.

  “She’s right, Jules. We’re almost as excited as you are.” Taylor squeezed my arm. “I can’t wait to see that boy’s face when he sees you walk down the aisle. A hundred bucks says he cries.”

  I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. “I’m so glad y’all are here. Is it almost time?” I just wanted to get this over with and see my men.

  Hunter insisted that Calum stay with him last night and get ready with the boys today, so I hadn’t seen either one since they left for their sleepover.

  “We’re getting’ there, but—” She was interrupted by a knock at the door, and Taylor went to answer it.

  “Hey, Emerson.” Her voice went squeaky high.

  “Hey, sweets. Can I come in? I have something for Jules.” Did he just say sweets?

  “Of course.” She didn’t sound like herself as she gestured for him to come in.

  He rounded the corner and stopped when he saw me. “Oh wow, Jules. You look amazing. Hunter is going to lose his mind.” He whistled slow and low.

  I smiled shyly, not used to many compliments. “Thank you. I guess that means he hasn’t run off yet?” I laughed at my own joke.

  “That boy is pacing back and forth counting down the seconds until you’re finally his.” He laughed.

  “Yeah well, she’s doing the same,” Carley said.

  “Shut it, you whore,” I blurted out.

  “For years, I doubted I’d ever see a genuine smile on his face again. But then you came back, and I’m certain I’ll never see anything but a smile on his face from now on.” He stepped forward and handed me an envelope with my name written on the front. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Anyway, I’m supposed to give you this.”

  I pulled him in for a hug. “Thank you for always being there for him.”

  He stepped back and smiled. “All right, ladies. I’m single and ready to mingle, so I’ll save a dance for all y’all tonight.”

  Taylor’s face hardened, and she turned away. Emerson looked at her back but didn’t say another word before walking out the door.

  I was about to ask her what the hell that was, but suddenly, she turned around with the biggest smile on her face. “You probably want some privacy to read that, but you better tell us what it says.”

  “I’m good. Y'all can stay.”

  I opened it up to find a letter from Hunter.

  Dear Julianne.

  I told you I’d take care of the traditional “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”

  The tradition of something old is for continuity. My love for you has been an unbroken constant since I met you as a child. That love has morphed over the years from friendship to an everlasting love that most people only dream of.

  Well, your something old is already with you on your right hand. I feel like kind of a loser for telling you t
his, and it’s a long story, but I want you to know.

  It was Valentine’s Day over nine years ago, and you had no idea what you were in for. You thought we were just going to be hanging out at my place, watching movies like we usually did. But I was going to surprise you with a different plan. First, I was going to head to your place to pick you up an hour early with daisies in hand and tell you to get dressed in something nice. I knew you’d panic, but that’s why I was giving you an hour. And I was going to assure you that you didn’t need to throw a fit.

  As you don’t particularly like surprises, I also bought some champagne to help calm your nerves since your parents weren’t going to be home. I planned on sitting on your bed and enjoying watching you get dressed. (Hey, what can I say? I was a pervy kid.)

  Then, after you were ready, we were going to head over to Benny’s on the Beach for a nice dinner overlooking the water. We would talk and laugh and enjoy every minute. Then, we were going down to the beach under the pier where Emerson was a lifeguard at the time, and he was guarding our spot. I had some electric candles set up with rose petals all around a heart I’d carved in the sand with our initials and forever. I was then going to give you your gift, which was a ring with a small cluster of sapphires in the center and a row of diamonds on either side. It wasn’t an engagement ring, but it was the closest thing I had. It was my promise to you that we could get through the long-distance relationship and come out stronger for it.

  I stopped reading and wiped away the tears that fell. I remembered that day, and I knew what happened next.

  “You okay, Jules?” I looked up to Courtney’s concerned eyes.

  “Yes. Old memories. I just need a minute before I can finish.” I smiled through the tears and took a few deep breaths before continuing.

  You showed up at my house early that night and broke up with me, so none of my plans ever came to fruition.

  I didn’t write this to upset you, and God, I hope I didn’t. I’m writing this to let you know that I know now that you did the right thing, and I wouldn’t change any of what happened between us.

  Everything happened just the way it was supposed to, and now, we have Calum. We’re getting married, and you’ll finally be mine, the way it was always meant to be.

  So that ring may not look the way it did all those years ago, but it’s been waiting to adorn your hand for a long time.

  I love you, baby girl. I’m waiting for you. I’ll be the one in a tux at the end of the aisle.

  I love you. Always have. Always will.

  Hunter

  XOXO

  I lifted up my right hand, admiring my engagement ring that was temporarily there and smiled with tears rolling down my cheeks.

  “Fuck. Your makeup.” Carley sounded distraught.

  Courtney smacked her arm to shut her up.

  “Are you okay?” Taylor sounded worried, so I looked up from my ring.

  “He bought me this almost ten years ago. I ruined the night he was going to give it to me.”

  “Aw. That’s so sweet. I’m sure the moral of the story wasn’t that you ruined the day. What else did he say?” Taylor asked as she rested her hand on my shoulder.

  She was right. “He said that he knows everything happened just the way it was supposed to because we have Calum.” Another tear fell, thinking of my sweet, soon-to-be husband.

  “Ovaries exploding over here. Why can’t I find a man like that?” Macy’s been searching for Mr. Right her whole life.

  We all laughed at her.

  “You’re so lucky, Jules,” Courtney said from behind Taylor.

  “I sure am. Sorry about the makeup, Carley. Maybe we should wait to touch up until I’m walking down the aisle.”

  “That’s probably a good idea.”

  Another knock at the door and Hunter’s grams peeked in.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting you ladies, but I was hoping to speak with Julianne for a minute before the ceremony starts.”

  “Of course, Grams.” I stood to give her a hug, and she kissed my cheeks.

  “How are you, my dear?” she said, holding me at arm’s length, looking at me from head to toe. “You look incredible. That grandson of mine is going to eat you up in this gown.”

  “Thank you. I’m getting anxious. Time seems to be standing still.” I sighed.

  “Soon enough things will get moving, and the day will go by so fast. You’ll blink, and it’ll be over. So please, enjoy every single moment today, savor it.”

  “I promise. I will.” I squeezed her hand.

  “I come bearing a small gift for you. This will be your something borrowed, although I don’t intend for it to be returned to me but to be passed on to someone special in your life. Something borrowed represents borrowed happiness, so I’m passing on the earrings my mother gave me on my wedding day. I’ve been married for a long time, and we’re just as happy today as we were the day we wed. I see that kind of love with Hunter and you. I couldn’t be more thrilled that you two have found your way back to each other, and that I’m now a great-grandmother to that precious boy.”

  She opened a box to reveal some teardrop diamond earrings. “They are timelessly classic just like you.” She held one out. “May I?”

  “Of course. Thank you.” I pulled her in for another hug before allowing her to put the earrings on for me.

  “I’ll let you get back to your girly chat before the ceremony.”

  “Thank you so much, Grams. This means a great deal to me,” I said as I touched the earrings she’d put on me.

  “Of course, dear. You’re family now.” She kissed my cheek before leaving the room.

  “Damn. I don’t know how much more I can take today,” I said, wiping away a few stray tears.

  “Well, you have at least two more to go, right? Something new and something blue,” Macy stated.

  “I guess so. Carley, I hope you have something magic for puffy eyes in there.”

  “Oh, I do. Don’t you worry. I have it sent to me from Canada.”

  “Knock, knock,” I heard Margaret say. “Is everyone decent?”

  “Yes. Come in.”

  “Oh my, you look beautiful. Your mama would be so proud,” she said as she touched her hand to her heart.

  The tears welled again in my eyes as I smiled at my mama’s dear friend.

  “She prayed that this day would come for Hunter and you. She never gave up hope for you two.”

  I smiled sadly. “I know. She was always right.”

  “I’m sure she’s here today and couldn’t be happier for the three of you to finally be a family.”

  She took my hand. “I have a letter from your mama. That’s how confident she was that this day would come. She knew you two would find your way.” She handed me an envelope with Mama’s handwriting on it. Dearest Julianne, open on the day you become Mrs. Rivers.

  The tears fell, and a sob broke free.

  Margaret pulled me into her arms. “This is your something blue, my dear. Please only cry happy tears today as this is your day. No room for sadness. Your mama is here and watching over you. Know that.” She pulled back and kissed my forehead.

  “Thank you,” I said between sobs.

  She smiled before turning to leave the room.

  I looked up, trying to fan the tears in my eyes. “I don’t know how I will get through this letter with tears blocking every word.” I sat down on the sofa, and the girls surrounded me.

  “Take your time. We’re here if you need us,” Macy said.

  I opened the letter and took a deep breath before reading.

  Baby girl,

  I’ll keep this short so you can get to your wedding.

  If you’re reading this, then I’m not there in person on one of the biggest days of your life, but know that I’m there in spirit. I’ll be watching everything and cheering you on.

  As you know, I’ve been waiting for today for so long, probably longer than you can remember. I’ve known you two were destined since you
were in elementary school. The way you looked at each other was like nothing I’d ever witnessed. I searched my whole life for a love like that but never seemed to find it. Cherish every minute of every day you have with Hunter because life’s too short.

  I already gave you Great-Grandma’s earrings, so today I give you something else blue. They sewed a blue tag in your dress for me. My something blue is for love, and this was my way of being with you today.

  I love you, baby girl, more than anything, and I can’t wait to watch you walk down the aisle to marry that boy.

  Love, Mama

  PS – I love you bigger than the sky.

  I wiped my tears and reached down to lift the hem of my dress, moving it around, trying to find the blue in a sea of white.

  “Gotcha.” I grabbed the tag and pull it up and read it out loud. “I’ll always be with you, baby girl. I love you bigger than the sky. I’ll be with you every step of the way.” Another sob and the tears were flowing again. “I love you, too, Mama,” I whispered. I heard the sniffles from the girls as they witnessed a moment between my mama and me. “Thank you all for being here. I couldn’t have gone through this without you.”

  They all dabbed at their faces, trying to save their makeup.

  “I don’t have time to do everyone’s makeup, so stop that right now, bitches,” Carley said through her tears.

  I sat back, trying not to ruin my hair. “One more to go. I can do this.”

  I heard a little knock at the door and got up to answer, hoping it was Calum. I could use a hug from him. I opened the door to find Hunter standing there holding Calum’s hand. Hunter was wearing a blindfold. I laughed at his ridiculousness. He knew how I felt about tradition, but it looked like he’d found a way around it.

  “Mama looks pretty,” Calum exclaimed, and I saw Hunter’s mouth turn into a smirk.

  “Hey, handsome. Look at you in your little tux. Come give me a hug.” I reached out and picked up my boy.