I let out a laugh and lean in with a whisper. “That’s okay, as long as I’m not cut off completely, we’re good. It’ll just be funny to watch Jordan running around after kids well into his fifties.”
“I heard that,” Jordan comments, then clears his throat. “Anyway, Vel, I just want to say, you done good, kid. And I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I say, you’ve made us all proud.”
A round of congratulations sounds, then her father stands. “I couldn’t agree more. I’m proud to be your father. You’ve had to live through some rough times, and for that, I apologize, but to see what you have come to be, well, you know the expression turns lemons into lemonade—sweetheart, you are the master. This is all you, and you should be proud. A graduate, a wife, and soon to be a mother. You have it made, don’t take any of it for granted and enjoy it, sweetheart.”
Velyn smiles, lifting her glass of water in a toast. “To living our best lives.”
I look down to her with a knowing grin at her words—the same five words we made a promise to keep true to every day.
Jordan stands. “Okay, now that the eats are done, Ava and I would like to invite everyone back to our place to finish out the day. We can’t just end this now when we have everyone together.”
I look at Jordan and Ava. “Thanks, guys.” I stand, then offer my hand to help Velyn to her feet. “Velyn and I have something to do, but we will meet back up with everyone at Jordan and Ava's shortly.” I turn to Velyn. “Are you okay to make a quick stop?”
“Sure, where are we going?”
I smile. “Our spot.”
“Our spot?”
After that day at the cabin where Sarah had told me everything, she did as she said she would and transferred the property back into my name. I never mentioned it to Velyn because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it, or really what I wanted to do about Sarah. So, I just let it sit. But after the past four years of building up a relationship with Sarah again, and now with the baby coming into our lives soon, I knew exactly what needed to be done.
“Trust me.” I take her by the hand, sending out a quick wave to everyone, then lead her to the car.
Velyn recognizes where we are as soon as we hit the road. “This is the way to your old cabin.”
“Yes and no,” I reply.
She looks to me, puzzled. “No, I remember. This is the road.”
I look to her quickly, then back to the road, slowing and veering slightly as the turn to the cabin comes up. “Yes, but it’s not the old cabin.”
“Huh?”
I pull into the long driveway. “It’s not the old cabin, Velyn; it’s our new home.”
“Excuse me?”
“Baby, this is our new home. The story is long, and I will tell you all about it, but right now, I want to take you inside to the place I’m hoping we can create some of the best memories that are yet to come.”
I put the car in park, jump out and help Velyn out, ushering her toward the door. When we step inside, it’s just how I had pictured it in my head. Connie outdid herself with fresh cut flowers, pictures of the day Vel and I got married. More photos of us with her pregnant belly, and a wall dedicated to just family, filled with memories of her mother and Chase and many more memories throughout our years together.
“Dylan, when did you do all this?”
I stand behind Velyn, so as not to block her view, and wrap my arms around her. “I will confess, the decorating was mostly Connie and Ava, but there is one thing I did all on my own.”
I move in beside her, taking her by the hand and leading the way up the stairs. Coming in front of the door that was my room as a child, I push it open.
A gasp leaves Velyn’s mouth, followed by, “Oh my God, Dylan, it’s beautiful.” She turns, taking me into a hug. “Did you do all this? How? When?”
I place my hand on the small of her back, moving her forward into the nursery I created for our daughter.
“I started the moment I knew that this was the perfect place to raise our family, and I knew the one room that would make it complete was our daughter's room. I hope you like it.”
“Dylan, I love it. It’s perfect.”
I move her in further, then turn her to the crib where the wall overtop is painted with large letters, spelling our daughter’s name—Chelsey.
Velyn looks to me in complete tears. “It kind of worked out perfect...Lesley and Chase, my mom and your brother.”
“It did.”
“Dylan, I don’t know how to express how
much I love this other than to tell you, you have made all my dreams come true.”
“And I plan to continue to do just that every
day.” I turn to her. “That being said, we still have some celebrating to do, and a hungry baby to feed.”
Velyn groans. “I got so excited, I forgot how
hungry I was, but now I remember. But before we head back, I want to make one last stop.”
I nod, already knowing where that is.
When we arrive at the Cemetery, I park, but before getting out, I pull from my suit
pocket the alumni pin they gave Velyn’s graduating class.
“Here, I thought you might want this.”
She looks to me with wide, wet eyes. “How did you know?”
“Because you’re just the better half of me, babe. How could I not know?”
“If I could lean over this console, I would kiss you right now, but our daughter’s currently in the way,” she jokes.
I lean over myself and steal a kiss. “There, all better.”
Getting out of the car, we make our way along the path to where Chase is buried. When we get there, the flowers that Velyn had laid just a couple of days ago are still vibrant. She comes every week to visit with Chase as she calls it. I come with her most times when I can. We come to lay fresh flowers and share our week. It’s kind of become our therapy over the years.
Velyn steps in front of the stone and lays the pin on top. “We did it. You were there with me the whole time. I know you were. I missed you; it should have been you up there. That was your title, but I hope I did you proud. Chelsey will be here any day now. Dylan and I are super excited but nervous at the same time. There’s so much I wish I could share with you...I miss you every day, bestie.” She then looks up to me with a smile. “Do you ever feel like he’s watching over us?”
I let out a laugh. “It’s Chase, guaranteed he’s watching over us. He wants to make sure I don’t screw this up.”
“True.” She lets out another chuckle then looks to me. “You know, it’s because of loving Chase that we got to experience the love we share today.”
I nod. “It’s also because of loving Chase, that I got to feel like I could be loved finally. I love you, my Queen.”
“I love you too...always and for absolutely
ever.”
The End
Also from Tania DeMelo
The Adair Series
Liam & Gwen – Entirely Yours (Book 1)
Kai & Eugenia – Discerning Love (Book 2)
Ewan & Grace – Happily Ever After (Book 3)
Bane & Althea – Fated Union (Book 4)
Ben & Matilda – Infinite Promise (Book 5)
Maid for you
Crystal Clear (Coming Summer 2020)
Don’t Miss Out—follow Tania!
www.mytaniademelo.com
Instagram: @authortaniademelo
Twitter: @tania_demelo
goodreads.com/author/show/18532496.Tania_De_Melo
" class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
Loving Chase: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Novel Page 21
