by Melody Anne
To heck with it. Right now she couldn’t even think about the rest of the day — let alone the future.
Everyone was allowed a private pity party for at least one night. And after all, she was by herself. Who would know anyway?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Where is your Aunt Whitney?” Liam asked Brayden as the two children came into the room.
“She left, Uncle Liam. Didn’t she tell you?”
“Left? Where did she go?”
“She told us that she had to leave for a while, but we don’t understand why,” Brayden replied. “She said she didn’t belong here and had to leave. She was so sad. I haven’t seen her so sad since … well, since … you know.” The boy bowed his head and looked down at the table.
Liam was rendered speechless. What could have possibly happened?
Without another word, he rushed to the office he had in his father’s house and placed a phone call. He then rushed out to find his father and explain that he’d be late for dinner.
With his connections, it didn’t take long to find her, and with his heart thundering like never before, Liam approached the door of her hotel room and rapped on it with some force. He waited impatiently for the knob to turn.
“Who’s there?”
Was that her voice? His heart thumped as he stood there waiting, wondering if he should tell her he was the one there.
“Open the door.”
Silence greeted those commanding words. But he could almost feel her on the other side of door. Placing his hand against the wood, he hung his head, frustration mounting.
“I’m not leaving, Whitney. I don’t care if it takes all night.”
Finally, he heard the sound of the locks unlatching and then the knob was turning. He didn’t move as it opened, and now she was standing before him.
When he saw her red-rimmed eyes, his heart burst out in a gallop. “Why?”
“What are you doing here, Liam?”
She sounded so defeated. None of this made sense.
“Why on earth did you leave?” he said, pulling her into his arms.
“Don’t do this to me. Liam. You’re a better man than this. … Or … or maybe you aren’t.”
“What are you saying? You know very well how much I love you.”
His heart pounding in triple time, his happiness in her hands, he stood there in agony. What would she say This moment was the longest , the most hellacious of his life. This was why he hadn’t wanted to fall in love, hadn’t wanted to put his happiness into someone else’s hands. He couldn’t stand the loss of control.
But even more frightening to him than losing control was the thought of losing this woman.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Whitney shook her head, trying to clear it and to deny his words at the same time. He couldn’t love her if he felt ashamed of her.
“You … you were talking to your father. You said I was an embarrassment,” she finally said, horrified she had to admit she’d overheard the awful conversation that had sent her running from the mansion.
“What are you talking about, Whitney?”
“I heard you speaking with your father earlier about the dinner party. You both said you didn’t want me there because I was an embarrassment, because I didn’t know how to behave in polite society.” It was so much humiliation.
“Oh, Whitney, I’m sorry you thought we were talking about you.”
She held up her hand, her tears drying as anger took over. She wouldn’t allow him to lie to her. This was too much.
“I heard my name, I heard you say there was a problem, and then you were saying how embarrassing I was,” she told him, pushing away. His touch was confusing her worse.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
He reached for her, but she took another step back.
“Stop lying to me!”
“I swear I’m not.”
She looked at him, really looked at him, and she couldn’t help but notice that he didn’t seem to understand what she was saying. Honestly didn’t understand. It was either that or he was one heck of a good actor. But some men were. Some men could fool you into a lifetime of servitude without you ever knowing that you were bound and chained. She wouldn’t be one of those women.
“You were talking about a dinner party, and you said I was lacking in manners, that I don’t know how to dress appropriately, and that I have no sense of how to behave at such an occasion.”
As she repeated the words with which he and his father had condemned her, the tears welled in her eyes again, much to her frustration. Dammit! How dare this man keep sending her off on this emotional rollercoaster.
“Oh, Whitney, my darling Whitney, did you see us speaking?” he asked.
“Well, no, but I didn’t need to. The words were pretty freaking clear,” she told him. “Excuse my French, of course.”
“If you had stepped into the office, you would have seen my father and me looking at a guest list. We were speaking of a guest neither of us particularly cares for, and when you see her at this dinner party, you’ll realize why we said what we did. How could you ever think you caused me any embarrassment? Granted, we haven’t been together long. But surely we’ve been together long enough for you to know how much you mean to me.”
She wanted to believe him so badly that it scared her, and truth seemed to shine in his eyes, but what if this was a lie? Still, could she live her life always afraid, not trusting people? Was that any way to live? No, no, it wasn’t.
He suddenly kneeled down and pulled out a little velvet box. And she started to shake all over.
“Whitney, you’ve brought joy and hope to my heart. I can’t imagine a world without you in it, and I can’t picture my life without you. Please take away my suffering and do me the honor of marrying me. We’re meant to be together. It’s fate.”
He was actually proposing to her on bended knee! She couldn’t speak at all now as she looked at this amazing man. He had so irritated her the first time she’d met him— and for a while afterward — but he’d somehow gained access to her heart.
And she knew he was the one. She knew that this had happened fast, and that their relationship was impossible, but didn’t miracles happen? Sometimes things that had once seemed impossible turned out to be great, didn’t they? Okay, not everything, but the world’s greatest miracles had begun as the impossible and yet stood the test of time.
Looking at him through her tears, she nodded, and the smile Liam gave her was the greatest gift she’d ever received.
Liam jumped up and pulled her into his arms, lifting her high off the ground and locking his lips to hers. She fell into his kiss. Her day had gone from the worst of her life to the best.
A long while afterward, he pulled away and took her hand, then slipped the beautiful diamond on her finger. Its sparkle mesmerized her.
“I love you so much, Liam,” she told him.
“And I will love you forever,” he replied.
Then he again drew her into his arms and the magic continued.
Chapter Thirty
I can’t believe this day has arrived. It seems to have taken forever and yet gotten here in the blink of an eye,” Liam told Brayden as he helped the boy get his tie on correctly — no clip-ons for this occasion!
“I love my aunt so much, though I didn’t always show it,” Brayden said. “She’s been almost the only good thing in my life since I lost my mom and dad. I don’t think Ally or I could have made it through everything if she hadn’t been there to take care of us.” Then he smiled up at Liam. “And now we have you and Grandpa. Just when I thought everything was over forever.”
“Whitney is one of a kind, Brayden. We’ll all be a family and take care of each other now.” Liam stopped fiddling with the tie and placed his hands on his nephew’s shoulders.
It tugged on Liam’s heart to see how much Brayden resembled his father, just as Ally did. It made Liam miss his lost brother a great deal, but it also comf
orted him to know that Vincent would live on forever through his children.
“We’ve got to get all this sappy stuff over with,” Brayden said, trying to pull himself together. “Today is a happy day.”
“I agree with you on that,” Liam told him. “Just know that if you ever need anything, I will always be here for you. I can’t replace your father, and I wouldn’t want to try, but I can be the best uncle you’ve ever had.”
“You’ve already proved that,” Brayden replied.
They gave each other a long hug before they finished getting ready for the wedding. It wouldn’t be long until Whitney arrived, and she probably wouldn’t be happy if the groom and best man weren’t in place. And yet she had put up with a lot from both of them.
“May I join you?”
They turned to find Frederick walking into the room, looking suave and more relaxed than Liam could ever remember him.
“Of course, Dad.” Liam was growing used to the term.
“I know I haven’t always been the best parent,” he began. When Liam tried to stop him, Frederick held up a hand and his son let him continue.
“I haven’t always been the best father — I’ve made so many mistakes over the years. But I’m grateful to have time to make up for them now. I’m brokenhearted that my beloved Vincent won’t ever get to see these changes …” He suddenly coughed, but no one was fooled by his obvious attempt to cover up his breaking voice.
“He can see us, Grandpa,” Brayden assured him. “He’s watching over us.”
“Thank you, young man. I appreciate that,” Frederick said, and he gave the boy a wobbly smile. And then he turned back to his son.
“In spite of my missteps, Liam, you’ve given me new hope. You’re a wonderful man with a big heart, and though you’ve faced adversity, you still managed to find something in your life, a rare something, that not all of us are allowed to experience.”
“I wasn’t always so wonderful, Father, and you’re well aware of that fact. But Whitney makes me a better man.”
“Well, today is a day to share what little wisdom I can. It’s a fatherly duty to roll out sage advice to his son. Treat her like a queen, and always have her at your side.”
Liam smiled at his father. He didn’t need that particular lesson. He already loved his soon-to-be wife to the point of bursting, but he wasn’t going to steal this stirring scene from the old guy.
“Don’t ever take her for granted,” Frederick continued. “Every single day that you have together is precious. Remember that even on those days that you think the universe is conspiring against you, take a moment to thank her, even if it’s just to thank her for loving you. So often we don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone.”
“I can’t imagine that there will ever come a day I could forget how much I appreciate her,” Liam told him.
“Ah, because you’re newly in love. Time makes these feelings seem to fade, though they are always inside us. Don’t let time erase what comes in the beginning. And that includes respecting her. If you don’t respect her, you can’t respect yourself.”
“Aunt Whitney has said that same thing to me many times,” Brayden admitted.
“That’s because she’s a wise woman,” Liam told him as he ruffled his hair.
“Only two things more,” Frederick said. “Communication is key to it all. Listen and be heard. Don’t dwell on the small stuff, but embrace everything about her. She’s unique and you’re lucky to have her, as she’s lucky to have you.”
Liam felt he was coming out far more ahead than Whitney was, but he kept that to himself. He didn’t want to admit to the weakness he felt in his knees when it came to this woman.
“I will, Dad,” Liam promised.
“Here’s the most important thing you can do as a husband. Show your future children how much you love their mother. That will teach them how to treat their spouses later in life. I’m sorry I didn’t do that for you.”
“You did the best you could. And what matters now is who you are today. I love you, and your grandchildren love you. And I promise to love my wife forever.” Liam stepped up and hugged his father, something he hadn’t done since he was a very young boy.
“Now, my son, let’s go and get you married.”
“That’s the best piece of advice you could ever give me.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Whitney tried to catch her breath. Passing out at the altar wouldn’t make for a great impression.
It was her wedding day — unbelievable. Less than two years ago, after losing her sister, she’d never thought she’d be able to feel joy again.
The ceremony and reception had taken six months to plan. Liam Felton was too much of a business celebrity to allow this event to come together quickly. And she’d had to suffer through so many interviews that she felt as if a faux smile were permanently fixed on her face.
But Liam promised her that things would slow down after all the hoo-ha. He was going to take her on a month-long honeymoon to a private island, far away from cameras and reporters. Would he really stay away from work for that long? Probably not. But she could still hardly wait.
All the final primping had taken her two days, and she missed Liam desperately. But knowing he’d be waiting at the end of the long aisle would get her through this chaos.
There was a knock on the door and she froze. She wasn’t ready yet to face the crowd. Face the wedding march.
“Your carriage is waiting,” Darcy said as she stepped through the door. “You truly are a vision.” The maid came up and adjusted the already perfect bridal headpiece.
“I’m having trouble breathing,” Whitney had to say.
“The wedding itself will soon be over,” the maid replied, “and then you’ll have the rest of your lives.”
The once stern woman had become quite soft in the time Whitney had known her. The bride-to-be couldn’t help but throw her arms around the woman and give her a hug.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” Whitney told her with emotion crackling in her voice.
“Now, now, don’t start ruining your makeup,” Darcy said, but the tears in her own voice took away any harshness from the words.
“Okay, I’m ready.” Whitney lifted her chin in determination.
The maid led her from the room, down the long staircase, and out the front door. Sitting in front of the mansion was a beautiful horse-drawn carriage, with a footman waiting outside.
It took several people to help her inside because of the long train of her wedding gown. She had been intimidated by all the silk and lace when she’d first seen the exquisite dress, but it floated on her, and she could barely feel the yards of fabric.
The bodice and skirt gleamed with thousands of pearls and crystals, and the gown hugged her tightly down to her hips, but then cascaded into a full skirt. Before the train was attached, she had twirled in a wide circle, loving the way the layers of silk flared out as she moved — it reminded her of when she was a little girl and dreamed of being Cinderella. The buttons up the back of the dress had taken many, many long minutes to be fastened. Whitney smiled, thinking how crazed and frustrated Liam would be when it came time for the gown to come off.
Her long hair was up in a chignon, with sparkling gems throughout. She knew she would glow when Liam took her into his arms on the dance floor.
The carriage started off on its journey, and after half an hour’s ride, it finally entered the small town square. She’d grown so attached to the beautiful town, where almost everyone she’d met was kind and helpful.
And then the carriage arrived at its destination, the beautiful old church. It was where Frederick had been married, and where his two sons had been baptized. It was where her sister should have married Vincent.
No, Whitney refused to go there — not now. She would allow no sadness on her wedding day.
The door opened and Mr. Smotter was waiting outside to help her from the carriage. She took his hand and stepped onto t
he red carpet rolled out before her.
“You look enchanting, Ms. Steele,” Mr. Smotter told her.
She beamed at him and replied in hushed but affectionate tones, “Thank you, Mr. Smotter.”
Attendants came forward and straightened her train so it was flowing on the carpet behind her.
“Aunt Whitney, you look like a princess,” Ally said as she came barreling through the doors, looking adorable in her beautiful blue dress, with her hair almost identical to Whitney’s.
“You’re so beautiful, Ally. I do love you, but you know that,” Whitney said, and she bent down to take her niece in her arms. She ignored the murmurs from the attendants, who were grumbling about having to redo her wedding train. She needed to hold her niece.
“I have a basket full of roses I’m going to drop on the floor,” Ally told her aunt with a big smile. “Uncle Liam says you’re so beautiful that you should walk on rose petals every day of your life.”
“Your uncle is quite the romantic, isn’t he?” Whitney felt such warmth in her chest.
Ally just looked at her, clearly uncomprehending. Whitney hugged her again and then let the attendants get the two of them into position.
“It’s time,” someone said, and Whitney’s nerves spiked.
No, no. She could get through this. It was only a couple of hours more and then she’d have Liam all to herself. She took a large breath and began walking behind Ally, keeping her eyes set steadily forward.
She glided into the historic church, everything a blur, and she didn’t even see the people in the pews, though they were all standing and watching her every move. Once she approached the altar and caught her first sight of Liam, it took everything in her not to rush forward into his arms.
Though he turned her legs to jelly and her stomach inside out, she also felt a calming deep down inside. This amazing man would be her husband in mere minutes.
