“Thanks, Daddy.” I whisper.
He scans my face and I have to wonder if he’s seeing more than he should. “You done crying, baby girl?”
“Yeah.” I say, knowing it’s a lie.
“Then let’s go back inside. They moved Dani to a room so hopefully we’ll be able to see Lil Wyn soon.” He stands and holds out his weathered hand to help me up. Hand in hand, we make our way back into the hospital. And I don’t leave Dani’s side again until Adam arrives three and a half hours later.
A week later, Alana Arwyn Scott is released from the hospital with a clean bill of health, weighing in at five pounds three ounces and measuring seventeen and a half inches. With her head full of red hair, just like her momma’s, and blue eyes, just like her daddy’s. She leaves wearing a pale pink dress I gave her. For everyone else, it’s a happy moment. But for me, it’s bitter sweet. I’m happy knowing my niece is healthy and I’ll be in her life, but I’m sad knowing that being in her life means I won’t be in Linc’s.
Now all I have to do is break the news to him. He’ll never forgive me for pushing him away again. Not that it should matter since doing so means I’m giving into a future with Shay, but still, I hate it.
Chapter 27 – Linc
~The Last Piece~
Wyn hasn’t been at school for a week because she’s been at the hospital with her family keeping an eye on the baby. I’ve talked to her through texts and something didn’t seem right, but I chalked that up to her being worried about her niece. But last night, she called me to tell me the baby was being released and asked if we could get away and go to the cabin today. I want to believe she needs to get away for the day because of the week she’s had, but my gut is telling me it’s something else. Something I don’t want to put words to because my heart can’t handle it.
She meets me at my house and we take the Challenger. She holds my hand the whole way there and when I talk to her, she responds, but I can tell her head is somewhere else. I don’t ask where because I know before the day is through I’ll find out.
At the cabin, we unload our supplies from the trunk: a picnic basket, a throw blanket, and fishing supplies. It’s unusually warm for a late April day and I thought I’d take advantage of it by introducing Wyn to something she’s never done before, but mentioned she’d like to try. Wyn takes the throw and basket and I carry the poles and tackle box. Together, we walk down to the lake and set up on the bank.
I prepare the poles and teach her how to cast them out. She gets hers caught in the reeds the first try. But on the second, she does a beautiful cast that reaches the middle of the lake. She looks at me with pride in her eyes and a genuine smile on her face. That smile erases some of the worry that’s pooling in my stomach, but not all.
The lines in the water, she focuses on laying out the blanket and our picnic. There’s leftover fried chicken my mom made the night before, homemade mac n’ cheese, biscuits, apples and strawberries with chocolate dipping sauce for dessert, and a thermos of sweet tea. We tuck into the food and when both of our bellies are beyond full, we lay back on the blanket and watch the clouds, listening for any movement on the lines.
Still looking up at the sky, she threads her fingers through mine. “Thank you for bringing me up here today. I needed this.”
“I’d do anything to put that smile on your face.” I tell her, bringing our joined hands to my lips and kissing them.
“I know.” Is her only response and I note how sad it sounds. I’m gathering the courage to ask her what’s wrong when I hear her pole clicking.
“You got a bite.” I jump up, grab the pole, and hook the fish. “Come here and you can reel it in.”
She’s standing a few feet away from me with a look of fear. She waves her hand in my direction. “Oh, no. You’ve got it so go ahead.”
I suppress my laugh and urge her. “Come here, Wyn. I’ll be right here to help you.”
“Fine.” She huffs and comes over. I guide the pole into her hands and show her what to do. I stand at her back with my hands on her waist while she wrestles the fish in. When it’s close to the bank, I grab the fishing net and scoop it out of the water. She drops the pole and squeals. “I really did it!”
Removing the hook from the fish’s mouth I tell her. “I knew you could.” Then I look up at her with my grin in place and ask. “You want to hold him so I can take your picture?”
She scrunches up her nose in disgust and asks. “Can I kneel beside it instead?”
“Yeah. Get down here and I’ll get my phone.” I tell her, not even trying to stop my laugh this time.
She kneels down by the fish and I snap a couple shots. I hurry to get the fish back in the water. I set up her pole again and she casts it back out. This is how the rest of the day passes; One of us catches a fish, we take a picture, release it, and set the pole up again. In between, we lay on the throw blanket and talk about this and that, but never anything of importance. In the fun of the day, I manage to push down my worry to the point where it’s forgotten.
As the day wears on, the light blue sky grows darker and darker. We ignore it, not wanting to leave our fun. But when the fat drops of rain start pouring down on us, we pack up. We make a run back up the hill to the cabin, laughing and slipping in the wet grass the whole way; we’re drenched by the time we get inside.
My laugh catches in my throat when I take in how Wyn’s thin shirt is clinging to her. “Umm…I’ll start a fire to warm us up and then I’ll go see if I can find some clothes for us to change in to.”
Her eyes are locked on my chest (my white shirt has to be see through), but at my words, she drags them to my face and nods.
Upstairs, I find an old pair of my dad’s pajama pants for me and I change quickly so I can continue looking for something for Wyn to put on. I finally uncover some of my mom’s pajamas and make my way back down stairs. I’m not paying attention when I walk in the room, trying to make sure the wet clothes I’m carrying don’t touch the dry pajamas I found. When I make it into the great room, I look up holding the fresh clothes out. “I found these for…” My words die on my lips and I drop the pajamas and my wet clothes on the floor, no longer carrying if they touch. Because Wyn, my sweet innocent Wyn, is standing in front of the large stone fireplace in nothing but her black lace bra and matching panties.
I swallow and start to say something. “Wyn…”
She walks over to me, wraps her arms around my neck, presses her lips close to mine, and pleads. “Please, Linc. I want this.” She doesn’t give me a chance to respond because she closes the last of the distance between our lips and slips her tongue into my mouth. I pick her up in my arms and cradle her to my chest. I contemplate the floor in front of the fireplace, but even though it sounds romantic, I don’t want her first time to be on a floor. So I turn and carry her up the stairs to the master suite.
I lay her out on the bed and cover her body with my own. My hands slide up her side, hers feather against my chest; our lips meet and we lose ourselves. Her bra and panties end up on the floor, followed not long after by the pajama bottoms I had on. Our hands are everywhere. Neither of us is getting enough, even though we’re on the verge of getting everything.
I raise up on my hands, braced over her, looking directly into those green eyes I love. “Are you sure?”
She reaches out, placing her palm to my cheek and whispers. “Yes.”
I cover her mouth with mine and as gently as I can, I push into her. Connecting her to me in a way she’s never been with anyone before.
***********************************************
As much as I wanted to stay at the cabin all night, so I could hold Wyn in my arms, we had to leave. So after we dried our clothes, we packed up our supplies and did just that. On the way, she held my hand the whole time. But also like earlier, she didn’t say much and the smile she had on all day was gone.
At the house, I walk her to her car. She doesn’t get in right away, but turns and leans against the driver’s
door. Thanks to the street lights, I can see the tears shinning in her eyes. I know now what today has been.
“Why?” I growl my question.
“What kind of person would I be if I could turn my back on my family?” She asks, her voice trembling.
“The kind that grows up and finally puts herself first.” I say, throwing my hands up in frustration.
“I tried, Linc. I pushed Dani away and ignored her. And do you know what happened?” I should’ve known this was about Dani and the baby.
“That wasn’t your fault, Wyn.” I reach out, wanting to reassure her, but she holds up her hands to hold me back. That hurts. She’s never not allowed me to touch her and after what we did tonight, I didn’t think she ever would.
“No it wasn’t, but she could’ve lost her and I wouldn’t have been there for her. Dani would’ve had to face that loss without her best friend. I would’ve had to live the rest of my life knowing I wasn’t there for her when she needed me most.” Her eyes plead with me to understand, but nothing she says is going to accomplish that.
“It didn’t happen though.” I try to reason with her.
“But it could have. And I can’t live my life knowing that one of the people I love the most won’t have me to turn to in times like that.”
I thump my hands against my chest. “What about me? I love you and I thought you loved me. But you can do this to me?”
“I do love you.” Her voice is broken. “But I have to think of everyone else this will affect.”
“Then what was today?” I demand, pointing at the Challenger that still holds the supplies from what I thought was our perfect getaway today. “Why give me that beauty when you knew you were going to take it away?”
She wraps her arms around her middle in an effort to stop herself from trembling from holding back her tears. “I wanted to give you the last piece of me I had to offer. I need the memory to get me through.”
I pull her into my arms so I can hold her. “Damn it, Wyn. Please don’t do this.”
She buries her face in my neck and lets the tears loose. I continue to hold her as she cries. I wish I could say something that’ll change her mind, but I know her mind is set. So I dread when her tears run out, because when they do, I’ll have to let her go.
She moves back enough to reach up and touch her lips to mine. “Please remember that even though I have to do this, I love you and always will.”
I frame her face with my hands and pull her lips back to mine. Where her kiss was gentle, mine was hard and demanding. If this is going to be the last time I feel her mouth against mine, I’m going to make it a memorable one. “I’ll always love you, Arwyn Scott.” I vow against her lips.
“Goodbye, Linc.” She whispers right before she pulls out of my arms and climbs into her car. When her car is out of sight, I fall to my knees with the realization she’s really gone. Leaving me with a heart shattered into pieces so small and damaged that it’ll never heal.
May
Chapter 28 – Wyn
~Done~
“You look beautiful.” Marley whispers into my ear, hand on my shoulder, her eyes on mine in the dressing table mirror. I know she can see the blank look in mine. The fire they use to hold, went out the day I walked away from the life I wanted with Linc. We’ve avoided each other at school the last few weeks, so I haven’t seen him since that day. I really wish things would’ve turned out different, but they didn’t. And this is my life now. The soon to be wife of a gypsy man I don’t love. Maybe my parents are right and the love will grow in time. Though seeing that I’ve experienced the real thing, I highly doubt it. It’s just not there with Shay and me.
I place my hand over hers and work up a weak smile. “Thanks to you.” She beams at the compliment and tucks a stray curl back into place.
“I had a lot to work with.” The girl is a savant with hair and make-up and she definitely worked her magic on me. My curls are piled into an elaborate up-do of curls, twists, and braids. It compliments my Grecian style gown perfectly. My make-up alone should be shot and hung in a museum, seriously a work of art. She did smokey eyes with a pop of purple, went light on the blush, and nude lipstick topped with a clear gloss. The dramatic touch to my eyes makes the green color seem almost unearthly. I inherited my looks from my mom and done up like this makes that blaringly obvious. I could pass for her clone or at the very least her younger sister.
At the thought of my mom, I look for her. She’s sitting with the gypsy triplets, chatting away. All four of them are already dressed and ready to go. I expected her to be all up in my face today, helping me get ready, shouting orders. But surprisingly, she’s stayed away and kept quiet.
Marley squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. She’ll realize what she’s missing out on and then she won’t give you a second of peace.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” I turn around in my seat and look around. “Where’s Dani?”
“She took Lil Wyn out to change her diaper and probably to check on Adam.” She informs me as she moves to gather up her make-up and hair supplies. My beautiful, little niece has been doing great since she was released from the hospital. The whole family has been spoiling her with attention, me included. If we keep it up, she’ll be a spoiled gypsy princess by the time she starts talking. My relationship with Dani has gone back to the way it was before our fight. We spend the majority of our time together. She tried to bring up Linc a couple of times, but I stopped her immediately. My heart isn’t ready to relive everything that happened, and it might never be.
Once Marley has all her supplies packed up, she gathers it into her arms. “I’m going to go ahead and take these back to the car. Try and relax. You look like you’re going to be sick.”
“I might be.” I tell her honestly. My stomach has been rolling since I woke up this morning. Not from happy butterflies, but my body telling me not to do this, obviously. But there’s no way of stopping them. I might have them for the rest of my life after I go through this. I’ll be nauseous the rest of my life, a symptom of my self-inflicted heartbreak.
“I think I have some peppermints in the car. Do you want me to bring you one? It’ll help settle your stomach.” She offers sweetly.
“Yes, please.” I answer, already knowing a peppermint won’t be the cure to my problems. She walks out and I glance at the time. Half an hour. Half an hour till graduation starts. Half an hour till I walk down the aisle to marry Shay. Half an hour till I officially give up on every dream I’ve ever had.
The room suddenly becomes unbearably hot. I stand, moving towards the door, needing air.
“Where are you going?” Mom calls, acknowledging me for the first time all day.
“I’m going to get some air. I’ll be right back.” I answer back, looking over my shoulder, my hand on the door knob.
“Alright, but make sure you don’t run into Shay. It’s bad luck for him to see you before the ceremony.” She warns.
“I know. I’ll be careful.” I promise her and continue out the door. I follow a hall that leads out the side of the church. Figuring I’ll be least likely to be seen there.
I pace back and forth on the sidewalk, taking in deep breathes and releasing it. It doesn’t help so I give up and walk over to the side of the stone church and lean against the corner. I don’t care if the dress gets dirty. By my society’s standards, I already am.
The shade from the trees has kept the stones on this side of the church cool and that coolness is soothing against my bare arms. I’m taking in the silence around me and trying to sort out all the thoughts running around my head when I hear voices coming from the back of the church.
I recognize Shay’s first, and figuring that’s my cue to head back in, I move to do just that. But catching the second voice stops me in my tracks. Aidan. They’ve never been close so I don’t know why they’d be having a heart to heart right before our wedding. I highly doubt my brother’s finally decided he loves me and is giving Shay the talk about treating me rig
ht. If anything, he’s telling Shay to make sure to smack me around daily to keep me in line.
Curiosity gets the better of me and I slip off my heels so I can move closer without the click clack sound giving me away.
“I have to thank you. If you hadn’t suggested this, I never would’ve asked for your sister’s hand.” I hear Shay say. What the hell! Aidan is the reason Shay did this?
“You’ll be good for her.” Aidan grumbles. You can tell by his tone that he doesn’t care if he’s good for me or not; he just doesn’t care. At this point, I start to see red. My own brother is the reason I’ve been so miserable.
“I hope so.” Shay responds wistfully. If I wasn’t so pissed, I’d feel bad for the guy; he’s been talked into thinking this is a good thing for him, for us.
“Just make sure you keep her in line. Don’t let her walk all over you. A girl like Wyn needs to be tamed; otherwise, she’ll be in all kinds of trouble.”
Promised Page 16
