by Rhonda James
CHAPTER THIRTY
Brooke~
He was here. I couldn't contain my happiness as he left the room to take his place under the arbor. The world as I knew it was about to be forever changed, in the best way possible. The man that I loved with every ounce of breath that I possessed. The one who was my reason for living. The man who was not only my lover, but also my best friend. I was about to legally give my hand to him, although I had given my whole heart to him a long time ago. There would never be another for me. Everything he had, I wanted. Everything he did, I wanted to be a part of. And everything that he wanted from me, I would freely give.
"Brooke, sweetheart, it's time." Dad said, as he came into the room. He stood there in the doorway, his hand to his heart, and tears in his eyes. "I can't believe that I almost missed this. If I would have had any idea what I was walking away from. Any idea at all. I would have moved Heaven and earth to get back to you. Thank you for letting me back into your life. I promise I'll never walk away again."
"Aw, thank you Daddy." I hadn't called him that since I was eleven years old. Somehow, today, it felt right to call him that again. I'd never fully realized how much I had missed him until he'd walked into my restaurant. At the time I thought seeking a reunion would have only brought more heartache. What it had ended up bringing had been so much more. So much better. Better than I could have ever imagined. "Are you ready to give me away to the man of my dreams?"
"As long as I always have a place in your heart." He held out his arm for me to take. "I would be honored to hand you over to Sebastian. That young man clearly loves you. He's a good man sweetheart. Always remember to fight for what you love, for what you know to be true. Don't make the same mistakes your Mother and I made. Nothing is more important than family."
"I'll remember that." I slipped my arm through his and began my walk to the patio.
The sun was shining and the sky was the most beautiful shade of blue, second only to my future husband's amazing eyes. The music began and I held tight to my Father's arm as I felt my bare feet meet the warm sand. Ed Sheeran serenaded me with the first song that Sebastian and I had ever danced to, and my eyes settled on his as I covered the distance between us. He stared lovingly at me as I approached, mouthing I love you when he caught me chewing nervously on my lower lip.
Everyone I loved was here with us. My parents, his parents, his brother and Natalie, Nikki and Ben, Dek, Jade, and Chris. Donnie and his wife sat in the second row, right beside Max and Laura. Olivia was our flower girl, and she was so precious as she tossed rose petals over the sand before me. Gibson walked along beside her, with a small pillow strapped to his body. The rings sat in a black box tucked neatly inside the pillow pleats. Since we didn't have a nephew in the family, Sebastian had insisted that Olivia needed a companion to escort her down the aisle.
When we reached the arbor, the minister began the ceremony.
"Who gives this woman to this man?"
"Her Mother and I do." Daddy stated, proudly. He leaned forward and gave me a warm kiss on the cheek. "I love you Brooke. I'm so proud of you. Now, go be happy in your life."
Sebastian stretched his fingers out to me and I slipped mine into their strong grasp, trusting he would never let go. We stared lovingly at one another as the minister talked about the sanctity of marriage. Then he moved onto the vows, asking each of us if we would take one another, forsaking all others.
"I do." Sebastian repeated, in a voice that was deep and confident.
"I do." I stated clearly, leaving no room for doubt.
"At this time Sebastian and Brooke would like to share the vows that they've made to each other."
I cleared my throat and stared into his sapphire eyes. "Sebastian, from the very moment I looked into your eyes I knew that I'd seen something special. You saved me that day. And you made me feel safe and loved, even before we'd actually fallen in love. That week we spent together left me longing for more days together, and dreaming of this very day. Our road to get here may have taken a few detours, and there have definitely been a few bumps along the way. But the journey has been worth every mile. I can't think of anyone that I would rather laugh with, love with, or spend the rest of my life with. I promise to love you fiercely, until my last breath. My heart is yours forever." I gave his hand a tight squeeze and he took a deep breath, then smiled a full dimpled smile that took my breath away.
"Brooke, honey. I remember the very moment when I knew I had fallen in love with you. You were standing in my living room, singing softly, and your hips were swaying to your music. Seeing you that way, it took my breath away, and I've never gotten it back. You are the light of my life, and the air that I breathe. When you're not near, I'm out of balance, like a table with a broken leg. You're my stabilizer. You complete me. My life is richer because you're in it. I could lose everything tomorrow, but if I still had you I would have all that I need. You're my best friend, my lover, and the only one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Today, before everyone we love, I promise to always stand beside you, to always encourage you, and to love you passionately until the day I take my last breath. Forever and always, I am yours." Tears slipped past my lashes as I listened to his beautiful promises. Promises I trusted him to keep.
"Sebastian and Brooke, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Sebastian, you may kiss your beautiful bride."
Before he kissed me, he slipped his arms around my waist, grasped his wrist, and drew me in tight against his chest, giving the best bone-crusher of his life. His jacket muffled my laughter and then he dipped me back, pressing his full lips to mine. This kiss was soft, yet it claimed me fully. Our tongues became one as they wove together in celebration. I sighed a breath of contentment into his mouth as he pulled back. My teeth grasped the silver ring that they'd become so attached to and he chuckled against my lips. Applause broke out around us.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian Miles."
Everyone stood and cheered as we made our way back up the aisle. We stopped at each row, sharing our love and hugging everyone as we passed. Finally, after the last guest had been acknowledged, we glanced over at one another.
"So, how does it feel to finally be Mrs. Miles?"
"Well Mr. Miles, if the rest of our marriage is anything like the first thirty minutes, then I'd say we're in for a great adventure. Are you up for it?" I challenged.
"Honey, not only am I up for it, but that's one thrill high I never want to come down from." Then, he pulled me close and left me with a kiss that finally put those butterflies to rest.
EPILOGUE
Sebastian~
Five Months Later
"You're not nervous are you?" I asked, as we stood backstage at the awards concert.
"No. I'm okay, just ready to go out there." She grinned and shrugged her shoulders sheepishly. "Besides, we've practiced so many times I know it backwards and forwards. Are you nervous?" She asked.
"I don't know. I think I'm more excited than anything. I've never sang a duet with a woman, let alone my wife."
"Well, I've never sang in front of thousands of people, but there's a first time for everything."
I heard the band on stage begin to wrap up their song and turned to find the guys standing behind us.
"You ready for this Brooklyn?" Chris gave her a brotherly nudge with his elbow.
"As ready as I'll ever be." She quipped.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please join your hands together with me as we welcome this year's recipient of the best songwriting award. They'll be singing a new song, a never before released duet, "Come Back to Me." Please welcome to the stage, Paradox.
We took the stage and as I settled the guitar against my body I looked over at Brooke, and was reminded once again of why I loved this woman so much. Every step I took, she was right there alongside me, cheering me on. Every day I woke up next to her was a blessing. Every time I held her, kissed her, or stared into her eyes as we made love, it still felt as special as the
first time. She made me laugh, and taught me that it was good to laugh at yourself. We had a lot of learning to do, but for the first time in my life, I found myself looking forward to the lessons.
I strummed the first chord and gave a nod when it was time to start. She opened her mouth to sing the song that I had written for her, and I beamed with pride as the most angelic sound poured from her beautiful lips.
There’s a picture of you, still hanging on the wall
I sit home every evening, just hoping you might call.
My world came closing in on me, the day you said goodbye
I thought I would get over you, but all I do is cry.
Come back to me, I’m begging you darlin’
Come back to me, so I can hold you one more time.
Don’t leave me hanging, I can’t face the world without you
Come back to me, I’ll love you right this time.
Ev’ry day you’re not here, reminds me of all I’ve lost
Do whatever it takes to win you back, not caring ‘bout the cost.
Give anything to have you here, and hold you all night long
Fight like hell to stop the tears, but I’m just not that strong.
Come back to me, I’m begging you darlin’
Come back to me, I’ll believe in you this time.
The bed’s too big without you, don’t leave me alone tonight
Come back to me, I’ll make everything alright.
Come back to me, I’ll make everything alright.
When the song was over, I turned to her and mouthed I love you, Honey. She just smiled, blew me a kiss, and mouthed I love you more. The adventure was still continuing, and the thrill high that came with love was by far the best one I had ever experienced.
THE END
ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
Writing a book is a labor of love, an investment of your heart and time, and a sacrifice for many. I would not have survived this journey if I had to go it alone. There are many who have been on this adventure with me and I would like to take a moment to thank them. First of all, I have to thank my beautiful daughter, Taylor, for another stunning cover design. Somehow the story always becomes “more real” after I see your creation. I love this one, and I could never have done this without you. To my rock star beta readers, the YpsiChicks: Shawn, Theresa, Tracy, Lisa, Cathy, and Jana. Girls, what would I do without you! You have been my rock and my sounding board. Thank you for the many pages of editing you’ve helped me do. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing this process with you, and loved reconnecting with each of you during this time. Finally, to my sister, Sandy. I am jumping for joy because of all the conversations we’ve had about these characters. Thank you for helping me stay true to who they are, and for falling in love with them as deeply as I have. I love you sissy!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rhonda James has been a writer for most of her life. Those who knew her during her younger years would agree that this has always been her dream. Across the Miles, the prequel to this book, was her first venture into the world of self-publishing. This series came to her one night in a dream, and upon waking, she knew that the story had to be told.
Rhonda lives in Dexter, Michigan, with Dan, her husband of twenty-two years, and her two adult children, Taylor and David. They share their home with Baily, their dog, two cats named Molly and Walter, a crested gecko named Izzy, and a yard full of chickens.
When she’s not writing or reading, you will find her in the kitchen, where she loves to prepare homemade soups, marinara sauce, and meatballs, just to name a few. Her love of bacon is unnatural, and her obsession with technology borders on the insane. She is a natural-born hugger, and if you meet her you will most likely be the latest recipient of a bone crushing hug (don’t worry, no bones are actually crushed during this process).
MILES APART PLAYLIST
Between the Raindrops by Lifehouse
From Where You Are by Lifehouse
Whatever It Takes by Lifehouse
Here Without You by 3 Doors Down
Storm by Lifehouse
Aftermath by Lifehouse
If This is Goodbye by Lifehouse
Love Me Like You Do by Elle Goulding
Nothing by The Script
Landing In London by 3 Doors Down
Back To Me by 3 Doors Down
Life After You by Daughtry
Home by Daughtry
Clarity by Zedd
How Long Will I Love You by Elle Goulding
I Still Believe In You by Vince Gill
Tryin' to Get Over You by Vince Gill
Maybe by Sick Puppies
Make You Miss Me by Sam Hunt
I'll Fight by Daughtry
Every Time You Go by 3 Doors Down
Miles Apart Trailer
OTHER BOOKS BY RHONDA L. JAMES
Across The Miles
(Part One of The Not So Bad Boys of Rock Series)
Watch the Trailer
Sebastian Miles was twenty-three years old and living a charmed life. Loving family, beautiful girlfriend, and lead singer of the rock band, Paradox. Their debut album shot to number one on the charts, and they had just come off a worldwide tour, performing in venues filled to capacity. Then, one night, a tragedy rocked his world in a whole new way, turning him into someone he no longer recognized. Now, two years later, and on the other side of his own private hell, he learns to stop taking everything and everyone for granted. Yet, he is still alone. Then, one day he meets her, and suddenly, his darkened world is once again filled with hope.
Brooke Caldwell is a twenty-four-year-old prodigy in the culinary world. After a lifetime filled with heartache, she decides to pursue the opportunity of a lifetime by interviewing for a world famous chef in Los Angeles. While visiting the city, she is reminded how cold and calculated the world can be. Until she meets him, and he shows her a world filled with the love and support that she never knew growing up.
Two wounded souls. Two hearts that continue to beat, in spite of all the damage that has been done. What happens when their damaged hearts collide? And, could they possibly be the half that finally makes the other whole?
