Back to the Top (Ross Records) (3)

by J. L. Paul

  I smiled as he took both of my hands in his.

  “But that night, when you rescued me and brought me here, it was different. You knew who I was but you treated me like a normal person. And we talked. We talked like normal people. It was so nice.”

  He paused to take a breath, looking up at the stars. “I fell for you that night. I wanted to tell you but then you told me about that Lance jackass and I didn’t want to get in the way of that. I decided at that moment that I would be your friend, that that was enough for the time being. I just wanted you in my life.”

  “Jake,” I said but he shook my hands.

  “No, Iz, it was fine,” he said. “It actually worked for the best. We got to know each other and it allowed our feelings to grow and develop into more than just a crush. It was perfect.

  “And then, after we got together, I thought that I finally had it all. But, of course, nothing ever works out like you want it to. You know what happened with the tabloids and Monique.”

  I nodded, wishing that I could just forget how the tabloids tore at us, dumping stress on my young shoulders. And then Monique with all her problems, running to Jake constantly for help – it was too much for me to bear at that time.

  “But we worked it out,” I said. “We got through it.”

  “We did,” he said with a hint of a smile. “Until I screwed up.”

  “Jake, we don’t need to talk about that again.”

  “I know,” he said, bending to kiss my cheek. “I know. I’ve pretty much dealt with it and now I have you in my life again. It seems as if things are finally working out for us.”

  I just nodded, too afraid to speak. Tears were forming behind my eyes and I didn’t want them to spill. Although I had trepidations about the timing of the baby, I was happy. I didn’t want my tears to seem like pain and upset Jake.

  “Anyway,” he said with a nervous smile. “I wanted to bring you here, where it all began, in order to…tell you something.”

  My heart stopped as Jake stepped closer, closing the distance between us.

  “Iz, I love you more than I could ever express in words. From the first moment that I met you, I knew I wanted you in my life. You’ve been a friend, a lover, and an inspiration to me. I don’t ever want to live without you again. I promise you that I’ll be here for you no matter what and that you can always depend on me. I promise you that I’ll be your friend and lover and whatever else you might need me to be. I want to raise a family with you and grow old together.”

  The tears I fought so hard to restrain fell on my cheeks as a shaky smile spread across my cheeks.

  Jake released my hands to tug something out of his pocket. He opened a tiny box to reveal a beautiful, princess cut diamond ring bedded in red velvet.

  “I know you already agreed to marry me but you are the most important person to me and you deserved something better than a casual proposal.” He took a breath before removing the ring from the box to slide on my finger. “So, I’m asking you now, will you please marry me?”

  A huge lump impeded my speech so I nodded as he kissed me before holding me tight to his chest.

  “I love you, Iz.”

  “Love you, too,” I muttered into his chest.

  When he finally released me, he kissed me once more, huge smile on his face. “That was harder than I expected.”

  Laughing, I hugged him again, my heart leaping and telling me that everything was finally falling into place.

  “Thank you for doing this,” I said. “But you really didn’t have to.”

  “Nah, I did,” he said, holding me close to his body. “You deserve something better than a quick question.”

  He kissed my cheek and rested his lips near my ear. “Besides, my sister reamed me for not doing something romantic.”

  Later that night, as I rested my head on his chest, an idea came to me.

  “Jake?”

  “Hm?” he asked, his fingers tracing random shapes on my bare back.

  “How about if we just run off and get married somewhere?” I asked.

  His fingers paused above my skin as he edged back, causing me to lift my head. “You mean, elope?”

  “Yep,” I said, resting my chin on my hands that I’d folded on his chest. “I don’t want the fancy wedding. I just want to marry you.”

  Cupping my cheek, his eyes searched mine. “I’ll do whatever you want. We can run off tomorrow and get married if that’s what you want.”

  I smiled. “I do. I just want to be your wife.”

  “Excellent,” he said, his smile so bright it lit up the room. “We’ll go home tomorrow, pack, and then leave again.”

  “To go where?” I asked.

  He flipped me to my back, hovering over me, desire pooling in his eyes again. “How about Mexico? On the beach?”

  “Perfect,” I said as he bent his head to kiss me.

  ***

  As soon as we dropped our bags in the bedroom, Jake jogged down the stairs to his office, eager to arrange everything so we could board a plane and be on our way.

  I unpacked our bags and then repacked fresh clothes, my heart hammering happily in my chest. Nick knocked on the open door and ventured inside, dropping to the bed.

  “Nice rock,” he said, nodding at my left hand.

  “Thanks,” I said, pushing the bag aside to sit next to him. “I’m guessing you already knew, huh?”

  He shrugged, an impish smirk curling his lips. “I might have had inside knowledge.”

  “Um, hm,” I said. “And did you help him pick it out?”

  “Hell no,” he said with a laugh. “That’s Greta’s department.”

  “Should have figured.”

  Tossing an arm around my shoulders, he gave me a squeeze. “Congratulations, Iz. It’s about time this happened for you two.”

  “Thanks,” I said.

  “And, I’m guessing by all the repacking that you’re doing,” he said, grinning, “that you’re running off to get married.”

  I gaped at him, not sure if Jake wanted the info to get out.

  He laughed. “I heard Jake on the phone, making arrangements with the travel agent.”

  “Yeah,” I said, excitement fluttering inside again. “We are.”

  “I’m so glad,” he said. “That man loves you so much that it’s scary sometimes. He talked about you all the time he was in rehab, wanting to get better so maybe he’d have a chance with you. Even after we discovered you were engaged, he didn’t give up hope.”

  “I know,” I said, admiring the ring on my finger. “I don’t think I ever gave up on him, either. Although I was engaged to Brad, I don’t think I ever really intended to marry him. I kept putting him off.”

  Nick kissed my cheek. “It’s all working out for the best now. You both will be happy. You both deserve to be happy.”

  I beamed, not able to form any coherent response. Luckily, Jake strolled into the room, cellphone in hand.

  “Hey, Nicky,” Jake said. “I guess the jig’s up, huh?”

  “Yeah,” Nick said, leaping to his feet. “Do you need me to do anything?”

  Jake’s eyes flashed in my direction as he grabbed Nick’s arm. “I have a few band things that you could take care of for me while I’m gone. Come down to the office with me for a sec, okay?”

  Once they left the room, I continued to pack, getting a weird sort of thrill at seeing my things intermingled with Jake’s.

  “Are you ready?” Jake asked when he reappeared ten minutes later.

  “Yes,” I said as I crossed the room to throw my arms around his shoulders. “Let’s go get hitched.”

  ***

  It was happening so fast, but strangely, it was okay. I wasn’t as panicked as I was when I found out about the baby. Maybe because this was what I’d wanted all along.

  The little resort Jake had chosen was beautiful. Located in a small, Mexican town on the ocean, the beaches were lovely, the views marvelous, and the people extremely friendly.

 
The owners of the tiny resort, Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez, specialized in weddings. They made time for us an hour after we arrived to go over wedding plans, amazing me with their near perfect English.

  We arranged the wedding to take place the following evening at sunset on the beach. Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez would serve as witnesses while their oldest son would perform the ceremony. Mr. Gonzalez went over all the wedding arrangements while Mrs. Gonzalez drove me into town to find appropriate wedding wear. By the time we returned to the resort, I’d purchased a filmy, white sundress that wrapped around my legs when I walked. For Jake, I found a simple button up shirt and khaki cargo shorts – perfect attire for a simple beach wedding. The only thing left were the rings.

  “We’ll run into town in the morning,” Jake said as we dined in the intimate dining room that evening. “Mr. Gonzalez told me about a specialty shop that sells that sort of thing.”

  I nodded, afraid that this shop sold souvenir-type things and not the sort of wedding bands that were supposed to last a lifetime.

  After dinner, Jake and I walked along the beach, for once at ease and not concerned with paparazzi or fans. He held my hand as he reminded me that twenty-four hours later, I’d be his wife.

  “I’ll never sleep tonight,” I told him as the sun dipped below the horizon. “I’m too excited.”

  “I’ll help you sleep,” he whispered in my ear before placing kisses on my neck.

  I shivered. “Well, I’m all for the help, but I don’t know if it will work.”

  “We’ll give it the good old college try,” he said, tugging my hand back toward the resort.

  ***

  The next morning dawned bright and beautiful. I woke far too early, wishing I could sleep the entire day away until it was time to get ready. I had no idea how I’d get through the day.

  Jake took me to the shop that Mr. Gonzalez had recommended. It was located, not in town but in an upscale resort in the neighboring city. We scoured the cases, looking for the perfect rings, finally deciding on simple gold bands.

  “Are you sure, Iz?” Jake asked as the shopkeeper held the rings out for our inspection. The man’s ring was a thick, shiny band while the woman’s was petite and just as shiny. They were simple, not outrageous, and just what I wanted.

  “Yes,” I said. “As long as you like them, too.”

  “I do,” he said. “I was afraid you’d want me to wear something full of diamonds or other jewels.”

  I laughed as Jake nodded at the shopkeeper. Once the rings were wrapped and paid for, we left.

  After lunch, we separated until the ceremony, Mrs. Gonzalez taking me to the small spa on the resort. There, I was pampered with a massage, facial, and manicure. Lillian, Mrs. Gonzalez’s niece, took me into a salon where she washed, dried, and styled my hair, weaving baby’s breath and tiny white roses into the braids. Next, she applied minimal makeup, using just enough to emphasize my features. After helping me into my dress, I stood before a full length mirror, smiling at the transformed person.

  “Wow,” I said.

  “You like it?” Lillian asked.

  “Yes,” I said. “You did a wonderful job. Thank you.”

  Lillian squeezed me hand with a smile. “Oh, you need flowers. Here, Auntie brought these for you.”

  She handed me a bouquet of white lilies and red roses wrapped and tied with a wide, white ribbon.

  “Are you ready?” she asked, eager grin on her face. It was obvious that she loved her job.

  “Yes,” I said.

  “Follow me,” she said as she took my hand and guided me to a small hut near the beach. “We wait here until it’s time.”

  I nodded, nibbling my lip as butterflies took flight in my stomach. Lillian peeked through the flimsy curtain, watching the beach while waiting for our cue. A few minutes later, she turned to me, nodding, eyes shimmering with excitement. “It’s time.”

  Sucking in a deep breath, I followed Lillian outside, my bare feet sinking in the sand. She walked around another building and then ducked out of the way, leaving me to continue on my own.

  My breath left me in a rush as I spotted an arbor on the beach, barely out of reach of the tide, bedecked with baby’s breath and white roses – so like my hair. Standing beneath it was the minister and Jake, dressed in the clothes I’d bought him, smiling as he watched me make my way toward him.

  Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez stood near the arbor, serving as witnesses, while several employees sat in chairs as our only wedding guests. A twinge of regret hit me for a moment, thinking that Nick, Ronnie, and Matt should be up there beside Jake while Greta, Cammy, and Annie should have preceded me down the aisle. But that feeling left in a flash. All that mattered now was that I was about to become Jake’s wife.

  As soon as I neared, Jake reached for my hand, squeezing it while his eyes roamed my face. “You look beautiful.”

  I couldn’t speak. Mrs. Gonzalez stepped forward to hold onto the flowers while I took both of Jake’s hands and prepared to say my vows.

  The minister spoke beautiful words of love and forever while the sun slowly set behind us, the water lapping on the sand in soothing rhythm. I listened carefully, allowing each word to reside in my heart and then looked into Jake’s eyes, promising to love him forever, come what may.

  When it came time to slide the ring on his finger, I did so with shaky hands. Jake took his turn, slipping the cool, gold band on my finger with confidence, as if he knew his entire life that he would do this one day.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife,” the minister declared in a jovial voice. “You may kiss your bride.”

  Jake swept me into his arms and kissed me with such tender love that I forgot we had an audience. The small crowd broke into applause as they rushed forward to congratulate us. Once we signed our marriage license, Mrs. Gonzalez ushered us to an elaborate feast where we were the guests of honor. We gorged on spectacular food while a mariachi band played and people danced. Although I missed having my family and friends around to celebrate with us, it was a wonderful, happy atmosphere that I nearly regretted leaving. But one look in Jake’s eyes convinced me that it was time for the celebration to end and our marriage to begin.

  I took my husband’s hand and allowed him to lead me to our room.

  Twenty-Two

  We boarded the plane late the next morning, both tired but happy. The smile on my face hadn’t faded since I’d made my vow to Jake the previous evening.

  “So, Mrs. Johnson,” Jake said with a wink, “what do you want to do when we get home?”

  I snuggled into his arm, my heart still trilling whenever he called me by my married name. “More of what we did last night.”

  Chuckling, he kissed the top of my head. “I think we can arrange that.”

  Sighing, I closed my eyes, content for the first time in a long time. Once we got home, I intended to plunge into the fundraiser planning in hopes of getting the new Children’s Center back on its feet. But for the time being, I was happy just being close to Jake.

  “You know,” he said, easing our first class seats back, “that you can stop calling the house my house. It’s yours now, too.”

  “Yeah, I guess it is,” I said, growing drowsy.

  “And you can change anything you want. If you want new furniture or curtains or any of that kind of thing, go right ahead.”

  “Okay,” I said. “But it’s fine for now. Greta did a good job decorating.”

  “She did,” he said. “But I’d like it if you put your personality on our home. Greta won’t be offended or anything.”

  I knew what he was doing – giving me a new project once the Children’s Center fundraiser was finished. I appreciated it even though I didn’t want him to feel as if he had to keep me amused.

  We landed a few hours later and made our way home. Weary, I was eager to get home to rest. I’d have to call my parents and Seth to tell them the news. I’d also need to call Cammy and Annie. And Jenny. So many people to tell.

  Sighing,
I leaned back in the seat.

  “What’s wrong, angel?” Jake asked.

  “Just thinking of all the people I’ll have to call,” I said. “I’d like to let them know before the tabloids get hold of the information.”

  He laughed, taking my hand and lifting it to his lips. “It doesn’t have to be done as soon as we get home.”

  “No,” I said, turning my head to smile at him. “But I’d like to at least let my parents know.”

  “Of course,” he said. “We’ll call them when we get home and then chill out for awhile.”

  He pulled through the gates and parked near the pole barn. I got out of the car, tired, and helped him gather our bags. He unlocked the door and moved aside to allow me to enter first.

  “SURPRISE!”

  Startled, I stood in the doorway, hand to heart, as everyone I loved clapped and cheered.

  “Surprised, angel?” Jake asked as he brushed past me to set the bags down near the door.

  “Yes,” I said, grinning at the banner hanging in the living room, congratulating Jake and I. “Did you plan this?”

  “No,” he said. “I asked Nick to get in touch with Greta and the two of them did it.”

  My parents rushed forward, hugging me and Jake. Next came Seth and Caroline, little Maggie clinging to her mother’s neck.

  I became lost in a sea of people, all eager to congratulate me; Ronnie and Carly, Matt and Greta, Nick, Cammy, Jenny and Kevin, Doc, Rob and his wife Sidney, several people from Ross Records. But the real surprise was when Annie appeared in the crowd, her husband, Zach, in tow.