“I think your mother is very happy right now.”
“I think you’re right. She deserves to be happy. And when the babies come I’m gonna be busy. It’ll be nice to know she has someone. Do you think Doc will reveal your secret?”
“Yes. If he loves her then that’s a logical step, but he’ll wait until he knows she’ll accept it. There’s no need to worry.”
“I’m not worried. Actually it’ll be nice to share all of you with her. I believe it will make her life richer, like it has mine.”
“And if that doesn’t then the babies surely will.”
Later that night I couldn’t sleep, so I snuck quietly out of bed, putting on my robe and making my way to the clinic. Doc was still up and doing some cleaning, the disinfectant burning my nose as I approached.
“Charity, why aren’t you in bed?” Doc said, noticing me standing in the doorway.
“I couldn’t sleep. Actually, I wondered if I could talk to you?”
“Of course.” He pulled up a stool. “Please, have a seat. What’s on your mind?”
I strolled over and took the seat he offered. “Well, it’s about my mother. I need to know what your intentions are where she’s concerned. I mean, do you love her?”
“Actually, I’m glad you asked. I’ve been feeling the need to talk to you about this. As a matter of fact I do love her, very much. And I intend to tell her about us, but I feel the timing isn’t right yet. I would very much love to have your blessing. And I will inform you before I speak with her about the pack.”
“Thanks. I’ll be honest, I’m kinda happy at the idea of her knowing about us. I’m tired of lying to her.”
“Charity, I know you’ve had a hard life. Your mother has too, but I don’t want to make it harder, I want to make it easier, and I believe she’s happy with me.”
I sighed. “Yeah, I think you’re probably right about that. I guess I’m happy that she has you, Doc. You’re a great man. I know you’ll be good to her. But, I’m just curious, how come you’re not married?”
“Well,” he sighed, “I was married once, many years ago. Her name was Chelsea, and I loved her very much.”
I hope my face didn’t reveal the horror I was feeling. “What happened to her?”
“She died of a hemorrhage during childbirth. It was one of those freak things. The baby was also lost.”
My heart constricted in pain. “Oh, Doc, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Thanks, Charity. That means a lot to me. You’re a great girl. And someday I’ll be honored to have you as a daughter. I really mean that.”
My eyes widened in surprise. I’d never heard those words before, and I was amazed at how good it felt to hear them. “Thanks, Doc.” I stood, preparing to leave. But then I peered down into his sad eyes and added, “You know it might be too late for you to raise your own children, but it’s not too late for you to raise your….grandchildren.” I smiled as I rubbed my still flat belly.
With that, he stood and gently pulled me into an embrace. It seemed the most logical and natural thing for him to do really. And it felt good, like an embrace a father would give to his daughter, and I felt myself leaning into it. I knew then that I could totally trust this man with my mom—and I did—happily.
When I exited the room, pulling the door shut behind me, Levi was leaning against the wall—waiting. I should’ve known I couldn’t sneak out of bed without him knowing. I let him take me in his arms and cradle me to him as we walked back to our room, with me crying the whole way.
The highly anticipated day had finally arrived and the weather was perfect. The ceremony was being held in the newly completed section of Windrake Mountain Park. Pastor Frazier would be performing the nuptials in a huge gazebo overlooking the creek. Everything was working out according to plan—right up until I got the frenzied call from Ashley. She was having second thoughts.
I rushed over to our apartment, and once I stepped inside, I found Ashley sitting on the floor in her underwear leaning against our white sofa, her face the same color.
I rushed to her and took both hands in mine. “Ash! Okay, take deep breaths. I’m here now, you’re gonna be fine, do you hear me?”
She nodded, but didn’t look convinced.
“What happened?”
“I was trying on my dress and when I came to the mirror—I don’t know—I-I just got scared. Does this mean I don’t love Josh? Oh, Charity, it can’t mean that!”
“No, of course not. You love Josh very much. You always have, from the very beginning, remember? Not like with me. It took a bulldozer over the head before I realized I was in love with Levi.”
She laughed. “No, not a bulldozer, but a bunch of beautiful boys turning into werewolves before your eyes—maybe.”
We both burst into shrilling laughter, and then I heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that the crisis had passed.
“Maybe I’m just worried about after the wedding, you know with it being our first time and all.”
“Well, trust me it’ll be so amazing. You’ll be very glad you waited.”
“Thank you, Charity. You always know what to say.”
“Well, I didn’t say much, but you’re welcome. Actually, I needed a distraction from all the craziness back home anyway. Levi’s driving me insane. I’m glad I didn’t see him before our first wedding or I wouldn’t have married him. He’s a total nut job right now.”
“Well, remember—the first time he was fighting Wesley and his pack right up until the very minute you walked down the aisle.”
“Yeah, how could I ever forget that? I’m aged as a result. Just the other day I found a gray hair with Levi’s name on it.”
“But you wouldn’t change any of it, right? I mean, you’re happy you married him, aren’t you?”
“Oh, Ash, I’ve never been happier than I am right now. I wouldn’t change anything that’s happened to us—okay maybe some of the bumps and bruises I’ve received along the way, but that’s it. Levi is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and Josh is the same thing for you. Never doubt that.”
“I know you’re right. I just needed to hear you say it. I’m starting to get excited again.”
“That’s good.” Then I fell quiet.
“Charity, what is it?”
“Well, there is one thing I regret. I feel like I used to be tough, you know, strong, and now I feel weak and wimpy.”
“Oh no, Charity, you are very strong. Honestly, I’ve never met anyone as strong as you. Remember all that you’ve been through, even as a child. You were hard because you were hurt, and you felt you needed to protect yourself. But then you fell in love, and not with just anyone, you fell in love with Levi, the most loving, caring, and nurturing man alive. Love softened you, Charity, it didn’t weaken you.”
What she said touched my heart in a powerful way. Love not only softened me, it saved me. I started to tear up but then caught myself. “When did you get so smart, huh? Now throw some clothes on and let’s get your gown and get to gettin.”
“Yes, you’re still tough,” she giggled. “Um, Charity?”
I stopped in my tracks and turned to her. “Yes?”
“I love you. You’ve always been like a sister to me, but now it’ll be like you really are my sister. I just want you to know that that means a lot to me.”
“Oh, Ash, I love you too.” I threw my arms around her neck and squeezed tight. She squeezed back, not releasing me for a long minute. It was a beautiful moment shared between two sisters of the heart.
When we arrived back at the Drake House, the frenzy of activity had died down. It only took me a few minutes to realize it was because everyone was gone. Gone! Somehow, in all the chaos, we’d been forgotten.
I whipped out my cell phone and looked at the time—one o’clock! The wedding was in one hour!
“Ashley, we’ve got to get dressed and out of here!” We ran down the long hall to mine and Levi’s room. Of course, what with my newly inherited strengths, I bea
t Ashley by a long shot. I was practically dressed in my gown by the time she made it into the room.
“Wow. That power could definitely come in handy from time to time,” she gaped.
“Yeah, like now! Get dressed fast!”
While Ashley dressed I grabbed my phone and called Irena. “Irena, Ashley and I are at the house. I know—I know! We’re hurrying! Don’t panic! We’ll be there on time! Ashley’s almost finished dressing, and then we’ll get our butts out the door.”
Good thing we both already had our hair and makeup done or we’d be in big trouble.
“Irena! We’ll be there. Tell Levi not to worry. What? Hold the phone! I won’t get a ticket! It’s my wedding day, for cryin’ out loud!”
I was at once wishin’ I was a vampire so I could use the power of persuasion as the fat, old cop asked to see my Driver’s License. How dare he give me a speeding ticket on my wedding day. The fact that both Ashley and I were wearing our wedding gowns didn’t seem to faze him at all. However, once he noted the name on my Driver’s License he was singing a new song.
“Oh, Miss Bell! I’m sorry. Levi told us to be on the lookout for you. Guess he was right about your lead foot.” He laughed, but I failed to see the humor. He immediately stopped and cleared his throat. “Um, I’m sorry for the delay. You two are no doubt in a hurry. I’ll give you an escort.”
That perked me up. “See, Ash—nothing to worry about. It pays to have an alpha male werewolf husband.”
“As opposed to just an ordinary werewolf husband?”
I looked at her for a moment before we both burst into laughter again.
I wish I had a video camera to record Levi’s face the moment the police cruiser pulled into the parking lot with us right behind him. But once I stepped out all was forgotten. His anger melted away immediately.
Josh too was a little alarmed. Doesn’t anyone around here trust me?
Levi’s expression was amused as he approached me. “I’m relieved to see you made it safely. Please don’t scare me like that again. I’ll see you at the altar, my bride.” He took my hand, kissed it gently, and then disappeared to take his place.
Once our men were out of sight, my mom, Ashley’s mom, and Irena were instantly at our side, fussing over us. I had missed that at my first wedding, but my mom unknowingly was making up for it, and doing everything a mother was supposed to do—and doing it beautifully. It was a moment I had to make myself stop and enjoy.
The moment was frozen as I looked around at these wonderful women before me, women who’ve helped mold me into the woman I am, and will become. Irena, who was just like a mother to me and loved me like her real daughter, and who accepted me into her family without hesitation; my mother, who I almost lost just weeks earlier, whose unconditional love had inspired me to love whole-heartedly; Ashley’s mother, Claire, who had wiped my runny nose more times than my own mother had—and Ashley, who’d been truly like a sister to me, and who I’d been able to share everything with. I realized at that moment how truly blessed I was to be surrounded by such great women who’ve enriched my life so tremendously.
I found myself unconsciously rubbing my stomach and the babies that lay hidden there. I gasped at the sudden awareness of my action and turned to meet my mother’s curious gaze. I smiled, hoping to cover up my mistake. She smiled back, and it was a very pleasing smile. Did she know? Yes, I think so, and in that brief moment we shared a feeling of total happiness between us.
Once the music started, Ashley and I both took an arm of her father, Russell, her on his left, and I on his right, as he escorted us down the aisle toward the gazebo where our dashing men awaited us. Our bridesmaids were lined up to the left of the gazebo, Stacy, Delaney, Missy, Tara, and Tosha, and to the right were Levi’s best men, Joseph, Eli, Josh, Toby, and Hector.
I couldn’t seem to wrap my brain around how many people were present. I spotted some kids from school. Selena and Jessie Domingo were sitting three rows from the front, Selena was crying. Chase and Razz were there, giving me thumbs up. Even some of our teachers were present, and some of them were crying.
Am I missing something? Did they convert this wedding into a funeral without my knowledge? The tears were all forgotten, however, once I spotted my dashing knight, standing inside the gazebo, hands overlapped, and face beaming. He was wearing the same tux as our first wedding, but he looked even more delicious, if that were even possible.
Russell deposited us at the foot of the gazebo steps, kissed my hand and Ashley’s cheek, and turned to join her mother seated in the front row. Our men took our hands and gently pulled us into position alongside them as Pastor Frazier began.
The ceremony was short but sweet, and soon we were walking down the aisle, Ashley and Josh first. After all, this was really all about them. Our wedding was just for pretense purposes.
The party lasted for hours. We ate in the park under canopies, and afterwards we danced on a dance floor setup under tents, protecting us from the sun and heat.
The wedding singer had the most beautiful voice I’d ever heard, but when I found out her name was Lana, I went to painstaking extremes to steer Levi clear of her. He got the biggest kick out of it. He loved it when I was jealous, but that was only because he didn’t know what I was fully capable of if need be.
Jordan interrupted our dance. “Levi! I think there’s about to be a fight! You’d better come!”
What we found confused us. Tosha was trying to hold Grandmammy back with all her strength as she tried to strangle Mr. Bones, of all people.
“What’s going on here?” Levi demanded.
“Leroy, you need to do some’m about that skinny, old man walkin’ pass my room last night yellin’, ‘The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down’. I’m gonna be tearin’ some’m of his down if he don’t steer clear!”
“Calm down, Grandmammy. Mr. Bones is this true?”
He nodded, but said, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”
“I know that fool didn’t just call me a fool! I’ll show you a fool!” Grandmammy said, struggling again.
Hector instantly stepped in to take Tosha’s place. It’s a good thing too. I’m not so sure Tosha could’ve held Grandmammy back much longer.
Levi looked at Mr. Bones. “You know, you could help me out here.”
He nodded, but said, “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.”
Uh oh. We all held our breath.
“Wait! Wait!” Grandmammy yelled. “What did you just call me? Did you call me…..beautiful?” Her face was suddenly beaming. “Mr. Bones, would you like to dance?”
He smiled but said nothing as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like the crisis had passed—for the moment, but with Grandmammy you never knew what was coming next. I knew she didn’t mean to cause trouble. She was still trying to find her place in the pack, and she would.
Once all the drama was settled, the realization that Raven was missing dawned on me. But Raven’s absence couldn’t be helped. We tried to plan it for evening but there were too many factors involved. Raven said he understood and I knew he meant it. Somehow I pictured him not all that excited about seeing Levi and I marrying anyway. But I was still a little sad nonetheless, but not enough to ruin my day.
I was relieved to have the wedding behind me. I loved being able to share my wedding day with Josh and Ashley, but I was anxious to get on with my life and really enjoy being a wife in public, and in front of my mom. More importantly, I could enjoy being pregnant, and eventually I’d be able to share that with her as well.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Like Levi promised me, we spent the following week on our honeymoon in Charleston, South Carolina. We couldn’t really have a honeymoon the first time around due to school…..and my mother.
We stayed in this lovely Victorian
Bed & Breakfast. I instantly fell in love with the place. For one thing, they had these ginormous claw foot tubs in all the bedrooms. It made me want to move there and start a B & B myself.
For the most part we stayed in bed, or the tub, the whole week. When we did venture out, we toured the sights and sat in the rocking chairs on the cozy front porch, drinking gourmet coffee and eating homemade cookies.
We stayed up late and talked for hours about everything from his duties as alpha to names for our babies. Of course we couldn’t agree. I watched with felicity as he spoke of our future with our baby boys. He painted a lovely picture of utter bliss, and at his words, I allowed hope to spring forth life. He took my hand in his and rubbed it with excitement as he talked about how he’d teach them all he knows of virtues, such as honor, loyalty, respect, and kindness. He’d teach them how to love and cherish a woman some day and to keep God the center of the relationship.
I smiled as I studied him, so relaxed and at ease. The weight of his world was temporarily off his shoulders, and he was enjoying himself completely without any interruptions. I fell in love with him all over again. We had silly conversations about our favorite things. I hadn’t realized until that moment that I didn’t even know his favorite color. I knew his heart and soul but not the little things. Of course, he knew mine.
In the early morning of the third day, I felt Levi lift me in his arms and carry me out the door and to the car. I slowly woke as I recognized where we were headed. I took a deep breath of contentment as my eyes quickly settled on the ocean. I giggled as Levi lifted my in his arms, carrying me from the car to the shore.
“I’m awake now, husband.”
He smirked. “Yes, I know.”
He shuffled through the sand a little way before sitting me on my feet, only to plop down, pulling me down in front of him. I snuggled close against his chest as he planted kisses on my neck and ear. He pointed to the horizon just as the sun began to peek. It was breathtaking, in lovely swirls of pink and yellow. I couldn’t resist as I jumped to my feet, lifting my gown as I ran into the surf up to my knees, splashing around like a child seeing the beach for the first time. Oh how I missed the ocean. I hadn’t been since my father died when I was 14. I glanced back to Levi and laughed as I noted the camera in his hands. He’d been snapping off pictures of his bride frolicking like a child in the surf. He was amused.
Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) Page 19
