by Mercy Amare
3:34 PM
Without you.
Later that afternoon, my lawyer, Mr. Matthews, shows up at our house.
“I have good news,” he says. “Stacy has temporary custody of Natalee.”
“Temporary?” I ask. “Can she get permanent custody?”
“We won’t know until the trial. There is no way that Mary will get custody of her, but there’s always Rick. If he leaves Mary and wants to get custody of Natalee, he would win. So it depends on him,” he explains.
“Rick is a good guy for the most part,” Bridgett says. “He never hit me, but he always turned the other way when Mary used me as a punching bag.”
“Well, like I said — he’s definitely got a fighting chance. He has a lot to think about. As long as he stays with his wife, he will lose.”
Mr. Matthews talks to Bridgett about the trial. It’s in February. It’s on a day that I have a concert, so I won’t be able to go with her. While they go over everything, I decide to give Stacy a call and see how everything is going.
“Hello,” she answers.
“Hey, Stacy. How is everything? I heard about Natalee.”
“Things are going surprisingly well,” she says. “She got here this morning. I sat her down and explained that I was you and Bridgett’s big sister, and that she was going to be staying with me a while. She’s a really sweet little girl. She and Anna bonded instantly. They’re in Anna’s room playing right now.”
“When are you guys flying out here?” I ask.
“Monday morning. Since Natalee is here, I thought we’d come early.”
“Is Mr. Yummy coming with you?”
I hear Stacy laugh through the phone. “Yes. And please do me a favor and never call him that to his face. That would be so embarrassing.”
“I’m your little sister. It my job to embarrass you. And I can’t wait to see you. Tell Anna I said hi.”
After we hang up, I go back in the living room. Mr. Matthews has left, and Bridgett looks really relieved. “I’m so glad that Natalee is safe.”
“Me too. I just got off the phone with Stacy. She and Anna are getting along. They’re playing together right now. They are going to fly out here on Monday,” I tell her. “And yeah, Mr. Yummy is coming with her.”
“Who is Mr. Yummy,” Stephan asks.
Bridgett and I both laugh.
“It’s a long story,” I say without offering up any other explanation.
“You’ve changed my life,” Bridgett tells me. “Before you, I was too scared to stand up for myself. I just let my mom hit me, over and over. I didn’t have to, but I couldn’t bring myself to move out. Maybe I believed her when she said I wouldn’t make it on my own. Or maybe I stayed there to protect Natalee, I don’t know. Without you, I wouldn’t be here. You changed my life.”
“You have changed my life too,” I tell her. “Look at how far I’ve come since meeting you. I stood up to my mom and dad finally. I found Stacy… Life before you seems like a distant memory.”
“It does, doesn’t it.” She smiles. “So I’ve been thinking about my New Year’s resolutions.”
“You should definitely add stop being so mean to Alec to that list.”
“Actually, to stop being so scared is one of them. I’ve been hurt so bad by people I love… And I know Martin was a jerk, but I was with him three years. I did love him. I obviously wasn’t in love with him, but he was important to me. He was my best friend. And Mia and I had been best friends since junior high. And then of course, there’s my mom. So many people have walked over me, and I think I’m just too scared to let anybody else in. So I’m going to stop being so scared.”
“Does that mean you are finally going to stop denying your feelings for Alec?” I ask.
“Maybe. But not now.”
I try to understand where Bridgett is coming from, but I can’t. Obviously we both have different circumstances, but nothing could keep me away from Stephan. “I love you, Bridge, but you should probably figure out your feelings soon.”
“I know. And I will.”
I truly hope she does.
8:48 PM
I love you way more.
“We really need our own place,” Stephan says. Mona and Bridgett went to the movies, so Stephan and I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. I wish I had more alone time with him.
“Agree.”
“Do you think our life will ever be normal?” he asks. “It seems like just when we start getting comfortable, something crazy happens.”
“I think so,” I answer. “Unless you turn out to have a twin, I think we’ll be okay.”
He laughs at my twin comment. “So… Christmas with your dad. Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“Yes. I think so. I don’t know if I will ever had a great relationship with him, but I do know that I want him to be a part of my life.” I put my head on his shoulder. “How is your mom doing? Is she really mad about us missing Christmas?”
“My mom will be fine,” he says. “She’s not used to there being another woman in my life. But she will get used to you — eventually.”
“I can’t believe your mom hates me.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it. My mom knows how I feel about you, and she knows how you feel about me.”
“And how do you feel about me?” I already know, but I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing him tell me.
“I feel like I am the luckiest guy on the planet,” he says.
“Why is that?”
“Because I am married to the most amazing girl in the world.” He gently kisses my lips. “You’re beautiful. You’re talented. You’re smart. And you love me… Almost as much as I love you.”
“Almost?” I ask. “No way. I love you way more.”
“Ha. No,” he says. “I’m pretty sure the love I have for you is more.”
“Can it be a tie?”
“Fine. But we both know the truth.”
“You’re so stubborn.”
“I know,” he says. “So are you. And it is one of the many reason why I love you.”
“Do you remember the first day we met?”
“How could I forget? You gave me a black eye.”
I laugh. “Oh my God, I totally forgot about that.”
“That hurt really bad.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” he says. “I knew when you punched me that you were the girl I would marry.”
“How?”
“I just did. When did you know?”
“That I would marry you?” I ask. “The day that I woke up married. But I’m pretty sure when I met you, it was love at first sight. One look into your green eyes, and my heart was a goner.”
“We’ve been married a month and a half now. Any regrets yet?”
I shake my head. “No way. You?”
“Never.” He pulls me in for a kiss, but this time I know he’s not going to pull away. And I don’t want him to.
Friday, December 25
7:12 AM
Christmas.
I am up way too early on Christmas morning, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We are all sitting in my dad’s living room — Dad, Stacy, Anna, Natalee, Mathew (a.k.a. Mr. Yummy), Bridgett, Alec, Mona, Stephan, and me. This feels good. Having a family. Anna and Natalee are on the floor counting their gifts. Natalee still hasn’t master counting past ten, which is kind of sad. Stacy has been working on it with her. Anna, however, has counted over twenty gifts for herself. Yep — twenty. These children are going to be so spoiled. Okay, okay — so maybe a few of the presents are from me.
“Scarlett Ryan, you are going to ruin my children,” Stacy says to me.
“Sorry.” Yeah, I’m so not sorry. “I have ten years of Christmas presents to make up for with Anna. Not to mention, I missed her birthday. And by the way, my last name is Montgomery now.”
Stephan looks at me. “You changed it? I thought you were waiting until the second wedding…”
�
�I knew how much it meant to you. So I did it. Besides, Scarlett Montgomery has a very nice ring to it.” I love my new name. Scarlett Montgomery. I don’t know what I was so scared to change it before. But I’m glad I finally did it.
“Speaking of ring… I know I never bought you one when we got married. It was so rushed. I picked this up a few weeks ago, and have been waiting for the perfect time to give it to you.” He pulls out a box. “Now this is not your Christmas present. I owed you this. But it would make me very happy if you wore this ring.”
And for the first time ever, I think I’m speechless. Stephan slides the ring onto my left hand, and all I can do is stare at my hand. The ring is simple — a white gold band, and a single princess-cut diamond. And it’s exactly what I would have picked out myself. He knows me so well.
I throw my arms around him and squeeze him tight.
“Do you like it?” He asks once we pull away.
“I love it.” I look away from my ring, and up at him. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Mrs. Montgomery. I also love how that sounds.”
“It sounds even better coming from your lips.” I lean over and kiss him on the lips. Though I’ve kissed him hundreds of times, I will never get tired of the way his lips feel against mine. I’ll never get tired of the way he looks at me like a crazy person in love. I’ll never get tired of his laugh, or his smile… Even his corny jokes will never get old. And that is how I know without a doubt that I made the right decision. I will always love Stephan Montgomery.
After opening presents, Matthew and Stacy cooks everybody pancakes. Anna and Natalee are both so excited about their toys, they’re bouncing in their seats as they eat. My family may not be normal, but they’re my family and I love them.
Four months ago, I ran away. I was searching for something, but I didn’t know what. What I didn’t expect was to find a family. I didn’t expect to meet the love of my life. And I certainly didn’t expect to find true happiness. I found love. And love is enough.
Epilogue
Five months later…
Graduation Day.
Hope, FL
Today, Stephan, Mona, Ethan, and I are graduating from high school. It took a lot of sleepless night to get to this moment, but here I am. I am officially getting my high school diploma. The school let us walk with the graduates here. They said it was no problem since MTV had been so generous with the new gym.
“Scarlett Montgomery,” they call.
I proudly make my way up to the stage.
Even five months later, I still love my new name.
I accept my diploma and smile at the camera. Yeah… Peter and the crew are back. But today is one day I don’t mind having captured. Besides, they are only going to film for three more months. MTV wants to sign me on for a third season.
I sit down beside Stephan as his name is called. His mom screams loudly for him.
Sarah and I… Well, our relationship is on the mend. It’s not perfect, but when I told her about the wedding she got excited. She and Bridgett are already planning it. I told them I didn’t care as long as it was on the beach. Of course, I get to pick out my own dress. We are going to do it as soon as the tour is over in seven months.
Today is hard on Mona. Her dad didn’t show up, and she hasn’t talked to him since he found out that he wasn’t her biological father. I feel really bad for her, but I know that she’s strong and she will get past this. I told her my family is her family — it’s true. And my family loves her… Even though she has a constant need to be the center of attention, she’s grown on me.
All of my family is here — even my dad showed up. I’m really surprised with how active he’s been in my life. He’s been very true to his word. He’s even taken Anna and Natalee to Disney World a few times. I love that he’s treating Natalee like his family too, even though she’s not his real granddaughter.
Natalee’s real dad signed over custody of her to Stacy. He decided to stay with Mary… Beverly… whatever she’s calling herself these days… But Stacy is glad to have her. She treats her like she does her own daughter. She has such a good heart.
Things with Stacy and Matthew are going well. In fact, I happen to know that he is going to pop the question tonight. Stephan and I are going to babysit while they go out on a date. Stacy told me babysitting was good “practice.” I laughed at her. I am not going to need practice for a very long time.
I’m nineteen years old, and today I am graduating from high school. It’s a year too late, but that’s okay. Life happened exactly as it was supposed to.
One year later
Second Wedding Day.
Hope, FL
“You look beautiful,” Sarah tells me. She tears up. “Why am I crying? You’re already married.”
“Yeah, but this is the first time everybody is witnessing it. Today is a special day.” I give her a hug, careful not to mess up my hair or makeup. “I’m sorry that you weren’t there the first time.”
“I forgive you, Scarlett,” she says. “Stephan is happy with you, and that is all that matters to me.”
I believe her words. Over time, things between us have warmed up a bit, but she still hasn’t completely accepted me. She knows I’m not going anywhere, so maybe that’s why she decided to try being nice.
I turn around to look at myself in the mirror.
I love my dress. I’m usually not big on designers, but today was a special occasion. Vera Wang custom designed my dress. It’s different than most wedding dresses. It’s white, of course, and strapless. It’s fitted, and there is a big black ribbon around my waist. Just before the dress gets to my hips, it flares out and is layered. The layers are arranged so it looks like a rose.
I decided to go barefoot today. I didn’t want to wear heels in the sand, and I’ve always pictured myself being barefooted on my wedding day. My hair is pulled back away from my face, and it cascades down my back. Whenever I walk, my curls bounce, which I love.
Peter puts the camera in my face, and I glare at him. We are on our third season of the documentary, and he still hasn’t learned.
“How do you feel?” he asks.
“Well, I’m already married, so I’m not nervous. But even if today was my first wedding day, I wouldn’t be nervous. Stephan is my forever. Today is for everybody else. We already know,” I tell him and the camera. “As long as I don’t fall on my face, we should be good.”
Bridgett comes in, and tells me it’s time.
She looks beautiful. Her hair is pulled into an up-do, only a few curls are left hanging down around her face. Her dress is black and silky. She has a dark purple ribbon wrapped around her waist. I was skeptical about a black and white wedding, but once I saw the dresses, I knew it was perfect.
The song that is played as I walk down the aisle is Marry You by Bruno Mars… It’s very fitting considering how we were originally married.
As I see Stephan, I can’t help but smile. He looks amazing in his black tux. His green eyes are sparkling in the sunlight. Seeing him causes my heart rate to accelerate, and I know that I am the luckiest girl in the world. I am even more in love with him now than I was when we first got married.
“Your beauty is absolutely breath-taking,” he whispers in my ear as he takes my hand.
For the second time, Stephan and I say our vows. This time, I will remember our wedding. This is the wedding we will tell our children and grandchildren about. And it is perfect. The sky is cloudless, and the sun is shining down on it. It’s a great day to promise forever — again.
Two and a half years later
Vacation.
Paris, France.
Stephan and I are celebrating our four year wedding anniversary today… Four years from our first wedding that is.
I think about everything that has happened in the four years we’ve been married. There have been some huge milestones. I had five songs from one album hit number one, which is rare. I’ve also released three new albums, all of which I’ve have v
ery good success out of. But now, I’m going to take a break from all the touring. I’m going to spend some time with my husband and enjoy life.
I haven’t told Stephan yet. But I’m going to. Tonight.
We are standing on top of the Eiffel tower. As many times as I’ve been to Paris, I’ve never actually been up here before. The view is breathtaking.
“It’s beautiful up here,” Stephan says.
When I look over at Stephan, he’s looking at me. I smile at him.
“Every day I love you more than the day before,” he tells me.
“I feel the same way.”
“I can’t believe we’ve been married four years now. It seems like yesterday.”
It does. Four years of my life have flown by. “I think it’s time for things to slow down, don’t you? Maybe take a little time off from touring.”
“I thought you were going to wait until you were twenty-five to take a break.”
I shrug. “Twenty three — twenty five… Doesn’t make that much of a difference.”
“I think I could definitely stand for you to have more time with me,” he says.
Stephan has been so patient and kind with me while I’ve been pursuing my career. He’s never asked for anything, and for that I am grateful. “You will definitely have more time with me. Besides, it would be really hard to tour in my condition.”
“Your condition?” he asks.
I can’t help but smile. “We’re going to have a baby.”
He looks at me, and I can see the love in his eyes. “Are you for real? Like you know for sure?”
“Yes. I went to the doctor the day before we left. I wanted to surprise you, and tell you today. You have no idea how hard it was to keep the secret.”
He lifts me up and twirls me around. When he sits me back down, he pushes his lips against mine and kisses me hard. “I love you, Scarlett Montgomery.”
“I love you too.”
