What's Left of Us (The Us Series Book 1)

by Michele Tucker

  After saying goodnight to everyone, I headed to bed. Falling asleep instantly from all the traveling we did today.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Calla

  THE NEXT day, Beck took us around to all the different places he used to hang out at.

  We stopped at the school he graduated from, and walked around the campus a little.

  I tried to imagine Beck here, attending school. Walking around with his new friends, and going to his classes.

  He led us to a courtyard area that had a few tables in the center.

  “This is where we ate lunch every day,” he told us. He sat down at the furthest table, and I went and sat next to him.

  The table was wooden, and it was covered with carvings from the students. I traced my finger along some of them. They mostly said names, but as I went along, my finger stopped at a drawing.

  It was a calla lily. I looked up to see Beck staring at my finger.

  “Did you do this?” I asked him.

  He nodded, but didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to, my heart swelled at the thought of him still thinking about me when we were apart.

  That night Beck took us to his favorite restaurant.

  We all loaded into Ellison's car, with Beck and I in the back, and Parker riding shotgun.

  “Where to?” She asked looking at Beck.

  “Leonardos,” he answered, and then turned to me, “they have the best ravioli there, you’ll never be able to eat other ravioli again.”

  As we walked into the restaurant, we were greeted with the best garlic and tomato smell. The place was small, only having a dozen or so tables, and the decor looked like you’ve just stepped into Italy.

  A short, stout man walked up to us, “Ellison and Beck, it’s been a while,” he said as he gave Ellison a hug, and shook Beck’s hand.

  “Hey Leonardo,” Beck answered. He had one arm around me, and pulled me a little closer to him. “This is my fiancé Calla, and our good friend Parker.”

  “Benvenuti,” he greeted us as he grabbed my hand and gave me a quick kiss on it, and then shaked Parker’s hand. He then looked over to Beck, “Ravioli?” He asked with a knowing smile.

  “You know me so well,” Beck joked back.

  Leonardo led us to a table in the corner, and set a basket of bread in the middle of the table.

  We all decided on ravioli, given the fact that Beck glared at anyone who picked up a menu.

  In the end, I had to admit, the ravioli was one of the best things that I had ever eaten.

  We said goodbye to Leonardo and promised to come back to Minnesota and visit him again. I loved how he made everyone that entered his restaurant feel like part of his family, even if it’s just for that short time you’re there.

  Ellison dropped us back off at the house, and we made plans to go out to lunch together after church.

  The next day we all headed off to the church where Ben was the pastor.

  The message was perfect, and something that had really been playing on my heart lately. Trust in God. It was a simple message, but something that is so hard to do sometimes.

  Ben referenced Matthew 14:22-33, about the disciples in the storm on a boat. Getting scared, they see a figure walking towards them on the water, thinking it’s a ghost and not Jesus, Peter tells Jesus to call for him on the water. He stepped out okay, but the first sign of trouble Peter gets scared and starts to sink. As he cried out for Jesus to save him, Jesus asks him why he doubted him.

  Ben talked about how we’re all like Peter, it’s easy to trust Jesus when things are going well, and smooth. But the second some waves hit our life, we doubt and question His plan, but just like He did with Peter, He will always be there to catch us. No matter what, He doesn’t leave His children alone.

  I related to Peter, growing up I was the little girl that always had an abundance of faith, and when Ash died, it all went away. I pushed God away, angry at Him for what I thought was him abandoning me. I sat there thinking back to the morning I was baptized. Ash and I both went up and wanted to be baptized together. He had accepted Christ a few years before I did, and was there the night that I prayed and gave my life to Jesus. After the service, we all went to his house and had a big lunch, it was just a year later, almost to the day that he died, and one of the last good memories that I had with him.

  Lunch was good, we were all discussing the message, and I noticed that Parker was listening closely to everything that was being said. He never went to church much, when we dated he’d come with me on special occasions, youth events, holidays, things like that. But never took God seriously, to him God wasn’t real.

  As we sat there at lunch, I silently prayed for Parker. And then asked God to forgive me for doubting Him, and pushing Him away.

  “So have you two set a date yet?” Ellison asked pulling me out of my thoughts.

  Beck looked over at me and we just shrugged, we’ve been so focused on school and our trip that we never had a chance to discuss it.

  “Not yet,” he answered for us.

  “Well, let’s get a date,” Ellison said enthusiastically.

  “I have always wanted a summer wedding,” I admitted to them. “I always pictured getting married outside, there’s that park that sits by the ocean. There’s a really nice view there.”

  “I guess then…” Beck started to say, but then gave me a big smile, “we’re getting married this summer!” He stood up and pulled me up to him, wrapping me in a huge hug and kissed me.

  “Are you sure? You have a say in this too.” I said to him.

  “Seriously, I don’t care when we get married, I just care that I get to marry you,” he answered.

  We sat back down, and Ellison started talking to me about plans. She offered to help me with everything. We even make plans for her to come down to Alabama and go dress shopping with me and Liza.

  “What, you don’t want me to go dress shopping with you?” Parker joked clutching his heart.

  “I don’t even want to think about the dresses you’d pick out,” I faked a shudder.

  He laughed, “How’s this going to work anyways, me the maid of honor and Elli the best man?”

  “Well I guess if it’s okay, Elli and Liza will do all the Maid of Honor things like dress shopping, planning and you do the Best Man things in place of Elli. Then when it comes to the ceremony she stands with Beck, and you stand with me.”

  “That I can do,” they both said at the same time.

  The trip ended fast, and I was sad to say bye to everyone.

  As we headed back to campus, Parker dropped us off at Beck’s apartment.

  “Three months until you’re my wife, I can’t wait,” He told me as he gave me a sweet kiss.

  “Me neither,” I replied.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Calla

  A few months later…

  “ARE YOU ready to become Mrs. Westin?” Beck asked me, leaning down and kissing me lightly on my lips.

  There was only two days left until our wedding, and I was so excited.

  “Yes, I have a feeling these two days are going to drag by so slowly,” I told him.

  “You nervous?” He asked me.

  We were back home on break and at his house for dinner. Mrs. Westin wanted us to get together before the wedding so I could meet some of his relatives from out of town.

  “Nervous about the wedding, or tonight?” I asked him.

  He laughed softly, and rubbed his thumb over my wrist.

  “Why do you do that?” I asked pointing to where he was rubbing.

  “I don’t know, your skin is just so soft, and your wrist is so small…” he answered. “Are you avoiding my question?”

  “No, if you’re asking about the wedding, then no—I’m not nervous. I’ve wanted to marry you for most of my life, this feels natural, right. But, if you’re asking about tonight, then I’m scared to death. Your mom just told me Delilah will be here, and I haven’t seen her since before she broke up with Ash. She
must hate me,” I admitted to him.

  “Stop, she doesn’t hate you. You didn’t make him take those drugs; you didn’t find him all those places to get them.”

  “But I didn’t say anything, I was the only one that knew. I should have said something,” I told him.

  “It wasn’t your fault,” he said adamantly.

  Before I could reply with anything else, his mom’s voice yelled for us to come downstairs. We got to the stairs and he pulled me into his arms and gave me the one of the sweetest kiss he’d ever given me.

  “It’ll be okay, I promise,” he told me.

  He grabbed my hand and we made our way down the stairs, I noticed that there were a few people there already, including Delilah’s parents. I glanced around looking for her, and finally spotted her in the kitchen. Just as I saw her, she looked at me and gave me a small smile.

  I found enough courage to let go of Beck’s hand, and walk over to her. She met me halfway, and we stood there for a second not saying anything.

  “Hey—” I finally managed to get out.

  I knew it would be hard seeing her, but I didn’t realize how hard. She looked different, she was skinnier than the last time and her long brown hair had been chopped off into a short pixie cut.

  She didn’t say anything in response just reached out and hugged me, which is a little weird since we were never really that good of friends, but a thing I was noticing was that Beck’s family was full of huggers.

  “Hey Calla, it’s good to see you again,” she said as she let go of me. She wiped a few tears away from her eyes, and I noticed she had a little more light in her eyes. “I’ve wanted to talk to you for a while now, but never knew how to approach it all.”

  “I know, same here,” I replied.

  We visited for a bit, she caught me up on her life, and only mentioned Ash a few times. Whenever she said his name, I could see the hurt was still there. She missed him, and what they felt for each other was real.

  She said she’s living in New York and going to some design school there.

  The evening goes well, and when Beck drops me off at home, he gives me a long kiss goodbye.

  “I’ll see you Saturday, when you’re walking down the aisle,” he told me.

  “I can’t wait,” I answered.

  The next day is busy with pedicures, and final fittings. My wedding dress is a simple chiffon strapless dress. It’s shorter in the front, only going to my knees, but fans out and is long in the back. Liza was the one that found it in the store, and the second I tried it on, I knew that it was the dress.

  Liza and Ellison decided on a small dinner shower for me. They invited some of my old friends from school, and Delilah. Delilah had offered to have everyone over to her house after dinner, so we headed there and had a good time visiting and putting together, some of the final decorations and party favor boxes.

  I stayed out way too late, and it was Saturday morning before I got back home. I went straight to my room and noticed a little box and an envelope sitting on my bed.

  I ran over and sat down, opening the box first. Inside were two more charms, one said the word “wife” in cursive, and the other was a house. The house one confused me; maybe it symbolized us starting our life together.

  I took them out of the box, and immediately put them on my bracelet. Then grabbed the envelope and opened it up, and started reading it…

  CAL-

  I NEVER IMAGINED US GETTING HERE, A DAY AWAY FROM GETTING MARRIED. WHEN ASH DIED, I THOUGHT THAT I HAD FOR SURE LOST YOU. NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS DID I EVER THINK YOU’D FORGIVE ME FOR WHAT HAPPENED.

  SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED IN OUR LIVES, THINGS THAT NO ONE, LET ALONE TWO KIDS SHOULD GO THROUGH. THERE’S NOTHING I WOULDN’T DO TO GO BACK AND CHANGE WHAT HAPPENED, IT’LL BE SOMETHING I WILL REGRET FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. ASHER SHOULD BE HERE WITH US, AND THE FACT THAT HE’S NOT IS SOMETIMES TOO HARD TO DEAL WITH.

  HE’D BE HAPPY FOR US, YOU KNOW? WHEN HE FIGURED OUT THAT I LIKED YOU, HE WAS ALWAYS TRYING TO PUSH ME TO TELL YOU. HE EVEN WENT ALONG WITH MY CRAZY PLAN TO FOLLOW YOU ON YOUR FIRST DATE WITH PARKER. DON’T ASK.

  I LOVE YOU, AND THANK GOD FOR YOU EVERY DAY. I’M GOING TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE LOVING YOU AND TRYING TO BE THE MAN YOU DESERVE AS YOUR HUSBAND.

  ~BECK (YOUR HUSBAND IN ABOUT TWELVE HOURS)

  I trace the word husband, and feel a million butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I go to sleep with his letter in my hand, and his words in my heart.

  The next day is crazy, everyone is flitting around the house in a panic trying to get ready. Well, everyone but me. I just sat there and watched as my mom tried to make sure the dresses were steamed with no wrinkles, and watched Liza do her makeup.

  Ellison came up to me and handed me a cup of coffee, I gave her an appreciative smile and took a sip.

  “You’re looking really calm,” she said.

  “I am. I’ve just realized that this all doesn’t matter. If I have to marry Beck in my jogging suit and messy hair, it’ll be perfect because I’ll be marrying him,” I answered.

  She smiled at me, it doesn’t quite reach her eyes though. Beck and I have been worried about her. There had been a hearing concerning her brother. The judge came back and decided that while Ellison was in school it would be best for Nick to live with their grandparents. It’s been a month since he left, and since then she hasn’t been quite the same.

  “Okay time to slip into your dress, Calla,” Liza said as she entered the room. My mom was close behind her carrying the dress, making sure it was still in perfect condition.

  I stepped into the dress, and Liza started buttoning it up, while my mom put on my necklace, and Ellison took some pictures.

  When I was all dressed, we headed out to the cars, to go to the wedding site.

  I rode with Ellison, and when I sat down she handed me a box.

  I unwrapped it and noticed that it was a key.

  “What is this?” I asked her confused.

  “A key,” she answered vaguely.

  We got to the park before I could ask her anything else, and went to the reception hall to wait for the guests to arrive.

  My dad came in and immediately teared up when he saw me, he wrapped me in a hug and kissed my cheek.

  “You look beautiful,” he said as he let go of me. “There’s a very anxious man out there waiting for you, let’s go.”

  Dad and I walked up and I saw Beck standing there, Ellison was next to him in a beautiful dress that matched the coral that I had in my bouquet.

  Parker gave me a big hug before he walked down the aisle, and halfway down he held his hands up like he was carrying a bouquet and walked like a bridesmaid usually walks.

  Then it was my turn, my dad hooked his arm through mine, and led me down. I didn’t notice who was sitting where, I was staring at Beck who had a big smile on his face.

  The wedding vows were said, and we were pronounced man and wife, and he kissed me for the first time as my husband.

  The reception was held in a banquet hall that was right next to the park. We opted not to have tables set up. Instead, it was all open with a table of appetizers sitting in the middle.

  Halfway through the reception, Beck reached into his suit pocket and handed me an envelope.

  “What’s this?” I asked him as I open it up.

  “Our future,” he answered.

  I pulled out the pictures inside and saw that it was a beautiful two-story house, with a big red bow on the front door. I looked up at him and he was smiling at me.

  “You bought me a house?” I asked him.

  “I bought us a house,” he replied. “I know that this is usually something a husband and wife choose together, but when I saw this house for sale I knew it was perfect.”

  I studied the pictures more, and he was right. This house was exactly what I would've chosen.

  I’m at a loss for words; Beck seemed to always shock me.

  I jumped into his arms, and kissed him. “It’s perfect,
it’s the house I would've chosen.”

  “I'm glad. I love you,” he told me and kissed me softly.

  How did I get so lucky that God gave me the man of my dreams and the best friend I could ever want? It just proves that God always has a plan. Sometimes, we just throw him a curveball or two, but in the end, He is the best catcher to have on your team.

  Epilogue

  Parker

  I CAN’T believe Calla is married. I thought I had gotten used to the idea of her and Beck getting married, but it all seemed so crazy when I saw her walking down the aisle to him.

  Most people probably thought it was weird that I was up there, since we had dated. But I was honestly telling her the truth when I said that I knew they’d end up together. It was clear to anyone that spent time around the two of them.

  “Hey, what are you doing over here by yourself?” Calla asked me as she sat down in the empty chair next to me. She took my Dr. Pepper and took a big drink. “Sorry, I’m really thirsty.” She set the glass down, and stared out over the guests. They were all sitting at tables talking and laughing.

  “So, how’s married life?” I teased her.

  She rolled her eyes at me, “all forty-five minutes have been wonderful.”

  I reached over and grabbed her hand, “I’m really happy for you guys. You deserve to be happy after everything you went through with Asher’s death.”

  Her eyes watered a little and she used her free hand to dab the corners a little. “Thanks, I don’t know what I would have done if you had walked away too.”

  “You would have been fine,” I answered her.

  She looked at me for a few seconds… more than likely thinking back over the last couple of years. I tightened my hand around hers, giving her a little squeeze. I let go of her hand, and reached over to take a drink from my glass.

  “Hey Cal—it’s time to cut the cake,” Beck told Calla as he walked up to us. He reached down, grabbed Calla’s hand, and pulled her up to her feet.