Judge Sarah Carter had arrived as well and stood at the front row with my father, both of them smiling and laughing together. They had been old friends since I was a kid, and Kya and I thought it was fitting that the judge who had found in her favor during the trial that brought us together would officiate our marriage.
Jon sat with the hostess from the restaurant, Sabrina, and they seemed to be getting along nicely as well. When he saw me, he gave her a kiss on the cheek and then got up and joined me. “Hey, is it time to get this show on the road?”
“Yeah, we better get in place.”
Sarah Carter took her place, and I heard Jon mumble under his breath, “Latecomers. In under the wire.”
I looked up to see Kya’s mother and father, both looking great and dressed to the nines. I gestured to my father as I headed down.
As I approached, Kya’s mother, who looked so much like her, hair, eyes, and even her teeth, which she showed with a wide smile as she saw me coming. “Leo?”
“In the flesh. I can’t tell you how glad I am that you made it.”
“We figured it was time to make things right.” She put her arm around her husband, and he shook my hand.
“You’ve grown into a fine man, it seems, and a lucky one at that. Thanks for taking care of our girl when we didn’t. I wish I’d done better by her. Then I could have been here to give her away.”
As I shook his hand, I realized I hadn’t even thought of that. Papa Blitz was prepared to give her away, but I had a hunch the man wouldn’t mind sharing his duties. “I’m blessed indeed. If you don’t mind giving me a moment, I’ll see if I can arrange something.” I held up and finger and walked over to where Blitz stood at the door about to go back for Kya.
“Hey, man. I know Kya is honored to have you giving her away, but I was wondering if you could help me in a bit of a surprise for her.”
“Anything for Kya.”
“Well, her parents showed up after so many years, and I know she really wanted them to come and didn’t think they would. I thought maybe you could walk her down the aisle to her father, and do a sort of pass off?”
Blitz nodded. “That’s a great idea. I’ll make sure and let it be a surprise.”
“Thanks, Blitz. You’re an amazing friend to her, and I appreciate you always looking out for my girls.”
“Glad you’re in the picture, my man. Now, I better get my ass to the back or Kya’s going to think I already had one too many.” He gave me a wink and then headed off to meet Kya. I went back to find her parents still standing where I’d left them, talking to a few of our old friends, including my father.
“Mr. Campbell, if I could get you to stand in the third row, I’ve arranged for our friend to hand Kya off to you.”
“That would be a dream come true, thank you. If it’s not any trouble, of course.”
“Kya will love it, trust me. She was so hoping you’d make it.” I turned to my father as the music started, and I knew we had to get in our places quickly. “Dad, could you please show Mrs. Campbell to her place in the front row?”
Dad gave me a thumb’s up and took Mrs. Campbell’s hand as I hurried back up the aisle.
Jon leaned closer and whispered, “Is that her parents?”
“Yes,” I said proudly. “And just in time to pull off an even better surprise.”
Kya
As I stood in the hall with Addison and Sadie, waiting for the music to change, Blitz rounded the corner with a huge smile. “Oh, how mine breath hath been taken away,” he said in his best dramatic voice. “You ladies are surely the picture of pure beauty.”
“Thank you, Blitz.” I moved my bouquet to one hand and then gave him a loose hug as not to muss myself.
“You’re welcome, gorgeous.”
“Do you like my dress, Papa Blitz?” asked Addie.
“Why you’re the prettiest, my little flower. As sweet as the jasmine too.”
The music changed, and it was time for Sadie and to send Addison out in front of her. “I’ll see you soon, honey.” I waved at Addie and gave Sadie a nervous smile.
She looked at me with reassurance in her eyes. “You’ve got this, Kya.”
“Thank you for doing this, Blitz. I always wanted my father to do this, but I guess I should have made an effort myself to invite them. I suppose I haven’t ever really done as much as I could have to make them see how much I need them in my life. It’s just always been easier to let things be.”
“It’s an honor to do this for you. You know, having all sons, who I truly love, I’ve often wondered what it would be like to have a daughter and what she’d be like. I don’t know what I would’ve ended up with in one, but I know if she could be anything like you, I couldn’t be prouder or happier. You’re a sensational woman, friend, and mother, and I’m honored you’ve allowed me to be in your and Addie’s lives.”
His words were everything I needed to hear, and I pulled him in for another hug, this time not minding if I got a little smooshed. “Thank you so much for that. I feel the same about you, Blitz. You’ve always been like a father to me, taken me under your wing and treated me with respect when no one else in the industry would. I owe you so much.”
“If you want to pay me back, you can live a full life of happiness and bliss with the ones you love. That’s all a man can ask from a daughter, or so I guess.” He gave a little shrug, and we shared a giggle. Then, when the music started, he took my hand, and we slowly made our way out and around the corner.
Everyone rose, and I glanced up at the front to see my Leonard. He looked so good, my heart ached. His eyes were ringed with red, and his smile was so bright, it touched his ears. I knew I would love him forever and didn’t think I could be any luckier. Not only did I have the best daughter in the world, and friends who loved me, but I had the hottest man in the world for my very own.
About halfway down the aisle, I glanced up at Blitz who leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek, and then he turned loose of my arm, and when he stepped aside, my father was there to take his place.
Tears stung my eyes as I fell against him, and he broke down too. “It’s been too long, princess. You’re so beautiful, and I couldn’t be prouder.” The words were choked out with tears, and my own throat was on fire with a lump that had me nearly suffocating.
“Thank you for being here, Daddy. I wanted you to come so badly.” We continued down the aisle, and though I felt like I was ten feet off the floor, my father delivered me safely to Leonard’s arms.
“We are here to join this woman, Kya Elizabeth Campbell, and this man, Leonard Michael Pace in matrimony. Who gives this bride to her groom?”
“Her mother and I do,” said my father.
I turned to see my mother sitting next to Liam and his wife on the front row, and I totally lost it all over again as my father stepped away. By then, I was blubbering like a baby, and Leonard pulled me into his arms to hold me, taking my hand so we could get on with the union.
Sarah Carter read a moment and then gave us time to say our vows, which we’d written for one another, and then came the rings. We managed to get them on without a hitch, and I was bouncing on my feet when the judge proclaimed us husband and wife. “You may now kiss your bride.”
Leonard gave me a sly smile as he pulled me into his arms. So many obstacles had come our way, but we’d managed to overcome them, and now we would have a happy life together. He leaned in and planted a big kiss on my lips as the crowd went wild. There were a lot of cheers and whistles and a “hell yeah” from Blitz who raised his fist in the air and whooped.
When it was done, I glanced over my shoulder to see my parents smiling, and then we turned to be presented to our friends and family as Mr. and Mrs. Pace.
“I’m so happy,” I told Leo. Addie ran over and fell against Leonard’s legs. He scooped her up, and everyone clapped for our little family.
We carried her out with us, and when we got to the back, he put her down, and I met Leonard’s eyes. “They ca
me! And my father gave me away! Can you believe it?” I searched his eyes and realized that he’d arranged it all. “You asked him to?”
“He said he regretted not being close to you and being able to, so I decided we had to make it happen, and Blitz agreed.”
“That stinker, he knew the whole time!” It was perfect, every single moment of the ceremony. “I can’t believe that all went by so fast.”
Leo looked down at Addie. “Now, we party.”
Addie cheered. “Do we get to eat the cake now?”
“Soon. We have to get a few photographs of it first, but yeah, we get to eat it.” My cake looked beautiful, and everything about the ceremony had gone well too. I couldn’t wait until the rest of the guests moved into the reception room, and while we waited, Leo’s father rounded the corner with my parents in tow.
“Here they are.”
My mother’s jaw dropped when she looked at us and saw Addie, and I knew it was time for an introduction.
“Mom, Dad, this is your granddaughter Addison. Addie, this is your grandparents, my mom and dad.”
“You mean I get a new last name and new grandparents?” We had discussed her name changing when mine did, and Judge Carter was going to help with that process.
My mother laughed. “You sure do, sweet pea.”
Leonard and I exchanged a look. I had called her “sweet pea” long before anyone else, and the nickname sort of stuck. “How did you know what we call her?” I asked my mom.
“You mean you call her ‘sweet pea’?” Mom and Dad exchanged a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” I narrowed my eyes.
Dad explained, “I know you were too young to remember because she died when you were so young, but your grandmother Campbell used to call you that.” My father’s mother had died when I was still a baby.
“How strange. I guess it was meant to be, then. And thanks for being here. I’m sorry I didn’t invite you myself. Leonard took the initiative, and I’m so glad he did.”
“Indeed, it’s been a long time, Kya. I hope we can move forward.”
“I’m still who I am.” I shrugged, hoping that the person I had become was enough for them both.
My mother put her arm around me. “So are we, but we’ve learned a bit of tolerance and acceptance goes a long way. We’ve started taking counseling, and it’s been amazing for us.” My mother held onto my father’s hand. “This is a big step for us all, and I hope we can continue to get to know you even after today.”
“Of course. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, Mom.” I wondered if she would still be against me having my musical career. As we filed into the other room, where our reception was, our friends clapped, giving us a warm welcome.
I felt a tug on my dress and looked down to see Addie on her tiptoes. I leaned down, and she spoke into my ear, “What do I call them?”
“I don’t know. I suppose whatever makes you feel comfortable.”
“Could I call them Grams and Gramps?”
My mother smiled, overhearing our conversation. “I think Grams and Gramps are quite appropriate.” She giggled, and I hadn’t realized until that moment how much she and Addie sounded alike.
“There you have it,” said Leo. “And now, I want to have my dance with my bride.”
He took my hand and led me out on the floor as the music got a little louder and the lights dimmed. Then he pulled me close, and I stared into his eyes, the rest of the room fading away as we made our way around it.
“Are you happy?”
“I’m in heaven. I can’t believe we did it and pulled it off nicely if I do say so myself.”
“It’s this great venue. It made things easy. And, I have another surprise.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “How many surprises are there tonight?”
“Maybe one or two more,” he said with a wink.
“Tell me.” I nudged.
“Well, you know how you wanted to go to a private island somewhere and forget all about the world for a while?” He wagged his brows.
“Yes! Don’t tell me. You’ve already booked the flight?”
“Okay, I won’t. But I can tell you we arrive tomorrow, and we’re staying not just two weeks, but three.”
“Three weeks! That’s going to be amazing. Does Addie know?” I wondered if he’d shared the good news with our daughter. She’d always wanted to go to the beach, but I hadn’t been able to take her.
“Not yet. I figured we’d tell her together. I’ve already talked to Sadie and Stones. They’ll watch the house, get the mail, and make sure it looks like someone’s at home.”
“You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?” He was such an amazing man, and I didn’t know how I ever made it without him.
He brought his head down, his lips kissing mine. A few of my rowdier friends whistled, reminding us we had an audience, and when I looked over across the room, my mother and father were talking to Blitz as Mr. Pace and Sadie watched on. My father had Addie by the hand, and the two of them were laughing. I wondered if he had told her one of his corny jokes and couldn’t believe how many years it had been since I’d last heard him tell one. Never again would I let them stay out of my life. If I learned one thing from the rushed wedding, it was how special family and friends were and how each and every one of them played an important part in my life.
Leonard waved Addie over, and she turned loose from my dad and ran to join us. She looked like a little princess in her dress, her round cheeks flushed with excitement. “Mommy, Daddy, can I dance too?”
We each took one of her hands, and then Leonard picked her up in his arms, and we continued to move together in time with the music. “Are you happy, sweet pea?”
“Yes, I’m very happy, Daddy. I love my new family.”
“And I love you both so much,” said Leonard.
I lay my head on his shoulder. “I love you too.”
Addie gave me a questioning glance. “The three of us, Mama?”
“That’s right, Addie, the three of us.”
The End
Author Note: I hope that you enjoyed the story. I am so glad that you chose to spend s0me of your time with me. As a thank you for picking up the book, I have included some unpublished novels and novellas for you. Enjoy!!
Rise to the Top
By
Ali Parker
Chapter 1
Jay
“So, what kind of wild night are you planning to kick off the weekend?” Mitchell asked Jay, sitting in the soft leather seat across from his antique desk. Every time he visited the office, he was reminded of the trouble they’d gone through to get the massive piece of furniture into the new building.
To Mitchell, it was just another piece of furniture, so he couldn’t understand why Jay refused to pick from the high-end catalogue provided by the interior designer. The hiring of an interior designer was unnecessary to him, so the thought of having a massive desk lifted through a window, just to avoid size limitations from even the bulk elevator, was nothing short of outrageous.
Like with most arguments, Jay prevailed, and seated behind his prized desk, Mitchell could now see how fitting it was. Jay was never one to back down from a fight, despite logic or rationale. Persuasion was a sport to him, and for as long as Mitchell knew him, he’d been a champion.
The two had met their freshman year in college, roommates by chance, but business partners by choice. Their first publishing house launched from the living room of an off campus two-bedroom apartment fifteen years ago. At just twenty years old, they had created the business that would catapult them to success neither ever imagined possible.
Despite the titles and corporate acknowledgement, Mitchell knew they were never equals. Jay was the boss, and while Mitchell added valuable insight behind the scenes, Passions Publishing was Jay’s brainchild.
“You’re never going to get enough of treating me like a frat boy, are you?” Jay chuckled, shaking his head. Mitchell never missed an opportunity to tease hi
m about his playboy lifestyle.
Jay was known for his bachelor ways, but recently he’d slowed down on his nightlife, choosing to focus on his business, as competition seemed to be attacking from every angle.
“Well, I heard some talk of you going to check on the LA office, and I’ve seen the expense reports from those trips. Come on, you know I live vicariously through you,” Mitchell held his hands up, feigning innocence.
It was true. He did enjoy hearing all about Jay’s exploits, especially since he was married with children, living a life he thought too mundane for someone as outgoing as Jay. Since their party days as undergrads, Jay was always the life of the party. Once the business exploded, requiring new offices in Los Angeles and New York, Mitchell had feared he’d lose his best friend, but knew it would be best for their company. While they’d spoke about it several times, he never could quite understand Jay’s decision to remain in Saint Paul, as opposed to the big cities. Jay said he liked to visit them, and if he ever moved there, that would no longer be a possibility.
“No, I sent the head of marketing instead. What’s her name?” Jay answered while carefully sliding two manila folders into his briefcase.
“Marsha. She’s brilliant. I’m sure she’ll handle it. The numbers show everything on the rise,” Mitchell, said, rising to his feet as he picked up on the que that Jay was finally ready to walk out.
There were several childlike rituals the two shared, and walking out of work together was one. With no announcement, Mitchell would show up to Jay’s office at the end of the day, where the two would catch up on the business of the day before walking through the office waving at their employees.
My One and Only: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Second Chance Romance Page 25
