“You’re welcome. Can I see the dress yet?”
I look over to the dress bag hanging on the doorframe at the other side of the room and butterflies erupt my belly. “What time is it?”
“Almost two-thirty,” Sinead says after checking her phone.
“Okay, let’s do this, then,” I announce, and after getting Aoife’s little gold ballet shoes on, I stand in front of the bag that contains the most important dress of my life.
My wedding dress. The one I drew so many years ago, hoping I’d one day walk towards the man of my dreams wearing. The one Aunt Addy made for me even though it wasn’t needed; it was like she just knew one day I would be stepping into it as I prepared to commit my life to the most incredible man.
I pull the zip down and free the dress from its confines.
“Wow, it’s amazing. I can’t believe my nan made that.”
“She’s very talented. Your mum and I drew pictures of what we wanted our wedding dresses to look like when we were kids and she promised to make them for us when the time came,” I say, repeating the story I’ve told her a million times, but as with every story about her mum, she laps it up like it’s her first time hearing it.
“I’m going to wear the one Mum designed for herself one day,” she announces proudly. I try really hard to swallow down the lump that forms in my throat. I’m determined to make it through today without crying.
“She would love that,” I say, my voice full of emotion. “Okay then, I hope it fits.” I’ve had to work pretty hard to get this to zip up since having Aoife, even with Aunt Addy’s adjustments to let out the seams. I drop my robe and look down at my new motherly curves before glancing at my daughter, who’s waving her favourite teddy in the air. I couldn’t care less about the extra few inches or the stretch marks; she was worth all of it and more.
“Can you zip me up?”
“Of course.” Sinead puts her phone down and comes to help me. “You look gorgeous, Addison. I’m so glad you’re going to be my step-mum.” The lump that reappears in my throat is the size of a tennis ball. All I can do is nod and pull her in for a hug.
I’m still trying to pull myself together when there’s a knock at the door. “Come in,” I shout.
“You know, you could have waited a little longer and had this house finished, I get covered in dust everywhere I go,” Mum complains as she walks in, dusting herself off. “I…Oh my word, Addison. Look at you.” She grabs my hands and holds my arms out to the sides as she takes me in. “Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Aunt Addy says behind her.
“Everyone’s ready to go down there. All they need is the bride.”
After a round of hugs and a few tears patted away, we all head downstairs.
“Seriously, Addison, this is ridiculous,” Mum grumbles.
The wedding is being held in a marquee in our new garden. Six months ago, Blake and I exchanged contracts on his dream house, the one with the incredible views. He’d proposed not long after Aoife was born, but neither of us could decide on a venue. Then, when we got this place, there was no other option. The house needed a total referb; the entire place has been stripped back to brick and the only rooms that are somewhat liveable are the kitchen and two of the bedrooms—and that’s only so we can get married here. Realistically, we’re not expecting to properly move in for a few months yet, but we wanted to make use of the summer weather for today, and if I’m honest, I was getting a little fed up of having a different surname to the rest of my family.
As we approach the French doors, I see the marquee in front of us with the stunning views across the bay behind, and I feel a weird sense of calmness fall over me. It’s nothing like when I did this before, because this feels right. I can walk down that aisle to a man I truly love, and who I know one hundred per cent loves me, and I can promise to live the rest of my life as who I am and know that’s never going to change.
“Ready?” Mum asks, “if you’re going to back out, now’s the time,” she says with a laugh.
“Ready.”
Aunt Addy shifts Aoife to her other hip before walking out towards the marquee with Sinead hot on her heel. When they get there, I hear the music change. I look over to Mum and smile as she links her arm through mine.
Together we walk towards the marquee and down the aisle. My sight focuses on the back of the man I’m about to marry. His navy suit clings to his muscular frame perfectly. Is it bad I haven’t seen the front of him yet but I already want to get him out of the suit?
All forty-five heads turn towards us as we make our way to the front, but I don’t see any of them. The marquee might be full of our closest friends and family but the only person I see is Blake.
I take a deep breath as I step up behind him to prepare myself for seeing him properly, but it’s not enough. When he does turn, the look on his face takes my breath away. Love, admiration, lust and joy all flicker in his eyes as he stares into mine.
Before I know it, the registrar is bringing the service to an end. I hardly remember even saying my vows.
“Blake, you may now kiss your bride,” she says just before he takes a step towards me.
I expect him to kiss me without any hesitation, but to my surprise, after placing his hand on my cheek, he leans forward but stops when his forehead is touching mine.
“Forever, Addison. I promise.”
And then he kisses me like it’s the first time all over again.
THE END
Acknowledgments
This series was never part of my plan but I have loved every second of discovering Addison and Blake’s story. They definitely have a special place in my heart.
As always, I have loads of people to thank for being there on this Irish journey with me. Nicole, without you, Addison and Blake would never been brought to life, so thank you for letting me be a part of this.
My incredible beta readers, Helen, Lindsay, Michelle and Tracy, who as always keep me going with words of encouragement and sometimes a little abuse when necessary.
Deanna, for beta reading but also for so much more. I can’t imagine doing all this without you, so thank you for everything you do, being my partner in crime and a laid-back book bitch!
My Angels, thank you for supporting me, sharing for me and generally being awesome. I love hanging out with you guys on a daily basis.
Evelyn, for once again for suffering the pain I put you through with editing my stories, I can’t thank you enough for all the time you put in to perfecting my words for me.
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone—bloggers, readers and authors—who has shared my Luck of the Irish series. If it weren’t for you all telling people my books exist then none of this would happen, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
And finally, as always, my husband and daughter for allowing me to follow this crazy dream, for putting up with my odd questions and giving me time to do what I need to do, I love you.
It’s safe to say that’s the end of Addison and Blake’s story but I have to admit there are a couple of characters in this series that could reappear at some point. I make no promises but there could be something else one day from this little town in Northern Ireland. Watch this space…
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About the Author
Tracy Lorraine is a M/F and M/M contemporary romance author. Tracy has just turned thirty and lives in a cute Cotswold village in England with her husband, baby girl and lovable but slightly crazy dog. Having always been a bookaholic with her head stuck in her Kindle Tracy decided to try her hand at a story idea she dreamt up and hasn’t looked back since.
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Also by Tracy Lorraine
Angel Series
Molly - part one #1
Molly - part two #1
Abbi #1.5
Beth #1.6
Emma #2
Connie #2.5
Lilly #3
Taylor #3.5
Nicole #4 coming soon
Chasing Series
Chasing Logan
Ruined Series
Ruined Plans #1
Ruined by Lies #2
Ruined Promises #3
Never Forget Series
Never Forget Him #1
Never Forget Us #2
Everywhere & Nowhere #3
The Cocktail Girls
His Manhattan
Molly
Angel Series #1
Prologue
Molly
“Mum, I’m going to Becky’s sixteenth birthday party tonight, then sleeping at Hannah’s,” I say as a reminder, as I walk into the kitchen where my mum is sat with her head in an interior design magazine while she waves her hands around, presumably trying to dry her nail varnish. I open the fridge when I get there and pull out a can of Coke before continuing, “I’ve taken the litre bottle of vodka from the drinks cabinet and I’ve got a pack of condoms…you know, just in case.” I lean back against the counter and watch my mum for a reaction.
“Uh huh,” is all I get.
“And I’m pretty sure some of the boys are bringing ecstasy.”
“Hum…” she says as she turns a page and begins studying the room pictured.
“Didn’t you only have a manicure yesterday? Why are you painting your nails already?” Now that gets her attention. Her head snapped up the moment the words ‘nails’ and ‘manicure’ left my mouth. Surprise, surprise: my mother cares more about those two words than everything I said earlier about me, alcohol, drugs and sex.
“Yes, I did, but I just couldn’t find a thing to wear out tonight.” Ha, yeah. I doubt that is actually true seeing as my mother has now turned my eldest brother’s old room into her personal wardrobe because she has so many clothes, shoes and accessories. “So I went to that little boutique in town this morning that I just love and found the most perfect dress. Your dad will love it, but it didn’t match the colour I chose for my nails yesterday.”
“Wow, what a disaster,” I mutter, as I go to leave the room. “I’ll be going out in about an hour, not that you really care,” I say the last bit quieter but I’m not sure why, because when I look back, Mum is once again engrossed in her magazine and doesn’t even acknowledge that I actually said anything.
I let out a huge breath and head back up to my room to finish packing for the party and sleepover. I’m getting ready for the party with my best friend Hannah and her twin Emma who live next door. We’ve all been friends for as long as I can remember. Being twins, Hannah and Emma are really close but Hannah and I are not very far behind. The three of us do almost everything together; their mum and dad have often joked that they have triplets, really. I always laugh along. Even though they know what my life is like, I don’t think any of them really appreciate how much I wish that was true.
I’m just shoving my fourth outfit choice for the night into my bag when I hear my brother’s voice downstairs greeting Mum. She instantly responds to him, which makes me laugh to myself even though it’s anything but funny. One of her golden boys has come to visit. I bet if he needed something, she’d ruin that new nail varnish doing it for him instantly. For me, however, she couldn’t even be bothered to lift her head up to greet me. God, I can’t wait to get out of this hellhole I call home and live my own life.
“Is Molly still here?” I hear Daniel ask my mum.
Her reply sounds suspiciously like “I have no idea.” Did I not say just ten minutes ago that I was going out in an hour? For fuck’s sake!
I walk over to the window and rest my hands on the windowsill as I look out over the countryside, trying to calm myself down. I keep telling myself not to get worked up by their actions, but sometimes it’s easier said than done.
“Hey sis, I’m glad you’re still here,” Daniel says as he enters my room a few minutes later. My brothers are a lot older than me due to the fact I was an unplanned accident fifteen and a half years ago. Daniel is my youngest older brother and is crazy protective of me. Steven is, too, but he now has a serious girlfriend so I am seeing less of him these days. Daniel is my idol, always has been. He doesn’t take life too seriously, does exactly as he pleases, works bloody hard but always has fun. That is exactly what I want my life to be like, and I plan on it being so, once I get out on my own.
“Hey.” I only manage one word because as soon as I see him I burst into tears. He pulls me into a tight hug. I hate that Mum and Dad can do this to me, make me feel so worthless. It makes me angry every time a tear falls for what they do to me. I should be stronger.
“What have they done now?” Daniel asks. Both him and Steven know how our mum and dad treat me. Hell, I couldn’t count the number of arguments I’ve overheard about it on both hands and feet, but nothing ever changes. I’m just grateful I have two amazing older brothers to turn to if I need to. Plus, I have my adopted family next door, who I’m pretty sure would do just about anything for me if I needed it.
“Nothing, I’m fine,” I say pulling away from him and wiping my eyes. I look at him and see the question in his. “No, really; I’m just being a silly, hormonal teenager.”
“Hmm…whatever you say, Molls. You still going to that party tonight?”
“Of course, why?”
“I got you something,” I watch as he reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a small bottle of vodka before handing it to me.
“What’s this for?” He looks at me and quirks an eyebrow. “Yes, I know it’s to drink, you fool, but why are you giving it to me?”
“Because I remember what it was like being your age, and I didn’t think anyone else would be buying you some. Now, I only got you a small one and I want you to share it, not have it all to yourself, but you deserve to act your age, Molly. Let your hair down. You work too damn hard trying to get your grades. Saying that, though, you still need to be sensible. I don’t want to be visiting you in hospital or being an uncle yet, please. Actually,” he says as he reaches in to his back pocket and pulls out his wallet.
My eyes widen in embarrassment when I realise what he is about to give me. “No, no, no…I’m good, you don’t need to worry about that.”
I hate to admit it but Daniel is the only one who knows what I’ve been up to. He let himself into my room one day while I was in my en suite to find an open box of condoms on the bed, and being the protective brother that he is, counted them and realised two were missing. I’m hoping he doesn’t want more of an explanation than that because I really don’t want to sit here and explain to my adult older brother that I took myself off to the doctors a while ago and got myself on the pill, you know, just in case. Wouldn’t that make Mummy and Daddy proud, to be grandparents while their daughter was still a teenager? Imagine the embarrassment.
“Okay, good. Well, have a good time tonight, and ring me if you have any problems, yeah?”
“Yes, I promise.”
Now I know I mentioned drugs and alcohol to my mum downstairs, but our group of friends aren’t really into all that. Yes, there are plenty of kids at school that are at it every weekend but our group actually care about getting good grades and good jobs. So the bottle of vodka Daniel just handed me will probably be it for us tonight.
“See you later then, kid,” he says before kissing my forehead and leaving my room.
“That party was awesome,” Hannah squeals as the three of us stumble into the twin’s bedroom sometime in the early hours of Sunday morning. Emma heads straight over to her side of the room and immediately starts replacing her party clothes with her pyjamas, while Hannah and I sit and gossip about the evening on he
r bed.
“Soooo…come on, spill it…where did you go with Callum?” Hannah pleads.
“Just for a walk in the garden. I said this earlier.”
“Yes, you did, but I didn’t believe you then and I still don’t now. I saw you two getting off with each other in the corner before you disappeared.”
Callum is the boy at school every girl dreams of. He is sporty, clever, funny and of course seriously hot, which is exactly why no one expected him to show his face tonight. But he did, and let’s just say that I got to know him a little better than I did before. I am yet to decide if that is a good thing or not, though.
“Will you two keep it down? I want to get up early tomorrow to do some coursework before we go to Grandma’s,” Emma complains from her bed. Okay, so I said before that we work hard to get good grades, but Emma takes it to the extreme, so much so that I was actually surprised she gave herself the night off to come tonight because she is seriously dedicated to her studies. She is doing AS level maths already and does Spanish lessons after school to get herself an extra GCSE. I think she is putting too much pressure on herself, but she can’t seem to stop in her quest to be the best accountant Oxford has ever seen.
“Sorry,” we both whisper simultaneously.
“Soooo…come on Molly, tell me,” Hannah whispers.
I let out a frustrated breath and just go for it. “Okay, so we went outside and found a quiet corner of the garden behind a bush. He pulled me down on to the ground and we rolled around for a while kissing and letting our hands roam a little.” I look up at Hannah and can see the excitement about what might come next pouring off her.
Ruined Promises Page 8
