A Garden Dream

by Jea Hawkins

  “You don’t know anything about me,” Madison retorted, now taking a sideways step toward the door.

  “Not directly, no. But I know all about Crystal after seven years together. I know that lack of security in a child’s life can resonate with them into adulthood. So, no, I’ll never be mad at you. You’re a beautiful woman and I can never hope to look like you or have your swagger. But Crystal chose me. That’s all there is to it.” Emma braced her hands against the counter, wishing her heart would stop pounding against her chest.

  The adrenaline coursing through her made her want to just run in the opposite direction, but she stayed and battled Madison with the one thing she had on her side – the truth.

  “That night at the club, Crystal meant what she said. I think coming here is just setting you up for heartbreak, Madison. But if you’re intent on speaking with her, I will tell you would like her to call you.”

  Madison opened her mouth, but before she said another word, the front door opened and Crystal walked in. She stopped and stared at Madison, her eyes wide and her body tense.

  “Crys…”

  “Maddy. What are you doing here?” Crystal stared at her, shaking her head. “What are you thinking?”

  The brunette stepped forward and reached for her. “I wanted to see you. I wanted to talk about us.”

  “Maddy, I’m sorry, but there is no us.” Crystal drew away from her and sidled toward the counter. “It was one night, but that was months ago and it was a mistake. I told you that when I left, that I was going home to make things right.”

  “Yeah, well, I didn’t expect your version of making things right to involve getting engaged to the person you cheated on.”

  Emma watched as Crystal closed her eyes and her nostrils flared with the breath she took. When she opened her eyes again, they fastened on Madison, flashing with anger. “I’m engaged to the woman I love. I’m sorry, Madison, but I’m hers. I’ve always been hers. Even the night I was with you, I still belonged to Emma. What I did was wrong on so many levels and I just want to put it behind me.”

  “But you needed me.” Madison sounded almost desperate as she stepped toward Crystal, hands outstretched. “You told me you weren’t getting the attention you needed from her. Why would you go back to someone who wasn’t giving you that?”

  “Look, it was true at the time, but it was also my fault. I should have communicated my needs to Emma and I didn’t. Maddy…”

  Crystal reached to take her friend’s reaching hands and gripped them.

  “We had a wonderful night, but I did it out of pain and frustration. Emma and I share something special and that’s not going to change. If anything, we’ve gotten closer and become stronger as a couple because of my mistake. You’re a beautiful woman, but nothing more is going to happen between us. I’m sorry. I hate that I’ve hurt Emma and potentially ruined my friendship with you. Can we please try to move on? We’ve known each other for too long to let my actions fuck everything up.”

  Another heartbeat passed as Madison glared at Crystal and then at Emma. “Fine.” She yanked her hand out of Crystal’s grasp and pulled open the front door. “Whatever. Just don’t come crying to me when things go wrong and you’re on the verge of divorce.”

  After the door slammed behind her, Emma let out a breath. Crystal turned to her, shaking her head. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why she did that. We’ve known each other for a long time and she’s always been kind of impulsive. She bounced around between families like I did, but that’s no excuse for how she just behaved.”

  “It’s okay. I know.” Emma rounded the counter and met Crystal in a tight embrace. “And I know it’s just been the two of us all this time. Even with the detours here and there, it’s always been us.”

  “Yeah,” Crystal whispered, her breath fanning over Emma’s ear. “And I hear we’re getting married next week.”

  Chapter 30

  Crystal must have been awake first. Emma could tell by her breathing that she wasn’t asleep, at least. Then again, who could sleep when they were about to take one of the biggest steps in their lives?

  Without turning her head to look at the clock, Emma whispered, “Hey. We’re getting married today.”

  Crystal’s soft response was, “I know. Are you nervous?”

  “A little bit. What about you?”

  The next answer was just an inarticulate sound, neither a confirmation nor a denial of anxiety.

  “Can you eat?” Emma asked.

  “I’m not sure. I suppose we should try. The last thing we need is one of the brides fainting mid-ceremony.”

  Emma sat up and blinked at the brightness in the room. They had gone to bed early the night before, but it still took her a moment to adjust to the morning light. With a low grumble, she tossed the covers aside and ambled into the kitchen. It didn’t take long to brew tea and make toast, both of which she brought back to the bedroom.

  “Let’s at least try this,” she said, handing Crystal the plate of buttered toast and her cup of tea.

  Crystal was sitting up in bed and nodded as she took them. After a bite and a sip, she said, “I can’t believe this is happening. I never thought we’d get here, especially after Madison visited us.”

  “Oh, did you think I was going to call things off just because she stopped by the store?” Emma asked reproachfully, her brows knitting. “I wouldn’t do that. She might be persistent, but I’m not petty. I feel bad for her and I hope she can get over it. As for us, we already know how we feel about each other and that’s what matters.”

  Crystal finally gave her a weak smile and they ate the rest of their breakfast in silence. Once they were in the shower, Crystal asked again, “So, are you nervous yet?”

  With a breathy laugh, Emma said, “I think the more you ask, the more nervous I’m going to get. Of course I am. Are you?”

  “Yeah. It’s a pretty huge step, but it felt so good to get that marriage license from the county clerk’s office. How many gay couples do you think they see in there each year?”

  “Hm, not many, I imagine.” Emma wrapped her arms around Crystal as the hot water cascaded down around them. “It’s a good thing we’re in this together. Just think of all the water we’ve been saving lately.”

  “If that’s the only reason to get married, we have to renegotiate this entire thing.” Crystal pouted up at her, but then smiled and kissed her.

  “The environment is a vital priority,” Emma whispered against her lips, closing her eyes and giving in to another kiss from her soon-to-be-wife.

  When they got out of the shower, they both stared at the fogged-up mirror. “Do we need to do our hair and make-up before or after the dresses go on?” Crystal asked.

  “You’re full of questions today.” Squeezing her wet hair with a towel, Emma thought about the question and finally answered, “Before the dresses. That way, we don’t get bits of powdery stuff on the dresses.”

  It seemed like they were moving underwater as they dried and styled their hair, and applied their make-up. When Crystal finally stepped into her dress and Emma zipped it up, she took a deep breath.

  “It’s real,” Crystal remarked, meeting her gaze in the mirror. “We’re going to do this.”

  “Yup, very real.” Emma turned and stepped into her own dress. She slid her arms through the straps and then patted the gown into place, while Crystal zipped it for her. As before when she tried it on, Emma felt like a goddess on earth in the soft dress. She couldn’t help but run her hands along the fabric.

  At last, they stood side by side in the mirror and Crystal asked, “Is it bad luck for the brides to see each other before the wedding? Should one of us have stayed at Fiona’s place or something?”

  “No. I don’t believe in luck.”

  “Ha. You have that luxury because you can see the future.”

  Emma shook her head. “No, I have that luxury because I know each individual makes their own path. Besides, I’ve ever been able to see us anywher
e but here.” She reached up and touched her fingertips to her chest, just over her heart. “I suppose I don’t need clairvoyance to know our future.”

  “You don’t?” Crystal turned to her and Emma felt the water energy radiating off her in waves. It was a mix of sensitivity and tenuous hope.

  “Crystal.” Emma took both her hands in hers and squeezed them. “I love you and I am not going to let you down. And if this whole dress thing turns out to be bad luck, then we’ll just go to Sedona, find a valley with a fire pit, and have another trippy experience together.”

  Crystal finally let out a snorting laugh. “Right? Because that will fix everything.” She withdrew her hands from Emma’s and settled them around her fiancée’s waist. “But I don’t ever want to be in a position to have to fix anything ever again. I mean, I don’t mind working on stuff. That’s what couples are supposed to do. But I don’t like the idea of having to repair our relationship again.”

  “Same. Let’s always communicate with each other,” Emma agreed, hope swelling inside of her until she couldn’t catch her breath. This was real. This was happening. Crystal was going to be hers.

  “And let’s always be there for one another.”

  They leaned forward to kiss, but both backed away with a laugh. “Make-up,” Emma said, touching her fingertips to her lips. “We can’t ruin our lipstick. We’re just going to have to behave until after the wedding when the officiant says we may kiss the bride. Which reminds me… Give me a sec.”

  She stepped out of the circle of Crystal’s arms and crossed the apartment to the living room. The closet door was the one thing that stood between her and the gift she had gotten for Crystal, a gift she hoped was fitting and appropriate for today’s momentous occasion.

  With the present in her hands, she turned and went back to the bedroom, where Crystal waited.

  “I wanted to get you something to symbolize not just how I feel about you, but how I feel about the two of us.”

  Emma handed her the potted plant. It was a round cluster of pale purple flowers on a tall stem. “It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it. What is it?” Crystal asked as she took the pot between both hands.

  “It’s allium. It symbolizes patience and unity. And let me tell you, it hasn’t had any magickal help from me to bloom. It shouldn’t need it as long as we always work together.”

  “Wow.” Crystal touched the delicate, tiny flowers. “It’s really the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, besides you. I have something to give you, too.”

  Crystal set the potted plant aside on her dresser and Emma followed her movement with her eyes. “Really? You didn’t have to.”

  “But I wanted to.” Crystal opened her top drawer and pulled out a standard, letter-sized envelope. She gave it to Emma and said, “I think you’ll like it.”

  Emma lifted the flap and looked at the contents. “Really?” she gasped as she pulled out the papers.

  “Really. Two tickets to paradise with a side of a little help from our friends. Fi and Gabe are happy to mind the store again while you get your wish.”

  “Tropical beach,” Emma said softly.

  “Warm sand,” Crystal answered.

  “Turquoise waves and margaritas,” they said in unison.

  Tucking the tickets back into the envelope, Emma shook her head. “You shouldn’t have. It’s way too much, Crys.”

  “Of course I should. Oh, and I got a gift for the mother of the bride, too. Well, it’s for all three of us.” Crystal handed her another envelope. “We’re going to have a ladies only spa day. Your mother deserves some pampering, don’t you think?”

  “Sweetie. This is…” Emma choked on her words as tears threatened to ruin her make-up. Her heart skipped a beat, leaving her breathless. When she recovered, she said, “This is way too much.”

  “No, it’s not. Your mother is incredible. She fought cancer and won. Now let’s celebrate her for being a true warrior.”

  Emma pulled Crystal into a hug, her arms wrapped around her so tightly, she wasn’t sure she would ever let go. After long moments of clinging to her fiancée, she finally stepped back and got a tissue to wipe the tears from her eyes.

  “Thank you.”

  “Thank you for sticking by me. No one else has ever done that.” Crystal reached up to caress her face. “Not that I blame them. You have to admit, I’m pretty damn stubborn.”

  “Stubborn, but sexy. Sassy, but loveable. I like all of those things about you.” Emma curled her fingers around Crystal’s wrist and pressed a feather-light kiss to her palm. “Let’s go out there and tell the world, shall we?”

  They walked down to the store. From inside, they could hear the murmur of voices out back. “It sounds like our guests are already here,” Crystal remarked, peering through the back window. “I’ll let Lark know we’re ready.”

  Emma took a deep breath and nodded. She was more than ready. After one heck of a journey, she knew she wanted to face each and every day with Crystal at her side.

  With jitters stirring her belly, she waited for Crystal to text Lark. After a minute, they had confirmation that everything was ready. They heard the music from a distance, just outside in the garden. Crystal set her phone aside and unlocked the back door.

  “We do this together,” she said, reaching out to take Emma’s hand.

  “Together,” Emma agreed, the anxiety subsiding at Crystal’s touch.

  Crystal opened the door and they stepped out of the store. Lark was right there to hand them their bouquets. Just across the alleyway, their guests were lined up along the flagstone path that wound into the meditation garden. There was room for a few chairs, where Emma’s parents and a few of their guests sat.

  Hand in hand, Emma and Crystal walked the path together.

  Changes in direction would come and go, Emma knew, but at least they would always walk in the same direction side by side.

  Other Titles

  Something About You

  Must Love Chickens

  Meant to Be

  Game of Hearts

  All For Love

  A Vote for Love

  Series

  A Charmed Life: The Ashland Witches, Book 1

  A Garden Dream: The Ashland Witches, Book 2

  About the Author

  Jea writes sweet and spicy contemporary lesbian romance. If love conquers all, then she’d like to think her heroines can rule the world one day. An east coast transplant to the Midwest, she loves to write about complicated women and settings that feel like home.

  Personal addictions include autumn, cozy sweaters, hot chocolate, and The Sims 3. She’s both an avid reader and gamer, and hopes you don’t mind a few geeky references here and there in her work.

  You can keep up with her latest releases by subscribing to her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cVU-pz or by visiting her online at www.jeahawkins.com.