“It’s precious.” She twirled it around. “It's old and blue.” She paused and held the envelope close to her heart.
“I'll give you a few minutes so you can read it alone.”
“Have you read it?”
I kissed her forehead. “No, sweetie, I've never read this one.”
I turned back towards the door, my heart aching in my chest. I hoped that Emilia was looking at us now. I prayed that she was proud of the job I had done with Lyra.
I stood outside the bridal suite waiting for Lyra to come out. Jeremy appeared five minutes before we were scheduled to walk down the aisle.
“Is everything okay?” he asked. Throughout the years, we had remained friends. He had married his wife a few years after Emilia had passed away and they had two little boys who considered Lyra their big sister.
“Yeah, I gave her the letter from Emilia.”
Jeremy took a seat next to me and exhaled. “Even after all this time, it’s still not easy, huh?”
“Not really.”
Lyra pulled back the door. Her eyes were red with tears, but she had a beautiful smile on her face. Jeremy and I both stood.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
She nodded and hugged Jeremy. “It’s nice to see you all dressed up, Jeremy.”
He chuckled and pulled back to look at her. “You look beautiful, Lyra.”
“Thank you.” She looked over at me. “Thank you both for giving me everything.”
Jeremy leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you in there. I just wanted to see you beforehand.” He patted my shoulder as he walked back inside the church.
“Ready?” I asked Lyra.
She opened her arms and hugged me. “I love you so much, Daddy, thank you again for giving everything.”
“Anything for you, princess.”
Afterword
Emilia’s last words.
My dear sweet Lyra,
I had dreamed of this day as far back as I can remember. When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I wasn't afraid of the chemo, and I wasn't afraid of losing my hair. My biggest fear was leaving you. The uncertainty of my child growing up in the world motherless devastated me. I imagined my life and how much I wished I’d had my mother. I never wanted that for you. I wanted to be there for all your milestones.
I hope that the videos I left have helped you in some kind of way. I wanted to leave you a video for this day as well, but when I tried, I couldn't form the proper words.
You are all grown up, Lyra, and I can only imagine what a beautiful woman you have become. I hope that you have found real, unconditional, consuming, and yes, stupid love. Even though it may be scary, it's the best kind of love there is. Trust me, I know. That's how much I love your father.
I'm not going to sit here and tell you that marriage is going to be easy or that it's going to be a walk in the park because it's not. Marriage requires a lot of work. There will be days when you two can't stand one another, but remember the little things, the moments when your love is so pure it outweighs any bad. It's okay to have hiccups along the way. It's okay to mess up. Learn to spread your wings as a couple and fly.
If I can give you one small piece of advice that you take away with you as you embark on this new journey, it’s don't be afraid to live. The bills will continue to be there, and being a grown–up only gets harder, but don't forget to live. Live for the little moments, the ones that take your breath away. Live for invisible love letters, and never ever forget to love endlessly.
I love you, Lyra. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.
With all my love,
Mom.
The End
Acknowledgments
This is by far the hardest part. I said it before and I’ll say it again.
Writing the acknowledgments, truly makes me feel blessed. Thank you to everyone that has helped me with this book and this duet. Hopefully you’ve stopped crying and you can now read again.
First and foremost, I need to thank my family for putting up with me for the past three months while I slipped away for writing days and missed out on family time. I had made a promise to my readers that I would have this book out on time and I thank you all very much for understanding how important it was for me to keep my word.
To my husband, my rock, my very best friend. Thank you for believing in me and insisting that I follow my dreams. You’re an amazing husband and I’m so lucky to be married to such a sexy loving man.
To my little ones, I’m so sorry that Mommy has missed some precious time with you. I promise there are many “Mommy and Me” days in the future for us. I love you!
To my parents, sisters, brothers and my wonderful In-Laws, thank you for all the love and support.
To my mother, you are who I aspire to be. I love you.
I was told it takes a colony to publish a book. Well, they weren’t kidding. I have been very blessed to have the help of so many wonderful people.
In no particular order I’d like to thank you all.
Jennifer Gauthier, thank you for reading ELL when it was a hot mess. Literally! A HOT FUCKING MESS. You read the very first draft before anyone else. You have been my rock through this and I can’t thank you enough for cheering me on. I’m so very sorry I made you cry at work. Okay, maybe I’m not really sorry.
Share Bear, I can’t thank you enough for helping me plot. You were the one that suggested I make Emilia crap her self, and though I cried the entire time writing that scene it was all your idea. I love you very much, you are much more than a sister to me.
Jennifer Roberts-Hall, also known as the best editor a girl can have. I can never thank you enough for making ELL a beautiful book. You have become a dear friend of mine and I can’t wait to see where this journey will take us.
The Sassy Savvy and Fabulous crew: Melissa, Sharon, Linda, Christy, and Jesey. Thank you all for you tremendous help. You ladies have guided my path into this journey and I will forever be grateful to you all.
Linda M. Russell, you are my guardian angel. My fairy godmother. Honestly, readers know about me because of you. I can’t thank you enough. You are such a beautiful and kind person and it has been a pleasure to work with you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Kari March, as always thank you for the beautiful cover!
Brenda Letendre, thank you for taking the time to edit my book.
Frankie, my dear Francesca, thank you for keep me sane through it all. You have kept my grounded and humbled. You’re the most amazing best friend a girl can ask for and I love you.
Shawna Gavas, with Behind the Writer. You are my PA, my proofreader but mostly my sweet loving friend. Thank you for everything that you have done for me. You are so easy to work with and extremely professional. Everyone should hire you!
Cleida Roy, thank you for promoting me and loving this book. You took a chance on me and I can’t thank you enough.
Nanci, thank you for the wonderful music playlist, it kept me going when all I wanted to do was quit.
To the fantastic four, you ladies rock and keep my day going.
Alissa Marino, thank you for reading ILL and ELL. Thank you for the support and making me work very hard to change your opinion of Emilia.
Dena, you can curse me out but I still love you!
To my test readers, Melissa, NancyCarol, Nanci, and Analia thank you for falling in love with my words.
Heather White, Jennifer Diaz, Christine Estevez, Dena Marie, Tiffany Vitale-Carillo, Thank you for reading Endless Love Letter.
To the talented Willow Aster, I seriously have a big girl crush on you.
BA Wolfe. Thank you for always listening to me.
To the bloggers, thank you, thank you, thank you! Honestly I would be nothing without you all. I appreciate everything you have done for me.
And to the readers…
Thank you for giving the Love Letter duet a chance. This for me was much more than a love story and to know that you have fallen in love
with my characters, means the world to me. I hope that I haven’t broken you hearts too much and that the tears have stopped.
Again, from the bottom of my heart , thank you all!
Callie Anderson
About the Author
About The Author
Callie Anderson is a wife, mother and writer, who embraces the truth, then weaves it into a magical tale of romance and heartache.
@AuthorCallieA
AuthorCallieAnderson
www.authorcallieanderson.com
[email protected]
Endless Love Letter (Love Letter Duet Book 2) Page 21
