Remembering Ivy: Bonus Epilogue
Claire Kingsley
Copyright © 2017 Claire Kingsley
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No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places, or incidents are products of the author’s imagination and used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is purely coincidental or fictionalized.
Edited by Elayne Morgan of Serenity Editing Services
Cover by Cassy Roop of Pink Ink Designs
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For all my readers. I hope you enjoy this extra little glimpse into William and Ivy’s happily ever after.
Contents
Ivy
Broken Miles: Chapter One
Also by Claire Kingsley
About the Author
Ivy
Bonus Epilogue
Jessica moved my beautifully curled hair aside and pulled the zipper up the back of my dress.
“There,” she said, letting my hair fall down my back. “I think you’re just about ready.”
I turned and looked in the full-length mirror, running my hands down the sides of my waist. My strapless dress was simple, but elegant. The white fabric hugged my curves and shimmered in the light. I wore a necklace that had belonged to my mother and earrings Jessica had lent me. The hairdresser had spent almost an hour turning my long blond hair into a cascade of curls, and instead of a veil, I wore a circlet of blue forget-me-nots.
I’d never felt quite so beautiful.
“Oh my god, Ivy,” Jessica said, dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a tissue. “You look stunning.”
“Thanks,” I said. “You look amazing, too.”
Her pale blue dress looked beautiful against her dark skin, and her thick curly hair was pulled up in a twist.
The day had finally arrived. My wedding day. I was about to become Ivy Cole.
William and I had decided to get married at Salishan Cellars, a winery just on the other side of the mountains in central Washington. Nestled among the foothills, the setting was spectacular, and the winery itself was lovely—and dog friendly. It was the perfect place for our little wedding.
My stomach fluttered, and I took a sip of water. I’d picked up some kind of stomach bug recently and was hoping it wouldn’t ruin my appetite for dinner. “Is everyone here?”
She clicked her tongue and rested her hand on her belly. She’d always had a motherly streak, and now she was going to make it official. Her baby boy was due in less than four months. “Stop worrying. All the important people are here.”
“I know. I think I’m just a little nervous. Do you think Edgar is okay?”
“I’m sure he’s fine,” she said. “But would it make you feel better if I go check?”
“Yes,” I said. “What if he needs to go out and William is busy getting ready and can’t take him? I’m sorry, I know I’m being neurotic.”
“It’s your wedding day,” she said with a smile. “You’re entitled. I’ll go make sure Edgar is fine.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Jessica left, and I peeked in the mirror to adjust my necklace. It felt good to wear something that had been my mother’s. It also reminded me of my dad. He’d bought it for her when they’d gotten married.
I wondered how William was doing. He was getting ready with James and Peter. Was he nervous? He hadn’t been nervous at all leading up to today. Nothing seemed to make him anxious, though. He was always so calm and collected.
His memories had started to return, although they seemed to be mainly glimmers and impressions. Once in a while he painted something that he thought might be a memory. A snow-covered forest.
Smoke curling from a chimney. Not long after he proposed, he’d been overtaken with inspiration and painted for days. The picture was a woman with dark hair. She was looking down and to the side, so only a little of her face was visible. But we were both sure it was William’s mother.
After painting her, he’d decided to visit his hometown in Alaska. We’d spent two weeks there a few months ago. He’d said it felt familiar, although he hadn’t been able to recall specific details. It was more instinct than memory. He’d been able to find his way around without knowing how or why, including how to get to his cabin.
We’d visited Jack, the man he’d worked for as a hunting guide. William said Jack and his family had seemed familiar to him as well. Even though he couldn’t remember anything distinct, he’d been relieved that they hadn’t felt like strangers. We’d spent hours with them, listening to stories from his past. It had been amazing to be with people who’d known him so well—who remembered him as Will Green.
From what I could tell, Will Green wasn’t all that different from William Cole. His job was different now, of course. He wasn’t leading people into the wilderness and tracking wild animals. But he’d always been protective, loyal, and a little bit of an outsider. He’d been artistic since childhood, and his love of painting had begun when he was still in school. Jack told us he’d learned by watching old Bob Ross episodes on YouTube.
The visit had been good for both of us. I’d been a little concerned he might want to stay in Alaska. Maybe even move back. But he didn’t. He said he was glad his past no longer felt blank. He could sense there were memories there, and sometimes he recalled bits and pieces of his life before. But he wasn’t Will Green anymore, and he was happy with our life now, together.
He wasn’t Will Green legally, either. Once we’d discovered who he’d been, he’d been able to get new ID. But instead of picking up his old identity, he’d changed his last name to Cole.
Just like I was about to do.
I turned at the soft knock on the door. Zoe Sutton, the winery’s events manager, poked her head in. By my guess, she was about my age or a little younger. Her shiny brown hair was in a bun that managed to be both messy and stylish, and she wore a white blouse, fitted dark brown pants, and brown leather ankle boots. We’d been working with her for the last ten months to plan the wedding and I absolutely loved her.
“Hi there, beautiful,” she said with a wide smile. “We’re almost ready for you.”
A sudden burst of nausea roiled through my stomach. I swallowed hard and nodded.
“Uh-oh.” She stepped into the room and closed the door. “You look a little pale.”
“Yeah, I feel a bit…”
My eyes widened, and I clamped my hand over my mouth. Oh god, no. Please don’t let me throw up on my wedding dress.
Zoe was in front of me with an empty trash can in an instant. Seemingly out of nowhere, she’d produced a small towel and she quickly tucked the end into the neckline of my dress.
“Can you make it to the bathroom, sweetie?” she asked, her voice gentle.
I took a shuddering breath through my nose, my hand still covering my mouth, and nodded.
She gently rubbed my back and led me into the bathroom. My stomach held out until I reached the toilet, but Zoe was there to keep my hair back.
“You’re okay,” she said softly and helped me stand when I was finished. “Are you done, or should we wait?”
I glanced down at my dress. Miraculously, it was clean, as was the towel. My stomach still felt raw, but it was already starting to calm.
“I think I’m done,” I said. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Zoe took the towel and handed me a d
amp washcloth to wipe my face. “Don’t worry about your makeup. I’ll help you touch it up when you’re sure that tummy of yours is finished being a bitch.” She took the washcloth and gave me a small cup with mouthwash. “Here.”
I rinsed my mouth and gave her a weak smile. “Thank you so much.”
“It happens all the time,” she said. “Okay, I’m going to get inappropriately personal, but there are four basic reasons I get puking brides right before a wedding. They’re either hungover from an ill-timed but epic bachelorette party, marrying the wrong guy and afraid to go through with it, too nervous and excited for their own good, or pregnant. I’ll be honest, I have a feeling I know which one it is for you.”
“You do?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she said. “You don’t strike me as the partying type, so I don’t think you’re hungover. I’ve seen you and William together, and there’s no way you’re marrying the wrong guy. Your wedding is very intimate, so unless you’re an anxious person in general, I doubt you’re nervous to the point of puking. So that leaves…”
I looked down and pressed my hand against my stomach. Oh my god, could I be?
“I don’t know,” I said. “I don’t think I’m pregnant.”
“Do you want to find out now, or wait until later?” she asked.
“How could I find out now?” I asked. “The wedding is supposed to start soon.”
Zoe opened the cupboard below the sink and pulled out a basket filled with supplies. I noticed tampons, maxi pads, bandages, tissues, a little sewing kit, nail polish, and a host of other odds and ends. She pulled out a box with a home pregnancy test.
“You keep those here?” I asked.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve had a bride who needs one,” she said. “Look, no pressure to take this. You’re about to get married, and that’s enough in and of itself. But if not knowing is going to be a big distraction, I’d suggest taking it. Then you’ll be sure. Although, if you think the results either way will ruin your day, then I’d wait. Who knows, you could have just had something bad for dinner last night.”
I held out a trembling hand and took the box from her.
“Do you want me to go find Jessica?” she asked.
I took a deep breath. This was really happening. “No, that’s okay. I think… if I am pregnant, I want to be able to tell William first. And now that I’m wondering if I am, I have to know.”
“Sweetie, this is your day. Whatever you need.” She looked me up and down. “Let’s get the dress off so it’s easier to pee on that stick. And I’ll let them know you just need a few more minutes to get ready. I don’t want to add a panicked groom to my puking bride.”
She unzipped my dress and helped me step out of it, then took it to the other room.
My stomach still felt a little shaky, but I took the pregnancy test. I was on birth control, so I shouldn’t have been pregnant. But this wasn’t the first time I’d thrown up in the last week. I’d figured it was just the stress of the upcoming wedding, or maybe I’d eaten something that hadn’t agreed with me.
But birth control wasn’t one hundred percent effective all the time, was it?
And to be honest, I wasn’t stressed about the wedding. Not really. I was excited, and the anticipation had made it hard to sleep last night. But our wedding was small, and Zoe had everything under control. There wasn’t anything to be stressed about. I had absolutely no doubts about marrying William. The only bit of sadness was that my dad wouldn’t be here to walk me down the aisle. But that certainly wasn’t worth vomiting over.
There was a soft knock on the door.
“How are you doing in there, sweetie?” Zoe asked.
“I’m okay.” I opened the door and went into the dressing room. Zoe helped me back into my dress, then touched up my makeup.
“You look amazing,” she said. “How’s the tummy?”
I touched my stomach. “It’s fine, now.”
“I think that test is ready,” she said. “Do you want me to leave you alone?”
I nodded. “Thank you so much.”
“Of course,” she said. “I’ll be right outside. And if you need more time, just let me know. Remember, the bride can’t be late. The wedding doesn’t start until she’s ready.”
Zoe left, and I took another deep breath, then went to check the pregnancy test.
I’d left it sitting on the counter. For a second, I hesitated in the bathroom doorway, wondering what I hoped it would say. William and I did want children, but we hadn’t planned on having one now. But the thought of creating a family together was so powerful, I knew instantly that I’d be disappointed if the test was negative.
Another deep breath, and I checked the test.
Pregnant.
Tears stung my eyes and I bit the inside of my lip so they wouldn’t fall. Oh my god, I was going to have a baby. William’s baby.
And suddenly my wedding day was perfect.
Maybe most brides wouldn’t wish for a positive pregnancy test just minutes before they walked down the aisle. But I couldn’t imagine better news. I stared at that one, beautiful word—pregnant—and my heart felt like it was going to swell right out of my chest.
William and I were the only family each other had. With him, I no longer felt alone in the world. But this… this was the greatest gift I could have asked for.
I put the test in the box and tucked it in my bag. Jessica peeked her head through the door.
“You ready?” she asked, her eyes bright.
“Yes.”
I went out into the hallway and Jessica handed me my bouquet—white roses surrounded by pale blue forget-me-nots and little sprigs of green ivy. Zoe caught my eye and winked while Jess fussed over my dress.
They led me down the hall. Peter and James stood outside a set of closed doors, dressed in dark gray suits. William was already inside, along with our small group of guests.
“Okay, peeps, let’s do this,” Zoe said. She got Jessica and James—my matron of honor and William’s best man—situated in front of the door.
Peter offered his arm and I slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow. In a rare display of emotion, Peter had gotten misty-eyed when I’d asked him to walk me down the aisle. He adjusted his glasses, then pressed his hand over mine.
“Opening the doors,” Zoe said.
A zing of excitement tingled my skin and I squeezed Peter’s arm.
Zoe opened the doors, but I couldn’t see past Jessica and James. Soft music played inside, and they started walking forward.
William came into view and I hardly noticed Zoe fussing over my hair and dress. He looked incredible in his suit—so smooth and polished. His eyes locked onto mine and his face broke into the most adorable expression of awe and wonder I’d ever seen him wear. His lips parted, and he stared at me like he’d never seen me before.
“Ready?” Peter asked softly.
I nodded, and we started forward. I no longer heard the music or noticed our guests. I did see Edgar, sitting like the good boy he was right at William’s feet, wearing a little black bow tie around his neck. And in the back of my mind I knew Jessica was there at the front, and James stood on William’s other side. But it was as if no one else existed except for William.
He didn’t break eye contact as I approached and dropped Peter’s arm. William took my hand and drew me closer. For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me before the officiant could get started, but he blinked and seemed to remember we were about to have a wedding ceremony.
The wedding itself was brief, and I barely heard a word until it was time to exchange our vows. We’d written our own, and the officiant asked me to go first. I handed my bouquet to Jessica and William took both my hands in his.
“William, you came into my life like a summer rain,” I said. “Unexpected, but sorely needed. From the moment we met, you captured me, body and soul. I am yours. I will be by your side through all the ups and downs that life sends our way. I will care for you, cherish y
ou, and support you. And most of all, I will love you for the rest of our days.”
He smiled down at me, those piercing blue eyes never leaving mine. The officiant prompted him to speak and he squeezed my hands.
“Ivy, you pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. I have loved none but you,” he began, and I drew in a quick breath. He’d quoted Jane Austen. “I want nothing more than to be with you. For you to be the first thing I see each morning, and the last thing I see each night. To spend my days caring for you, protecting you, and loving you. You have my heart, and you always have. Whatever I can offer you, I’ll give. Whatever you need, I’ll provide. I will love you until I take my last breath, and even then, my love will not end.”
Tears filled my eyes as we exchanged rings and before I knew it, I heard the words, “You may kiss the bride.”
William pulled me close and gently touched my chin, tilting my face up to his. Slowly, tenderly, he pressed his mouth against mine. My eyes closed as his soft lips worked their magic, putting me under his spell. He teased my lips with his tongue, just enough to send sparks dancing across my sensitive skin.
He pulled away and the applause in the background finally registered. I smiled up at him, feeling like I could burst. He smiled back, his blue eyes vivid.
“I love you,” he said, his nose still brushing against mine.
“I love you, too.”
The officiant had more to say, but I could hardly hear it. He introduced us as husband and wife to more applause, and the next thing I knew we were walking down the little aisle and being ushered into the next room for the reception.
The photographer pulled us away for pictures. When we came back, we mingled with our guests as everyone sampled hors d’oeuvres and sipped wine. Edgar was calm, but Cooper Miles, one of the winery staff, came in with Zoe and offered to take him outside for us. Amazingly, Edgar went willingly. Cooper promised to bring him back after a good walk around the vineyard.
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