She set her findings on a bench outside the screened door, “What are you doing home early?” She asked through the screen door, while she took her shoes off.
“Come inside and find out.”
Claire laughed, opening the door. Her heart swelled from the sight, “What’s all this?” The table was set with candle sticks, flowers, dinner was already served, and a bottle of wine sat off to the side.
Clay smiled, setting a salad on the table, “It’s just because I love you.” He walked up to her, taking her by the hips. “Can I just do things because I love you?” He kissed her lips.
“Yes.” She smiled against his mouth.
He led her by the hand, “Come sit. I got your favorite wine.”
Claire sat in the chair, and he poured her a glass of wine. “Thank you.” She took her glass, taking a sip.
He sat down across from her, “You look beautiful.”
“I’ve been walking. I probably should have showered.”
“I like you dirty.” He said with a smirk, his right dimple showing.
She laughed, “You’re acting strange.”
“I’m not.”
She eyed him, and then cut into her chicken, “I found more treasures on my walk.”
“If by treasures you mean plants, I think we have enough.”
“Don’t be mad because I like to make things pretty.” She looked over at the hanging plants near the window. “I’ll have you know that that’s a very expensive plant.”
“You can do whatever you want, Babe. It’s your house too, I’m just teasing you.”
“Good.” She said matter-of-factly, with a smile.
While they ate, Claire couldn’t help but stare at Clay across the table. Everything about him sent butterflies into her stomach. He still had that effect on her every time she saw him. She never thought love could feel like this, but she’s so glad she found him.
They finished dinner, and Clay went to clear the plates. Claire started to get up, but Clay stopped her, “Wait, I have dessert.”
She sat back down, “I’m really full, we can eat it tomorrow.”
His hope was shot down, “But, I got it specifically for tonight.”
Claire laughed, “Ok, ok. I’ll eat a little bit.” She stood, “Can we at least eat it on the back porch? It’s nice out tonight.”
“Sure.” He kissed her cheek. “You go ahead; I’ll bring it out there.”
Claire put on her slippers, grabbed a throw blanket, and headed out back. She snuggled up under the blanket on the plush bench. The cool air was calming on her skin. Part of her wished it were the summer time, so that she could watch the fireflies, but she welcomed the cold.
The back door opened, and Clay walked out with only one bowl, “It’s a little cold out tonight for this, but I knew you wouldn’t turn it down.” He handed her a bowl full of mint chocolate chip ice cream, with a red cherry on top.
“Now I see why you were so persistent.” She smiled while taking the bowl. “But, where’s yours?”
Clay licked his bottom lip, and reached into his back pocket, he knelt down in front of her. She thought her heart stopped. He popped open the small black box, and spoke, “I got the ice cream because you told me mint chocolate chip would make you truly happy. I hope I can at least be second best to fulfilling that wish. I know how much you love ice cream.” He smirked. “The day I saw you in that blue dress, I never thought I would be on one knee in front of you. The thing about love is that it lives by its own rules. You can try to control it all you want, but when two hearts meet for the very first time, the dance that follows is out of anyone’s control. I love you, Claire Cunningham. Will you trust me with your heart, for the rest of our lives?”
Claire’s hand was covering her mouth, as tears formed in her eyes. All she could do was nod her head, “Yes. A million times yes.” She set the ice cream to the side, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed him with everything she had. Her heart had found its home, and she was never leaving.
*
It was a perfect spring day. Sheer white fabric was draped in the oak tree, as the wind blew through the field. This time around there wasn’t months of planning, fabric to pick out, or cake to taste. This time it was simple, and perfect.
Claire stood in the guest bedroom of Clay’s father’s house. She was taking in her appearance in the mirror. The long boho white lace dress was everything she imagined. Jenny walked up behind her placing a crown made of greenery on top of Claire’s long golden curls. Both girls smiled at each other in the mirror.
“You look beautiful.” Her father’s voice came from the doorway.
Claire looked over her shoulder, smiling, “Thank you.”
“Can we have a minute?” Her father asked Jenny.
“Of course.” Jenny squeezed Claire’s shoulder, and then left the room.
Her father stood behind her, and Claire turned to meet him. “Hi Daddy,” She said.
“My little girl, you are the most beautiful bride.” He smiled; she could tell he was getting emotional, which is something her father never does.
“Thanks.” Claire looked down at her dress.
“I spoke to your groom.”
“How is he?”
“He’s nervous. But, he’s ready.” Her father took her hand. “I want you to know that I’m proud of you. My little girl has become a fiercely strong woman that any father would be proud of.”
“Thank you. That means more than you know.” Claire squeezed his hand.
“He’s a good man, I’m sorry it took me so long to see it.”
She patted her father’s hand, “He will take care of me. You don’t have to worry.”
“I know. I’m just sad that my little girl will no longer be only mine.”
Claire smiled, “You will always be the first man to have my heart, Dad.”
Her words brought a warm smile to his face. Her father spoke, “I think it’s time we head down there. Are you ready?”
“I’ve been ready since the moment I met him.” Claire stood.
*
Her father drove his car to the bottom of the hill, where the rest of the cars had been parked. He carried the bottom of her dress, as they walked through the woods. The birds were flying from limb to limb, Claire was getting more nervous the closer they got. She looked over at her father, “I’m happy you’re here.” She wanted to tell him, because for a moment when she started to fall in love with Clay, she didn’t think her father would ever walk her down the aisle to him.
“Me too, honey.” Her father smiled.
They reached the clearing, and she could see him. She wanted to run to him. Clay was wearing a grey suit, while he stood with his hands folded in front of him.
He was surrounded by the people who loved them the most. Jenny stood with Gloria and Brett on one side. Claire’s mom was next to Roy, who had just handed her a tissue. Then there was the surprise guest of all, Clay’s mom was there with Ben. Clay wasn’t sure if he was going to invite her at first, but Claire knew he would have thought of her that day.
There was no music that led her to him, just the sound of the trees blowing in the wind. Claire had the biggest smile as she approached Clay. He reached up, wiping the corner of his eye. Her and her father stopped in front of Clay. Her father leaned down, kissing her on the cheek. “You did well, my little girl.”
Claire smiled at her father, and then her eyes went to Clay, “Hi.”
“Hi.” He smiled back.
The officiate spoke, and they said their traditional vows. Claire liked things like organic introductions and traditions. When they were pronounced man and wife, Clay took her in his arms, kissing her like it was his last breath. Because, in Claire he remembered how to live life with love.
THE END
ALSO BY VICTORIA ASHLEE
WWW.VICTORIAASHLEE.COM
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON & KINDLE UNLIMITED
UNTIL THEN SERIES
“You destroyed who I was, and
what I believed in. I don’t know that girl anymore. Stefan loved me until all my broken pieces fit back together, and then he loved me some more. You can’t destroy that.”
UNTIL THEN
UNTIL HER
UNTIL HIM
MY 29th YEAR
SNEAK PEEK
Chapter One
A lone tear fell onto my cheek, my chest was tightening, I wanted to throw up. I couldn’t believe what was happening; what I had just witnessed. I had been with James for four years; four long fucking years. How are you supposed to react when you walk in on your boyfriend balls deep in some random girl you have never seen before? I was pretty sure I was going to throw up in the middle of the street.
He chased after me, barely getting his pants buckled by the time he reached the street. He professed his remorse, but I didn’t respond, all my words were stolen from me. I stared at him in disbelief. James was staring back at me, waiting for a reaction. I wanted to kick him in the balls. Maybe then he would feel the pain he was causing.
“I’m sorry, Alayna. I didn’t mean for it to happen this way. I just need to be single for a while.” He stepped forward trying to reach for me.
I backed away with my arms across my chest, reaching up, wiping the tear away. I was too stunned to have a full on emotional breakdown yet. Single for a while? That’s code for I want to bang other chicks. Fucking prick.
That night I cried myself to sleep, feeling like my heart was just ripped in two. We were supposed to get married one day. I had this whole plan of being married by 30. You’re supposed to have your shit together by 30. Now I have to start all over? This couldn’t be real?
*
The next morning I woke up with puffy eyes from crying. June 6th Happy Birthday to me; another year older. I looked at myself in the mirror. I’m supposed to have wrinkles by now, but I don’t, and I still get carded every time I want to buy a bottle of wine. My hair hasn’t turned grey yet, still the same brown as it’s always been. Maybe that’s why James dumped me last night? He was bored of me. Who even breaks up with someone the day before their birthday? Total dick move.
My phone started vibrating; it was a text from James. I caught him cheating, and he dumped me less than twenty four hours ago. What more could he possibly have to say?
James: Are you ok?
A spout of anger came over me. Am I ok? He has the audacity to ask if I’m ok?! I tossed my phone on the counter. Then the sadness hit me again. I looked in the mirror, and closed my eyes tight, keeping myself from crying. Not today, James. You don’t get to ruin today.
I finished getting ready, put on one of my usual work outfits; a blue dress with a white cardigan. I grabbed a banana and my keys. This was my birthday; work. You don’t take your Birthday off when you get older. It’s the norm to work, right? Right.
I waved to Marge, my neighbor, as I walked toward my car. She has cats. She’s possibly also in a secret society. At least once a week she has these meetings with two random men and a woman. Marge’s life is more eventful than mine, even if she is in a secret society.
When I tried to start my car, I noticed the big fat red E on the dashboard. Great, I'm out of gas. My head fell back on my head rest, “Shit.” I guess I was too emotional to pay attention to my gas gauge on the way home last night.
Marge was still outside watering her plants. For some reason she likes to water her plants at 7:15 in the morning. But, really who cares about the plants, she has a car.
I grabbed my purse, and walked over to where Marge was humming. The front of her townhome was filled with yellow flowers. Her cats were watching me from the window. I gave them a look, “Don’t judge me.” Great, now I was talking to cats.
“Isn’t it a lovely morning, Alayna?” She spoke before I announced myself. I noticed her small laugh lines next to her eyes. Her hair was starting to go grey from the blonde it once was.
“It is a good morning.” I smiled, biting my cheek, because I need your car, Marge. No time for small talk.
“Can I help you with something, dear?”
“Actually yes. My car is out of gas. Could you possibly drive me to work?”
“Of course,” She smiled, setting the hose down, wiping her hands on her bright purple pants. “Give me a moment. Let me grab my purse and keys.”
She walked out of her front door carrying a giant wicker beach bag purse. I laughed a little, because she has always been so simplistically herself.
She waved toward her car, “Better hurry. We need to beat the rush to the muffins.”
“Muffins?” My face went 50 shades of confused.
“Of course. It’s your Birthday after all. You have to have something sweet.”
“How did you know it was my Birthday?” I asked, as I got into the passenger seat.
“Alayna, we have lived next door to each other for 4 years. Of course I would know it’s your Birthday.”
I gave her a small laugh, “I guess so.”
“What are your big plans tonight?”
“I think I am going to order Chinese in.” I laughed, waiting for her judgment. To be honest I hadn’t really thought about what I wanted to do tonight.
“That won’t do. You have to celebrate your birthday somehow.”
“I do?”
“Yes, of course. Every birthday is a gift of knowledge and life. You must thank the universe by drinking and dancing.”
“Oh.” My face did not hide my confusion. I knew Marge was crazy, but now she’s talking about thanking the universe for being older. Let alone drinking and probably dancing on top of tables. This is part of their secret society ritual, isn’t it?
She slapped the steering wheel, “Alright I have decided. You will come to my house tonight. We are having one of our weekly wine nights.”
This is it. This is my initiation to their strange secret underground meetings. I’m not eating monkey brains like that one movie. No, thank you. “I, umm...”
“Plans?” She looked at me like she was peering into my soul.
“Yes.” It wasn’t actually a full lie. My friends Camille and Taylor wanted me to go get drinks with them tomorrow, but that’s tomorrow, not tonight.
Marge didn’t believe a word I said, but she dropped the subject. She just rambled on about her cats and how cute they are. She even made an Instagram account for them. If you're wondering, yes I was forced to look at all of the pictures. I can attest; they were pretty cute. They also had more followers than me. Cats were officially cooler than me. What has my life come to?
Marge stopped the car in front of a coffee shop. I didn’t think she understood that I have to be at work at a certain time. If she did, she seemed to not care. The aroma of the ground coffee beans and freshly baked pastries smelled heavenly when we entered. It could almost lift you into the air, gliding you to the counter.
She ordered us a blueberry muffin and a red velvet cupcake. Marge fumbled through her giant beach bag, handing the cashier exact change.
Once we were back in the car she went into the paper bag and pulled out the red velvet. “Here.” She handed me the cupcake.
“Oh I thought that was for you?”
“No, it’s to give you the superpowers of all the women who have ever loved red velvet.”
I looked down at the simple cupcake with cream cheese icing. It didn’t look much of anything, but a normal cupcake. I raised my eyebrows, “Oh I see.”
“Eat up.” She instructed, pulling out of the parking lot.
I stared at the five story glass box that was my office building as we pulled up. I didn’t want to be here today. Last night was long. I took a deep breath, and stepped out of the car gathering my things. I thanked her for the most interesting ride to work...pretty much ever.
“Don’t forget about what I told you.” Marge said.
“Right,” I nodded, as I closed the door. I didn’t know what to say. Because, in all honesty I didn’t know what she was talking about. As she drove away, I stared at her car longer than I
intended, perplexed by the entire encounter this morning.
“Good Morning, Alayna!”
That’s Chris. My cubicle neighbor and work best friend. He makes work interesting most days. But, he’s a morning person, and I feel like I can’t be bothered with conversation before 10AM, or after 3 cups of coffee.
“Good Morning, Chris.” I smiled. I should tell him about James, I tell him everything, but I didn’t have the courage to verbalize it yet.
He nudged me, “It’s your birthday today.”
“Hah, I’ve heard.”
He held the door open to the building, “Don’t be like that. How old? 29?”
“Yep.”
“So, Alayna what will you do with your infamous 29th year?”
My 29th year. That’s a weird way to put it. I don’t even know what I've done with my 28th, 27th, 26th, or really any of my years. “I’m not sure. That seems to be the consensus today.”
“Well you have to do something. That’s what birthdays are for.”
I gave him a half laugh, “That’s what I keep getting told.”
We took the elevator up; the doors opened with a squeaking creek. I winced at the sound, “One of these days the elevator is going to plummet to the ground.”
“And, then we’ll be rich.” He took a sip of his coffee.
I laughed, “Or dead.”
I could already see the balloons floating from the top of my cubicle. Tacky streamers laced the 3/4ths of a box that I called my office. A few gifts sat on my desk: Bags of chocolate covered pretzels, a gift card to my favorite coffee shop, and a few cards.
“I didn’t realize that many people like you?” Chris walked over picking up a card. “You’re not even nice.”
I snatched the card from him, “Shut up. People like me just fine.”
He smirked, “I know, I’m just teasing.” He picked up a gift card. “Um, this one is from Sarah.” Sarah was the office bully, and has had it out for me since I was hired.
Under the Oak Tree Page 29
