Fallen Crest Forever

by Tijan

  I needed to say them.

  “I declare right now that I am not choosing to become Samantha Kade. I have always been Samantha Kade. It will be official tomorrow, but that’s the only difference. That’s it. I am already your wife in every sense of the word.”

  I took a deep breath. I had more to say, but then his lips stopped me.

  He kissed me, and I felt his tears against my face.

  When we parted, he rested his forehead against mine, and before I could stop him, he spoke his own words. He said them as he lifted me onto him, and he continued as he entered me.

  He kept saying those words as I gasped, cried, begged, and then screamed my release, and he didn’t stop whispering them until I finally fell asleep.

  Just a few hours later, I stood at the end of a rose-strewn aisle, my bouquet in hand. My wedding dress had been fitted over me, and my bridesmaids were already waiting for me at the front of our little wooded paradise.

  This was my wedding. This was my dream come true.

  I’d gotten the family I dreamed about, but what I’d said to Mason last night was true: I always had it.

  Today it was just legal. That was all.

  The music changed. The volume rose, and everyone stood.

  All eyes turned to me, some misty-eyed, some blurred with tears, and others smiling widely.

  I walked past people from Fallen Crest Academy. I walked past people from Fallen Crest Public High School. There were others from Cain University, some from the country club, still others from the carnival. And even more from my family, biological or not. But this wasn’t about them. I didn’t really see them.

  This was about Mason and me.

  This was about me getting the happily ever after I’d always had; I just never knew it.

  And then there he was. I saw the same wetness swimming in his eyes that had been there last night, but he wouldn’t shed them this time. Not in front of others. That was only for me to see.

  Hi,” I whispered, swallowing back my own tears.

  He laughed. “Hi.”

  Then he took my hand, and I remembered his soft plea from right before I fell asleep. “Don’t leave me. Please.”

  We weren’t linked by that plea. We’d been linked so long ago, and it wasn’t even a request he had to make. He’d broken down his wall for me when we first fell in love. He’d taken care of me over the last years, and I knew others sometimes forgot to take care of him back, but not me. I would never forget, and just as I had this morning, I reached out and took his hand.

  I glanced down at the tattoo both of us had gotten.

  As we exchanged vows and professed our commitment to each other, we each stole glances down at our fingers. The tattoos were permanent, and the butterflies stood for our sanctuary. Mason’s was sketched in black, whereas mine was colorful, but one at a time, we placed our rings over them.

  We said “I do” and my fingers slid through his and clasped down. Forever.

  “Okay.” Logan raised his glass, holding a microphone in the other hand. He tapped it softly against his glass to get everyone’s attention.

  The room was filled with conversation and laughter, but he gave the signal, and the deejay cut the music.

  “It’s that time, folks.” He dipped his mouth closer to the mic so his voice boomed, “Toast time.” He laughed. “Say that five times fast, huh?”

  A smattering of laughter came from our wedding guests.

  He smirked at everyone, then turned to Mason and me. He had a twinkle in his eye.

  “Aren’t you guys lucky? I like you both. No, that’s not true. I love you both.” He laughed, glancing to where Analise and James sat. “And you guys are lucky too—that it ain’t your wedding. I never did get the private jet, Dad.”

  James sat back, his arm resting on my mother’s chair. He raised it now and motioned to his youngest son. “Anytime. Let me know.”

  “I will.” Logan leveled him with a hard stare. “I mean it. I’m taking that jet.”

  James gave him a thumbs-up, appearing unconcerned.

  “Dude.” Nate leaned forward from the other side of Logan’s empty chair. “Toast, please. Some of us are in line still.”

  “Chill.” Logan motioned toward him. “Simmer down. Your time is coming, but now it’s mine.” He focused on us again, and I saw him melting already. He was softening, but with the slightly glazed look in his eye.

  I wasn’t sure what he was going to say. Logan was unpredictable.

  Mason’s hand touched mine under the table.

  I had to laugh.

  We were literally hanging on now.

  “Talk, Logan,” Mason ordered.

  There was no quick retort for his brother. Logan merely rolled his shoulders back and turned to the crowd. “I think you all know how much I love my brother. I worshiped him growing up, and then I started worshiping Sam when she moved in too. You guys all know the story. Mason and I were like orphans.”

  People began laughing.

  I did too.

  Mason cracked a grin.

  Logan winked at us. “Our mother cheated constantly on our dad, and when he decided to leave her, he left us too. Then we found out our mom wasn’t even our mom, and we were really in a situation. Who was our real mom? Could it be a magical lawyer from Boston? Maybe it was our neighbor across the road the whole time. Maybe we really had a secret brother? No one knew.” He kept a straight face until the end, then he began laughing. “I’m kidding. That’s Nate’s life story.”

  “Hey!”

  Logan ignored him. “For real, this is a weird moment for me, because I remember when Sam and Mason first met. I was there. I think I was there for everything, except a few sex scenes. Although . . .” His grin deepened, and a dimple appeared in his right cheek. “I heard plenty of those too. That’s the uncomfortable part of living together, and holy shit—we lived all over the place. The mansion. Nate’s house. Mom’s house.”

  He glanced to Helen, then turned back. “Malinda’s house. The house in Cain. Shit. I’m sure I’m forgetting places, but we lived in a bunch of different spots. And no joking here, but we may have switched houses, but I never felt like I didn’t have a home. You guys were my home. You guys were my family. You guys are my family. That’s never changed, and I know it never will. Through everything, we were there for each other, and holy fuck—”

  “Logan, there are children here,” someone hissed.

  “Oh. Sorry.” He held a hand up, but didn’t look away from us. Only Mason and I saw the moisture building in his eyes. He stopped, and his Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. Then he gripped the microphone with both hands. “We’ve been through a lot—a lot of hospital visits, a lot of middle-of-the-night phone calls, a lot of good old-fashioned schoolyard fights, and some nastier ones. Yeah.” He drew in a breath, so solemn now.

  I felt a tear slipping free, sliding down my cheek.

  Logan saw it and gave me a soft grin. “I love you guys. And I’m so goddamn honored to have you in our family, Sam.” A rueful laugh slipped out. “Despite your bloodline.”

  “Logan!”

  He ignored James, and his voice dipped low. He said softly, “I am proud to be in our Threesome Fearsome, and I wouldn’t do a damned thing to change us.” He kissed the side of his fist and met it to both of ours, then rocked back on his heels.

  He raised his glass. “So I’m ending this toast, because I have a feeling it’s the most sober one you’re going to get tonight. Please help me welcome Samantha officially into our family. You know, besides the fact that she’s already our stepsister.”

  His grin turned wicked, and he looked back at us. “Welcome to the family, Samantha. And just so you know, you’ve always been one of us, whether you wanted to be or not.” He raised his glass one more time, then finished it in one gulp.

  Everyone drank, and Logan added, “Now I send my apologies, because you have to endure everyone else’s toasts.”

  Nate stood up and his chair scraped back
ward. He held his hand out.

  “Especially Nate’s, but be kind. We love him.”

  Nate took the microphone, half scowling and half laughing. “Sit down. We all know you’re going to be trying to do a second, third, and fourth toast.”

  Logan took the seat beside Mason and nodded. “Oh yeah. That was the censored toast. These folks don’t know what they have coming later.”

  “Hi, everyone.” Nate stepped back from the table, his drink in hand, and gazed at Mason and me for a moment. His voice grew thick as he let out an uncomfortable laugh.

  “Sorry.” His head dipped low, his voice was hoarse. “I’m—I knew I’d have to wrestle this thing from Logan, so I wasn’t fully prepared. Now I’m standing here and staring at someone who I’ve considered a brother all my life, and wow.” His mouth curved into a half-grin. “It’s overwhelming. Man, Mase. I can’t believe you got married. I mean . . .” His eyes found mine. “I knew you were the girl for Mason, but the whole journey we’ve taken. It’s just, wow. It’s a lot.”

  He lifted his head and looked to the crowd. “I’m not an orphan, just so everyone knows. I have some incredible parents.” He pointed. “Right over there.”

  An older woman and man waved.

  Nate cleared his throat. “Yeah. Since I came back, I haven’t left your side. And we’ve had times, like Logan said. I was one of those hospital visits.” He gestured to me. “Sam too, but we’ve gotten through everything, and I know I don’t regret anything. I wouldn’t trade anything with anybody, no matter what was promised to me. Thank you, Mason. Thank you for being my best friend growing up. Thank you for bringing me into the family. Thank you for never turning your back at some of the worst times. And thank you, Sam, for making Mason who he is today.”

  Logan nodded. “She did.”

  “Mason was an ass—”

  “Children!” someone yelled.

  “—not great guy,” Nate continued. “And he’ll say he still isn’t, but he is. You’ve made him a better person. You made him love harder. You made him forgive harder, and the fact that he forgave even a little is a big deal. Mase was never built that way.”

  Mason squeezed my hand, nodding along with Nate.

  “And you’ve made him want to build a better future with you than I think he would’ve if you hadn’t been in the picture. I don’t know what we all would’ve done without you. You’re the glue for us. You hold everyone together, whether you realize it or not, and I thank you for that. I thank you for always being kind to me.”

  Another tear slid down my cheek. “It wasn’t hard,” I murmured. “You were kind to me too.”

  He grinned. “Yeah, well, sometimes I wasn’t the nicest guy.” He shared a look with Mason. “But we’re all here now, and I think I’m kind of in shock.” He clapped Mason on the shoulder, moving to Logan’s shoulder too. “We grew up, guys.”

  Both brothers nodded.

  Nate laughed. “The fact that none of us are in jail right this second speaks volumes. Thank you, Sam, for that too.”

  Laughter rose from the audience.

  “But I really just want to say I love you both. You’re family to me. I know that’ll never change, and I guess, thank you for making it official.” He raised his glass. “To not living in sin anymore.”

  He took a sip as everyone laughed again before joining his salute.

  Heather stood next to me, holding her hand out. “Okay. It’s time for the girls.” Matteo had started to stand, but she shook her head. “Nope. It’s maid of honor time.”

  Matteo sat.

  And Nate handed the microphone to Heather.

  Heather laughed into the microphone, her voice light. “Now, it’s the ladies’ turn.” She moved the bottom of her dress over so it was more centered around her. Heather had been the most reserved about the dress. She’d confessed in the bathroom that she worried everyone would see her breasts. I’d doubled over in laughter, and I giggled again now, thinking about it.

  She had looked sheepish, shrugging as she grabbed her boobs and pushed them up, adjusting.

  “What? I might like to dress skimpy, but I never really show off the girls. They’re for Channing only.”

  “No.” I had touched her arm, still shaking my head. “I have no idea why that’s so funny, but thank you. I worried about the dress, but everyone just agreed, and you never said anything.”

  “I felt bad. I think we’re all just happy for you.” She’d grinned. “Besides, we all look ridiculously hot in this getup.” She looked down at the sheer, light green fabric flowing over the sheath beneath. “You’ve got style. I’ll say that for you, even though Malinda fought you on it. Didn’t she?”

  I’d nodded, still chuckling. “Yeah.” I yawned to stop laughing and wiped at a tear. “She was thinking I’d want a more formal dress, but nope. That’s not me.” I’d reached out and touched Heather’s dress. It was a simple cut, falling just above the knee with a ruched top. The girls had picked their style. They could have spaghetti straps or sleeveless like Heather’s. They all looked comfortable, but so beautiful, and the wedding was all light green and cream. I had little white lights filling the church where we got married, and the reception too. If I had to say so myself, the entire place looked beyond regal and elegant.

  “Malinda started crying when she saw everything last night,” I’d told her. “She said I’d been right and how dare she question me.” I’d smiled, feeling Malinda’s hug again. “I love her.”

  “You got a good one there.” Heather had nodded, her flirty eyes growing serious and misty. “You’re a good one, Sam. I know you think you’re the lucky one, but it’s not you. We’re the lucky ones.”

  I bit my lip, my throat swelling.

  “Those friends you had before, they were assholes. They lost out, completely. There’s a reason Mason loves you, a reason Logan loves you like a sister and has since day one. A reason Malinda cherishes you so much. A reason Mark adores you, and not just because he’s your stepbrother. They all love you because of you. You’re amazing, and you have no idea how good of a person you are.”

  We’d stood in front of the bathroom mirror, and I turned so I was half-hidden by the tampon bin. I felt the tears flowing and couldn’t do anything to stop them.

  “Sam.” Heather had pulled me into her arms. She’d hugged me, and while it should’ve been awkward because both of us had our hair done up and makeup on, it wasn’t.

  I’d hugged her back, whispering, “Thank you.”

  She was the friend I needed who’d appeared at just the right time. And there’d never be words enough for me to express my gratitude to her.

  “Thank you,” she’d whispered back. I’d felt her tears on my shoulder.

  A moment later, I’d stepped back and fluffed her dress out. “See? Another reason my taste is spectacular. Another bride couldn’t have done that.” I’d smoothed my own dress.

  Heather had laughed, dabbing at her eyes. “Yes, another reason.”

  And she was dabbing at her eyes now too, as she held the microphone. Putting her glass down, she reached for a balled-up tissue.

  “I haven’t even started.” She laughed huskily. “I hope it’s okay, Mason, but I’m going to center more on Sam.”

  He nodded. “Of course.”

  She cleared her throat, patting the side of her dress so it was smooth. “So, I have a lot of friends from Roussou and my boyfriend . . .” She gave him a soft smile, and Channing nodded from where he sat at the end of Mason’s groomsmen. “He lives and works there, and he grew up there. I went to Fallen Crest, and Samantha doesn’t know this because she’s never stopped to think about it, but she was actually one of the first good friends I had. I grew up with Roussou people, so my Fallen Crest friends were lacking, until one day I’m sitting outside the bar my dad owned at the time, and here comes this skinny, gorgeous girl. She’s all sweaty and looking at me like she’s a lost puppy wondering if she can have something to eat. I think I scared you that day, but you tha
nked me earlier today for becoming your friend at just the right time. You don’t know this . . .”

  Her voice grew hoarse, and she blinked back tears. “But you did the same for me. I needed a friend too; I just didn’t know it. You always say I’m the tough one, but that’s not true. It’s you. You’re so strong, and I am beyond blessed that you chose me. Like Nate and Logan, I don’t consider you a friend. You’re a sister to me, and I’ve never had one of those. So thank you for that.” She bit off the last word, unable to keep going. Her tears were blinding her.

  Standing, I took the microphone from her and pulled her in for a hug. I struggled to keep my emotions in check, but that’d been the story today. I was crying one second, then laughing the next. I knew we were just starting the evening too.

  Heather tucked her head into the crook of my neck and shoulder.