by Erin Trejo
“Tell her I love her and you better not fuck this up,” I tell them before aiming it at my head.
Chapter 31
Harper
Lydia smiles. That’s about all she does. She’s not big on crying either. Just when she’s hungry. She’s all dressed up for our day out.
“She looks so cute in that dress,” Josie squeals. I smile over at her and nod.
“If she’d stop chewing the bow it would be great,” I say as I yet again pull the little bow from her mouth. Lydia smiles and coos up at me. She’s beautiful. I never thought something could be so beautiful. She was born with a headful of red hair like mine, but over the last five months, her looks have changed. She looks so much like Lynx. From her little eyes down to her ears. She is a mini version of him.
“I can’t get over that hair,” Josie says running her hands over her little head.
“I know. It’s so bright.”
“She’s too cute. How are you feeling?” she asks and my heart sinks. I reach up instinctively and run my fingers over the scar. My first heart surgery I don’t even remember but this one… I wish I never had to have it. The life that was lost… for me. Tears spring to my eyes as I think about it. Giving someone an organ is the greatest gift in the world, but his heart? Once I found out, I cried. I cried for hours because I didn’t want it. I still don’t but I can’t complain much because I’m here and alive and with my daughter. I take a deep breath and clear the fog that surrounds me.
“I’m good. I feel strong, which is always good. The doctor said everything looks really good,” I tell her with a small smile.
“He would have wanted it this way, Harper.”
“I know, it’s just hard to accept it. My life isn’t what I thought it would be, Josie. There is so much that happened and I feel so torn. I’m just glad that Lydia is okay and that I have you guys.”
“You about ready?” Stan asks, walking toward us. I look to Josie and she nods happily.
“Yeah, we are.” I load Lydia into her car seat and into the car. Stan and Josie remain silent on the drive to the bar. Chip has worked his ass off on finishing it in time for the big party. After Josie had some big time singers come in, the bar attracted a lot more attention. The expansion was the best part of all. That space is going to come in handy now. We haven’t seen it yet but we’re told the finishing touches are done and ready to be seen by the world. I couldn’t wait to see what it looked it.
“You don’t think he did something dumb like hang up disco balls or something, do you?” I tease from my spot in the back seat.
“Goddamn you, Harper! What if he did? Shit. You got me nervous!” Josie squeals as I laugh. I can’t help it. I love getting this girl riled up.
We pull up behind the bar and park. We all climb out as I grab Lydia and follow behind them. Josie looks nervous as hell and I find it a tad funny. Stan pulls the door open and ushers us all in. The room is dimly lit, but when we step inside, all the lights flip on. I gasp and look around. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. There room is decorated as if there might be a wedding or something here. Flower petals line the floors and as I follow with my eyes to where they stop, I gasp. Tears spring to my eyes when Josie takes Lydia from my arms. Tears keep falling as I cover my mouth with my hand. He walks toward me slowly, my heart beating quickly in my chest. When he offers me his hand, I take it. We walk to the front with Josie and Stan right behind us.
“What is this?” I ask through the tears.
“This is a real marriage.” I hiccup a laugh when he lets my hand go. Leaning down, he presses a kiss to the scar on my chest.
“Without you, I wouldn’t be here. Without you, she wouldn’t be here. There will never be enough thanks in the world for you. You made a dream come true for the both of us and that truly means the world to me,” he whispers. I cry harder. This man is killing me here. When he pulls back, I nearly sob looking into his eyes. He grabs my hands and holds them tightly.
“I watched you lie there, lifeless. I knew that I had to do somtehin’. I couldn’t let you go, but I knew that little girl needed you more. My life was nothin’ without you in it. It never will be. If one of us were to live, it had to be you. Someone stopped me, though,” he says as my eyes find Grind, giving him a huge smile before looking back up. “He made me realize that I needed to be here. I needed you. I needed her. I never want to live without either of you, Harper. I love you more than my own life. Will you marry me?”
“We’re already married,” I giggle.
“The right way. Marry me the right way, baby. You already know I’d give my life for yours.”
“I love you, Lynx. I will always love you. Yes,” I say. Lynx leans in and kisses me softly.
“I love you so much if fuckin’ hurts.”
“Your best friend gave me his heart, Lynx. Vic will always be with us now and I can’t think of a better way to honor him than marrying you again.” What Lynx didn’t know is that I was on the waiting list for a new heart for a long time. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him or anyone that. It was my secret to hold on to and I did. People wait a long time for transplants, and if one doesn’t come, well, you know the outcome. The doctor said it was a one in a million miracle that Vic was a match for me. Some would say it was luck, I say it was love.
“Fuck, Harper,” he rasps, kissing me harder. When he pulls me into a hug, I sigh in happiness.
“I’ll always run to you, Lynx.”
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