First Love (30 page)

“This was my mother’s. She passed away before I knew you were my daughter. She would have loved you and you her. You look a lot like her. I'll have to show you some pictures sometime. I would like you to have this. Her mother gave it to her on her wedding day." He hands me the box. I open it to find the most exquisite diamond and amethyst bracelet. The style looks Victorian and so unique. I have never seen anything like it. Plus, it has amethysts in it, and I do love anything purple.

"It is amazing and gorgeous. It looks so old, it must have been in the family for a long time."

“From what I was told, it’s from the late 1800's, and has been in the family as long. Someday you may have a daughter to pass it on to." I give him a huge hug. This is one of the most amazing gifts I have ever received. He lifts the bracelet out of the box and clasps it on my wrist. It looks even better on.

“Thank you. I love it, Dad." Wow. That was the first time I have called him dad, but it just felt right. Damn. I am going to have to touch-up my make-up.

“I love you, too. I like being called Dad," he says with a smile and teary eyes. “Okay, this is from your grandma. She gave it to me about six months before she passed away and asked me to give it to you on your wedding day. I will let you read it in private. See you in a little bit." He kisses my forehead and walks out the door. I am going to be emotionally exhausted before the wedding even starts. I miss my grandparents every day. Today, I have missed them more than usual. I never imagined this day without them. I take a deep breath and get my shaky hands to open the envelope. As soon as I unfold the paper and see her handwriting, I smile.

Dear Amber,

I want to make sure you know we are with you on this special day, maybe not in body, but in spirit. You are so much more to us than just a granddaughter. You are the most precious gift we were ever given. You have always made us so very proud of you. I couldn't be happier that you and Kyle finally realized what all of the rest of us already knew, that the two of you were meant to be together. The two of you were in love long before either of you knew what love was. You probably think I’m crazy, writing this letter while you are engaged to someone other than Kyle not even living in the same state. Maybe I am, but I am pretty sure it is Kyle you are marrying today. Your grandfather and I both have loved Kyle like a grandson since we met him and have seen how much he loves you. We knew why you left to go to Atlanta, it's a small town and people talk. I never stuck my nose in it except the once to tell him where you lived. Unfortunately, that wasn't the right time for the two of you either. You make sure to tell him how happy we are that he is part of our family and to take care of our baby. Tell him that we love him and always have.

I am also sure by now Beasley has told you about your parents. Amber, we can't apologize enough for how we handled that. At first, we just weren't thinking clearly. We had just found out about the affair and that Charles wasn't your biological father. Of course that part didn't matter to us where you were concerned. We loved you and you were our granddaughter, biology had nothing to do with that. We loved your mother. She was hurting and our son was hurting. You'll see one day when you have children, when they hurt, you hurt. Then, he did the most unthinkable thing imaginable to me. I hate what he did to your mother and to himself, but I loved my son. It was so confusing for me, the different emotions all bombarding me at once. I hated the monster that would so coldly take the life of the woman he loved, then so cowardly take his own. But, I loved the son that I raised. The one that was always sweet, gentle, kind, and loving. He was head over heels in love with your mother. And you, my dear, had him wrapped around your tiny little finger. I was so torn with my feelings. When I would grieve for my son, I would feel so much guilt. It is an unbearable feeling to love and hate your own child in equal amounts. If it wasn't for you, I don't think your grandfather and I would have survived. You gave us hope, love, and happiness. Part of not telling you was selfish and for that, I am truly sorry. I was afraid if you knew our son was such a monster you wouldn't want to be anywhere near us. Beasley is a good man. I hope you are giving him a chance. He wanted to tell you that he was your father. I think he loved and respected us too much to ever push us on it, though. We have apologized to him for not allowing him to be the father he should have been for all those years. I hope someday you can forgive us and know that we never intended to hurt you in anyway.

Please, always remember that we love you more than anything in this world. You have made our lives so wonderful. We are so proud of the strong, smart, beautiful, and loving woman you have grown to be. We will always be with you, watching over you, and loving you especially today. We love you, Amber.

Love Always and Forever,

Grandma and Grandpa

Yeah, I am definitely going to need a touch up for my face. I can't imagine what they must have gone through when Charles killed my mother and himself. You would never have known that my grandparents had been through that kind of heartache and agony. They were always such happy, sweet, and loving people. I didn't just save them, I think we saved each other. I mean Beau went through the same thing with his parents and look at the kind of monster he turned out to be. Just the thought of him brings back that dreaded feeling in the pit of my stomach. I am not going to feel like that today. I will worry about him and his craziness after our wedding. I still can't believe that my grandmother had so much faith that Kyle and I would end up together, even when I was engaged to Daniel. It would have been a little embarrassing if I wasn't marrying Kyle. I am laughing at that thought when all of the girls walk in for last minute touch-ups. Thank God because I really need one. It's almost time.

I
AM
sitting on the front porch of the house trying to keep myself from going to see Amber. I hated not being with her last night and not waking up with her this morning. The front door opens and Beasley walks out.

"Mind if I join you for a minute?" he asks as he motions to the chair beside me.

"No, not at all. Have you seen Amber yet?" I ask.

"I have, you are one very lucky man. She is the most beautiful bride I have ever seen, and I'm not just saying that because she's my daughter," he says with a chuckle and a beaming smile. It is so easy to see how much he loves her, how proud he is to be her father. I am so glad he told her the truth about everything. She has handled it all in true Amber fashion, just like I thought she would. They have spent quite a bit of time together the last few weeks and they seem to be really bonding.

"Believe me, I know how lucky I am to have her in my life. She is an amazing person. I am going to do my damnedest every day to make her as happy as she makes me."

"There is no doubt in my mind of that, Son. As long as you love her, she'll be happy. I have something for you." He hands me a white sealed envelope with my name handwritten on the front. I look at it carefully. It looks like Ima's handwriting.

"Ima gave it to me about six months before she passed away. She told me to give it to you on your wedding day." He laughs and shakes his head. "The day you and Amber got married. That woman always swore up and down it would happen, they are fated to be together was what she always said. I'll let you read it, I have to go check on Amber." He pats me on the back and goes back in the house. I open the letter and begin to read it.

Dear Kyle,

I am so happy for you today. I have always known in my heart this day would come. You and Amber were meant to be together, I told you that when you came to me wanting to know how to find her. Gene and I couldn't be happier that you are the man she will be spending the rest of her life with. We have always loved you like you were our own grandson, and now you are. We are very proud of the man you have become. I know you will take care of our granddaughter and treasure her like the precious gift that she is.

I imagine it wasn't easy on her when she learned the truth about her parents, but with such a loving, caring man by her side, I am sure it was much more bearable. For that, I thank you. Beasley is a good man, and he loves Amber very much. I hope neither of you hold any of this against him. He wanted to tell her the truth so many times, but respected our wishes not to.

We never told her because we thought we were protecting her. I hope you both know we would never intentionally do anything to hurt either of you.

We are with you both today and always in spirit. We love you both very much, and are at peace knowing the two of you are finally together, making one another happy.

Love always and forever,

Grandma and Grandpa

And here I didn't think today could get any better. I have always thought of them as my grandparents. I never knew any of mine and they always treated me the same way they did Amber. They were amazing people. I really loved them both and I miss them so much every day. I hope Amber is okay, I am sure Ima had a similar letter for her today, as well. Not having her grandparents here today will be the hardest thing for her. At least now she has Beasley. Unfortunately, my mother is too sick to travel, so she won't be here today. I told her not to worry, that we would come to visit her soon. Nothing is going to ruin how happy I am today. I get to marry the girl of my dreams, my true love, my soul mate. What could be better than that? I put the letter in my jacket pocket and start heading out toward the pond. It's show time!