Healed (32 page)

As the girls began to make their way down the aisle, I noticed how beautiful they looked in the pale blue dresses Emily had chosen, every one of them graceful and serene as they took their place up front.

But I only had eyes for one woman.

When the music reserved only for the bride started, I braced myself for the first glimpse of her in her wedding dress. She’d kept it at Caleb and Angie’s so that I wouldn’t see it. The moment she stepped into view I let out a soft gasp.

Of all the visions and dreams I’d had of this day, none of them could come close to what stood before me. It was if an angel was coming toward me.

Beautiful.

Untouchable.

Ethereal.

When her eyes locked with mine, her smile dawned like sunshine as her father led her, slowly, to the front of the church. The moment he put her hand in mine, all the nerves melted away and everything seemed perfect. The minister began the ceremony, quickly getting to the part where we said our vows. After all I’d put Emily through, I’d decided that writing our own vows would give me a chance to tell her everything I felt for her. The minister gestured for me to begin.

“Emily,” I gently squeezed her hands, “you are my life, my world. Each day goes by and I can’t imagine what my life would have become without you. You are my everything, the other half of me. Without you I’m incomplete. I love you, Emily Halliday . . . more than any words could ever say.”

At the sight of the tear slipping down her cheek, I lifted my hand and used my thumb to wipe it away.

“Andrew, all my life I’ve searched for the one man who was destined to be mine. Even though time and circumstances weren’t always on our side, we found a way to find each other again. You are my soul mate, the love of my life, and I don’t know what I would ever do without you.”

My eyes started to burn with her words.

The minster had us exchange rings and it was over. That fast. Finally, the woman I loved above all others was my wife.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

As I touched my lips to Emily’s, I thought of all of the obstacles and hurdles we’d overcome to get to that point. We were stronger people for it and now we had each other.

And we were right where we were both supposed to be.

5 months later . . .

Andrew

I WAS A FUCKING
nervous wreck. Pacing the waiting room wasn’t helping, but neither was sitting. My hands were trembling and my stomach felt like bringing up everything I’d eaten in the last month. The only sound in the room was the sound of my shoes as they squeaked across the floor. I continued to pull my tongue piercing between my lips in what had become a nervous habit since I’d gotten it done.

“Would you calm down,” Emily said, flipping through a magazine. “Everything is going to be fine.”

How could she not be freaking out? She was so calm it was scary. Emily was never that calm. “I’m trying. It’s a little hard.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Bentley, you can come back now.” The nurse standing at the open door said.

Emily stood up and looked me in the eye. “It’s going to be fine, I promise.”

I nodded but took hold of her hand, needing the comfort.

When we walked into the room and I saw all the equipment, set up and ready to go, a wave of dizziness crashed over me and I swayed on my feet. The nurse ran over and shoved me into a chair. With a look of disapproval, she turned her attention back to Emily.

“There’s a gown on the table. The doctor will be in in a minute.”

“Thank you,” Emily said and watched the nurse walk out of the room before starting to remove her clothing. “Deep breaths, Andrew. You can do this.”

I tried to follow her advice, taking long, slow breaths, but it wasn’t helping. There was a knock on the door and the doctor walked in.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Bentley. Are we ready to find out the sex of this baby?”

“I am,” Emily smirked and gestured toward me. “Mr. Worrywart over there is trying not to have a panic attack.”

What did she expect when we were one of the lucky couples to actually get pregnant on their honeymoon? Don’t get me wrong, I’d been ecstatic when Emily told me. We’d talked about having kids, although, I expected it to be a little further down the line. Just the thought that our child, a perfect blend of the two of us, was growing inside her was a little overwhelming.

“I’m just overwhelmed. I’m not sure what kind of father I’ll be.”

Emily grabbed my hand and squeezed. “You have an amazing father, and he taught you well. You are going to be the best father ever.”

“What if I mess up?” The doctor squeezed some blue jelly crap onto Emily’s bare stomach.

“Of course you’re going to mess up—we both are! But as long as we love our son or daughter that’s all that matters.”

“Daughter,” the doctor chimed in.

My head snapped in her direction. “Did you say
daughter
?” I could just imagine a little girl running around, the very image of her mother.

“That’s exactly what I said.”

I looked back to Emily, who was crying. “Oh, baby, why are you upset?”

She shook her head. “I’m not. I’m just so incredibly happy. Well, that . . . and the hormones.”

I chuckled and kissed her on the head. “Me too, love. Me too.” I turned back to watch the video screen with my daughter on it.

My daughter. It just sounded so right.

“Andrew?” Emily whispered.

Looking back, I noticed the tears hadn’t stopped. “Yeah, Em?”

“I know it’s early to worry about this, but I think we should name her Sarah.”

That one word brought tears to my own eyes. “I don’t think it’s early. I think it is perfect.”

Standing there, holding Emily’s hand as the doctor showed us our baby, I realized how far we’d come. We’d had our share of heartache and missteps, but we managed to find our way back to each other. Emily was my whole world, and I would spend the rest of my life showing her that. And while my mom couldn’t be there to see my beautiful family, I knew she was watching us from above. I knew she’d be proud of the man I’d become, the husband I was.

The father I was soon to be.

THIS BOOK HAS BEEN
a long process. Emily and Andrew were introduced to all of us in Forgiven. So many people grew to love Emily that I knew I had to tell her and Andrew’s story and while the suffer through their trials and tribulations, I hope that this last glimpse of the Forgiven crew was as bittersweet for you as it was for me. I love this group and I’m sad to be saying goodbye to them. They will always hold a special place in my heart.

There are so many people who helped to make these characters come to life. First, to my amazing beta readers: Lisa, Coleen, and Tracy, you ladies keep me grounded. Thank you so much for giving me honest feedback. It helps me more than you will ever know. I’m glad I get to work with you ladies and excited to call you my friends.

To the members of AS101 and Author BFFs, thank you for the chats and support. An ear to listen is sometimes all we need.

My sanity may never survived through this book without my late night conversations, well late night for me anyway. Brandy, thank you so much. From beta reading to my crazy ramblings, I’m so glad to have met you and I can’t wait until the day we can meet in person. You help and knowledge has be invaluable to me.

To the best PA in the world, Miranda, thank you for keeping me on track and organized because we all know that I am an absolute train wreck when it comes to that stuff.

Christine, I’m so glad I joined the Hype PR. You can always tell me what to do, I am always going to trust your judgment and advice. I’m thrilled that I finally got to see you in Tampa and can’t wait for RARE2014.

The covers of my books always show the extreme talents of the wonderful Regina of Mae I Design. Thank you for your patience with me and my indecisiveness. I love all of the covers you’ve made and I can’t wait to see what you come up with in the future.

Ryn, Healed wouldn’t even have a title without your guidance and suggestion. As always you’ve been invaluable to this book and it wouldn’t’ t be what it is today.

Forgiven Series:

Forgiven

Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1t3QGbO

Redemption

Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1jqxmnu

Letters Home:

Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1kZ6M5H

Coming Soon:

Mistletoe and Kiss Anthology

Including
Coming Home

Letters Home 1.5

(November 7
,
2014)

Second Chances

(2015)

Binding Consequences

(2015)

Rebecca Brooke grew up in the shore towns of South Jersey. She loves to hit the beach, but always with her kindle on hand. She is married to the most wonderful man, who puts up with all of her craziness. Together they have two beautiful children who keep her on her toes. When she isn’t writing or reading (which is very rarely) she loves to bake and watch episodes of Shameless and True Blood.

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