BREAKTHROUGH (Love's Not Easy Series Book 2) (10 page)

Chapter Eleven

The turnout for the concert was awesome. Lexi had managed to get backstage passes for the group.  That way they could mingle with the performers and see if any would be interested in helping with the ball.

The second band of the evening was getting ready to start their set.  The buzz in the backstage area was that this group was going to be the next big thing in Christian Music.  The first group, called Believers, just finished their set and the lead singer announced One Step Closer and the crowd went wild.

The first song they sang was an A Capella version of
Here I Come to Worship. 
The harmony the guys produced was one of the best Aimee had ever heard.  Once the guys finished the song, they went straight to a very uplifting song they wrote themselves. Everywhere you looked, you could see hands raised praising God. Aimee and the others decided they definitely wanted them to sing at the ball.

It was the fourth and final song of the set for One Step Closer. Aimee was enjoying their performance.  Tonight was, by far, one of the best nights she had in a long time.  She was focused on the band when a pair of arms wrapped around her.

She knew the hands.  It was too gentle to be LJ.  When she turned around, she was looking straight into Aiden’s eyes.  She wrapped her arms around him.  “I have missed you.”

Aiden laughed.  “Likewise.”

“How did you know where to find us?”
 

“Lexi sent me a text about the festival.  I called Colin, we ordered three tickets and here we are.”

“Why three tickets?”

Aiden nodded to his right Colin was holding hands with Kelli, the girl he started dating in February.  The second he spotted her looking his way, he came over and gave her a hug.

Aimee whispered.  “Real deal?”

He grinned.  “Definitely, the real deal.”

“I am happy for you.”

The guys told the girls they left their stuff at the flat.  They were moving in tonight.  Aimee was so happy and she couldn’t wait to watch a sunrise with Aiden.

The night was great.  One Step Closer agreed to perform at the ball. The concerts ended at midnight.  The festival would begin tomorrow at noon.  When the group of friends returned to the flat, they were too excited to sleep.  Colin announced he had been attending church with Kelli all summer and he was saved a few weeks ago. He had talk to Rev. Mark and Sunday morning he was going to be baptized.

The next morning, Aimee awoke at five am and headed down the stairs. Aiden was already making a pot of coffee. She could already smell the difference in the coffee brands.  She wanted to show him the perfect spot to watch the sunrise.  She found it walking the beach her first weekend here.

He took her hand, and helped her over a few rocks; then, she showed him the spot on the beach.  She had already brought a basket with a blanket that she hid behind some rocks.  She took out the basket and spread out the blanket.  Aiden laughed as he looked in the basket, which also had sunblock, a Bible, and a sun hat in it.

“I come down here during the day to be alone.  No one really comes down to this part of the beach, so I can be here alone, just me and God.”

Aiden helped her spread out the blanket; then, he handed her the coffee, while he sat beside her.  “So, does this mean I can only come here of the morning?”

She grinned.  “You are always welcome.  How are things with you and Ava?”

“We broke up.”

“Really, when?”

“The first weekend of summer holiday.”

“Does she blame me?”

“No.  We agreed we want different things in life.  She already has another boyfriend.  What is the story with you and LJ?”

Aimee shifted in her seat she explained to Aiden everything that had happened with her and LJ since she returned to Neahovia.  He laughed when she described his family.  He frowned when she told them they were now dating.  The frown never left his face as she told him about their last date mini golfing and Thursday night’s phone call.

“Aimee, you don’t have to put up with that.  He is a jerk and doesn’t deserve you.”

“I know.  I feel stuck.”

“Take it from someone who was stuck in a bad relationship.  The sooner you take care of the problem, the better.”

“I have prayed about it and, the next time I see him, I am breaking up.”

“Good.”

Aimee sat and watched the sunrise with Aiden.  She had missed this so much.  She also realized Lexi was right.  She was not attracted to LJ at all.  She was attracted to the man who was holding her with care in his arms, watching the sunrise over the ocean.

Aiden was so disappointed.  He wanted to tell Aimee how he felt about her, but right now it was not a good time.  He would have to give her space.  Let her get over the horrible relationship with LJ.

Aiden had not went to lease a car for the school year yet, so he rode with Aimee to the festival.  She played worship songs in the car on the drive up. They both were quiet for the first few minutes.

“Is my driving scaring you so much you’re speechless?”

“No.  I was just thinking.”

“Want to share your thoughts?”

“It’s nothing, really.  How are things with Roseednay Fruits?”

“Great, now.  We have made a few changes with advertising.  I haven’t got to visit the farm yet.  The orchard is just a small part of Roseednay, it seems we own several orchards and farms. We produce a lot of fruits and vegetables.”

“So, when are you planning to visit Orchid Orchard?”

“Now that you are here, soon.  I didn’t want to do it with LJ.  He doesn’t know anything about my business life.  I want to keep it that way.”

“Well, I am glad you waited for me.”

Aimee grinned.  “You are worth waiting for.”

The morning festival was featuring artist of what was the Neahovia version of Southern Gospel.  A group called Seven Times Around played first.   They were so uplifting and, after their set, they agreed to sing at the ball.

The entire day was so awesome.  Aimee felt her spirit lifting after every performer performed their set.  The group booked one more act, a female soloist named Rachel Dawn.  She was in her mid twenties and sang all genres of Christian Music. She agreed to the ball.  The festival ended at nine.

On the way home, the group decided to stop in at Frank’s for dinner.  Aimee and Aiden were the last to arrive. They entered laughing.  Aiden had told Aimee a funny joke and she was laughing so hard, she was holding her side and his arm.

Lexi text that they were seated in the family area of the restaurant.  On the way to the family area, they passed a group of a loud crowd of guys.  Aimee thought she recognized a few of them from campus.

Frank had added an old time juke box to the area and Aimee taught a group of girls one of her old group numbers from dance class.  After they ate, Aiden put on a slow song and took Aimee by the hand.  She felt so at ease in his arms.

That night, she prayed hard to God.  She knew she had to break up with LJ and the feelings she was having for Aiden were growing strong.  She could only think of two reasons she could not reveal her feelings.  One, was the fact they shared a flat.  The second, was that she was scared to ruin their friendship.

The next morning, everyone went to the church. The worship service message was one about our fear.  Rev. Mark started with the verse of
Luke 1:37 for with God nothing shall be impossible.
  He spoke about how we, as humans, let fear of the unknown rule our lives.  We will let it build up in us, until it starts to consume our every thoughts.

He touched on how we are humans with emotions and, from time to time, Satan will try to take over our thoughts by using our emotions.  He pointed out how God is not the creator of temptation or fear
.  2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind
.

The last thing he touched on, was how the devil takes that fear and uses it to talk them out of turning to God
.  Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
he talked about how none of us are worthy of God’s grace and forgiveness, but through the blood of Jesus Christ, He forgives us of the sins we commit.

At the end of the service, Colin was baptized.  As they stood by the baptism pool, Mark spoke about how, almost a year ago, God placed a group of seven friends together.  He knew His plans for this group, even when they did not.  He placed two Christian girls in that flat and today we are witnessing the third baptism from that flat at our church.  He grinned as he told the congregation that he is our third, but the flat’s fourth, because the other girl was baptized elsewhere.

Aimee and Piper hugged one another.  As they looked at Mark and Colin, they both announced.  “The praise belongs to God.”

After the baptism, everyone went to Mark and Tessa’s for dinner.  Colin and Kelli were so happy.  Everyone was happy.  Aimee and Aiden joined Cameron and her boyfriend for a game of corn hole.  Actually, they taught it to Aiden.

It was not long before everyone was playing and a tournament of corn hole was started. Aiden caught on quick, but he and Aimee lost in the final round to Tessa and Mark.  Aimee overheard Colin and Aiden talking about purchasing one for the flat.

They stayed so long at the Andrews’, until it was time to go back to evening service.  Aiden joined them again.  He listened to the words of God Mark was preaching, he was even taking notes.  On the ride home, he told Aimee he had been reading his Bible while on holiday break. He had gone to church with Colin a few times.  He also confessed that going to church has helped him understand himself better.

That night, Aimee prayed for Aiden in so many ways.  She prayed for his salvation, his life, and for God to help her with her feelings about him.  She had such a good time with him this weekend.  She went to bed without thinking once about LJ.

Chapter Twelve

Aimee contacted the caregivers over Roseednay Fruits first thing Monday morning, and, told them she wanted to visit there for the weekend before classes resumed next week.  He set up a tour on Friday, starting at nine am.  She made reservations for four rooms at the hotel they stayed at in the spring.

She had a meeting with Mr. Myers at ten.  She told him about the visit to Mystic Paradise and convinced him to let Jaxson go, to see how they can update the computer hardware at the orchard.

Once all arrangements were made, she went to what she was using as her office for now in the IT department.  She called Jaxson to the office and took out her phone to text Lexi.  That was when she realized she had not checked her messages from yesterday.  Her phone was still on vibrate from church.

Jaxson came in and closed the door.  “What’s up?”

“Let me get Lexi on speaker first.”

Lexi answered on the third ring. “Hey, Aimee.”

“Hey, I have Jaxson with me.”

“Hi, honey.  How is your day going?”

“Great, until your friend, my boss, called me to the office.”

“Oh, you are not in trouble.  I want to know if you guys would like to go to Mystic Paradise this weekend.  I am going to tour the orchards on Friday and thought it would be a fun way to spend our last week before class.”

Lexi chimed in.  “I have Piper and three of the guys with me.  It is a go for us.”

Jaxson shook his head. “I work Friday.”

“Well, we can come down when you get off, honey.  We will work out something.”  Lexi was chipper.

Aimee grinned.  “Actually, I have taken care of that.  Jaxson is going with me on the tour as well.  He is going to represent the IT department.”

“Wow.  I love my boss, Lexi.”

“Hey, watch it.”

Aimee laughed.  “I already reserved four rooms for the weekend at the hotel we stayed at in March.  Colin, tell Kelli, she is invited.”

Piper and Lexi started preparing for things for the group to do for fun.  Aimee wanted them to go on the tour with them, everyone agreed.  Colin was going to invite Kelli to go.  Aimee ask him not to let LJ know what they had planned.

Before Jaxson left, Aimee told him a little about her mom.  She told him that when he came over for the cookout tonight, she would fill him in on the rest.  The rest of the day, Aimee visited with all the departments.

Jaxson was listening as they told him about Aimee’s mom’s diaries and the things they found out in the spring.  He said his mom’s youngest sister was single during the Radical War and the family had to come up with the money to send her to an aunt in Canada.  His grandmother was ok, as long as she lived with his parents.

Aimee started spending less of her days at the office. She sat in on interviews for the new IT department manager.  They selected a lady who had worked there for five years and knew both sides of the department managing and IT.

Aimee showed her where she had filed things in the office and went over some of the reports she made.  Thursday morning, Aimee went for a walk to her private area of the beach.  She had her mom’s diary, water, and snacks.

She had made her way to May 3
rd
, 1988.  Most of the entries, up till now, were all about planning her wedding.  She was so excited.  She talked about her dress and how she couldn’t wait to see RGA’s face when she walked down the aisle.  The thing that bothered Aimee was how her mom talked about hiding her wedding day from MAL.

Today, Aimee wanted to read the wedding day.  She read the two days before, as her mom described the final hours of her single life.  The day before, she described the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner and about her beating heart as she said goodbye to RGA.

May 4
th
, 1988

It is seven am and I am up.  I watched the sunrise over the orchard today.  I am having so many mix feelings right now.  I am happy I am marrying RGA today and beginning our lives.  I am sad that I am leaving my mom.  I worry for her safety.  The Radicals are getting worse.  They are starting to move outside their usual areas.  They are trying to take over the entire country.

I am also afraid our plans to keep MAL away from the wedding will fail.  I hate that HAL is putting herself in danger for me.  I have talked to RGA, we need to figure out how to get her out of that house.

The biggest emotion right now is anxiety.  I am just anxious to get this day started.  I can’t wait to walk down that aisle and vow my love to RGA.

My mom is calling, so I have to wrap this entry up.  I hid some of my stuff in a loose board in the back of my closet.  It is some of the most personal things to me.  I can’t chance MAL finding them.

Aimee flipped the page just as she felt someone beside her.

“Hey, Aiden.”

Aiden looked at the diary.  “Where are you?”

“Wedding day.”

“You know you shouldn’t read that alone.”

“Yeah.  I am glad you are here.”  She handed him the diary.  “You read, ok?”

“Ok.”  Aiden turned looked at the diary.  He was going to read about the wedding ceremony.  He took a deep breath.

May 4
th
, 1988

I am now officially Mrs. RGA.  The wedding was so great.  When the ushers opened the church doors and I saw the man of my dreams standing at the alter waiting for me.  I cried. He was the most handsome guy I had ever seen.  Nothing else in the world matter to me at those seconds, but him.  I cried all the way down the aisle.  My mom walked with me down the aisle and gave me away. When he took my hand, I noticed the tears in his eyes.  The look in his eyes showed the love he has for me.  The ceremony was traditional.  I thought the preacher would never get to the rings or pronounce us man and wife, but when I heard him say the words, you may now kiss the bride and RGA caressed my lips with the most passionate kiss, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.  In his arms is the only place I feel safe.  That is how God showed me that RGA was the right man for me.  I always felt safe in RGA’s arm.  He is definitely my soul mate. I have no question about his love for me.  I was going to be with the man of my dreams till death do us part.

I am writing this entry on the plane.  We are flying to London, then we are boarding a cruise ship for the next week. I pray for God to be with my mom while we are gone.  RGA’s dad is watching over her.  I am not going to write another entry until we return to Neahovia.

Aiden wrapped Aimee in his arms. “Are you ok?”

“Yeah, every entry since the engagement has been about how much she loved him.  The way she feels when he entered the room.  The way his eyes sparkle.  How good his body looked in certain outfits.”

“You seem to be taking all of that good.”

“I realized that, if it had not been for RGA, my mom’s life would be a lot different.  He loved her and protected her form MAL.  God put them together for a reason.”

“You are amazing, Aimee.”

“Thanks.”  Her phone rang and she sent the call to voicemail.

“Who was that?”

“LJ. I don’t feel like fighting with him right now.”

“Does he know we are leaving town tonight?”

“No.  I told Colin not to say anything.  I don’t want him nosing around.”

“You really don’t trust him?”

“Not as far as I could throw him.  When I read my mom’s journal, I realize more and more that he is not the guy God wants me to be with.  Somehow I messed up God’s plan.”

“I don’t think you messed up.  I think Satan tricked you.”

“Yeah, but remember when we talked about how God speaks to us and it is up to us to listen and do what is right?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“I don’t think I really took the time to listen fully to what God was trying to tell me.”

“Aimee, I read Nahum today and I think verse 1:7 is a good verse for you right now.”  He took the Bible Aimee had in her basket and turned to Nahum 1:7 and read it to her.  “Nahum
1:7 - The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him
.”

“Wow.  I never knew you had been reading the Bible that much, Aiden. And you are right, I need to just trust the strong hold God has on my troubles with LJ.”

Aiden laughed.  “I have been meeting with Rev. Mark this week, while you were at the office.  I am trying to understand my life right now.”

“I will keep praying for you.”  Aimee took the diary. “I can read now.”

May 12
th
, 1988

We arrived home late last night.  MAL was waiting for us when we arrived at the airport.  RGA had to call the law.  Mom called HAL today and she is not answering her phone.  We are getting worried. RGA is at work, he said if she does not return our call by lunch, he will come home and we can call the law.

I fear something went wrong. They only kept MAL in jail for a few hours before someone posted his bail.  I have noticed three cars that I know belong to Radical members going by our house today.  On top of all this, word of AES’s engagement was leaked to the tabloids.

That is causing a mess of its own and causing more of a stir in the Radicals.  MAL and his friends are furious. I am going to go and pray for the ladies of Neahovia.

Aimee turned to Aiden.  “I… think...”

Aiden took the diary and wrapped Aimee in his arms, while he read the next entry marked that night.

I don’t know where to start writing tonight.  My heart is so broken.  MAL really beat HAL up this time.  The cops went to her house and found her.  She is in the hospital with a police guard at the door.  Mom said they are questioning HAL about MAL’s involvement with the Radicals.  She won’t talk.  RGA is trying to find twenty four hour protection for me and mom. His dad is contacting some of his business associates, to see what we can legally do to protect our family.

I pray that this ends soon. I know God is in control and not the doer of evil.  I fear, however, that Satan has entered the hearts and minds of many of the Neahovian men.  I fear it may be awhile before things are right here again.

Aimee looked in Aiden’s eyes.  He looked as hurt as she felt.  “I can’t not imagine living in those days.”

“Remember when Alice said that the things she told us was not going to be in the history books?  How they could not put what the women went through in words?” Aiden held her closer

“Yeah.”

“Your mom is doing a good job.  I never imagined the times like that.  My mom doesn’t mention it much.  She lost a lot of her good friends during the days of the Radicals.”

Aimee looked at her watch.  “We have about thirty minutes before we have to go get ready to hit the road.”

“I will read another entry.”

May 18
th
, 1988

I have not been able to write the last few days. Life went crazy here.  I was doing some grocery shopping two days ago and MAL approached me.  He grabbed my arms and threaten to kill me if I did not divorce RGA.  When I told him never, he shoved my head against a wall. I could feel the blood running down my face.  He had a hand around my throat. He said that my mom and HAL were going to pay for going behind his back and allowing this marriage.

He tightened his grip.  He told me I had ruined everything for my family and so many more women.  He told me that I would be responsible for the fate of many lives, if I did not do as he said.  I was confused, but now, I remember him saying I need to stop somebody’s marriage and something about taking my place as the wife of who he says.