Chasing Forevermore (7 page)

“Did you have fun?” I asked Harley as I buttoned up her coat, waiting to exit the Christmas train.

“Yesh!” she shouted, still a bit excited.

“Here, let me take her,” Hayes suggested, sticking his hands out. “That way you can get down the steps easier.”

“Thanks,” I said, then exited out of the train car with Hayes, Harley, and Hayes’ parents following us.

“I was thinking,” Rose began, “that you two might like a date night. We’d love to watch her for you.”

“That’d be great, Mom. Thanks,” Hayes said immediately, not giving me a chance to respond or even think about the offer. It did sound nice though, especially after the last week I put us through.

“Let me go get her car seat out of Mac’s car. I’ll be right back,” he stated a little too enthusiastically, handing Harley off to his dad.

“Sorry,” I said. “I guess we hardly get any free time between Harley and school.” We started walking toward their car to wait on Hayes.

“It’s okay. I remember when our kids were little. I would jump at any chance to have thirty minutes to myself,” Rose stated, and Lucas laughed.

“Oh, yes, and she didn’t care whether I was with her or not. She just wanted some time away.”

Hayes met us at the car and hooked up Harley’s seat in the backseat before buckling her in. “We’ll only be out for a couple hours.”

“Take your time,” Lucas stated, opening the door. “We like having time with her.”

“Thank you.” I smiled as he got in the car. I loved how much they loved her.

They pulled away and Hayes turned to me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. “Where to, my love?”

“Oh my gosh. So cheesy.”

“You love it.”

“I do,” I agreed. “Let’s go to Jan’s Diner. I’d love to see her if she’s there.”

“Sounds good.”

Twenty minutes later, we slid into a booth across from each other. “Do you know what you want?” Hayes asked as we both stared at each other, not looking at the menus the older waitress had set in front of us. I was a little sad that Jan hadn’t been working, but I was in Maverick often enough to see her next time.

“Yep. The same thing I always get. Chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes.”

“That does sound good. But I’m going for the catfish.”

I laughed. “We’re kinda predictable.”

Hayes grinned and gave me the look he gives when he’s planning something. “I know a way we can be unpredictable.”

“And what is that?” I asked, trying not to laugh.

“Get married.”

I shook my head and laughed as I held up my ring. “I think we are already doing that.”

“No. I mean, like…tomorrow.”

“What?” I asked. “How?”

Hayes grabbed my hand and smirked. “Well, I know this guy who can perform the ceremony. In fact, he’s watching our daughter right now.”

Holy shit. I had never thought about it before. Hayes’ dad was a judge. “But don’t we have to apply for a license or something?”

“It takes like fifteen minutes. No blood tests and no waiting period. As soon as dad has a free moment, he can marry us.” He leaned over the table and kissed me. “Quit freaking out. I can feel your hand trembling. It wouldn’t change anything between us, except you not being able to run. Last week was awful. I kept waiting to come home to an empty house. I need to know you aren’t going anywhere.”

“I’m not,” I insisted.

“I believe you. But listen…I
can’t
lose you. I love you more than my next breath. I never want to be apart. This way, if we are married, it would take a hell of a lot more than packing your bags to get away from me.”

I knew what he was saying was true, nothing would really change, but I just felt like that was a huge step. “Can I think about it?”

“Sure,” he said, his eyes darting behind me. “Look who the cat dragged in.”

I turned to see Carson strolling toward us. “I didn’t know you two were in town. Move over and sit with your girl so I can sit down. Unless,” he glanced at me, “you don’t mind me cuddling up to her. I bet she’d like that.”

I laughed and Hayes scowled as he got up to move. “I will kick your ass.”

Carson just laughed and sat down across from me as Hayes sank down beside me, wrapping his arms around me. “What are you doing in town?” I asked Carson.

“My dad needed some help getting rid of some old furniture, what about you two?”

The waitress interrupted as she brought us our drinks then took our orders. We were all three silent for a moment. “We rode the Christmas train with Harley and Hayes’ parents. We’re leaving Tuesday then coming back Christmas day.”

“Why Christmas day?”

“We plan on spending Christmas Eve with Tina, Brad, and Miranda and then letting Harley open gifts at our house on Christmas morning. Makes the whole Santa thing more believable.”

“Oh. Gotcha.” Carson yawned. “I’m so fucking tired. I think my parents replaced all their furniture with new stuff.”

“I’m tired, too,” Hayes said, yawning as well. “I’ll probably pass out as soon as I lay down.”

“Well, aren’t we a fun bunch? I understand why you’re in town, but what are you two doing at Jan’s? Y’all are alone, shouldn’t you be enjoying your freedom a little more, doing something fun?” Carson asked.

“We are. I’m trying to convince her to marry this stud,” Hayes said, smirking and pointing to himself.

“O-kay. Maybe she doesn’t want to because you call yourself a stud.”

I burst out laughing and Hayes’ narrowed his eyes playfully at me. I shrugged, continuing to laugh. It was funny.

The waitress brought our food and we all dug in. Having not eaten all day, I was starving, and Hayes and Carson always ate like they hadn’t in weeks.

“This is so good. I swear, nobody else has chicken fried steak this good,” Carson said between bites and I nodded, agreeing with him.

“I know. And you know how much I love Tina, but the chicken fried steak there is not even close to Jan’s.”

“I’m so telling her you said that.”

I shrugged. “And I’ll tell Brad you hit on Miranda.”

“I did not!” Carson shouted, letting his hand slap the table.

Hayes and I laughed. “Then don’t tell Tina what I said.”

“But you really did say it, and I didn’t hit on Miranda.”

“I don’t think that matters,” Hayes stated. “Brad would believe her.”

“Fine,” he gritted out, but he was grinning.

We stayed and chatted with Carson for an hour before deciding to call it a night.

A couple hours later, after I helped Rose clean the kitchen, I curled up next to Hayes and draped the comforter over us. The entire evening, I had been thinking about his proposal to have his dad marry us. And the more I thought about it, the better it sounded. I’d love to be Mrs. Hayes Morgan and be able to tell the world, especially sluts like Baylee, that he was mine.

“Hayes?”

“Hmm,” he mumbled, letting his hand trail up and down my back.

“I want to get married.”

His hand stilled and he moved to look me in the eyes. “What?”

“I want to see if your dad will marry us while we are here.”

Hayes’ eyes were shining. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” I answered, and captured his lips for a small kiss. “I love you. And I want to be your wife.”

“I’m positive you have just made me the happiest man on the fucking planet.”

***

Hayes had talked to his dad and he had agreed to marry us. And since Carson was still in town, Hayes had also texted him, asking him and his mom to be our witnesses. I was happy, more than happy, but I couldn’t stop the feeling of missing out on getting a real wedding.

Even while I tried on cute little white dresses at the shops downtown with Rose, I couldn’t shake it. But I needed to. At the end of the day, an actual wedding didn’t make a couple any more married. And I was getting a great husband, which was the most important part.

I stood in front of the mirror, admiring my dress as I held it up and the pearls around my neck Hayes’ mom had given me to wear as my something old and something borrowed. I had bought a new ice blue bra and panty set to wear underneath as my something blue. And my dress was new as well.

“Mac,” Hayes said as he entered the room in a pair of black dress pants, a white shirt, black tie, and jacket. He looked sexy as hell all dressed up. He inhaled sharply when he saw me standing in front of the mirror in nothing but my bra and panties, then walked to stand behind me. “You look beautiful. Beyond beautiful,” he whispered, peppering my neck with kisses and wrapping an arm around my naked stomach, “but something is wrong. Tell me.”

“You aren’t supposed to see me in the dress before the wedding.”

“You aren’t dressed yet, and I don’t believe in that crap anyway. But you need to answer me. What is wrong?”

I closed my eyes and shook my head. I was being silly. “It’s nothing.”

He spun me around to face him. “I said tell me. We can’t start a marriage by keeping secrets.”

“It’s stupid,” I said, staring at his chest and letting my fingers feel the muscles underneath his shirt. “I just…I always dreamed of having a real wedding. You know a church and an aisle with a big, beautiful dress.”

“Babe, did you really think I wouldn’t give you that?” He hooked his thumb under my chin, making me look at him. “You’ll get your big wedding and dress. And Brad will walk you down the aisle. I promise.” He smiled gently and it warmed me to know that he understood I would want Brad to fill that role for me. “You are way too beautiful not to marry in front of everyone we know. Today is just about peace of mind between us.”

I smiled and blinked back the tears so I wouldn’t ruin my makeup. “Thank you.”

“How about you thank me by going downstairs and getting in the car? Mom is putting Harley in right now.”

“Sounds good to me,” I replied, and he placed a small, lingering kiss on my lips before leaving and allowing me to dress.

Two hours later, after stopping by the clerk’s office for a marriage license, Hayes and I were standing in front of his dad. Rose was holding Harley off to the side and Carson was standing beside Hayes. Hayes had a face splitting grin and I hoped I looked as happy as I felt. Because the truth was, I had never been happier. I was finally getting a real family. A family where you weren’t afraid of each other and didn’t have to worry about being punched.

I bit my lip as Lucas said the words that meant so much. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” I was now, and forever would be, Mrs. Hayes Morgan.

Hayes grinned and pulled me closer before placing both hands on my cheeks and giving me a kiss so deep, he stole my soul, and I stole his, connecting them together in a way that could never be undone. He had never kissed me like that before, and I never wanted it to stop. But we were in the presence of his family and our daughter, so we finally broke apart.

“Yes!” Hayes shouted. “Finally!”

We all laughed and even Carson gave me a hug. “Congratulations. Take care of him.”

I pulled back. “I will.”

“Good.” He then gave Hayes’ a man hug and I embraced my new in-laws.

“Welcome to the family,” Lucas whispered, and Rose kissed my cheek, telling me, “Hayes couldn’t have found a better wife. We are so happy to have you as our daughter.”

I teared up at her remark. “Thank you. You have no idea what that means.”

Hayes pulled me back into his arms and I began crying. “Thank you for loving me,” I whispered to him.

“Forevermore.”

The End

These acknowledgements are a little hard for me to write (I’m a little teary eyed). I probably have an abnormal attachment to these two characters. I have loved them since the moment they started talking to me and I typed Chapter one on
Chasing the Stars
. I will always love them (they will probably always be the favorite characters I have written), and I’m so glad they got the ending they did.

Thank you so much to all of you who picked up this novella and took the time to read it. I appreciate it more than you know.

As always, I have to thank my husband, Carlos, and my two sons. They are my biggest supporters and I couldn’t write anything if I didn’t have their support.

Thank you so much to my amazing editor, Monica Black. You are seriously the best, and I am so lucky to be your client!

A huge thank you to Erin and Southern Belle Book Blog for putting up with me and helping me share. You rock! And thank you to Amie from We Stole Your Book Boyfriend. You are one of the kindest people I know and I am so grateful to know you and have all your help.

And to one of my best friends. She started as a reader who reviewed my first novel and has quickly became someone I trust. Raj Billa, thank you for reading my first drafts without complaint and helping me make the story better. And thank you for just being you.

And a huge thank you to all the blogs that have shared all of my work, including
Chasing Forevermore
!