Eternal Hearts (Incurable Hearts 2) (19 page)

I wondered if Rose would have retired now if Jas was still alive and we had our own children. She had quietly asked to speak to me in private before I left. Apart from good-bye I couldn’t guess what else she had to say that couldn’t be said in front of everyone else.

“No way dad, you didn’t want us, this is your mess” Jack shouted before leaving the room.

“That doesn’t sound like giving them time” I said to Alex as he was leaving to catch Jack up.

“I have to try,” he said
, before he was gone.

“They will work it out,” Henry said adamantly.

I wasn’t so sure.

“Are you sure
you’re okay?” I asked again while we were alone.

He looked like he should be home resting.

“I’m just old, can’t say I like it that much” he laughed, he sounded weak, “Rose was right, who would have thought we would still all be together? One woman bought us together yet we lost her a long time ago,” he murmured sadly.

I could be myself around him, even if I tried to hide how I was really feeling, he always saw through the façade.

“If it weren’t for Ava, it would feel like she never existed at all sometimes”

“She will always exist because you can’t let her go”

It wasn’t that I couldn’t let Jasmine go, it was more like I wouldn’t let her go. Since she died, I couldn’t understand why it was so important to let her go, nothing has changed in the way I feel about her, I still miss her the same as I did when she first died, the only difference now is that I can get through day to day without wanting to drink myself into oblivion to forget the pain.

“Here you are” Ava said
, finding us in the living room, “I’m leaving now, I have an early start in the morning”

“I’ll come and say goodbye with you, I sh
ould be heading off too” I said, standing to leave.

Henry had sunk back into himself. I must ask my mother how he really is, as he isn’t giving anything away.

“I’ve already said my goodbyes, only you and Henry left,” she said, sitting on the edge of Henry’s chair, putting her arm around his shoulders.

“Grandma has invited us round weekend so
I’ll see you then” she said, kissing him on the cheek.

“I’ll look forward to it,” he said
, patting her hand softly.

“I’ll see you soon too,” I said
, leaving the room with Ava.

“Are you sure you want the wedding so soon?” I asked while we were alone.

As soon as I finished she frowned.

“I don’t mean I’m not happy about it, just why the rush?” I added quickly.

“Why not? It’s not like we just met,” she argued.

“Okay…okay” I
surrounded. I obviously wasn’t going to come across right without causing her offence.

“Suit fitting is on Monday Chris” Layton said
, coming up behind us.

“Okay, let me know when and where. Look, I have to find Rose before I can leave, I’ll see you soon”

“Okay dad, see you”

“Bye Chris”

I nodded and went in search for Rose. Alex had finally managed to get Nat to speak to him, as I could tell passing the kitchen, he was getting the full force of Nat’s anger through gritted teeth so no-one else could hear them. I left them to it and found Rose sitting outside watching the sunset.

“You wanted to speak to me before I left?” I said.

“Yes, sit with me for a minute” she said, pointing to the chair beside her, “It’s been fifteen years since she died, where has the time gone?”

“I don’t really notice the time passing,” I admitted.

“That’s because you don’t see life passing you by unless one of the family brings it to your attention. You still love her, there is no denying that, however, I know she would be livid if she were to see you still on your own after all this time. She never wanted that for you” she said.

I know what Jas wanted, she told
me herself, she wrote it in a letter, and now engrained it into everyone who remained alive.

“I don’t live like this on purpose Rose…I was never one for relationships in the first place. Maybe one day I will meet someone I can enjoy my time with” I highly doubt it, Jas was one of a kind, my one of a kind, but Rose needed to hear I would be okay, so once again I told her a half truth to keep her happy.

“But I am happy on my own” I told her.

“You are a remarkable man Chris, it is a shame you won’t let nobody in to see just how much”

“I’m going to miss you Rose”

“I’ll be back,” she smiled, “The reason I asked to speak to you alone is because I wanted to talk to you about something”

“Go ahead” I prompted giving her my full attention, she has never asked anything of me.

“There is no need for me to keep the big house when I leave, before I resort to selling it, I am offering it to you as a gift”

Whoa, Jas’s house? A gift? Before I had time to think about it, I had accepted her offer. It didn’t feel right being sold to strangers.

“That was easier
than I thought it would be” she stated, “Go on, you should get home, I’ll see you next month at the wedding”

“Come here” I said pulling her into my arms, “I’m glad I met you Rose, can’t I retire with you by my side?” I teased.

“Go on, get out of here,” she laughed, pushing me away and towards the door.

“Hey Chris, look after yourself”

“Always” I smiled.

I have been dreading this day for the past six weeks, but as I look at my Ava looking like an angel in her wedding dress, all my fears slipped away. I still can’t understand how she could be my daughter, she is beautiful, kind and above all she has made my life worth living for when I would have been stuck working day in day out just to get through life.

Today, she will be married to the man she loves and live her happy ever after just like her mother had wanted to.

She was standing alone, gazing at her reflection in the mirror, she must have been deep in thought, as she didn’t notice me enter the room.

“You look stunning darling,” I said proudly.

She jumped at the sound of my voice.

“I didn’t hear you come in, but thank you. Look at you though, looking handsome in your suit” she smiled, readjusting my tie.

“Well, I hear I have to give away an angel today so I thought I would make an effort” I joked.

She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“What is wrong? Are you having any doubts?” I asked immediately.

If she was worried about telling everyone the wedding was off, I would be only
too willing to help.

“Not doubts as such. What if it doesn’t work out? What if he leaves me?” she said beginning to panic.

“Where is all this coming from?”

As soon as I asked, I knew it was because of the problems between Alex and Nat.

“Not every man is the same, Layton loves you. I don’t think he will hurt you, you have to trust that he won’t, like he has to trust you won’t do the same to him”

“How did you marry my mother knowing it wasn’t going to be forever?”

I didn’t hesitate with my reply.

“That is easy, I was her forever. I would have done anything for that woman, marrying her and making her happy, loving her was as easy as breathing. I wanted to do as much as possible with her” I smiled fondly at the memories, “Do you feel like that with Layton?”

“Yes”

“Then take a deep breath and
let’s get you to the alter”

The music changed melody when we reached the entrance, this was it, and in less than an hour she would be Ava Jenson-Hughes. I can’t describe how happy I was when she told me she was going to keep our surname, although she was going to drop the Collins in place for Hughes, she wasn’t too upset as Jas had been a Jenson when she died, she still felt she had a part of her mother in her name.

The smiles and gasps from guests turning as we walked up the aisle took me back to Jas, I knew they were seeing her natural beauty, her elegance, and for all who knew Jas, they saw her mother in her.

It felt like forever before we reached Layton, as I placed her hand in his, I knew I was doing the right thing.

“I’m not giving her away completely,” I warned him.

“I know” he smiled, “You look…wow,” he said soaking in the sight of his bride to be.

The ceremony was elegant and beautiful. Thinking back to the ceremony, I was more nervous about walking her down the aisle then she was. I had to keep her pace slow and steady with the music, for a woman who had been questioning the marriage ahead just moments before, she was certainly inpatient in getting to the alter.

“How about a dance with your old mum? You’re starting to scare people sitting here staring,” she laughed.

“Sure”

The music playing wasn’t too upbeat, which my mother knew so she would be able to collar me and most probably try to guide me into a date with someone here at the reception.

“You look very melancholy tonight Chris, this is a joyous day”

“I know, she was worried earlier about him hurting her, but I worry about that constantly” I told her.

“I have been waiting for this day” she smiled.

I was beginning to feel an I-told-you-so comment coming my way.

“Why?” I dared to ask.

“Now you know how I felt when Jasmine came into your life, all those decisions you had to make when you only just met her again. When you told us you were getting married, I feared the day she died, the pain you would endure, being alone after finding love. You’re my son, I hated to see you grieving. I worry about you and your brother constantly, no matter what you both do, good or bad, I worry about everything”

“I don’t want you to worry mum,” I told her.

“And Ava doesn’t want you to worry about her” she retaliated, “It is all part of the parcel of being a parent, which you now know. If he does hurt her, you will be there to help her through it, like I do for you”

My mother was right, she can make anything look crystal clear in any situation with a few simple words.

“Your right as always”

“Anyway, I know he won’t hurt her” she said firmly.

“How do you know that?” I asked.

“Because the way he looks at our Ava, is the way you looked at Jasmine”

I looked over to them dancing in
each other’s arms, I held Jas the same way on our wedding day, that pang of sadness returned wishing she was here to see our girl all grown up and married.

“Hey, none of that, happy smiles tonight” she warned as the song finished.

“Look, that looks like a good start” she said, drawing my attention to Alex and Nat dancing together.

“I didn’t think she had spoken to him yet,” I said.

“They have been talking a lot this week, I’m not sure what is going to happen but I hope she takes him back and then makes him pay for the rest of their lives”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I walked her back to her table.

I headed straight for the bar, the speeches were due soon and I needed a stiff drink before hand.

I ordered my usual whiskey and leant against the bar, trying to recover from my conversation with my mother. She was right, of course, I guess this is what I will have to live with being a father, maybe it wouldn’t be as bad if Jas were still around?

“Hello Chris”

Megan stood beside me, I haven’t seen her in a while. I expected her to be here today though. It is strange calling her my ex and still being friends, I have even met her current boyfriend, although I think they are engaged now?

“Hey, long time no see, how have you been?” I asked, genuinely interested.

“I’m doing well thank you, how are you coping today?” she asked.

I’m glad the one relationship I have had, was with Megan. She always could see straight through the walls I built up regarding anything in life.

“Surprisingly,
I’m okay. Look at her, she is happy. I couldn’t be more proud of her”

“She is a remarkable woman,” she noted.

“How is Jamie? Is he here?”

I got along well with her son, he didn’t take it too well when we ended our relationship.

“No, he is on holiday with his dad. He is doing well though, he still hasn’t warmed to Dale, I blame you” she smiled.

“Me? Why?”

“He keeps measuring him up to you, and while I love Dale dearly, I have to admit I sometimes do the same” she winked seductively.

“Ha, what can I say, I’m a good catch” I boasted.

“Up to a point you were” she said wistfully, remembering the times I would tune out too many times on her, or when she had to listen to me call out Jasmine’s name in my sleep. In my defence, I was asleep and had no control over what I said.

“You are happy with Dale besides that?” I asked, feeling it was important that she was content, that I hadn’t ruined her life and future relationships.

“Of course I am, I let go of you a long time ago, I think it is easier to live with seeming as you are still on your own”

“So
you’re happy as long as I’m lonely and alone?” I laughed.

I did miss her sarcastic manner.

“You may be alone but I know you are not lonely, not in the conventional way anyway. I know you prefer it that way”

See, she knew me too well.

“Anyway, I should get back to Dale, congratulations to the father of the bride” she smiled, before walking back to her table.

I don’t regret having a relationship with Megan, I also don’t regret ending the relationship. Seven years have passed since we mutually agreed to end things between us, she was tired of feeling second best to a woman who
didn’t exist anymore, I was tired of trying to feel the immense feelings I had with Jas, and we were both tired of trying to hide how we really felt. Although it was mutual decision, it was still painful, out of everyone it was Megan I could talk to with ease.

All of the guests were being given glasses of Champagne, with waiters filling the glasses at the top table, the speeches must be any minute now. For weeks I have been trying to write a speech as father of the bride, every time I put pen to paper, I came up with nothing. I wanted my speech to show my love for them, to show how proud of Ava I am. I came to realise the emotions I have couldn’t be written down, I would speak from the heart on the day. Telling myself I would keep it short and sweet.

I took my seat at the top table next to Ava, I was positive her cheeks would ache from constantly smiling today.

“It feels like I haven’t seen you all day,” she murmured as everyone was taking their seats.

“You’ve been busy, are you enjoying yourself?” I asked.

“It’s kind of a blur to be honest. Thank you for making me realise how much I do want this” she smiled, gesturing to Layton.    

“That’s what I’m here for” I said happily.

“Are you ready for your speech?”

“No, but here goes” I said, standing up.

I called out for everyone’s attention and they went quiet. Here it is, time to make my girl proud.

“As you all know, I’m Chris, Ava’s father. I would like to thank you all for celebrating Ava and Layton’s day with us. If you know me well then you would have expected me to be a mess today, but I know my daughter and Layton are very well suited. I am not going to lie, when Layton asked for my blessing, I felt sick. I wanted to laugh in his face and refuse him…after I got over the initial shock and thought about it seriously, I knew there isn’t anyone in the world I trust to love and protect Ava as much as Layton will…I love you Ava, I wish you both many, many years of health and happiness…please raise your glasses to the beautiful bride and her groom” I finished.

I couldn’t sit any faster
than I did, Ava leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

“Thank you” she mouthed as Layton took his turn to make his speech.

“Thank you all for our sharing our day with us. I can’t quite believe we’re here today, for one, I never thought my now father-in-law would agree…but, I never thought I would be lucky enough for my now stunning wife to accept my proposal, as soon as she said yes, I knew I had to get her up the aisle as quickly as possible before she had a chance to change her mind” he paused, “Seriously though, marrying you today has made me the happiest man in the world, I promise to fall in love with you like the first time each and every day”

That was it, Ava along with every female in the room were wiping tears away.

“If you could raise your glasses one more time and toast my beautiful wife” he finished.

Although I didn’t have tears, I believed him, I trust my girl is in safe hands. It made today bearable knowing they have a long future together, no time limits, no wondering if they will wake up to each other the next morning. For the first time since the ceremony, I thought of Jas. I can imagine her sitting next to me, grinning goofily hearing Layton’s speech, then catching my eye to remind me of our day, remembering our day with happy memories. They disappeared onto the dance floor for their first dance as man and wife shortly after, leaving me to contemplate the next chapter in our family’s life. In less than two short months, she had moved into her own place and got married, there isn’t anything more life changing then that.