Forever You (34 page)

etched into my heart, and my heart is yours till death do us part. I will never love anyone as much as I

love you.”

Henry pulled the ring from his pocket and handed it to me. All I could hear were the sniffles of the

guests as I slipped the delicate ring on her finger.

“Take this ring as a symbol of my eternal love for you and for the start of our new life together. I

love you, Ellery.” Tears fell down her face. I gently took my thumb and wiped them away as she said

her vows.

“Connor, you are the most amazing man that I’ve ever met. You stood by me, you fought for me, and

you gave me the strength to fight through one of the toughest times of my life. You never gave up on

me when you should have walked away. You believed in me and our relationship and I will never

forget that. You are a kind-hearted, self-less man, and I’m the luckiest woman in the world to have

found you. They say everyone is born with a purpose in this world. My purpose was to find you and

to love you.” She let go of my hands and turned up her wrists. “The scars are gone because of you,

and they’ve been replaced with love. You’ve put life back into my soul, and you’ve completed me. I

will forever cherish this moment, and I will spend eternity thanking you and loving you.”

Peyton handed her the ring. She took my finger and slowly slipped it on. “Take this ring as a

symbol of my love and devotion to you as we start our new life together as one.”

The minister smiled at us and he pronounced us husband and wife. I cupped her face in my hands as

we shared our first kiss as husband and wife. The crowd stood up and clapped. We heard cheering as

we turned and looked at the people who graciously attended our ceremony. I took her hand, and we

walked down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Black, stopping in front of the Vanderbilt gates.

“Hi, Mrs. Black,” I smiled as I softly kissed her lips.

“Hi, Mr. Black,” she smiled back.

Our moment alone didn’t last long as our guests soon followed. Waiters walked around with

glasses of champagne for everyone. After the photographer took pictures of us in the different

gardens, it was time to head to the reception. I took Ellery’s hand as we walked through the

Vanderbilt gates where our horse and carriage were waiting. I helped Ellery up into the carriage and

took my place beside her. We were taking a ride through Central Park for some alone time before

heading to the reception.

“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” I asked her as I stroked her cheek with my thumb.

“I do, because you tell me every day,” she smiled.

“And I will keep telling you every day because I love you, Mrs. Black. You are the most important

thing in my life, and that will never change.” I leaned closer and kissed her softly.

***

The reception took place in the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It was elegant as

700 people joined in the celebration in honor of our wedding day. We ate the finest food and drank

the most expensive alcohol. No expense was spared when it came to Ellery. We greeted our guests

and walked around the ballroom, engaging in conversation as people congratulated us with hugs and

kisses. The band announced that it was time for our first dance. I only asked for one thing while

planning this wedding and that was to pick our song. Ellery had agreed but threatened me that it better

be perfect. I told her to trust me because I already had the perfect song in mind.

I took her hand and led her to the dance floor as the song started. From the moment she heard the

first line, tears formed in her eyes. “You’ll ruin your mascara if you start crying now,” I smiled.

“You never cease to amaze me, Connor Black, and that’s why I love you so much. This song is

perfect, and I couldn’t have picked anything better,” she said as one tear fell. I wiped away her tear

and kissed her cheek.

I wanted to get Ellery out of there and to her wedding present. We said goodbye to our family and

friends as we climbed in the back of the limo, and I took out a blindfold from my pocket. Ellery

looked at me and tilted her head.

“Planning a little kinky time in the limo before we go back to the hotel?” She smiled.

Ellery thought we were spending the night at the Waldorf. She didn’t know what I had planned for

us. She didn’t even know about the limo until I told her we had to leave.

“I’m taking you somewhere special, and it’s a surprise, so you need to wear this blindfold,” I said

as I put it over her eyes.

“Aren’t we spending the night at the hotel?”

“No, Ellery, I have somewhere else in mind,” I said as my hand started traveling up her dress.

“You are a very mysterious man, Mr. Black,” she moaned.

We finally arrived at the house, and I couldn’t wait any longer for her to see it. I was reeling with

excitement. “Are you ready, darling?” I asked as I took her hand.

“Yes; I was ready forever ago,” she smiled.

I helped her out of the limo. I removed the blindfold, and watched her gasp at what stood before

her. “Connor, what is this?” she asked. I took her hand and led her to the porch.

“This house is your wedding present. Do you like it?” I asked her as she stood there in shock.

“Like it? I love it, but I don’t understand.”

I smiled and gently kissed her lips. “This is our second home. We’ll spend our weekends and

summers here.”

I picked her up and carried through the door. I put her down as I led her to the back of the house.

Tears started to roll down her face as she stepped out onto the deck and took in the beauty before her.

“This is what I painted,” she softly spoke. I stood behind her and let her take it all in. She turned to

me as I wiped away her tears.

“You don’t have to say a word, Ellery, I know how much you love it; I can tell by the look on your

face. This was built for you because I love you. I want to give you every dream you’ve ever dreamed,

every happy moment you never had, every bit of love you’ve ever lost, and most importantly, a

family. This home, our home, is my future with you, and we’re going to spend the rest of our lives

making beautiful memories here.”

She gulped as she cupped my face in her hands and stared deeply into my eyes. “I could never

understand my purpose in this world. I’ve had nothing but pain and loss my whole life. But now I

know why God saved me the first time. It was so I could find you. Then he saved me the second time

so I could love you forever. This house is perfect; you’re perfect, and no one will ever take that away

from us. Our love is infinite, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing you.”

She pressed her lips against mine, and we fell into a deep, passionate kiss. I picked her up and

carried her in the house. “Let’s get you out of this dress, Mrs. Black,” I smiled.

Our wedding night was perfect. We spent many hours breaking in our new bed. Ellery was right;

the wait was worth it.

“Good morning, Mrs. Black,” I smiled as she laid herself in my arms.

“Good morning, Mr. Black,” she snuggled closer to me.

“We need to get up and get ready to leave for Paris,” I said as I looked at the clock.

Ellery kissed me, and we got out of bed. Our shower took a little longer than expected, but it was

our first morning as husband and wife, so we felt the need to celebrate. We ate the breakfast that I’d

arranged and then took the limo to the airport. I hired another driver to take us because I sent Denny

and his wife to Hawaii to celebrate their anniversary while Ellery and I were in Paris. We spent two

weeks honeymooning in Paris. We saw all the sights, had sex in a lot of different places, and shopped

until we both collapsed from exhaustion. Before we knew it, two weeks had flown by, and it was

time to fly back home.

Chapter 30

ELLERY

Connor and I spent the past two months living our lives as a happily married couple. I couldn’t

believe how quickly the time had passed since the day I said I do. He went to the office every day

while I spent my time helping with various charities and painting. My work was becoming known,

and people were beginning to want more of my paintings. I was living the perfect life with the perfect

man, and I didn’t want anything more.

Connor stepped out of the shower and into the bedroom as I sat in bed from not feeling well. “I

thought you would’ve joined me in the shower,” he said.

“I’m not feeling well, Connor.”

I saw the fear sweep across his face. “What’s wrong?” He asked as he sat on the bed and stroked

my face.

I quickly jumped up and flew into the bathroom to vomit. Connor followed in behind me and held

my hair until I was finished.

“Looks like someone has the flu,” he said. “Get back into bed, and I’ll have Claire bring you up

some tea.”

I climbed into bed as Connor pulled the covers over me. He finished getting dressed and kissed me

goodbye. I was starting to feel better as Claire came up to check on me. I told her I was fine as I got

up and took a shower. I had too much to do today, and being sick wasn’t an option. I received a text

from Connor.

“How are you feeling, baby?”

“I’m fine. I think it was something I ate.”

“Maybe it was. Get some rest just in case it wasn’t. I have a meeting to go to. I love you, babe.”

“I love you too, and stop worrying.”

I spent that whole week not feeling well and exhausted. I was beginning to get really scared, but I

didn’t let Connor know. He had enough on his plate, dealing with the trial for the Chicago fire and the

new building he bought in Los Angeles. I was lying on the couch when Peyton came over. She walked

in and hovered over me.

“What’s wrong? Why are you laying there like that in the middle of the day?” she demanded to

know.

I sighed as I sat up. “I haven’t been feeling well the past week.”

“Elle, what do you mean? Have you seen a doctor yet?” she asked with concern.

“No, I thought it was the flu at first, but I’m so tired. I’m scared, Peyton; what if my cancer is

back?”

“Don’t say that, and don’t think that way. What does Connor have to say about this?”

“He really doesn’t know. He knew I wasn’t feeling well a few days ago, but I’ve told him I’m fine

and that I had a virus. I don’t want to worry him. This is the last thing he needs on his mind right

now.”

“I want you to call your doctor, right now,” she demanded.

“I will next week if I don’t feel better,” I said.

“Have you not learned from your past mistakes, Ellery Black?” she scolded me.

She pulled out her phone and started dialing. “Who are you calling?” I asked.

“I’m calling Connor and telling him to get your sorry ass to the doctor.”

I grabbed the phone out of her hand and hit end. “Peyton, stop it; I’ll call Dr. Taub.”

Her phone rang in my hand and Connor’s name appeared. “Great, now he’s calling you back,” I

said as I handed her the phone.

“Hey, Connor! Sorry I must have butt-dialed you. So, do you want to tell me how it felt being on my

ass?” she laughed.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. I picked up my phone, called Dr. Taub, and spoke with him

directly. He told me to go to the hospital for some blood work and wait. I told Peyton we’d have to

take a cab because I didn’t want Denny knowing where I was going. I couldn’t risk him telling

Connor. We hailed a cab and headed to the hospital. Connor called as we were in the cab.

“Hello, my love,” I answered.

“Hey, babe, are you having a good day?”

“I’m having a fantastic day; how about you?”

“My day is going well, but it’ll be even better after I take you to lunch.”

I started to get nervous as I looked at Peyton and mouthed “shit.”

“Baby, as much as I want to have lunch with you, I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I’m with Peyton, and we’re going shopping. She came over, and she’s feeling a little down, so I

told her shopping will lift her spirits.”

“Why is she down? Is everything ok with her and Henry?” he asked.

“Oh yeah, it’s just her time of the month; you know how that goes.”

“Enough said, Ellery. Have fun, and I’ll see you tonight. I love you.”

“I love you too, Connor, bye.”

Peyton looked at me and started laughing. “You’re good,” she said.

We arrived at the hospital, and I headed to the lab to have my blood drawn. The nurse told me that

Dr. Taub gave strict instructions to have me come upstairs to his office and wait for the results. After

my blood was drawn, we stopped at the Starbucks inside the hospital and grabbed some coffee before

heading up to his office. I was a nervous wreck. I felt bad for lying to Connor, but I had no choice.

There was no need to worry him until I got some answers. We patiently waited in Dr. Taub’s waiting

room until the nurse called us into his office. Peyton grabbed my hand as we sat in the two seats

across from his desk. “Everything will be fine, Elle,” she said.

Dr. Taub walked in his office and sat in his chair. He looked at me and then opened his file. He