Authors: Lori L. Otto
Tags: #new adult, #love, #rock star, #Family & Relationships
Love Will (73 page)
“So, I wrote all that,” I tell Shea, “while I was on the beach in Abu Dhabi, missing you like I never had before. People always say they miss someone so bad it hurts, and that’s what I was feeling. It hurt.” I sigh. “I love you, Shea. I think that’s one of the few things I didn’t spell out in the song, but I say it often, and I think you know. I’ll probably say it a million more times in my lifetime. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she says softly.
“I don’t want to hurt anymore. I don’t want to miss you. I don’t want to be without you. I want to know you’ll always be my home base, wherever I may go. But I promise you, I’ll never be gone like that again–for months, without seeing you. Without giving you the attention you deserve.”
“I always know where you are, and that you’re coming back, Will. I trust you. I support you pursuing the things you love. I always will.”
“You’re the thing I love most, though. And I want to marry you, Shea Livingston.”
“I want to marry
you
, Will Scott.” I slide the ring on her finger, but before she even takes a second to look at it, she’s pulling me to my feet to kiss me; to steal my breath once more. She breaks away and whispers in my ear. “In a ceremony, this time.” I grin. “So we can tell everyone. No more lies…”
“I’ve always been a musician. You’ve
known
this.” She laughs and swipes at her tears. “This is the real deal.”
Because we’re
already
married, legally.
We had to be, and three other people in this world know about it and were sworn to secrecy: Jon, Livvy and the judge who performed the ceremony.
While we continue to kiss, Damon finishes out the song with Bradley filling in on guitar.
My whole world, I give to you.
Please, my Sol, tell me "I do."
In my heliocentric world,
I'm a satellite to your sol
Your love keeps me tethered in orbit
When I'm lacking all self-control
No matter the distance I've strayed
I'm coming back home, my dear,
My arc draws closer; slower
Breaches your atmosphere
All I am, I give to you.
Please, my Sol, tell me "I do."
There are laws in Abu Dhabi against unmarried men and women staying together. I’d been coached to lie and wasn’t worried, but once Shea found out, she was terrified beyond reason and insisted on rooming with a female classmate of mine when she came to visit.
Before I went back for my second stint, it was the only practical solution to our problem. I knew I couldn’t come home for eight months, and we both knew we couldn’t be apart for that long. Because it wasn’t the way either of us wanted to get married, there was no fanfare for the ceremony here and we only acknowledged the marriage overseas. Jon bought us cheap rings online to wear in Abu Dhabi. Both times she visited, though, I knew with all my heart that I’d picked the right wife.
As Sarah engulfs her sister in a big hug, Livvy and Jon ascend upon me first with their congratulatory wishes, but they’re the first in a line of many. My brother and sister-in-law lie with ease, too, not letting on at all that they are aware of our other arrangement.
“This may be the happiest day of my life,” my mother tells me.
“Oh, Mom,” I say as Shea joins me. “Not one of our births? Or maybe Edie’s? Or Willow’s?”
“I never thought this day would come,” she says as I hold her close to me. “I didn’t ruin you,” she says softly. “Now I know for sure.”
“I thought we cleared that up a few years ago…”
“I just wanted to know that the two of you would stay together. With how much time you’ve spent apart, I know it’s been a unique situation. This has been something I’ve prayed very hard for,” she explains. “I’ve always wanted you to have the greatest kind of love in your life, Will. And I think you’ve definitely found it.”
She releases me to welcome Shea with a warm embrace. “Thank you, Margie,” she says.
“You’ve been a part of this family since the day I met you. I want you to know that,” my mother tells her. “The easiest person to get to know and to fall in love with. Thanks for making it easy for Will, too. He didn’t need a difficult path to happiness once he found you.”
“It’s never felt like work for either of us.”
I shake my head. “No.” I’ve never really thought about it, but it’s an astute observation by my mother. I
have
been fortunate. I’ve never once had to question if our relationship was worth the stress. I’ve never wondered if there was someone better.
Because once there was Shea, there was love.
Once there was love, there was Will.
A Will I’d not yet met, but the one I was destined to be. The
new
Will. The one I’d set out to find when I stepped foot on that bus two summers ago. I just didn’t know I’d need to find her first.
Had it not been for that snowstorm, I think I’d still be out there, my heart as cold and still as the ice that kept us from leaving that night. I’d still be lost, meeting new people every few nights like a band on tour.
The snowstorm.
Weather
. Caused by variances in the sun’s energy. I don’t see it as a coincidence, either.
I’m powered by the sun
. All my life, I’ve felt that it’s been my biggest ally, so it’s no surprise to me it’s what brought us together.
The sun delivered to me love, an honorable life, and a soul I thought I’d lost forever in the most beautiful woman I’d ever met.
I kiss Shea softly, then hold her close, feeling the warmth of her body.
Basking in the luminous sunshine.
Thanking the heavens for all I have.
Eyes to the sky.
Books by Lori L. Otto
Lost and Found - Emi Lost & Found series : Book One
Time Stands Still - Emi Lost & Found series : Book Two
Never Look Back - Emi Lost & Found series : Book Three
Not Today, But Someday – the prequel to the Emi Lost & Found series
Number Seven (novella) – the prequel to Steven War & Peace
Contessa - Choisie series : Book One
Olivia - Choisie series : Book Two
Dear Jon - Choisie series : Book Three
Livvy - Choisie series : Book Four
Crossroads (novella) – the prequel to Love Will
Love Like We Do (Side A) - Love Like We Do : Book One
Love Like We Do (Side B) - Love Like We Do : Book Two
Love Will
Special Thanks To
Angela Meyer
Nikki Fucking Haw
Muna Chiesa
Daniela Conde
Christi Allen Curtis (& Andy)
Julie Deaton
Ramsey Pool
Amber Run
City and Colour
Nothing But Thieves
Jaymes Young
Aquilo
About the Author
Inspired by popular fiction and encouraged by close friends, Lori L. Otto returned to writing in the winter of 2008. After a sixteen-year hiatus, she rediscovered her passion for fiction and began writing what would soon become her first series: Emi Lost & Found. Although the books of Nate, Emi and Jack have concluded, other characters from the books continued their own journeys, demanding their stories be told.
Love Will
is Lori’s thirteenth published work.
Website: http://www.loriotto.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lori_otto
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LoriLOtto
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/lori_otto
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