Memory of You (A Misty Cove Love Story) (11 page)
Read Memory of You (A Misty Cove Love Story) Online
Authors: Dori Lavelle
“That's exactly what I mean, Autumn Jade Lane. Just promise to never forget that. Promise me that you'll never doubt that again. Ever.”
“I'll never again doubt your love, Bryce Colman. I promise to never leave you.” I pulled away and got to my feet. “Come on, let's go home.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“So, when’s the wedding?” Jerome asked. He was sitting two tables from us in
Gayle's Diner
. I was surprised to see him looking sober today but I couldn't help remembering the day he had accused me of taking his money. Like most others in Misty Cove, he seemed to have forgotten the past.
Gossip still washed over Misty Cove like a wave, now more than ever, but the good kind. All everyone talked about was the fact that Bryce and I were back together, how we're living proof that true love conquered all. I agreed with them.
I drank my apple cider and watched Bryce over the rim of my glass. All heads were turned our way as people waited for an answer. I wanted Bryce to take the lead. We had been dating for seven months now, but we hadn't discussed marriage yet. The most important thing was that we were back together. I had even rented out Gran's cottage and moved in with Bryce. In our hearts, we were married. Everything else would be a formality.
Bryce looked at me for a long time with narrowed eyes and cleared his throat. “You know, Jerome. Something has been burning a hole in my pocket for months.” He pushed a hand into his pocket and everyone, including me, gasped. “I think it's time I give it to its owner.” He opened a small velvet box.
“Oh my God.” I covered my mouth with my hands. “You still have it.”
He grinned. “I love seeing it on your finger, where it belongs.” He pushed back his chair and got down on one knee as tears streamed down my cheeks. “Marry me again, please, Autumn Jade. My life doesn't make sense without you.”
Nothing was more precious than wearing the ring he had given me the first time he proposed. I had mailed it to him from New York. It wasn't expensive, as he didn't have much money back then, but to me it was priceless. “I want my ring back. I want to be your wife.”
“Promise?” Someone called out and people laughed before growing quiet again.
I laughed and cried at the same time, my gaze never leaving Bryce's. “I promise.”
He reached out his hands and cradled my head. He sealed my promise with a kiss.
Chapter Twenty-Five
We held on to each other and swayed under a white lattice wooden arch, which was decorated with organza fabric and purple and blue hydrangeas.
“I love you, my wife,” Bryce said.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my forehead to his. “I love you, my husband.”
When we’d exchanged vows earlier, I realized that the happiest I had ever been was when Bryce was in my life, and that my life didn't make sense without him in it, either.
It was after midnight and the beach was deserted. The only sign that there had been a wedding earlier were the wedding arch, the twinkling lights, and me wearing my wedding dress, the same one I had wanted to get married to him in five years ago.
We’d exchanged our personal vows under this arch on the beach and held the reception at
Gayle's Diner
. Linda Gayle had closed off the diner for the day just for us. Twenty minutes ago, after cutting the wedding cake, we had left the party. We couldn’t wait to be alone. We continued our dance on the beach.
I didn’t remember much that happened after we’d said “I do”. The whole day I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off Bryce, unable to believe we were finally married. After all the heartache and confusion, we were finally together. Nothing and no one would ever pull us apart again.
“This was worth the wait,” Bryce said into my ear. “It feels as if we were engaged for five years, and now we’re finally married. I can’t wait to start our life together, to start our family.”
I looked up into his eyes. A thread of fear wrapped itself around my heart. “Bryce, there’s something you should know. I should have told you before we got married but—”
He narrowed his eyes. “What is it? Are you okay?”
I swallowed hard. “I’m fine. At least, I’m healthy.”
“But? Tell me, Jade. What’s going on?”
“I can’t have children. I saw a lot of doctors in New York. They all confirmed it. I’m so sorry I’m only telling you now.” Hot tears sprang to my eyes.
“Don’t cry, sweetheart.” Bryce cupped the back of my head with the palm of his large hand and pulled my face into his chest. He didn’t say anything more for a while, just held me.
“Please say something,” I whispered.
“You’re all I want, all I ever wanted, kids or no kids.”
I pulled back and looked up at him with damp eyes. “Are you sure you don’t mind not having kids?”
“You do know that the fact that you can’t physically have kids doesn’t have to prevent us from being parents, right?”
“You would—”
“Yes.” He beamed at me. “There are so many children out there without parents. But for now, let’s just enjoy us.”
“I like the sound of
us
. I’m looking forward to forever with you.” We had both endured so much pain apart, but maybe that was what made us even stronger together. I knew I would live every day trying to make up for all the pain I had caused him.
“Forever and a day,” he said and kissed me.
THE END
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