Take a Chance (11 page)

Willow

Still sleeping on the couch, I drift into a dream. I’m sitting on a beach, the warm sand between my toes, the loud thund
er of waves and the smell of salty air is whipping through my hair. A shadow shields the sun in front of me. Turning my head to look what it is. A beautiful blonde with long curly hair stands behind me with yellow roses in her hand. I stand immediately turning in her direction to face her.

“You’re Olivia?”

“Yes, I am. Willow, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

“What? How are you here?”

“I was coming to Ash in his dreams for a while. He was so heartbroken after I died. I knew he would never be able to move on, on his own. I encouraged him to open his heart to you. I know you are his soul mate. He is such a wonderful man, Willow. I know you think he hurt you, but that’s not how it happened.”

She takes my hand
and says, “Willow, he only contacted your mom to try and protect you. He wanted to know ahead of time if she was willing to talk to you. If she wasn’t open to talking to you, I know he would have done everything he could have to keep you from that pain.”

Sobbing, I had no idea he was only doing it to make sure I didn’t get hurt. I never stopped to think about why he did it. “Oh Olivia, I’ve made a huge mistake
.”

“Willow, go talk to Ash, I know he’s worried about you. It was all a big misunderstanding. I have already said my goodbyes to him. I can’t come to hi
m anymore. I know you love him, and he’s a good, honest, loyal, and loving man. He wants to talk to you. Go to him, let him explain.”

“Olivia, thank you. I want you to know he talks about you all the time. I can feel the love that he has
for you. You were his soul mate too, and you were the love of his life.”

“Sometimes, God allows us to have two soul mates in our lifetime. I’m glad that he’s found you. Willow
, he loves you, go to him. Forgive him. He was only doing what he thought was best for you.”

“I will.”

She places a yellow rose in my hand, and I wake up in the dark of my family room. I look down at my hand, I am holding one single yellow rose. I frantically grab my purse, jump in my car, and speed to Asher’s house. I bang on the front door, yelling for him to let me in. I can hear Lucy barking on the other side of the door. The porch light flips on, the front door is thrown open, and Asher is standing in the door way in only his boxer briefs.

Barging through
the front door pushing him to the side I say, “I need to see a picture of Olivia.”

“Willow, what
are you talking about?” he says, running after me concerned.

I
toss books to the floor from the shelves, rummaging through Asher’s belongings. I go room by room, leaving his belongings strewn all over the floor. “I need to see a picture of Olivia.”

“
Willow, why? What’s going on? Please sit down. I need to talk to you. I need to explain what happened today.”

“Asher, just please
, I need to see a picture of Olivia.”

“O
K, I have one in my night stand in my bedroom.”

I run
up the stairs, and pull the drawer clean out of the night stand, and dump the contents on the bed, I find a 5x7 photo of a woman with long blond curly hair holding yellow roses.

“It was really he
r, it was really her. Oh my God, it was really her.”

“Willow, what’s going on, what are you talking about? Please calm
down, sweetheart, I need to tell you what happened.”

“You don’t need to
. She already did, Ash.”

“What? Who did?”
I can see the look on his face, because I’ve never called him Ash before.

“Olivia did.”
I open my hand, showing him the yellow rose. He looks at my hand then my face. Tears are streaming down both of our faces.

“You don’t have to explain, I know everything.”

He crashes into me with a fierce hug, squeezing me so tight I almost can’t breathe. Pulling away slightly, he looks at my face, “Willow, I never meant to hurt you. I was only trying to protect you.”

“Asher, it’s
OK, I understand now. I’m sorry for overreacting.” He takes the photo and the yellow rose out of my hand, placing them on the night stand. With one swoop of his arm, the drawer and everything on the bed is knocked to the floor. Laying me down with a kiss filled with apology and love, he’s telling me with his mouth everything I already knew. Spooning in our ‘night time position’, he holds me tight. Lucy jumps on the bed and curls up at my feet with a sigh. Yes, I’m home, and it feels wonderful.

Asher

Waking the next morning, immediately my thoughts go to Willow running out and our fight. Panic sets in
for just a moment. When I feel the familiar warmth of her body pressed against my side, I begin to relax. Her arm thrown over my chest, our legs a tangle of limbs. Then I remember last night when she came rushing into my house demanding to see a photo of Olivia.

Glancing over to the night stand
, the photo and one single yellow rose sits next to the lamp. I had hoped that I was really seeing Olivia in my dreams, but I knew it just wasn’t possible. This confirms that it had to be. Willow saw her too. Olivia talked to Willow and explained everything. Tears are running down my temples onto the pillow, the love that I feel for Olivia hurts so badly. My heart is being torn out of my chest all over again. But Olivia was right, there is plenty of room in there, because the love I have for Willow is right there too.

Willow stirs in my arms
. Placing a soft kiss in her hair, I say, “Good morning, sweetheart.”

Looking in my eyes
, she reaches her hand to the side of my face wiping away the tears. “Asher, what’s wrong?”

Eyeing the rose
, I explain, “I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have found the love of my life. I love Olivia, she will always hold a special place in my heart, and I love you. Please don’t ever shut me out again. I was so worried about you. I was devastated to even think that I hurt you. When Olivia died I never thought I would love again. She told me to open my heart, that there was enough room in there to love again, but I didn’t think that was possible. When I let go of the anger and sadness, she was right. I love you so much, Willow.”

“
There is plenty of room for the both of us, and I would never want you to ever forget about Olivia. In a way, she has a special place in my own heart too. I owe her so much for sharing with me what she did.”

“We should probably get going
. You have a big day this morning.” I swat her playfully on the ass, while getting up to go take a shower. Standing in the hot water I let the past few weeks wash over me. Willow steps in behind me and wraps me in a tight warm embrace. She rains feather light kisses all over my back. I turn to face her, fisting my hands in her hair, we kiss slowly, running my hands up and down her back. I lift her leg over my hip, and press her up against the tile wall. Kissing down her throat, between her breasts, then down her stomach, she places her hands on my shoulders and moans softly. Lifting one leg over my shoulder, I love Willow with my mouth until she shudders and shouts my name with her release. Kissing my way back up her body, I plant a searing kiss on her lips, allowing our tongues to mate. Lifting her legs, I slowly enter her making love to her, sweetly pouring every bit of love I feel for her into this moment. Finding my own release moments later, we just stand there holding each other, showered in the warm water and our love for each other.

After dressing,
I leave Willow to finish getting ready. I head downstairs to make us breakfast. First making sure to take Lucy for a quick walk and then feed her. I shake my head as I look around at the mess, all over the floors in every room from Willow ransacking the place, looking for a photo of Olivia. My housekeeper is going to wonder if I’ve finally lost it. Making us egg white omelets with spinach and onions sprinkled with a little cheese, Willow sits at the bar wearing a pink cashmere sweater and faded blue jeans. “I think your sisters picked up on the whole pink theme. That seems to be the only color of clothing in the bags.”

“They aim to please. So, are you nervous about today?”

“I am. Although not as much as I was last night. I was really scared to go there by myself. I have grown so attached to you being there by my side. I was dreading having to go alone.”

“I hope you know
it was killing me thinking about not being there for you. I asked Amelia to try to find out where you needed to go, so she could go with you if you were still upset at me.”

“I cannot tell you how much I appreciate everything you did last night. F
rom dinner, to even having your mom text me. Speaking of, we should probably let everyone know that everything is OK now. I hate to think that everyone is still worried about us.”

“I text
ed my mom and Amelia already this morning while you were getting ready. They both send their love and are thinking positive thoughts for you.”

“That’s sweet, I’ll have to text them later myself.”

“I think it’s time to get going, we don’t want to be late.”

Dear Lord, please be with Willow today, please let her be cancer free. I love her so much. She has already been through
more than most people her age. And I don’t know if I can handle losing someone else that I hold so close to my heart. Thank you for the many blessings in my life, and for allowing me to feel true love again. I know Olivia is with you, keep her safe, tell her I love her. Please let Willow be completely healthy.

“O
K, I’m all ready. Oh wait, I forgot something upstairs, I’ll be right back.”

Willow

Rushing back up
stairs, I grab the yellow rose. Placing it under my nose I smell the sweet fragrance. I place it in my purse, needing a little piece of heaven with me today at my appointment.

“O
K, all set, let’s do this thing.” Looping my arm through his, we make our way to Simon and the waiting car. Getting in the back, there is a bouquet of pink roses sitting on the seat.

“Someone has been busy this morning.”

With a half grin on his face, I kiss him on the lips and get in the car. I tell Simon where to go, clutching the roses in my lap. With my hand on my purse, I pull courage from the rose inside. The drive seems to take forever, but at the same time I feel like I just need a little bit more time. This is the result of everything I have been through, the lumpectomy and the six chemo treatments. Today I will either be free of cancer or I will be crushed with bad news. I just don’t know if I could recover from bad news. Asher has been my rock through this, I couldn’t ask him to carry me through more. He deserves to be happy and carefree, not worried all the time about how I feel. I don’t know if I could do that to him. He has so much love to offer, he deserves to give that to someone who is whole and healthy.

Pulling up outside the medical office
, Asher takes my hand, walking in the building he squeezes my hand tight, never letting it go. Sitting in the waiting room with loud silence ringing in my ears, I don’t even hear my name being called. Asher tugs on my hand. Looking up at him he offers a sweet smile.

Making our way to the doctor’s office
, we sit holding hands, opposite an empty chair behind the desk. Still clutching my purse in one hand and Asher’s in the other, the door opens and in walks my doctor. Funny how weeks ago I thought he was the most handsome man I’d ever seen. Compared to Asher sitting next to me the doc never had a chance. I nervously giggle. With a concerned look on his face and a squeeze of his hand, I shake my head telling him I’m alright. My doctor takes a seat behind the desk, opening the file and reads over the reports. This is it, this is the moment. I reach my free hand in my purse, feeling for the rose. I squeeze Asher’s hand in one and the rose in the other.

“Willow, we have all your test
results back from your scans and your blood work.” I can hear the blood pounding in my ears, closing my eyes I imagine him telling me the worst.

“Everything is clean, congratulations
, you are cancer free.”

With a huge sigh of relief, I open my eyes and look at Asher who has tears streaming down his face, only to realize so do I.
Setting my purse on the desk, we stand and he hugs me, both silently crying. After a few minutes the doctor clears his throat, “If you are ready, Willow, we can go into the procedure room and I will remove your port.”

I break
away from the hug, wiping my eyes. “That sounds like a fabulous idea.”

“Your frie
nd can wait in the waiting room. We’ll just be a few minutes.” I look at the doctor sad, I was hoping Asher could be there holding my hand.

Seeing my reaction
, the doctor says, “It will only be a few minutes, I promise you’ll be out in no time at all.”

With a kiss and another hug
, Asher walks back out to the waiting room. Grabbing my purse, the doctor and I walk into another room. Sitting on the examination table, a nurse instructs me to remove my clothes from the waist up and put on the familiar blue paper top, opening in the front. Reaching in my purse I take out the yellow rose and I sit on the table waiting for the doctor to come back in.

With a knock on the door, he and the nurse return. After explaining exactly what he will do, I lay down
holding the rose in both hands setting them in my lap.  Seeing the look the doctor gives me, with a shrug he sets to work. After only a few minutes the port is out and only a few stitches remain. Bandaged up, I head back out to the waiting room to Asher on his phone. With an appointment in three months for regular testing, we head back out to Simon.

“Are you
alright?” he asks.

With a huge smile and the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders
, I say, “I’m more than fine. So should we head back to the office?”

“No, I have something else in mind.”

Asher

While Willow was having her port removed, I immediately got on the phone to call my mom and dad and all my brothers and sisters to tell them the good news. We all decided to meet at our parent’s house and surprise Willow with a congratulation’s party. Leaving my sisters to all the planning, I have no doubt they will do a spectacular job.

I ask
Simon to make a quick stop at home first. I need to get a little special something I bought just a few days ago. It’s a little sooner than I expected, but it is absolutely the right time. I know Willow and I haven’t been together all that long, but I’m positive that I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I didn’t tell my family what I plan on doing, so it will be as much of a surprise to her as it will be to them.

With a confused look on Willow’s face
, I run in quickly and get the little pink velvet box from the safe. Jogging back to the car I’m even more sure that this is the exact right time.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

“O
K, always so full of surprises aren’t you?”

Pulling up in my parent
’s driveway, Willow looks pleased to be here. Taking her hand, we walk to the front door, and my whole family yells, “Congratulations!”

“Congratulations
, sweetheart.” I kiss her on the cheek, and I can see the tears in her eyes threatening to spill down her face. “Don’t cry, this is a happy day.”

“I’m not going to cry.” Waving her hands in her face trying to get her emotions under control, she looks around at my family and smiles. My sisters did a great job with such short notice. There are pink balloons hanging from the ceiling and a cake on the table with white frosting and a pink breast cancer ribbon in the center. Written on the top
is, ‘Congratulations Willow.’

Each person stands in a line waiting to hug Willow.
She gets to Amelia, and the tears spill down her cheek. Amelia whispers something in her ear and she laughs. Last to hug her is my mom and she says, “Oh my dear, we’re so happy for you.”

“Thank you, everyone
. I’m just so happy. I never thought my life would turn out to have a wonderful man by my side and his entire family as well. I feel so loved, my heart is truly bursting. Thank you.”

Adrian eyes the cake
, “Let’s eat some cake, we all got out of work early. I think we should dig into the cake.”

“Before everyone digs in
, I wanted to say something.” Patting my pants pocket, I take Willow’s hand. “Willow, I’m so proud of you for getting through this, you are an amazing woman. You are unbelievably strong, and so loving. Your courage is truly an inspiration. After Olivia died, I thought I could never find anything close to the kind of love she and I shared. I’ve been given a second chance and now so have you.” Bending down on one knee in front of her, I reach in my pocket, removing the box, I open it, taking one of her hands in mine. “Willow Emery, I love you with all that I am, please make me the happiest man in the world. Will you marry me?”

Both of my sisters ar
e standing next to Willow crying. My mom has her hand over her mouth softly crying as well. Each of my brothers has grins from ear to ear. I look in Willow’s eyes and I can see the love she has for me. Kneeling down in front of me, she places each of her hands on my face.

“Asher Wellington, you have made me the happiest woman in the world
, I love that I can share your love and your heart with Olivia. Yes, I will marry you.”

Wrapping her in a hug, both of us kneeling on the floor, everyone starts clapp
ing and patting me on the back.

“Cake, I need cake, all this sappy mumbo jumbo
. This is supposed to be a celebration, let’s eat cake!” Adrian says as he makes his way over to the cake.

Removing the one karat princess cut pink diamond with clear diamonds cascading down the
sides, I slip it on her finger. It’s a perfect fit.

“Asher
, it’s beautiful, I love it.” My sisters and mother push me out of the way to get a closer look at it.

“Move out of the way son, it’s our turn, go eat cake.” My mother grabs Wil
low’s hand to inspect her ring.

Sending me a smile
, Willow is engulfed by my sisters and mother. Heading over to Adrian, not only have they cut the cake, but they have eaten half of it too.

“Congratulations
, son.” My dad shakes my hand and gives me a man hug. “I know you miss, Olivia, we all do. I can see how happy you are, and I’m just so happy for you.”

“Thanks D
ad, that means a lot to me.”

The rest of the afternoon
is filled with food and laughter. I think it’s time to take my fiancé home. “Sorry to break up the party, but I think Willow needs to get home and rest for a bit.”

Saying our goodbyes,
everyone gives congratulations to Willow for being cancer free and for our engagement, we head out the door. Willow walks ahead of me and whispers in Simon’s ear. With a smile, she takes my hand, and we get in the car.

“What was that all about?”

“You’ll see. You’re not the only one who gets to make secret plans.”

Pulling up in front of my florist
, she turns to me, “I’ll be right back.” With a kiss on the lips, she heads inside. She returns a few minutes later with an arrangement of yellow roses. With a smile, I think I know where this is headed.