Finding My Forever Page 13

  “Did you see that? Wasn’t it amazing?”

  The excitement in her voice matched that of a kid on Christmas morning.

  Braxton put his arm around her waist, his hand lightly rested on her hip.

  “I did. Come on, I want to show you something.”

  They walked further into the garden, reaching the very center. There, a large fountain took up a five foot by five foot space. The base had been hand crafted out of multicolored stones. Blues, pinks, purples, yellows, greens, and some, a mixture of all colors, turned the water different shades at the edges. The water in the middle thrust up and spewed over forming a Fleur-de-lis and was unlike anything Allie had ever seen. Pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters covered the bottom flooring of the fountain and as Allie turned to Braxton to ask for change, she smiled. His outstretched hand held one of each coin for her to toss in, adding to the collection already there.

  She took the quarter between her fingers, tossing it into the water. It made a plopping sound and she watched as it turned and flipped through the water before coming to rest at the bottom. One at a time, she let each coin go until all she had left was the penny. She held it up in front of her, briefly closed her eyes, then tossed it into the water with the others.

  “Did you make a wish?”

  “Yes, but I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.”

  “Not asking.”

  Braxton led her to a bench across from the fountain and helped her sit down. Behind the bench, a wall of butterfly bushes lined the outer edge of the garden. Thousands of butterflies swarmed around, a couple of them landed on the bench beside Allie. Her eyes scanned the area around them. Braxton stood in front of her a few feet away and just to the right.

  “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.”

  “Neither have I.”

  Hearing his words, her eyes returned to his, her hand flew to her mouth and her breathing and heart rate took flight. Braxton was there, directly in front of her on one knee. This was the moment he had been waiting for. As many butterflies glided in the space around them, he felt as though more fluttered inside of him. He was nervous, but more than ready and very excited. His face softened, and as he began to speak, his nerves settled and pure adoration took their place.

  “Allie, life is made up of so many components. Trials and tribulations, happiness and successes, laughter and tears, but the one thing that makes or breaks it all, is love. It’s the key to overcoming anything, the key to enjoying the good times. Some people wait their entire lives and never find that perfect balance. I’m one of the lucky ones, my wait is over. There is not one thing I would change or do over in this journey of finding my forever because that path is what led me to you, to this moment. I love you. You are the balance in my life. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without you. So I’m asking, share this life with me, take my hand and make the rest of this journey by my side. Will you be my forever and marry me?”

  Tears slid down her face, love reflected in her eyes behind the pools of the unshed. Her eyes followed Braxton’s hand as he pulled the small red box from his pocket, opened the top, and held it out to her. Nodding her head in answer as words failed her, she stretched out her hand to him. Braxton placed the ring on her finger then kissed each fingertip sealing his promise. He took her in his arms and held her.

  “Yes,” she finally managed to whisper. She leaned back, cupped his face in her hands, a move he’d done to her so many times before that had always calmed and comforted her. “I love you. I’ve loved you for so long. Even when I was stubborn and pushed you away. You always came back and never giving up on me. I knew then I wouldn’t be able to push you away anymore, I needed you.” She ran the pad of her thumb across his lips, her voice strong and sure, “Yes, I will be your forever.”

  Braxton pulled her face to his. He kissed her deeply, his tongue stroking hers in tandem. He would never forget this day, how he was so full of love. Love that she had returned to him whole heartedly. All of his dreams were in reach, his life complete.

  When the sunlight began to fade, they headed home. The smile hadn’t once left Allie’s face and Braxton kept glancing over at her. Their intertwined hands rested on the center console of his truck.

  “I want to get married before we go home to Tuscaloosa.”

  “That’s at the end of the week. How would we have time to break the news to our parents and plan everything?” She was in full out panic mode, her voice loud in the small cab of the truck.

  “Don’t worry, it’s all taken care of. Well, almost,” he smirked. “I wanted to do this the right way, so I started with asking your dad for his blessing. Your mom is on standby ready to help you plan and get whatever you need. All you have to do is tell her.”

  “They’re okay with us getting married? Now? All of this?”

  “More than okay.”

  That was all it took to calm her and the rest of the drive home she talked non-stop about plans for the wedding. She wanted small and simple. There would be no problems getting this put together in time. By the end of the weekend, she would be his wife, his forever.

  ∞ Chapter 25 ∞

  Every light in the house was on when they arrived back at Shane and Amy’s house. Allie thought it to be strange, but then chalked it up to her parents being older and not caring as much as they did when she was a kid. It was either that or they bought stock in Alabama Power she didn’t know about. Braxton put the truck in park and shut off the engine, yet Allie hadn’t moved. She sat looking at her childhood home and he could see she was deep in thought. Years of memories flashed in her mind’s eye. They were leaving their childhood behind. It wasn’t a sad occasion and both of them were very eager to start this new journey together.

  Opening the front door of the house, Allie couldn’t see anyone, but could hear quiet conversations drifting in from the front room. Braxton followed behind her, a small smile played on his lips. Allie’s steps faltered as she rounded the living room entrance. Braxton steadied her as she came to a stop looking at the faces of each one gathered around. There is front of her were their families. Her parents, Zak and Hannah, Serenity, and even her uncle Kolby stood among them. The biggest surprise, the one that made her heart melt, was standing behind the recliner, arms propped on the back with her signature goofy smile plastered across her face. Katrina.

  No one moved or said a word. Amy and Hannah, who had been sitting on the couch, stood with the others. Allie realized Braxton had done this. They had all known of his plan and she was overwhelmed at the lengths he would go to for her. His love knew no bounds. She looked adoringly at him, giving him a smile. He could see the glint in her eye, she was up to something.

  “Well?” her mother asked.

  “Well, what?”

  Allie knew exactly what she was asking but decided it would be more fun to play along, keep them in suspense for a few minutes longer. Her left hand was wrapped tightly in Braxton’s so her ring was hidden from view. Amy’s smile fell a little and her expression turned to confusion. She glanced at Braxton for answers but he wasn’t any help, letting Allie have her fun. He shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t know what to say.

  “Do you have something to tell us?”

  Allie brought her finger of her right hand to her chin, tilting her head as if in thought.

  “No, I don’t think so, unless you’re talking about this?”

  Letting go of Braxton’s hand, she put her left hand in the air putting her ring on full display. Amy, Hannah, Serenity, and Katrina began screeching like a bunch of banshees and ran to gather around Allie. Braxton joined his dad and the other guys on the other side of the room. The room was filled with love and Braxton and Allie knew these people were most important to them. They were grateful for the support being offered to them.

  “Have you had dinner yet?” Zak asked.

  “No, we ate a late lunch and weren’t really hungry when we left the garden.”

  Zak put his arm around his son’s shoulde
r, pride filling him.

  “Hey everyone,” he yelled above the chattering of the ladies to get their attention. “We’re going out to eat to celebrate. Dinner’s on me.”

  Allie was too excited to sleep. That’s not to say she wasn’t sleepy, there was just too much on her mind for her brain to shut down. Braxton held her tight while she talked about wedding plans and anything else that crossed her mind. Turning over onto her back, she lifted her hand to admire the unique ring that rested there. He explained the meaning behind the ring, how he was the sky and she was his sun. Allie was astounded by how much thought he had put into this ring and their relationship. She had never felt more loved or more blessed to be a part of something bigger than she could have ever imagined. This had been what she was looking for all along, she just didn’t know it until this moment. She would still go back to school and chase her dreams, but those dreams no longer consisted of leaving Gardendale behind. This was home, Braxton was her happiness, and when their son was born, he would be what made them complete.

  Although Allie wanted a simple wedding, there was still a lot to be done. They were having the ceremony in the small country church in town. The girls had met with the preacher, who luckily could do the ceremony on such short notice. Allie, Serenity, and Katrina all found matching dresses, Allie’s in white, and the others in a light blue. Small bouquets of flowers with blue satin ribbon were chosen and purchased.

  Allie chose a two tier cake considering they were keeping this ceremony small, maybe twenty or thirty of their closest friends and family members. It was decorated with the flowers, the same color blue as the dresses she chose for Serenity and Katrina and two linking hearts would sit on the top. Hannah offered to make punch for the reception and Allie gladly accepted. Everyone was pitching in ideas and soon, most everything was completed and ready.

  There was an unfamiliar car parked in Zak’s driveway when the girls returned and Allie wondered who’s it could be. Male voices came from the direction of the kitchen. Serenity and Katrina followed behind her.

  “Hey, babe,” Braxton said from the other side of the island. “Guys, this is my girl, Allie. And that is Serenity, and Katrina,” he pointed each one out as he introduced them. “Girls, this is Connor and Bently, my old roommates from college.

  They exchanged hellos and soft handshakes after the introductions.

  “The infamous Allie. It’s great to finally meet you. I think Braxton’s been trying to keep you all to himself,” Connor said.

  “I was protecting her from you two.”

  “I’m pretty sure she doesn’t need protection from us,” Bently chimed in, but his eyes never left Serenity.

  “It was more the other way around,” Allie explained. “I wasn’t ready to share him.”

  Connor and Bently of course ribbed Braxton for the next little while over that one. The group of friends, old and new, made pizza and sat around the table talking and cutting up. Braxton was glad that they all got along. He noticed the looks Bently kept giving Serenity and knew his friend had an instant attraction to her. Connor and Katrina on the other hand, it was hard to tell with them two. Katrina, with her witty comments had definitely met her match with Connor.

  They stayed up into the early morning hours enjoying each other’s company. It had been too long since either Braxton or Allie had felt this kind of easiness with their friends and agreed that even after they were married, this was something they definitely needed to continue.

  The next two days were busy, the women had put the men to work decorating and making sure everything was perfect for the wedding and reception. The woman worked on finishing last minute details, hair, nails, and coordinating the actual ceremony itself. By Friday night, everything was ready. They decided to hold the rehearsal that evening and afterwards they would all go back to Shane and Amy’s for a bar-b-que. Not your typical rehearsal dinner, but it didn’t matter to them. At home, they were in no rush and could eat then hang out.

  Braxton and Allie gathered their friends around the pool in the backyard. They had moved the deck chairs into a half circle along the water’s edge.

  “Allie and I want to thank you, not only for your friendship, but for being here for our wedding. There’s no one else we would have wanted to stand up with us. We wanted to get you something to show our appreciation.”

  He picked up a bag that was sitting beside his chair. Inside were four boxes, mahogany in color. Braxton handed each one the box that had their name engraved on the top. Inside the groomsman boxes lay a leather wallet. The date of the wedding and groomsman had been embossed on the front flap. Inside the bridesmaid boxes, the girls lifted a gold chain that held a rose colored heart shaped locket. On the back, the wedding date and bridesmaid had been engraved.

  “It’s beautiful,” Katrina said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

  “Thank you both for including me on your special day. You’ve both become part of my family. When I knew no one, you made sure that I wasn’t left out or alone. I’ve never had that before, real friends. I love you both.” Serenity stood and hugged them tight.

  Katrina followed Serenity’s lead and Connor and Braxton did, too. There had never been another group of people who had done so much for each other and become so close in such a short amount of time. Braxton knew this was the type of friendships that last a lifetime, and because of that, he and Allie were rich indeed. No matter the time or distance, they would always remain the best of friends.

  ∞ Chapter 26 ∞

  The sun was shining bright in the almost cloudless sky. Birds chirped out their morning songs in the warm summer air. Looking out over the yard of his childhood home, Braxton thought about all of the times he and Allie spent together as kids, playing pirates or building castles in the sandbox. He laughed to himself, remembering when Allie convinced him to play dolls with her, she had been about five years old, and him six. He’d managed to get the dress off of the doll, but had a heck of a time figuring out how to get the other one back on. Allie had called him a dummy and informed him he was putting it on backwards. Not only backwards, but upside down to boot. Needless to say, that was the last time she asked him to play dolls.

  Standing before the mirror, he checked his tie one last time. His button up blue shirt was wrinkle free and hugged his frame nicely. Khaki pants and dress shoes completed his attire.

  “Knock, knock.”

  “Hey, dad.”

  Holding up a boutonniere, he walked over to stand next to Braxton, “I brought you this. May I?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  He pinned the white rose onto his son’s shirt and grasped him in a hug.

  “I can’t believe this day is here. I’m proud of you. Your mother would be proud of you as well.”

  Braxton’s heart squeezed tight in his chest. He wished his mom was here to see him marry Allie. He’d never been more thankful for Zak. Never once did he see Braxton as anything other than his own blood and he felt the same way about Zak.

  “You know she’ll be watching you today.”

  “Thank you, Dad. Not just for today, but for every day you have been in my life. You didn’t have to be, and yet, you put your life on hold for so long to make sure I became the man mom tried to raise me to be. Thanks will never be enough. I love you.”

  Zak pulled Braxton in once more, hugging him tight. Braxton could feel him shaking against him. He knew his words had impacted Zak as much as he had impacted his life. Leaning back, Zak kept his hands on Braxton’s forearms. His face red and the remanence of tears glistened in the soft light.

  “I’d do it all over again. There was never any choice. You were mine from the time I met you and your mother. I never once thought of taking your dad’s place. I only wanted to do him justice, be someone he would approve of and take care of you like I knew he would have, had his life not been cut short.”

  “You did all of that and more.”

  Zak glanced at his watch, wiped his face, and clapped his hand on Braxton’s
back.

  “You ready to do this? It’s time.”

  “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my entire life.” His smile spread across his face. Excitement coursed through his veins as the father and son team made their way to their respective trucks.

  The church was only a couple of miles down the road from the house. It was small and bright white in the glow of the morning sun. Braxton stepped out from behind the wheel of his truck, the warm air blowing across his face. Looking up at the sky, he noticed a feathery cloud in the perfect shape of an angel, wings spread wide. A sense of calm fell over him and he was certain his mother was watching, seeing it all. She’d said in her last letter to him before she passed that she would always be with him. If he ever doubted it before, he now knew it to be true. “I love you, mom,” he whispered to the heavens.

  Braxton stood at the altar, nervous but his excitement overrode his nerves. He was antsy waiting for the moment his bride would come through the doors to meet him under the arch. His heart picked up speed, beating in time with the rhythm of Pachelbel’s Cannon in D. Serenity and Bently, followed by Katrina and Connor, made their way down the aisle to take their rightful places.

  As the song changed to the bridle march, he focused on the back of the church. Butterflies that had not been there all morning now danced in his abdomen. His heart soared as Allie rounded the corner, her arm linked with her dad’s. She was breathtakingly stunning. Her knee length dress was white with sequins that glinted as she moved slowly down the aisle closer to him. Her smile, radiant and perfect, enhanced her already beautiful features. Clips encased by lace held her long brown hair away from her face. Bright blue eyes pulled him in like a magnet. She was all he could see as everything and everyone else faded away. Electricity zipped through him when Shane placed Allie’s hand in his. It was time and he was more than ready to make her his, to claim her forever.