Into the Light, page 13
part #2 of Dark Angel Series
“To Andrew and Emily, you have done nothing but welcome me into your home and your family since the first time I met you. You have been with me through my darkest moments, given me the ray of hope that I needed. And now you have given me the greatest gift, the pleasure of marrying your daughter. I promise to spend my lifetime making your daughter the happiest woman alive, but only if you promise to stop nagging about grandkids for a few years.” The crowd laughed.
“To my newly crowned brother-in-law, Lex, I just want to say that I never had any siblings growing up, but had I been given that gift, I would have wished for someone like you. You are the strongest, most determined person I know. Without knowing it you have touched so many peoples’ lives and have never let me down. In fact, the only reason why I am standing here today cancer-free is because of you.” Okay, now the sobbing became louder and of course I was touched by what he said. I didn’t cry but, damn, what a speech, and it left me feeling somewhat vulnerable.
“To my beautiful wife, Adriana, my best friend and the future mother of our children, you have shown me how to love, shown me how to better myself and most importantly you are my reason for taking each breath. I love you, Adriana. A toast to the wonderful journey we are about to embark upon.” He lowered his face to meet hers and kissed the tears that had fallen down her cheeks before kissing her on the lips. The applause in the room echoed, and there wasn’t one person that didn’t have a smile on their face.
I panicked for a moment; how the hell was I going to top that or was I not supposed to top that? I cleared my throat when my name was called, the MC handed me the microphone, fuck, my palms were sweating. Why did I feel like I was the giant elephant in the room but the only person watching was Charlotte? It’s now or never, Edwards, I told myself. I straightened my posture. It was show-time.
“They say love is a noble act of self-giving, offering trust, faith, and loyalty. The more you love, the more you lose a part of yourself, yet you don’t become less of who you are; you end up being complete with your loved one.”
Chapter 13
Charlie
Lex stood up and was handed the microphone. He was a natural, almost like he was born to address a crowd. He was confident, his posture was comfortable and I was supposed to focus on him because everyone else was, but at least now I had an excuse to ogle him. He looked like his old self, the beard gone… Thank God. His hair was slightly shorter and for once it was styled neatly. He looked like an Adonis. I could stare at him all day, but my focus laid heavily on his words now.
“They say love is a noble act of self-giving, offering trust, faith, and loyalty. The more you love, the more you lose a part of yourself, yet you don’t become less of who you are; you end up being complete with your loved one. This couldn’t ring any more true, as I tell you the story of how I watched their love for one another unfold.
“The first time I met Elijah was when I came home from college, seven years ago. Adriana had this habit of waiting for me on the porch steps every time I left home, something she had done from the moment she could walk. On this particular day she hadn’t, something I thought she had outgrown, which saddened me somewhat. As I walked into the house, there was only one sound I could hear, the laughter of my sister, this unique laugh that I had never heard before, almost like there was nothing involved, just something that made her happy. I had never heard Adriana so carefree, and as I made my way to where the sounds came from I saw Adriana with this scrawny-looking blond boy who reminded me of Beetlejuice with his scruffy hair. She was sitting there intently, listening to a story that Elijah was telling her about his horses when he grew up. Now, for anyone who knows Adriana, sitting still and being quiet were skills she never displayed; in fact, it’s almost like she repelled them. However, she sat there, perfectly still, listening intently. I had never seen this side of her. After a quick cough on my end, she saw me. She wasn’t afraid, neither was Elijah. She simply introduced him as a very good friend of hers.
“From that day on, I did lose a small part of my sister. For I saw that she was finally growing into this woman, and this so-called friend Elijah, I knew he had everything to do with it. Not many people can say they held onto their first loves, not many people can say that it was only ever one person who has captured them. Elijah and Adriana, you have conquered love at first sight, remained true to one another after all these years. Your strength and unity as one never cease to amaze me. Your trust in each other, most importantly, has gotten you to this day, the day that if anyone deserved it, it’s the both of you.
“Today you both become complete with one another, and let this be a lesson to others. Place your trust in those you love, and accept their trust with the greatest of appreciation. Love like there is no tomorrow, live like today is the end. Have faith that tomorrow will come. Sometimes we are given the easy road, sometimes the most challenging. But if we can end up being as happy as the both of you today, then any road taken is well worth the journey.” He raised his glass and everyone cheered. Adriana stood up and hugged him tight. I was left sitting there, my heart beating unbelievably fast as I memorized his words. Every single thing he said.
He said it was a challenging road.
But well worth the journey.
And to love like there is no tomorrow.
Live like today is the end.
Lost in my own thoughts, I hadn’t noticed that the music filtered throughout the room as Elijah stood up and held his hand out like the true gentleman he was and asked Adriana to join him in their first dance as a wedded couple. With a smile that shone across her entire face, she stood up and followed him to the dance floor. Like two perfect souls they swayed their bodies to the soft sound as the band sung Unchained Melody. It was their song, and in their perfect moment I watched in awe as these two people had finally became one, and I was there from the beginning. Memories of them meeting for the first time at our local football game, the way that Adriana would talk endlessly about him. The way he looked at her, not like your normal high school boy. It truly was love at first sight. It was like a happy ending to a movie you spent a lifetime watching, and so I sat back and watched, willingly holding back that tear that wanted to escape.
The inevitable was near, and that feeling that buried itself in the pit of my stomach had now grown. The MC finally announced that the wedding party was to join the bride and groom. I could do this, I had to do this. He was by my side almost immediately and I did what I held back doing the moment I saw him waiting at the end of the aisle: I placed my hand into his and just like always, it shot through me, that wild jolt of electricity that reminded me why it had always been him. But this time I didn’t flinch, no, my body waited in anticipation and craved it. I craved that feeling because if he could still do this to me after seven years, then he was the one. I followed him to the dance floor, he wrapped his arms around my waist and I didn’t hold back. I placed my arms around his neck, just like at prom. Our eyes met and our gaze locked, like nothing around us existed, just him and me in this moment. His emerald eyes were sparkling as I studied his face. Should I speak first, what do I say? That I wanted him more than life itself. Should I start by saying that? His words lingered in my head. And so I danced, and placed my trust in him.
“Lex,” I murmured, his name rolling off my tongue. Oh how I’d missed the simplest thing like saying his name.
“Charlotte, please, let me say what I need to say first.”
I looked into his eyes, my movement stilled so he had my full attention.
“For the past month I have been aimlessly walking around wondering why I was being punished. Wondering exactly what I had done wrong to be dealt with so much pain. I thought I had reached low points in my life before but they were nothing in comparison to what I’ve been feeling… A few nights ago I sat alone, in a dangerous part of Brazil. I was drunk and the local folk were ready to roll me, I didn’t care that I was close to being beaten up. They watched me, tequila in hand like a time bomb waiting to go off. It hurt so much, what you had said to me and I replayed the words over and over again in my head. Those words echoed constantly throughout my mind and I questioned what exactly made me hurt the most: the fact that it was his or the fact that I wouldn’t be in your life? I wanted to hurt him, Charlotte, more than you can ever imagine. I had things...planned that I’m ashamed to admit. I was there ready to dial my cell but then I looked up and I saw it, the light that shone so bright on the statue of Jesus Christ.”
“Just when I thought I lost hope, there was this little girl a few meters away from me, her angelic voice carried in the bustle surrounding us. She spoke in her native tongue but I understood, she asked her dad why the Jesus Christ was shining so bright, it was hurting her eyes. I rushed to her side and asked her if she could see it too, she nodded and I knew it wasn’t just me. Her name was Carla. It was a sign, a big fucking sign. It was at that moment that I knew I missed you, that my life is nothing without you. I was no longer angry at him, but angry with myself for hurting you. You are the one having to deal with this alone and I hated myself for making you think you had no other choice. I love you, Charlotte Olivia Mason. My life will only be complete with you in it.”
My heart had been tugged every which way and I had to finally say the words because I needed him just as much as he needed me. “The baby—”
“This baby, Charlotte, is a part of you. Anything that is a part of you cannot possibly be wrong. It just means that he or she will have another person that will love them more than they can ever imagine.”
I pulled him into me and hugged him tight, clutching onto him for dear life. He was willing to be with me no matter what. This man loved me for everything I was, for every mistake I had ever made. I gave myself a few seconds to take it all in. The enormity of love and selflessness enveloped me and I wanted to return just that, give him hope, happiness and the love he deserved. Lex deserved the world.
“Lex, this is your baby.”
He let go of me, his face searching mine for the truth “My baby?”
“I doubted myself when I knew the truth. I lied, Lex. There is so much behind why I felt like I needed to lie and I’m so sorry I hurt you, that I caused you so much pain, and I want my chance to tell you everything, Lex. Everything I’ve been holding back since the day it all fell apart seven years ago, but for now, for right now I need to kiss you. I just... I just need you so much in my life... I need you, Lex, forever.”
Finally he pulled me in, our lips only inches apart. His warm breath lingered in the air between us. I closed my eyes, waiting in anticipation to feel his lips against mine, but it was his finger I felt, tracing my bottom lip. My chest rising and falling at a fast pace, I shivered from his touch. His mouth lingered on my bottom lip, and what only was seconds but felt like hours, he gently sucked on my lip, savoring this moment. Everything that weighed heavily on my shoulders slowly lifted as his kiss spread throughout me, shining a light on every part of me that had been encased in darkness. He was mine, and I was his. And I knew that I wanted his kiss for the rest of my life and nobody else’s. He was the one... He was always the one.
“My baby?” he asked again, this time with a smile on his face.
“Yes, Lex...this baby is ours.” I smiled in return.
This time, with a happy emotion driving it, he kissed me deeper and lifted me slightly until we heard an eruption of clapping and whistling. We paused and pulled apart and looked around us. The whole room was giving us a standing ovation, and as my face started to blush I turned to look at Lex, his face beaming with the biggest smile I had ever seen. I placed my arms back around his neck and he spun me around.
We danced, never letting go of each other; there was no other place I wanted to be. That was until Emily cut in asking for a quick dance with her son. I was slightly relieved because I had to pee, serves me right for drinking four mock-tails during dinner. I quickly ducked off to the bathroom which proved a little difficult in the dress, but I made it with moments to spare. As I stood there checking my makeup, Erin one of the bridesmaids walked in and I couldn’t help but smirk; silly bitch for trying to get her claws into Lex.
“So, you and Lex, huh?”
“Yes, me and Lex,” I said politely.
“You never mentioned it. I thought he was shagging that blonde bird...Victoria...something or other.”
“Oh my God, you’re joking? I didn’t know that. Maybe I should break up with him?” I answered sarcastically.
“Maybe you should... I know a lot of ladies he’d be interested in.”
“Clearly sarcasm wasn’t your major but you should try picking up a dictionary some time… It might help you understand when it’s being used.” I fixed a strand of my hair and got the hell out of the bathroom, high-fiving myself for my great comeback.
The rest of the night went off without a hitch; several times I was pulled into conversation with people when I just wanted to be with Lex. I dragged him everywhere with me and thank God he didn’t want to leave my side, though he proved distracting when he would whisper things in my ear.
“Can we go now?” he asked as he tugged on my earlobe with his teeth.
“This is your sister’s wedding. Your only sister. Now suck it up like the hot piece of ass…errr sorry, gentleman that you are.”
“Suck what up?” he whispered in my ear as his hands moved slowly past my ribcage brushing my breast slightly.
“You’re evil, you know that, right?”
“Oh, Mrs. Edwards... What will I do with you?” he asked with a giant grin on his face.
Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Edwards, the name like music to my ears.
“Did you want the X rated answer or G rated?”
He leaned in, resting his hand on my shoulder. His breath, warm and soft, lingered against my skin “X...always X.”
Okay so I may have giggled like a teenager but that didn’t last long as Emily and Andrew were standing beside us interrupting us from the soon-to-be pornographic banter. Andrew cleared his throat and Lex turned around abruptly.
“Oh, Charlie... I...” Emily’s tears flowed freely and I let go of Lex’s hand to hug her. This wasn’t just about us. There were other people entwined in our past, ones I thought wouldn’t be so happy with our reunion.
“I’m really going to be a grandmother?” she said through her tears.
“Yes, Mom...a little baby to spoil.” He grinned back.
I let go of her as she stroked my cheek. She looked at Lex and cupped his face. “My baby boy is going to be a daddy,” she cried again. She pulled him into her tight as Lex allowed her to have her moment holding onto her just as tight.
Andrew stood there watching. Usually he had his poker face on, was always able to hide emotions, but I could have sworn I saw his eyes glaze over; maybe it was just me and my erratic hormones. Emily let go of Lex and did her motherly duty, fixing his suit which crumpled slightly in their embrace.
“Son…Charlie… I’m so sorry.” His voice was low.
“Sorry…for what?” I asked.
“For not seeing how you felt about each other. For forcing you apart.” His words were soft as he bowed his head. Emily placed her arm around him, aware that this was him letting go of his guilt. Sometimes these moments present themselves and there is this uncertainty of how one should behave. It was awkward but letting go of this burden, these dark secrets, to these people, it was somewhat therapeutic.
“Dad...” Lex said placing his arm on his shoulder. “I think I can safely say for the both of us that we needed to do a lot of growing up. We can’t sit here and regret our past actions anymore; we have a baby to bring into this world and it needs someone to call ‘Grandpa’ that has a grey hair here or there.” In a sudden motion, Andrew pulled Lex tight into a hug. Lex was shocked and I gathered that Andrew rarely showed affection towards him. Emily, of course, cried, and I couldn’t help it; so did I. Damn pregnancy hormones.
“Wait… I don’t have any grey hairs?” Andrew chuckled, pulling away slightly.
“Sure, Dad.” Lex laughed.
It was time to throw the bouquet. The single ladies, which was majority of the room, waited in a bunch on the dance floor. A few were pushing each other for front position, laughing as I caught sight of the argument that was forming between Eric and Erin. Now I knew Eric didn’t like her after she made that Lex comment. He’d been calling her a hick-town hoe all night. Adriana stood at the front and, after two fake attempts, threw the bouquet. It landed perfectly in the arms of Kate. She stood there with a shocked look on her face. I couldn’t help but laugh as I walked over to her and hugged her tight.
“I’m glad it was you.”
“Oh dear lord, marriage? Please, I’m still trying to work my way up to platinum hoochie, and besides I don’t even have anyone on the radar.”
“Well, now that Charlie’s off the table, you are my backup. Remember, you said if we aren’t married by forty we’ll marry each other and have blissful sex with other people, but I expect you to cook for me every night, and…what was I supposed to do again?”
“Buy a toolbox and learn how fix stuff around the house.” She giggled.
Eric cringed. “Oh, that’s right...but can I get a blinged-out tool belt like the one I sent to you from the Tools-R-Us catalogue?”
“Eric, that catalogue was full of dildos and God-knows-what the other shit was called,” Kate responded.
“Oh, did you buy the one with the gold sparkles?”
