Beautiful Misery (The Beautiful Series) (28 page)

She was my one. The one I wanted to spend my forever with
.

Sometimes you have to fall to rise again. You have to make mistakes to live and learn. You have to be hurt to be thankful you’re alive. It’s something that is denied to many- like Cobie and Derek. But, we have to breathe, think, laugh, smile, love, and hurt. There will be sadness in our journey, its part of life. But, there is also so much beauty. We can’t stop living though, we have to push forward. You never know what’s waiting on the other side. Your Annie could be just around the corner.

Epilogue

Annie

8 Months Later

R
olling over I was welcomed by a cold bed. Opening my eyes, the bright sun burned. Tossing the bed sheet down, I sat up and rested my legs over the side of the bed. I could hear the shower running, weird. Gage had been slacking lately and never got up this early on his off days.

Pushing out of bed I shuffled into the bathroom. “Hey, why are you up so early?”

I could see Gage through the glass shower door, his body was nothing short of perfect and I still got hot and bothered from seeing it.

Gage smiled and said, “I totally forgot I have a shoot with Sports Report today. Thankfully it’s not until noon but it’
s in the bay so it will take a while to get there.”

I really wanted to spend time with him. He would be leaving soon for spring training camp and would be gone for a few weeks.
“Oh, ok. Maybe the kids and I will go to the beach today, it’s supposed to be sunny.”

Gage shut the water off and opened the steamed door. Grabbing his towel off the bench he wrapped it around his waist making his way to me.
“Actually, my mom asked if she and dad could take them out today. I guess they are having some naval show and Gabe won’t stop talking about it.”

“Hmm. I haven’t heard him mention anything. But, sure. He would love that.” I said, shrugging one shoulder.

Gage wrapped his strong, tattooed arms around my waist and lifted me onto the counter. He lowered his mouth to mine and just as the kiss was getting warmed up I heard Londyn’s little voice come through the baby monitor. “Daddy! Me up!”

The princess was awake.

Gage lifted his head and laughed. “Every fuckin’ time. Daddy doesn’t get any lovin’ these days. I need to teach that girl how to make her own damn breakfast.”

Rolling my eyes, I smacked his bare chest. “Sorry babe, chicks before dicks. Gotta go get my little lady.
Finish getting ready. I’ll make the kids breakfast and pack their bag.” I hopped off the counter and pecked Gage’s cheek. “I love you.”

Gage smacked my ass as I walked by. “Love you, too.”

I walked into Londyn’s room to find Gabe sitting on the floor in front of her crib with a book in his hands. He was flipping page after page and making up a story. Londyn was loving it. Giggling, she was saying over and over, “Bub bub, more.”

“Good morning babies.” I said resting my head on the door frame.

“Mommy! Did you see me? I was reading to Londyn.” Gabe jumped up and ran to me.

Hugging him I answered, “I did, sweetie. She was loving it.”

Londyn clapped her hands and yelled, “Mama!” She had started calling me Mama a few months ago. At first I wanted to tell her I wasn’t Mama, but I was her Mama. In my heart it felt right. I could never be Cobie, I didn’t want to be. But, I would be the next best thing and love Londyn unconditionally.

Letting go of Gabe I made my way to Londyn. The closer I got, the more excited she got. Lifting her out of her crib I hugged her close and kissed her cheeks. “Is somebody ready to eat?”

Gabe ran out the door and was halfway down the stairs when I heard him yell, “Superhero power pancakes!”

Walking out of Londyn’s room I looked at her and said, “I think Bub bub wants panc
akes. Do you want pancakes, too?”

Londyn excitedly nodded and said, “Ess, ess! Peese!”

There was a time, not too long ago, that I never pictured myself with anymore kids. But now I couldn’t picture my life without Londyn. I may not be her biological mom but I loved her enough for the both of us.

“Ok, pancakes it is.”

The pancakes were almost done when I saw Gage sauntering into the kitchen.

“I just got off the phone with my mom, she said she will be here around ten to pick up the kids. Why don’t you go ahead and get in the shower while the kids are eating.”

Frowning I asked, “Why do I need to take a shower now? I can just wait until your mom gets the kids.”

“I
was going to see if you could run to a few places for me today. I won’t have time and they need to be done today.”

“Where do I need to go?” I asked as I cut up pancakes for Londyn.

Gage grabbed Gabe’s plate and carried it to the table. “I will text you a list. It’s nothing you can’t handle, supermom.”

“Haha. Got this shit covered.” I handed Gage Londyn’s plate and rinsed my hands. “I will go get their bag ready then get in the shower. Will you clean up?”

Gage held his hands up, inspecting them he said, “Go ahead. I think these money makers can handle a few dirty dishes.”

Rolling my eyes, I ignored his comment. Kissing
Londyn and Gabe I told them I loved them then walked up the stairs.

Going into Gabe’s room I pulled out his clothes for the day, an extra ‘just in case’ outfit, and his swim trunks. Gathering it into my arms I crossed the hall to Londyn’s room. Putting Gabe’s clothes on her dresser, I opened Londyn’s closet to get her clothes and swimsuit. Putting her clothes next to Gabe’s I reached for the diaper bag. It wasn’t on the door handle. I always put it there.

Pushing the door closed I looked to see if it fell. Nothing on the floor. What the hell?

Yelling, I asked, “Gage, is Londyn’s diaper bag down there?”

No answer.

“Gage? Is the diaper bag down there?” I yelled again.

Still, no answer. Seriously? I know he could hear me, he was just ignoring me.

Stomping down the stairs I huffed and puffed into the kitchen. It was clean and everyone was gone. “Hello? Anyone? This isn’t funny!”

Looking around the kitchen I saw a piece of paper on the counter. Picking it up I saw it was from Gage.

Dear Annie,

Don’t freak out. We are all safe. But I lied. Today is all about you. I want you to go upstairs, take a relaxing bath and get dressed. A princess can’t have a proper scavenger hunt without a chariot. Your car will be here at ten. The driver will have the clue to your next stop. There are a few rules…accept them and follow them. I’ll be waiting for you. Love you.

Rule 1…No cell phone today
and no, you cannot borrow someone else’s.

Rule 2…there will be a photographer stalking you, don’t mind him.

Rule 3…You must read each clue out loud so the photographer can also record with a flipcam.

Rule 4
…Relax, have fun, and enjoy your day

    
                                                                                                                                                          Gage

What was going on? Smiling, I looked at the clock, eight forty. I had an hour and twenty minutes before my car was here.

Taking my time
, I took a relaxing bubble bath with candles and soothing music. I was dressed and ready five minutes until ten.

At exactly ten o’clock the doorbell rang. Opening the front door I saw a nicely dressed older man with a large bouquet of lilies.
Behind him was the photographer, snapping away.

“Good morning, Miss Holland. I’m Chet, I will be your driver today.” Handing me the flowers he said, “These are for you, make sure to read the card.”

Taking the flowers, I sat them on the entry table and pulled out the card. Opening the card I found another note.

Go for a ride and trust me.
Your next clue awaits you at 6489 Paradise Lane.

Grabbing my purse off the
table, I smiled to the two men.

“This way, ma’am.” C
het said, pointing to the limo. Gage really did go all out. Following Chet to the limo he opened the door and I slid inside, the photographer right behind me. I was surprised to find Leigha, Sadie, and Jenna inside.

The three of them
were laughing when my mouth dropped opened.

“Ok, can y’all tell me what the hell is going on?”

Jenna said, “We really don’t know either. Gage text us last night. He asked us to meet at the bar this morning, that there would be a car waiting. And here we are.”

Leigha grabbed a champagne flute fille
d with Mimosa and held it up. Jenna, Sadie, and I grabbed a flute and held ours up too. She said, “To girl’s day and to Gage for being so generous.” After clinking glasses we all drained our flutes.

Turning my head to look at the photographer I asked, “Do you know what’s going on?”

Winking, he replied, “You’re not supposed to see me. I cannot answer that question.”

“O
h! You know, don’t you?”

Giving me a half smile and another wink he tilted his head. “By the way, my name is Todd.”

Sticking my tongue out playfully I said, “Nice to meet you. You’re not going to tell me anything, are you?”

Todd grinned. “Nope.”

I turne
d to face my friends again. Leigha turned on the radio and the car was filled with Gage’s voice.

“Hey, ladies. I have made a special CD for Annie. It is filled with songs that are all special to us. In the small compartment beside the radio you will find a box of Kleenex. Annie will need them. Enjoy your day, ladies. And, Annie, I love you.”

As Gage’s voice ended and Your Call by Secondhand Serenade came through the speakers. This was the song that was playing the night Gage told me he wanted to be more than just friends. He wanted to be my one and only.

Feeling my eyes tear up, I looked to the girls and asked, “Tissue, please?”

I saw Jenna getting teary eyed too when she said, “He really loves you. I’m so glad he found you. You have changed him, he’s the old Gage again. Thank you so much.”

“I love him too, so much, maybe too much. I don’t know what my life would be like without him and I don’t ever want to know. I can see myself marrying him one day.”

Jenna, Sadie, and Leigha smiled at me and dabbed their eyes with a tissue. Feeling the car stop I looked out the window. We were at Beach Beauty Nails to get our nails done. Chet came around to open the door and we all got out. Walking into the salon the girl at the front desk sweetly asked, “Miss Holland?”

I nodded and said, “That would be me.”

“Great, please follow me.” We were led to an area in the back where I saw Heather waiting.

“You’re in on this too?” I asked in disbelief.

Heather stood and said, “Of course! Now here, read this.”

Another clue!

What princess doesn’t have their nails ‘did’? It’s all paid for, so you ladies go crazy. But, for your nails go with French Tips. Your next clue will be given to you when you’re done.

I sat down next to my sister and spent an hour letting my hands be pampered. Once they were manicured and shiny, Jenna
reached into her purse and handed me another note.

Do you remember the first place we
were photographed in public? There you will find someone special with another clue.

Getting all the girls and Todd into the limo we made our way to the pie
r. There I was welcomed by Lydia, who gave me a yet another clue.

Remember our first
official date? I’ll never look at that fifty yard line the same. Where we had dinner, that’s where you are going for lunch. You will find another clue waiting for you.

P.S. I love you

Laughing, I said, “Get back in the limo ladies. Oh and Todd, too. We’re going to Fresh for lunch.

Walking into the restaurant I saw Abby sitting at a large table waving us over. The girls and I enjoyed a lunch of sushi and beer. Just like our first date. Instead of having the check dropped off I has handed another clue.

Every princess deserves a new dress and shoes. You don’t have to go too far, just around the corner to Sunshine Boutique.

The girls and I, plus Todd, walked to the store. I was nervous to walk in, afraid of who or what I might find. Hesitantly, I opened the door and slowly stepped inside.

Walking out from the dressing rooms I saw my mom and Gage’s mom coming toward me. They both hugged me and handed me another clue.

By now I’m sure you know what I’m going to do. So get a fancy dress and
shoes to match. The car will take you to your next location but hurry, you only have until eight to get ready.

I looked at my mom and asked, “What time is it?”

My mom said, “It’s two o’clock.”

“He does know me. I take forever to shop.”

Two hours later I had my dress and shoes. My dress was a strapless, tee length dark purple satin with simple silver bead accent on the bodice. I had silver strappy sandals to match.

Getting back in the car we were whisked away. We pulled up the Sheraton and I was in awe. The girls and Todd led the way into the hotel. Gage already had a suite reserved and waiting for us. We were escorted to our room, were we found ma
ssage therapist waiting for us. After our massages there was a knock on the door. I opened the door to find an army of people on the other side.

“Miss Holland, we are here to do hair and makeup for you lovely ladies.”