Forever My Angel (21 page)

Angel told her mom she felt bad about leaving the day she gets here, and it only made me like her mom more when I heard her say, “Baby girl, you’ve got a second family now, too. You take care of them, and I’ll take care of everything else.”

I’m zipping up my suitcase when Angel cries out. I run to the living room to find her sobbing into the phone. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” She looks up at me, and with her smile the tightness that’s been in my chest since Dad’s call eases just a bit. My phone rings a few seconds later, and when I answer it’s Dad, calling to give me the same news Angel’s hearing from Chelsea. Dad, Mom, Ware, Chelsea, and even baby Lily are all okay. At least for now. Apparently the reason Ware missed the Gala is that Lily was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Her need for heart surgery has now become dire, and thanks to my father’s checkbook it will be occurring in a few days.

“Hey Dad, can I talk to Ware for a minute?”

“Sure, son. One moment.” There’s a bit of rustling, then a tentative hello. Ware sounds like he's been through hell. “Sorry, Axel. I tried to look out for her. I really did. But she saved herself in the end.”

That’s Chelsea. I shouldn’t have expected any less. “All good, brother. All good.”

“So we’re cool?” I hear the hope in his voice.

“More than cool. We’re brothers. Let me talk to Mom.”

—-♥—-

“T
hey’re here, they’re here, they’re here!” Angel pounces on my chest in nothing but a thong and a t-shirt, her eyes brimming with unrestrained excitement.

I slowly pry my sleepy eyes open, pausing long enough to savor the sight of Angel straddling me before I ask, “Who? Santa and his reindeer?” I had no clue she’d be this excited about Christmas morning, and my thoughts are still hazy under the blanket of sleep.

“No!” She smacks my chest playfully. “Ware and Chelsea brought the baby.”

“Oh.” My fog evaporates, and I sit up, using my arms to hug Angel to me as I do. “You keep waking me up like this, and we’re going to get lots of practice at making one of our own.”

She laughs and climbs off of me so I can stand. This seemed like a great plan yesterday, but faced with the ass-crack of dawn, it doesn’t feel like it now. It’s been almost a week since Chelsea faced down a crazed gunman, and only five days since my father paid to bring a surgeon in on a Sunday to perform a life-saving operation on Lily. She was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon, and Chelsea and Ware drove her home. Meaning home to their little apartment above Tuck’s Tap. Angel was over there much of the last several days helping Chelsea decorate the nursery, and I think it’s given her more than a little baby fever, because she presses a kiss to my lips all of a sudden, then gives me a wicked grin. “Soon, I think,” she says.

As much as we all wanted to be there to greet them when they brought Lily home, we knew they needed time to settle in. Dad made us all promise we’d be here for Christmas morning, though. Even though he’s already had a nursery put in upstairs in an old guest room, Ware and Chelsea said they’d bring her over when they woke up, since they were still trying to get her used to her new room at home. I just didn’t realize when they woke up would be so damn early, since apparently babies don’t sleep. I’m glad Angel suggested we stay over, agreeing that it would be easier to relax and enjoy family this morning if we didn’t have to worry about making the hour drive.

Christmases since my mother left have all been quiet, somber affairs, but I can already hear the house below us humming with life, just like I remember from when I was a kid.

Angel and I dress, then I lead her down the stairs with her hand tucked into mine.

In the corner of the family room, a large floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree is spectacularly illuminated, decorated with perfectly coordinated designer ornaments. The mantle is adorned in similar fashion, all designed to make our house feel like a cozy place for a family Christmas. But to be honest, I think the tiny townhouse with our amateurish tree blows these decorations out of the water. Because they were done with love, by me and Angel together, rather than by some interior designer that my father or I hired. But what this sitting room has that my townhouse doesn’t is all of the people I love.

My father is crouched by a mountain of presents, Lily tucked tenderly in his lap as he points to the gifts. I know without asking they’re all for her. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mom had to stop him from buying more.

Speaking of Mom, she greets me with a warm smile as we come in. “Merry Christmas.” Her eyes look like they’re so full of happiness she’s about to burst. I lean down, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”

Things are much better with us, and I know that’s probably the best gift I could give her. Still, I’ve got a photo album under the tree for her that Angel helped me put together, so she can see several of the things she’s missed over the years. It was mostly Angel’s idea. I was trying to find something to buy her, thinking maybe a new cabin or something since hers was burned down, but nothing felt quite right until Angel told me I needed to do something that came from the heart. Plus, she’s perfectly content living in the cabin that was her old studio, at least for now. She said it lets her be close so she can get to know me, while still giving everyone their own space. I’m predicting it will only be a matter of time before she moves back into the main house. Every so often, Dad takes his eyes off Lily just long enough to smile at Mom.

Vanessa isn’t here, and I don’t know if that bothers Chelsea or not. All I can do is make sure she knows that whether her mom is here or not doesn’t matter. As far as we’re concerned, she’s my sister and Tucker’s daughter from now through forever.

Chelsea doesn’t look too upset about anything at the moment, and I think maybe she and her mother have come to terms with their changing relationship. Chelsea is sitting in a plush white armchair, her head resting against Ware’s side as he perches on the side of the chair, one arm around her back. He only has eyes for her. “Hi Ware,” I say. “Glad you’re here.” I mean it.

He looks up, almost startled, like he was so busy making gooey eyes at Chelsea that he didn’t hear me and Angel come in. He stands and wraps his arms around me briefly, then pats me on the back in a man-hug. “Glad to be here, brother.”

And that’s all we really need to say. He and I haven’t talked about how things were between us, but we’re good, and that’s just how it is. Thank God we aren’t women and don’t feel the need to talk it to death. I’m here for him. He’s here for me. Good enough for us both.

Angel’s mom comes down the stairs behind us from one of the other guest rooms. “Merry Christmas, Mom.” She accepts a brief hug from Angel, and then goes to sit on the couch.

There’s a short chime of the doorbell from the front hall, and then the sound of the door opening. “Merry Christmas!” Lexi calls down the hall, then bounds into the family room with the rest of us. Kevin is smiling behind her.

“Oooh!” she squeals, catching sight of Lily.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Lexi’s dad warns from the doorway, and I couldn’t agree more. I’d hate to have to kill Kevin.

Warnings aside, I'm glad they’re here too. We feel like one big happy family, and I think this Christmas is the first of many that will be crowded and joyful at the Chadwell home.

I turn to my side, looking down at my Angel. As happy as I am to have all of the rest of them here with us, it’s Angel that matters most to me, and if she hadn’t snuck around behind my back to get in touch with my mom, we might not all be here together now. She tilts her chin up, offering her lips to me. It doesn’t take any more encouragement than that for me to take her mouth in a soft, sweet kiss. “I love you,” I whisper. “You really are my Angel.”

—-♥—-

“S
top pacing,” my father orders.

I ignore him, continuing to make a circle back and forth around the family room. I can hear the girls giggling and moving around upstairs, but no one will let me go up. Just knowing Angel is up there getting into her wedding gown is driving me out of my mind. “Were you this nervous when you married Mom?”

A feminine laugh comes from the doorway, and I stop pacing long enough to stop and give my mother a nervous smile.

“Oh good lord no. Your father was the picture of calm.” The smile she gives Dad is almost shy and secretive, and I know she’s remembering their good times.

Dad’s lips quirk into a grin. “Thought that, did you?”

She nods, and their eyes are glued together by an invisible tether. Oh my.

“Well, I’ll have you know, my knees were shaking so bad I was convinced that the priest could hear them.”

Ware and Kevin chuckle in unison across the room from their spots on the couch. They finished seating guests not long and ago, and for the last few minutes they’ve been watching my miniature—okay, fine, major—freak-out with great amusement. “I’m not going to be nervous when I get married,” Ware says without any hesitation.

A few weeks ago, I would have felt sick at the thought of him marrying Chelsea. Now I just smile. “You say that now.”

“What about you? Think you and Lexi will tie the knot anytime soon?” Ware asks Kevin.

“Not if he values his life,” I growl.

“I wasn’t nervous.”

The room falls eerily silent, as if no one is able to breathe. I pivot on my heel, narrowing my eyes at Kevin. “Tell me I heard you wrong.”

He shrugs. “Lexi and I went to Vegas last week. She and I both saw no reason to wait. We know what we want, and we know every day is precious.”

“She’s too young!” I thunder.

My anger doesn't faze him. He stares at me with a lazy smile. “And that attitude is why we saw no reason to invite you. We didn’t want our day ruined by anyone getting judgey. Like it or don’t like it. Doesn’t matter to me, unless you give Lexi trouble over it.” The warning in his words is clear, and somehow makes me feel better. She is young, and trouble-prone. But if anyone can keep her safe, it’s Kevin. He’s good for her, and good to her, and clearly I’m going to have to get used to them together.

“That’s why it took you so long to get to North Carolina, isn’t it?”

He nods. “We were on our way to the Poconos when your dad called.”

I do feel a little bad. A
very
little. “Well, hopefully this week will make up for it.” I mean that.

“Have you told Angel about that yet?”

“Nope.” The plans for our honeymoon are a secret I've closely guarded.

Our wedding planner sticks her head in the door. “Mr. Chadwell? It’s time. If you’d like to come out and take your place.”

She doesn’t have to tell me twice. I’m ready to bolt through the door and up to the altar, but my father stops me with a hand on my arm. “I just want to tell you that I’m proud of you, son. Now let me make sure your tie is straight before you go out there." He eyes me from head to toe. "All right, you’re good.”

Having passed inspection, I hurry through the door and around the side of the house, where large white tents have been erected for the reception. Beside those, rows upon rows of white chairs have been laid out in an arc around the white gazebo, which is covered in lush green ivy and red and white roses. A white carpet has been rolled out, creating an aisle, and it’s at the end of this that I take my place in front of the pastor.

I look out at the chairs, full of my father’s business associates, old family friends, people from the bar, and our close friends and family. They’re all smiling back at me, and for the first time this feels real. I’m getting married today!

Ware seats my mother, Lily in her lap. Kevin seats Mrs. Sterling. Vanessa, looking murderous, walks to her place on my father’s arm. A hush falls over the crowd.

With a last clap on my shoulder, my father takes his spot beside me. Kevin’s next to him, and Ware stands on the end. Now all that’s left is to wait for my bride.

Fortunately, she doesn’t keep me waiting long.

The music begins to play, and the first person to start up the aisle is Johanna, Angel’s friend from Tucson. I met her last night, and she seems like a nice girl. I’m not the only one watching Johanna with interest; Dougie, sitting in the second row, can’t take his eyes off of her. I saw them talking over drinks last night at the rehearsal dinner, and I wonder if they hit it off. Dougie managed the guest book for us today. It might not be a huge role, but I still wanted him involved in some way that wouldn’t have him directly interacting with Ware and Chelsea. After what he did, he said he understood.

Johanna, beautiful in her red bridesmaid's gown which contrasts with her dark hair and white bouquet, takes her place at the far end, opposite me and my groomsmen. She gives me a tiny smile.

Next, Lexi enters, looking very poised with her honey-blonde hair woven into an elegant twist. I can’t help it; my eyes go instantly to her hand, and sure enough, she’s wearing a thin band on her ring finger. She sees me looking and gives me a defiant look, daring me to react. Her shoulders ease slightly when I smile.

After Lexi takes her place next to Johanna, it’s Chelsea’s turn. My sister looks radiant. Her gown is different than the other girls’. She wasn’t comfortable in the strapless gown Angel picked out, claiming she had more cleavage than Lexi and Johanna, and she’d be constantly worried about her gown rather than enjoying the day. So Angel let her keep the original gown they’d picked out as matron of honor, and it looks spectacular on her even if I do think the deep V neckline shows a little too much. But any unwanted eyes on my sister are Ware’s problem now, and I’ve got to let go.

Chelsea smiles at me as she takes her place, mouthing, “Love you.” There’s a lump in my throat as the music changes and the crowd rises. Angel picked this song because she said it perfectly described how she feels about us, but she didn’t tell me what it would be. All I knew was that she wasn’t going to enter to the traditional wedding march. The first strains of Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” begins, and I have to agree it’s perfect. But not as perfect as the vision of beauty that pauses at the end of the carpet.