Wished Away: A Broken Fairy Tale (30 page)

Gage says I’m his air, but he’s the one who gave me life again, and I’m going to live it to the fullest without taking one second for granted ever again, because I never know when it could all end.

Charlotte comes down the hall frantically making sure we have everything we need before Gage gets here, seeming more anxious and excited for him to get here than me. I can only laugh when she buzzes around the room, trying to find my camera insisting my cell isn’t good enough for a night like tonight. Right then I realize I really need to take this girl someplace other than Cutter Lane when we go out since a night like this has her so excited. I decide some music will help keep us entertained and put on “Happy” by Pharrell and let loose with my little girl. It’s times like these when I wonder if Dave is with us, but then push the thought away and remember he once told me he’d always be with me, and that part of my heart is still his.

When Gage walks through the door to see Charlotte and me dancing on the couch, clapping along, the look on his face turns me inside out. It’s filled with such awe and admiration that I can only run right into his arms and share in his happiness. He takes me easily in his arms, kissing me softly, pressing his lips to mine, letting out a moan when our lips part, knowing there are watchful eyes on us.

“I needed that,” he says with a wicked grin.

Charlotte is right at our side tugging on the sleeve of Gage’s tuxedo, pulling him down to whisper something in his ear. They’ve had quite a few secrets these days, and rather than be nosey like usual, I instead revel in the special bond they have developed together. The fact that Charlotte loves him as much as I do means everything to me.

“Show her, show her!” Charlotte begins practically ripping Gage’s jacket off and all I can do is laugh at her enthusiasm. I can see her time spent with me is starting to show and it makes me glad to see her so happy and carefree when so much of the past few years have been clouded with grief. Charlotte and I’ve decided that we would have Daddy Days together once a month, where we’ll go and visit Dave’s grave and go do something he loved, like riding the Gravitron at Point Pleasant Boardwalk, or having clam chowder at the Crab’s Claw. We always try to make it fun, and to remember the good times rather than wallowing in our sadness. We talk about how it’s a good thing to miss him, and we both will always miss him and honor him, but he wouldn’t want us to be sad thinking of him. He’d want us to be happy. It’s times like these that I know we are making Dave proud and honoring his last wishes.

Gage smiles down at Charlotte with his bright blue eyes sparkling more than ever. “I’m all tied up in this monkey suit Char, and we have to get going soon.”

My interest is peaked when Charlotte begins to beg and tells him we can help him get dressed again. “What kind of surprise do you have that would require taking off your clothes?” I eye him eagerly.

His smoldering gaze meets mine and he winks suggestively making me use every inch of self-control not to put on a movie for Charlotte and drag him upstairs.

“Pleeease Gage, please let us see it!” Charlotte is laying it on heavy now, batting her long lashes up at Gage who clearly melts right there and he begins to take of his jacket.

“How can I say no to my girl?” He hands her his jacket and begins loosening the bow tie and it takes everything in me to keep my cool and act mature in front of my daughter. Gage is smiling at me surely knowing me well enough to know the wicked thoughts racing through my mind when he begins to unbutton his perfectly ironed white shirt.

“Gage, what in the world are you doing?” I can’t imagine what he has to show me.

Nothing’s sexier than a man dressed formally the way he is, hiding a ridiculously sculpted body with tattoos that no one would imagine were there. My favorite has become the sleeve he has on his right arm. The intricate Celtic knot design wrapped around his biceps always drives me wild. Charlotte begins hopping up and down clapping her hands in excitement and it’s only then that I notice something different wrapped around his toned muscles. There are new, colorful tattoos added to the black sleeve that immediately catches my attention. I trace my finger over the bottom of his tattoo and examine the intricate design in black that’s etched in the center of colorful the bands forming a cuff on either end. Gage smiles and points to the same design at the top of his shoulder. “Rainbows and butterflies,” he says simply, and I come undone. Nothing has ever touched me more in my life than seeing that added to a symbol of Gage’s heartbreak. It’s as healing to my soul as anything else in this world could have ever been, and I can’t hold back the tears.

“He did it for you, Mommy. It’s your favorite saying. He wants a part of you with him forever.” Charlotte’s beaming from ear to ear.

“Hey Kid, you were supposed to let me say that part,” he says laughing when Charlotte jumps in his lap completely oblivious to the wonton way he’s looking at me.

“You get to tell her all the rest. I promise I won’t ruin anything!” She kisses his cheek and he sighs, pretending exasperation.

I’m still tracing the design of his tattoo when he whispers something to Charlotte and sends her off to do something, giving us a minute alone. He tilts my chin up so that I’m looking into his eyes that fill me with love, when “Ink” by Coldplay begins to play in the background. I look up at him and smile. “Charlotte?”

He nods. “She’s been my partner in crime.” He leans in and kisses me so fully that it nearly brings tears to my eyes and I can’t imagine what has come over him.

I’m instantly taken back to our first date, dancing under the stars, and knowing he was going to be the man to bring me back into the light. He takes my hand and stands up, dancing along to the happy song of love that tells me just how much I’m a part of him, symbolically and now literally.

“Thank you,” I whisper before bringing my lips to his again, needing to feel the connection, not worrying if Charlotte sees. I know it makes her happy to see us together, happy, and in love. He grips my waist tightly and pulls my body up to his, letting me feel the reaction his body has to the way my kiss if filled with so much. The burning desire is overcoming me when he nips at my bottom lip and I light up feeling the lines of his tattoo just for me and never want to let him go.

“I love you.” he growls through our kiss and I know he wants to take me upstairs as badly as I want to follow.

“Ditto,” I repeat as he moves my body against his in the most seductive way. It just doesn’t seem fair that any person should have the qualities he has.

When the song ends, Charlotte comes bouncing back in and he laces his fingers through mine. She runs up to him and they high five. “Can we go now? I can’t wait for her to see the next part!” Charlotte hands Gage his shirt and tie with a smile broader than I’ve ever seen.

“Another surprise?” I whisper leaning in and brush my lips across his ear, knowing how much it drives him mad. “By chance do any of these surprises end up with you naked in my bed?”

He gets the predatory look on his face that always makes my insides turn inside out. “Something like that.” He kisses me one last time before buttoning up his shirt.

After I help him with his tie, Charlotte is practically bursting with excitement, holding the door open for us. Just then I see Cam and Holden standing in my driveway with Kat and Joey, all dressed to the nines. I notice the way Joey has his arm draped around Kat, but decide not to call them out since I know Gage invited them all to the opening because they were the most important people in the world to me.

“Damn, we have to be the best looking people in Mantoloking.” Joey looks me up and down before kissing me on the cheek.

“Oh that’s an accomplishment considering there are like a hundred people who live here,” Kat says sarcastically making Joey turn and wrap her up in his arms playfully.

“Don’t be so pessimistic, Pierce.” Joey is relentlessly flirting with Kat, which makes me happy to see since the last time the group of us were together, I thought they would rip each other’s heads off.

I turn to Gage and whisper, “Did you make sure they didn’t bring dates?”

He nods and smiles. “Hell yes. I wish those two would stop acting like five year olds and just admit they like each other.”

Just then I notice a large limo bus turn down our street and look back at the group gathered. “I thought we were walking there?”

“Not in these heels,” Cam says with a smile.

Charlotte turns to me. “Grandmom and Grandpop Bosi are coming too. Gage set it all up!”

I look back at the man I love and there are no words. He is always thinking of me, always trying to do little things that he knows will make me smile. He knows how important Dave’s parents are to Charlotte and me, and the fact that he’s included them in such a special night means so much to me.

Gage is the last person to slide into the limo with that mischievous smile and kisses me. “Ready to roll babe?”

“I can’t wait to see it!” I turn to the others. “Have you guys been inside yet?”

“Yes,” all of them answer laughing when I pout up at Gage.

“I think it’s safe to say that tonight is going to be full of surprises, Jess,” Holden says with a wink to Gage peaking my curiosity even more.

In a matter of seconds we pull onto the stony road where the B and B sits. I feel large, soft hands reach around me, then suddenly cover my eager eyes. “What the hell, Gage,” I say trying to wriggle away to finally see how everything looks.

His deep laugh settles me, and I feel his breath on my ear filling me with liquid heat. “Just play along tonight alright?” He kisses under my ear not waiting for my answer.

I can hear the gasps and quiet excitement when everyone gets out of the limo, making it practically impossible not to break away from Gage, but tonight, just tonight, I’ll play along and be a good girl.

“Take my hand.” I hear Joey’s voice and feel his fingers grasp mine as he gently leads me out of the limo while Gage keeps his hands securely over my eyes.

When I’m standing on my own, Gage removes his hands from behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling my back up against him and kisses my head. “What do you think?”

I’m speechless. Once again, Gage has managed to tap into my dreams and has recreated my idea of Heaven. The cul de sac is lined in hundreds of illuminated antique lamps adding a soft, magical glow to the cozy shore street. Each of the three buildings are distinctively different. The B and B sits at the center, shining in the warmth of the New England style decor. The large white wrap around porch is filled with wicker lounge chairs, and tall topiaries all adorned with twinkling white lights. I’ve never experienced a scene more relaxing, and think it will be the perfect getaway for many people for years to come. To the right, the once Victorian style estate has been transformed into a more contemporary looking restaurant that’s no longer covered in grey shingles and black shutters, but now has grey and black slate accents on the metal grey exterior with worked copper accents around the enormous picture window. There are several sitting areas placed on the wrap around deck with mini table fire places blazing between each sitting area where my eyes fall upon Gage’s parents sitting deep in conversation with the Bosi’s and Mr. Dade. Just then they all look our way and take notice of our arrival, making their way down the elegant stone steps to greet us.

“What do you think?” Gage whispers over my shoulder still waiting for my answer.

“It’s perfect. I’m so proud of you,” I say turning to place a kiss on his lips. He takes in a deep breath before pulling me tightly into his warm body.

I look over to the third property, the smaller of the three, but my favorite, and am surprised to see that while it’s clear there are some minor upgrades like fresh paint, and the three tiered deck is still in place, my favorite part of the home, that it still looks like a home, not a B and B. I look up into the blue eyes that heat me like a torch. “Let’s check that one out first.”

Gage smiles down at me and rolls his eyes looking to the others. “Of course,” he says sarcastically as they all laugh with me clearly being the only one not in on the joke. He kisses my forehead. “We’ll head over there in a bit. First things first. Remember, you promised to go with the flow.”

“I’m just so excited,” I say and turn to my friends. “Let’s get this party started.”

The others greet us with excited hugs and kisses. Gage and his father share a private exchange before he walks to the front of our group. “I want to thank all of you for coming to help us with the opening of our new venture.” His attention turns solely on me and I can feel the heat burning inside me with the power of his gaze. “When we were deciding on what to name this property, we wanted to have it stand apart from the hotels. We wanted it to be a place where people could experience all the luxury and amenities of a five star resort, but also feel like they are home.” He walks over to me and takes my hand in his, looking at me so tenderly, it almost breaks my heart. “When you came into my life, it was at your darkest moment. I’ll never forget thinking to myself that I would do anything in the world to bring back the light in your eyes. I wanted to be able to wish away your pain. I’ve thanked God every day since that you have let me. When people come here, I want them to be able to forget about their trouble, I want them to be able to bask in the light that you bring to everyone you meet with your electric magnetism and sarcastic sassy way that’s so endearing…most of the time.”