Beautiful Goodbye (32 page)

Gage walked up
beside Larkin and shook his hand. Gage pulled me into a hug as the
DJ spoke, "Now we would normally do the father daughter dance. Mr.
Tucker and Mr. Nayler have made previous arrangements. Mr. Tucker
would like this dance with the bride."

As
Christina Perri’s
A Thousand Years
played Gage pulled me to him. "I'm so proud of you babe. You
are so damn special Jenna, don't ever forget that. You're a one in
a million kinda girl. Thank you for being my best friend and loving
me." Gage kissed the top of my head.

I leaned back
to look into his eyes and asked, "Gage do you have any idea how
amazing you are? One day some girl is going to see how truly
amazing you are. When that happens I'll be there to tell you I told
you so. Thank you for being my best friend and standing by my side,
always. I love you."

When the song
ended Gage and I stepped off the dance floor while Larkin and his
mom danced. Gage went to talk to the DJ while I watched Larkin
laughing with his mom. When Gage walked back over Larkin and his
mom's dance was ending. Larkin walked over and kissed me then
turned to Gage, "Work it out, man?"

Gage smiled at
me and nodded, "Sure did."

The DJ came back on the speakers, "Ladies and Gentlemen we
have another special request from the groom and best man. They want
to dedicate this song to their girl and her daddy who is watching
down on her, smiling."
Tears in Heaven
by Eric Clapton started playing and I couldn't hold my tears
back.

Both Gage and
Larkin hugged me. Gage pulled away and walked to my mom. I looked
over to see him hugging my mom, when our eyes met he smiled. I saw
the sadness in his eyes but also saw the joy. He was happy for me
but it was breaking his heart letting me go. We had been together
since we were babies now we would be nearly three thousand miles
apart. This really was our goodbye, nothing would be the same
between us after today. He would always have a special place in my
heart but Larkin came first.

We cut the
cake and of course Larkin didn't play nice and smashed it all over
my face but I got him back. I tossed my bouquet and Sadie caught
it, good thing since baby number two for her and Tyler would be
here in seven months. Larkin tossed my garter that he slipped onto
a football, of course, and Trent caught it, go figure. Leave it to
the manwhore.

We spent the
evening dancing and enjoying our family and friends until Maggie
told us it was time for us to leave. Larkin had planned our
honeymoon all by himself. I had no idea where we were going or what
we were doing other than we would be gone for ten days. Larkin took
it as far as to buy me all new clothes just for the
honeymoon.

The DJ
announced we would be leaving to our friends and family. After a
tearful goodbye to Evie I was looking for Gage as we made our way
out but I couldn't find him. Just as we reached the limo I felt a
hand on my elbow.

I turned to
see Gage and flung my arms around him and whispered, "I was so
worried I would leave without seeing you!"

"Not a chance
in hell, babe. Have fun on your honeymoon and be safe. Love you."
Gage kissed my cheek.

"Love you
too." I kissed his cheek and squeezed him a little tighter because
I wasn't sure when I would see Gage again.

"This is our
beautiful goodbye babe. Now go live you’re happily ever after."
Gage kissed my temple then turned and faded into the
crowd.

I climbed into
the limo with Larkin following me. We were on our way to start our
lives together. Who knew what our futures held but as long as I had
my family I could face anything. I had my beautiful goodbye with
Gage and now I was going to have my beautiful ever after with
Larkin and our little girl. Oh, and Dollie.

EPILOGUE

SIX MONTHS
LATER

Opening the
bathroom door I looked into our room, Evie and Dollie snuggled in
our bed sleeping peacefully. Larkin should be home from practice
soon. I was so damn nervous. I wasn’t sure how he was going to
react.

I heard the
front door open then Larkin’s deep sexy voice call out, “Babe,
Evie, are you home?”

Walking out of
our room I looked over the stairs to see Larkin looking around and
said, “Shh Evie’s sleeping.” I tried hiding the envelope and bag
behind my back as I took the steps slowly down to my waiting
husband. When I reached the last step he was waiting and pulled me
to him, crashing his lips to mine.

“
I
fucking love you so much, baby,” Larkin breathed between
kisses.

Breaking our
kiss I stepped back and smiled. “I have something for you.” I
handed him the envelope and bag, and prepared myself for the
worst.

Larkin
scrunched his eyebrows and looked from me to the items in his
hands. He asked, “What’s this?”

Shrugging I
replied, “Just open it.”

Larkin opened
the envelope and saw the card front. It was a picture of Evie
sitting on the beach but in the sand it said ‘BIG SISTER’. Larkin
brought his bottom lip into his mouth and chewed it. Opening the
card he read aloud, “Daddy, mommy and me love you and so will baby
number two and three!”

Larkin just
stared at the card. I wasn’t sure what was going through his mind.
I asked hesitantly, “Babe? You ok?”

Larkin brought
his insanely dark brown eyes up to my sea green eyes, his were
filled with tears. “Baby, I am more than ok. I am so in love with
you right now. Knowing we are having another baby makes me the
happiest and luckiest guy in the world.” Larkin picked me up and I
instantly wrapped my legs around his waist. He kissed me, full of
passion and love.

“
Correction, that’s two more babies, I’m having twins. My
doctor said this pregnancy won’t be easy and I will be constantly
monitored and most likely end up on bed rest. Now open the bag!” I
giggled.

Larkin pulled
the tissue paper out and grabbed the shirt tucked inside. He smiled
as he read, “Anyone can make a baby but only the best make two at a
time.” Babe, you amaze me. I can’t believe we’re having
twins.”

Laughing I
said, “Believe it baby, I guess all that practice made
perfect.”

Larkin smiled
and pulled my face to his as he said, “Well I was always told
practice makes perfect. Maybe we should start practicing for next
time. You know, it’s never too early for practice.”

“
I
never thought this would be my life. Thank you for never giving up
and walking away. I love you,” I whispered.

“
I
told you I’m never going anywhere and I never will. I’m here for
good baby. I still don’t know how I got so fucking lucky. I love
you.”

Smirking, I
trailed kisses up his jawbone and said between kisses, “It’s those
damn tattoos and piercings that keep me around.”

**Bonus scene between Gage & Larkin**

Larkin eyed
Gage as he followed him into his room and he shut the door. Turning
to face him Larkin tilted his head and asked, "What do you want,
Tucker?"

Gage narrowed
his eyes into tiny little slits and clinched his fists. "Larkin,
Jenna means more to me than anything in this fucking world. She has
been hurt and she's broken, she has worked so hard just to get to
the point she's at now. I swear if your dumbass hurts her I will
kill you."

Larkin brought
his eyes up to meet Gage's fiery stare. If Larkin didn't know
better he would think Gage was in love with Jenna. He taunted,
"You’re in love with her, aren't you?" Larkin smirked.

Gage started
to shake his head and said, "It doesn't matter. We're best friends,
have been ever since I can remember. Jenna has been put through
hell and I was there to put the damn pieces back together, don't
make me do that again. My world revolves around her."

Larkin stood,
walking across the room and put his hand on Gage's shoulder. "I
have no plans on hurting her. Trust me, I see how special that girl
is. I am beyond in love with her, Gage. She means more to me than I
ever thought possible. I have never felt this way and it scares me
shitless but I am not going to ruin this."

Gage hung his
head before pulling it back up and smiling at Larkin. "It's
impossible not to love her. She is wild and crazy but she is also
the most amazing girl in the world. She is my girl. I want to trust
you, I do man, but I know about you. I know your past and you’re
exactly the kinda guy I warned Jenna about. I can't let her go
through another Jacob."

Walking back
across the room Larkin looked out the window. He sighed and asked,
"What happened to her?"

Gage shook his
head. "She got hurt. Bad. Jacob took everything from her. He took
everything from me, from her family. The Jenna you know is nothing
like the Jenna I grew up with. She is slowly getting back to her
old self but I know she will never be the same. Some things that
happened, that Jenna had to go through changes you and not just for
a little while but for life. I had to watch Jenna fight and
struggle. She wanted to give up but I was there pushing her, never
allowing her to quit. You will never understand how much Jenna
means to me. I swear I will do whatever it takes to protect her.
This is your warning.” Gage's eyes got dark and his voice lowered
as he warned, "Hurt her and I will end you. Jenna is my girl, my
world."

Larkin fixed
his eyes on Gage, "I may not be perfect but I'm not my past Gage. I
am not that person anymore. Jenna means a lot to me and if you
haven't noticed I mean a lot to her. I want Jenna, I love Jenna.
She has changed me in so many ways and she will never understand
how thankful I am that she came into my life."

Gage nodded as
he said, "She loves you, I know it. She won't say it. That’s not
her, she has only told one other guy except me that she loved him
and he ripped her apart. She is just protecting herself. If you
love her, give her time to accept what is happening. Just realize
Jenna and I are a package deal, you want her you get me too. I will
always be by her side so if you have a problem with that then you
should walk away now."

"Gage, when
are you going to understand? I'm not going anywhere, I fucking love
her. With you or without you Jenna means a hell of a lot to me. I
like you Gage, I really do but you’re not going to scare me
away."

Looking at a
picture Gage lowered his voice and said, "I want to like you too
but no one, and I mean no one is more important to me than her.
Don't fuckin’ forget that. I want Jenna happy and if that’s with
you then I will have to accept it. I love her too much to not want
to see her happy."

Larkin didn't
have a chance to say anything else before Gage opened his bedroom
door and walked out.

Beautiful
Goodbye was my debut novel in the Beautiful Series. Be on the
lookout for book two in the Beautiful series in late spring/ early
summer 2013.

Like me or
follow me to get exclusive sneak peeks and inside information on my
books!

Like me on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/authorcwhit10

Follow me on
Twitter: @chandinwhit10

Acknowledgments

First would
have to be my awesome, kick ass hubby. He has supported me from day
one, no matter how crazy I got or the mounds of dirty laundry he
had to walk around. He had to play mommy and daddy a lot during
this process and I am so thankful he did it, with very little
complaining haha! He doesn’t know it but he gave me so much
inspiration for the characters. Without him none of this would have
been possible. Love him xoxo

My beautiful
little girls. Thank you so much for cooperating (for the most part)
during the day and letting me write. Always keeping a smile on my
face and keeping me entertained. Mommy loves you, even when you’re
little evil monster divas.

My family,
thank you for standing beside me and supporting me. You all have
helped keep my dream alive and going.

Megan, I adore
you! You are the very first person I told about my book and the
first person to read it. You always had the words I needed to hear
when I was to the breaking point and ready to give up. Thank you
for all your support and encouragement.

Kathy. You
started as just my editor but over the days you grew to be an
awesome friend. From our random texting all day to our messaging at
night, you were there to help me through this process. I must say
you’re one amazeballs editor and friend! Watch out Vegas…we’re
coming for you!

J.B. McGee.
Thank you so much for the awesome cover, I love it and look forward
to working with you in the future!

Amy Phillips,
thank you for being crazy and for the inspiration! Without you one
of my favorite scenes wouldn’t have happened. You rock!

My Smutty W
hores, I flippin love you all! You kept my creative juices flowing.
All those late nights were a little easier thanks to the random
conversations and viewing material.

My Beta Babes,
without your feedback my story would have been mush. Thank you so
much for the comments and criticism, it was exactly what I needed.
Your support and love had me in tears at times and smiling at
others. I can’t wait to work with y’all again!