Deception (14 page)

"It was so nice to meet you too," I reply, fixating on one word that she spoke―finally.

She leans in and kisses Travis' cheek, and then tells him that she’ll see him after school tomorrow.

After she walks into the house I turn to Travis. "When did you tell her about me?" He looks at me with knowing eyes.

"She's known about you for some time, at least a year, since your mom contacted me. She saw your picture at the bar years ago, though. I had to tell her about us, it's my favorite thing to talk about," he says, squeezing my hand and then backing out of the driveway.

• • • •

We get to San Francisco and pull into my mom's driveway. "Do you want to come in and we can make some dinner?" I ask, not wanting him to go.

"Sure," he says quickly.

We head inside and check in on my mom. Drew made her dinner and she's eating. My sister is in the kitchen putting together some pizzas, so I help her out. Drew offers Travis a beer, and they return to my mom's room. "I know I haven't told you yet, but I love that you guys are back together," Marla says.

"Thanks. I do too."

"You guys are just right for each other. I've always thought that."

We eat and watch a movie with my mom. Drew leaves and my mom settles in for the night. I tell Marla to stay and relax with her, and I'll get the dishes and kitchen cleaned up. Travis helps.

Afterward, he hesitantly announces that he should leave since both of us need to be up early in the morning. I sulk and hang onto him, not wanting him to go, but knowing that he has to. We walk to the front door, passing by my mom's room. The television is turned off and Marla is reading by the bedside light. She waves good-bye to Travis.

Strolling to the front door, I'm still pouting. He pulls me in for a kiss and I don't want to let go, I don't want to stop. I wrap myself around him and enjoy the feel of him up against me. "Call me when you get out of court tomorrow?" he asks. I nod, still sad that I have to let him go.

"I love you so much, baby," I say pulling him in for another kiss. "Thank you for a wonderful day."

"This was such a great day. I'm so glad that Amanda got to meet the love of my life," he responds. "I love you, Sweets.”

Opening the front door, we notice that it's rainin
g—
quite hard. He looks at me with a playful, terrified look on his face. I laugh. "Good luck," I joke. He smiles.

"Good night, Sweets," he says, pulling his hand from mine while stepping onto the porch. I watch him as he slowly walks backwards down the stairs, keeping his gaze on mine. The rain starts to slather him, but he doesn't react, he keeps walking while looking at me. He extends both arms straight out to his sides with his hands up, and he spins around in the rain. He looks like he's enjoying it. Seeing him soaked from the rain makes him look so irresistible.

Unable to contain myself, I run onto the porch and down the stairs, right into his arms. I jump up and wrap my legs around his waist, and he holds me up as I put my mouth on his. The feel of the rain and his mouth consume me. I’m convinced that I don't want him to go. I lean in. "Stay with me tonight?"

"I’d like that," he says, pulling me in for another kiss. I attempt to wiggle down out of his hold, but he tightens his grip on me and walks back in the direction of the house. He carries me through the front door and closes it behind us. He carries me upstairs to my room, with our mouths still locked on each other's. He lowers me down onto the bed, and then returns to the door to close and lock it. Returning to me, I pull on his shirt to get him to lower down on top of me, drawing his lips to mine again. He pulls away slightly. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asks, through panted breaths.

"I've never been so sure of anything," I say, drawing him back in. "Are you okay?"

"I'm so much more than okay," he says with so much desire in every word.

His tongue searches for mine while clasping his hands with mine on either side of my head. He trails kisses along my jaw line, to my ear, and down my neck, setting off the fireworks inside my body once again. He continues kissing my neck and down lower on my chest.

Wanting him to remove his clothing, I free my hands from his and tug on the bottom of his shirt. He leans back on his legs and allows me to pull it off. He grabs my shirt and I raise myself off of the bed enough for him to remove it. I lower myself back down, bringing him with me. He hovers his body over mine, pressing just enough into me. He kisses my chest and the center between my breasts, then down to my stomach, and a spark fires within me.

I reach down, wanting to remove all the layers of clothing that remain between us. I need to feel the warmth of his skin to mine, all of it. He pulls away enough to remove his shorts and underwear. He then unfastens the button on my shorts, and slides them down my legs while he kisses my stomach and down to my thighs. He throws my shorts onto the floor and then places his fingers under the elastic of my underwear, pausing slightly before pulling them down and off me. He trails kisses back up my body and reaches behind me, unclasping my bra. He removes it, flinging it to the floor.

When he leans off the bed, he stretches down to the floor and I instantly realize what he’s searching for. "You don't need that. I'm―I'm on the―" but before I can finish, he's back on top of me, filling my mouth with his. I'm completely intoxicated by him. I've lost all ability to move or think. When I feel like I'm going to completely lose it, he raises himself back on top of me and finds my mouth again. "I love you," he whispers.

After we spend a while longer losing ourselves in each other, he lowers himself down next to me, and I feel the rapid beat of his heart and it’s in sync with mine. "You’re incredible, Sweets. You are perfec
t—
absolutely perfect for me," he says, breathing heavily.

"And so are you, Mr. Cashman. I love you," I say, wrapping my hands behind his neck. He props himself up on an elbow next to me, and trails his fingers on my stomach. I can see his face in the moonlight that shines through the window and he looks amazing. "Thank you, God, for leading my man back to me," I say, looking up at the ceiling. He chuckles. I'm reminded that no other guy has ever been in this bed. "You've been the only one," I confess. He looks down at me puzzled. "The last time a guy's been in this bed, it was you."

He raises an eyebrow. "I like that," he says, amused. He shakes his head. "Wow, do I ever love you. Wow."

I snuggle up against him while thanking God―and my mom too―for bringing him back to me. Lowering himself down next to me, he stretches his arm behind my head. I lay my head down on his chest and he wraps his arms around me, holding me close, while we drift off to blissful sleep.

Chapter Fifteen

Wednesday

May 8, 2013

1:08pm             

"Congratulations," I say to Matthew, hugging him.

"Thanks, Amy."

Matthew just won his first case as lead council. He presented his closing arguments this morning. The jury took less than thirty minutes to deliberate, before coming back with a not guilty verdict. There was no question in anyone's mind―including the jury's―that this was a self-defense case. I'm glad that it's over. Not only has this case affected me unexpectedly, but my mom has gotten so much worse the past couple of days. She's no longer able to walk and she's been coughing up a lot of blood. I simply want to spend more time with her. I've decided not to take on any new cases so that I can devote my days to be with her since there are few left. Both Drew and Marla have been spending a lot of time with her as well, and so has Travis. He's been over every day for the past week or so now. He's even been there while I'm in court―to be by her side and help out any way that he can. It's been so endearing, and it makes me fall in love with him more and more with each passing day―if that's even possible.

Today marks the one year anniversary of my dad's passing, and I've been struggling with the thought of paying him a visit. A part of me still feels like his baby girl, but another big part of me is angry with him. What could visiting his grave positively do for my emotions at this point? I don't see getting any closure from it.

I drive to my house to gather more clothes, and to check on things since I haven't been there in a week. I pull into the driveway and my new Lamborghini stares me in the face. It's been sitting here for many weeks now, unused. I don't see it the same way I did when I first got it. I feel disgusted simply looking at it.

I get out of the car and go inside the house. It feels empty and cold, despite every room being filled with furniture. It doesn't even feel like home. I don't think it ever really did. While it's a beautiful house―an excessively large house that is furnished with over-priced furniture―it doesn't feel right. I once thought that all of the grand and pricey materialistic things were what made me happy. I sure got slapped back into reality. I lived in this lavish home with a man who had no love for me, and I'd happily live in a straw hut with Travis for the rest of my life instead.

While gathering clothes from the bedroom, I decide to take my box of memories with me as well. This house isn't worthy of it. Not wanting to be there a moment longer, I walk out and close the front door behind me. Standing on the porch, looking at my new car, I know exactly what I want to do with it. After loading the clothes and the memory box into my Cadillac, I grab my cell phone and dial the Lamborghini dealership. I make arrangements to have it resold. They agree to come by to get it tomorrow. Relief and contentment set in at once.

After pulling out of the driveway, I decide to stop by the cemetery on my way to my mom’s house. I have some things I need to get off my chest.

While I sit in front of my dad's grave in silence, I pick the weeds from the ground, contemplating what I want to say. "You know, I considered not even coming today.I've been so angry with you. I have so much I want to sa
y—
so much I'd want to ask if you were still here on earth with us, but I learned over the past month that none of the answers would matter. It's ironic that the one guy you pushed out of my life, is the same one who’s been by mom's side not only through her illness, but over the past year while she's been mourning and missing you. And the guy you practically forced to stay with me is the one who hasn't cared to be part of the family at all since you left. He hasn't even wanted anything to do with mom at all. It makes me think that you'd rethink your plan had you known. I'd like to think so anyway."

I go quiet for a while longer, trying to figure out if coming here was a good idea because I'm not feeling a sense of closure. I look at his headstone and see my mom's name engraved next to his, and my heart hurts knowing I'll soon be coming here to visit my mom as well. My name could even be there too.

"If mom hadn't come home when she did that day thirteen years ago, finding me unconscious, I would have been the one waiting for you at heaven's gates. I'd be lying right here in the ground next to you. That was all because of you and your selfish agenda. Of all the people in the world I'd think that you would be the one to recognize true love. You and mom were happily married since the age of twenty. Why you never wanted the same for your own daughter, I'll never know. If it's because of prestige and money, well Mom certainly doesn't come from a wealthy family and it was apparent that she had more love for you than anyone with wealth could ever have. And, well, if it's because your baby girl followed in your footsteps and wanted to study law as well, you may have pushed her away from that too. I met with the school of law yesterday and they offered me a teaching position that sounds appealing. Since learning about your master plan, I haven't felt the same about my career. I'm doing a lot of soul searching and, as a result, a piece of me feels like you may have willed me into this career path. I never wanted to disappoint my daddy, so I did it. I think you wanted this more for me than I did for myself. I just know that being at the firm and working cases doesn't have the same feel as it once did. Without Rich who was so career-driven and money hungry, and with Travis who has nothing but love to give me and a sense of security, it's allowed me to think about what I truly want in life. The big house, expensive cars, lavish vacations, and all the materialistic things that money can buy are not what matter to me. The way that Travis makes me feel, watching him with mom and our family, and the sincere kindness that he possesses confirms to me that he’s my true love. And that is what I want. So no matter how hard you tried to keep us apart, you can't come between love, it’ll always find a way back in. And, ultimately, your wife is the one to thank for it.” I plant a kiss on the headstone. "I will always love you and hope someday I can forgive you. Until then, rest assured that I'm happy, well taken care of, and loved."

I get up, brush myself off, and stroll to the car with a sense of new-found relief.

Chapter Sixteen

Saturday

May 11, 2013

8:51 a.m.

I get out of bed and follow the smell of coffee brewing, which leads me straight to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Marla," I say, walking over and pouring a cup.

"Hey there, Sis. How did you sleep?"

"Good. How about you? How was mom last night?"

"She had a restful night. She woke up coughing once, but overall she was good."

I've spent a good part of the last three days with my mom, who had a roller coaster of days. Even with the visiting nurse here, we still want to split up shifts for one of us to be with her at all times. As much as a nurse can do, there's nothing like the comfort of having your family by your side. And mom certainly deserves it. Yesterday seemed to be her best day recently, so Drew and Marla convinced me to get some fresh air. Travis was busy at work doing inventory, so Laura and I did a bit of shopping and had lunch. And then we stopped by Tracy's salon to chat for a bit. It felt good to get out and unwind.

Today's a big day. It’s my mom's sixty-eighth birthday tomorrow and we planned a surprise birthday party for her. Family and friends will be coming by for a BBQ this afternoon. I'm in charge of getting the cake and desserts from her favorite local bakery, Travis offered to bring food from his restaurant, Drew’s going to cook, and Marla’s going to decorate. My mom will be surprised to see everyone. We even have family coming in from out of town. I hope she has enough energy to get through the day.

"What time are you leaving to get to the bakery?" Marla asks, taking a bite of toast.

"I think I'll leave around nine-thirty. That should be plenty of time to get back and help decorate."

I hear the front door close.
Who could that be?
I look at Marla questioningly. She shrugs. After a few moments, no one makes an appearance so I wander down the hallway to see who it is.

I look into my mom's room and find Travis sitting on her bed, talking with her. What is he doing here so early? He's not supposed to be here for another couple of hours at least. He sees me looking in. "Good morning, beautiful,” he acknowledges.

"Hey there," I respond, not saying anything more, in an attempt not to give anything away to my mom.

He tells her that he'll see her later, and then he saunters over to me. He wraps his arms around me and kisses me. "What are you doing here so early?" I whisper.

He smiles, and then takes my hand leading me into the kitchen. "Good morning, Marla," he says when we enter.

"Hey, Travis."

"So I figured you guys could use some extra help today."

"Sure," Marla quickly responds.

"Always willing to help. You are so sweet." His spontaneity is so refreshing.

He smiles in return. "So do you want me to take you to get the cake?" he asks.

"Sure."

"Are you ready now?"

"I suppose. I was trying to get my caffeine drip in," I joke.

"Come, we'll grab some coffee on the way. I actually forgot to stop at the Shack on my way here to get the food, so we'll need to take a drive there to get it. Is that okay?"

"Of course." Extra time with my man is always welcomed.

"See you guys in a bit," Marla says.

We walk out to the porch. "You took your Cadillac?" I say eagerly, the moment I see his 1972 Cadillac sitting in the driveway.

"I thought we could run errands in style today."

When we get in and start driving, Travis doesn't head in the direction of the bakery or the coffee shop. "We’re getting the cake from the bakery on Morris," I say when I notice.

"I figure we can grab the food first and then get the cake. We can stop for coffee on the way."

"Sounds good to me,” I say, grabbing his hand and snuggling in close to him. I love this car. It reminds me of when we were teenagers, making me a bit sentimental every time I'm in it.

After stopping for coffee, we get onto the highway in the direction of the Love Shack. Fifty or so minutes later we pull up and Travis comes to my side of the car, opening the door. He takes my hand, meandering up to the front door, he pushes it open.

"It's unlocked?" I ask, surprised that it’s open this early. We step foot inside the door and I'm struck with the view of what looks to be a field of sunflowers. I look up at Travis dumbfounded. He leans down and kisses me, and then squeezes my hand. "What is this?" I manage. He doesn't respond, instead he takes my hand and leads me to the center of the room. I take in the beauty around us. Every table is blanketed with sunflowers, and the bar is lined with bouquets of sunflowers as well. It's really magnificent.

Taking a chair, he places it in the center of the room. “Here, have a seat." He then grabs another chair, and places it directly in front of me, sitting. Reaching over to the table next to us, he pulls a sunflower out of a vase and breaks off a piece of the stem. He places the sunflower in my hair. I’m speechless. Grabbing my hands in his, he leans in, resting his elbows on his knees. "Do you know what today is?" he asks, peering into my soul.

I look at him, confused. "It's the day before my mom's birthday?"

"Today is our seventeenth anniversary," he says, grinning. "Six thousand, two hundred, and five days ago, we went on our first date. At the end of the date, I asked you to be my girlfriend. You've been in my heart ever since." Tears well in my eyes. He grabs a tissue from what appears to be a strategically placed tissue box, and hands it to me.

"The moment I laid eyes on you, at the age of fifteen, I knew I had to have you as my girlfriend. The moment I placed that promise ring on your finger, I meant it to be forever. Every single moment that we've spent together, then and now, has been nothing but perfect. I was lost without you for thirteen years. You are the joy of my life. You are the air that I breathe. You are my one true love. You complete me." He pauses, taking in a breath. "At last, my soul mate has returned to me, so I’m wondering if you’re willing to allow me to be your knight and light for life."

He reaches over to the table beside him and takes a sunflower in his hand. He gets down on one knee and holds it out to me. My body shakes as tears stream down my face. I can barely reach out to grab the flower with my trembling hand, but I manage. I look at it and see a tag hanging from it. I read, through tear-stained eyes:
Will you marry me today?
I pause, letting the words sink in. And then I read it again, making sure that I've read it correctly.

"Today?" I ask, barely forming the words. He nods.

"Yes. Sweets, will you give me the honor of becoming my wife today?"

I don't give it a moment's thought longer. "Yes," I say, leaping into his arms. He holds me tight and kisses me deep.

"Let me explain why I've chosen today," he says once we pull away. "I've had a long time to dream about this day, but your mom has as well. Unfortunately, her days are limited. And the greatest gift I could give to you, and her, would be what we have planned for today."

I cradle my face in my hands. Travis leans over and brings me to him. He hugs me, while I sit in his lap, crying. "No matter how much longer we wait, it won't change my feelings for you. It won't diminish my need to spend eternity with you. You are my forever.”

"I love you so much," I say in shaky breath. "So we’re getting married at my mom's today?"

"We’re getting married here on the beach today," he says, swiping a tear from my eye.

"Here?" I question, both excited and surprised. "My mom is coming here too?"

"Your mom, our family, and our friends are all going to be here," he explains. "Oh wait," he says, standing us up and reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a box, and opens it to a stunning square cut diamond in a vintage setting. "You need this," he says, grabbing my left hand. He pauses when he sees my promise ring on my ring finger, right where he placed it. He smiles, knowing that I never took it off, as I promised. He removes the promise ring and places it on the ring finger of my right hand, and then he slides the diamond ring onto the ring finger of my left hand. The diamond sparkles for all to see. It's simple, but so elegantly stunning.

"It's perfect.”

"So, are you ready?"

"Ready? For what?"

"You have a big day planned," he says, grabbing my hand and walking me to the front door. When he opens the door, I’m met with Laura, Julie, Tracy, and Marla standing outside. "She's all yours for a short while, but be sure to return her to me," Travis says to them.

"She said yes?" Tracy asks, smiling wide.

"Yeah she did. Can you believe it?" Travis says, wrapping his arm around me.

"These girls have some stuff planned for you while I get some things done. We’re in for the best day of our life." Apparently my voice doesn't want to make an appearance at the wedding today because all I can do is stand there grinning from ear to ear.

Kissing me, he whispers, "I love you, Sweets." Then he pulls away and walks back inside the Love Shack while looking back at me, winking.

"Come on girl, we got a wedding to get you ready for," Tracy says, grabbing my hand. We start walking down the sidewalk and I have no idea where we’re headed.

"Where are we going?"

"A local salon offered to take care of us," Tracy says.

Apparently I've found my voice because I stop dead in my tracks and exclaim, "I'M GETTING MARRIED TODAY!"

The girls laugh.

"To Travis," Laura adds.

We walk into a small salon about a half a block away. We’re greeted by the owner, who directs each of us to sit in a chair. Tracy stands behind me. "I'm doing your hair today," she says enthusiastically.

"I can't believe this. How long have you guys known?"

Julie laughs. "I've only known for three days.”

"Travis and mom started planning a week ago," Marla confesses.

I stare at her in shock. "Mom helped to plan it? And wait, did you say it's only been a week?"

"Mom had a big part in planning all of today. Not to mention, she's paying for it too. It's beautiful to watch those two together. Wait until you see what they have in store for you." My mom, on her death bed, helped to plan this and paid for it. That’s admirable.

I try to get more information from the girls, but none of them are willing to offer up any details of the day. After a while, Tracy spins me around in the chair and hands me a mirror. I look into it at the most magnificent hair. She twisted my hair to the back of my head in a figure eight, and directly in the center lays a single sunflower. It's beautiful.

We eat lunch that Travis arranged to have delivered, and then we get our nails done. All of us are so giddy with excitement that we can barely contain ourselves. After our nails are buffed and polished, the owner directs us to a back room. My heart stops the instant I walk through the door. There hangs a white dress that is both simple and elegant. It's a mid-calf, chiffon dress with spaghetti straps, and a band of beads and stones wrap around the waist. It couldn't be a more perfect dress for a beach wedding.

"Travis picked it out," Marla says.

"It's perfect.”

I pick it up, and can't wait a moment longer to put it on. Marla helps me to slip into it. "You’re gorgeous. But I have two more things for you." She reaches over and grabs a small box.

Opening it, she takes out a pearl necklace and earrings. "You need something old, something new, and something blue. Your dress is the something new. This is the something old. It’s mom's pearl necklace and earrings that she wore on her wedding day." She puts it around my neck and I put the earrings on.

Marla reaches over and grabs a small bag. "You need something blue and Travis took care of that. As your sister, I don't really want to look inside," she jokes. She hands the bag to me and I reach in, pulling out light blue lace thong underwear. I laugh.

"I love that boy.”

I return from the restroom and the rest of the girls are in their dresses. They’re wearing pale yellow, strapless chiffon dresses that go down to their knees. "Wow Amy, you look sensational," Laura says.

"So do you guys.”

"Travis picked out the dresses," Tracy responds. "He's got quite the taste."

"That's my brother," Marla quips.

"Thank you guys for being here with me today," I say, feeling emotional, seeing them dressed up.

"You couldn't keep me away even if you tried," Tracy remarks.

"I love you guys."

Marla's phone rings, and she answers it, walking out of the room. Moments later, she returns nodding. "Are we ready?" My heart starts doing somersaults in my chest as a result of both nerves and excitement.

After thanking the salon owner, we head outside to find Travis' Cadillac awaiting us, with Drew behind the wheel. When he gets out of the car, I see he's dressed in tan linen pants and a white linen, button-down shirt. He looks dapper. "I hear that we have a wedding to get to," he says, walking up to me and kissing my cheek. "You look beautiful,” he remarks.

I hug him. "Thanks. You look great yourself.”