Endless Love Letter (Love Letter Duet Book 2) (20 page)

T
wenty years later
.

Y
ou could smell
the fresh cut grass in the air. The sun peeked through the branches, and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. The flowers Lyra had planted last fall had finally bloomed. Knowing that I could dirty my tuxedo, I threw caution to the wind and sat on top of Emilia's grave. My back rested on the granite headstone.

She had passed twenty years ago, and I still loved her very much, but coming here made it hard to move on and live my life like she had wanted me too. I'd always visit her on her birthday, on our wedding anniversary and the anniversary of her death, but today was a very special day. It was a day I knew she wanted to be a part of more than anything else.

Our little girl was getting married.

I leaned my head back, my hands running across the grass like I used to do to her skin. Closing my eyes, I envisioned her. Her long curly red hair, her soft milky skin and the freckles she had on her shoulder.

"I miss you. I'm sorry I haven't visited you in a while." I nodded, remembering what her face looked like, her dark brown eyes that looked deep into my soul, her tiny button nose and how soft her lips were when I kissed them. "Lyra’s getting married today. She found herself a really nice guy, Mason Robinson.” I paused. “He comes from a good family, he has his head on straight, and he treats her like a queen."

I smiled as I remembered the day Mason came to my office to ask for Lyra's hand in marriage. My music career had stopped after I'd become a single father, but I’d opened my own recording label. It was how I kept my passion going. I would never stop creating music because, like Emilia had said, my music lived inside of me, and I could never let it go, just like I could never let her go.

“Mason was so nervous when he asked for her hand in marriage. When he first asked, I immediately said no in my head. She was my baby girl, and there was no man good enough for her. But as Mason continued with his spiel, I realized that the way he talked about Lyra reminded me of how I felt about you. I think you would really like him.”

Lyra had followed her heritage, deciding to study at the University of Edinburg where she majored in music. Mason met Lyra in a study group when he was a senior and she was a freshman. When she returned home after she graduated to work with a music executive in Los Angeles, he’d followed her.

"I think you'd approve. She's really happy when she’s with him." I tugged on the grass. "You didn’t leave me a video on what to do today. I need to know what to say to her and what to do when I know she is missing you. I found the envelope and the bracelet that had been sitting on top of the box you kept your wedding dress in, but you didn’t leave anything for me. Em, what do I say to her? I know how much she wants you here." I closed my eyes and felt my skin warm from the sun.

"I hope I made you proud. She truly is a beautiful young lady. She has your smile. Actually, she looks so much like you, Em. She really is a younger version of you. Even her stubbornness is yours." I paused and cleared my throat. “I wish you were here. I love you. I will always love you.”

I ran my hand over the grass and started to draw.
My yellow gel.

Leaving Emilia’s grave with an invisible love letter etched to the ground, I walked over to my car. Grace, my wife, sat inside my car waiting for me. When Lyra insisted that I get back out there, I’d decided to give dating another go, and we met through mutual friends. We had been married for the past five–years. She understood that I had lost my one great love because she lost her true love as well. We balanced one another, and we loved each other very much.

But she would never be my yellow gel.

I
carried
the small box Emilia had left along with an envelope for Lyra. Today was harder for me than most days because not only was my little girl getting married, but I desperately missed her mother. 

I gently tapped on the bridal suite door and opened it. Her maid of honor, Ava, pulled the door back and gave me a kind smile. She and Lyra had met in grade school and remained friends throughout the years. “Mr. Carter,” she greeted me with a hug. “She's all ready and waiting for you.”

“Thank you.” I cleared my throat. “Do you think you could give us a minute, Ava?” Ava nodded and shut the door behind her.

Lyra stood in front of a full–length mirror, her nervous hands slid up and down her white dress. “You look breathtaking,” I said, walking up behind her. “Like a real life princess.”

“Dad.” Her eyes met mine through the mirror.

“You remind me so much of your mother.” She turned to face me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. 

“Oh, Daddy, I wish she was here,” she cried, wrapping her small arms around my neck like she had done since she was a little girl.  

“Hey.” I pulled away and lifted her chin up towards me. I dug into my suit jacket for a handkerchief and handed it to her. “No crying today. Your mother left you this.” I handed Lyra the envelope and the jewelry box Emilia had left for her many years ago. 

“Oh, wow,” she cried when she opened the box. “It’s beautiful.” Inside was a diamond bracelet with sapphire accents around the diamond.  “It’s beautiful.” She handed the box back to me holding the bracelet in a fist over her heart.

“Your grandfather gave this to your grandmother the day she had your mom.” My voice was hoarse as I tried to speak. “Your mother wanted you to have this on your wedding day so, when you walk down the aisle, a piece of her will be with you every step of the way,” I said, clasping it shut. 

“It’s precious.” She twirled it around. “It's old and blue.” She paused and held the envelope close to her heart.

“I'll give you a few minutes so you can read it alone.” 

“Have you read it?” 

I kissed her forehead. “No, sweetie, I've never read this one.”

I turned back towards the door, my heart aching in my chest. I hoped that Emilia was looking at us now. I prayed that she was proud of the job I had done with Lyra.

I stood outside the bridal suite waiting for Lyra to come out. Jeremy appeared five minutes before we were scheduled to walk down the aisle.

“Is everything okay?” he asked. Throughout the years, we had remained friends. He had married his wife a few years after Emilia had passed away and they had two little boys who considered Lyra their big sister.

“Yeah, I gave her the letter from Emilia.”

Jeremy took a seat next to me and exhaled. “Even after all this time, it’s still not easy, huh?”

“Not really.”

Lyra pulled back the door. Her eyes were red with tears, but she had a beautiful smile on her face. Jeremy and I both stood.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

She nodded and hugged Jeremy. “It’s nice to see you all dressed up, Jeremy.”

He chuckled and pulled back to look at her. “You look beautiful, Lyra.”

“Thank you.” She looked over at me. “Thank you both for giving me everything.”

Jeremy leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you in there. I just wanted to see you beforehand.” He patted my shoulder as he walked back inside the church.

“Ready?” I asked Lyra.

She opened her arms and hugged me. “I love you so much, Daddy, thank you again for giving everything.”

“Anything for you, princess.”

M
y dear sweet Lyra
,

I had dreamed of this day as far back as I can remember. When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I wasn't afraid of the chemo, and I wasn't afraid of losing my hair. My biggest fear was leaving you. The uncertainty of my child growing up in the world motherless devastated me. I imagined my life and how much I wished I’d had my mother. I never wanted that for you. I wanted to be there for all your milestones.

I hope that the videos I left have helped you in some kind of way. I wanted to leave you a video for this day as well, but when I tried, I couldn't form the proper words.

You are all grown up, Lyra, and I can only imagine what a beautiful woman you have become. I hope that you have found real, unconditional, consuming, and yes, stupid love. Even though it may be scary, it's the best kind of love there is. Trust me, I know. That's how much I love your father.

I'm not going to sit here and tell you that marriage is going to be easy or that it's going to be a walk in the park because it's not. Marriage requires a lot of work. There will be days when you two can't stand one another, but remember the little things, the moments when your love is so pure it outweighs any bad. It's okay to have hiccups along the way. It's okay to mess up. Learn to spread your wings as a couple and fly.

If I can give you one small piece of advice that you take away with you as you embark on this new journey, it’s don't be afraid to live. The bills will continue to be there, and being a grown–up only gets harder, but don't forget to live. Live for the little moments, the ones that take your breath away. Live for invisible love letters, and never ever forget to love endlessly.

I love you, Lyra. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.

With all my love,

Mom.

T
his is
by far the hardest part. I said it before and I’ll say it again.

Writing the acknowledgments, truly makes me feel blessed. Thank you to everyone that has helped me with this book
and
this duet. Hopefully you’ve stopped crying and you can now read again.

First and foremost, I need to thank my family for putting up with me for the past three months while I slipped away for writing days and missed out on family time. I had made a promise to my readers that I would have this book out on time and I thank you all very much for understanding how important it was for me to keep my word.

To my husband, my rock, my very best friend. Thank you for believing in me and insisting that I follow my dreams. You’re an amazing husband and I’m so lucky to be married to such a sexy loving man.

To my little ones, I’m so sorry that Mommy has missed some precious time with you. I promise there are many “Mommy and Me” days in the future for us. I love you!

To my parents, sisters, brothers and my wonderful In-Laws, thank you for all the love and support.

To my mother, you are who I aspire to be. I love you.

I was told it takes a colony to publish a book. Well, they weren’t kidding. I have been very blessed to have the help of so many wonderful people.

In no particular order I’d like to thank you all.

Jennifer Gauthier, thank you for reading ELL when it was a hot mess. Literally! A HOT FUCKING MESS. You read the very first draft before anyone else. You have been my rock through this and I can’t thank you enough for cheering me on. I’m so very sorry I made you cry at work. Okay, maybe I’m not really sorry.

Share Bear, I can’t thank you enough for helping me plot. You were the one that suggested I make Emilia crap her self, and though I cried the entire time writing that scene it was all your idea. I love you very much, you are much more than a sister to me.

Jennifer Roberts-Hall, also known as the best editor a girl can have. I can never thank you enough for making ELL a beautiful book. You have become a dear friend of mine and I can’t wait to see where this journey will take us.

The Sassy Savvy and Fabulous crew: Melissa, Sharon, Linda, Christy, and Jesey. Thank you all for you tremendous help. You ladies have guided my path into this journey and I will forever be grateful to you all.

Linda M. Russell, you are my guardian angel. My fairy godmother. Honestly, readers know about me because of you. I can’t thank you enough. You are such a beautiful and kind person and it has been a pleasure to work with you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Kari March, as always thank you for the beautiful cover!

Brenda Letendre, thank you for taking the time to edit my book.

Frankie, my dear Francesca, thank you for keep me sane through it all. You have kept my grounded and humbled. You’re the most amazing best friend a girl can ask for and I love you.

Shawna Gavas, with Behind the Writer. You are my PA, my proofreader but mostly my sweet loving friend. Thank you for everything that you have done for me. You are so easy to work with and extremely professional. Everyone should hire you!

Cleida Roy, thank you for promoting me and loving this book. You took a chance on me and I can’t thank you enough.

Nanci, thank you for the wonderful music playlist, it kept me going when all I wanted to do was quit.

To the fantastic four, you ladies rock and keep my day going.

Alissa Marino, thank you for reading ILL and ELL. Thank you for the support and making me work very hard to change your opinion of Emilia.

Dena, you can curse me out but I still love you!

To my test readers, Melissa, NancyCarol, Nanci, and Analia thank you for falling in love with my words.

Heather White, Jennifer Diaz, Christine Estevez, Dena Marie, Tiffany Vitale-Carillo, Thank you for reading Endless Love Letter.

To the talented Willow Aster, I seriously have a big girl crush on you.

BA Wolfe. Thank you for always listening to me.

To the bloggers, thank you, thank you, thank you! Honestly I would be nothing without you all. I appreciate everything you have done for me.

And to the readers…

Thank you for giving the Love Letter duet a chance. This for me was much more than a love story and to know that you have fallen in love with my characters, means the world to me. I hope that I haven’t broken you hearts too much and that the tears have stopped.

Again, from the bottom of my heart , thank you all!

Callie Anderson