My Chance (Chance #2) (27 page)

I sat on the couch between my mom and Val while Julie sat in the chair next to the couch. All eyes were on me. I opened the box. It was a DVD that read, “Play me.” I looked for a card but didn’t find one.

Julie snatched the DVD and threw it in her player. She sat next to Val and pressed play. We stared at the TV, and Alex appeared. We all gasped, but I think I was the loudest.

He looked gorgeous, and he was wearing the same clothes I had just left him in. “Hi, ladies, please pardon this interruption. Aubrey, I hope your mom is with you because this first message for her. Jill, I want you to know that your daughter means everything to me. I’ll take care of her and protect her until the day I die. No one more important to me than she is. I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I’d be honored to call you Mom.”

I looked at my mom, and she had tears in her eyes. I held her hand, and she squeezed mine.

“Julie and Val, I also have a message for you two.”

I looked at them. Julie grabbed four tissues from the box and handed one to each of us.

“Val, you’re one of my closest and dearest friends. Although your friendship with Aubrey started off on shaky ground, I’m glad you came together and became close friends.”

Val and I looked at each other as we each wiped a tear away.

“Julie, I know you’re Aubrey’s best friend and you will kick my ass if I hurt her. I want to assure you that won’t happen. I know you weren’t always my biggest fan, and I’ll continue to prove that you were wrong about me.”

Julie nodded as if he could see her. I wiped another tear and laughed at her. There was a long pause, so I thought he was done. But he wasn’t.

“Aubrey.”

I looked at the TV, and it was as if he was there. His deep blue eyes penetrated me.

“I thought I knew what I wanted to say to you, but words aren’t enough to tell you what you mean to me.” He smiled that megawatt smile, and I leaned forward. “I love you. I think I loved you the first night I laid eyes on you, when you asked me all those ridiculous questions.”

I laughed between wiping my tears.

“I never thought I’d need anyone the way I need you. I didn’t realize I needed someone until I met you. Going through life pretty much on my own, being sad about my mom and mad at the world, I learned to not rely on anyone. Now that we have each other, I’m not sad about that anymore. I have a feeling my mom sent you to me. You were so unexpected, and I’m so happy I took the chance and sat with you. I promise to make you as happy as you make me.”

Julie handed me another tissue as she turned off the video after it ended. “Oh my God, Aubrey, he’s so… so… fucking perfect.”

We all laughed, including my mom. I loved Julie. She never held back. There was a knock on the door, and Julie got up. It was weird that the buzzer didn’t ring. Julie opened the door, and it was the messenger guy.

“I have a package for Aubrey Ryan.”

I got up and went to the door.

He reached in his bag and pulled out another box. “This is for you.”

I smiled and took it.

Julie reached in her purse for a tip. Before she gave it to him, she said, “Are you coming back or can I tip you?”

“Sorry, miss, I can’t say.”

Julie handed him the tip and closed the door. I sat on the couch to open the box. It was heavier than the first gift. I opened the box. There was a velvet box inside. I took it out and lifted the cover. My hand went to my mouth.

“Aubrey, it’s stunning.” My mom sounded choked up.

I set the box on my lap and looked at the most gorgeous necklace I had ever seen. It matched my bracelet. Three diamond encrusted orchids dangled from a beautiful chain. I noticed a small card inside.

“Aubrey, I'm not sure what your gown looks like, but I hope you'll be able to wear this.

Always yours, Alex.”

I was getting ready to call Alex to thank him when we heard another knock on the door.

“Oh my God, Aubrey, now what?” Julie went to the door. She looked at the messenger guy. “Okay, dude, I don’t care how many more packages there are. This is the last tip you’re getting.”

He smiled. “I have a delivery for Aubrey Ryan.”

Julie just looked at him. “Yeah, no kidding.” She snickered. “I’ll take it.” She took the box and gave him his tip. She shut the door and brought me the box.

I unwrapped the box and opened it. The gift was a journal and not just any journal. It was a beautiful burgundy leather book with an embossed title, “My Chance.” My eyes filled, and I looked at everyone. I didn’t want to open it in front of them, and I think they got the hint. Julie suggested they go and have some coffee and dessert. I looked at the journal and opened it.

“I'm not a writer, nor will I pretend to be. I'm giving you this journal so you can write the romance novel you've always dreamt of. Please don't let that dream go. You're an amazingly strong woman who's smart and loving. I didn't know what to expect when we met. I knew that I wanted you, and after I got to know you, I knew I would always love you. I prayed you would always love me. Tomorrow you'll become my wife, and although I can't guarantee what the future will hold, I can guarantee that I'll be by your side through it all. You make me a better man, Aubrey. I look at the world differently because of you. You're my heart, my soul. Thank you for taking a chance on me. Thank you for being my chance.”

I put the journal back in the box and closed it. I picked up my phone and dialed Alex.

“Hey, babe. How’s girls’ night?”

“Alex. I just got your gifts and…” I took a moment. “And I want to thank you.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“I hope you liked everything. I wasn’t sure about the journal. I don’t want you to feel pressured, but I wanted you to know that I don’t think you should give up on your dream. I didn’t give up on mine, and now I get you forever.”

“Okay, you seriously need to stop talking, or I’m coming over there and we might not make it to the church tomorrow.”

“Well, if we weren’t getting married tomorrow, I’d say that sounded like a great idea.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you, Alex.”

“I love you too. See you tomorrow.”

I hung up and walked into the kitchen. I poured myself a cup of coffee.

“So the journal… Are you okay?” Julie asked.

“Yes, I’m fine. I just can’t believe he’s going to be my husband tomorrow.”

We spent the rest of the night watching movies and laughing. It was really a perfect evening.

I woke to the smell of coffee and the sound of chatter in the kitchen. I hopped out of bed. It was ten in the morning. I couldn’t believe I’d slept that long. I was getting married in four hours! I hustled into the kitchen where Julie was getting her hair done by a woman I’d never met. I looked at my mom. She was perfectly styled, as was Val.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Your fiancé arranged for a hair stylist to come over and do our hair,” my mom said. “He told me about it yesterday. I figured you knew too.”

“No, I didn’t, but I’m thankful, considering you all let me sleep until ten!”

Julie hugged me. “My best friend is getting married today. I’m so happy for you. Grab a cup of coffee and take a shower. Then Natasha will do your hair. You won’t be late, I promise. You’ll be right on time.”

“Aubrey, I bought this for you as your something new.” My mom handed me a pink box.

I lifted the cover to find a beautiful peignoir set. I pulled the silky white material out of the box and held it against me. “I love it! Thanks, Mom.” I hugged her and placed it back in the box.

I drank my coffee while I waited for the shower to heat up. I was dying to know what Alex was doing, but I refused to call him. I was in a daydream when I noticed steam pouring out of the shower. I set my coffee on the vanity and got under the hot water.
This is my last shower as a single woman.

I thought about what I’d say for my vows. I didn’t want them to be normal “until death do us part” vows. I needed to come up with something great. I turned off the water and toweled dry. I grabbed my robe and went into the bedroom. My gown was hanging on the closet door, and I stared at it. I smiled and headed into the kitchen to have my hair and makeup done.

I told Natasha I didn’t want to look too made up. I wanted to look like myself. When I was done getting primped, I joined Val, Julie, and my mom in Julie’s room. They’d just finished getting dressed. Julie and Val wore beautiful black cocktail dresses that looked amazing on their killer figures, while my mom looked stunning in an emerald green dress.

“Wow, you’re all gorgeous! The guys are going to freak when they see you—even Daddy, Mom!” I said with a wink.

Val laughed, and Julie looked as if I’d just killed her dog.

“I’m sorry, Jules. I just meant that they’re going to love the way you look.” That comment didn’t help either. “Can you help me get my gown on? It’s almost time to go.”

Julie smiled a little. “I can’t wait to see this on you. You’re going to be the most beautiful bride.”

We carefully slipped the gown over my head. Val buttoned me up in the back while Julie brought me my Jimmy Choo pumps. I’d splurge on them because they were too stunning to pass up, as Julie put it. My mom helped me put on my orchid bracelet and my new necklace. I was looking in the mirror, not believing what I was seeing, when Julie’s buzzer rang. I didn’t know who it could be since everyone should be heading to the church.

Val went to the door and pushed the intercom button. “Yes?”

“It’s Jack Logan. Can I come in please?”

Val looked at me and Julie. I nodded, and Val pushed the button to release the outside door. I couldn’t imagine what he wanted. He knocked on the door, and Val opened it. Jack walked in, looking handsome in his black three-piece suit.

“Hi, Jack. Is everything okay?” I asked.

“Wow, Aubrey, you look beautiful. Alex told me where I could find you. I’m sorry to intrude, but I have something for you, and I wanted you to have it before you went to the church.” He had a small white box in his hand. He stretched his arm out. “This is for you.”

I took the box. “Thank you.” I opened it and found a delicate cotton and lace cloth with a blue ribbon running through it. I set the box down and took out the cloth. It looked like a small bonnet.

“Alex wore that at his baptism,” Jack said. “Angela saved it. She always said that his bride could carry it with her flowers. I forgot about it until I looked for the deed to the house. It opens up and becomes a handkerchief. Angela said it could be his bride’s old and blue. I’m not sure what that means, but I’m hoping you do.”

I hugged him. “Thank you so much. Yes, a bride is to have something old, new, borrowed, and blue. I forgot about that. Other than the borrowed, I’m all set.”

“Well, I have something else for you. I was going to give them to you, but if you’d rather borrow them for today, I’ll let you keep them at a later date.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. “Angela wore these on our wedding day.” He opened the box. The most beautiful diamond stud earrings were inside. “Please go ahead.”

I swallowed hard, took off the earrings I was wearing, and put on the ones Jack brought me. “What do you think?” I turned to Julie and Val.

“I think you’re very lucky. They are really beautiful, Jack,” Val said. She kissed him on the cheek, and Julie did the same.

“Well, I’d better go,” he said. “I need to get to the church too. I saw a limo pull up. I’m assuming that’s your ride. If you’re ready, I’ll walk you down.”

Val, Julie, and my mom grabbed their purses and headed out the door.

I picked up mine from the table and looked at Jack. “Thank you very much. You have no idea how happy I am to have you as a father-in-law.” I kissed his cheek, and we left.

We pulled up to the church, and I couldn’t wait to get inside and see Alex. Julie and Val helped me out of the limo. I saw my dad waiting by the church door. He looked dapper in his tux.

I walked up the steps to greet him. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Look at my baby girl. You look stunning.” He kissed my mom on the cheek. “You look as beautiful as the day I married you.” My mom blushed. He turned his attention back to me. “Are you ready to do this? Your fiancé looks like he’s about ready to burst.”