Can't Let Go(34)

“Logan!” She yelled as loud as she could. At the same time, a generous neighbor had nudged Logan on the shoulder, pointing in Abby’s direction.

His eyes found hers immediately. He didn’t even bother to grab his bags as he pushed passed everyone in line behind him, weaving his way through until he could find her. Neither cared that they had suddenly become a spectacle—that all eyes were on them as they collided into one another.

“You still love me?” She questioned, the memory of that night once again washing over her.

“Forever, Abby.” He touched his lips to hers before showering her with kisses—her lips, her cheeks, her neck, her forehead. “Forever and ever.”

“Good—because I have a confession to make.” She pulled herself closer to him. “Logan Sheppard, I am utterly and completely in love with you. I have been since the night you kissed me on that rooftop, and I’m afraid I always will be.”

“That is quite a confession.” The happiness was simply pouring off him.

“I actually have another,” she whispered into his ear.

“I hope it’s as good as the first.” Abby touched her lips to his neck, raising herself to his ear.

“Well, I hope you’ve built a house large enough for three, wherever it is we’re going.” She pulled away, so that she could find his eyes. “Because it would seem that we are expecting.”

“You mean—?” Abby nodded.

“You’re going to be a daddy, Logan. And a husband. And you’re going to have a loving wife who is still willing to give the world for you.”

“Shouldn’t I propose?”

“I’ll give you a hint,” she touched her lips to his once more. “I’m a sure thing.”





Epilogue



Abby stood in front of the mirror, taking in her reflection. She wore a long white dress with very simple layers of chiffon, and a subtle design on the front. Those who didn’t know she was pregnant would probably think she had only just put on a few extra pounds—that is, unless they really looked at her.

She was luminous.

Her hair hung in long loose curls, her veil held on by a crown of small lavender colored lilacs. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, letting the scent wash over her.

“Now this is more like it.” The voice at her side said. She turned to find Jenny standing near the doorway of the bedroom. “You really do look stunning, Abby.”

“Thank you,” Abby replied, feeling her cheeks redden. “I’m so happy Jenny—it almost scares me.”

“You’ve earned it, Abigail Lewis. It’s about time I see you smiling again!” Jenny grinned, reaching up to tuck her brown curls behind her ear. “I’m sorry Hayley can’t be here to see it.” Abby felt a ball form in her throat. Hayley would have loved this—it was everything Abby had ever wanted and more. She could almost hear Hayley’s laughter in the distance, sounding off the walls.

“It’s okay—I know she would have approved.” There wasn’t a single doubt about it.

A knock sounded on the door and she heard it crack open ever-so-slowly. “You girls about ready?” She was instantly taken back six years ago, his voice still as smooth as velvet. Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest, as it always seemed to do in his presence.

“Logan Sheppard!” It was Jenny who spoke, rushing over to the door. Abby’s eyes followed her, catching a glimpse of the small library in the corner—the bed in the center of the room. It was a warm setting—familiar. “It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding!”

“Just one little peek?” he pleaded. Abby laughed, shaking her head. Logan’s heart nearly melted as he heard the once again familiar jingle of Abby’s laughter.

“If you don’t turn around and march yourself down to that alter—where you’re supposed to be, so help me—” And Abby laughed again, hearing so much of Hayley in Jenny’s tone. Hayley would approve of this as well.

In the month or so that had passed since Abby had dashed away from the alter, she and Jenny had grown much closer. Jenny had helped deal with the chaotic mess everything had ended up in, cleaning up the first non-wedding—and then she had helped throw together what some might call a “shot-gun” wedding only a few weeks later.

“Alright, alright…I’m going. But only because you seem like a woman who means what she says.” Jenny laughed, nodding her head.

“You’re darn right I do!” Abby heard the door close and a moment later, Jenny was at her side. “If he wasn’t so cute, I’d tell you to stay up here even longer!”

“He’s been waiting for quite some time for this day to come—can’t say that I blame him.” She’d been waiting too—only she hadn’t quite known it. Abby turned to her reflection once more, taking a deep breath. “You think we’re about ready?”

“As ready as we’ll ever be!”

“Good—let’s go get me married!” She heard Hayley’s voice, echoing right along beside her own. Memories washed over her and she welcomed them, holding on to each and every one. She wanted Hayley to be here—Hayley, Blake, their baby. She wanted to feel them all as if they were standing right beside her.

Jenny opened the door leading from the bedroom, leading the way down the stairs to the place where Abby’s dad stood, waiting. “I’ll give you two a minute,” she said before ducking outside.

“Wow, Abigail.” Abby struggled against the tears that flooded her eyes—because she saw her father trying to do the same. He reached up and touched his finger to the corner of his eye. “This is exactly how it should be.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” she said, smiling as she stepped forward and hooked her arm through his. “You know, I don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for you.” Her father had confessed shortly after the non-wedding that he had found Logan and given him the invitation to the wedding.

“Oh no, I’m certain you would have found your way here, Abby. Maybe it would have taken some time—but this is where you belong. You would have figured it out eventually.” The older man leaned over and touched his lips to the top of his daughter’s head. “Are you ready, dear?”

She was more than ready.

“I love you, Abigail Lewis.” Abby’s eyes teared up once more as she was taken back yet again.

“That’s the last time you’ll be able to call me that, Daddy.” And, at last, Martin Lewis lost his battle with his emotions. A single tear rolled down his cheek. Abby lifted her hand, wiping it away with her thumb. “But don’t worry, I’ll always be your little girl.”

“You’d better believe it.” He smiled again, trying to hide the whirlwind of emotions rushing through him. “And you’d better believe that I’m going to spoil that grandchild you’re carrying around.” Abby laughed, standing on her tiptoes so that she could kiss her father’s cheek.

“You’re going to be almost as good a grandpa as you are a dad.”

The music began to play then—the familiar wedding march, signaling it was time. Abby looked up at her father and smiled once more. “Shall we?” He asked, and her only response was a smile.

The wedding was being held in the backyard of the home that Logan had built—Abby’s dream home. There were flowers everywhere—lilies and lilacs. She and her father stepped outside, following one of the wraparound porches to the backyard. It was a very basic set-up—white chairs set up so that they were staring directly at the gazebo. Abby’s eyes roamed over the crowd, seeing only familiar faces. Family, friends—the people who mattered most to her.

And then she lifted her eyes, finding his. Logan’s eyes roamed over his future, soaking it all in.

He couldn’t ask for anything more.

This time, when his eyes met hers, and he saw everything she wanted for the future—he was not flooded with fear or sadness. Instead, all he could see was hope.

Bright and shining hope—a future radiating with happiness.

It was everything they could ever have wanted.



About the Author



Michelle Brewer has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember (literally—she began “borrowing” her sister’s romance novels around age ten), and it was her love of reading that led her to want to become a writer. The ability to create a world of fiction that feels so real to the reader—that feeling has inspired her since she first put pen to paper.

She lives in Michigan with her husband of three years and their one-year old son, with whom she loves spending her free time. Visit her facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/michellebrewer.authorpage