Authors: Jennifer Foor
Shayne finally made the decision without me telling him. “I need to take her home.”
“Ashley, I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m so sorry that I failed you.”
Those were the last words that my father said to me.
I cried the entire way home, while Shayne drove and tried his best to give me space. It wasn’t just the shock of knowing that he’d lied to me. It was knowing that I’d inherited something from my mother that could have killed me. This didn’t just impact me, though. My children were going to need to always be aware of it and I was determined to make sure it never happened to any of us, ever again. “If the kids complain of even the tiniest headache, we’re goin’ straight to the hospital.”
He rubbed my thigh. “I know, baby. I know.”
“I’m not overreactin’, I just need to make sure they’re okay.”
“We will.”
For the rest of the ride home he continued to comfort my worries. I knew I was going off the deep end, but I had to be sure they were going to be okay. I couldn’t lose anyone else in my life, after everything I’d already lost.
I suppose the worry died down a bit as time went by. Two months after my visit to my father I was standing in front of a mirror in a little white dress. This was the day that I was finally marrying Shayne. It wasn’t anything fancy, just our family coming over
to our house after we’d wed at the courthouse. I wanted to spend my day as if it was any other. We’d already been living like we were married, so nothing except my last name was going to change.
My mother, well the only one I ever knew, had come over early to help me get ready. She was looking at me as I spun around in a full length mirror. “You look beautiful.”
“Why am I so nervous?”
“Because it’s your big day.”
I reached my arms around her back and hugged her tightly. “Thank you for always bein’ there for me. I know I wasn’t always a good kid.”
“Oh, Ash. You were perfect. I’ve always loved you like you were my own, even after you found out I wasn’t
your real mom, and decided that you didn’t have to listen to me anymore.”
I giggled. “Yeah, I like to rebel.”
She pulled away and rubbed my arms. “I love you, no matter what, and I’m overjoyed that you’re so happy. Shayne loves you the way that every woman wishes they had. I know your mom would be very proud of you.”
Her words meant everything to me on such a special day in my life. “Thanks.”
While my mom and Peyton stayed home to watch the twins, Shayne and I took the short drive to the courthouse and made it official. Ford and Sky came with us, and even though it should have probably been awkward, I couldn’t have picked two better people to bear witness to our love for each other. Plus, I think they both needed a push, and what better way to give it to them then to make them attend a wedding?
When we climbed in our car Shayne grabbed my hand. He pulled it up to his lips and smiled as they brushed over my skin. “I love you, Mrs. Hutchinson.”
“I love you too, my husband.” It felt weird saying it, but I knew it was something I’d love getting used to. Shayne and I had been through Hell and back. Though he’d questioned his sanity at times, he’d never given up on me or the twins. I’d been blessed and didn’t know how I’d ever deserved it. With a sense of fulfillment I looked out the window and wondered if my mother was really out there somewhere, looking out for me. Whether I had angel or not, I knew I’d never be alone. I had someone that would always love me, protect me, and never let me go.
The End of Book 4