Page 131 of A Forever Love
As we end the call, I check my phone once again, but there’s no new notifications.
Last week, Carter started working on a special project involving the acquisition of a new firm, and the stress has been palpable, culminating today—the day of the final merger. I recall waking up to find him scribbling notes in his pocket diary every night this past week on the living room couch.
In our living room.
A sigh escapes me each time I think of how drastically my life has changed in the last two months. Carter and I moved into one of the penthouse apartments in a building complex owned by Kings Security, equal distance from Cherrywood and St. Peppers. The commute to work is a bit longer, but the sacrifice is well worth it when I get to spend every evening with Carter, waking up in his arms each morning, and doing what we love during the day.
I decided not to disturb him today, but his silence, after becoming accustomed to his frequent calls and texts, is becoming unbearable. I pull up our texts and send him a voice message.
“Hey, it’s me. I hope the merger went smoothly. I’m on my way to Cherrywood. Whenever you get a moment, shoot me a text. Love you.”
I can hear the vulnerability in my voice, but I no longer conceal my emotions when it comes to Carter. The day we moved into our new apartment, he made me promise that I’d never hide anything from him—my feelings, my thoughts, and especially my fears.
I see the incoming voice message on the car’s info screen and press play.
“Mittens, did you just send a voicemail while driving? Please don’t do that, babe. I’ll have the results of the merger in a few hours. But don’t worry. I’ll see you tonight. Drive safe, hon.”
My lips curl up. Carter knows I love it when he calls me by a nickname, so he does it more often than necessary.
Could life get any more perfect? I smile, my eyes drifting to the laminated maple leaf preserved from the cemetery, now hanging on my car’s mirror.
“Thanks, Mom.” I blow a kiss to the leaf and squeeze my eyes shut for a moment to shake off my watery eyes.
Less than an hour later, I park my car behind Clementine’s Porsche, and before I can get out, Dad is already sprinting toward me. “Hi, kiddo. How was the drive?”
“Hi, Dad.” I hug him tight. “It was—um, why are there so many lights in the campus garden?” I peer beyond our house. Due to the tall grass fence, I don’t have a clear view of what’s happening, but there are certainly a few hundred festoon lights hanging from the trees.
Before curiosity gets the best of me and I make my way to the garden, Dad holds my hand. “There’s a party. We’ll join soon.”
“Party? Was Carter’s M&A successful?”
An affectionate smile tugs at Dad’s lips. “Not yet. But this party is for your dad, not your boyfriend, Merry Belle.”
His words take me by surprise. It’s not often that Dad refers to Carter with that label, but today his smile is wide.
“Really? Whose life did you save this time?” My arm curls around his waist as I look up at him.
Dad chuckles. “Hmm, it would be my own this time, kiddo.”
“I don’t understand.” I can’t stop smiling, watching him happy.
“You and I came to Kings Security seventeen years ago today,” he replies slowly. “I’m so grateful now that your babysitter ditched on me at the last minute. Without you by my side that day on this campus, today’s celebration wouldn’t mean anything.”
“Wow,” I whisper as warmth bursts in every cell of my body, running through my veins.
“I never imagined this would be our life seventeen years later. Thank you so much for being so patient with me. Our lives could have gone a completely different way if you wouldn’t have been so amazing.”
“I didn’t do anything, Dad. But I’m thrilled that we’re celebrating this day. Will we do it every year from now on?” I ask as Dad leads me slowly to the garden.
His steps halt for a beat. “That depends on how Carter does today.”
Before I can understand his cryptic words, I spot Uncle Connor wheeling his way out of the garden. For a change, he’s not in one of his fitted suits but wearing a leather jacket and jeans, exactly like Dad.
“I was hoping I’d find you before you go in there.” He approaches us and takes my hand in his. “Seventeen years ago, I met this little girl, a bit scared but still very brave. Even when she didn’t understand a lot, she knew feelings. While being a rock for her dad, she brought happiness into all of our dull lives.”
“Are you by any chance talking about me?” I try to crack a joke as a lump forms in my throat.
He grins. “I want you to know that you’re special to me and to all of us. Some might think you being with Carter now would bring you even closer, but you already live in our hearts, Mere. So, if you ever need to kick Carter out, don’t worry about us. You do what you need to do to keep him in check.”