Chapter 55
It’s been a little over a month since the news broke that Connor and I are married.
And honestly, it’s the best thing that could’ve happened to us.
Both of us were too scared to bring up the fact that we wanted to stay married.
So, even though Roger Park and Bryan—who leaked the information—are both scumbags, their plan backfired. I’ve never been happier.
And even though the Bobcats lost in the Western Conference finals this year, it hasn’t dulled our happiness.
I’ve been finding a new rhythm and sense of normal since my diagnosis.
The beta blockers my doctor prescribed actually helped me more than I thought they would and I’m managing my symptoms much better now.
It helps that I’m not fighting this alone anymore.
The girls are constantly checking up on me.
Tamara visits twice a week for dinner. Oh, did I mention I moved into Connor’s permanently after the news broke? Not that it was a surprise to anyone.
I’m on my way to the nail salon to meet the girls for a morning of pampering.
Sadie planned a party for Connor and me this evening, and she’s making sure I experience everything I missed with my first wedding.
I’m meeting them all at her place because that’s where the party is tonight.
But when I get down to the street to hop in my car, panic ensues.
I swear to god, I parked it right in front of the restaurant.
I don’t take my car places often anymore since Connor and I usually go to work together now, but I still remember parking it here the last time I drove it.
Speed walking down the sidewalk, I’m in full blown panic mode now when I can’t find it. Dialing Connor’s number, he picks up after the first ring.
“I think someone stole my car.”
The noise in the background fades away and I hear Connor chuckle. “Why would anyone steal The Teal Deal? It barely runs.”
Defensiveness coats my every word. “Stop! You know how important she is to me. She’s gone. I’ve looked everywhere.”
“Take a deep breath for me, baby.”
I do as he says, but tears still sting at the backs of my eyes.
“The Teal Deal is in a storage unit about ten miles away.”
Wait, what?
Confused and thinking I misheard him, I ask, “Can you say that again?”
Connor laughs now, but it does nothing to ease the anxiety I’m still feeling about my favorite car being gone.
“Avery, that car was a death trap. I know you love it, so I didn’t get rid of it, but I care too much about you to let you drive that thing anymore. You mean too much to me and I couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to you.”
Okay, so maybe he’s got a point. He doesn’t even know I broke down twice on the drive to Wisconsin after my divorce. He’d lose his shit if he knew I let strangers help me on the side of the road. But he doesn’t need to know that.
“How the heck am I supposed to get to Sadie’s now? Should I ask one of the girls to pick me up?” I look at the time and if I don’t leave within the next five minutes, we’re going to miss our nail appointment.
“Baby, do you see the dark green SUV sitting right outside of our apartment building?”
I walk back toward the entrance of our building and spot a sleek brand-new SUV parked right outside the doors.
“Uh, yes?” I say, confused.
“Check your purse.”
Reaching into my purse, I feel a key fob sitting in the side pocket and pull it out. Finally, it hits me.
“You bought me a car.”
“I bought you a car.”
This freaking man.
“Connor, it’s too much.”
I hear someone yell his name and he moves his phone away from his mouth, telling them to give him a minute. My mind is whirling as I take in the beautiful vehicle in front of me. I’m in disbelief when I hear his voice again.
“It’s not too much, Aves. You’re my wife. It’s my job to take care of you. I’ll fix up The Teal Deal for you but you deserve a car that’s safe and reliable.”
Emotion creeps up my throat but it’s the good kind. It’s always the good kind with him.
“Thank you, babe. But you really didn’t have to do this.”
Connor laughs. “Get used to it, baby. I plan on spoiling the shit out of you every chance I get.”
My husband wasn’t kidding when he said he plans on spoiling me.
When I got to Sadie’s this morning, there was a limo waiting for us to take us to the nail salon.
Inside was an ice bucket full of some of the finest champagne.
I even indulged in a glass, knowing that alcohol is not my friend these days, but I figured one glass couldn’t hurt.
We just got back to Sadie and Niko’s and we’re walking into the garage apartment. Sloane pushes the door open and squeals.
I push her out of the way to see peonies covering every table and surface.
“Your husband is a unicorn,” Sloane says as I scan the room.
He really is unbelievable.
“Look!” Ellie yells, pointing at the floor. On the ground is a path of pedals leading into the back of the apartment. I follow them into the master bedroom. I gasp when I see a giant white box sitting on the bed.
The girls fall in behind me, and I feel one of their hands land on my shoulder. It’s Sadie. “Go see what it is.”
Slowly, I tiptoe into the room. My hands shake as I reach down for the lid of the box. Slowly, I lift it up and place it on the bed. Inside sits a gorgeous, emerald gown with a note sitting on top.
Tears are already falling when I open it to see a note from Connor.
Aves,
I know you were expecting a party to celebrate our marriage since we never got one before, but I had something else in mind.
Put this beautiful gown on and meet me in the backyard.
Even though the courthouse was the start of something amazing, I want to renew my vows with you in front of the people who mean the most to us.
I love you, Avery Smith, and I want everyone to know just how much.
Love,
Your Superstar
P.S. Ask Sadie for the other box now.
I turn to see the girls, every single one of them with tears in their eyes, even Sloane. Sadie takes a step forward, knowing what I’m about to ask.
“Connor told me to ask you for the other box now.”
Sadie reaches into her bag and pulls out a jewelry box.
Not knowing what else my incredible husband could possibly do to make this day any better, I take the box from her.
When I open it up, the necklace inside steals my breath away.
I pick it up to inspect it. Engraved on the front of the gold pendant is the Big Dipper, which causes me to chuckle.
When I flip it over, I laugh through a sob.
Engraved on the back is C + A 8/9/16, our initials and the day we met.
Sloane is the one to interrupt the sob-fest happening around her, clapping her hands three times.
“All right, ladies. Enough crying. Let’s get our girl married. Again.”
I’ve just finished getting my gown on and I’m looking at myself in the full length mirror on the back of the bedroom door. I asked the girls to give me privacy because I wanted to be alone for this. Scanning myself from head to toe, I’m completely taken aback by what I’m feeling.
The last time I inspected myself in the mirror, I hated everything about what was staring back at me.
Now, dressed in this gown, I remember everything Connor told me about my body and I finally see it, too.
My frame is slimmer than it’s ever been, but instead of seeing everything I lost, I start noticing what I’ve gained.
The dimple on my left cheek is a permanent presence these days, the smile never leaving my face with the incredible people I now have in my life.
My hips and ass are smaller than they’ve ever been, but it’s not the lost muscle I see when I look at them, it’s Connor’s hands holding and grabbing them any chance he gets.
I look up and turn my arm, revealing the tattoo I got inked on my wrist last week, the words Connor and I said to each other all those years ago.
The ones I plan on saying to him again today.
But what catches my attention most are my eyes.
When I got to Green Bay last summer, not only were they sunken in and surrounded by puffy bags, but they were empty.
They held nothing but loss and sadness. Now, they’re shining bright with hope and possibility reflected in them.
Knowing that I’m about to walk down the aisle and marry my best friend for the second time fills me with a type of happiness I’ve only ever known with him.
Smiling one last time at my reflection, I turn and reach out to open the door. But before I can grab the handle, someone is opening it for me.
My mom pokes her head in, and I gasp.
“Mom? You’re here?”
The door opens wider and I see my dad. “Of course, we’re here! You’d think we’d miss this? Not a chance in hell, honey.”
I fling my arms around both of them, overcome with so much joy. I thought only our Bobcats family was going to be here, but knowing that they’re here too makes everything so much better.
My mom’s hands find my shoulders and she leans back, taking me in.
“You look absolutely breathtaking, sweetheart. Happy looks good on you.”
I sniff back the emotion, trying like hell not to ruin my makeup with my tears. Both my parents loop their arms through mine and my dad squeezes my hand.
“Let’s go find your husband, shall we?”
I smile up at him. “We shall.”