Chapter 30
CHAPTER 30
H annah
“Can you believe him? Can you believe he demanded to know where I was staying and why I haven’t been home?” I spewed, sitting on the patio with my mom, Antonio, Adalyn, Luis, and Alfred.
“Darling, I love you, but that’s the third time you’ve said that. The wounded bird was just asking,” Luis said.
“Wounded bird? Why the hell are you calling him a wounded bird?”
“Because that’s what he is. He’s wounded, and his wounds come from that house. His sister tragically died there, his mother treated him poorly, and he left his life behind at sixteen to live with his aunt in Chicago. Who wouldn’t be wounded after all that?”
“Luis, you’re not helping,” Adalyn spoke.
“I was just saying. Besides, Hannah Banana, you’re a wounded bird, too. You’re both wounded birds who need a little tender loving care.”
“May I interrupt?” my mother asked. “Antonio and I have an announcement to make. “We’re getting married and moving to Harbor Falls!”
“What?” Adalyn and I looked at each other. “Mom, are you serious?”
“Yes, Hannah. Antonio, my ring, please.”
He reached inside his pocket, pulled out a beautiful diamond ring, and placed it on her finger.
“Yay!” Luis and Alfred clapped. “Another wedding.”
“What do you mean you’re moving to Harbor Falls?” Adalyn asked.
“Antonio and I talked about it, and there’s nothing keeping us in New York now that Hannah has moved here and you’re pregnant. So, the last time we were here, we looked at houses, found one, made an offer, and they accepted. It’s beautiful.”
“And you didn’t tell us why?” I asked.
“Because I didn’t want you girls to get your hopes up if the house didn’t work out. Now, the three of us will be together again. Group hug.” She held out her arms. “I know you need more help at the flower shop, and I can help now that we’ll be living here.”
“Great, Mom.” My lips curved up into a fake smile.
I loved my mother and Antonio and was happy they were engaged. A lot of good was happening all around me while my life felt like it was falling apart. Seeing Alex today hurt in ways I didn’t imagine. I missed him, and it would be a long time before I’d get over him. Especially living in this small town where I could run into him at any given time or place.
“ L ook at you.” Tears filled my eyes as I held Adalyn’s hands and stared at her in her dress and veil.
“Stop. You’re making me cry.” She pouted.
“You look gorgeous, sis. Colin is so lucky to have you as his wife. He’s worthy of you. Unlike that ex-husband of yours.”
“Uh, speaking of ex-husbands, Darren is coming with his girlfriend.”
“What?” My eyes widened. “Are you crazy? And why am I just hearing about this now?”
“Because I knew you’d react this way, and I didn’t want to hear it.”
“Who does that?” I threw my hands in the air.
“You know Darren and I have made peace with each other. Besides, he really likes Colin.”
“Does he know you’re pregnant?” I asked.
“No. I’m telling him at the wedding.”
“I wonder if his girlfriend knows he got snipped.” I slyly smiled.
“I don’t know. And don’t you dare say a word about that either.” She pointed at me.
“I won’t, and only because it’s your special day. I’ll wait until after the wedding.” I grinned, handing her the beautiful bouquet of roses I had made her.
Grabbing my bouquet, I took my place until the music began to play. Once it did, I slowly walked down the paved path to the gazebo, where I could see Alex staring at me from the corner of my eye. Looking across at Colin, I saw tears in his eyes when he saw his bride walking down the aisle. When she made her way to him, I straightened out her train and took her bouquet.
“I hereby give to you Mr. and Mrs. Colin Young!” the minister pronounced, and everyone clapped and shouted.
A lex
I was speechless when I saw Hannah walking down the aisle. She looked gorgeous, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off her, even though she refused to look at me. After the ceremony, all the guests gathered in the large white tent decorated with tulle, white lights, and beautiful flowers throughout.
“Wow, Dad. Didn’t Hannah do a great job with the flowers?”
“She sure did, kiddo. It’s beautiful in here.”
“There she is! Come on, Dad.” Lucy grabbed my hand and pulled me behind her. “You look beautiful, Hannah.” Lucy hugged her.
“Thank you, Lucy. My gosh, you look so grown up. I love your dress.”
“Thanks. Mara took me shopping. Isabelle and her parents are here. Can I go see her?”
“Go on.” I smiled, tucking my hands into my pants pockets. “Lucy is right. You look beautiful.”
“Thanks. I need to go find Adalyn.”
“There she is.” A man walked over and kissed Hannah’s cheek. “I was shocked when I heard you moved here to open a flower shop.”
“I bet not as shocked as Adalyn was when she found out you went and?—”
Adalyn rushed over and grabbed hold of Hannah’s arm. “I need your help now. Hello, Darren.”
“Adalyn, you look just as beautiful as you did on our wedding day.” He kissed her cheek.
I remembered Hannah telling me all about him.
“Thank you, Darren. If you’ll excuse us.”
“Of course. Go on.” He smiled. “I’m Darren.” He extended his hand.
“Alex Harbor.” I shook his hand.
Everyone took their seats, for it was time for dinner.
“I can’t wait to get married,” Lucy said.
“You have a long time before that happens.” I smiled.
“Not really. I could meet the man of my dreams and get married when I turn eighteen.”
I leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Over my dead body.”
After the bridal dance, a slow song played. Walking over to where Hannah stood, talking to Katherine, I grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“It’s just a dance, Hannah. Relax.” My grip around her was tight. “I want to compliment you on your beautiful job with the flowers.”
“Thank you. Since you have me in this grip lock, I might as well tell you I’m moving out of the guesthouse.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. I’ll be fully moved out when Colin and Adalyn return from their honeymoon.”
“Whatever, Hannah.” I let go of her and walked out of the tent.
“No, Alex. Don’t you ‘whatever’ me!” She chased after me. “You don’t get to do that!”
“I’m sorry I hurt you!” I turned around and faced her. “It doesn’t mean you have to move out.”
“Yes, it does! And you know why? Because I fell in love with you and can’t live there, seeing you every day, knowing you don’t feel the same.” Tears filled her eyes.
“Hannah.” I reached for her hand, and she took a step back.
“Don’t, Alex. Why did you have to walk up to me outside the flower shop that day?” She slowly shook her head as a tear fell down her cheek. “Just leave me alone.” She turned and walked away.
“Hannah?” I shouted. “Jesus Christ,” I mumbled, rubbing my forehead.
After the wedding, Lucy and I headed home.
“It’s late. You better get some sleep,” I said to Lucy when we stepped inside the house.
“Okay. Night, Dad.”
“Goodnight, sweetheart.”
I poured myself a scotch and took it down to the beach. Sitting in the sand, I listened to the roar of the waves as they crashed against the shore.
“Alex, do you think you’ll ever leave Harbor Falls when you’re older?”
“Nah. Why would I do that?” I asked Athena as we sat in the sand, staring at the ocean.
“Do you promise you’ll never leave?”
“Yeah, I promise. Where is all this coming from?”
“Now that Dad is gone, it’s just the three of us. Mom will need us to help her. We’re all she has.”
“Don’t worry, sis.” I hooked my arm around her. “This town is our legacy. One day, we’ll run it together. You and me—the Harbor siblings.”
“We’ll find our soulmates here, get married, and start our own families.” She smiled.
Tears streamed down my face as I finished my scotch. “I’m so sorry, Athena.”