Forever Love (Now & Forever) Read online

  She pulled away and reached for his hand. “Let’s go inside.”

  They walked into her hotel room and Emily collapsed on the bed. She put her arm over her eyes and sighed.

  “I saw the hit. It looked clean, just threw him for a loop. The announcers said that he probably has a concussion but they need to take precautions because of how severe head injuries can be for football players.”

  Emily nodded and sat up on the bed. “Alex, we need to talk.”

  Alex looked at her and leaned back against the desk in the corner of the room. “You are leaving me for him, aren’t you?”

  Emily gasped. “What?”

  Alex smiled at her. “Emily, it’s not a secret. You love him, you never stopped. I tried my hardest to get your full attention but I just couldn’t.”

  “That’s not true, Alex. I love you. I tried to be angry with him and convince myself that you were better for me and could give me the life that I deserved. But, it’s not fair to you anymore. I have to grow up and I would love for Emma to have her father in her life.” Emily paused, “I still love him.”

  Alex hung his head and nodded. “Emily, I told you from the beginning to just be honest with me and you have been. I can’t be mad or upset with you. I love you too much for that. I want you and your family to find happiness. I would never deny Emma that family bond. I would give anything to have my father back in my life.”

  Emily walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I love you, Alex. You are an incredible man.”

  Alex smirked. “I’m going to catch the next flight back to Buffalo. Please make sure you keep me posted on his progress, ok?”

  Emily nodded. “Of course, please don’t be mad at me, Alex.”

  Alex smiled and kissed her lips lightly. “I will never be mad at you, Emily. It just wasn’t meant to be. That’s all. Believe me, I want to fight for you and keep you in my arms forever but Eric will always be there. No one else stands a chance against him.”

  Emily sighed. “You will find happiness, Alex. It’s just not with me.”

  Alex nodded as he grabbed his bag and headed towards the door. He stopped and looked back at her. “Go get him, Emily. I know he’s waiting to see you.”

  With those words, he was gone. Emily went back to the bed and closed her eyes. As she started to cry again, she realized that she made the right decision. She needed to put her family back together which meant finding Eric and figuring out if he was ok.

  She grabbed her phone and dialed her mom.

  “Emily, I’m so happy that you called!” Her mom yelled into the phone, “We saw the hit, is Eric ok?”

  “I don’t know yet. I’m at the hotel and waiting to hear something from his parents. I love him, Mom.”

  “Honey, of course you do! I waited for you to realize that. You were mad at him and shut him out. It’s what we do as women but I knew you would come back.”

  “Mom, I’m so worried about him.”

  “I know, Emily. He’s a strong guy though, I’m sure he will be ok. Paul thinks he may have a concussion but that’s not career ending.”

  “Tell Emma that I love her and I will call later on once I know something.”

  “I will do that. Emily, what are you going to do about Alex?”

  Emily sighed and closed her eyes. “We ended it. He just left for the airport.”

  “Are you ok? I knew he meant a lot to you.”

  “I’m hurting right now but I will be ok. I need to put my family back together.”

  Emily hung up the phone and headed into the bathroom to wash her face. She felt her phone vibrate in her hand as she looked at Eric’s mom number appear on the screen.

  “Tell me he’s ok, Mrs. Mason.”

  “He’s going to be just fine, Sweetie. I’m with him now at the hospital. He tested positive for a concussion but it’s nothing he won’t overcome. Did you want to come to the hospital? They are keeping him overnight.”

  “Yes!” Emily said.

  “Ok, head downstairs and ask the limo driver to bring you here. We told him to stay there just in case you wanted to see him.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Emily hung up the phone and grabbed her purse. She got into the limo and headed towards the hospital. She quickly sent a text to her mother to inform her about Eric.

  As they approached the front of the hospital, she saw Eric’s mom waiting for her. “Hey Honey. I will take you to him.”

  They quietly rode up the elevator to his floor, as the doors opened Emily took a deep breath. Mrs. Mason wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “He’s fine, Emily. Believe me, I’m his mother. He’s talking and he knows where he is.” She paused for a moment, “At least now he knows where he is and he will be just fine.”

  “What a way to start his first game!”

  She laughed and squeezed her. “We knew that it would be a dangerous game. He will get better at it. I told him that he has to avoid those big guys in the future.”

  Emily smiled and nodded as they approached his door. She couldn’t see him because doctors surrounded him. Mrs. Mason leaned down and whispered in her ear. “He has the best doctors watching over him.”

  Emily continued to survey the room as the doctors started to leave one by one. Finally, the room was empty except for Eric and his father. His eyes drifted towards the door and smiled at Emily.

  “Emily.”

  She couldn’t move or speak. That was the man that she loved with all of her heart. He stole it from the moment he walked into their homeroom and he never let go of it.

  She finally found her strength as she walked over to him and grabbed his hand. She still couldn’t talk as the tears started. He looked at his parents. “Can you guys give us a second?”

  “Of course, Son,” his father said as he walked out of the room with his wife. “We will be right outside if you need us.”

  Eric smiled and pulled Emily next to him on the bed. “I’m ok, Emily.”

  She started to cry more as she wiped her eyes and nodded.

  “I know I scared you. When that guy hit me, I couldn’t think straight for a moment. I never felt that way before. When I finally realized where I was, all I wanted was to see you.”

  Emily nodded and whispered. “Don’t do that again, ok?”

  He laughed softly. “I will try better in the future.”

  “I can’t lose you, Eric. Not again.”

  Eric looked at her with confusion on his face. “What do you mean, Emily?”

  “You are my life, Eric. I was so stupid to let you slip through my fingers. Yes, you did something horrible to me and our family but when you were lying on the field all I wanted to say was I had forgiven you, Eric. I love you so much and I forgive you. We are human and we are going to make mistakes in our lives and I know we will continue to make them but we need to stand by each other and stop being so immature about stuff. We have a baby girl who wants her parents together and I want to make that happen.”

  Eric grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to him. “Are you saying what I think you are saying to me?”

  "I want you back Eric and I will do whatever I need to do to make that happen."

  He didn't say anything except pull her closer and kissed her with any ounce of passion that he had inside of him.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “Emily?” Sam asked, “Are you sure you are ok?”

  Emily nodded as she turned away from the mirror. “Yeah, just a lot on my mind today.”

  The door opened as her mother peeked in, “How are we doing?”

  “She’s nervous, it’s so cute. But, I think we are all set. Is Angie around?”

  “She gathered up Emily’s bags and waiting downstairs until you two are done doing whatever you are doing. Emily, what’s going on?” She asked.

  “Just thinking over the past six years, it’s been incredible journey but it’s also been a lot to take in. I just can’t believe today has finally arrived. I was so afraid it would never ge
t here. But here we are.”

  Her mother smiled and hugged her. “You are my biggest accomplishment, Emily. I’m so proud of the woman you have become. I knew you would get here because you are so strong plus you and Eric were meant to be,” She said grabbing her face and kissing her cheek.

  “Hey, watch the makeup, she’s a masterpiece, don’t ruin it!” Sam yelled.

  Emily’s mom laughed. “Ok, sorry.” She left the room, leaving Sam and Emily alone.

  Sam ran into bedroom and grabbed Emily’s shoes as she followed behind her. “You really do look beautiful today, Emily.”

  “Thanks Sam. I think I’m ready to get this party started!”

  Sam laughed as she grabbed Emily’s shoes and bent over. “Lift up your dress so I can see your feet.”

  Emily smiled as the dress came up and the shoes went on. She was ready. She turned to look into the mirror one more time, her wedding day had arrived and she was about to become Mrs. Emily Mason.

  Emily headed downstairs and found her mom and Angie discussing the flowers and the whereabouts of the men.

  “Eric and Rob just called and they said the limo had just arrived at Eric’s parent’s house.” Angie said as she reached from Emily’s shawl.

  Emily smiled at the thought of Eric getting ready for their wedding. It was six long years but they found their way back to each other and Eric proposed the minute he was out of the hospital. He upgraded her engagement ring just as he promised that he would.

  Emily gave up her museum job and moved to Denver a few months later. She kept her relationship with Henry at the gallery and promised to keep her paintings on display with him. She ran into Alex a few more times before she moved. He was always a gentleman towards her but she could see the pain in his eyes. He prepared for the grand opening of his gallery and she wished him well with his new adventure.

  “Emily, the limo is here. You ready to leave?” Angie asked her.

  Emily took a deep breath, “Yes I am. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, let’s go.”

  Sam and Angie grabbed the back of her dress, pinned it up and helped her into the limo. Once the girls and her mom were inside, they headed to the church. Sam grabbed a glass of champagne and toasted the group. “Emily, the day you started at our high school I didn’t have a clue how important you would become to me, watching your relationship with Eric was a roller coaster but love always find a way and you both overcame your obstacles. You mean the world to me and Rob and you became the sister I never had, Emily.”

  Emily started to cry. “Sam, you are killing me! You have to re-do my make up now!”

  Her mom raised her glass. “Emily, I can’t believe we are here. It seems like you and Eric just started to date. The day we had him over for breakfast, I just knew you were in love. You didn’t want to admit it but I knew. The way you looked at him and the way he acted around you, they were all signs of a young woman and man experiencing their first loves. I’m so happy that we are here today and celebrating your wedding day, Mrs. Mason.”

  “God, what are you doing to me?” Emily laughed as she wiped her eyes with her spare tissues.

  They laughed as they pulled in front of the church, her mom hopped out and Emily caught the glimpse of the flower girl dancing around with her great grandma.

  The driver opened the door for her as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. She heard the church bells ringing as Emma ran up to her.

  “You are so pretty today, Emma.”

  “I just saw Daddy inside the church,” she said as she danced around in a circle.

  She laughed. “You did? Did he look handsome?”

  “Yes. He is wearing a tuxedo and says that he can’t wait to marry you.”

  Emily smiled at her daughter. “Did you have fun with Grandma and Paul last night?”

  “Yes! We played games all night and watch movies.”

  Emily laughed again as Sam came over, “Hey Munchkin, you ready to do your thing?”

  “Yes!” Emma rolled her eyes at Sam.

  Emily leaned down and kissed the top of her head, “I love you, Emma.”

  “I love you too, Mom. Daddy told me that you finally get to share our last name.”

  Emily smiled at Sam as she looked down at her daughter. “That’s right. I’m finally going to fit into this family!”

  “Miss Sam, is it time yet?”

  “Almost, I just need to get your mom in place, follow us.”

  Sam and Angie walked besides Emily and led her up the stairs into the church with Emma following behind them. They moved behind her and released her long train. After some re-arranging of her dress, Emily stood next to her friends ready to get married.

  She took another deep breath as she looked around and saw the church packed with family and friends. Her father approached her and hugged her tight. “Emily, you are so beautiful today.”

  “Thanks Dad, it means a lot to me that you are here. We never get to see each other anymore. It’s nice to see our family together for once. I know we had our differences but you will always be my father.”

  He smiled and kissed her cheek. “You have showed me a lot over the past six years, you have grown into a beautiful woman and that granddaughter of mine is still the apple of my eye. I trust that Eric will be able to take care of the both of you now.”

  Emily smiled. “I don’t think that will be a problem, Dad. His first year of football was incredible and I see a great future for him.”

  He reached for her arm and hooked his around it. “Are you ready, Sweetie?”

  Emily nodded and looked down at Emma. “You ready, Emma? It’s your big moment.”

  She twirled around and looked up at Emily. “Yes, I’m ready.”

  Emily could hear the organ music start to play and she turned to look at her daughter as Sam tried to get her to stand still. She scanned the back of the church to see her bridal party gathering up their flowers and her father fixing his bowtie in the mirror. The day had finally arrived and she was so excited to start the next chapter of her life.

  She moved away from the action for a little bit and tried to scan the front of the church for Eric. She could see Rob and a few other groomsmen gathering in the front, talking with each other but see couldn’t locate Eric.

  “Mommy, are you nervous?”

  Emily couldn’t help but smile. “A little bit, sweetie. But, I know your daddy is waiting for me, so I will be ok.”

  She heard the music change, as the guests quieted down and the photographer started taking pictures. Emily knew her moment had arrived.

  Sam was a perfect maid of honor. Emily watched her spring into action and positioned everyone for the procession. She made sure Emma was all set, she fixed Angie’s dress and quickly ran behind Emily and pulled and fluffed her train. She moved in front of her and fixed her veil. “You look beautiful, Emily, are you ready to finally marry your man?”

  Emily nodded and started to tear up. “Yes.”

  Emily moved her head to look around Sam’s shoulder. She could see the side of Eric’s face as he said something to their Pastor. He turned to look down the aisle as Angie started to walk into the church.

  Emily took a deep breath as she tried to concentrate on walking in her high heels and not falling down in front of her family and friends. She felt her father tighten his grip around her elbow as Sam nudged Emma down the aisle.

  Emily watched Eric laugh as he gazed at his little girl drop flower petals down the path as she went. She looked up at all the people as she passed them and smiled.

  Emily wanted to start crying as she watched her but knew her moment was next. Sam turned around the looked at her, “You look beautiful. This is your moment. Six years in the making. You are about to marry your high school sweetheart. Be confident.”

  Emily nodded and then looked up at her dad. “Are you ready to give me away, Dad?”

  He started to cry. “I don’t want to, but I will. Eric will make you happy, right?”

  She nodded a
gain. “Yes, he’s my world.”

  “Then I have no choice, you will start down the next path of your life.”

  She smiled as she watched Sam start her walk down the aisle, her eyes moved past all the people staring at her, as they rose to their feet. Emily smiled as she watched Eric move in front of the aisle to accept her as his wife. His eyes found hers and the tears were in both of their eyes.

  Emily's dad started to lead her down the aisle. Everyone stood up and smiled at her as she passed them. Her cousins waved at her as she smiled back. On the other side of the aisle, Eric's grandparents winked at her as she walked by. She tried not to look at Eric because she knew she would lose it. She looked up at her dad one more time and he smiled back at her. "It's ok, Emily. You are doing great, Sweetie."

  Her eyes moved to her mom who was crying and trying to keep her composure. Paul was standing next to her, smiling back at her. As she approached the front of the church, her eyes locked with Eric's. The pastor walked over to them and started the ceremony.

  “You are gorgeous, Emily. That dress is breathtaking.”

  Emily smiled backed at him, knowing there was nowhere else she wanted to be.

  After her dad gave her over to Eric, they joined hands and looked at the pastor as she started the greeting. Emily kept glancing over at Eric from underneath her eyelashes. She couldn't believe that they were starting their life together.

  The pastor looked at them and spoke to their family and friends, "We welcome you here today as we celebrate the love between Emily Stone and Eric Mason. They have decided to enter into marriage in front of their family, friends and God."

  Eric tightened his grip around her hand as they listened to the pastor talk about their love. As the service continued, Sam was introduced to read the first passage from Song of Solomon 2:10-13.

  Emily started to tear up more as Sam finished up. Sam walked over to Eric and Emily and hugged them both as she took her place back with the bridesmaids.

  "As we celebrate the love of Emily and Eric, we remember how life can sometimes get in the way, but true love always prevails." She smiled at the happy couple, "We have watched this relationship over the past six years as they struggled through college, life and celebrated the birth of their little girl, Emma."