Page 75 of Forever Mine

I didn't think it was really a question. “Dork, you can't nominate yourself for something like that.”

“Wanna bet, little brother,” she said with a smirk. I groaned and rolled my eyes.

“Yes, you are going to be my maid of honor,” Maddie said, and the three girls sat down on the couch in my office and began planning it out.

“Wait,” Elise said. “Where are you having it and who's officiating?”

“That's up to Mad, but I was thinking the new house. Oh, and Cole Anderson is officiating.”

“Cole?” Lily asked. It was no secret she'd always had a huge crush on him, even though he was far too old for her, and definitely not her one true mate. The entire world would have known about it long before now if that had been the case.

“Yes, Cole is getting certified so he can perform the ceremony.”

“When did you plan all this?” Maddie asked, laughing.

I shrugged. “Yesterday.”

I sat down at my desk and tried to get some paperwork done, knowing they weren't going to leave anytime soon. After awhile the distractions and the giggling became too much, and I would have been lying if I wasn't getting a little stressed from all the plans they were quickly making over this wedding.

“Hey, I did call you over to take Oscar on a tour, not bore him to death with your babbling, and don't you two have work to do, too?”

Lily rolled her eyes at me. “Come on, Oscar, I'm thinking someone wants a little alone time with your mom.”

I wish,I thought. What we were going to be doing was nowhere near as fun as what Lily was thinking.

They finally left. Maddie was beaming with happiness. They had done that, and for that I was thankful. No, I had done that. Who knew a wedding would mean so much to a girl? I noticed she kept looking down at her hand that was now wearing my ring. I didn't think anything could wipe the smile off my lady's face. I hated to bring Annie and Jacob up, fearing it would burst her joy, but it needed to be done.

“You ready to call Annie?” I asked anxiously.

“Yes! I can't wait to tell her, she's going to be so excited.” Then it hit her. Life with Annie was very different now. She looked a little sad, but determined not to let it get to her.

I put the phone on speaker, and she dialed the number she knew well.

“Hello?”

“Annie, it's Maddie,” she said.

I could hear Annie crying. “Janie—er, Maddie, whatever you want, I'm so happy you called. Jacob and I weren't sure we'd ever hear from you again.”

“I was upset at first, but I'm trying to let it go. I know it's only been a few days, but honestly it feels like a lifetime ago,” she told her.

“I know exactly what you mean,” Annie exclaimed. “Is Oscar there? Can I speak with him? We miss you both so much.”

“Miss you too. Oscar's not here right now though. And Annie, I have some questions I really just need answers to. Can you do that?”

She sighed. “I'll try.”

I sat back and just listened, taking in their conversation.

“You really didn't know what I was, even knowing all you know?”

“We really, truly didn't. I don't think either of us has ever been more shocked in our lives. I mean, of course we recognized the Collier name, and vaguely remember when the youngest daughter went missing, but never once did we ever suspect that was you.”

“How much do you know about people like me?”

“Everything. The Verndari have been passing down the knowledge from generation to generation since the beginning of time. I told you, our job is to protect you. Almost all legends and lore exist as ways to protect your kind. The Verndari did that.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, forgetting she didn't know I was on the line, too.

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