Page 28 of In the Light of Day

We touch.

We’re intimate withoutbeingintimate.

I want more from him though. I want everything he gives me in my dreams. The life we share together is almost perfect, and I don't know how we cross the bridge into being something more, but I want it desperately. If today is a day I can live out this fantasy, then I will embrace it and live every day to its fullest. So when I think of it, days, months or years from now, I will know that for me, it was real.

Stepping away slightly, I keep a hold of his hand. My Pop is one of two remaining people who can keep me anchored.

“It's just a fantasy. I don't think he could lo—”

“Now, you just stop right there, you hear. You can't bullshit a bullshitter, baby girl, and I know, just like Martha did, that the man standing out there waiting for you, loves you just as much as I loved your Ma. Now if you don't feel the same then I’ll be your getaway driver but I don't doubt for a second that you love him just as much.”

The passion he talks with is visceral. I know I can’t hide my feelings from him, but there's still one thing I've never said. A secret that keeps me from taking a leap of faith with Ace.

“Pop?”

I say his name and you can hear the uncertainty I feel. Worried that if I say the thing I’m most worried about, he will confirm it and I'll not know how to take those next steps forward.

“I think I'm still broken,” I whisper so quietly that I can barely hear the words myself, but I know the man who stands before me heard every one of them.

“Angel, is that what you've been worried about? Nova, you're not broken, you never were. That man loves each and every flawed part of you, he doesn't want a different version of you. He wants the woman standing here right now. You have always been good enough, Nova. You always will be. But if you are worried you're still broken, then let him heal you. Create the most amazing life with him. One that could equal every day I shared with your Ma. This all might be happening under the ruse of a lie but I assure you this is absolutely real, I wouldn't be supporting you both if I didn't think so. If you choose this future, then I'll be waiting down here to walk you down the aisle. He’s waiting for you, Nova. Go on, go get ready for him.”

His words fill me with optimism and hope. I never allowed myself to truly believe I could have this.

That I could have him.

Wiping my tears, I give him one final hug before moving toward the stairwell of the apartment. Turning back to say, “I feel her with me. Some days are stronger than others but she's with me today, with both of us. I love you, Pop.”

He looks at me, patting his palm to his heart, “We love you too, Nova. We love you too.”

Chapter 23 - Ace

Sundown to Sunrise - The Ghosts of Liberty ?

The sun peeks in and out of the clouds that move above us, twinkling through the canopy of white ribbon and wisteria flowers we’ve spent the past week putting together. The day after I asked Nova to marry me, I held a family meeting with Mila, Dante, Charlie, Porter and of course, Seth, who came under the ruse of baby Henry needing a babysitter. I apologised for doing everything out of order but I asked him for her hand in marriage and confessed that I love her. Despite his complaints that it took me long enough, he agreed with the plan andOperation Marry Novawas created.

Every spare minute over the past two weeks has been spent making decorations, getting dresses, suits and anything else that we thought of. Mila insisted that the wedding fromTwilightshould be the inspiration, so I sat through every one of those films to find it. I was team Jacob until I got to the end. As soon as he imprinted on the baby I decided that was enough teen shifter romance for a grown man to watch and I should probably go back to wedding planning.

Several overnight deliveries and a mountain of teamwork later, I'm standing under a wooden arch wrapped in white roses as the wind catches the ribbons blowing overhead. Thousands of white rose petals lay scattered on the ground, an aisle of green grass guiding a path from the barn to where I stand.

We're not on a time crunch for what time we leave today, the plan is to drive a few hours to a small resort nestled in the woods. A kind of halfway point between us and her family. Tomorrow we will get ready and drive the remaining hour and a bit to Lizzie's rehearsal dinner, with cocktail hour starting early afternoon. When she emailed me the full itinerary she apologised for the intensity of it, citing her mother had taken the lead on several things. I don’t know if I will ever understand wealthy people and their need to show everyone how rich they are. Not my Nova though. She has more money than you could spend in a lifetime. An inheritance from her grandfather she claimed after her escape. A fortune that allowed her to start over without anyone interfering.

Dante, Porter and I stand around waiting for the women folk to be ready. We watched them drive over the hill a couple of hours ago now, and I knew it was going to be a bit of a wait for her to make her entrance. I also know that Seth was going to talk with her, give her an out if she didn't want this. I don't think I let the notion of those words sink in when Seth first told me he would only be a part of this if she wanted it. Of course that makes sense, he's her dad in every sense of the word and no man will watch their daughter enter a forced marriage. Butwhat ifshe doesn't wantme?What if, I was so blinded by my own love for her that she simply walks away? That she welcomes the out he will give her.

I pray that she doesn't take it.

Our love for each other is not a lie but a truth, withheld. I want to give her everything and this is the first step in me showing her that I will.

Her needs will always come first.

Even if she walks away.

The large sliding door of the barn creaks open and Mila steps out, giving us all a big smile, calling out to Henry. We watch as he slowly waddles over to his mother, standing at the start of the aisle, his little legs still learning how to walk. Dante takes the opportunity to scoop him up, walking to where she stands. Blowing a raspberry to his plump cheek before passing him to Mila, his squeals of delight ringing out across the open space. She’s in a beautiful navy silk dress, or maybe it’s a gown? I'm not an expert on these things but I do know the shade matched the colour of our suits perfectly. The lady at the store said you couldn't get a closer pairing and that it would compliment the ivory of Novas dress.

Oh shit, this is happening.

Giving Dante a quick kiss, Mila shoos him away and he resumes his position next to me. I want the life he has, the love he has from Mila. I know that if they can overcome the challenges they faced, and even what Charlie and Porter went through. If they can get past their obstacles then Nova and I will be fine. If she steps out of the barn and walks toward me then I'll know for certain that she's in this with me. That no matter what, she's my person.

The low grumble of the barn door sliding open catches my attention and I swear I stop breathing. Music starts to ring out as Mila holds Henry on her hip. Charlie appears in the doorway and I can hear Porter start babbling something in Russian, no doubt complaining about the amount of men he will have to kill with her dressed so beautifully. About halfway down the aisle, Henry starts to squirm and Mila quickly lets him down. His little basket of petals hanging loosely in his hand. Dante calls him over, the determination on his face matching that of his dads. Distracted from the flowers hanging above us, his small fingers let go of the basket, spilling its contents before Mila and Charlie crouch next to him, trying to coax him to keep moving but failing. Fistfuls of petals are shoved into the basket, the most adorable little flower boy elated with his bounty.

---