An Unfinished Life (45 page)

BOOK: An Unfinished Life

11.66Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub

ads

I brushed off the snow that was covering her name with my glove. Running my fingers over the inscription made me feel chills throughout my body, and it wasn’t from the cold. Would she hate me for what I did to her father? I wasn’t sure if I would ever be ready for that answer, so I prayed for peace…peace in knowing that this nightmare was truly over, and I could get on with my life. Parts of my past would never be forgotten. It was impossible to ever think otherwise, because that would mean that she, and the love I felt for her, never existed.

Knowing Zoey could probably hear my words, I recited them in silence for only Minela to hear:

“I love you, beautiful girl. You showed me what it is to love and to feel how it is when you are loved back. Our time together was short, but it was a time that was magical. I would give anything to have you here with me, but we both know that’s not how it is written in our story. Please don’t hate me for what I’ve done. If angels do have the power to watch from up above, then you know I had no other choice. I’ll never be sorry for it, but only sorry for you. Rest in peace, Minela.”

As I rose to my feet, Zoey was there to hold me. I cupped her face and kissed her lips.

“Let’s go home. I love you.”

“Lead the way, my love.”

No one in my family was surprised about the announcement I made about my plans to marry Zoey. The Paulson’s, in their amazing way, welcomed Zoey into our family with open arms, and plenty of bone crushing hugs followed.

As for Simon and Nicolette, they had survived once again a potential threat to their happiness. After my confrontation with Jack, I received an anonymous package. The unmarked envelope was stuffed with pictures and an outline of intent meant for Nicolette, planned out from Michael St. Clair once he was to be released on parole. I was sickened by what I saw and felt relief knowing he was dead and could no longer hurt her. I knew who had sent the envelope to me and his reasoning behind it. Guilt comes in many shapes and sizes, and he was trying to justify the choices he made…choices that brought Marino into my life, forcing me to come to terms with Minela’s murder.

His truth ripped me open, and I would need thousands of stitches to put me back together again. I hated Jack Vanelle on sight, and I hated the world he came from. I had already closed one door to my past with Chief LaRocha; I would not go down this road again with Jack. When our paths crossed, I swore to uphold the law to the best of my ability and to bring to justice those who threatened to break what I vowed to protect. He had a criminal past, tied to one of the most powerful mafia families in Chicago. For all the time I had known him, he was just Nicolette’s Uncle Jack and a bar owner. I soon learned the realities of the real Jack Vanelle, and one I wish to never speak of again.

I was taking the procedural measures of leaving the FBI, and I had a choice to make. I could hand over what landed in my hands, or destroy it like before with LaRocha. St. Clair was dead and the investigation had been closed. Nicolette deserved to be happy and live a wonderful blessed life with Simon.

After we celebrated Zoey’s welcoming into our family, I was left on my own with Simon. We walked along the same beach we reunited on months ago when I first arrived in California. I promised him that I would always protect him and Nicolette. No one would ever hurt them again, especially me. The first time was hard enough for me to hear his words. I could never go through that again with him. He meant too much to me.

I asked his advice first and gave him the time to answer me. He knew it was like opening Pandora’s Box, and once he made the decision of looking inside, he would always have the knowledge of the secrets that I was holding in my hand. He reached out his hand, and I knew he needed this to move forward. He looked at everything the file contained. I watched him take in several deep breaths, probably to calm himself down from what he was feeling. He then simply said to me, “Destroy it, and let’s never speak of this again.” We never did.

As for Jack, Simon was the one that was connected to him through Nicolette. I would never ask him to choose, already knowing my brother would be loyal to me. He respected my wishes, and he would do his best not to have my path ever cross with Jack’s. If it were ever to be unavoidable, then I would respectively keep my distance. He served as a reminder of bad things, and I didn’t need any more of those. My life was centered on Zoey and the future we would have together.

That day came on a sunny day in October. We were married on our ranch in front of only our closest friends and family. My new nephew and niece served as mini ring bearer and flower girl. They stole the show with their grand entrance. Baby Cali wore a miniature version of a wedding dress. The top was cotton like an onesie, and the bottom was a puffy skirt with ruffled tights underneath. And the little man, Kai, wore a one-piece cotton tuxedo and had a tiny pillow attached to his wrist. Simon carried his son, while Nicolette carried their daughter down the aisle. My mother was crying. Zoey’s mother was crying. Every woman in attendance was crying. Babies had a way of doing that to you.

Then it was the moment I had been waiting for. Zoey arrived on a white stallion, on loan from my neighbor who bred horses. The horse was called Snow, and she was covered in flowers with the most beautiful beauty sitting on her and then being brought down to me. The horse stopped at the entrance to the aisle, and her father took it from there. He held out his hands to help Zoey off the horse. He kissed her cheek and walked his daughter down the aisle. Once she was close enough to touch, our hands connected, and we both mouthed the words “I love you.”

Her father gave the minister his blessing, and then we said our vows. They were simple. I thanked Zoey for giving me the best gift, I could ever receive, and that was simply her unconditional love, friendship, and soon her promise of children. She brought me back to life when I had all but given up on ever finding love again. I was in tears by the time I slipped the ring onto her finger. My brothers all patted me on my back in support.

When it was time for Zoey to say her vows to me, she too kept it simple. She thanked her matron of honor and best friend, Tenley, for going back home. If it wasn’t for Tenley finding the road back to her heart, then Zoey would have never found me. She told me that she never found love with anyone before me. She was happy that she waited for God to bring her the prince she was wishing for.

We were pronounced husband and wife as the sun set over the Rocky Mountains. It was as if the sunset was meant just for my new bride and me. I looked up to heaven and whispered a silent thank you.

After our wedding, life was perfect. We had made a home in the house I had built. We planned our life in this home. My goal was to get her pregnant as soon as possible. I was right when I knew Zoey would want children right away, especially after spending time with Kai and Cali. I left the FBI behind, and Zoey was on a permanent leave from her law practice. She loved the law, but it no longer gave her the satisfaction it once did. I was okay with whatever she decided, but I was a selfish man and wanted her all to myself.
Yeah…this marriage thing is awesome.

Ten months later, we welcomed our first child, a son. He was strong with fierce lungs. He was the loudest baby in the nursery. We named him Christopher Michael Paulson, and our family was complete.

As I held my son in my arms, I knew the life I had in this moment was perfect, one that had no darkness, pain, or loss. It was filled with light, warmth, and love. I no longer carried broken pieces of my life that were unfinished. I was whole again. My heart was full of love for my beautiful wife and son, who had changed my life. I no longer lived with the past that nearly destroyed me.

You can never know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been. I understood that better than anyone. After the rain, the clouds parted, and there was sun. Zoey found a place in my heart and changed my life. It was a blessed one, and I was exactly where I was meant to be.

A Changed Life
(standalone)

Forever Series:

Forever
: Book One

Second Chance at Forever
: Book Two

Our Forever Promise
: Book Three

All Roads Lead Home
(standalone)

M
ary A. Wasowski is a Best Selling Author who writes adult contemporary romance. Best known for her
Forever Series
. This is her sixth publication.

A romantic at heart. She is an avid reader when she’s not writing. Her Kindle goes everywhere with her! Born and raised in New Jersey, she shares her life with her husband, Henry, and three sons. She now lives in North Carolina, and works as a full-time writer.