40. Skylar

The events of today are overwhelming to say the least. If someone had told me all those things Dad knew and how he supported me, I never would’ve believed them. It feels surreal to know there isn”t a strain in our relationship. Not anymore. It’s like the last of the weight on my shoulders has disappeared. Weight I never knew I was carrying until I didn’t feel it pressing down on me anymore.

“Hey, can you meet me in an hour? I need you to bring a dress.”

“Umm, yes? Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” Leslie laughs into the phone.

“I”m getting married and I want you to be my maid of honor.”

“Yeah, ok. What’s really going on?” I can hear the eyeroll.

“Leslie, if you’re not here in one hour, you’ll miss my wedding.”

“Wait! You’re serious?”

“Yes!” I laugh, shaking my head.

“Shit! Ok, text me the address, I’ll be there as fast as I can… What color dress?”

“I don’t care! Just pick something and get here.”

“Ok! Bye!”

I drop onto my childhood bed, laughing. I don’t know what I’d do without Leslie. She’s been a huge support for me since I moved here.

“I have something for you.” Mom walks into the room, carrying a garment bag. “I think it should fit too.”

She drops the bag on my bed and slowly unzips it, revealing the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.

“It’s gorgeous… Where’d you get it?” I run my fingers over the delicate lace.

“It was mine when I got married to your father. I’d love for you to wear it today.” Her voice is shaky. My eyes snap from the dress to her.

“You want me to wear your wedding dress?”

“Of course… I know it doesn’t seem like it, but all I’ve ever wanted in life is to be there for you, Skylar.”

“But aren’t you mad at me?”

“No, sweet girl.” She drops onto the edge of the bed next to me. “I”m not mad, I”m hurt. To find out you went through all of that at such a young age… and you had no one to support you, it hurts me. I was outraged when you left and Dad was this calm pillar of a man. I thought I was the only one that cared that you left, but I guess he just understood why.” She shakes her head. “I can”t imagine what you went through.”

“It’s ok, Mom. I”m here now and everything is better.” I rest a hand on my stomach, rubbing it.

“How far along are you?”

“Almost six months.”

“Have you felt the baby kick?”

“Some little ones, but nothing big. I can”t wait for Riley to be able to feel her brother kick. She’s so excited.”

“You’re having a boy?”

“Yes. Duke Colton Donahue.” I stare at her, waiting for her response. Mom chuckles, shaking her head.

“Duke used to tell me all the time that if Tucker wasn’t so madly in love with you, he would’ve stolen you and adopted you as his own. But since he had no doubt Tucker would make you his daughter one day, I could keep you. He said once your last name was Donahue, you were all his though.”

I throw my head back and laugh. Duke and I had an interesting relationship. He’d remind me daily what a pain in his ass I was, but he was always there for me. He protected me from everything and always made me smile. If I was having a bad day, he’d do something stupid just to make me smile. He used to tell me my smile could light up the world and I should never frown.

“And Colton…” She shakes her head. “When you were younger, Dad and I used to argue over who you’d end up with, Colton or Tucker. Both of them were so wrapped around your little finger. They’d do anything you asked of them. Anything you even hinted at. I always said you’d end up with Colton, but your dad insisted you only had eyes for Tucker. He said you were made for Tucker and he knew it the first time you and Tucker met at church.”

“Colt’s like a brother. I know I can always count on him, but if he tried to kiss me, I’d punch him.”

“Ouch, Skysky. For your information, I”m a fantastic kisser.” Colt leans against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest.

“Doesn’t matter, I’d still punch you. I could show you how much I’ve improved my right hook over the years.” I smirk at him.

“Hell no! I still hate Tucker for teaching you that. I”m surprised you didn’t break my jaw over the years with that.” He works his jaw back and forth like he’s feeling it out.

“What are you doing here, Colt?” I raise a brow.

“I wanted to see if you needed any help with anything? I’ve been waiting for this day my entire life, ya know.”

“Oh, have you? I”m so sorry I kept you waiting.” I chuckle, rolling my eyes.

“I’d wait my entire life for you, Skysky. You’re the little sister I never wanted and Tuck’s my brother from another mother. I’ve been waiting twenty-three years for this.”

“Since we were five? That’s a bit dramatic.”

“It’s really not. When we were five, Tucker told me to stay away from you. He said you were his and I couldn’t have you. He swore one day he was going to marry you. I believed him because… well, we were five. But when we got a little older, I made a comment about how pretty you were… I experienced that famous right hook, but from him, for the first time… he told me if I touched you, I was a dead man. I”m fairly certain he beat up half the male population of Maple Springs the year you got boobs.” He shakes his head, chuckling. “When he married Malory, I told him if you came back, I was going to marry you just to piss him off… I got my second right hook five minutes before his wedding. Malory was livid! In every picture, my jaw was red and swollen. Apparently, I ruined her wedding day.” He rolls his eyes.

“I can make history repeat itself. I don’t think Skylar cares about you ruining our wedding photos.” Tucker clamps a hand down on Colt’s shoulder, making him jump.

“You know, for a Sheriff, you sure are jumpy.” I smirk, making him glare at me.

“For a principal of an elementary school, you sure are sassy and easy,” Colt smarts back.

“Colton Elmer Brown! That is inappropriate!” Mom gasps, a hand flying up to cover her chest.

“Oh my gosh!” I snort, laughter bubbling out of me. “I forgot your middle name was Elmer.” I laugh even harder.

“Yeah…. Well… your middle name is Edith!” His face lights up with pride, almost like he won something, but he didn’t.

“Alright, Elmer, get out of here so Skylar can get ready for the wedding.” Mom shoos him away, but Tucker doesn’t move a muscle. “You too, Tucker.”

“Could I have a minute with my bride, Mrs. Barren?”

“Of course… but you might as well call me Marie from now on. I”m not letting you call me Mrs. Barren anymore.” She pats him on the shoulder as she moves past him and out the door.

“What’s wrong, Tuck?” I eye him shutting the door and eliminating the space between us.

“Nothing, I just wanted to see you…I couldn’t tell you the last time I was in here.” He scans the room, pausing at different things, a soft smile spreading across his lips.

“I”m pretty sure it was when you got me pregnant.” I chuckle.

“Probably. We never got to spend much time here… Do you regret any of it? Anything that’s happened between us?” His gaze locks on mine.

“Tuck… Are you having second thoughts?”

“No! Nothing like that. I just want to make sure you won”t regret this… Sky, you’re all I’ve ever wanted in life. All of my wildest dreams will come true if you walk down that aisle and say ‘I do’.”

I take a step closer, peering up at the man I’ve loved my entire life. I never imagined marrying anyone except him, even after I moved away. As much as I loved my life in Philadelphia, it sucked compared to life in Maple Springs.

Lifting a hand, I cup his cheek, running my fingers over his stubble. Tucker covers my hand with his own, leaning into my touch.

“I regret so much,” I whisper. My heart plummets when his face falls and he tries to take a step away. “No, baby, not like that… I regret walking away. I regret waiting ten years to return because I was afraid you would still be as broken as me. I regret trying to fill the void our baby left with everything in Philadelphia. I regret trying to keep my distance from you when I came back. I regret that someone else got to be your wife first, that Riley has a mother who isn”t me. I regret everything that took me away from you.”

Tucker sweeps me into his arms, kissing me like his life depends on it. It’s urgent and rough, but exactly what I need right now. I tilt my head to the side, deepening the kiss. He groans when I thrust my tongue in his mouth, waring with his own.

We’re lost in each other; in the love we share. Making up for the past and all the pain we’ve been through. Everything we’ve missed and can”t get back.

Then a throat clears, making us jump apart.

“I’d say save it for your wedding night, but clearly that ship has already sailed… twice.” Dad chuckles, shaking his head. “Tuck, Gran’s demanding you come downstairs.”

His gaze locks on mine and I can see the hesitation. No matter how much he doesn’t want to worry about it, I think he’s fearful of me running again.

“I’ll see you at the end of the aisle.” I place a hand on his chest as I stand on my tippy toes to press a soft kiss to his lips.