The Ahern Brothers Collection, page 42
“I agree. Wes’ mother is helping me raise funds too.”
“I’m so proud of you,” she says. “You’re a strong woman. I told you that night, and I’ll say it again today.”
“Thank you, for that night and everything that you’ve been doing. Let’s plan on speaking next Wednesday.”
“Sounds like a plan. Have fun in Tahoe, Abby.”
“Bye,” I say hanging up and hugging Wes. “You’re amazing. I love you so much.”
As we’re about to kiss, Chester barks and Oakley brings both leashes in her mouth. These two are way too smart for their own good.
“They’re training us pretty well,” Wes laughs.
Thirty-Three
Abby
Our weekend in Tahoe is too short. We spend some time planning the center and creating a schedule where we can visit each other every other weekend. For now, that’s the only way we can make things work for both of us. I won’t leave Sterling, and Wes can’t move the offices of Ahern Brothers. At least not now. Our relationship blooms. We’re still best friends who happen to love each other down to the very soul.
With the resort becoming a center, Wes puts me in charge of the entire project. Luna and I meet a couple of times on site. We work together to make sure that the center will open on the first day of June.
Ahern Brothers continues to grow. CorpSolv has an update release for their billing software happening in December. The gaming division is growing too. Wes’ five-year plan is ambitious. It’s not only more software, but he plans on releasing a console. I’m proud of him. Yet, I miss him. For the past three months we’ve seen each other a handful of times—mostly through FaceTime.
“Hi, Abby,” Anita enters my office. “Here’s the mail. I was wondering if you need me to stick around today? It’s pretty slow.”
“We should close Mondays,” I say moving my gaze away from my computer. “Hi, sorry. I’m reading the updates for the Tahoe site. Yes, you can leave early.”
“Closing Mondays is a good idea, but does that mean I have to work on Saturday or Sunday?”
“No. We still have to solidify the schedule. Like we told you from the beginning this is temporary while we get a feel for what works best for everyone. You’re salaried anyway, so it wouldn’t change your paychecks.”
“I just want to make sure that my weekends are open. That’s the only time we spend together as a family.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll sit down to talk to you about our new ideas soon.”
Sterling and I have been discussing Anita’s role. I want to delegate some of my duties to her. I ignore the mail for a few seconds, but the golden envelope that’s at the bottom drags my attention back to the stash.
It’s addressed to me, just my name. The card says, Meet me outside. I frown and make my way outside my office.
Anita walks up right behind me. “You forgot your purse and your jacket.” She hands them to me.
I grab it without paying much attention and find an SUV waiting outside with Aaron, Wes’ former driver at the wheel. My pulse quickens, excited at the prospect that maybe Wes is here.
“Miss Lyons,” he greets me, opening the passenger door. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Millions of butterflies take flight inside my belly. Their wings stroke my soul.
“Where are we going?” I peek inside the truck, but it’s empty.
“The airport,” he says.
“Airport?” I climb into the car. “Where is Wes?”
“I wouldn’t know, Ma’am. He just asked me to drive you there.”
When I arrive at the airport, he hands me an envelope with the gate information and the name of the crew. The plane takes off only a few minutes after I get there. The flight attendant doesn’t reveal where we’re going, but she tells me that I should be arriving at my destination in less than two hours.
I spend two hours texting Wes, who ignores me. Sterling just tells me to stop bothering him. He’s busy. When we land in San Diego, there’s a car waiting for me. The driver takes me to Wes’ house right as the sun is about to set. I don’t wait for him to open the door. I rush inside the house where there’s a big sign that reads, Meet me outside.
There’s a bonfire burning, and the dogs sit right next to Wes, who is down on one knee waiting for me. Tears flow down my cheeks as I take one step after another.
“Hi,” I greet him once I’m right in front of him.
I stare at his midnight blue eyes. They are full of emotion. Love.
“I love you,” he says.
“Since the first time we met you made me feel all sorts of emotions that I never believed were possible. You made me feel alive—vulnerable—exposed. You scared me, and yet, I felt safe with you. You make me think that I can conquer the world. Though, I don’t need the world. I only need you.
“I love you. That means I’ll defend you with my life. It means I’ll comfort you in the difficult and painful times. It means I’ll dance and rejoice with you when times are good. It means I’ll never give up on you. It means I’ll never put you in danger. Love says, I forgive you no matter what. Love says, though life may test me I am yours for all eternity and I will never abandon you.
“I love you and that means I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m here to ask you to love me back. Take me forever. Be my wife, my partner, my best friend. My Abby.
“Will you marry me?”
I kneel right next to him, throwing my arms around his neck. “I love you, so much.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes, yes!”
Epilogue
Abby
One summer later …
Our first rehabilitation center is ready. Ava’s House opens its door in just a couple of days. Luna and I worked hard to ensure that the place operates perfectly from day one and onward.
“You did great,” Luna says with a satisfactory smile.
“We did great,” I correct her and look at everyone around us.
Wes, Sterling, Luna, Harrison, Mason and all the guys from HIB are here with their families. We’re celebrating the grand opening of our first center—without patients. They’ll start arriving tomorrow. This is only the beginning. The place in Franktown won’t open until next year, and it’s bigger than Esperanza’s Home or Ava’s House.
“Let’s celebrate. Everyone kicked ass,” Sterling says, sending a flirty smile toward one of the nurses.
“Rule number one. Don’t screw any of our staff members,” I warn him.
“Hey, babe,” Wes says, walking toward me. He’s been working with Mason to make sure everything is in order. They found a glitch while testing the CCTV though.
“The security system is running,” he says.
“Are you guys coming back to Denver?” Sterling asks giving me a stern glare. “I should fire you.”
“Anita’s in charge. You can’t fire me. I’m your silent partner,” I correct him.
Last December, I married the love of my life. After the ceremony, we spent a month in Bora Bora. Anita took over my responsibilities. She’s great at keeping Sterling in line. Wes made a few changes too. He moved his software business to Denver. Having to travel to three different places was too much. Right now, we split our time between Tahoe and Denver.
“Still, come back to Denver. You need stability.”
“I have to make sure this place is running smoothly before I can go home. Your brother is releasing a few new games before Christmas.”
Wes makes a killing out of the holiday shopping rush. Next year, he and Mason are launching the console. It’s supposed to revolutionize the gaming industry. I’m skeptical. Maybe because I don’t play video games and don’t understand the market. However, I’m happy that he loves his life and what he does. That he loves me more than anything.
“You should knock her up. That might keep you close to home,” Sterling says.
“Kids aren’t part of the plan yet. Sorry, Slugger,” I tell him.
We’re not sure when we’ll be ready. Instead of having children, we might become foster parents. I’m not sure what the future holds, but for now we’re happy the way things are.
Two summers later …
The car stops right in front of a big house nestled between the pines. Mrs. Betz said it’s right by the lake. I wrap my arms around myself when the door opens. We’re here to meet my new foster family. I don’t want them. I only want Mom.
“It’s going to be alright,” Mrs. Betz reassures me. “They are waiting for you.”
As I get down from the car, I see a line of people watching me. Two dogs sit right by their side. My pulse quickens, and my legs shake while I walk beside Mrs. Betz. The Aherns, that’s what Mom said when she explained to me that I was being sent to a foster home.
They own Ava’s House. The place where Mom’s staying until she’s better. This house is like a fairy tale. The house where I imagine Snow White and the seven dwarfs would live. It’s in the middle of the forest. Birds sing around us, and there are flowers everywhere.
“Hello, sweetheart,” A woman with big brown eyes steps closer to me, squatting. “I know this is scary, but I promise that you’ll be safe with us.”
She smiles and turns toward the others. “Meet Wes, Sterling, and Linda. I’m Abby, and I’m very excited to finally meet you.”
Stupid lady with her perfect family and her perfect life. I clamp my mouth harder. This lady has no idea what happened to us, to Mom. Why would I trust her?
“Home,” I say, trembling. “I just want to go back home with Mom. She needs me.”
She takes me into her arms and whispers. “You’re safe, honey. No one will hurt you again. I promise.”
Two summers later …
Chapter Thirty-Four
Abby
“Talk about bittersweet moments,” I mumble as I wave at Lizzy and her mom as the car drives away. “Every time it gets harder to say goodbye.”
“She’s going to be fine,” Wes, the most adorable man in the world, assures me.
“I know,” I sniff.
Still, it is heartbreaking for us to let go of our foster children.
It’s been three years since we opened Ava’s House. Since then, we’ve fostered a few children whose mothers were staying in the rehabilitation center. We’ve taken them in with the understanding that it’s temporary. I just can’t help but fall in love with them and accept them as my own.
Whenever they leave, I’m ecstatic because they’re reunited with their parents. They are about to start a new life that’s brighter and happier than the one they had before. I’m also sad because I’m going to miss them so much.
“I wish she had stayed for the holidays. She was so excited about the baby,” I mumble, patting my swollen belly. Three more weeks and we get to meet Lance, our son.
Wes kisses my temple and caresses my belly. “We’ll send her pictures. Plus, look at it this way, we can spend the holidays in Tahoe.”
I laugh and shake my head. “I can’t travel with this precious cargo,” I remind him. “Plus, your mom is arriving on Christmas Day.”
Linda wasn’t joking when she said she’d get to know every corner of the world by the time she’s ninety. She still has twenty-some years to go. I’m happy she gets to do what she loves. I miss having her around. It’s okay though, the most important thing is that she’s happy. Maybe someday we’ll all be in the same city for a long period of time. My dream is to have a big family, I just don’t know if that’s going to happen.
“Tell me what to do to make you happy, Abby girl,” he whispers. “I don’t like to see you sad.”
Stretching up on my toes, I capture Wes’s lips. Sometimes all I need is a kiss. The reminder that we’re together, that he loves me—that he’s mine. His hands move over my long hair and down my back. My grip tightens on his jacket. Even with my swollen belly his long arms can wrap me in a cocoon while his mouth claims me.
We’ve been together for years—six to be precise. In love for a lot longer. Still, when he kisses me, I lose the notion of time and space. All I want is to remain tangled, moving at our own pace. Today, it’s slow, loving, calming. He always knows what I need and how I need it. Unfortunately, the cold seeping through my clothes interrupts the delightful kiss.
“Maybe we should go inside?”
He sighs, wipes the few tears that continue to roll down my cheek and asks, “You sure we’re not fostering more kids?”
“At least for now.” I nod confirming.
He takes my hand and we make our way into the house. It’s the same place I bought almost seven years ago when I decided to come back to Colorado. We’ve done a few renovations. Wes added two rooms upstairs and an office downstairs. We split our time between Denver and Tahoe. I have to keep an eye on both centers. However, for the last trimester of my pregnancy we chose to stay in Colorado.
“They will always be a part of our family,” he assures me.
We love our foster children, and since we started this, we keep in contact with them and their mothers.
Wes and I are the product of the foster system. We arrived at one of the best homes in the state of Colorado. The Aherns opened their homes and their hearts to us. Lizzy is our last foster kid—for now. We have expanded Ava’s House, and there’s now space for families so they don’t have to be apart. This program has been running in Washington for the past two years. We started it in Tahoe last year and now Colorado has it too.
Luna and I continue working on this ongoing project. We’re expanding to Georgia and Arizona within the next couple of years—but first I’m concentrating on our little family. Last April, Wes and I found out we were pregnant. We both want to dedicate all of our time to our baby. The first years of a person’s life are important. Ours were…shitty at best. We want to ensure that our son has a different experience.
Would we receive another child if they’re in need? We don’t know. I am always open to the possibility. If it hadn’t been for the Aherns, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me. They were already done fostering children but when they heard about me, they decided to bring me to their home. I think if we have a case like that, we would do it in a heartbeat.
“We still have Sterling,” Wes reminds me. “He’s a full-time job.”
I shake my head. Sterling has become a phenomenon. The guy makes more money than he can count with his art. A Sterling original can go for a lot of money. Sadly, he’s spending the holidays in Europe. More like avoiding the season by hooking up with beautiful European women. He didn’t even tell us where he’d be staying. For all I know, he’s locked down in his studio posting selfies of himself that he’s producing in Photoshop.
That’s his prerogative. I’ve tried several times to convince him to be with us. The older he gets, the more Scroogey he becomes. At least he promised to be here before Lance arrives, as long as this little one doesn’t decide to be a Christmas baby.
“What are you thinking?” Wes asks as we enter the house.
“A lot has changed since I came into this family,” I explain. “You joke about Sterling, but he’s done so much for himself. He’s famous.”
“Look at you. The centers are a success, and you’ve helped so many women and children throughout the years. I’m so proud of you.”
I smile as I walk toward the kitchen, but I’m intercepted by Chester who holds his bowl.
“You just had breakfast, mister,” I remind him.
Oakley joins him smiling at me. These two think they can give me those puppy eyes and they’ll get whatever they want.
“No.”
“I told you Lizzy was giving them extra food,” Wes grins grabbing Chester’s bowl. “Why don’t we go for a walk instead?”
Oakley who loves her walks runs to fetch her leash. Chester stares at me. If he could talk, I’m sure he’d be saying, “Look at your husband. He’s starving me. This is animal cruelty. I have rights!”
“Let’s get your leash, boy,” I encourage him. “Once we’re back, you can have a juicy bone.”
Wes rolls his eyes. I just proved him right. I’m always spoiling the dogs. I can’t help it. Chester’s eyes hypnotize me and convince me to give him whatever he wants.
“You know, in human years he’s in his forties. Maybe it’s time to stop enabling him.”
“I’ll tell you the same when you enable your brother.”
“He’s just thirty-three,” he reminds me. “And feeds himself. I can deal with the rest.”
We both laugh, missing Sterling. Wes loves to tease him about his maturity level, and I…well, I do too.
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading the Chaotic Duet. This book began as an attempt to rewrite a story and became it’s own magical tale. As many of you know, my inspiration comes from life, events and people I’ve met. Abby is inspired and dedicated to a couple of strong women who I know, and I love dearly. This book is as much as they allow me to talk about heir stories, but know that they are thriving.
Thank you for reading this. For accepting a little piece of my heart.
After you finish the book, and if you enjoyed it. Please, do me a big favor and leave a review. Let other readers know about it and spread the word. I love to hear from readers, so please don’t hesitate to email me
Thank you much. Love you all,
Claudia ♥
Bonus Content I
Abby
“Talk about bittersweet moments,” I mumble as I wave at Lizzy and her mom as the car drives away. “Every time it gets harder to say goodbye.”
“She’s going to be fine,” Wes, the most adorable man in the world, assures me.
“I know,” I sniff.
