Page 36 of Hard to Love

And soon, their impending nuptials send all of us into a tizzy of activity. Lea had dreamed of their beach-side wedding when she had given birth to their twins. Reminding One, she had loved him through the storm. She busied herself in making the wedding exactly as she dreamed.

Looking back on the past few months, love grew all around us. We watched from the front lines, learning what it takes for love to survive all that can come against it. Wave after wave, death, and destruction pounded the shore where Lea and One stood, holding onto each other. Praying their love was strong enough to last. To withstand each storm, no matter the cost.

Their love is full of scars. Scars showing the hard-fought battle they endured to get here, at this appointed time, to love one another forever. Both carrying bruises from past lives, Lea and One are the epitome of love. Never hiding the black and blue marks but sharing them.

Allowing others to see it’s okay to be different, to need extra love. Everyone deserves love. Lea fought it for so long, thinking she wasn’t worthy of One. Believing she wasn’t worthy of love. Yet, One stood firm, proving to her she was worth it and so much more.

A love which is yours and yours alone. Crafted to fit your heart, your soul. Understanding and easy or fast and unyielding. Your love is the love you need. Whether it comes suddenly, in a whirlwind, or slow and easy. No one can write your love story except you.

If someone tells you it came too fast. Tell them you love fast cars. If they say, you’re taking too long. Remind them how much you love long walks on the beach. If they argue it’s not worth the fight, show them how the waves fight one another to reach the shore. Never allow another person to tell you how or who to love. It may be imperfect, but to you, it’s the love of a lifetime.

Seven months’ pass in a blur. It seems like yesterday, One was fighting for his life with Lea by his side. They’ve fought the good fight, and they have arrived at this appointed time.

Envisioning the same love for ourselves, our scars making us who we are. A love that will endure all hell, we’ll fight the good fight to end up in one another’s arms for eternity.

Even if the water breaks their banks and the flood comes, we’ll stand firm, knowing our love will survive. Seeing tomorrow in each other’s eyes, we, without a doubt, will weather the storm. Never wondering where we’ll end up. We’re home.

Chapter Nineteen

Hardy

Lea is breathtaking. Each of her children are present to witness their family becoming whole. There’s not a dry eye on the beach as she enters the ceremony, eyes bouncing from my brother to each of her children. Tears grace every face, including One’s. He’s bursting with happiness as Lea glows from within. Worlds colliding to fashion one beautiful existence for two people so deserving, I’m almost jealous. And somewhat worried.

Hardy’s never spoken of the night Eric visited. After making love, we lay there, embracing for the entire night. Him holding me as if I would disappear. It troubles my heart that he has no more faith in me or our love, that he keeps his secrets so close. What bothers me more is his doubt that he could be loved despite it.

Looking over at him, standing up for my brother, he doesn’t know I would do the same for him. Stand still in the middle of the storm, whatever it may bring. He stares at me as if I haven’t a clue. Or is it, he knows that I know he’s hiding something so ugly, he can’t forgive himself for it; therefore, he can’t burden me. Or trust me to continue to stand, still and strong, as he needs.

We dance under the evening stars, loving the small private jokes only we share. Secure in the fact love abounds. Delighted that we are given a chance to have the same opportunities, big or small as they may be, for happiness.

But it is fleeting in the enormity of the hurricane rushing the shore we stand on. Washing away the very foundation we’ve built by hand all these months later. Loathing circumstance at this very moment, I prepare for the swell of the storm. The magnitude buckling my knees.

Eric.

Walking through the crowd, eyes narrowed on Hardy. His glare never leaving its target; he’s locked and loaded. The look of hell he’s brought makes me tremble enough that Hardy’s attention is turned to me and the storm in front of me. Eric waits for no introduction; he comes to destroy. It’s written on his face.

“I told you, Hardy. I told you to tell her.” Calmly stating his position before unloading. Hardy turns on him in a rage, striking him. We watch as Eric hits the makeshift dance floor.

“Get. The. Fuck. Away.” Growling at Eric, Hardy stands over him. One walks toward us as Aksel, Lea and One’s oldest son, joins him on either side of Hardy.

“I see. You’re still playing the part of a wounded, lost boy. No worries, dude. I’ll be happy to tell them.” Eric wipes the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. Snickering, he gathers himself from the floor.

“Get the fuck outta here; it’s not the time.” Hardy takes a step toward Eric, who responds with a sly grin.

“Did you think paying me off would keep me quiet?” Eric steps closer as One moves to my side. Hardy’s face washes with anger.

“Eric, I’m warning you. Enough.” Hardy stands face to face with Eric, who is still wearing the same smirk. His eyes never leaving Hardy’s, but it’s me he speaks to.

“Have you seen his ’67 Mustang, Thayer? I got a pretty penny for it. He’ll do just about anything for you. Well, almost anything. Seems as though he won’t tell you the truth.” Hardy’s hands twist in Eric’s shirt as he pushes him off the dance floor.

“Hardy. Stop.” Hurrying to him, I yank on his arm, trying to plead with him to let go of Eric.

“He ain’t gonna stop. Girl, he’d rather kill me than lose you.” Eric laughs.

“Leave. Now, Eric,” Hardy growls in Eric’s face. His eyes are hooded and dark.

“Tell me what? Tell me, damn it.” Finally losing my cool, I scream at both of them. Hardy turns his face to me, his eyes filling with unshed tears. What the fuck is about to happen?

“No,” Hardy answers with a shake of his head as he unwinds from Eric’s shirt.