Chandin Whitten - Beautiful Misery

Taking the flowers, I sat them on the entry table and pulled out the card. Opening the card I found another note.

Go for a ride and trust me. Your next clue awaits you at 6489 Paradise Lane.

Grabbing my purse off the table, I smiled to the two men.

“This way, ma’am.” Chet said, pointing to the limo. Gage really did go all out. Following Chet to the limo he opened the door and I slid inside, the photographer right behind me. I was surprised to find Leigha, Sadie, and Jenna inside.

The three of them were laughing when my mouth dropped opened.

“Ok, can y’all tell me what the hell is going on?”

Jenna said, “We really don’t know either. Gage text us last night. He asked us to meet at the bar this morning, that there would be a car waiting. And here we are.”

Leigha grabbed a champagne flute filled with Mimosa and held it up. Jenna, Sadie, and I grabbed a flute and held ours up too. She said, “To girl’s day and to Gage for being so generous.” After clinking glasses we all drained our flutes.

Turning my head to look at the photographer I asked, “Do you know what’s going on?”

Winking, he replied, “You’re not supposed to see me. I cannot answer that question.”

“Oh! You know, don’t you?”

Giving me a half smile and another wink he tilted his head. “By the way, my name is Todd.”

Sticking my tongue out playfully I said, “Nice to meet you. You’re not going to tell me anything, are you?”

Todd grinned. “Nope.”

I turned to face my friends again. Leigha turned on the radio and the car was filled with Gage’s voice.

“Hey, ladies. I have made a special CD for Annie. It is filled with songs that are all special to us. In the small compartment beside the radio you will find a box of Kleenex. Annie will need them. Enjoy your day, ladies. And, Annie, I love you.”

As Gage’s voice ended and Your Call by Secondhand Serenade came through the speakers. This was the song that was playing the night Gage told me he wanted to be more than just friends. He wanted to be my one and only.

Feeling my eyes tear up, I looked to the girls and asked, “Tissue, please?”

I saw Jenna getting teary eyed too when she said, “He really loves you. I’m so glad he found you. You have changed him, he’s the old Gage again. Thank you so much.”

“I love him too, so much, maybe too much. I don’t know what my life would be like without him and I don’t ever want to know. I can see myself marrying him one day.”

Jenna, Sadie, and Leigha smiled at me and dabbed their eyes with a tissue. Feeling the car stop I looked out the window. We were at Beach Beauty Nails to get our nails done. Chet came around to open the door and we all got out. Walking into the salon the girl at the front desk sweetly asked, “Miss Holland?”

I nodded and said, “That would be me.”

“Great, please follow me.” We were led to an area in the back where I saw Heather waiting.

“You’re in on this too?” I asked in disbelief.

Heather stood and said, “Of course! Now here, read this.”

Another clue!

What princess doesn’t have their nails ‘did’? It’s all paid for, so you ladies go crazy. But, for your nails go with French Tips. Your next clue will be given to you when you’re done.

I sat down next to my sister and spent an hour letting my hands be pampered. Once they were manicured and shiny, Jenna reached into her purse and handed me another note.

Do you remember the first place we were photographed in public? There you will find someone special with another clue.

Getting all the girls and Todd into the limo we made our way to the pier. There I was welcomed by Lydia, who gave me a yet another clue.

Remember our first official date? I’ll never look at that fifty yard line the same. Where we had dinner, that’s where you are going for lunch. You will find another clue waiting for you.

P.S. I love you

Laughing, I said, “Get back in the limo ladies. Oh and Todd, too. We’re going to Fresh for lunch.

Walking into the restaurant I saw Abby sitting at a large table waving us over. The girls and I enjoyed a lunch of sushi and beer. Just like our first date. Instead of having the check dropped off I has handed another clue.

Every princess deserves a new dress and shoes. You don’t have to go too far, just around the corner to Sunshine Boutique.

The girls and I, plus Todd, walked to the store. I was nervous to walk in, afraid of who or what I might find. Hesitantly, I opened the door and slowly stepped inside.

Walking out from the dressing rooms I saw my mom and Gage’s mom coming toward me. They both hugged me and handed me another clue.

By now I’m sure you know what I’m going to do. So get a fancy dress and shoes to match. The car will take you to your next location but hurry, you only have until eight to get ready.

I looked at my mom and asked, “What time is it?”

My mom said, “It’s two o’clock.”

“He does know me. I take forever to shop.”

Two hours later I had my dress and shoes. My dress was a strapless, tee length dark purple satin with simple silver bead accent on the bodice. I had silver strappy sandals to match.

Getting back in the car we were whisked away. We pulled up the Sheraton and I was in awe. The girls and Todd led the way into the hotel. Gage already had a suite reserved and waiting for us. We were escorted to our room, were we found massage therapist waiting for us. After our massages there was a knock on the door. I opened the door to find an army of people on the other side.

“Miss Holland, we are here to do hair and makeup for you lovely ladies.”

“Wow, really?”

The tall, slender woman nodded and smiled. Three hours later our hair and makeup was done. I looked in the mirror and was amazed. I never wore a lot of makeup but even I had to admit I looked beautiful.

Gage’s mom handed me another clue.

Now that you look every part of a princess it’s time to get your dress on and meet me at the place I first told you I was in love with you.

“Hurry, we only have an hour before you need to meet Gage.” Leigha shoved me into the bathroom so I could change. Getting dressed as fast as possible I walked back out to find everyone else had on black dresses.

“Would someone please tell me what is going on? I am so confused.”

All the girls shook their heads. They ushered me out of the suite, back to the waiting limo. Chet drove us down the coast to Fairhope. We pulled into Wet Spot’s parking lot. Chet opened the door for us to get out. I saw Gage’s dad standing a few feet away in the sand leading to the beach, a clue in his hand.

When I was close he pulled me into a hug and whispered. “Thank you for making my son happy.” He handed me the next clue.

This was the place I first said ‘I love you’. I want this to be the last place I say I love you…

I looked up from the paper when I heard Phoenix Rising playing God Gave Me You. It wasn’t coming from a radio. It was coming from Tristan, Jase, Kamp, Ryker, and Reid, themselves. Live. In person.

That was when everything started coming together and making sense. I saw Gage coming around the corner with Jinx who was carrying Londyn, Dylan who was holding Gabe’s hand, and Tyler, Trent, and Larkin.

Tyler, Larkin, Trent, Jinx, Dylan, and the kids stopped when they reached the group of girls and Gage’s father. Gage kept walking to me.

When he got to me he grabbed my hands and said, “You look gorgeous.” He lightly kissed me before continuing, “Annie, a very wise woman once told me ‘if you fight like your married, talk like best friends, and flirt like loves then you are meant to be. Well, that describes us perfectly. I guess we are meant to be. Life is about finding that one person who is your kind of crazy. You’re more than my kind of crazy, you’re my happily ever after. You were my heaven when my life was hell. You brought me peace I didn’t know I was searching for. Londyn and I are so lucky to have you in our lives and if you let us we want to be in yours and Gabe’s for the rest of ours. I love you and Gabe and would love nothing more than to spend my life showing the three of you how much I love you. Everything about you is so fucking beautiful and I want to spend forever with you. Would you do me the honor and marry me? Be mine. Today, tomorrow, and forever.”

Gage dropped down on one knee and pulled out the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen. It was a vintage inspired, emerald cut, four carat diamond in the center with a one carat, emerald cut diamond on each side in a pave setting.

Swallowing hard I took a deep breath as my tears fell. “Yes, of course I will marry you! I want nothing more than to spend my life with you. I love you so much”

As Gage slid the ring on to my finger I heard all the cheers and clapping from our friends and family. Gage stood and pulled my face to his, kissing me deep and hard. “I love you.”

Through all of our misery came beauty, and without our misery we might not have gotten the beauty. It was our own kind of beautiful misery and I wouldn’t change a thing.

THE END.

ALMOST…..

I couldn’t help but watch as Tristan strutted across the stage. The looks he would give all those girls was making their panties drop. No, I mean literally lose their panties. The girls were taking them off and tossing them on the stage. I felt like I was watching Magic Mike, Rockstar Edition…only gone wrong. Very, very wrong. Tristan was loving it. I was disgusted. It was like a really bad car wreck. You know the kind you really shouldn’t look at, afraid of what you might see. Yet, you can’t take your eyes off of it.

Tristan let his eyes search the crowd, no doubt looking for his next conquest. Then, he landed on me and his eyes were glued. Those fucking eyes- once upon a time I fell in love with those honey colored irises. Tristan raised one side of his mouth, as if he was daring me to move.

Dammitmotherfuckingalltohell.

Rolling my eyes, I huffed and turned to walk away. Mistake. Tristan called me out. Of course he would. He was an asshole.

“Ah there she is. Where you goin’, Butterfly?”

Oh hell no he didn’t?! He did not just call me Butterfly. It felt like I was just stabbed a thousand times in my chest. Pausing mid step, I turned to glare at him while others looked around for Tristan’s ‘Butterfly’. I was pissed. I was hurt. How dare he use that name? He knew what it meant…used to mean.

“Why you leaving so early? I was hoping you would join me for this next song. After all you are the inspiration behind it.”

People were finally figuring out who had Tristan’s attention. They had followed his gaze and found me on the receiving end. Albeit, not very happy. Fine. He wants to play games? Well, I hope he packed his pads and a helmet, because game on baby. And, I don’t play fair. I had on my ball bustin’ boots and I was ready to do some damage.

Holding my middle finger up, I started towards the stage. The group of people dividing like I was Moses parting the Red Sea. Don’t quote me on that, I haven’t brushed up on my Bible 101 lately. The guys were gawking at me and the girls were shooting daggers at me. They wanted to be. They wanted to be the one going on stage to sing with Tristan Cole. I would gladly trade places with them.

Tristan smirked and his voice grew deeper. He practically growled, “Don’t tease me baby, unless you’re going to please me. You had better put that finger away or I might do something crazy like hold you accountable.  You know I’ve always been quite the wild child.” His little comment had the guys laughing and I swear I could feel all the different ways the girls were planning on killing me. Little did they know, Rockstar up there wasn’t trying to flirt with me. No, he was trying to piss me off. And, I will give him credit, it was working. Not that I would let him know that.

I dropped my hand and straightened as I reached the side of the stage. My eyes still locked with his. He was standing front and center, waiting. Waiting to make my life living hell, more than it already was.

“Boys, a little help for the lady?” Tristan asked, nodding at me.

Before I could protest I was being lifted by some guy behind me and sat on the stage. What the hell? Was I four? I wanted to turn around and kick and scream at that Neanderthal. Ok, so maybe I was a little closer to acting like a four year old than I wanted to admit.