Happily Ever Never by Jennifer Foor Read Free Book Online Page A

morals. He was a kind and generous man. It was the reason I fell in love with him so quickly. “Let’s change the subject.”
    “Good idea.” He brought my hand up to his lips and kissed it tenderly.  “You’re going to be my wife in three days. I can’t wait to call you Mrs. Valero.”
    Just hearing it made me smile huge. The idea of finally being married, after always assuming I wasn’t meant to find my Mr. Right. Growing up I’d been the girl with her head in a book. I didn’t have a date to the prom; instead I went with a few girls from the math club I was a member of. College was much of the same scenario. I didn’t pledge a sorority. I focused on keeping my GPA high to enable me the opportunity to advance into a good job after graduation. I’d worked hard to have my career, and even though I’d just begun prospering from it, I felt like it was worth the struggles.
    I’d dated a few people. I’d even had sex. None of it ever amounted to anything serious. For lack of a better term I was only experiencing things to say I had. Meeting Major changed my life. It wasn’t about being forced into going on a blind date. I’d met him on my own, and he’d asked me out without being persuaded. When he told me he loved me a month later I felt like I was dreaming. I’d never expected someone as handsome and successful to come into my life. He made me feel important each and every day, and I vowed to be the best wife, mother and friend in return. Since my mom had passed away, I wanted to spend every waking second with my children once they were born. We hadn’t decided on a number, and I don’t think it would have mattered anyway. If God graced us with ten kids we’d raise them with love.
    Imagining being a mom made me think of my father. Since I’d moved out of the house he’d been distant. I know I’d broken his heart, and a part of me hated myself for that. I think in a lot of ways my dad liked the little nerdy girl he assumed would never leave home. It took a while for me to be okay with moving away. I knew he wasn’t ever going to have home-cooked meals, and I had to accept that. My mom wouldn’t have wanted me to waste my life away. Still, I’d always felt like leaving had ruined my relationship with my father, and I hoped that when I had my first child he’d come back as the loving grandfather I imagined he’d become.
    With Major by my side I simply leaned my head on his shoulder. “If you’d like to practice saying that some more, I’m all ears.”
    I could feel his body rumble as he chuckled. “Soon enough my dear. Nothing will stop us. I knew in that grocery parking lot that you were meant to be my wife. I think I dreamed of you in my past. You’re the reason all my other relationships failed. I was just warming up for you to walk into my life, or stumble if you want to get technical.”
    I patted his arm and laughed to myself. I knew he was kidding with me, but Major’s seriousness was also shining through. He might not have been a nervous wreck, but he was determined the wedding would go off without a hitch. That gave me a sense of peace I desperately needed. People say all the time that wedding jitters are normal. Mine weren’t jitters. I was absolutely terrified something would occur to prevent it from happening.
     

Chapter 6
    Since I’d never had much money, I’d obviously not traveled anywhere overseas .
    I hadn’t gotten a passport until Major told me I wouldn’t be able to leave the country without it. I’d read up on my travel itinerary, and he’d filled me in on the beauty that Sicily carried, but I couldn’t have even imagined the extent of it until I witnessed it firsthand.
    The buildings, old and secure, lined the streets in the main town of Massimo. While our bus took us to the hotel, the driver gave us descriptions on the landmarks and what some of them served as at one time. He told the tale of a volcanic eruption and what was left in the aftermath. He explained