Chapter 21: Chapter 21

ANGEL

“You remember everything?” Nash repeated.

She could tell from the confusion on his face he didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.

“You remember that you are Olivia Powell.”

“Yes, well, no, not really.”

“Huh?” Eddie said.

“Olivia Powell is not my real name,” Angel said to Eddie, to the room, and then to Nash. “It’s one that Arthur made up for my career. He thought it sounded better.”

“Then who are you? What do we call you?”

“Oh, Nash, you aren’t going to believe this. I’m…I’m Annie Cooper.”

She turned her head sharply toward Sherry when she heard her gasp. Slipping out of Nash’s arms, she walked over to her and Gordon. “My mother was Doris Cooper, your sister.”

Sherry’s eyes filled with tears. “You’re Annie? My little Annie? H-how? I never thought I’d ever see you again. It’s been s-so long. Almost twenty years…

“When your mother left and took you with her, I was devastated. I loved you as if you were my own. For years, I tried finding you and Doris but I had no luck.”

Sherry pulled Annie into her, hugging her and sobbing at the same time. Gordon wrapped his arms around them both.

Nash walked over. “I think we should all sit down and talk.”

Sherry released her and stepped back. “Yes, there is so much to discuss. I need to know how you’ve been and what brought you here after so many years.”

Angel—Annie—saw that everyone was waiting for her to begin. “I want you to know, I never forgot you.

“I remember how you practically raised me; you were more like a mother to me than my real one, and Holly was like a sister to me.

“My mom never told me why we left in such a hurry, but as time went by, and I realized we weren’t coming back, I think I just stopped asking.”

“And what is it that brought you back, dear?” Gordon asked, holding his wife’s hand.

“My mom was the only one I had left. When she died, I felt so lost, so lonely. But I knew I had family here, and without my mom telling me to stay away, I took the chance to come back.

“I figured it was also my opportunity to get the answers my mom would never give me. I was on my way to see you when I had the accident.”

Sherry’s lips quivered.

“Why did my mother take me away from here? All she ever told me was that you two had a big fight. Was it because of me?”

Sherry grabbed Annie’s hands. “Oh, my God, no, no, I loved you. You were like my own child. Do you really want to know the truth? I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Please, Aunt Sherry, I need to know everything.”

“Doris and I never really got along, not even as children. She was so wild when she reached her teens, always running around with the bad boys, getting into trouble with the law.

“When she got pregnant with you, I thought she would settle down, but she only got worse. She would leave you with me for days at a time, sometimes weeks.

“Don’t get me wrong, she loved you. She just didn’t know how to show it.”

Mildred offered Sherry a tissue.

“The night before she left with you, we had a huge fight. I told her she wasn’t a fit mother and that I wanted to adopt you.

“She was furious, and we both said things we shouldn’t have, and I regret it to this day. The next day, I woke up to find you both gone; no note, nothing.”

Annie felt like a weight had been lifted from her heart. For all these years, she’d thought her aunt hadn’t wanted her around.

“Aunt Sherry, who is my father?” I asked my mother so many times over the years, but she would not tell me.”

Sherry’s face dropped, then she looked at her husband, who nodded.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know, and neither did your mother. It was just some random man who was passing through town. They met in the bar. She didn’t even know his name. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

While knowing she would never know who her father was made her sad, Annie was at least grateful her aunt loved her.

She’d carried guilt for all these years, thinking she was to blame for her family breaking up, but now she knew the truth, it was finally gone.

“I have so many more questions, Aunty Sherry, but I’m exhausted, and my mind is a blur right now. Maybe we can talk later?”

“That’s a good idea,” Gordon said. “And it’s a good time to stop, for now, I think. It’s one minute to midnight, everyone. It’s almost Christmas.”

When the clock in the bar chimed, Nash took Annie’s chin in his hand and smiled at her. “Merry Christmas, Angel.” He gave her a long kiss while the others did the same with their partners.

Even Moe wagged his tail and barked twice.

As everyone got ready to leave for home, Sherry gave Annie one more hug. “When I lost you, I was so sad. I thought of you every day.

“Then, when Holly died last year, I wasn’t sure if I could go on. But with the help of Gordon and my friends, I survived. I feel so blessed to have you back, and we’ll all be here to support you.”

Nash put his arm around Annie’s shoulder and glanced from one to the other. “I may have my Christmas angel, but this year, Sherry, you have your Christmas miracle.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Nash, I do believe you are right.”

NASH

Nash had barely put the truck in park before he carried Annie inside and tore her clothes off. Their naked bodies stayed together for two whole hours.

“Wow, oh, wow,” she said, trying to catch their breath, her body drenched in sweat. “You were like a man possessed. I loved it.”

“I was amazing, wasn’t I?” he said in a cocky tone.

Annie intertwined her fingers with his. “Oh, yes, you sure were.”

“So, this Arthur creep, he’s the one you went on the skiing trip with?”

She looked at him and, as if reading his mind, rolled on top of him. “Yes, but it was nothing romantic. We just went as friends. Even had our own rooms. I never slept with him, I promise.”

He put his arms around her. “That’s what I wanted to hear. I know your name is Annie, but I’m so used to you as Angel. Do you mind if I keep calling you by that name?”

“I’d like that. It sounds perfect coming from you.” She kisses him.

“I still can’t believe you’re Annie! To think, you were my first girlfriend, my first kiss.”

“I’m also your last girlfriend, and the last girl you get to kiss,” she said, giving him a stern look.

“That works for me. Now, shut up and kiss me, Angel.”

^NEW YEAR’S EVE^

The music was starting just as they entered the hall and, after removing their coat and boots, they went over to the others.

Glasses of champagne were being served, but as Nash picked one up for himself, Angel took it from him and put it on the table.

“I want to dance, handsome. And I’ve learned not to wait for you to ask.”

He laughed and led her to the dance floor. “Well. I thought I’d give the other guys a chance to dance with you since I’m the one who will be taking you home.”

“I want to dance with you. You look so good in a suit.”

“And you look so beautiful in this dress.”

“Thank you, it was nice of your mother to get it for me as a Christmas gift. I love the color and the neckline; it lets me show off this necklace you gave me.”

Nash leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Are you having fun? If not, we could go find an empty room and I’ll show you a good time.”

“Is sex all you think about?”

“Not all the time. I also think about us getting married, having children, and growing old together. I love you so much. When I thought I had lost you, I felt as though my life was over.”

“You’ll never lose me. I’m so happy and so in love. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”

After a couple of dances, they went and sat down to eat, drink, laugh, and joke with their family and friends.

When it was almost midnight, Nash got up and stood in front of her.

“What are you doing?” she asked, looking around the hall now everyone else had become so quiet.

Nash got down on one knee, and he took her hand in his. “The second I saw you, when I pulled you from your car, I knew you were the one I wanted to spend my life with.

“I’ve long been missing something in my life, and that something was you. You really are my angel. I love you with all of my heart. Without you, I could no longer exist.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. “Annie Cooper, will you keep my heart beating by doing me the honor of becoming my wife?”

A tear trickled down her cheek and she nodded. “Yes, yes, I would love to be your wife.”

Angel spread her fingers, allowing Nash to slide the ring on her finger.

“She said yes!” he yelled at the top of his lungs before taking her into his arms and kissing her.

Nash ignored the yells of cheers as they kissed passionately.

When he stopped the kiss, he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “You have no idea how happy you’ve just made me.

“I promise, I’ll be the husband you deserve. I will live my life for you, to make sure you are always safe and happy.”

“I know you will, and I promise to be the wife you deserve. I love you so much.”

His parents, Sherry, and Gordon, along with Abby and Eddie, surrounded them, giving their best wishes to the couple. Others soon came over to congratulate them as well.

Someone shouted out that the countdown to the New Year was about to start. As soon as the clock struck midnight, everyone screamed “Happy New Year!”

Nash pulled her back into his arms. “Happy New Year, Angel,” he said, lowering his head to kiss her for the longest time.

They only stopped when someone tapped them on the shoulder and handed them their glasses of champagne.

“Not for me,” Angel said, refusing the drink.

“Don’t you want to have one to bring in the New Year?” Nash asked.

“I don’t think I should be drinking right now.”

“Why? Do you not feel well?”

“No.” She grinned from ear to ear. “Because I think I might be pregnant.”

His eyes went wide as they moved down to her stomach. “Are you sure?” he asked, breaking out in a big smile.

“I haven’t taken a test or anything but I’m pretty sure I am.”

He picked her up and swung her around. “We’re having a baby!”

Putting her back on the ground, he said, “I want us to get married as soon as possible. I don’t want to wait to make you Mrs. Nash Harris.”

“Same here. I don’t even want a big wedding; let’s just go to the courthouse. All we need are your parents, the Griffins, and of course, Abby and Eddie.”

Nash winked at her. “Don’t forget about Moe.”

She laughed and hugged him. “Of course, Moe as well. Happy New Year, Nash, I love you.”