To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

Days after Nicole’s daughter’s birthday, Mason and I moved back to San Francisco and soon we started moving our things to Miami.

I was going to miss a lot of things in San Francisco but we also needed to move to Miami as soon as possible after the wedding because of the business there.

Mason had gone there on a one day trip with the tow truck so he could check the house and I had no idea why but he really wouldn’t give me any details about the house anytime I asked.

He’d always claim it was a surprise and as much as I love surprises, I just want to know how the house looked, it’s our house but he still kept me in the dark.

It’s a one day trip and Mason’s supposed to be back. I knew it hadn’t been long but I couldn’t help but miss him. The door flew open and I sprung to my feet as I went directly to Mason and threw myself at him.

“Welcome back,” I smiled, kissing him and leading him to the couch, “I thought you wouldn’t be back today anymore.” I added, it was getting late and I’d thought he was going to postpone his arrival.

“If I wouldn’t, I’d have called you,” he kissed me again before reaching for his bag and then his pocket, “I missed you so much.” He breathed as he brought out the most beautiful pendant I’d ever seen.

Reaching for his bag, Mason brought out a red rose and a box of chocolates too. The butterflies in my stomach began to flap their wings and I felt like the most special human in the entire world.

He always does this, Mason had always made me feel special even when we were kids and I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my lips at the thought of our teenage life together.

“I really can’t wait to get married.” He finally breathed and frankly, even I couldn’t wait to get married. I felt as if the day should be here already and if I could turn the hands of time, I’d turn it to when we’re supposed to be married.

“Me too,” I smiled as I took one of the chocolates before shooting my head up in his direction, “Have you written your vows?” I asked and he raised a questionable eyebrow.

“Write your vows and I’ll do the same, please. Our wedding is in a week and we really don’t want to mess the day up, I know we won’t.” I laughed and Mason joined in.

He finally agreed and decided he was going to take a shower first before resting.

*****

For the first time since Mason and I had been together I finally got the courage to take him to my father’s burial site.

My heart ached as I relived the moment the paramedics came to tell us that he was dead and I could feel hot tears welling up in my eyes as I sniffled.

“Your baby girl is finally getting married, dad,” I started, fixing my gaze on his graveyard and wishing he was still alive, “and I really wish you were here to see this happen. To walk me down the aisle.” I finally broke into the tears I was holding back.

“But, it’s fine. Danny is here and he’s such a nice man, he’ll walk me down the aisle,” I sniffled again as I smiled at Mason, “I also have someone you should meet.” I added, pulling Mason closer to my side.

“This is Mason and he’s the man I’m getting married to, I brought him here so we can have your blessing.” I finished in tears and I could swear that I felt the air as soon as I introduced Mason and I felt nothing but Peace at that moment.

Cleaning up my tears, Mason turned so he was facing my father’s graveyard properly to talk to my father.

“I’m getting married to your daughter,” he started, “and I came here to promise you one thing, that I’d treat her right and she’ll never have to cry except there are tears of joy.” He finished, squeezing my palm as he smiled.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Turning to face me, Mason went down on one knee and asked me to be his wife the second time, he was doing it in front of my father.

Agreeing to be his wife the second time, he stood and picked me off the ground as he spun me around in celebration. Kissing me, we dropped the white roses we’d brought for my father and turned to leave.

It was getting late so Mason and I decided to go to a bowling alley that night because neither of us was ready to go back home. We were enjoying each other’s company too much to want it to end so soon.

We got there and played a game but I think that Mason I knew when we were teenagers and somehow went into hiding because he kept losing to me.

“I won again!” I shouted in excitement as I applauded to celebrate my victory while Mason sulked and gave me another lecture about how he was only losing to me on purpose.

Laughing, I shrugged and Mason went to get us water. “Hi,” I heard an unfamiliar voice greet me from behind me and I turned to see an unfamiliar face.

He doesn’t look like someone I knew and I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me what he wanted from me. Mason got back and I turned to kiss him, making sure my ring was showing properly.

I turned back to see that the man had left and Mason and I shared a laugh before walking out of the bowling alley.

Walking around, we saw a Photo Booth and fresh memories of when we took pictures years ago when we were dating.

Laughing, I pulled Mason’s hand and led him into the Photo Booth.