Vanessa, p.1
Vanessa, page 1
First Edition September 2022
Published by GPC Publishing
Copyright © 2022 Melissa Tereze
ISBN: 978-1-915242-18-1
Cover Design: Melissa Tereze
Editor: Charlie Knight
Find out more at: www.melissaterezeauthor.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaTereze
Follow me on Instagram: @melissatereze_author
All rights reserved. This book is for your personal enjoyment only. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. All characters & happenings in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons (living or dead), locales or events is purely coincidental.
CONTENTS
Also by Melissa Tereze
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
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About the Author
Social Media
Also by Melissa Tereze
ALSO BY MELISSA TEREZE
Another Love Series
The Arrangement (Book One)
The Call (Book Two)
Before You Go (Book Three)
The Ashforth Series
Playing For Her Heart (Book One)
Holding Her Heart (Book Two)
Other Novels
The Stepmother
Behind Her Eyes
At First Glance
Always Allie
Mrs Middleton
Breaking Routine
In Her Arms
Forever Yours
The Heat of Summer
Forget Me Not
More Than A Feeling
Where We Belong: Love Returns
Naked
Co-writes
Teach Me
Titles under L.M Croft (Erotica)
Pieces of Me
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This has been the hardest book for me to write. Not only because it means the end of the series for Emma and Vanessa, but because of the journey they’re about to go on. 19 months ago when I finished writing Mrs Middleton, I knew I wasn’t finished with them. I knew there was so much more to see of them. How their relationship develops. And now, how they conquer life together. So here we are, and after many tears, the book is ready to fall into your hands. The most important people. My readers.
Lee – Thank you for always being there for me. Whether that is through my work, or our personal life, you’ve never once not had my back. You encourage me, you remind me when I need to take a break, but most of all you love me unconditionally.
Jourdyn – My right arm, that’s what you are. Thanks for always being on hand to talk through work or to send me Grogu memes. They always help in one way or another. I appreciate your friendship and I cannot wait to keep being weird with you!
Erin – Friend, thank you for listening to me complain about this book over and over again. And thank you for telling me that it’s a story that needs to be told. When it goes pear-shaped, I’ll direct everyone to you!
Ami – My alpha reader, and my BFF. This book wouldn’t be what it is without your dedication to my work. I appreciate everything you do for me, and I couldn’t wish for a better alpha reader on my team. You get it. You fix it. You help me to see the imperfections.
Leanne – The most important thank you is going to you. Thank you for sharing your journey and your experience with me. It means so much that you trusted me with your feelings during such a pivotal moment of your life. I see you. You’re brave, you’re strong, you’re BADASS.
And to you, my loyal and unwavering readers, thank YOU. For cheering me on, for encouraging me to continue doing what I love. For being friends out there in the big wide world. Your support doesn’t go unnoticed. I appreciate every single one of you.
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
— Socrates
CHAPTER ONE
This was it.
The moment Emma had dreamt about. The day she hadn’t imagined would arrive. Their…wedding day. As she shook her hands at her sides—Emma’s bouquet handed off to Cass for a few minutes—she briefly glanced towards their guests. Emma smiled when she caught Eve Sumptor’s eye, her hand firmly in Lainey’s. She couldn’t believe they’d made it today, given everything they’d been through recently. Then she found Ellie staring back at her. Ever the glue of the group, Ellie beamed a smile as she directed a wink at Emma.
Cass leaned towards Emma’s ear. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Fine. I must say, you’re looking sharp today, my friend.”
Cass handed Emma her bouquet back, tugging on the lapels of her suit jacket. “Thanks.”
Emma opened her mouth to speak, but Ella Henderson’s Yours started to play as the doors at the back of the huge room opened. “Oh, God.” Emma slowly turned, her legs unsteady but her heart bursting with sheer love. Vanessa…was walking towards her. She exhaled a trembling breath, zoning out from everyone around. “Jesus Christ.”
Emma’s soon-to-be wife…was a dream come true.
She had spent the longest time craving this very woman. She’d tossed and turned, wishing she could be with Vanessa over the years. God, she’d even considered staying in Ghana and hoping her love for Vanessa would lessen. But it hadn’t. It had only grown stronger with the reminder of every memory they’d shared, every stolen glance as Emma watched Vanessa across the dinner table long before she’d left her life in England behind. To be standing here today, looking at Vanessa in a beautiful dress, with those vivid blue eyes staring back at her, Emma felt her palms become clammy. She felt her heart beat harder. She felt…incredibly loved. Loved like she didn’t know was possible.
In her ivory dress—modern but exquisite—Vanessa stole Emma’s breath. The off-the-shoulder neckline was typical Vanessa; the leafy lace appliques that adorned the illusion bodice and cascaded down the tulle A-line skirt, offering her dress the classy element. Those delicious collar bones had caught Emma’s attention as she walked down the aisle, the need to reach out and feather her fingertips across them ever-present. But, unexpectedly…it was the sexy split up the side of Vanessa’s dress that Emma’s eyes had been drawn to as she approached. The silky-smooth skin of Vanessa’s thigh was now visible only to Emma as her fiancée came closer with every step.
A private show.
An invitation to that delectable body Emma had the pleasure of worshipping every day.
That thought alone had Emma’s insides quaking. God, her wife was the hottest woman in the world. Vanessa’s look was finished with large barrel curls that twisted away from her face, an embellished hair piece sitting perfectly in place. Really, Emma couldn’t have imagined Vanessa to look more beautiful than she did today. Beautiful and oh-so-sexy.
And then Vanessa took her hand, that soft smile directed at her as she inhaled a deep breath. Emma knew Vanessa was just as nervous as her, but it wasn’t an ‘I’m making a mistake’ kind of nervousness. No, it was more of a ‘Jesus Christ, we made it’ kind of nervousness. Vanessa handed her cascading sunflower bridal bouquet, complete with white roses and daisies, off to Eve, and then she pinned Emma with her stare once again.
With her thumb stroking Emma’s knuckles, Vanessa cocked her head. “You look beautiful.”
“So do you. Incredible.” Emma smiled with tears in her eyes, taking her lip between her teeth. God, the ceremony hadn’t even started yet, and she was already a mess. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Vanessa, confident and with her shoulders pulled back, leaned in ever so slightly as she whispered, “Are you ready?”
“Oh, I’m so ready.”
* * *
Vanessa stood out on the lawn, enjoying the peace and quiet while Emma entertained their guests. This day had been truly wonderful; Emma and Lauren had really gone all out with the venue choice and decor. It was Vanessa’s dream venue. A place Emma told her was fully booked until the summer of next year. To have come here last night with Lauren, blindfold and all, Vanessa had burst into tears as she lifted the satin from her eyes and stood in front of the country house where Emma was already waiting for her. That only had her falling harder than ever before for Emma Bradley…now Hughes.
God, she’s my wife.
Vanessa wiped a tear from her jaw, and then she sipped from her champagne flute, holding the swell of emotion at bay. She’d done nothing but cry today, but they were happy tears. It didn’t matter if she’d been married in the past. This was all she would remember for the rest of her life. Vanessa could
Vanessa turned to face the country house, her heart beating that little bit harder as Emma crossed the lawn, her hands in the pockets of her dress. Her wife had done nothing but show everyone said pockets today, but Vanessa adored that. The little things that made Emma happy.
She took a moment to drink in the vision before her. As she had done many times already today. Emma’s ivory dress—excusing the pair of white Pride Vans it was covering—was magnificent. The delightful yet tasteful plunging V-neckline had Vanessa’s eyes drawn to Emma’s exposed skin the moment they met one another under a garland of sunflowers and roses. The illusion sleeves gave Emma’s dress a more classic feel, but she could have been wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts, and Vanessa still would have swooned. Emma’s natural beauty really had shone today, her hair partially pulled back in a simple style with soft waves.
“I hope you’re not planning your escape,” Emma spoke low as she leaned in towards Vanessa’s ear. Her lips pressed to Vanessa’s skin, to that spot Emma had memorised in the first few days that they had taken a chance on one another. “I will chase you if you even think about running.”
Vanessa swallowed down the lump in her throat and turned to her wife. “I can’t believe you did all of this for me.”
“You deserved a magical day, and I wanted you to have everything you dreamt of. Because you did, didn’t you? You desperately wanted this country house.”
“I did. But then I realised I didn’t care so long as you were waiting for me.”
“I wanted to see your smile when you saw this place. And I’m glad I got the chance to before I was dragged away from you kicking and screaming.”
“Last night without you was hard. Strange. I knew you were just down the hall in another room, but knowing I couldn’t see you…I missed you.”
“Well, now, you never have to miss me again.” Emma wrapped her arms around Vanessa, kissing her so slowly, so gently, that tears fell down her face. “Because you’re my wife, and I’m never leaving your side again.”
Vanessa pressed a palm to Emma’s cheek. Everything about this woman was what Vanessa had craved…prayed for. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
“I do.” Emma smiled, leaning into Vanessa’s touch. “Believe me, I do.”
“Thank you for making me the happiest woman in the world.”
“Thank you for taking a chance on me. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be good enough to be called your wife because you’re you…and I’m still just me. But I love you with everything I have inside me, and I’m going to make us happier than either of us ever thought possible.”
“I don’t doubt that.” Vanessa drew a thumb across Emma’s bottom lip. “And you’re more than good enough. You’re so beautiful inside and out, Emma. Never forget that. We deserve this. We deserve to be in love and happy.”
“Damn right we do.”
“Mrs and Mrs Hughes!”
They both turned at the sound of Lauren’s voice.
“The DJ is calling for you. It’s time for the first dance!”
Vanessa’s insides swirled with all the love she’d felt today…and then some. Their first dance. God, it sent a shiver down Vanessa’s spine. “Ready, baby?”
Emma took Vanessa by the hand as they slowly walked back to the open doors on the terrace. “I’m ready to face everything with you.”
As they stepped back inside, the lights dimmed, and Vanessa’s entire body relaxed. Their close friends and family clapped and whooped as Emma guided Vanessa onto the dancefloor, One Direction’s Little Things playing.
They’d chosen this song together when Emma had told Vanessa about her time away in Ghana. It had been the song Emma played on repeat when she was missing home and, more importantly, Vanessa.
As Emma wrapped an arm around Vanessa’s waist, tears in her eyes, she brushed a tear from Vanessa’s jaw. “I love you.”
Vanessa exhaled a long breath, the intensity of Emma’s eyes quite overpowering this evening. “I love you, too.”
The room faded out around them, just the lyrics of the song and the gentle melody keeping Vanessa grounded. Emma, her entire reason for existing, was on a dance floor with her…on their wedding day. Would Vanessa ever truly believe this had happened? In this moment, she wasn’t sure she’d ever manage to comprehend it. Their life together was so beautiful—it was all Vanessa had wanted—but for Emma to be her wife, legally and forever? No, that required far more processing than Vanessa was willing to do this evening.
Their friends and family joined them on the dance floor, taking one another in their arms, but all Vanessa saw was Emma. Staring back at her. Holding her by the waist with the most loving touch. Emma was her safety.
Emma brushed a few strands of hair from Vanessa’s face, regarding her with a lopsided smile. “You’re so beautiful.”
Even after all this time, those words still caused Vanessa to blush. But that was Emma. The little things…they’d always make Vanessa feel like this was the very first time they’d met. “I’m so proud to call you my wife.”
“You and me together,” Emma whispered as she leant in, kissing Vanessa slowly. “Always you and me.”
CHAPTER TWO
Emma lowered Daisy from her lap, watching as she waddled towards Rob. Lauren sat beside her at the top table, their wedding night party now in full swing. Could they wake up and do it all over again tomorrow? Emma really didn’t want the night to end.
She turned to Lauren, propping her head in her hand. “So, when are you finally going to start planning your own wedding? Considering you two got engaged before me and Vanessa…”
“I know. I know. But then little miss came along and scuppered those plans.”
“Okay, but Daisy is a toddler now. What’s your excuse?”
Lauren groaned. “That I’m too tired to plan something like this?”
“You know we’re here to help. I mean, look at what you’ve done for us. Our day has been so perfect, and that wouldn’t have happened without you, Lauren.”
“I’ll start making plans. But when I’m calling you because I’m losing my mind, it’s your own fault.”
“You’re my best friend. That’s exactly what I’m here for.”
Lauren cast her gaze on Vanessa, smiling as she mingled with guests. Emma followed her best friend’s line of sight, butterflies fluttering in her belly. God, Vanessa looked incredible. Her dress, her hair, just…everything. But Emma didn’t expect anything less. Vanessa was the very definition of sheer perfection in Emma’s eyes. Their wedding day wouldn’t be any different.
“Mum looks so happy,” Lauren said, sighing. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile like that in my entire life.”
“This was her day. I know it’s mine too, but really, it’s all about her. As it should be.”
“I think you both deserve this equally. You make each other so unbelievably happy, and I love it.”
“Who’d have thought this would be the outcome, though? That day when Vanessa met you at the bistro…when she left that letter—”
