Granted Wishes (The Granted Series Book 1) (24 page)

A SUDDEN
LIGHT ALMOST BLINDS GIO
, but it’s the most beautiful light he’s ever seen. He’s in a room with gorgeous, intricate designs, flowers, bedding…everything is divine.

All of a sudden he notices a man coming towards him, but he’s not afraid. As he sees the man getting closer, he cries knowing he’s dead.
Oh God! I’m dead and I’m never going to see Gracelynn again
.

“Relax, my brother,” Angelo tells him, smiling. “You’ll see our girl again. I wanted to talk with you before you go back. Your Lizzie never cheated on you. She loved you very much.”

Just then, Lizzie comes out of the light, wearing a white, flowing gown. She looks just as beautiful as she did when she was alive.

“Honey, it’s true. I do love you. I love you still. I never cheated on you. You were a fabulous husband and I should’ve told you that more often. I should have told you what Jeremy and I were doing. He and I went to a Child Loss group… I should’ve known you were in just as much pain as I was. I was selfish and I’m so sorry I hurt you. I made you question my actions… I should have been a better wife…” she sobs.

She stands up and reaches for his face. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I will always love you. Cherish Gracelynn. She’s perfect for you….” She embraces him and kisses him as tears pour down his face.

“Don’t cry, my love…I’m so sorry… I’m telling you this now to release all this pain, anger and thoughts of me cheating on you. Move on… love her and cherish her…because I know, she’s the one for you.”

Just then, she leaves his embrace and slowly disappears, whispering
I love you.

Once she’s gone, Angelo appears again… and it’s now that he understands how Gracelynn could confuse the two of them. Angelo looked kind of like Gio did. He recognizes parts of himself in his brother.

Angelo disrupts his thoughts as he leads them to a small bench. “Not many people are granted a wish, Gio. I however, was granted a wish because I loved my wife with so much love, passion and true commitment
THE BOSS
allowed my wish to become true. I wished she would find love again. After watching her mourn for three years I knew it was time she moved on. And I’m happy she moved on with you. Cherish her and embrace her spunky behavior. She was and is the only love I will ever have. Please be good to her or I’ll hope to get another wish granted to smite you.”

Both men laugh and Gio promises to always cherish and adore Gracelynn. Before Gio returns to Gracelynn, Angelo informs him of some impending surprises.

“Brother, when you return, don’t be shocked when you learn there are a few surprises awaiting you. I hope you can name one of the surprises Grant. I love you, brother.”

And that’s the last thing Gio hears until he opens his eyes and sees Gracelynn crying on the edge of the bed, holding his hand in hers, praying and asking for him to come back to her.

He squeezes her hand hoping she can feel him. She obviously does, since she starts screaming, “Nurse, nurse, I need help,” jumping from the bed. He notices a very nice bump on her stomach.

His eyes widen when he realizes what Angelo meant with surprises: they’re pregnant!

Moments later a nurse flies into his white room making the cards, flowers and balloons fly around his room. She gently takes the tube from his mouth and he immediately motions for Gracelynn to come beside the bed. He has to speak with her. He opens his mouth and even though it hurts to swallow, he speaks.

“I love you,” he says through the pain.

She cries, kisses him and tells him she loves him too. “We’ve got a lot to talk about, daddy,” she says, placing his hand on her bump.

* * *

Gio is able to go home two days later. The doctors are amazed by his full recovery. You can’t even tell he was in surgery, let alone in a serious car crash.

Gracelynn drives her, Kat, Anne and Gio back to her place. He’s happy that he’s been given this chance to love three amazing beautiful women in his life. He enjoys spending more time with them before they leave. Before they realize, it’s getting late and both ladies ask if Gracelynn can take them back to their car, which they have parked at the hospital. This also allows ample time for Gio to be alone and it also allows him to see her home, where she lived with Angelo.

Her home is gray sided with white shutters that have little flower pots in metal baskets outside each window. The inside is beautifully decorated with rich woods, beige carpets and inspirational type of quotes all around the home.

He decides that he should propose tonight, when she gets back.

The moment she comes in through the door, he’s amazed by her beauty. She welcomes him with a jaw dropping, life-altering kiss. One he’s been longing for. He pulls back from her, a bit in awe of her beautiful round stomach. He kneels down in front of her and places his head on her stomach trying to listen to his baby.

“We’re going to really be parents, Grace?” he asks in awe, feeling her stomach move under his touch.

“Yes, Daddy we are, but we are going to have twins.”

He cries, talking to her belly telling their babies he is their daddy and loves them very much.

As Gio and Gracie embrace one another on the living room floor, they talk, cry, hold each other and embrace the idea of becoming parents in the near very near future. Both agree that they were stupid to believe everything Mallory told them. They should’ve talked it out rationally and that in the future they’ll discuss any issue that comes their way and will be level-headed about it all; because no matter what—at the end of the day, they love each other and will love their babies more than life itself.

As they’re getting ready for bed, Gio leans down next to Gracelynn’s side of the bed and looks into her eyes.

“I love you, Gracelynn. I love with you with all my heart and soul. I’m sorry I was an ass. We both now know the truth and I don’t ever want to hurt you again. I want you to grow old with me, love me when I’m fat and gray and enjoy a wonderful life with me and our beautiful babies. Would you be my wife? I’ll honor, love, respect and adore you all the days of my life.” He leans forward hoping she’ll say yes.

Tears pour down her beautiful face. She nods her head and reaches for him. “Yes, I’ll marry you and love you for the rest of my days.”

She kisses him with all the love and devotion she has.

He slips the ginormous three carat diamond solitaire on her finger and watches in amazement as she stares at it and then into his eyes… And he stares back into the only pair of eyes he wants to see for the remainder of his days.

* * *

Gracelynn is speechless. She’s thankful for the man she had before and the man she has now. She knows now that life is truly a blessing, and that one should grab onto it and embrace each day and be grateful for the love you have.

She looks up to the sky and says a silent thank you to the man above, who gave her one last wish in love. “I’ll always love you, Angelo. Thank you for being my angel and giving me this amazing granted wish.”

GRACELYNN CAN’T
BELIEVE
it’s been five years since she married the man of her dreams and gave birth to her two amazing twins, Grant and Elise. She’s excited because today they’re hosting a party at their home in New Hope.

Over the last five years, their love has grown. Gio is a remarkable father, loving and devoted husband. He’s everything that she’s always imagined. Yes, he does have his little quirks that drive her batty, but overall she can’t imagine her life without him.

As she leaves their bedroom about to embark on their beautiful day, she notices Gio in their dining room holding a flower and a present. Their children stand directly behind him.

“What are you all up to? You know everyone will arrive soon,” Gracelynn says, frowning.

None of them answer her though. They continue to stare at her. Smiles mark their beautiful faces.

“Okay, G, G, and E. What have you all done now?” It wouldn’t surprise her if they were fooling around and broke something of hers—again.

Both of her kids laugh. “Mom, Daddy told us today is your anniversary,” Grant says.

“But why is it the same day as when we were born?” Elise asks, as a confused five year old would.

“Yes, sweet pea. Daddy and I have told you this over the years, but you’re now at an age where you’ll understand better. Your daddy and I had you the day we were married. It was the best day of our lives.”

Gio leans down to kiss her, which goes accompanied by a “Ewww, Daddy” by both kids. Gracelynn tries to step out of Gio’s embrace, but he won’t let her and continues to kiss her despite the kid’s noises.

She blushes as Gio lets her go. Then she turns to face her kids and gasps. They’re holding presents. Elise holds a yellow tulip and Grant holds a locket in his hands.

“Thank you, guys. This is the best day, ever,” she gushes at her children.

Grant steps forward, and then turns to look at his daddy. Gio nods and the young boy turns back to her. “Mommy, we wanted you to have this, so we’re always in your heart.”

“And a yellow tulip because Daddy says it means I love you.” Elise holds up the flower so Gracelynn can take it.

She hugs her children, opens the locket and takes a deep breath. It’s a photo of the four of them on one side, and a photo of her and Angelo on the other. Tears gather in her eyes. She’s amazed by her loving and sentimental family.

“Thank you so much,” she gushes.

Gio stands directly behind her and kisses her neck while he places the locket around it. He then moves in front of her and looks her in the eye with true undying love, like he always does.

“I wanted you to have all of us in your heart. I hope you approve.”

“Yes, it’s beautiful. Thank you, honey.” She kisses him square on the lips as their children start making their noises again. Then she reaches for the kids, and they all come together for a family hug.

The doorbell rings and interrupts their family moment.

Gio and Holly rush to the door before anyone else, seemingly in a hurry. Gracelynn raises an eyebrow, wondering what he’s up to.

She grabs the children’s hands and they approach the door, where they see Grandma and Kat holding presents.

Grandma comes towards Gracelynn, hugs her and hands her a present.

“This is for you, for your anniversary. Gio designed this, but he wanted me to give it to you.”

She glances over her shoulder noticing her husband staring at her lovingly. He gives her his signature wink and takes Kat and the children outside.

Her attention turns back to the present Anne has given her. As soon as she opens the present, she’s in complete awe of her husband. She married the most amazing man in the world, of that much she’s certain. The present is a rich, wooden frame carved with the words:
You are my happily ever after.
Their names and wedding date are etched in the wood, showcased by their wedding photo in the center. It’s one of the most beautiful presents he’s given her to prove his love for her.

“Thank you so much, Anne. It’s beautiful,” she gushes to Anne as she sets the plaque down on the end stand to hug her.

Anne hugs her back. Then she softly places her hands over Gracelynn’s tummy.

“When are you going to tell my grandson you’re expecting again?”

“Whatever do you mean, Grandma?” She tries to feign innocence—no one noticed yet, but Anne is quite perceptive.

“That won’t work on me, dear. I know the signs, and you’re definitely pregnant.”

Gracelynn smiles at Anne, holding her stomach. “I planned on telling him tonight. It’s going to be his anniversary present,” she tells her.

“Well, that sounds like the perfect present for my grandson,” Anne agrees. Then she smiles at Gracelynn once more and walks outside, leaving her alone.

Gracelynn loved two men in her life, and both of them gave her the moon. She’s happy she met Angelo, that she fell in love with him, and thankful for the love he gave her and the wish he gave to her and Gio. And now she’s happy too that she met Gio and opened up her heart to let him in.

As she leaves the room in search of her friends and family, she glances out the window in awe of New Hope. This town is a true miracle and makes her smile every day. She’s thankful for all the beautiful blessings she holds and even the secret one Gio will find out about tonight.

She beams, looks up to the sky, noticing a giant rainbow. Tears pour in her eyes and she silently whispers, “Thank you” knowing that all her wishes have come true and she can’t wait to embark on her next adventure with her loving, amazing family.

~THE END~

I owe everything to the following people who have made my dream a reality. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! *Goes in no particular order*

To Booktrope and Jennifer Gilbert! Thank you so much for taking the chance on me. Thank you for loving the first two chapters of my book, accepting my manuscript and allowing my dream to become a reality! Thank you so much!!!

To my book manager, Ruth. Thank you for being so helpful and kind. You’ve made this whole process run smoothly and helped me immensely. I’m so happy to have you on my team! :)

To my editor, Majanka. You rock, woman! You’ve made my first time dealing with edits feel like a breeze. Thank you so much for loving my story. I loved everything you had me do… even with all the re-writes! Ha! You made Gio and Gracelynn’s story better than I imagined. Thank you for helping me make Granted Wishes the best it could be!

To my proofreader, Samantha. Thank you so much for taking this on. I appreciated your fast work and attention to detail. I can’t thank you enough… you saved my book, literally. Thank you!!!

To my soul sister, Christy Newton. I can’t say thank you enough for your continued support and friendship. I’m so thankful you found my blog and we became fast friends. Your support, daily chats, phone calls… you name it… mean the world to me. I thank you for being a wonderful friend, offering great advice and support for my book. I am truly appreciative of the time you took to look it over in the very early stages. Thank you so much! Xxx’s

To my partner in crime, Christa Simpson. I can’t say enough how thankful I am to have you in my life. I can’t begin to express how your chats inspire and encourage me. Our brain sessions… wow. I’m so glad to have someone else ‘crazy’ like me. I am so appreciative you agreed to BETA read my book and offer advice. I am truly grateful for you. Ben will always be yours. ;) hehe You really are the Bacon to my Eggs. Xxx’s

To my family…. Thank you so much for believing in me and my ability to accomplish this goal. I love you all!

To B.A. Wolfe, for your amazing chats via Fb. I am glad I had you to talk to over lots of things. Even though you didn’t actually help with ideas, you were there to listen to me and offer support as needed. I appreciate it greatly. Thanks lady!

To Mary Wasowski, I am appreciative of you as well. I had to add you for your positive attitude. I thank you for your author advice and chats. Muah!

To Shari Ryan, thank you for being a loyal friend, reading part of my manuscript, loving it and suggesting I submit it to BT. I’m forever grateful for you and your push to help make my dream become real.

To Tiffany Allee, you allowed me to read your book without having a blog. Your kindness allowed me to start my blog and became a wonderful friend. Thank you so much for being the kick start to my blogging and then writing. Thank you so much.

And to you the readers…. Thank you for picking up a copy of my debut novel. I’m thrilled and amazed to be on this amazing journey and I hope you enjoyed the journey and inspirational story of Gio and Gracelynn.