Chapter 12
Sunlight streams in between a crack in the curtains; the warmth and brightness of it prodding me awake until like an obstinate child I finally roll over. Squinting against the attack from nature I pull the covers over my head and curl up into the fetal position effectively pushing away the new day. My hand skims over the cool sheets next to me seeking out the man that had held me all night long, but all I find is the empty spot that he once occupied.
My eyes adjust to the dusky light that glows through the sheet and my stomach growls its protest for food. I resign myself to the fact that I need to get up and I stretch to inventory my body for any new aches and pains. I let out a groan even though my shoulder and rib cage feel much better today and I should be happy about that since it's a vast improvement over last night.
I clutch Logan's pillow closer to my body, close my eyes once again and inhale the lingering scent of him. I uncurl my hand when the prongs of my engagement ring bite into the palm of my hand, and I adjust it to sit back on the top side of my ring finger. This whole situation still feels unreal and I can't believe that today is actually going to be the big day.
Butterflies start to flutter in my stomach at the reminder and I throw off the blankets, resolving myself to be ready for whatever the day has in store.
My bare feet sink into the plush carpet, and I spot a garment bag lying across the chair that Logan had been sitting in the night before. The bag is black leather and embossed with the logo of the Metro Court boutique, attached to it is an envelope with my name scrawled in Carly's familiar handwriting. I open it and let the cool linen paper slide between my fingers as it reads.
Just encase this is your one and only… Carly
Folding the note again I carry the bag into the bathroom hanging it on the edge of the door, and the room is quiet except for the chatter sound of the opening zipper. Pulling the dress out I twist it around admiring the beautiful white organza that dangles from the hanger. It is strapless and knee length with a moss green sash accentuating the waist. The style is simple but elegant and I smile since it is something that I probably would have picked out for myself.
My stomach rumbles again and I pull my robe on while searching for slippers to go find food. I find Milo in the kitchen stirring sugar into his mug of coffee, he smiles and looks over at me. "How are you feeling today?"
I tighten the belt on my robe a little and make my way to the coffee pot. "A lot better, thanks. It feels good to be up on my own feet again. Have you seen Logan?"
"Yeah, earlier. He told me to tell you that he wasn't going to chance any more "bad luck" and that he will see you this afternoon at the ceremony." Milo recites to me placing air quotes around the word bad luck.
I can only respond with a small chuckle of agreement as I pour myself a cup of coffee and let out a ragged deep breath. He seems uncomfortable and excuses himself to return to his post at the door, it's either probably due to my state of undress or the little crush he used to have on me back when life was simple.
On my way up the stairs I pause to check the time on the grandfather clock hanging in the living room and swallow hard, in four hours I will become Mrs. Logan Hayes.
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Two hours later I find myself staring at my reflection in the mirror, over analyzing the decision I had made to sweep my hair up into a classic twist. Logan likes my hair down and wild, but somehow it just doesn't seem appropriate for this afternoon. Not for your wedding the little voice in my head agrees.
A soft knocking sound comes from the bedroom door and Carly's voice softly calls out my name from behind the oak paneling. "Can I come in?"
The door slowly creaks open and she peeks in. "Oh Lulu, you look beautiful." She exclaims rushing over to me.
I let out a shaky breath and turn back towards the mirror inspecting the image before me. "Thanks. I just wish the bruise on my shoulder didn't look so bad."
"Let's see if we can cover it up some." She replies reaching for my foundation and bronzer on the countertop. I watch as her fingertips camouflage the worst of it, and she smiles at me in the mirror admiring her handiwork.
I feel the tears well up in my eyes and she consoles me, "It's going to be okay Lulu, I promise." She says as her hands lightly rub up and down my arms in comfort.
"I'm scared Carly, last night Logan told me that he loved me." I confess.
Confusion crosses her face and she seems to search mine for answers. "Is that a bad thing?" she presses.
"Yes…I mean no. It's just…" And I swipe away at a lonely tear that escapes down my cheek. "This isn't how I thought it would be."
"How what would be?" she asks.
"Falling in love. " I answer looking away and fiddle with my engagement ring.
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I close my eyes and let out a deep breath before I take my first step down the staircase. Logan and Jason are sitting on the couch and Carly is busy talking to the judge. She sees me first and smiles up at me. "Are we ready?"
Logan's head whips up and his gaze locks with mine. I give him a nervous smile and he slowly rises to his feet, buttoning the top button of his black suit jacket and then wiping the palm of his hands on the front of his slacks. I don't think I have ever seen him look so nervous. "Wow, you look amazing."
He crosses the room and meets me at the bottom of the stairs, taking my hands into his. "You okay?" he asks.
"Yes." I reply and take one more calming breath before I continue, "Let's do this."
He brings my hands up to his lips and brushes a soft kiss across my knuckles. "Okay."
The judge starts the civil ceremony and his words buzz in my head. I stare into the depths of Logan's green eyes and he squeezes my hand in assurance when it is my turn to say "I do." Overall the whole thing is a blur except for the part when Logan slipped a platinum band over my finger to match the one he gave me last night.
The realization of what we have just done hits me hard when the judge pronounces us husband and wife. My gasp is masked as Logan's mouth captures mine in a kiss that makes me tingle all the way to my toes. He smiles at me resting his forehead against mine while he cups my cheek in the palm of his hand. "We're going to make this work Lulu, I swear to you."
Jason clears his throat loudly catapulting us out of our moment and back into reality, I step away from him and Jason continues handing us each a pen. "Hate to rush this but we need to sign the license before the judge leaves to make this official."
Officially married…Oh god, and I swallow hard.
The judge points to a line and I sign my life as a Spencer away, it's hard to believe that with one stroke of the pen your whole life as you know it can be changed. It's true the pen really is mightier than the sword, and we aree going to beat Scott Baldwin at his own game.
The ink isn't even dry when the door to the penthouse flies open and a throng of PCPD cops dressed in SWAT gear and guns drawn pour into the living room around us. Milo and Max are shoved into the room by Lucky, their hands already cuffed and a thin trickle of blood flows from the corner of Max's mouth.
"Well well well, what do we have here?" Scott asks as he emerges from behind the crowd. "I'm glad to see I found you before you skipped town."
Jason sneers at him, "What do you want Baldwin?"
"Logan Hayes you are under arrest for the murder of Victor Puglisi." Scott announces, slapping the warrant against Logan's chest. "Sergeant read him his rights."
"But Scott …" I try to explain until Logan shoots me a warning glare and protectively steps in between us.
"Jason call Diane and have her meet me a PCPD." Logan responds holding out his arms in front him.
"Yeah you do that Morgan, but wait I'm not done here yet." Scott smirks and continues, "Lesley Lu Spencer, I also have a warrant for your arrest for obstruction of justice and hindering a police investigation.…." he recites from the formal papers.
Logan interrupts him before he can finish, "Hayes." He corrects and looks back over his shoulder at me and smiles.
"Excuse me?" Scott bristles at him in confusion.
"Lesley Lu Hayes." Logan clarifies and watches as the expression on Scott's face shifts from smugness to anger. He leans towards Scott the amusement clearly evident on his face. "I think you'll need a new warrant for my wife."
I am shocked by the amount of resentment that a father can have for his own son. Logan hadn't been kidding when he said that Scott was on a witch hunt. He glares at me and I step up wrapping my arm around his son's waist and smile sweetly at him. "Hi, dad."
Scott laughs realizing what has transpired. "Well, I guess my invitation got lost in the mail, huh?"
"It was a private ceremony only for immediate family." Logan quips back.
Scott's smile falters, "You think you're so smart. Get him out here." he commands and then turns his attention towards me. "Oh and don't think of leaving town Mrs. Hayes."
The sergeant slaps the handcuffs on Logan and yanks him by the arm toward the door, I call out for him. He turns trying to reassure me as they shove him out the door. "I love you Lulu."
Max and Milo are escorted out and then in a blink of an eye the room is as empty as quickly as it at filled. I push my way into the hallway hearing Logan ask Scott if they can go out the back exit into the alley.
He scoffs, "Why, so Sonny can help you escape? Oh no, we are going right out the front door, after all the media is waiting."
I hear Logan huff and reply, "Always trying to be the in the spotlight huh Dad? Even if you have to throw your own son to the wolves to be in it?"
Scott stares at him quizzically as the elevator pings the announcement of its arrival. As soon as the doors close I make a dash to staircase despite the warning cries of Carly and Jason. I am determined to be there for my husband, to let him know he isn't alone.
I hurry down the stairs as fast as my aching muscles and lungs will allow. Strands of my hair tumble from French twist and stream behind me as tears run down my cheeks. This can't be happening, not today. It isn't fair.
When I reach the lobby I shove the emergency exit door open wide and frantically try to push my way threw the crowd to join my husband. Scott leads the way and opens the front door out of Harborview Towers.
Scott guides Logan out onto the steps with one hand and holds up his other to silence the reporters questions. As I step up alongside Logan a black SUV roars down the road and squeals to a stop behind the crowd. It seems as though the passenger window rolls down in slow motion and the gunshots echo in my head. Logan must have seen it too and he steps in front of me to shield me from the attack, this was the reason he asked Scott to leave by the back alley. I scream and feel my heart being ripped to shreds as Logan falls to the steps in front of me, his blood dotting the front of my white dress. The awkward jerk of his body makes me fully aware that there will be no going back to what used to be. And here I am again; torn between love and the brutal reality of his world. I watch him with tears in my eyes as the whole landscape of my life instantly morphs into something unreal as a single bullet shattered my world.
THE END