Page 53 of Summer’s Echo

Almost a Year Later

“Has anybody seen Summer?”Trinity asked, rushing into the hotel suite.

“What do you mean, ‘ Has anybody seen Summer?’ She was in your room this morning,”Brooke said, her face pinched with worry.

Trinity’s gaze darted around the room.“You think she ran again?”

“Oh my God.”Hailee’s voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.“She wouldn’t, would she?”

Atight, nerve-wracking silencegripped the room, each second stretching unbearably long, pounding like an unrelenting drumbeat.It was eerily reminiscent of the feeling that had gripped themalmost two years ago—the same suffocating fear, the same chilling uncertainty.

“Wouldn’t what?” Summerstrolled in with effortless confidence,completely unbothered,the picture of calm.She took a slow sip from herbedazzled coffee cup, the word Bride elegantly scripted across the front.

Trinityyelped,“Gotcha.” But nobody else thought it was funny.

“You really get on my nerves,”Brooke said, rolling her eyes.

“What? What’s wrong?” Summer asked,her brows knitting at their uneasy expressions.

Haileeplastered on a bright smileand nudged her toward the chair. “Nothing,” she sanga little too sweetly.“Just…it’s a beautiful day for a wedding, right?”

Summer scanned the room with suspicion.Something feltoff.But instead of pressing, she took a slow breath and let it go.Today was her wedding day.And nothing—not lingering stares, not hesitant smiles—was going to ruin that. Her mind drifted to the love of her life.

Last night, when she and Echo weresupposed to go their separate waysafter the rehearsal dinner, hesomehow found his way to her suitearound one in the morning.

They kissed and cuddled and simplyreveled in the magic of the night before they committed forever until sleepfinally stole them away.

Echo slipped outbefore dawn, before the sun had even stretched across the sky, leaving her with a few extra hours of rest and the lingering warmth of him.

And today? The only thing Summer felt waselation.

She wouldn’t dare compare today to the day she was supposed to marry Deshawn becausethere was no comparison.

This time,everything was right. Echo wasthe right man in the right place at exactly the right time.

He was… butterflies. The sunshone bright over Brighton Falls, the air wasa perfect seventy-eight degrees, and the day ahead felt like it had beenwritten just for them.

“Summer, make sure you eat something,”Raqi ordered, lips pursed as a makeup artist carefully applied her lipstick.

Summerblinked, startled back into the present. “Yes, Mom,” she teased, throwing her sister a playful look.

“Is Raqi bossing people around again?” At the sound of her mother’s voice, the whole roomerupted into excited squeals, completely ignoring the question. But Summer’s eyeslocked on the real reason for her joy.

“ Awww, come here, my little blueberry.” She reached out,heart full, arms wide, as her growing baby girl was carried into the room.

Quest Wynter Abarahad arrived justone weekafter Echo proposed on the rooftop.

Summer, in fact, did not make it to the end of November.

Their baby girlcame three weeks early, weighing just shy ofeight pounds.

She hadSummer’s round face, deep dimples, and million-dollar smile and Echo’s dark eyes, tawny skin, and full lips.

She was agorgeous baby. And today, she was Mommy and Daddy’s little wedding angel dressed in an all-white dress.

The crystals woven into the tulle of her skirt glistened against her tiny sequin shoes.

And herthick, curly hair was tamed beneath a sparkling headband.

Quest was the most perfect piece ofthe life Summer and Echo had built together.

Summer’s sisters, sisters-in law, and closest friends filled the bridal suite withlaughter and love.

The afternoon was spentsipping Bellinis, playing with Quest as she ran around the room on wobbly legs, and basking in the glow of the day.

Dressed in floor-lengthgold gowns, their matching jewelry andnude-toned makeuphighlighted their beauty effortlessly.

The bridesmaids were stunning, but to Summer,nothing compared to the feeling of joy and excitement in the room.

As she took it all in,her heart swelled with gratitude.

Walking away from her last wedding had been the hardest decision she’d ever made, but she would do it all over againfor this.For this future , one where she was surrounded by the people who loved her and walking toward a man who wouldmove mountains to make her happy.

In the groom’s suite,Echo and the guys were the picture of Black excellence and elegance.

They were dressed inmeticulously tailored tan suits, accented with deep green silk ties and matching pocket squares.

Bottles of bourbon and boxes of cigars lined the table, adding to the day’s festivities.

Lively banter mixed with the occasional clink of glasses filled the air as the photographer captured each moment.

But Echo?He could barely sit still.He paced the floor,his nerves wrapped in anticipation, his mind only on two things: his bride and his blueberry.

“Yo, E. You good, man? Calm down.” Maxell gave his shoulder a firm pat.

He took a sip from his glass. “I’m good,” he said, though the restless energy in his stance said otherwise.“I’m just ready.”

One of the wedding coordinators walked in, carefully pinning boutonnieres onto their lapels. “The ladies need about fifteen more minutes,” she informed them, glancing at her phone, “then we’ll head down for the first look.”

Just then,Mr. Abara and Mr. Knight stepped inside, arriving just in time to see the guys tossing back another pre-wedding toast.Mr. Abara shook his head, but there wasa rare playful glint in his eyes.Mr. Knight’s expression was warm—equal parts fatherly pride and gentle warning.

Extending his hand, Mr. Knight met Echo’s gaze. “I trusted you with my daughter years ago,” he said, his voice steady, “and I trust you now. Take care of her, son. Take care of your family.”

Echo swallowed past the tightness in his throat, gripping his father-in-law’s hand. “Yes, sir.They’re safe with me.You have my word.”

Mr. Abara stood back, allowing his son this moment with Mr. Knight. But as soon as their exchange was over, he stepped forward, closing the space between them.

“You ready?” his father asked, extending his hand.

Echo clasped it firmly, locking onto his father with the same unwavering intensity he’d inherited.“More than ready.”

They held the moment between them,a silent acknowledgment of everything they’d been through. Over the years, they had worked diligently tomend the fractures in their relationship.Mr. Abara was still a man of few words, but he had learned to respect his son’s choices.

“I’m very proud of you, Echo.” His father’s voice wavered,thick with emotion he rarely allowed himself to show. “Very proud.”He swallowed hard, quickly pulling himself together.

Echo, however, let a single tear fall,unashamed.He nodded, his voice raw with gratitude. “Thank you.”

Fifteen minutes felt like fifteen years as Echo stood waiting, his heartpounding with anticipation.

He was finally about to seehis two favorite girls.

They had planned afirst lookbefore the ceremony—an intimate moment just for them before the whirlwind of the day swept them up.

Camp Quest had been transformed into a breathtaking outdoor oasis,yet it still held the same magic as when they were kids.

Thequad where they’d first metwas now framed bya canopy draped in cascading wisteria and lush greenery,the wooden beams entwined with soft ivory roses.

Towering oaks and whispering willowsstood silently guarding the space, their branches swaying lightly as sunlight filtered through the leaves.

The fresh scent of florals filled the air, mingling with the excited whispers of arriving guests.

Echo watched the goings-on from th e top of the hill where he waited at their sacred place.

Raqi carried Baby Quest while Brookesteadied the train of the bride’s gown,carefully guiding Summer toward her groom.

The photographer stood off to the side, ready to capture the moment.

The gentle rustling of the leaves signaled her arrival, but Echofelt her presence before he even turned.

His shoulders tensed, his lips parted, an exhale slipping out like he’d been holding it for years.

His hands flexed, longing to touch her as a pressure built deep inside him, too big to contain.

She was everything. Summer was a vision.

A timeless beauty.Hermermaid-style gown hugged every curve,the delicate lace molding to her body before flowing intoa graceful, sweeping train.

Her sheercathedral-length veil, adorned with tiny pearls and diamonds, framed her radiant face.

But it wasn’t just the dress.It was her.

The way she carried herself witha quiet confidence.

Their eyes locked—bright, alive with nervous excitement and unwavering certainty. This moment—this day—belonged to them.

“Sunshine,” he whispered, his voice barely holding together.

She smiled, warmth laced in her teasing tone. “Hi, bae.”

He reached for her immediately,cupping her chin before pressing the sweetest kiss to her lips.

Slow, thoughtful, full ofeverything unspoken between them.

Then, with the kind of pride only a father holds for his little girl, his expression filled with pure admiration when he turned to retrieve their baby.

“Blueberry, you are beautiful,” he said, his voice raw with feeling.

Questpractically burst with excitement, wriggling in Raqi’s armsat the sight of her daddy. Hecovered her chubby cheeks in kisses,making her giggle wildly before reluctantly handing her back. As their families stepped away to give them a moment alone, Echo pulled Summer intohis arms.

“Hi, Mrs. Abara,” he said against her ear with an amused, knowing tilt of his mouth.

Her lips parted in silent amusement, fingers twisting into the lapels of his suit, anchoring herself in the secret only they knew.