Complete Indelible Love Series

by Cee, DW

  “Babe, your decisions are my decisions. I only want to marry you. No detail is more important than your happiness.”

  Could life get any sweeter?

  “Let’s stop with the kiss-ass statements, Davis. Damn, you’re good. I may have to learn a line or two from you.” My partner-in-crime spoke with affection and admiration.

  “Anytime, Cousin.” Max generously offered.

  During lunch, I showed Laney and Bee pictures of my dress, the cake, the array of food we selected, our playlist during the reception, and the places where we’d hold our wedding.

  All in all, this was a most productive European trip. I finally felt as if we were headed to the altar with no gloom and doom in loom.

  Chapter 3 Max: The Sweetest Reunion

  After another whirlwind trip to Europe, Jane and I were settled and looking forward to the wedding at the end of this month. Since last summer, I’d been to Europe more times than most people traveled in a lifetime. I was happy to be back in our home, living like two normal people in love.

  My fiancée was sticking to her virginity clause, and as hard as I tried, there were no loopholes. She was determined, and with so few days left, I didn't want to fight her. It was cute the way she worked so hard to embrace her newfound “virginity.” I could tell it was driving her as insane as it was affecting me. Luckily, between Jane’s fixation on the wedding and my focus on graduating, we lived in organized chaos.

  I was headed to my parents to help them set up their new computers. They had held on to their 1990s iMac and dot matrix printer long enough. It was shocking they had survived. With their thirty-fifth anniversary last week, Jane brought Davis and Mavis up to the twenty-first century with the latest MacBook Air laptop and a 27-inch iMac desktop.

  “Hello, Son. I'm sorry to call you over when you have so much to do before graduation.”

  “Hi, Dad.”

  Mom was three steps behind him. Surprisingly, she greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I responded in kind, and smiled at the Jane Reid-influenced change.

  “How are studies going?”

  “It's going well, Mom. I have it easy compared to Jane. She's trying to finalize the wedding and wrap up work so we can honeymoon for a month. She's the one who's stressed.”

  “I talked to her today and asked if I could help.” Talking about her soon-to-be daughter, Mom’s face broke into an uncharacteristic grin. It was a blessing to see. “Jane asked me to pick up our wedding clothes. She also gave me a list of items she thought Josh might need in Italy.”

  “Did you know that Jane arranged for us to stay at her grandfather’s place in Rome so your mother, Garret, and I could visit Josh?” Dad’s happiness mirrored Mom’s. This was truly a new day in the Davis family.

  “I had no idea. My fiancée has been on a mission to have the perfect wedding. No detail is too small for her right now. She's dotting every ‘i’ and crossing every ‘t’ in calligraphy as I speak.”

  Mom agreed with her bobble head-like nodding. “Your father and I regret not having told you boys how proud we are of you and how we…” Mom’s face flushed, with a stutter to add, “love you…”

  I added to her blush with the biggest and warmest hug I'd given her since I was a little boy. The kisses to her forehead, temple and cheek produced a thin sheen of moisture in her eyes. “Garret, Josh, and I love you and Dad, too. I’m sorry I caused you and Dad so much heartache. Now that I see glimpses into my future, and with my posterity not far behind, I regret my actions and the time I lost with you both.”

  “Why don't we get you going in the office?” Dad led the way. “We can talk in there.”

  I grabbed my mother’s hand and took a careful look at her. She would turn sixty-five this year. Each line on her beautiful face symbolized the toils and struggles of giving her three boys a comfortable life. It took me thirty years to understand that though my parents’ child-rearing methods weren't ideal, it didn't mean they loved and cared for us any less.

  “We also love Jane very much.” Mom was on a roll today with her confessions. “Emily was wonderful, as well, but there was too much sadness between the two of you. Your dad and I hoped for someone brighter. We’re so pleased with Jane.”

  “I’m glad you love Jane. She is my better half and we complement one another well.”

  Dad finally got a turn. “We tried to send all this back to Jane, but she wouldn’t take it. She said she wouldn’t be able to return the computers to the Apple store without some sort of ridiculous restocking fee, so we should enjoy them.”

  “Dad, this change was beyond overdue. I can’t believe your computers and printer lasted this long.”

  “All your mom and I created were Word documents and spreadsheets. We didn’t really need to do anything else. That’s why we tried to refuse the computers, but Jane would listen to none of our reasons. She can be extremely stubborn.” Don’t I know it!

  “Accept it and put the computers to good use, Dad. She is a force to reckon with, so don’t bother trying to change her mind.”

  Since these computers were Apple products, they took no time to set up and very little effort in the explanation department. My parents actually understood these computers better than I did. I placed all the old equipment in the car and explained about the concept of e-recycling. I thought we were done until Dad raised their garage door and explained a few details to me.

  “We were going to wait until after the wedding, but we thought we’d give this to you as a combined wedding and graduation gift.”

  I wasn’t quite sure what they were gifting me.

  Mom explained. “You need a new car, Max. Your clunker is as old as our computers. We heard from Jane that it wasn’t the most reliable car. Knowing you, simplicity would work best. So we thought you might like this hybrid. We have all the specs in the house, but I believe this car gets 500 miles to the tank and it’s possibly the most reliable car on the market.” Uncertainty was written all over Mom’s face.

  “You bought me a car?” I didn’t know how to react to my senior citizen-aged parents buying their grown up son a car. “Please tell me you didn’t pay for the entire car. I hope you placed a small down payment, and left the payments to us.”

  “That’s what Jane said we should do, but we had some extra funds from a good investment, and we believed this was the best way to use the money.” Dad handed me the keys with his explanation. “It wasn’t very expensive, Max. We want to be a part of your new life. We don’t know how else to be a close-knit family but to provide for your needs. Your mom and I are trying to learn before you and Jane have children. We sincerely want to be a part of your family life—especially when the grandkids arrive.”

  Who would have thought that not-even-born grandkids would change a lifetime of child-rearing habits? My parents were working overtime to “make up” for what they considered wrongdoings.

  “Jane and I will always have open arms and open hearts for you and Mom. Our children will grow up knowing and loving both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Let’s let go of the past and start living now. We’ve all made mistakes. We don’t need to rehash the errors of our ways. Let’s move on, OK?”

  My parents finally broke into grand smiles. This was seriously weird to see so many smiles within the span of a few minutes. “Does that mean you’ll take the car?”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “I believe a wise woman once told us that there is no returning this item. There would definitely be some ridiculous restocking fee. So in essence, no.” Finally, my grandfather’s humor was rubbing off on Dad, even if he was repeating my fiancée’s words.

  “I guess that settles it, then. I’ll take the car, and you’ll let go of any hang-ups about the past. Deal?”

  “Deal!”

  After a sweet family hug, I went home in my spiffy new car.

  The most important member of my family was getting some serious loving tonight—virgin-
style!

  Chapter 4 Jane: The Sweetest Ceremony

  Ten days and counting and my life was a freakin’ nightmare!

  Today was Max’s med school graduation.

  I still had to drop by work to finish up with a client, while Max was already situated at school.

  My irascible client would not stop talking to me, and finally I politely asked him to leave so I may attend my fiancé’s commencement. As I was leaving my office, I received a call that should have gone straight to voicemail.

  “May I speak with Ms. Jane Reid?” An unrecognizable voice questioned.

  “This is she.” I had a bad feeling about this caller.

  “I am calling in regards to the Antoni Villa.” Dear God! I knew my luck had run out.

  “Yes?”

  “Antoni Villa has been shut down for the time being until we can resolve the question of ownership.” Though this location in question was in Italy, the man on the phone was British.

  “Explain, please.” I couldn’t say much other than those two words. My insides were shaking.

  “Mr. Antoni lost his villa to my client in a high stakes card game, and he is refusing to honor his verbal agreement. My client has taken his claims to court and the villa has been shut down for any further business until this issue is resolved.”

  There were no apologies, no talks of refunds, no nonsense. This guy’s monotone voice told me he wouldn’t give a damn about my wedding. If I went into hysterics, he’d probably tell me to have a nice day and hang up the phone.

  Rather than freaking out, I talked to him as one lawyer would another. “My fiancé and I live in Los Angeles. We have seventy-five family members and friends who have purchased their plane tickets to fly to Italy to join us in our nuptials at Antoni Villa. Our wedding is happening in TEN DAYS. Rather than arguing this lost cause, I will take my business elsewhere. BUT, my fiancé and I expect full compensation for this huge inconvenience, as well as my deposit check in the mail, ASAP. You are not the only one who can take someone to court. I assume you have all my information?”

  “We do.”

  “I’ll expect a check in the mail.”

  I hung up knowing I wouldn’t receive any of my money until the judge made his decision. Even after, the loser could keep appealing until I was old and gray.

  Nope. I wasn’t going there. I wasn’t going to let this phone call bother me, no matter the gravity of my situation.

  Instead, I sprung to several actions before driving to the graduation ceremony.

  First, I texted Ruby for her grandfather’s cellphone number and she told me that he didn’t own one. If I needed to speak with the duke, I’d have to go through Chloe.

  I did just that.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi Chloe. This is Jane Reid. We met a few times, once in Tuscany and another time in Paris?”

  “Yes. I remember. How are you? I believe you’re getting married soon? Congratulations.”

  “Thank you. We are slated to marry in ten days, but we have a slight problem. I wondered if His Grace was in?”

  “Just a moment.” I heard Chloe give Harry Bennington my introduction and he received my call immediately.

  “Hello, Jane Reid. Chloe tells me there’s a problem with your wedding?”

  “Hello, Your Grace. I think I may have to take you up on your offer to host my wedding at your villa—assuming that offer still stands?”

  “Only for those who are the spitting image of Estelle Cowper. What’s happened?”

  “I guess you haven’t heard that Antoni lost his villa in a card game and is refusing to accept defeat? The resort has been shut down indefinitely.”

  “Damn. I’m sorry to hear that. I knew that guy was trouble, but this is too much.”

  “Rather than fight their lawyers, I decided to channel my energies to a more positive and productive use. If you’ll allow me the use of your villa, for a fee, of course, I’ll let all my vendors know what’s happening. The only help I might ask of you is a reference for a caterer and bartenders.”

  “My villa sits mostly empty if you don’t count the copious staff who are overpaid and underworked. You may have run of the entire villa, and Chloe can help you advise my staff on food preparations for your wedding.”

  “Are you really all right with all the Reids, Taylors and Davises celebrating on your beautiful property?”

  “Will Estelle be present?”

  “Of course.”

  “Can you occupy Roland while I dance a few sets with your grandmother?”

  “I can.”

  “Then you’ve got a deal, young lady.”

  Hallelujah! “Thank you, Your Grace. You’re a lifesaver!”

  “Just remember me when I come knocking on your door for help one day.”

  I had no idea why an all-powerful duke would need my help, but what else would I say but, “You betcha.”

  The rest of the conversation was with Chloe, and she was a wealth of help and information. After asking several questions, she asked me to send her my wedding files and assured me the chef-in-residence would replicate everything on the original menu.

  “Our chef in Tuscany is phenomenal and he is bored to tears because the duke doesn’t hold parties at the villa like he used to in the past. Chef will take on this new challenge with gusto.” Chloe was a godsend. When we were done talking, I felt good about my wedding again.

  “You leaving now? Can I catch a ride with you?” Donovan met me in the hallway.

  “Sure.”

  “Everything going well?”

  “Ha!” I snorted aloud. Donovan slightly jumped and walked a few steps away from me. “As of two minutes ago, our wedding is now being held at the Belucci / Bennington Villa. Your once-nemesis is hosting our wedding.”

  “What the hell, Jane? Your life is filled with too much drama. Why don’t you take off from work starting immediately and resolve your issues.”

  I placed both my hands on Donovan’s face and kissed his forehead like a mother kissing her cute, young child.

  “What. The. Hell.” Donovan wiped off my lipstick.

  “Thanks! I sure am glad one of us Reid girls married you. You’re a keeper!”

  Donovan didn’t know what to make of my slaphappy mood.

  “Hello, Moms.” I kissed Sandy Reid and Mavis Davis respectively. “Hello, Dads.” I did the same for the men.

  “You’re in a good mood.” Mom gave me a funny look.

  “Why wouldn’t I be? Max is graduating today, we are getting married in ten days, and a rep for Antoni Villa called to tell me the villa was no longer available for use. Five minutes after that, I changed the wedding location, chef, staff, coordinator, and anything else you can think of regarding our most special day.” All four parents were bug-eyed and speechless. “All in a day’s work. No big deal.” I pointed to the ceremony about to begin, and the ready-questions abated.

  “Did you just say what I thought I heard you say to your parents?” Laney leaned in two minutes into the convocation.

  “Yep. My life has officially gone to hell, and now I’m finding ways to swim out of it.”

  “OMG.”

  “OMG is my prayer right now.”

  The ceremony was beautiful. My dad, a member of the school and hospital board, sat with Uncle Henry and Jake behind the podium minutes before Max’s name was called. Gram also asked for the honor of sitting with the men. Since no one would deny Grandpa Jerry’s importance to the hospital and university, the school happily placed another chair on the stage. The four of them presented Max his diploma along with a show of family love. Max started with Gram, whose elderly frame hugged him like a grandmother who had loved him since he was a little boy. My father went next and embraced the man who was already another son to him. Uncle Henry stood third and welcomed Max as a family member and a member of his hospital staff. Finally, my brother Jake, after all he’d suffered with and because of my fiancé, treat
ed him no differently than he would when Nick graduates in a few years—with admiration and respect. No other student received as loud a cheer and as much noticeable affection as my fiancé. My heart burst with pride.

  Watching my family gather to congratulate my man brought tears to my eyes. Max wasn’t technically a member of the Reid family, yet, but every Reid came to show their support. Seeing the happiness in my in-laws’ eyes, I knew they finally understood their son would be a son, grandson, nephew, and cousin to the Reids—the in-law moniker being a superficial label.

  “Congratulations,” Emily whispered. “You must be so proud.” During the ceremony, Emily had switched seats with Laney.

  “I am, Emily. Max has always been unconditional in his love for everyone and today, it’s coming back to him a hundredfold. He deserves all the accolades and affection.”

  “He does. Partly it’s Max’s doing, but a lot of it is you, my dear sister. Your belief in him spurs him to be the best he can be. I know he works hard to make sure he lives up to your standards. You both are ideal for one another. I couldn’t have designed a better woman for Max than you. Always remember how much he loves you.” With words of encouragement, Emily hugged me and went back to her seat.

  “Does this make up for the crappy morning you’ve had?”

  “Cousin, this makes up for the crappy nine months I’ve had planning this damn wedding. I think Max was right. It doesn’t matter where we get married, as long as we’re married. Though I think everything is settled now, I’d be OK with punch and cake in our tiny backyard.”

  Laney giggled. “Let’s not be extreme. This unusual emotional high is turning your biting-self a bit droll. We wouldn’t want you becoming fanciful and whimsical like myself.” My cousin’s sense of humor was unparalleled. “You need to top my wedding of the century, Jane Sydney Reid. You can’t let Donovan and Delaney Taylor beat you.” I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped. “I know you’re trying to outdo my wedding with that damn Tuscan sunset.”

  I looked at my cousin and hugged her like I’d never done before. “I love you Laney Taylor. I thank God you are my cousin, my friend, and the wife of my business partner. It’d be hard having someone as sharp as you as my enemy.”