Evergreen: The Callaghan Green Series

by Annie Dyer

  Max paused. Stared at me. I waited for him to start laughing, but he didn’t. Instead, the big brother who’d picked me up when I’d fallen, taught me how to throw a decent right hook and explained the offside rule, pulled me into a sweaty, hard hug.

  “You’re not bad for an annoying kid.” He pulled me in tighter. “And I’ll never forget how you made sure how me and Vic got back together.”

  I tapped him hard on the back, our hug not ceasing. “Love you, man.”

  “Fuck, you’re making me emotional. Love you, back.” There was another squeeze.

  “Are you doing the rest of those squats or what?” Nick’s voice boomed through. “Thought you were looking like a PB.”

  I got the PB; Max spotting me, shouting me on and when I did the sixth squat, every mince pie and pigs-in-blanket finally burned off, he gave the loudest cheer.

  24

  A set of gin glasses – from Claire to Ava

  Maxwell

  I threaded the cufflink in, twisting the end to fasten it. They’d belonged to Victoria’s granddad, the man she’d adored most in the world and the only person who she’d want to be there today and wouldn’t be.

  I was lucky; my whole family would be there, pretty much, at least my close family as all of it would’ve filled St Paul’s Cathedral. Marie was one of nine siblings, and we had cousins other than the Greens, but fortunately for our sanity, we weren’t that close. My father had a brother who was attending with my three cousins from that side. None of them had gone into law, all three choosing medicine instead, and we’d really only seen them at family occasions.

  But that didn’t matter now. I fastened the other cufflink and looked into the mirror. My beard was trimmed, my hair washed and styled, my waistcoat fastened, and tie done. I sprayed my cologne and stared at myself in the mirror.

  I was about to get married. I’d be a husband. I’d have a wife. We were starting a family with a promise to each other, one where I’d take care of her, in sickness and in health.

  Before my mother had taken her own life, she’d suffered post-natal depression. My dad, to me at the time, had done nothing. He’d buried himself in work. The day she died would be a day I’d never forget, only I knew more now.

  My father hadn’t ignored her as I’d thought. I’d finally heard his side and understood it, and at the same time, I’d realised that I wasn’t my father. I could be a good partner and father, I didn’t need to lose myself in work for every hour in the day and I could support my partner if after we had a child, she struggled like my mother.

  Victoria’s news hadn’t scared me like I once thought it would. We’d been trying for months, nearly a year, and she’d been far more relaxed about how long it was taking than I had. Knowing that she was pregnant with our child had just made today more important, for me, at least.

  I wasn’t leaving my family. That would never happen. But I knew that things were changing. Poker nights were shorter, they had less alcohol; rugby practices didn’t always have the full complement of players; drinks after work were less frequent and early morning training sessions at the gym had changed from being written in stone, to if I can make it, I’ll be there. By this time next year, Owen and I would be fathers as well as Jackson and Killian, and I doubted it would be that long before Eli joined the club.

  Mornings like today’s were precious. Most of us had flown from the nest Marie had made in one way or another over the last three years, creating our own, which meant we were becoming busy with our own brood. Today was a milestone; I’d spend it with my family that had and would always be my home, but I’d be announcing my own start too.

  I looked back up in the mirror and saw Jackson behind me, his tie done impeccably, his stubble trimmed, and man bun tied neatly.

  “All set?” He sounded nervous.

  “Indeed.” I reached for my jacket. We were driving over in a couple of classic cars that my dad had surprised me with, thankfully ones with snow tyres, probably aimed to ease any last-minute nerves with distraction. It might work. They were pretty nice cars, a Porsche Macan and a Lamborghini Urus; Seph and Shay had spent half an hour arguing about which one they were going to drive.

  The answer was neither.

  “You’ll be fine. This is one of the best thing’s you’ll ever do.” He passed me the flower for my buttonhole.

  “Thanks.” I pinned it in. “Did you feel nervous?”

  “Hell, yeah. And it will go until Vic goes into labour. You’ll need more medication than her.” He paused. “It’s time. You want a quick whisky?”

  “We have the hip flasks for when we get there. Seph was meant to make sure they were full.” It was possibly one of the most important tasks. “I’m driving that Lambo and I’m not touching a drop before.”

  “Good move. I’ve got the Porsche. I think we’re all ready. You want a moment?” He clutched the keys to the car tight in his hand.

  We were in my parent’s suite, using that and Jackson and Van’s room to get ready. Most of us had showered at the sports facility, just Callum and I waiting till we got back.

  “I’m good. Where is Callum?” He’d got ready at home, checking on the numerous animals he and Wren had collected.

  “Downstairs, looking a lot more nervous than you. He’s going to be shocking in a few days when it’s his turn.” Jackson laughed, looking like he was enjoying every moment of our brother’s discomfort.

  I shook my head. “Can’t believe he’s getting married. I used to change his nappies.”

  “Feel free to mention that in your speech.”

  I raised my brow. “I thought Seph was best man? And he wasn’t having ushers?”

  Jackson shrugged. “He mentioned something about speeches, but Van was telling me about Teddy and his – you don’t want to know – digestive system at the same time, and, yeah, in a few months you’ll understand.”

  I could only nod and not ask any more. I’d changed a few of my nephew’s nappies and my limit of need to know was there.

  “I’ll find out more tomorrow.”

  “Or the day after.” My brother held something out to me. “Today’s not about Callum.”

  “What’s this?” I accepted the object, half wondering it was a trick of some sort, if something would trap my finger.

  “A gift.”

  I opened my hand and saw a leather bracelet with a silver clasp. Simple, not showy.

  Jackson held up his wrist and showed an identical one. “The girls have all got matching ankle bracelet things, so I thought we’d out-girl them.”

  I laughed loudly, felt some of the tension ease. “Who’s got them?”

  “All of us. Come on. You don’t want Vic to get there before you.”

  I left the room to follow Jackson downstairs, but had to backtrack, forgetting my wallet. It wasn’t in my parents’ suite, so I decided to brave it and head to our room, hoping to god I didn’t see any of the women.

  It was quiet, voices coming from the entrance which was where they were meant to be gathering for champagne before they were whisked off in a limo to the church. I breathed a sigh of relief and opened the door.

  The room wasn’t empty. The door opened and I looked into the mirror opposite and saw the reflection of my soon to be wife.

  “Max!” She turned to me. “You’re not meant to see!”

  She looked like all my dreams and fantasies rolled into one, but rather than trying to see the dress I kept my eyes on hers.

  “I thought you’d be downstairs.”

  “I needed a minute.” She froze, staring at me. “You look hot.”

  I tipped my head back and laughed, heading towards her. “Fucking good job because you’ll be marrying it in less than an hour.”

  Her arms went around my neck and she gently pressed her lips to mine. “I’m so glad to be marrying it, Maxwell Callaghan. That’s the only kiss you’re getting – I daren’t mess this make-up; Jacob will kill me.”

  My hands were on her waist and all I could think
about was lifting that dress and finding exactly what was underneath. “I could kiss you somewhere else.”

  “Max, I’m meant to be all virginal and pure right now.”

  “Vic, you’re pregnant with my baby. Only a time machine’s going to get you anywhere near virginal right now.” My words ended with a growl. I’d noticed her tits in that dress. It dipped low, her skin between them exposed and they looked fucking phenomenal.

  The clock on the wall ticked.

  “Max, you need to be leaving.”

  “What are you wearing underneath?”

  “Max…” Her pretty face flushed.

  “Tell me and I’ll go. You can pretend I’ve never been here.” I pushed my forehead to hers.

  “A white lace thong and a garter. You can take it off with your teeth when we get in bed.”

  She’d told me not to mess her make-up so I didn’t. Instead I pressed a kiss to her collar bone and then dropped lower, trailing my lips to between her tits and kissing the soft skin there.

  “Max!” There was laughter in her voice. “Don’t go any lower.”

  It was suddenly all I wanted to do, to have her go in to our wedding fresh from an orgasm I’d given her, to know something that no one else did.

  “Vic…”

  She put one finger under my chin and drew me up, putting her lips on mine again. “You’ll have to wait until the end.”

  What came out of me now was definitely a growl. “That’s not happening.”

  She laughed. “There’s a large bathroom at the pub. I’m sure we can grab a few minutes in there. Go. Pretend you haven’t seen me. It’s meant to be bad luck.” The smile on her face was rich and dirty, totally not in keeping with the dress I’d seen so far.

  I shook my head and reluctantly backed towards the door.

  “Go. Another hour and a bit and we’ll be married.”

  I nodded, pausing, grabbing my wallet. “I’d have married you anywhere, dressed in anything.”

  “I know. But we’re doing it this way. The longer it takes you to leave, the longer I’ll make you wait at the alter.”

  “Fine.” She looked beautiful and I still hadn’t let myself look at all of her. “I’ll just make you wait for an orgasm when we’re in that bathroom…”

  Her response was simple. Just one finger.

  I laughed and left, knowing that I wouldn’t have long to wait until I saw her again.

  “Nervous?” Killian stood next to me at the front of the tiny church where Marie had dragged us when were kids.

  I looked at the people who were sitting in the pews; my dad, Marie, the men I’d trained with that morning. There were a few friends from the university, both colleagues and friends I’d made as a student. It wasn’t planned to be a big wedding; we’d opted for small and intimate so we’d have chance to spend time with the people there.

  “No. I’ll feel better when I see her.” I hadn’t told anyone that I’d already seen her less than an hour before; I didn’t fancy listening to all their superstitions and hysterics.

  Killian laughed. “I feel nervous for you. It’s all eyes on you for the next half an hour or so and there’ll always be someone looking at you later.”

  I smirked, knowing there would be no one looking at us when we slipped off to that bathroom. Sleeping with my wife for the first time in a semi-public place definitely wasn’t the height of romance, but we could take our time later. Slipping away and into her was definitely a priority – every time.

  Seph walked into the church, a huge smile on his face. He gave me the thumbs up and the violin quartet that we had agreed early on in our wedding planning started to play the song we’d chosen for Vic to walk up the aisle.

  I faced the front, having had it drilled into me that I wasn’t suppose to watch her as she walked up the aisle. I heard the silence fall, caught a few whispers of people cooing over how good she looked and I willed myself not to turn, instead looking at Killian who had turned and had a grin as wide as the Pacific on his face.

  “She definitely looks like she wants to be here, man. Nothing to suggest that she’s doing this against her will.”

  “Thanks.” I closed my eyes. I heard Eliza shout something about Auntie Vic.

  Then there were footsteps, heels. The scent of Chanel. My heart hadn’t burst out of my chest and instead started to settle, knowing that she was there, about to be next to me.

  About to be my wife.

  “Are you both ready?” The vicar’s voice was low and calm, tempered with humour. She was new to the village, according to Marie, and had quickly brought round some of the older population who weren’t keen to see a woman in post. Now they baked her dinner and joined her coffee mornings.

  I looked up, turned my head to the side where Victoria was standing, smiling.

  I’d technically already seen her dress, but I’d deliberately paid no attention to anything apart from that it displayed her tits perfectly.

  Now I saw her. The dress was lacy at the top, and I figured I could just about expose her tits by bringing it off her shoulders. The skirt bit was all layers and golds and big. I could easily hide under it at some point and see what colour her garter actually was.

  She looked like my every dream and fantasy, wrapped up in a package of intelligence and sass that never let me forget it was a privilege that she’d chosen me.

  “You look fucking beautiful.” I didn’t care that we were in church.

  She smiled, red lips curving. “You look fuckable.” She mouthed the words, but given that Killian started to try to curb a laugh I figured he’d lip read.

  I didn’t care.

  She was here and we were finally getting married.

  “We could’ve thrown rice, but I figured that would’ve hurt. And I didn’t want to hurt Vic.” Seph opened his arms wide because handshakes aren’t happening today.

  “Thank you for being so considerate. I take it that it would’ve been fine to hurt me?”

  “Absolutely. And congrats. I’m so happy for you.”

  I sensed he might be getting more emotional than usual, so I called him a few choice words and threatened to kick his arse at poker – Vic had given her blessing for us to have a short tournament after everyone had eaten and we’d cut the cake and all that jazz.

  “I’m so proud of you.” Marie parted the cluster of guests who were brave enough to still be outside and hadn’t gone into the pub. “You both look gorgeous and your vows were beautiful. Even your dad filled up.”

  I smiled; I was doing a lot of that today. “You look lovely, Mum.”

  She held me almost at arm’s length. “Thank you.” It was for more than the compliment. “I’m sure everyone is very proud of you. You’ve done amazing. With everything.”

  Seph’s voice boomed through the crowd, encouraging them to go to the pub, with the information he was buying the first round. It was actually a free bar, but I was more than happy to charge Seph for everyone’s first drink, especially if Ava was ordering a bottle of champagne.

  “You’ve also done amazing with not murdering him. Joseph!” She boomed back at him.

  My bride had managed to untangle herself from the gaggle of women who were crooning over her dress. Eliza was still attached to her skirts, Claire trying to coax her away, but my little niece clearly thought that Vic was a fairy tale princess.

  I agreed with her. She was.

  “You look so fucking gorgeous.” I’d already told her a thousand times while the photographer was doing what she could to get decent family pictures before everyone started drinking – or continued, in several cases.

  Her hand went to my tie and took hold of it. “You’ve scrubbed up well. Let’s go get you some champagne and see if we can buy us fifteen minutes with no one around.”

  Jacob came over with a faux fur wrap, draping it over Vic’s shoulders. It was still just above freezing, the adrenaline was the thing that had kept us warm, but I wanted to be indoors now. Settled.

  “Your carria
ge awaits, Mr and Mrs Callaghan, or is the lady keeping her maiden name?” Jacob made some elaborate gesture with his arms towards the Lamborghini. “But then what’s in a name? A rose would smell as sweet… and I can’t remember the quote. Get yourself in the car before your wedding guests become icicles.”

  I ushered Vic towards the car, opening the passenger door for her, helping tuck her skirts into the vehicle. I wanted more from those later.

  Her hand landed on my thigh once I got in, pressing her fingers into the muscle. “This has been the best day. I’m so glad you tried to steal my classroom.”

  I laughed. “It was my room; I just compromised.”

  “Hmmm. Really?”

  It took an hour to get all our guests settled. The pub was closed to everyone bar our party, giving us the full use of the function room that Ava had gone to town decorating and a large restaurant area. It meant we hadn’t had to suffer the pain of choosing what courses people had, because the landlord was happy to take orders, meaning people could be as fussy as they wanted.

  There were canapes and drinks, mulled wine, champagne and some locally made fizzy elderflower stuff that looked like champagne. I did another tour of everyone with Vic pulled into my side, before mentioning to one or two people that we had to see the landlord about something.

  We didn’t, and I fully imagined that a couple of my siblings would clock exactly where we’d disappeared off to.

  “It’s time to consummate our marriage.” I whispered the words into her ear as she waved at Tommy and his wife. “I’ve waited long enough.” My cock was hardening and if we didn’t make a move now, I’d be embarrassing myself in a way I really did not want.

  “Max. I need to tell you something.”

  I paused, my heart skipping enough of a beat that I was glad my cousin was a doctor. “What?”

  She nipped my earlobe. “I lied about wearing underwear. I’m bare under here. Just a garter.”

  I knew we shouldn’t have invited guests.

  Down one of the corridors that led to the bedrooms where some of our guests were staying was a large, accessible bathroom. It took me exactly seven seconds to pick Victoria up and run with her to it as soon as we were out of sight of anyone.