by J. A. Low
“I’m kind of nervous,” Penny whispers to me as we get out of the car. We are celebrating the opening of Wyld at Evan and Sienna’s place, where they are hosting the after party.
“It’s going to be okay. Everyone was nice tonight to you, weren’t they?”
“Yes, but you know…”
“I know, but show them the new you and it will all be okay.” Penny nods as we arrive at Evan and Sienna’s home.
“Welcome,” Evan says, greeting us at the door. “The girls are out the back and the guys are in the man cave,” he tells Axel. We follow behind the boys, as we make our way through the house, which is just stunning.
“He’s hot,” Penny whispers to me.
“I know, they all are. Make sure none of the girls hear you, they are very protective of their men.” Penny zips her lips and walks silently through the home to where everyone is sitting outside.
“Princess.” Derrick rushes up to me. “Now let me see this ring, I didn’t get to catch up with you properly tonight.” I flash him my stunning, vintage Cartier diamond. Derrick whistles. “You did good, boy,” he throws out to Axel as he walks past.
“Only the best for her.” He kisses my cheek before walking off to where the rest of the boys are hanging out tonight.
“Ugh, that man is just way too good-looking for his own good,” Derrick mumbles. “I can only assume he and Christian have the same dick, you know twins and all.” Penny chokes beside me, catching Derrick’s attention. I probably should have warned her about Derrick. “Oh sorry, have I offended the scarlet woman?”
“Derrick!” I scold, surprised at his venom toward my sister.
“D, that was rude.” Sienna joins us, putting a hand on Derrick’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, I get it, he’s your friend and he is looking out for you. But sweetheart, you could only dream about all the dicks I’ve seen.” Derrick looks stunned. I think that is a first, Derrick shocked silent. Within seconds he bursts out laughing.
“Oh, I think we are going to get along just fine. Color me intrigued, if I say a name can you tell me size, length, girth, you know, all the juicy details?” He puts his arm around my sister’s shoulder and guides her toward the fire pit.
***
The night has been fantastic, Penny is getting along with everyone, especially Derrick, after sharing some dick pics of some footballers she has on her phone. I have never seen him so excited. I mean not like that but as in, ugh, now I have mental images that won’t leave my head. Axel kept popping out and checking on me, which was sweet. I told him we were doing okay, that we were all getting on great which calmed him down a little.
“Okay. Now, princess, when are you getting married? Because this is going to be another epic Dirty Texas wedding and we all need enough time to plan so we can look fabulous.”
“I don’t know. We haven’t really had time to discuss it. Maybe next year.” I shrug.
“Next year?” Derrick shrieks. “Oh honey, no. That boy is not going to wait until next year to marry you. You should have seen him tonight looking at the children’s clothes! That boy has a desire to knock you up and it’s written all over his face.”
“What? No. Kids are a long way away.” Sienna and Vanessa burst out laughing.
“Look at us,” Ness says, pointing at her stomach that looks like it is about to burst. “If Axel is anything like his brother, be careful he will want to multiply with you as soon as possible.”
“Exactly, look at me, I’m popping out my second baby in two years and Evan wants more. More!” Sienna raises her voice.
Okay, mild panic starts settling over me. “We haven’t discussed it yet, I want kids but…Axel and I are still so new. We don’t even live in the same country. That’s going to make it hard to knock me up.”
“True, that part of the plan sucks. So, why don’t you just move here?” Derrick asks.
“I want to, I really do. I’ve found someone to be the general manager of the whole entire estate. Camryn’s company has taken over the events side of our business as well. Penny is working closely with Kimberly as they set up their office. I guess this week away will be a test for the new manager to see how they go with things.”
“Plus, the boys have settled on a location for the studio in London. So Axel could be there soon,” Vanessa adds.
“Yeah, but I know it is going to kill him to be apart from his new nieces.”
“But he would rather be with you.” Vanessa adds giving me a weak smile.
This commuting sucks.
“Hey, sorry, I didn’t mean to get you down,” Derrick quickly adds when he sees me deflated.
“I know, it just sucks being apart from him.” I am trying to keep my tears from falling.
“Did you seriously make my fiancée cry again, Derrick?” Axel’s gravelly voice surprises me. “Are you okay, babe?” he asks, sitting down beside me.
“Yeah, I was just explaining to them all about how much I hate living apart.” Axel pushes my hair from my face and looks at me with those whiskey eyes that I get lost in.
“It sucks, but I have been thinking…” He lets the rest of his sentence fall away.
“What?” My heart starts to kick into overdrive.
“Thinking about our wedding.” Oh no, has he change his mind? “Hey, hey, I can see that frown on your face, it isn’t anything bad,” he quickly says. “I just thought maybe we could do it sooner.”
“Yes, yes, yes,” Derrick squeals.
“You want to get married sooner?”
“I would marry you tonight, if you wanted to.” My eyes widen and I hear a couple of sighs.
“Vegas, let’s go to Vegas,” Derrick chants.
“No, no way are they going to Vegas,” Vanessa adds. “Seriously, don't do it. Plus, your mom will kill you.”
“That’s what Chris said,” Axel laughs.
“It’s true, I mean if you want to get married in Vegas, I could technically see if I could distract your mom by going into labor.”
“What?” I reply, confused by this conversation. “No, no, there will be no Vegas wedding and definitely no early labor distraction techniques.”
“Look, you’d be doing me a favor. These babies need to get out of me. Seriously, they are squashing me to death from the inside,” Ness moans.
I turn and look at Axel. “You want to get married sooner? Like how soon?”
“After our babies please, because I want to go to the wedding,” Sienna adds.
“Yeah, me too,” Vanessa seconds her.
“I guess in a couple of months then?” Axel asks.
“What? A couple of months. You think I can organize a wedding, my dream wedding, in a couple of months?” I think I am having a heart attack.
“Hello, that is what we are here for,” Derrick states.
“You have all of us, plus Camryn at your disposal,” Stacey suggests.
“You’re my closest friends, you’re supposed to be on my side,” I tell Stacey.
“But I want to see you guys get married.”
I roll my eyes.
“Come on, you have enough homes to choose from for the venue and Yvette lives in Paris so she can do your dress. We could even hire Sebastien again and catch up with Isla.” Derrick is just full of ideas.
“See, babe, the wedding is practically organized,” Axel laughs.
Yep, I am most definitely having a heart attack. Getting married in a couple of months.
“Plus, Daddy’s health isn’t good,” Penny whispers. My eyes widen, I hadn't even thought about that. “Daddy got to walk me down the aisle, yes to Eddie, and well we all know how that worked out…but I know he would love to walk you down the aisle, Liv. I know he’s still not a hundred percent and will never be, but he will want that, to walk you down the aisle.” A small tear falls down my cheek and Penny grabs my hand and gives it a sympathetic squeeze.
“Maybe you’re right, Pen. In a year’s time who knows if he is able to travel, he possibly could even h
ave another heart attack. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him and if he…” Tears fall rapidly down my cheeks. “If he didn’t get the chance to walk me down the aisle.”
“Do it, Liv. The man loves you. You have waited too long to get married, you turn thirty in August. Why not kill two birds with one stone?” Penny suggests.
“Oh my God. Yes, yes, yes.” Derrick is screaming. “We know how to celebrate thirtieth birthdays in style.”
“What do you think?” Axel asks me. “August, around your birthday?” I blink a couple of times; it’s a crazy idea, but why not. Why wait? I want to spend the rest of my life with Axel. So why not just do it?
“Yes.” Axel stares at me for a moment, my answer not sinking in.
“Yes, as in yes?” he asks to double check.
“Yes as in yes, I will marry you in a couple of months.” I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. The kiss turns a little more heated than I intended and our friends’ cat calls pull me away from Axel.
“What’s going on here?” Christian asks.
“We’re planning their wedding,” Vanessa answers him, but he looks confused.
“We’re getting married in a couple of months,” Axel replies.
“No way, man, no way!” His brother excitedly pulls him into a hug and then grabs me. “Where, when?”
“France, August for my thirtieth birthday,” I reply.
Christian whistles. “Wow, that’s close, but I’m pretty sure these guys have it already planned.” Pointing to his friends they all give him a thumbs up. I can’t believe this; I’m getting married in a couple of months.
One month! I have been an uncle for one month and I love it. Those two little perfect princesses, Ruby and Sadie, have made me totally envious of my brother. Maybe not the changing diapers and the exploding poo part, that was definitely a horrifying experience, or even when both of them are crying or screaming at the same time. Who knew babies could scream that loudly for long periods of time. Also, Christian looking like a zombie from getting up with the girls at all hours of the night, yeah that bit looks painful, but all the other stuff seems pretty awesome. I just need to put a wedding ring on her finger and then we can talk about babies. I know she is just as clucky as I am, I see the way she looks at the babies. Watching Olivia hold the twins I know she’s a natural. I know she wants to wait at least a year before we have kids, but I don’t know if I can, when you know it’s right you just know.
Now it’s Sienna’s turn, she’s just given birth to a healthy baby boy, little Levi, and I am off to the hospital with the rest of the crew to see her. Liv is upset that she’s missed the birth but she had to get back to England to work, even though Penny has been stepping up to the plate. I have a bouquet of flowers for Sienna and a little rock star teddy bear for Levi and when I arrive at the hospital room everyone is there cooing over the baby.
“Congratulations, man.” I see Evan first, he looks exhausted but elated.
“Thanks, mate, another boy.” He smiles proudly. I hand him the bear and make my way over to Sienna, placing the flowers on the table. She looks amazing just hours after giving birth. I give her a kiss on both cheeks and congratulate her. I look over into the little blue crib and see the perfect little baby. God, he is cute. Shit, seriously, can someone catch baby fever, because I kind of feel like you can and it’s happening to me. Moving away from the little bundle I notice Finn standing in the corner.
"Finn, it's been a while, man." I’ve missed the big guy since he’s been in New York.
“I know. I’ve missed y’all too.” Those pearly whites smile at me.
“How’s New York been treating you?”
“The New York office has been so busy, man. There’s so much talent coming through the doors.” I nod in agreement. I’ve listened to some of the bands he’s sent through to us and he’s right, so much talent.
“We need to catch up for a beer while you’re in town. Maybe one night down at California Bros. or something.”
“Yeah, that would be great, get the boys together again. I can’t remember the last time we have been all together.”
I want to say that we are all together, all the time and it’s only him missing, but I keep my mouth shut.
“What the fuck?” Finn curses beside me, his face has turned pale, his attention is drawn over my shoulder. I turn around and see Sebastien and Isla arm in arm. She’s dressed in some weird muumuu type dress, the total opposite to the stylish Isla that left us all those months ago, but she does look glowing, radiant even.
“Holy shit, you’re pregnant,” Derrick calls out, silencing the room. Isla looks like she is about to throw up and Finn looks like he is going to join her.
“You’re pregnant?” Oscar yells, adding extra tension to the room as he strolls in. Isla looks like a deer caught in headlights.
“You seriously thought you could disguise yourself in that hideous outfit,” Derrick adds, oblivious to everyone else.
“Sienna, Evan, congratulations,” Sebastien says loudly, handing over a large bouquet of flowers. Evan and Sienna distract themselves showing off Levi to Sebastien. Isla, Finn and Oscar are in a silent stare off with each other.
“Issy, are you pregnant?” Oscar asks calmly.
“Yes,” she whispers, a single tear falls down her cheek, her eyes darting between Finn and Oscar.
“Excuse me.” Finn bolts from the room. Shit. I should really go after him but my feet are kind of rooted to the floor.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Oscar sounds hurt and confused.
“Because…” Isla pauses for a moment to catch her breath. “Because I was ashamed. It was a one-night stand, a mistake.”
“But I’m still your brother,” Oscar adds.
“I know, I just…”
“Do Mom and Dad know?” Isla shakes her head. “So you have kept this from all of us for what, the past four or five months?” He sounds pissed.
“It was just easier.”
“Easier for who?” You can hear the hurt in his voice and the silence in the room.
“It was a shock. It wasn’t planned…I just…”
“Were you ever going to tell us? Or would you have just turned up one day saying, oh by the way, Oscar, here is your niece or nephew?”
“Nephew, it’s a boy.” Isla quickly adds. Oscar looks stunned. You can see the heart ache across his face.
“You’re having a boy?” Isla nods and tears are pouring down her cheeks. “Shit, Issy.” Oscar pulls her against him and she wraps herself as far as she can around the hulking Viking.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you,” she mumbles into his shirt.
He brushes her hair from her face. “Shh, it’s going to be okay. You’re home and it’s going to be all okay.” Isla stiffens.
“I’m not staying, my life is in Europe, not here.”
“What? Are you seriously going back to Europe when you are about to pop out a child?”
“I’ve just gone five months, Oscar. I am only half way.” Oscar frowns at her.
“Oh shit, it was a wedding baby,” Derrick adds. Isla shoots daggers at him. “Sorry.” Derrick holds up his hands.
“Is this true?” Oscar asks.
Isla waves her hand at him. “I’m not answering that, it doesn’t matter. What matters now is that we are here to celebrate Evan and Sienna, not me and my drama.” She turns and looks at the new parents, walking over and hugging them both. “Sorry about this,” she whispers to them. They both shake their heads at Isla indicating that it is fine.
***
“Holy shit, Isla’s pregnant,” I yell down the phone to Olivia. The other end remains quiet and I check my phone screen and it’s still connected. “Liv, did you hear what I said?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Why are you not shocked by this news?” Then it dawns on me. “Seriously, you knew, you knew Isla was pregnant and didn’t tell me?” I don’t know if I should be happy that my fiancée
can keep secrets and is loyal to her friends and family or if I should be pissed that she so easily can keep a secret from me.
“Ax, it wasn’t my story to tell.”
“I know, I just feel blindsided again that you’ve kept something from me.”
“But you have to understand why I couldn’t tell you. I’m sorry, I hate keeping secrets from you. I don’t like not being able to tell you everything, but it’s not my fault these truth bombs keep dropping in my lap.”
“I know, babe, I know. I just miss you and hate being apart from you. I’m just shocked that Isla is pregnant. Do you think the father is Finn? She said it was some random hook up.”
Silence fills the end of the phone.
“Okay, seeing as you know she’s pregnant, I’ll talk about it, but you have to promise me, babe, it’s in the fiancée cone of silence, yeah?”
“Of course.”
Silence again as she debates what to say.
“It’s Finn’s.”
“Shit! Oscar is going to be pissed. He is already on the war path trying to find out who the bastard was that knocked up his sister. Derrick kind of worked out that she got knocked up during Chris and Ness’ wedding.”
“Oh shit. He is such a trouble maker.”
“I mean, we all know that Finn and Isla have been a thing on and off for years, just not sure if Oscar knows it. Shit, he is going to lose it when he finds out his best friend knocked up his baby sister.”
“What did Finn do when he saw her?”
“He ran out of the room when she confirmed she was pregnant.”
“Do you think he knows it’s his?” she asks.
“I think the possibility is going through his mind.”
“Poor guy, that must have been a shock.”
“Hell yeah, it would be. Especially when Isla came into the room hand in hand with Sebastien.”
“Oh no she didn’t?” Liv gasps.
“Yeah, she sure did. I’m thinking Finn thinks the baby is Sebastien’s.”
“Oh no.”
“I need to find him, babe.”
“Yeah, I think you better. Love you and good luck. Let me know how you go.”