Dad took in a deep breath and I met his eyes.
“Your sister’s out there,” he said and I nodded my head.
“I saw her already,” I said to him. Moira rarely ever paid us a visit anymore, staying away from our lifestyle as much as possible. I preferred it that way, but she wasn’t going to stay away from her brother’s wedding. She had to see it for herself to believe it.
Dad was quiet again, stroking his salt and pepper beard. I knew he had something to say and I wished that he would just say it.
“If your mother hadn’t become pregnant with you, son, I would have never married her,” he said and I clenched my jaw. This wasn’t exactly something I wanted to hear on my wedding day.
“Yeah, I always got that feeling,” I said and he stepped towards me.
“Don’t get me wrong, Kelley, I love your mother. She’s the only woman in the world who can keep me in control,” he said and I looked away from him, and turned to fixing my bow tie again. I tried to picture Ava, walking down the aisle towards me, to focus on anything but this bullshit that my father had decided to put me through.
“But marriage was never on the cards. I had never pictured myself as much of a family man,” he continued, not getting the hint.
I looked back at him through the mirror. He had come to halt directly behind me, looking me up and down.
“You think I’m making a mistake. That I’m going to be saddled down with responsibilities, and a woman and kids,” I said, in a deadpan voice and he nodded his head.
“Yes, you will have responsibilities. You are now responsible for another life, and when you have kids, you will be responsible for theirs too,” he said and I clenched my jaw. I didn’t fucking care what he thought of this marriage. I wanted nothing more than marrying Ava. This had been the happiest year of my life and it was fucking unbelievable.
“But making a mistake? I don’t think so,” he said and my brows crossed with surprise. Where was he going with this?
Dad reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder and my muscles stiffened.
“Ava is a good woman, and she makes your mother happy. More importantly, she makes you happy and keeps you grounded. So, no, I don’t think you’re making a mistake, son. I think you’re making the best fucking decision of your life,” he said and I whipped around to him.
Dad had stretched out a hand to me and still in shock, I shook it. We smiled at each other and I caught the look of pride in his eyes.
“Now get out there and marry that woman before she runs away with King or someone else. Hell, if I was a few years younger…” Dad said with a laugh and I playfully punched his shoulder.
“Don’t finish that sentence, Dad,” I said, smiling at him and he clamped his mouth shut.
“Thank you,” I added and he nodded his head.
He was right, this was the best fucking decision of my life and I couldn’t wait to make it.
Ava
Charity pinned the delicate pink petunias to my hair, while I sat in front of the mirror. She stepped back and looked at her handiwork, pleased. Then she clapped her hands together excitedly.
“You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. Even in the magazines!” she cried and I thought I saw a tear glimmering in the corners of her eyes. I blushed and smiled at her through the mirror.
My dress was a long, white trailing gown with a plunging sweetheart neck. A shower of crystals glittered all over the dress. Commando had insisted that I wear a dress with diamonds on them. There was no expense spared. He had commissioned a French wedding dress designer to fly in from Paris and custom hand make my dress, so to say that I was pleased with it, was an understatement. It fit me perfectly and it swished every time I moved.
I had opted out of the tiara or a veil, and instead, encouraged Charity to design a petunia crown for my hair. Blue sapphires sparkled on a string at my neck and dangled from my ears. I had never felt this extravagant or beautiful before.
“Ready? Should I get him in? It’s time, honey,” Charity said and bent down to give me a kiss on my cheek. King was going to give me away. Commando’s best friend.
I had no connection with my parents, ever since I moved out of home and started living with Blaine. I had sent the invitations, but I was certain that they weren’t even going to attend the wedding. They knew nothing about my life, why would they be interested?
I heard the door close and then open behind me.
“Ava,” my father’s voice startled me and I nearly squealed when I saw him in the mirror, standing at the door.
“Daddy!” I cried and stood up, my dress swishing down around me. He hurried towards me, reaching for my hands.
“You look beautiful, honey,” he said and twirled me around to get a good look at me. I hadn’t seen him in years, I hadn’t heard his voice…
“What are you doing here? I didn’t think you would come. Is Mom here too?” I was barraging him with questions and Daddy laughed.
“Of course we would attend our daughter’s wedding. And she’s here, sitting outside, chatting with the groom’s mother,” he said and I blushed. I had never imagined Jewel getting to know my mother. They wouldn’t exactly become the best friends, I knew that, but I was glad that they were at least trying.
“Shall we? We can talk later. I should give you away first, so that you can marry that man,” he said and I was surprised to find that Daddy was smiling. He was actually happy for me. He had never approved of any of my decisions…but now I was beginning to wonder if it was only Blaine who he didn’t approve of.
I clung on to his arm, as he walked me out of the room, and we smiled at each other as we approached the aisle.
I heard the music peak, and everyone stood up on either sides of the aisle and my heart dropped to my stomach.
Commando was standing at the end of the aisle. I had never seen him in a suit before, and I couldn’t believe how absolutely gorgeous he looked.
His hair styled as usual with that perfect faux hawk, his blue eyes glittering, matching the navy of his tuxedo. His bow tie was a deep red color and he looked muscular and athletic in those clothes that fit him so sharply. He was dripping with sex appeal, and I knew everyone could see it.
I nearly wanted to break away from Daddy and go running to him. I wanted him to lift me up in the air, twirl me around and kiss me. Even though I was walking towards him, getting closer and closer, it still felt like it had been an eternity since we had kissed.
Commando looked shocked as he watched me approaching. He looked like someone had just slapped him across the face and he didn’t know how to react to that. His eyes grew large and his mouth fell open, then I watched him sink to the floor, hunching down on his knees and his hand flew to his mouth. It was like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Some of our guests laughed, some clapped and I couldn’t help but laugh with them.
“I’m marrying this woman!” Commando yelled out at the top of his lungs and people cheered even more.
His tattoos remained hidden today, but some peeped out from under his cuffs. His stubble was well maintained and neat and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I wanted to yell out too, I am marrying this man!
The past year had been the best, most thrilling rollercoaster ride that I could have experienced. We had fit into each other smoothly. We spent our days apart, me at school, Commando at work…but not once, not even one night, did he sleep anywhere else but on our bed. Next to me. Keeping me warm.
I trusted him blindly. He hadn’t done anything to betray that trust and he gave me complete freedom to live my life the way I wanted to. So, I gave him complete freedom too. We worked well together, in fact we worked great and with each passing day, it felt like I was falling in love with him even more. If that was even possible.
Commando’s friends, King, Girth and Slade were standing beside him. Their faces were stretched in a smile too, watching me as I walked towards their best friend, a few feet away from tying him down to a life of domesticity, but no
ne of them minded. I was like a sister to them, we were all a family.
I caught Big D’s eye in the crowd, then Elwood who beamed at me, then Jewel sitting beside my Mom. They were holding hands! What was happening to the world?!
And then I was in front of him, an inch away from him. Commando didn’t wait for me to release my grip on Daddy’s arm. He pulled me away, straight to himself. His lips covered mine and he topped me backwards while he kissed me deeply. There were cheers around us again, people were clapping and when he released me, I was flushed.
“You weren’t supposed to do that! We aren’t married yet!” I scolded him playfully, my voice drowning under the cheers and chatter of our guests. Commando leaned towards me and took in a deep breath, as though he wanted to drink in everything.
“You should have said something earlier, when I was making you come with my mouth,” he said with a smile. I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing out.
“Ladies and gentlemen…we are gathered here today…” the priest began to say and we were forced to turn away from each other. Just hurry up already! I said under my breath.
I am so ready to be Mrs. Commando.
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Doctor’s Orders
A Second Chance Doctor Romance
By Nicole Elliot and Ellie Wild
Prologue
“What did you get for number three?” I asked, peering over his shoulder.
“Mono, the kissing disease.”
“Me too.” I flashed him a smile.
“Weird name for an illness,” he responded, his eyes meeting mine. God, he was gorgeous. Why did he have to look so good? I was supposed to be focusing on the material.
“Ha, yeah I guess.” I moved my hair out of my face.
He moved closer to me, “I mean the only way to get it is through saliva.”
He licked his lips.
This should be gross, I told myself, we’re discussing diseases. But instead all I could think about were his lips on mine.
“So tomorrow is the final. I think we should go celebrate afterwards.” He winked at me.
“Oh? Where do you want to go?”
“Out, anywhere. As long as it’s with you,” he paused. “And you wear those jeans you had on last week for chem.”
“What?” I asked, shocked. I knew exactly what jeans he was talking about. So maybe I had worn them to get his attention. Maybe.
“Because tomorrow, after we pass this class, I am getting my hands into those jeans Hailey Clarke,” he said just above a whisper. My pussy ached in response.
The anticipation of having Wyatt’s hands on my body was going to kill me.
I was sure of it.
Chapter One: Wyatt
I fucking hated November third.
The harsh thought bounced off the walls of my head and seemed to echo across the empty cemetery. The angry thought remained private though.
My mom and I were visiting his grave.
We stood in front of his headstone, staring down at the slab of rock that was supposed to represent his life. Instead, it only represented his absence.
A small American flag whipped back and forth in the wind, creating a steady rhythm to which we could mark our grief.
November third arrived too soon every year.
It would always be the worst day of the year.
Five years had passed since my father died and it still felt like yesterday. This year, my mom didn’t cry. We visited the grave and said our obligatory prayers. I took a short walk so my mom could speak to him alone. I did this with her every year, but I never understood why. Part of me knew it was just a way to make her feel better, that it helped her feel close to him. A bigger part of me thought it was a giant waste of time. What was the point of talking to a rock?
He wasn’t there.
Still, it was a nice change to visit the cemetery and not have to support my sobbing mom back to the car. She didn’t shed a single tear. She was just quiet through the whole thing.
Something had clicked inside of her a few months ago. I could tell the difference immediately. She still felt his loss in her soul, but it no longer crippled her daily life. She finally found a sense of peace.
I was happy for her, I really was. I just would have been happier if we could stop our yearly visits all together. For me, it never got easier to look at his name on that headstone.
Anderson Wyatt Murphy
It was bold and large. Because he was one of the newer residents in the Bradberry cemetery, his headstone stood out among the rest. While others were beginning to fade, his name could be read from fifty yards away.
Every time I laid eyes on it, I was forced to remember him in ways I didn’t want to. I could still see the coffin they unloaded off that plane. There was an American flag laid across it. My mom still had that flag, folded tightly in a memory box in her bedroom.
He died in combat, thousands of miles away from home. Mom and I didn’t get to say goodbye. He was just gone. It almost killed us both, but while my mom retreated into herself for years after, I did the opposite.
At the time of my father’s death, I was pre-med. I had almost finished my Bachelor’s degree and I was getting ready to take the MCAT. Medical school was right around the corner, but all of that changed when my dad died. My entire life plan was thrown out the window and I knew there was only one thing I could do.
Enlist.
I joined the Army as a medic and spent four years serving my country. It was the best and worst four years of my life.
I flew around the world.
I helped people.
I saved lives.
But I was also reminded every day that no one was around to save my dad. If I had been a medic back then, would I have been able to keep him alive? If I had been there, if I had gotten to him fast enough, would he still be here?
Four years in the Army didn’t do anything to squash those thoughts.
When my time was up, I moved back home and tried to reemerge myself in the Bradberry way of life, but it was no use. I was no longer the same person who left Bradberry four years earlier. I was now the guy who came home twice a year to see my mom through the difficult days: the anniversary of my father’s death and Christmas. Other than that, I managed to stay far away from the small town I used to call home.
By the time November third rolled around again, I had been home for six months. I took my mom to the cemetery to honor my father’s five years in the ground and then we went home.
She barely spoke two words to me on the way home. When we walked through the front door, she went straight to the kitchen and sat down at the table.
I followed her, sure that she wanted me to. I sat beside her and looked at her gently. Despite my lack of patience with our annual visits, I knew my mom was fragile and that it was my job to take care of her. With my dad gone, I was the only person she had left.
“This came in the mail for you,” my mom said with a faint smile. She pushed a thin envelope across the table toward me. “I didn’t know you applied again.”
I looked down at the envelope and saw the UConn School of Medicine symbol on the top left-hand corner. My heart skipped a beat as I looked back at my mom. She was right, I hadn’t told her I applied to medical school for the second time. I wasn’t sure how she would take the news of me leaving again, but when I saw her face, she was smiling at me.
“I was going to tell you,” I said. “I just…�
�
I trailed off and a small silence reigned until she broke it.
“It’s okay,” she said. “Just open it.”
“Okay.” I nodded and took a deep breath. Sliding my finger under the lip of the envelope, I felt like my entire life was either about to begin or end. I didn’t know which, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to find out.
When I tore open the envelope I automatically reached inside and grabbed the piece of paper. It was just one piece, small and folded in three. I unfolded it and laid it flat on the table, my eyes scanning the words quickly.
It took a few seconds for me to process what I read.
Dear Mr. Murphy,
Thank you for your application, we are happy to inform you…
Once I did, I looked at my mom with a wide smile and nodded silently.
Mom squealed and jumped to her feet. She ran around the table and threw her arms around me.
“Oh honey!” she cried. “I’m so proud of you! You’re going to be a doctor!”
“I guess it’s official now,” I said softly. “I’m going to med school.”
My mom squealed with delight and let go of my neck. She smoothed down my hair and looked at me with her eyes full of tears. She hadn’t cried at the cemetery that day, but seeing my acceptance letter to medical school was enough to send her over the edge. The tears spilled down her cheeks and she closed her eyes for a minute. With her hand to her chest, she breathed slowly and I knew exactly what she was thinking.
“He would be so proud of you,” she said as she opened her eyes again. I didn’t want to talk about my father in that moment, I just wanted to be happy.
“Thanks,” I said shortly, looking away from her. I focused my attention on the letter and smiled.
“When do classes start?” My mom asked. “Does it say?”
“No,” I shook my head. “They’re sending a larger package in the next few days with all the details. It’ll have the course catalogue and the dates of when I can sign up for classes online.”
Commando (Rogue Rebels MC Book 1) Page 12