An Island Christmas Wedding: A Novella

by Susan Coventry

  “Ah. Music to my ears,” he said, and for the next hour, that was exactly what he did.

  They’d agreed ahead of time that everyone would do their own thing that first night on the island, since the next few days would be packed with wedding-related activities. After their vigorous lovemaking session, Jess and Shane showered together and then got dressed to go out for dinner.

  “I wonder what Beth and Dad are doing for dinner tonight?” Jess said as she was fastening her necklace.

  “You can ask them to join us if you want to. We’ll have plenty of time alone after the wedding,” Shane said.

  Jess considered it for a moment but then shook her head. “That’s ok. I was just curious.”

  Her question was partially answered a few minutes later, when she and Shane stepped into the lobby. Standing there, huddled close together, were her sister and Matt, dressed up compared to earlier and looking like they were going on a date.

  “Let’s go over and say hi,” Shane whispered in Jess’s ear.

  “No,” she said, but it was too late. Beth glanced in their direction and waved even though she didn’t look especially happy to see them.

  With his hand on the small of Jess’s back, Shane guided her across the floor to where Matt and Beth were standing. If Matt was bothered by the interruption, he didn’t show it. “Hey, guys,” he said, “imagine meeting you here!”

  “We were just on our way out to dinner,” Shane said, eyeing his brother suspiciously. “What about you?”

  “I asked Matt to join me in the hotel restaurant for dinner,” Beth said somewhat haughtily, “since we’re basically on our own.”

  “You could come with—” Shane started to say, but Jess elbowed him in the ribs.

  “That’s ok. You almost-newlyweds go out and have fun. We’ll be fine,” Matt said with a wink at Jess.

  Jess had formed a friendship with her brother-in-law-to-be back when she and Shane had first been dating. Matt had admitted to wanting to ask her out until he’d discovered that she was in love with his brother. From that point on, he’d been an advocate for the two of them getting together, and he’d been supportive of her ever since. She was more worried about her sister hurting him than the other way around, but his wink indicated that he would be just fine. Maybe Beth had finally met her match.

  “Enjoy your dinner,” Jess said before they walked away.

  When they were in the back of a cab a few minutes later, she turned to Shane and said, “I hope my sister doesn’t chew him up and spit him back out!”

  Shane laughed. “He can hold his own, Jess.”

  “But do you really think…? Can you picture the two of them together…for real?”

  Shane shrugged. “I don’t pretend to understand the mysteries of the universe.”

  “But how would it even work? She lives in New York City, and he lives in Clarkston, the place that she was supposedly dying to leave!”

  “Babe? You’re obsessing.”

  Jess sat back against the seat and blew out a breath. “You’re right. I don’t know why I’m so surprised. Matt’s a good-looking, intelligent guy, and Beth is…well, Beth is…”

  Shane’s eyebrows shot up. “Beth is a beautiful, intelligent woman. That was what you were going to say, right?”

  Jess scowled at him. “You think she’s beautiful?”

  Shane took her face in his hands and leaned in close. “No one is as beautiful as you, ok? And Matt isn’t nearly as good looking as me, right?” He didn’t wait for her answer; he just moved her head up and down in his hands.

  Jess had to laugh. Her fiancé was great for lightening the mood.

  “Now, how about for the rest of the evening, we forget about Matt and Beth, and everyone else, and just concentrate on us? Sound good?”

  “Sounds perfect,” she said, and for the rest of the night, that was exactly what they did.

  Chapter 5

  When Jess woke the next morning, Shane was already gone, and it took her a minute to remember that he’d gone golfing with the guys. The ladies had planned a spa day in preparation for tomorrow’s wedding. Soon, she, Hannah, Hannah’s mom, Jean, and Beth, would be meeting downstairs for a day of pampering. Jean had given Jess and Hannah a spa package as part of their wedding gifts, and Jess was looking forward to her day of leisure. There was only one problem—where was her period?

  Jess’s monthly cycle was like clockwork, but now she was almost one week late. She hadn’t worried about it too much before they’d left for St. John because she’d been too busy preparing for the wedding, but now… She tried to think back over the past month to when she and Shane had had unprotected sex, but her mind was a jumble. She’d read something in a bride’s magazine about how the stress from planning a wedding could cause your period to be late. Maybe that was it. But then what about the throwing up yesterday? Was that due to stress too?

  She was sitting up in bed, pondering it, when a knock came at the door, and she instinctively pulled the sheet up over her bare chest. When she and Shane had first started dating, she’d complained to him about all the things she’d never done—including sleeping naked. They’d remedied that a long time ago, and now here she was in her birthday suit wondering who was at the door.

  “Jess, it’s me. Open up!” Hannah shouted.

  Jess flung off her covers and hunted for her robe. “Just a sec!”

  She was still tying the sash around her waist when she opened the door and motioned Hannah inside.

  “You were still in bed?” Hannah asked incredulously.

  “Yes. Why? What time is it?”

  “It’s already nine o’clock. We’re supposed to be downstairs in an hour.”

  “Oh my God. I had no idea it was that late.”

  “Rough night?” Hannah asked with a smirk.

  “I could ask you the same thing, but let’s not go there.”

  Hannah nodded. They’d agreed not to share too many details about Jess and Shane’s sexcapades, because he was Hannah’s brother after all. “Geez. Throwing up, sleeping in. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were pregnant!”

  Jess felt the heat rise up her neck, and she averted her eyes, but it was too late. Hannah saw all.

  “OMG! Is it true? Are you…pregnant?”

  “Shhh!” Jess said, putting her finger to her lips. “Someone might hear you.”

  “Don’t hold out on me, Jess. Are we both pregnant or not?”

  Jess sighed. “I honestly don’t know, but I’m a week late.”

  Hannah’s eyes grew as wide as saucers, and she could barely contain her excitement. “Does Shane know?”

  Jess shook her head vehemently. “No! And I don’t want him to. You can’t say anything, Han.”

  Hannah made an “x” over her heart. “I won’t say a word, but don’t you want to find out?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe I should just wait until after the wedding.”

  “What? Are you crazy? How can you wait that long?”

  Jess rolled her eyes. “It’s only one more day. Besides, I don’t want to take away from our wedding day. Our focus should be on that and nothing else.”

  “Uh…Jess?” Hannah said, pointing down to her protruding belly. “I think everyone knows the focus isn’t just on that.”

  “Well, it’s fine for you. But I’m not prepared for this. It’s all I can do to handle my dad and sister right now. I can’t think about having a baby too.”

  It was like they both recognized it at the same time, and Hannah’s lips curved up in a sweet smile. “Did you hear how you said the word ‘baby’?”

  Jess gave her a wobbly smile. “I’m just emotional because I’m getting married tomorrow. I might not even be pregnant!”

  “But what if you are? Will you be happy about it?”

  Jess sank down on the edge of the bed, suddenly feeling like her legs wouldn’t hold her up any longer. “Of course I’ll be happy, and I’m sure Shane will be too, although we agreed to wait for a while.”<
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  “Well, someone obviously forgot to wear their raincoat!” Hannah teased.

  Jess giggled. “I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves, Hannah. Let’s just forget about that for now and enjoy our spa day.”

  Hannah sighed. “I don’t know how you do it. I honestly don’t.”

  “Do what?”

  “Act so calm and laid back when you might be pregnant right now!”

  “Shhh!” Jess said again, glancing furtively at the door.

  Hannah threw up her hands. “Ok, fine. Get ready and meet me downstairs in an hour.”

  She had her hand on the doorknob when Jess said, “Promise me you won’t tell anyone. Not even Ty.”

  Hannah’s shoulders stiffened. “You know that’s asking a lot, right? I tell Ty everything!”

  “I know, and that’s why I’m making you promise. If Ty knows, then he might slip to Shane, and I don’t want him finding out that way.”

  “Ok, but you’re going to owe me for this!”

  Jess laughed. “Fine. Just don’t ask me to name our child after you.”

  “Hmmm…not a bad idea,” Hannah said, and then she sashayed out the door.

  After Hannah left, Jess showered and got dressed, all the while thinking of the possibility that she might be pregnant. She squeezed her breasts, wondering how soon they would start to get sore. Hannah had said that was one of her first symptoms. Well, aside from missing her period. Tiredness—that was another symptom. Had she been extra tired lately? Surely, she’d just slept in because she’d spent the previous day travelling, right? And what about the vomiting? Hannah hadn’t had any of that with her pregnancy, but Jess knew a lot of women who had. She shook her head at herself in the bathroom mirror. “This could all be coincidental,” she said, and then she had to laugh. “And here I go talking to myself again!” It was a habit of hers whenever something major was on her mind. At least Shane wasn’t there to hear her.

  Shane. How would he really feel if she were pregnant? They’d talked about wanting two or three kids, but not now. DeMarco & Sons had really taken off, and Shane was busy working at two different developments to assure that the houses were built on schedule. Jess was currently working at the model home in the neighborhood where they lived in Grand Blanc, but would she be able to handle working full time once she had a baby? Tony and Jean lived nearby, but Tony planned to retire soon, and he’d be handing the business over to his sons and daughter. The DeMarcos would be wonderful grandparents, but would they want to give up their newfound freedom to help take care of a baby?

  Jess glanced down at her watch and realized that she had to go or she’d be late. Taking a deep breath, she pushed all her worries aside and went out the door. A few minutes later, she joined the rest of the ladies in the lobby, and Hannah handed her a brown bag and a glass of juice.

  “Thank you,” Jess said, shooting her friend a look of gratitude. Hannah had anticipated that Jess hadn’t eaten breakfast, and she’d packaged up a few items from the restaurant buffet.

  “You have to keep your strength up,” Hannah said. She quickly added, “We’re getting married tomorrow!” but Jess had caught the double meaning.

  “Ok, ladies. Let’s go,” Jean said, and she led them down the hall to the spa.

  Beth fell back to walk alongside Jess, and she eyed her sister happily. “What a great idea this was! I love a day at the spa.”

  Jess wondered how many trips to the spa Beth had had. She really had no idea what her sister’s daily life was like, and she realized just how distant they’d become. “Yes. It’ll be fun,” she said.

  A little while later, when Jess was leaned back in a leather lounge chair with cucumbers on her eyelids, she decided that Beth was right. She could really get into this pampering thing. The women were shuffled from one room to the next, where they were given manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages. Beth opted for a wax too, but none of the other women did. Jess tried not to think about what all her sister was getting waxed and who it might be for, although Matt leapt to mind.

  Beth had brought up his name several times throughout the day, and it didn’t escape anyone’s attention, especially Jean’s. Jess wondered what Jean thought of her sister, but so far, Beth had been on her best behavior. Besides, Jean was the type of person who found the good in everyone, just like Shane, and Beth wasn’t that bad—not really.

  When they were finished, the four of them ate lunch at the hotel’s casual outdoor eatery. Jess and Jean ordered club sandwiches and lemonade, while Beth ordered a salad. Figures, Jess thought, watching as her sister picked up forkfuls of lettuce doused with balsamic vinaigrette, and acted like it was the best thing she’d ever tasted. Hannah, on the other hand, bit into a giant-sized hamburger and said, “Mmmm. The baby loves this!” She was obviously past the point of worrying about fitting into her wedding dress.

  “This is such a lovely venue for a wedding,” Jean said as she glanced out at the sparkling blue bay. “And what a great way to spend the holiday.”

  “I agree,” Beth said as she laid her fork down with her freshly manicured hand.

  Jess raised her eyebrows. “I thought you missed New York.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I love the city, but it’s cold and gray there right now. I’m enjoying the sun while I can.”

  “I bet you meet a lot of eligible bachelors in the city,” Hannah said nonchalantly, although Jess wondered if she had an ulterior motive, like protecting her brother perhaps.

  “Is there anyone special in your life?” Jean asked.

  Tag teaming her—very sly, Jess thought, and she sat back to wait for Beth’s response.

  “No, not right now. I broke up with a guy about six months ago, but it wasn’t that serious anyway,” Beth said dismissively.

  “Really? You never told me about that,” Jess said.

  Beth shrugged. “It was no big deal.” But the look on her face said otherwise.

  “Matt recently broke up with someone too,” Hannah said, “but he’s back to playing the field again.”

  Jess wondered if that was a veiled warning.

  “Well, he’s very charming. I’m sure the women in Clarkston are pleased that he’s back on the market,” Beth said as she speared another bite of salad.

  “Speaking of Michigan, Jess said that you don’t get back there very often. Do you miss it?” Jean asked.

  Jess held her breath, thinking that this was where her sister was going to slip up. Just yesterday, she’d said that she didn’t miss it at all, which was why Jess was shocked when Beth replied, “You know, I was just thinking that I really ought to visit more often. My dad is getting older, and Jess is there, and…”

  Jess set her lemonade glass down with a loud clunk that made everyone turn and look at her. “Sorry. “Please continue,” she said to Beth.

  “Anyway, I might come up for a visit in the spring.”

  Hannah was seated next to Jess, and she gave her knee a squeeze under the table. She then quickly changed the subject before Jess could say anything more on the matter, and the rest of their meal passed smoothly.

  After their dishes had been cleared away, Jean stood up to leave. “Well, I’m going to head back to the villa and read for a while before the men get back,” she said. “I’ll see you girls tonight at the rehearsal.”

  The rest of them stood too, and Hannah and Jess hugged Jean and thanked her for the spa day.

  “I’m just so happy for my girls,” Jean said sweetly. And then she turned to Beth and said, “Thanks for joining us. I enjoyed getting to know you better.”

  “Me too,” Beth said, and she looked and sounded sincere. It was at that moment that Jess realized Beth probably missed having a mom as much as she did. She just had a different way of showing it. And if ever there was someone who could fill those shoes (not that anyone could completely), Jean was a wonderful substitute. She was the quintessential mom—loving, caring, and fiercely protective of her children, even though they weren’t children anymore
. She was gentle and kind, and she always knew the right words to say when Jess needed them most. And then Jess had the craziest thought. What if she and Beth shared the same mother-in-law? Wouldn’t that be bizarre?

  “Jess? Are you coming?” Hannah asked, tugging on her arm.

  “Oh. Yeah. I don’t know where my head was at,” she replied.

  “I can take a guess,” Hannah said knowingly as they walked away.

  Chapter 6

  “How do I look?” Jess asked as she twirled around in her new dress.

  “Sexy as always,” Shane replied with a twinkle in his eyes.

  Jess frowned at him. “I don’t want to look sexy. I’m trying for soft and sweet.”

  Shane chuckled. “If I’d have said you looked soft and sweet you would have wished I’d said sexy!”

  He held out his arms, and Jess immediately melted into them. “You’re not nervous, are you?” he asked.

  “No, well, yes, maybe a little.”

  “Why? It’s just the rehearsal.”

  “I know, but the fact that we have to practice getting married makes me think about screwing up!”

  Shane laughed louder that time. “There’s nothing to screw up. All you have to do is look at me the whole time, ok? Don’t take your eyes off me.”

  Jess peered up at him. “That should be easy to do. I love looking at you.”

  Shane tipped his head down and kissed her. When he pulled her closer, she felt his erection pressing against her belly, and she pulled back. “We don’t have time,” she whispered.

  “There’s always time,” he said, trailing kisses down the side of her neck.

  “People will know.”

  “How?” he asked as he nibbled on her earlobe.

  “They just will. People can sense these things.”

  Shane’s hand had slipped under the hem of her dress now, and she was finding it hard to breathe. “I promise you they won’t know. I won’t even mess up your hair.”

  He slipped a finger inside her panties and rubbed it across her center. “But I’ll stop if you really want me to,” he said.