Forever Lovers

by Suellen Smith

  Quinn began throwing the twins up in the air and playing as though it were a routine ritual that he had done ever since the day they were born. The twins immediately fell under his hypnotic spell and got into the act as they started climbing all over him, each jostling for attention making Gunner jump right in there with the rest of them.

  Later that evening, after Lily and Quinn had gone to bed and made love, they had that pillow talk. Lily explained what had happened as he lay in a coma not wanting to tell his family until she talked to him. She talked how difficult it was to have that awful feeling of rejection and how very much she needed him at the time of the birthing. Quinn held her while she cried trying not to mix a few of his tears with her own.

  CHAPTER 47

  The next few weeks were a healing time for both of them thinking of the time that was lost, but grateful that love had brought them back together again. It was during that time that Quinn began to make plans for a special engagement for Lily before they made plans for the twin’s birthday party. After that, they would begin to make plans for their wedding together.

  Quinn told Lily that he needed to go back to Coronado to sign some papers for the discharge he had asked for a few months back. He told Lily that she needed to come with him as she needed to sign some papers as well. Not questioning Quinn in the least, she got a babysitter for a four-day weekend in California.

  A week later, they landed at LAX without incident. A taxi took them to the nearest “W” that was near the water. Their suite overlooked the beautiful rolling Pacific.

  Quinn had a plan. First they went to the ballet of the Nutcracker. It wasn’t his favorite, but he knew that Lily would love it. Besides, it was reminiscent of the times that his mom and dad would take him and his sisters as they were growing up. After the performance, they headed for an exclusive restaurant that had orange and black koi that swam under their feet of heavy glass. Waterfalls with swans swam in small ponds and under mini bridges inside. A violin played romantic notes in the background of the restaurant that was one of two in the world.

  After dinner, a waiter appeared at some signal from Quinn. He was carrying a large oblong package wrapped in gold paper and ribbon, which he presented to Lily with the drama of fun and flourish. Quinn watched with amusement as Lily tore into the package. Inside was a bridal nutcracker handmade from Germany. On the nutcrackers wrist was a ring that looked like a bracelet on the doll that was tied with a white satin ribbon. The moment that Lily spotted it and gasped was the moment Quinn untied the ring and got down on one knee with colorful koi weaving in and out among his body and asked for Lily’s hand in marriage. The diamond was HUGE surrounded by sapphires, there was no way she would be turning that down even if she were so inclined, which she wasn’t. They celebrated with a glass of champagne cocktails on the balcony watching the California sunset before going back to the “W” for a private celebration of their own.

  CHAPTER 48

  Lily and Quinn were at Uncle Dawg’s chateau in Italy. Lily was just helping the party planner put the finishing touches to the birthday bash for the twins. They were to have a two tiered pastry cakes covered with the Sesame Moppets from the Cookie Monster to Big Bird that sat on top of the confection just waiting for the twins to dive into with the relish of one-year-old toddlers. Colorful balloons of the Moppets were in bountiful bunches throughout the large dining room covered with an elegant round tables that were covered with white table cloths for the family guests and a few close friends, which made a guest list of around fifty. The “Uncle” friends and wives were all included. Some good buddy SEALS were part of the activities as well. The guests entered the dining room with the twinkling chandeliers overlooking the Mediterranean thinking it was a little extravagant for a first birthday, but neither did they know that an announcement of Quinn being their father would be part of the celebration, nor did they know that they would all be flown to Dubai on private jet the next day for Lily and Quinn’s wedding.

  When the family was seated, two clowns came in, driving the twins in clown cars as they weaved and honked among the guests until they came to a screeching halt in front of the platform where their daddy stood holding a microphone. “Let me introduce myself,” of course everyone started laughing because they all knew him. After a pause of laughter, Quinn added, “I recently found out that I am the proud father of these two twin boys.” A hush fell over the crowd as he continued, “As some of you know, due to unfortunate circumstances, I was in no condition to claim my new family as I lay in a coma for over nine months, fighting for my life unbeknown to my Lily.”

  By the time Quinn finished, there was not a dry eye in the room, even the waiters were touched. Quinn’s Dad, Troy, had his arm around a teary, Mom, Swan. It was such a relief that everything was falling into place for their first born, including children of his own, when only a few months ago they were sure they were going to lose him to the other side. Lily’s Mom, Platinum grasped Dad Luke’s hand and was holding tightly with emotion. Quinn’s twin sisters were holding nothing back as they sobbed their hearts out.

  Suddenly, the band struck up a tune and more clowns came in playing Sesame Street songs to the delight of Dominic and Tyrone who were handed off to the new grandparents and passed around to the siblings like they were a couple of bouncing balls. Soon, Happy Birthday was sung and it was time for the cake cutting. Then, the twins were whisked away to bed

  As the evening began wending down, the clowns gave another fanfare indicating another announcement. This time, Quinn stood at the microphone with his arm around Lily. “I’d like to propose a toast. It’s getting late and I know you have all traveled a long way to get here. We just think you should all be getting to bed because you all have a big day tomorrow as well. We are getting married and all of you are invited to board a private jet at the local airport early afternoon that will take you to the island of Dubai. Limousines will be waiting in the circle drive and will leave precisely at noon. The wedding will take place the day after tomorrow. So, please join us in toasting this happy occasion.” The toasting was followed by an uproar of approval and applause by all family and friends who couldn’t have been happier.

  Later that night, Lily’s mom and dad, Platinum and Luke, lay in bed thoroughly relaxed after a bout of lovemaking. As Luke held his wife and rubbed his hand over her back in thought, he commented, “I guess, if I want any more grandchildren I should forget about cutting off my future son-in-law’s balls.”

  Platinum rolled over on her side and put her hand on his chest with a pat, “I think that’s a very noble idea, dear.”

  Actually, Luke was very pleased with Lily’s choice of husband and the way things had turned out. He just wasn’t ready to admit it out loud, yet – stubborn man.

  CHAPTER 49

  The Dubai wedding took place at the Atlantis underwater hotel named after the lost city that disappeared under the sea. It was located on “The Palm” which is an artificial sand island shaped like a palm tree specifically for spectacular occasions and where cost is nonexistent for the rich and famous.

  Lily and Quinn were married in The Lost Chamber of the hotel amid the flamboyantly carved ornate columns that would have done the Greeks proud. It was a spectacular wedding, but what the bride wore was the most memorable. It nearly made Quinn’s eyes pop out and his libido gallop away to another time and place. It accomplished its purpose just as it was supposed to do as Lily walked down the aisle of colorful lilies. The gown was made of elegant sheer Belgian lace lined in nude silk making it look as though the bride wore nothing from a small distance even though she was completely covered. It was the gown that Quinn had given Lily on Paradise Island two years ago. Now, Quinn knew why the groom always stood at the front of the aisle with their hands folded in front of their crotch.

  The wedding reception followed in the underwater restaurant as the fish in the ocean beyond watched the guests devour their relatives. The wedding lasted a week with plenty to keep the guests busy including The Aqua V
enture Water Park, entertainment, and food.

  Lily and Quinn spent all of their nights in the Poseidon Suite, which was under the sea. They could lay in bed in their dome like fish bowl watching the sea life in the lagoon for hours that was filled with of 65,000 different kinds of marine life.

  On their wedding night Quinn caught sight of an orange and black stripped, Nemo, a childhood fish in his father’s fish tank at home.“I think that’s my Nemo, I ‘m glad he made it through the flush down the toilet and out to sea,” he commented to a laughing Lily.

  It was fun laying in their king sized bed watching the colorful fish, giant manta rays, sharks, and sea turtles floating lazily above them. It wasn’t long, however, before the fish no longer held Quinn’s interest.

  By this time, Lily had been stripped of her wedding gown and only had on a scrape of lace serving as panties that were so small, they could have been made out of a handkerchief. Quinn immediately started to divest Lily of her skimpy piece of lace. It, however, took a little longer than Quinn had anticipated only because he got this brilliant idea to take them off with his teeth as he held Lily’s hands high above her head. His entire purpose was to make Lily squirm with delight as he nuzzled, tasted, and kissed any place he could reach. Finally, when Lily screamed, “Enough!!!” he was satisfied that she was in as much of a frenzy as he. It was only then, that he let go of her hands.

  Lily immediately pushed Quinn on his back. She was delighted that he now lay totally in the buff before her and it was her turn to touch and tease. Just as Lily’s fingers began to walk their way past Quinn’s bare navel, there was a tapping sound on the outside of the glass above them. Lily squealed.

  A little concerned that the glass could be cracking, Quinn flipped on the flood lights. On top of them were three guys all decked out in their wet suits, waving down at the newlywed couple.

  “Hell,” he muttered. It didn’t take too much of a stretch to know they were the two best men and Lily’s brother, Joe.

  Quinn groaned, he should have known better. Of course his SEAL buddies would feel the need to disrupt the honeymoon. They probably made this plan and packed their wet suits along with their equipment in their duffle bags, long before they ever left home.

  The SEAL’s held up signs like “Having fun? What are you doing? Can we join you?”, while they did water ballet, stood on their heads, and clowned around in entertainment that was meant to interrupt. It was only funny for about five minutes. After that, Quinn decided that they had had their fun and he was finished being tolerant. He waved goodbye and clicked off the lights.

  “If we’re lucky, they’ll run out of oxygen,” he muttered to Lily.

  Their friends and brother didn’t take the hint for another thirty minutes. They felt like it was their duty to continue to disrupt the wedding night. Just what friends are for, right??

  CHAPTER 50

  Lily birthed a baby sister, Bella, to add to the family, the middle of the following summer. They never had any more children, but they sure had fun trying. Besides, three children and Gunner were plenty for their household.

  Home was made in Malibu, California in a simple exclusive town by the sea in an old casa that was given to them by his dad as a wedding present. Lily continued to be a veterinarian in California still available to help any service dog that needed stem cell treatment. Quinn worked as a marine biologist that kept him near and in the ocean on a daily basis.

  Every Christmas, Quinn gave Lily a beautiful hand carved nutcracker from Germany, which she proudly displayed during the holidays. Not to be out done, Lily made sure that Quinn got a Christmas stocking filled with Babe Ruth candy bars, which he always ate with a smile, put there by his Lily.

  The End

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  Other Books by Suellen Smith “Champagne Romance” http://amzn.to/1cJkMI1

  & “Platinum and Pearls” http://bitly.com/1L5lt2b

  I hope you enjoyed my third book. I’m a new author and would appreciate if you would take the time to review my book. It would mean a lot to me. Here’s the link back to Amazon if you would like to leave a review for “Forever Lovers” http://bitly.com/1DNHVFR Mahalo for taking time out of your day to help me out.

  Preview of Chapters 1-3 from my book “Platinum and Pearls”

  CHAPTER 1

  Viva Las Vegas! It was the summer of 2010 and Platinum had graduated from high school four years ago in Three Lakes, a small town located in the boot heel of Missouri. It was time to pursue her dream of bright colorful lights, fancy exotic costumes, and the razzel-dazzel allure of glamorous Las Vegas, the city that would make her imaginative fantasy come true. She just knew she would be a fabulous showgirl on a magnificent stage with all the elaborate flaming feathers and twinkling sparkling fans where she would meet all kinds of interesting and exhilarating worldly people. She was waiting no longer. Today was the time she was going to pursue that dream and make it become a reality.

  Platinum was in the process of packing her old, but reliable, gray two-door Chevy for her Las Vegas adventure. She was leaving this quiet retirement community of rambling hills where she had lived with her elderly grandma for over fourteen years and whom she dearly loved. Grams had taken her in after her train wreck of a mom killed herself in a car accident. She’d never been much of a mother as she was too busy downing pills, booze, and looking for loser boyfriends. Sadly, she wasn’t much of a loss.

  Platinum had worked at the boring local drug store for the past four years after graduation. She had saved her money and it was past time that she flew the coop of this Ozark community to make a more glamorous life for her future close to a university. The University of Las Vegas was the ideal place of choice for her ambitious adventures and future degree.

  Grandma Ruby watched with sadness as Platinum packed her car, gathered up her cat, Boo, and got ready to embark on her new chapter of life. She understood Platinum’s boredom and restlessness. She knew she had to let go and give her a chance to find own her way, but LAS VEGAS – known for its sinfulness and trash! She shook her head.

  Platinum hugged her Gram, “Love you! See you at Christmas.”

  Gram hugged her back. “Love you, too.” She watched mournfully as Platinum’s old gray Chevy roared to life and left with a belch of smoke, disappearing from view among the indigenous green foliage and native wild flowers. Grandma Ruby immediately went into her bedroom, grabbed a scarf, and walked across the street to a white steeple church. There, she lit a candle for her granddaughter’s soul. Sadly, it would be the last time they would see each other.

  CHAPTER 2

  Platinum meandered her way across the beautiful state of Missouri, being entertained by the panorama of the lush Ozarks. It was a typical Ozarky sunshiny day. But, entertainment was not just in the surrounding nature. There was also plenty of trailer trash, yard art, billboards advertising fireworks, Branson shows, and Ozark boating. Strip and gentlemen clubs seemed to be in abundance. She thought about stopping to gather some much needed experience, but nixed that illusion almost immediately. Too risky – might just end up there for the rest of her life. She was probably right.

  Half way to Kansas City, Platinum dodged a line of tourist cars waiting to enter Bridal Cave, a few wave runners attached to the backs of pick-up trucks, and an occasional TV dinner splattered in the middle of the road that awaited the anxious turkey vultures circling overhead in the clear blue sky and beyond. Other than that, it was a relaxing drive. The only stop she made was at a roadside stand for a sack of peaches.

  While Platinum drove, she thought briefly about her life in high school when her glorious hair became a detriment rather than an asset. Platinum didn’t like the attention that the boys gave her with their silly hoots and hollers; neither did the other girls around town. For Platinum, the boys were annoying and the girls plain jealous and hateful. So, she cut and dyed her hair black, wore baggie pant
s and shirts to hide her lush growing figure, bought dark purple lipstick, pierced an eyebrow, and gave the appearance of Goth. The boys in this clean cut small “Ozarky” town soon began to lose interest with her and so did the girls. It suited Platinum just fine. Her best buddies became her computer and a stray black cat, named Boo.

  Evening was approaching when Platinum finally reached her first destination – Kansas City. She stopped at a nearby Motel 6, spent the night, and started out fresh the next morning as she zoomed across the state of Kansas on I-70. By nightfall, after avoiding a few stray antelope jumping across the interstate, she saw the Rocky Mountains.

  CHAPTER 3

  Twenty-four hours later, it was getting late and the sun had long disappeared from behind the violet desert plains. Platinum was driving in the cool desolate sandbox sprinkled with sparse vegetation and the dry breeze blowing through her hair when at the bottom of the skyline a glow began to appear. Her excitement began to escalate when she saw the faint soft illumination of glamorous purple, bright orange, and hot pink lights in the distance as they appeared in rainbow colors on the midnight horizon. It seemed forever before she finally reached the heart of the city with all its razzle, dazzle, glitz, and glamor of blinking colorful neon lights. She was not disappointed by what she saw.

  Holy shit, the Las Vegas Strip was magnificent! Platinum thought. Flashing signs were everywhere, trying to catch the eye of any weary tourist or gambler, mesmerizing and beckoning. They were usually extremely successful with their titillating and teasing tactics. Advertising agencies were paid the big bucks to make them so.