Which means my government contacts, the ones I did all those contracts for, don't want me in any trouble.
Which is good.
I probably won’t try to rebuild the business, with my new reputation.
Maybe I’ll find something else.
Or Ava and I can just go back to Fiji.
Now that we have each other, I'll be happy if I have her.
“I'm just going to take some measurements,” The doctor announces.
“Ava we'll have to get your dress as soon as possible,” my mother goes on. “We don't know how big you're going to get before the wedding.”
“It's only two weeks away,” Ava insists. “I'm sure it'll be fine.”
“That's true enough. Have you looked yet?” My mother is insistent.
“Not really,” Ava's disinterest in the wedding infuriates and makes my mother happy.
My mother gets to do all the planning.
Of course, all the Darlingtons, all our family, and the Stones are invited.
She pushed to not invite Noah, until Ava explained that Noah was going to marry us.
Ava draws the line every now and then, but whenever my mother pushes, I am the one who pushes back.
We're already married anyway.
We had our wedding.
Not that either of us remembers that day, but it does come back to me in flashes and I know now that we both meant every word.
How does one get this lucky?
Then I hear it, another sound in the room.
“What is that?” I ask the doctor.
“Ava, Corban? You're having twins,” The doctor announces.
I look at Ava who's staring at the Doctor in shock, clutching my mother's hand and mine like we're holding her together.
“Twins?” Ava squeaks.
She clutches my hand so hard I fear we’re going to have a real emergency on our hands.
It feels like she’s going to break my hand.
“I thought I saw two, but one was hiding behind the other, here have a look,” Dr. Ainsley points to the screen, and I see it clear as day. “They appear to share the same amniotic sack, so I believe they are identical twins,” The doctor looks at us with a kind smile. “Congratulations.”
“Holy shit,” Ava looks up at me. “Can we even handle twins? I thought one was going to be a lot, but two of them?” she asks me.
“We can handle it, I assure you Ava,” I try to soothe her.
“But, two little people coming out of me?” Ava is in shock.
The doctor laughs nervously, printing the sonogram for us.
“I'll give you three a moment,” Dr. Ainsley disappears.
“I can deal with one, one, but there's two of them in there. How do we even know if we’re going to be good parents? I didn’t even know if I wanted kids before this happened and now we’ve got two!” Ava cries.
Tears stream down her face
“Ava, it’s going to be alright,” I assure her.
Though I’m just as shocked as she is.
We’re having twins.
“I love you,” I tell her quietly.
“So, in the meantime, let's focus on how lucky we are to have each other, and have our twins, and our life together. The fact that we got a four-bedroom apartment is good, so everyone gets their own bedroom. Okay?”
“It's a wonderful surprise really,” My mother urges her.
“They'll grow up to be the best of friends.” My mother adds.
“How lucky is that,” I smile at her, trying to think of something to say that will make Ava a little more comfortable with the situation.
Then it comes to me.
“Just think of how much fun it's going to be when your dad realizes he can't tell his own grandchildren apart,” I smirk down at her.
That brings a real grin across my wife's face as she touches the screen, looking at the screen a little more closely before looking down at her stomach.
My mother and I are no longer in the room, as I watch Ava fall in love with our children, her panic subsiding as she rubs her stomach gently, her eyes glued to the screen.
“I can't wait to meet them,” She says softly.
Then she turns to me seriously.
“We can do this by C-section instead right?” she asks. “I really don’t want two footballs coming out of my vagina.”
My mother and I laugh together.
Chapter 37: Ava
July 22, 2017
“I'm sure you were a total disaster at your first wedding, so if you ruin your makeup before we get you married I had nothing to do with that,” Victoire tells me hotly as she fixes my eyeliner.
“No chance of that,” I felt I would be sobbing today, but standing here in my designer gown as Tinsley and Victoire work their magic, I am the picture of poised.
They keep telling me I am the most magnificent bride but my thoughts wander back to Corban.
I need Corban.
He will love this dress.
Corban is the first to judge new clothing on me.
I want my husband here, even if it's bad luck.
Not seeing the bride before the wedding is a tradition with which I don't agree.
As our five o'clock ceremony approaches, my nerves are near their breaking point.
The dress, is another story, though I find that it's the perfect mixture of Ava and Bexley.
A corset top that stops right at my natural waist, with all manner of beading and sparkle.
It then flows out into an elegant, sparkling ball gown, hiding my growing belly underneath.
Modern and romantic.
I have figured myself out, I am both those women.
I am able to threaten, seduce and convince, while still being an adoring wife and loving mother soon.
I've become someone I never dreamed I could be.
“Corban, where is he?” My throat feels constricted. “I need to look at him once.”
“No!” Tinsley stamps her foot, in a high heeled gold sandal Olivia selected to match the silk lilac dresses.
Tinsley's annoyance only grows.
“You can't visit the groom before the-” Victoire starts another tirade, because I've been begging to speak with him since I woke up at Tinsley's apartment.
Then I hear a knock and a muffled voice.
He's standing against the door.
“Ava, I miss you. I know it's been a day. I'm freaking out here,” his muffled voice says.
“Corban!” I rush towards him.
No one stops me because this dress is worth a small sedan.
If they were to rip my dress, for example, Victoire's meddling at the Bridal salon will go to waste.
She not only got them to sell me a sample dress, but alter it, and give a discount as well.
So, they both stay put and do not move a muscle.
I lay my back flat against the wall next to the door as Corban opens it.
“Are you there?” he asks.
“Right here Corban,” I reach out my hand and he takes it.
“Are we doing this?” he asks me. “Just for my mother?”
“We're married,” I remind him, my heart pounding out of my chest, he stays put as he squeezes my hand.
This wedding is far from the small intimate one we discussed.
“That's a good reminder,” He exhales and I calm myself at the sound of him so close. “I wanted to hear your voice.”
“I understand Corban,” I reply.
I needed something from him today.
His presence before I walk the aisle towards him was my craving.
This little private moment makes me complete.
I hold a hand against the jeweled bodice of my dress.
There’s an emotion rushing through me I don't recognize at first.
It is elation; we finally get to start this new chapter of our lives.
Everything is behind us and running into the sunset together is what I seek now.
“How's my dad?” I ask.
�
��He's asking if he can still have sex,” Corban laughs. “He got ordained online, and now he thinks he's a priest.”
I snort.
That’s my dad.
We hold hands silently for a few moments.
“I'd better go, but,” He takes another deep breath. “Remember that it's just us up there. The wedding doesn't matter. We're already married, we will be together no matter what. That's the important part. I love you.”
“I love you,” I say quietly.
We’re moments away from starting.
As I shut the door, I notice Tinsley and Victoire staring at me with their eyes glistening.
“You will ruin your makeup,” I remind them. “Can someone put my veil on please?”
They snap into action like two ninjas.
Then Athena arrives with two minutes to spare.
“I can't believe you forgot your rings,” She huffs. “I had to run across the park!” She points to her running shoes, clutching her purse.
I laugh at the thought of Athena running across Central park in a lilac dress, petrified someone will snatch her purse.
Victoire and Tinsley laugh as Athena slips her heels back on.
***
It's with a shaking hand I clutch my grandmother, and whisper to her. “If I fall, just make a joke and help me.”
“You won’t,” She laughs gently. “But if you do, I can pretend to beat you with my cane.”
Her quip nearly makes me roar with laughter, but I compress the sound as Tinsley disappears, and I realize our turn to move forward has come.
It's with one last deep breath I take a step forward, and Corban is standing there, waiting for me.
His smile has me entranced.
It's the way my husband looks at me.
The smolder in Corban's eyes make me whole.
I know he thinks the world of me.
Corban's hope for the future is so bright for us.
Any nerves I had before disappear as we reach the end of the aisle and I give my grandmother a kiss on the cheek.
This is our day.
It's only Corban and I as my dad speaks. Our guests fade to the back of my mind.
“I understand someone forgot the rings…” Noah shakes his head.
“Noah Leviathan…” Athena jumps forward, screaming at her brother.
She forgot to give him the rings!
I sigh heavily enough that everyone laughs again.
“Thank god, I thought we'd have to do this over again,” Noah jokes dryly, and there's more laughter as he hands Corban my wedding band with a wink.
It takes all my strength not to laugh at Noah’s joke.
Corban is pressing his lips together.
I can’t help it.
I start howling with laughter, and Corban does the same.
Noah coughs.
“I guess we’ll wait until the couple has composed themselves,” his voice shakes with laughter.
Once we’ve composed ourselves, Noah continues.
“Corban, do you take Ava to be your lawfully wedded wife, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” Noah’s voice is solemn.
Corban is smirking at me as he slides my wedding ring back on my finger. “I do.”
“Ava,” my father remains serious. “Do you take Corban to be your lawfully wedded husband, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
“I do,” I smile, watching Corban’s face as I slip his wedding ring back on.
He licks his lips.
If he wants to skip right to the wedding night, I'd agree to that.
Our recommitment to each other after everything we've been through is what we needed.
“Then, through the power vested in me through the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You make kiss the bride,” Noah’s infectious smile lights up the room.
Corban wraps his arms around me, dipping me low to the ground, kissing me deliberately, and thoroughly, until someone taps him on the shoulder to cut it out.
Suddenly aware that we are in front of family and friends he smirks at my Father.
***
The Central Park Boathouse is aglow with candlelight as the band continues to play well into the night.
Everything Olivia has pulled together on such short notice is opulent, and we will be the toast of Manhattan for the weeks to come.
Corban's mother managed everything from the menu to the tall flower centerpieces.
Every detail is perfect but Corban and I have done nothing tonight except gaze into each other's eyes as he leads me around the dance floor.
“Did you know Frank Sinatra is your father's favorite?” he whispers in my ear, and I vaguely recognize the tune.
“No, I didn’t,” I admit.
“He loves this song,” Corban tells me.
The Way You Look Tonight continues to drift over the people dancing around us.
I'm tired, and somewhat relieved that today is essentially done.
But neither of us can believe how rapidly the whole day flew.
Even the toasts passed without a hitch.
That's saying something with Evan as Corban's best man.
“May I cut in?” my father interrupts and Corban steps aside, allowing us to have one last dance for the evening.
“I can't believe we're at your wedding,” Noah smiles at me.
Smiling back him, it's somewhat sad. “You got me back, and I'm married.”
“Well you only live a floor below me,” He reminds me cheerily. “I'm sure I'll be seeing you both often. Corban will be at my office looking for a job Monday morning I presume?”
Laughing I can't help but want to hug him. “Oh dad, let's see how the honeymoon goes.”
“You know I'm kidding. He's welcome at the office any time. Corban sacrificed that much for you, he's more than worth my time,” Noah says softly.
Still, sometimes I have a hard time believing that Noah Stone is my father.
“Am I everything you hoped?” I ask.
“You couldn't be any less Ava,” His answer is perfect. “You're the future of my company, the next generation of Stones. I have faith you and Evan will do better than I have.”
A comfortable silence settles over us.
“Imagine that, you, married with twins on the way,” He says, a twinge of regret in his voice.
My father looks sad briefly. “It is as though you're ten steps ahead of your old man.”
“Dad,” The song ends before he leads me back towards Corban. “You can fix things with Tinsley, you realize.”
“Ava, that's not your concern,” he tells me.
“But,” I protest. “You will not tell me otherwise, because it's my wedding day. If I were you, I'd stop moping, and I'd do whatever I could to make it right. That woman loves you if you understand it or not.”
Corban overhears, not saying a word. “I realize it's complicated dad, but that's our family.”
I motion around the room.
Athena is moping at the singles table as Caleb Darlington tries to speak with her.
Evan is alone at the bar.
“We're a complicated mess. If you can make it uncomplicated, do it,” I urge him.
My father nods.
Whether I suppose he will do what I am asking is a different story.
“You are not alone. I realize we're your kids, but we're your family too,” I tell him.
My father pauses for a moment before kissing me on the head. “I appreciate that Ava.”
“He won't change,” Corban explains once he's out of earshot, leading me to sit back at our table. “He can't.”
“He can,” I smile up at my husband, a hand settling on my stomach. “You did.”
“Yes, but, that was different.” Corban starts.
“How so?” I ask.
“I had you,” Corban's smiles as he bends to kiss me, sucking on my lower lip. “But that's enough worrying for ever
yone else for now, I've had enough, and I expect it's time we made use of that honeymoon suite.”
“Okay, Mr. Winthrop.” I grin.
I guess tonight I will agree with Corban.
Repeatedly.
Chapter 37: Corban
July 24, 2017
“Was it always this beautiful?” Ava asks from her spot across from me on the rooftop patio, admiring the lush greenery around us.
That's the beauty of her father's venture into Fiji, and the home built into the mountain, he's left everything else around him untouched.
There is nothing but jungle and the endless expanse of water.
This is something he will never give up, to his dying day, and she will make sure it is passed along through the family.
This is my absolute favorite place in the world.
Because we met here.
In Fiji.
She can still manage to fit into a bikini, it is very apparent that she is pregnant, and the bump has announced itself almost overnight.
She wants the sex of the twins to be a surprise.
Everyone else, including myself, are dying to know what they are.
“I don't think so,” I’m not looking at the scenery, however.
My adoring gaze is directed at her, looking up at my wife from the worn out old book.
Romeo and Juliet have followed us to this very spot.
We are no longer two tragic lovers; we are fated to be together.
And that is my belief, which even if it weren't for her mother, it would've happened this way anyway.
Noah would've found her. I would've met her, I would've fallen for this woman regardless of who I was before, because I know she has the power to change me in so many ways.
“I never want to leave,” Ava tells me dreamily like the world isn't changing around us.
As soon as the apartment is renovated we will return.
I've always loved living in Manhattan but if Ava wants to move out to Long Island, I'll do anything for her.
Frequent trips to Fiji, and anywhere she wants to go, are high up on our list of things to do as well.
Even though I would've done the wedding any other way than my mother's, having Ava was all that mattered.
Noah got to marry us, Ava Darlington gave her granddaughter away and for all it's worth: I'm glad we did it.
Now here we are, the four of us, a family.
Exposure_A Stone Billionaire Series Novel Page 28