Lucky 13 (Deadlines & Diamonds)
Page 17
I love you.
Yours Forever,
Shayne
His heart promised to jump out of his chest. He cleared his throat, swallowed hard a couple of times. He rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand. He gathered her close until she straddled him, a thigh on each side of his. He kissed her, sweeping his tongue across the seam of her mouth. “I love you, Shayne Xavier.”
She kissed the corners of his lips then wrapped her arms around his neck. She simply held on tight, as though he were her lifeline in a torrent storm. “You are my hero, Enrique Santiago.”
He’d never wanted to be a hero before, but having her dub him with the title made him feel invincible. He’d managed to capture the heart of the princess and now he wanted to slay the damn dragon.
As he looked at the tree, his small gift stood out like a beacon on a dark night. When he’d purchased it, it’d seemed perfect. Now, it didn’t seem like nearly enough.
***
This was her favorite place in the entire world. Shayne could spend the rest of her life straddling Ricky, feeling his arms wrapped around her, his strength warming her soul, and never regret a moment. His hands roamed over her back, slipping down onto her butt.
She didn’t think it possible, but his hold on her tightened. He slid off the couch and maneuvered them until they were right next to the tree. He eased her away from him, although didn’t let her off of his lap. He handed her a glittery green box.
She clutched it to her chest. “Is it a basketball court?”
“Not exactly.” His smile made his eyes twinkle. “Open it.”
She’d never been nervous to open a Christmas gift. Excited, yes. Nervous, no. However, as she began the process of ripping the paper, butterflies flew through her intestines.
The box she found wasn’t all that different from the one she’d put the ornament in. She glanced at him.
He shook his head. “Nope. I didn’t get the memo.” He nodded at the box. “Open it.”
She wiggled the lid free and inside, amongst a bunch of tissue, found a black leather jewelry box. Not just a jewelry box, a ring box. Their whirlwind romance happened quick and they hadn’t had a chance to go ring shopping. Or rather, it seemed, he’d done it on his own.
The tissue crinkled and crunched as she pulled the box out. She cracked the lid and her heart swelled. Tears filled her eyes until all the sparkly shimmered and wavered.
“If you don’t like it, we can get you something else.”
“It’s the best basketball court ever.” She kissed him quickly then pulled back to examine her ring again.
A large pillow cut diamond set in an eternity band of channel set sapphires. Another band of emeralds sat on one side.
She slipped the rings on her finger. Perfect fit. “How’d you—”
Ricky jogged his brows, flashed a teasing smile. “My partner in crime helped me out a bit.”
“I’m guessing this green one is for said partner in crime.”
Ricky nodded.
“And the blue?”
His elation dissolved into anguish.
Unable to tease when he looked like he did, she poked him in the chest. “You really think I don’t know your birthday. September thirteenth. You wanna quiz me on the year?”
He smiled. “I didn’t think—”
“Yes, you did.” She looked down at her hand, twisting it to make all the gems sparkle. “I’ll admit we have a lot to learn about each other, but that date is forever locked in my head and isn’t going anywhere.”
He reached for her hand and held it up. “See, there’s lots of room to add more bands as needed.”
“As we add kids, you mean.”
“Yeah, there’s gotta be room for at least a dozen, huh?”
“Why don’t you try livin’ with Matt for a while, then we’ll talk?”
19
When Shayne was a little girl, she’d given a lot of thought to her wedding day. She’d dreamed of a white dress and lavender roses and a loving father to walk her down the aisle. She’d even acted the scene out with her Barbie dolls.
But life stepped in, gave her Matt and all those fantasies vanished like fog kissed by sunlight.
She’d moved on with her life, lived for her son, made his happiness hers. She’d told herself she didn’t need love and companionship beyond that of her son.
Enter Ricky.
That chance meeting at her brother’s reception only a few short months ago changed Shayne’s whole world. Matt’s too.
Feeling like a princess, Shayne held her arms out wide and spun in a circle. Her bell shaped dress, flared out. Cool air rushed up underneath.
Frankie smiled. “I felt the same way when I married Matthias.”
The bride’s room had everything a girl could want. Except her groom. She hadn’t seen her boys all morning. “They are here, right?”
“Yes. They’re just down the hall.” Frankie stepped over to block the door. “Matthias told me Ricky has asked about you since the moment he walked in the door.”
“And Matt. He’s got somebody to help him get dressed?”
One blond brow rose. “He’s twelve.” She put her hand up when Shayne opened her mouth. “And I’m sure Matthias and Ricky will be able to help him with his tie and vest.”
Shayne knew her requests and questions were ridiculous. Of course her son could dress himself. And—duh!—her brother and her fiancé could offer the assist.
She just couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so happy. Or so nervous. And her cheeks were beginning to hurt from the perma-grin she couldn’t wipe off her face. Not that she’d tried.
Shayne once again stood in front of the full-length mirror. She swished from side to side, loving the way her dress swayed with her movement. She smoothed her hands down the front of her off-white gown, the tiny jewels and pearls bumpy under her palms.
Frankie handed over her bouquet of white and lavender roses. “You ready?”
Shayne let out a happy sigh. “Never been readier.”
A knock preceded the opening door. X’s head appeared then he hurried inside, closing them in together. The moment his eyes caught her, he shook his head slowly and smiled. “Oh, baby sister, you look gorgeous.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. “Thanks. You look pretty good too.”
“Good enough to eat.”
X only looked at Frankie, completely emotionless, completely wordless. She stared back. Shayne wasn’t privy to their unspoken communication. Judging by the intensity in X’s hazels, she counted her lucky stars.
Another knock put a halt to their silent standoff. He shot a glare at the door then responded to Frankie with narrowed eyes and a low growl. “When we get home, sweetness.”
Frankie tossed him a cheeky grin. “I look forward to it.”
Matt raced into the room, slamming the door. Shayne’s eyes misted. Somewhere along the line her son had turned into a miniature man and, looking at him now in a tux, she realized just how few years she had with him.
“Oh, come on, Mom, don’t cry.” He ran his hands over his jacket and he looked down at his shoes. “I know I look good, but not that good.”
X walked over and, without a word, cuffed Matt in the back of the head. “You never admit to looking good on a woman’s wedding day. She’s the only one who looks good.”
Matt rolled his eyes. “You look really good, Mom. And I’m not just sayin’ that because Uncle X would kick my butt if I didn’t.” He looked at his uncle.
X nodded and put his arm around Frankie. “We’ll give you a few minutes.” He checked his watch. “But a very few. Ricky’s been pacin’ in front of that door since he got his tux on.”
As soon as X opened the door, she heard Ricky’s, “Is she ready yet?” and then the door closed again.
Matt shoved his hands in his pockets and pursed his lips. He looked her up and down then nodded. “You look really, really pretty, Mom.”
“So you approve?”
&nbs
p; He grinned. “Yeah, I definitely approve.” His shoulder lifted nonchalantly. “I don’t know about Ricky though. He’d probably prefer you went topless.”
She reached out and slapped her son on the shoulder. His chuckles lingered as he took her in a hug. “I love you, Mom.”
***
The wait was going to kill him. If Shayne didn’t come out of the damn room soon, they’d have to scoop him up off the floor just to put him in the ground. Ricky thought his heart might bust right out of his chest and pull a hop-skip-and-jump down the hall. He rubbed at his sternum. A hand landed on his shoulder. He jumped and whirled around.
Mason’s grin split his face in two. “Hey, man, how’s it goin’?”
He shook hands with his friend and did his best to ignore Chloe. She looked like she’d rather be anywhere else. Nothing new there.
Ricky ran his hands over his thighs. “I gotta say I’m really nervous.”
Mason leaned in close. “I got the getaway car waiting right outside with Kane ready and able.”
“What am I ready for?”
Ricky looked over his shoulder to find Kane, smiling like an idiot.
Mason snorted. “You were supposed to be manning the getaway car.”
Kane’s brows creased in confusion, Chloe’s in annoyance.
Mason backhanded their buddy in the arm. “In case he changed his mind.”
“Oh. Oh! The getaway car. Gotcha.”
Chloe clucked her tongue. “You are so dense sometimes.” She cocked a hip and flipped her blond hair over her shoulder. “Where’s the ladies room?”
Ricky pointed down the hallway. “Chapel’s down the opposite way.”
After Princess Chloe disappeared, Kane groaned. “Wow, she’s in perfect form this afternoon.”
Mason pointedly disregarded Kane. “So, you’re gonna chicken out?”
“No, it’s not that.” Ricky shook his head, hoping his glance at the bride’s room door would go unnoticed. “I’m afraid she’ll wise up and pull a no-show.”
Kane’s laugh cracked like thunder. “That girl adores you. She’s not goin’ anywhere.” He looked at his watch and patted Mason on the back. “We’d better get a seat.”
After quick handshakes and hugs, his buddies sauntered away. He paced back down the hall. When he got to the end, he turned around and stopped. Chloe stood in the corridor, her phone to her ear. He couldn’t hear her conversation, but the passion in her expression didn’t bode well.
He didn’t have time for her drama today. Only one woman had any place in his heart—or his thoughts—today. Damn, how freakin’ long did it take to get ready?
Just then the door to the bride’s room opened and Matt stepped out. He flashed a big-and-cheesy. “She’s ready. But you can’t see her yet.” He made a shooing motion with his hand. “Go on. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Ricky didn’t remember much about the journey to stand at the front of the chapel, but here he was, facing a bunch of smiling faces. His mother sat on the front row next to Eddie. She practically beamed. Eddie didn’t, but at least he hadn’t pulled an ass-of-the-month-award-winning-moment. Yet. Well, except for his choice in dates. Teresa smirked.
Music started to play and a hush fell over the crowd. Frankie and Xavier started down the aisle. As they took their seats on the front row on the opposite side, the doors at the back of the chapel closed. Anxiety swelled in his gut. He had to force his feet to stay planted. He knew this was part of the game plan. They’d rehearsed it, but his worst fear kept replaying over and over in his mind.
If he ever lost Shayne…
The doors opened and all thought faded.
His eyes met hers. She smiled.
Time ceased to exist.
The world no longer revolved.
In her chocolate eyes, he saw his forever. His very own happily ever after. He wasn’t sure that either of them blinked during the time it took her to walk down the aisle.
“Who gives this woman to this man?”
“I do.” Matt gave his mom a hug and put her hand in Ricky’s. “I most definitely do.” He took his place at Ricky’s side.
Frankie stepped forward to take Shayne’s bouquet. Ricky cleared his throat, swallowed a few times. Together they turned to face the minister.
The guy rambled on about marriage being a forever type thing and that God was happy with their decision. Truthfully, all Ricky could think was, hurry up, buddy!
“Do you have the rings?”
Matt patted his pockets, panicked. Ricky rolled his eyes. Shayne narrowed hers. “Not funny.”
Matt shook his head and took off down the aisle, his enormous feet clip-clopping on the carpeting. The crowd erupted in laughter. Ricky once again couldn’t take his eyes off his bride. She kept biting her lip and watching the doorway.
“Do you think he knows where they are?” she asked.
“I’m not lettin’ a couple missing rings stop me from marrying you.” He bent forward and placed a kiss on her lips.
“Hey!” Kane roared from the back. “You haven’t been given permission to do that yet.”
As another wave of hilarity swamped the tiny chapel, galloping footsteps got louder. Matt tried to stop at the doorway…and kept right on going, arms pinwheeling. The kid obviously hadn’t ever worn tuxedo shoes before. Seconds later, he showed up in the doorway. He held up the ring box as though it contained the Holy Grail.
He rushed up the aisle and slid to a stop, only because Xavier had the foresight to step in his way. He caught his nephew, set him to rights and patted him on the back.
The minister, completely unamused, grunted. “The rings, please.”
Matt cracked open the ring box and handed two shiny rings over, keeping one.
The minister handed Ricky the diamond and sapphire ring. “You’ve got your own vows?”
“Um…” His mind went blank, forgetting everything he’d planned to say. His thumb ran over her knuckles. She licked her lips. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. So, he did the only thing he could. “I love you, Shayne. With everything I am and everything I hope to be.” He slid the ring onto her finger, kissing her hand. “I promise to love you, respect you, cherish you…and buy you tampons.”
Her soft, sniffling giggle made him laugh too.
“Shayne?” The minister handed her a ring.
Ricky couldn’t wait to see what she’d picked out for him. Matt said it was “super cool”.
A tear slipped over her lid, rolled over her cheek until it splashed on her cleavage. She squeezed his hand. “I always thought I could do everything on my own, that I didn’t need anyone. I believed I had the superpower entitled self-sufficiency.” She shook her head and cleared her throat. “I was so wrong. Thankfully my brother rescued me, but then you came along and saved me. Enrique Santiago, you are truly my hero. I will love you forever.”
Ricky wiped the steady stream of tears from her cheek with his thumb. She put the ring on his finger. The cool weight was shiny and had a red line waving through it. Like a baseball. Definitely super cool.
Matt inched his way forward and held out his ring, the band of emeralds. The minister motioned for him to say his peace. “Mom, I’ve never seen you happier. Dad, thank you. I love you guys.” He put the ring on his mom’s finger.
“I now pronounce you…a family.” Ricky’s heart swelled until his chest ached as he got to hug his new family for the first time.
Matt backed away. “Don’t you think you ought to kiss her to make it official?”
Nobody had to tell him twice. He grabbed a hold of Shayne, bent her over backward and planted a good one on her. He tried to convey all of his feelings in that meeting of mouths; his love, his adoration, his possession, his hunger. He loved this woman more than life itself and he would take his dying breath protecting her.
20
The cloud Ricky floated on put the one labeled “Nine” to shame. He’d never been happier, couldn’t imagine ever being more ecstatic.
She caught him staring, her glass paused mid air. Her smile faltered. “You okay?”
He nodded and leaned forward to nuzzle her neck.
“I love when you do that, Mr. Santiago.”
He nipped at her lobe. “And I love you, Mrs. Santiago.”
She sighed. “I really like the sound of that.”
He kissed her cheek then moved to her lips. Her hand cupped his jaw. As the unmistakable clanking of a knife against glass interrupted their moment, he couldn’t wait to whisk his wife away for a little privacy. Okay, a lot of privacy. For a very long time.
The crowd quieted and Matt took his feet. Ricky guessed it shouldn’t surprise him their son was the one to throw a wrench in their intimate moment. Payback would come. At some point the little turd would start dating. Ricky grinned and Matt cleared his throat. He held up his glass of sparkling cider. “Maawedge. Mawwedge is w’at bwings us togever today.”
As his audience cracked up, so did Matt. It wasn’t often he lost his composure when delivering a great one-liner. But this time he snorted, bent over and had to sit his glass on the table. He laughed longer than anyone else, although, his self-imposed humor amused most of the room. Shayne shook her head and dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
Finally he composed himself enough to continue his speech. “I’m sorry.” He wiped at his eyes and picked up his glass. “See, Princess Bride is my mom’s favorite movie. I used to ask her why she’d never gotten married and she told me it was because she’d never found her Wesley.” He held his glass up and turned to look at Ricky. “Well, she found him all right. But thankfully his name is Ricky. Seriously folks, Wesley’s a dorky name. Come to think of it, who calls their chick Buttercup?” He stabbed a finger at Ricky. “Don’t even think about it ‘cause that’d make me puke on your shoe.” He lifted his glass high. “To my mom and dad. I hope you give me lots of brothers and sisters.”