by Tiffani Lynn
We pull up the long gravel driveway lined with piles of snow and my heart is hammering in my chest. I hated keeping this secret from Marina, but she’s impatient and I knew she’d never be able to wait two weeks to see Rosanna if she knew I’d found her.
I started looking for her a couple of months ago when Mari first told me about her. I tried using all the resources at work and when that didn’t pan out I hired a private detective whom I met through one of the veterans’ charities I help with. Javier Suarez is a former Marine and one hell of a tracker. It wasn’t long until he’d traced her to a small town in Montana. Her story is one I don’t wish on anyone.
We get out of the car and Carlo leads the way while Judson carries her bags. I bring Rosanna in right behind me, doing my best to block her from view while the other guys follow her. The girls all look up from where they’re sitting on the floor and it looks like they’re painting toenails.
Mari says, “You can’t crash our bachelorette party. It’s bad luck!” She tries to sound mad but she’s so busy grinning at me, I know she’s not, and she steps into my arms.
“Well, I had to bring you your wedding present.”
Her face falls. “We were supposed to do that? Oh, no! I didn’t know.”
“No, honey, we weren’t, but there was something I knew you needed tomorrow.”
“I already have my locket, it’s in the guest room. I checked.”
“No, Mari.” I continue to block her view and hold her face in my hands so I can kiss her lips quickly. “I love you more than anything and I want to give you everything you’ve been missing.” She’s confused until I lower my hands and turn to the side to reveal Rosanna.
“Rosie?” It’s not quite a whisper and not quite her normal voice. Then a screech like I’ve never heard before comes from both of them and they scramble to get to each other, knocking me to the side a little. There are so many tears and so much snot, I know they’re both going to need a shower, and the rest of us have joined them. I’ve never seen anything like this reunion and it’s killing all the testosterone in the room.
When they finally pull apart to look at each other, Mari turns to me. “How?”
“I started looking a while ago. When I couldn’t find her on my own I hired a private investigator who found her. I called her and asked her to come for this.”
“You found my big sister.” Mari turns and addresses Rosie this time as she runs both hands over her hair and shoulders like she’s trying to physically comprehend her presence. “I thought I’d never see you again! Oh, my God!” Mari pulls her in for another quick hug.
“Well I’m here for a week so we can catch up. We have plenty of time.”
Mari’s smile drops and her lip quivers a little. “I’m going on my honeymoon. I won’t be here.”
I step in now to share the rest of the surprise. “No, honey. I moved the dates of the honeymoon. I’ll work this week while your sister is here and then we’ll fly out the same day she does. I wouldn’t let you miss this time with her.”
The crying starts again and I’d love to be upset by it, but I know they’re tears of happiness. I kiss her one last time and hug her sister before we leave again. As we pull away I vow to do as many of those types of things as I can to make her happy. She deserves to wear that smile all the time.
The next day, I’m at the Mountain Escape restaurant and lodge we rented for the afternoon, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on the snow-covered mountains, waiting for my bride-to-be. On one side of me is the justice of the peace and on the other is Rushton, Quinn and Carlo. I felt it was only right to have Stu’s son at my side for this moment. He’d be so damn happy about me marrying Marina. Judson is sitting in the first of two small rows of chairs facing us, holding a squirming Lila, and next to him is Marv. I couldn’t have been more shocked than I was when he arrived today in an ill-fitting suit and outdated tie. I didn’t expect to see him here because he blew me off when I asked shortly after we got engaged. He told me a few minutes before I took my place up here that Marina approached him after I did and worked her magic. He even had a shower, brushed his overgrown hair and shaved. I was blown away. Some people would probably be embarrassed to have a toothless, homeless old guy at their wedding, but I couldn’t be prouder. Marv has been a great friend. I’m a walking testament to the idea that love and friendship can be found in the least likely places with the least likely people, and I’ll never again find shame in that.
The second row has a few of the guys from work and their wives. On the other side of the aisle, Reggie is seated next to Joe, Skylar and Leslie. Behind them are a few of Marina’s friends from over the years. I don’t know any of them well but they’re an eclectic group.
A selection of songs that we chose is playing softly as we wait. When the song changes to A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, Dee comes into view wearing a long, simple red dress that she and Marina picked out. Once she’s made her way all the way down the aisle and is standing opposite Carlo, Marina appears in the doorway as a tattooed angel in a formfitting white lace wedding dress that goes all the way to the floor. She told me that some women try to hide the baby bump if they’re in a wedding dress, but I thought that was dumb so I encouraged her to get a dress that showed every inch of it, and this one certainly fits the bill. We’re both excited about our growing family and see no reason to hide it.
Rosie is next to her in a basic black floor-length dress, ready to escort her down the aisle to me. Quinn told me that as soon as it sank in that Rosie was there she asked her to walk her down the aisle.
A small, pretty bouquet of red and white flowers is in her hand but it’s her smile that holds me captive. Mari’s hair is down and full of volume. The colored streaks are gone and it’s all dark brown except the blond tips. It’s a subdued version of the Mari I love, but I couldn’t be prouder of her than I am right now. In the next couple of minutes, I’m about to get everything I ever needed but didn’t realize was possible.
Epilogue
Epilogue: Dex
10 Years Later…
“Did I really say I wanted this many kids or did we end up this way because you can’t keep your hands or your lips to yourself?” Mari asks me. I can’t help my bark of laughter because I know the answer is a combo of those two things. As I survey our living room, which currently looks like a small tornado carried the entire toy store to our house and dumped it off haphazardly, I understand why she’s asking. She’s exhausted and doesn’t want to tackle cleaning up.
“Don’t laugh at me, you big jerk. It’s not funny, I’m so tired.”
“Yeah, baby, I know. But I’ve told you a hundred times the kids can clean this up. They’re old enough now and don’t need you following them around doing everything for them. If we don’t teach them how to follow directions and rules, they’ll be hellions. If we don’t teach them to do things for themselves, they’ll live with us forever. Don’t get me wrong, I love them, but I’m counting on them evacuating the nest when they’re 18.”
She sighs. “I know, but I want to be a good mom.”
“No one questions that. I don’t know a better mother than you and I know some good moms. It’s okay for the kids to do a little work. Let me handle this, you go relax in the tub for a little while. When you come back down, this will look like a new room.” I kiss her head and help her up. When she’s hesitant to go, I smack her on the ass. She yelps, giggles and hurries upstairs.
I tiptoe down to the game room in the basement, certain I’ll find the four oldest offspring down here. Damaris, is the youngest at two years old and still taking naps, which is where she is now. She sleeps at the weirdest times and we quit trying to fight it early on.
The twins, Andrew and Amanda, are playing each other in air hockey. By the numbers on the scoreboard and the triumphant smile on her face, I’d venture a guess that Amanda’s winning. I stay quietly off to the side, observing them. Belinda, who is second after the twins, is curled up in
a chair in the corner with a book, while Carlin, who is turning six years old tomorrow, is parked in front of the television with some show about cartoon fairies on.
“Yes!” Amanda yells and fist pumps twice, bringing my attention back to her. “I’m the champion again!”
I glance over at Andrew to see how he’s taking it and by the angry scowl I’m going to say it’s not well.
“Mom says you shouldn’t gloat so much. Someone will knock you off your high horse and the fall is going to be ugly, Mandy.” He crosses his arms and turns toward the stairs, stopping when he sees me.
God, I love my son. He’s such a good-hearted kid; even when he’s upset he still won’t throw out nasty insults. Physically, he’s the spitting image of me at 10 years old, but the boy has the same soft heart as his mother. Injured animals stop him in his tracks and if there’s a baby anywhere nearby, he gravitates right to it.
His frown flips upside down into a smile before he yells, “Dad!” and runs at me, crashing into my middle almost hard enough to knock me off my feet. I wrap him up tight and squeeze.
“Hey, big guy! You getting your butt kicked again?” He pulls back just enough to give me a dirty look. “I’m kidding, relax.” I ruffle his hair and step back, making room for Amanda to hug me. I swear, this is the best part of every day, getting to come home to my family.
“Dad, she always cheats. She blocks the hole with her fingers and then shoots when I’m not looking.”
“Daddy, I’m just not wasting any time. I can’t help it if he’s so busy yelling at me that he can’t keep defending his goal.” I bend down and kiss her forehead. “Be fair when you kick his butt, Amanda.”
About that time, Carlin has unglued herself from the television and is climbing over the furniture backwards to get to me. Her wispy little frame flies at me and I lift her high in the air and nuzzle her belly before I lower her enough so she can wrap her arms around my neck.
“Daddy, did you know I’ll be six in one day?” Holding her tight, I take a second before I respond. I want to savor every minute that she’s five because time seems to be flying by too fast. “Yeah, kiddo, I know tomorrow is your birthday. Are you excited?”
“Yes! I’m so excited to have a pony party at Aunt Quinn and Uncle Judson’s house!”
“I know. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
I kiss her hair and set her down so I can cross the room to where Belinda has her nose buried in her book. Who knew eight-year-old girls could read for days and not realize the world is still turning around them? She still hasn’t seen me.
Belinda’s an exact physical replica of Mari, whereas the other girls are a good mixture of both of us. She’s serious and focused like I am, though, making her somewhat of a challenge for Mari. When I reach her, I lean down and pull the book from her hand.
“Hey!” she protests. “I was at the good part!”
“Bee, the only thing I want when I get home is a hug from my babies.” I smile as I say it because that term sets them all off every time I use it.
“Daddy! We’re not babies!” They all scream in unison. My laughter comes out hard and long and they all stop protesting to stare at me.
“What?” I ask as I sit down on the couch across from where Belinda is curled up. Patting my lap, I invite her over since I still haven’t gotten my hug. She accepts the invite and leans her head against my chest. Her soft brown hair hangs halfway down her back and I run my fingers through it a few times before I finally pull her in tight and wrap my arm around her.
“Come here guys, we have to talk,” I call out to the rest of the group. Groans and grunts can be heard the whole way. Carlin climbs on my other leg and mirrors her sister’s head on my chest, Andrew sits next to us on the couch and Amanda sits on the floor in front of me with her long legs stretched out in front of her, crossed at the ankles.
“Listen, I came home and found Mommy upstairs cleaning while you guys are down here partying. It looks like a toy-store tornado hit the living room.”
“You say that every time you come home, Dad,” Amanda whines.
“That’s because it’s summer and you’re here all day long to make a bigger mess than normal. Here’s the deal: Mommy is taking a bath and relaxing. I’m going to order some pizza for dinner while you guys clean up that mess upstairs. I don’t want her to touch another toy. This is your job. You make the mess; you clean it up. That’s how the world works. No one gets a free ride.”
“Damaris does,” Carlin tells me in that sing-song voice of irritation. “She never has to clean up.”
“We’ll start teaching her to help, but I’ll remind you that when you guys were that age you didn’t have to do much either, so suck it up.” They all groan.
I ask them to tell me about their day and listen patiently as they all give me their own version. Once they’re done, I usher them upstairs to clean while I call for pizza. After that’s taken care of, I let myself into the bathroom to find my sexy-ass wife floating in the tub with her head back and her eyes closed. Her now full breasts break the waterline and a thousand thoughts come to mind about what I’d like to do to her beautiful rosy nipples.
“I know you’re staring at me. It’s making me self-conscious,” she surprises me by saying.
“I’m always staring at you. Why would you be self-conscious now?”
“Probably because I’m fat.”
My head jerks back. What the hell is she talking about? “What? You’ve never been fat a day in your life.”
“Well…” She squeezes her eyes tight like she’s fighting tears as she trails off and I know it’s time to put her out of her misery.
“Babe, I know you’re pregnant. You’re not fat. You never have been, even when you were round with the twins.”
Sitting up abruptly, she knocks water out of the tub and the shock on her face is priceless.
“You thought I didn’t know? Come on baby, I’m an observer and I know your body better than I know my own. I figured it out about a week ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve been terrified to tell you.”
“I wanted you to come to terms with it first, but you shouldn’t be scared because I’m as responsible as you.”
“I know you didn’t want any more. I didn’t really either but…”
Before she can say another word, I lock the bathroom door, strip off my uniform and slide in behind her. Now there’s water flooding the floor of the bathroom but I don’t care. We only have about 15 or 20 minutes before the kids finish and the pizza guy arrives.
“Turn around and face me.” When she turns around and straddles my hips I harden in an instant. Damn, that’s how we ended up with another mouth to feed. I wrap my arms around her and pull her against me so we’re chest to chest and the feel of her full breasts has my cock ridged and ready.
“We said we wanted a big family. We wanted to fill our house will love and laughter, and we have. So there’s one more mouth to feed. Who cares? It’s another baby we made out of love and there’s nothing wrong with that. I can’t promise that I haven’t been praying for a boy, though. Lord knows we’re drowning in estrogen in this house, but I’m not upset about another baby.”
Her lips respond for her as she takes mine in a happy kiss. I didn’t mention that my wife is insatiable when she’s pregnant, but she is, and I have no complaints there. Without breaking lip-lock, she shifts and slides down over me. I’m thanking God that I locked the door on the way in because I swear the kids can smell the flow of hormones and they always need something when we’re at this stage of naked fun times.
I grip the soft globes of her ass and squeeze as I lift and guide her in the rhythm that I need. Even after having the kids she’s still so tight, such a perfect fit for me and she feels so damn good. Now that she has the rhythm, I lift one hand to palm her breast, lifting the weight of it and squeezing it gently, flicking my thumb across the hardened nipple.
“Ahhhh,” she drops her head back and cries out softly.
“Shhh. The kids will come knocking if they hear us. Faster, babe.” The faster she moves the more water splashes out. It’s all I can do to be quiet. She’s past the point of quiet though so I clamp my hand down over her mouth as her pussy flutters all around me, squeezing and tugging with her orgasm. Watching her come apart forces my own release so I drop my hand from her mouth. She leans in to kiss me, keeping my groan quieter.
“I love you so much Jase. You always surprise me. I thought for sure you were going to be mad.”
“Not a chance.”
Marina
When I hang up the phone with Rosie, I realize I forgot to ask about her son and husband, who have both been down with the flu for the last week. I was hoping they’d be well enough to come to the party, but I forgot to ask. I’ll include them in my head count and hope they can make it. If I call her back I won’t get anything done. It doesn’t matter that she lives down the street from us, if we get on the phone we can talk for hours. I don’t have time for that. Tomorrow my middle baby turns six and a week later, Rushton graduates from the Air Force Academy. He chose the Academy to be closer to Dex, I think, although he’s never said. We’ve enjoyed having him close these last few years and will miss him when he leaves for pilot training after graduation, but we’re happy that we had the time that we did.