On the Ropes (Windy City Nights)

by Dania Voss

  Since Abbey had given Luke the green light at being set loose, all the crystals that had been an original part of her Bellatoni couture sleeveless gown had been replaced with diamonds as well. Since the back of Abbey’s gown was open and draped in sixteen strands of diamonds from just below her neck down to her waist, she was literally dripping in diamonds.

  The crystals in the entire form-fitting bodice of her gown that reached to mid-thigh were also replaced with genuine diamonds. The fluffy tulle skirt began at mid-thigh and extended to more than a chapel-length train. Her princess look was complete with a low-height diamond tiara. Abbey truly felt like a princess today.

  Karla sighed. “I don’t know. I can’t believe Luke did this for us. I’m never taking this dress off! But I think maybe a tennis bracelet?”

  “I think I might go with earrings and a pendant,” Leah contemplated.

  Cassie rubbed her nearly five-month pregnancy belly. Abbey thought she looked absolutely adorable. “I’m not sure, I’ve been looking online for settings. I do like Karla’s tennis bracelet idea though.”

  Abbey’s cell phone rang from one of the living room tables. Karla leaned over to see who it was and blushed. It must be Tom Murphy. Whatever was going on between the two of them, they were keeping it close to the vest.

  “Put it on speaker. Roxanna, you’re going to help me get into my dress,” Abbey asked, ready to head to the church and Luke.

  Roxanna nodded enthusiastically and held up her hands. “Just washed my hands. I’m ready.”

  “Hey Abbey,” Tom Murphy called out from her cell phone speaker.

  Abbey carefully stepped into her dress while Roxanna held it open for her. “Tom, tell me everything’s set up and ready to go.”

  “We’re all set. Everything’s been tested. We can stream from the church and from Antonetti’s in Barrington. Darren’s at the church already. He’s feeling pretty well, considering. We have his cane and his wheelchair in case he needs them.”

  What a relief. Darren’s treatment post-surgery had been progressing well. They were all pleased with his progress to date and thrilled he felt well enough to attend the wedding. So far so good.

  “Thanks so much, Tom. Luke and I really appreciate it. We’ll be heading to the church soon.”

  “Happy to help. I’ll see you soon. Looking forward to seeing you your designer gown, Karla,” Tom said before ending the call.

  Karla turned a deeper shade of red and everyone laughed. Roxanna hooked all the diamond strands in place and stood back.

  “Wow,” all the women in the room said in awe.

  “Abbey, the champagne-colored bottom half of your gown really sets off the diamonds. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” Cassie observed.

  From what Abbey could see herself, Cassie was right. Roxanna carefully placed Abbey’s diamond tiara on her head, her hands shaking slightly. Abbey knew better than to tell anyone how much what she was wearing was worth. Luke had been smart and had her dress, tiara, and engagement ring with matching wedding band insured.

  Abbey stood with a smile on her face as all the women in the room snapped pictures with their cell phones. She couldn’t wait to see what the professional photographer’s pictures would look like.

  About thirty minutes later Abbey, her bridesmaids, little Amy dressed in a matching flower girl’s dress, and her father stood in front of the closed vestibule doors at Grace of God Lutheran Church. The ceremony was due to begin soon.

  Her father leaned in close. “So tell me again about this resort Luke bought you?”

  “What’s a resort?” Amy asked.

  Just then, Hannah and her assistant approached. Hannah was dressed in a lovely form-fitting, Kelly-green lace, off-the-shoulder, tea-length cocktail dress. Hannah had not only helped to organize Abbey and Luke’s wedding, but she was also attending as Rocco’s date. Abbey had high hopes for the Marine and event planner.

  “We’ll be starting in just a few minutes. Rocco mentioned something about a swanky resort Luke bought you,” Hannah added.

  Abbey’s cheeks heated. Luke had taken being let loose to a new level. “Actually Stryker Real Estate Holdings bought it. It’s called Providence St. Lucia. It’s an exclusive, private, luxury boutique resort. It’s so expensive to stay there that only celebrities, professional athletes, and the rich and famous can afford it. Five of its VIP suites have been permanently reserved for our families’ use only. Our family and any guests we bring will get their entire stay comped, including food, alcohol, spa treatments, and excursions.”

  “Holy shit. Sorry, Amy. I said a bad word. Don’t repeat that, all right?” Leah said, shaking her head at Amy.

  “I won’t, but Daddy says it sometimes,” Amy said and shrugged.

  Abbey’s father looked at her, uncertain. “So after you and Luke return from your two-week honeymoon, would it be all right if I brought your mother there? A second honeymoon for us?”

  “There are five luxury suites. You can go whenever you want. But yes, I think it would be great if you and Mom went. Any of you. That’s why Luke had the holding company buy it. We just finalized the reservation process that our family will need to use. I’ll forward it to everyone when we get back.” Abbey was delighted by everyone’s happy expressions.

  Yes, purchasing the resort had been way over the top, but it was an opportunity Abbey and her family would have never had otherwise. It would also bring in a substantial income.

  Pachabel’s Canon in D began to play and Hannah and her assistant opened the vestibule doors. Karla started down the aisle and Abbey felt a sense of peace and calm wash over her. There was nothing to be nervous about. She’d been waiting for this day for what felt like her entire life.

  Before she knew it, the bridal march began to play and everyone inside the church stood. Her father, beaming with pride, led her slowly down the aisle to the man her heart and soul knew to be hers.

  In addition to family and friends, those in attendance included Cobras team members, other professional athletes, A-list celebrities—including Brenna Sinclair—and even the handsome big bad southern Dom Kyle Asher. Abbey tried not to be intimidated by their extraordinary guest list.

  Abbey’s attention was fully on her big, sexy Viking groom dressed to the nines in his charcoal gray tails. She noticed joyous tears streaming down Luke’s cheeks. She laughed when she saw Jake’s top hat had made an encore and was currently on Rocco’s head.

  A teary, speechless Luke shook her father’s hand and hooked their arms, leading her to Pastor Jenkins. “The men in this family sure are emotional, aren’t they?” Pastor Jenkins chuckled along with the ceremony attendees. “Who gives this sparkling young women to this emotional young man?”

  “My wife and I do,” Abbey’s father proudly called out behind her.

  Abbey smiled at her emotional hunk of a Viking groom. Her heart swelled with love and joy. She took Luke’s hand, lacing their fingers together, and placed their joined hands on her stomach. Luke’s eye grew wide with acknowledgement.

  In front of God and Luke, Abbey could now rejoice in the fact that a little life was growing inside of her. A piece of each of them, only but a tiny speck at the moment, would grow to become what Abbey knew would be an amazing person. She didn’t know if Luke’s conversation with their baby makers would end up making any difference as to the gender of their first child, but to her, that didn’t matter.

  The beginning of their family and their lives together started today. Abbey wasn’t sure what to expect, but she couldn’t wait to see what their future held. Knowing Luke, it would be one hell of an adventure.

  ****

  Five years later—Darren’s Dugout Bar and Grille ribbon cutting ceremony

  Luke and Abbey’s one-year-old, Evan, held on to him for dear life, facing away from the photographers trying to get that elusive shot of the youngest Stryker boy. From the start, Evan had not been a fan of getting his picture taken unless it was taken by a family member. Their youngest was s
hy, like Abbey had been in the beginning.

  Ethan, their four-year-old, was standing a few feet away next to his Grandpa Phil hamming it up for the crowd. He happily waved and flashed the famous dimpled Stryker smile much to the delight of the press. Rocco and Hannah’s dark-haired three-year-old, Rocco Junior, or RJ as the family called him, waved and smiled along with Ethan. It was cute as shit.

  They couldn’t have asked for a nicer day in Chicago in early September. It was an unseasonably warm eighty-two degrees and mostly sunny. The perfect day for the ribbon cutting of Darren’s Dugout Bar and Grille.

  Everyone around him was in a festive mood, but Luke’s heart ached. Having his Uncle Darren by his side during the ribbon cutting ceremony would have made the day truly perfect. Unfortunately it wasn’t mean to be.

  Darren had passed away six month ago. His cancer had returned and spread quickly, ultimately taking his life. He’d survived four and a half years after his initial cancer diagnosis. At least he’d had the chance to be a grandfather to Ethan and Evan for a little while. Luke had plenty of pictures to look back on.

  Sadly, Darren would never have the chance to meet his third grandchild. Abbey was due any minute from a rescheduled OB/GYN appointment. They would find out the sex of their third child today. Luke already knew it would be a girl. His little Shieldmaiden. Two boys then a girl. That had been the plan. They had their two little Vikings already. They were two thirds of the way there. Luke had asked Rocco to take Abbey to her appointment as a precaution.

  Luke was comforted by the family, friends, and Cobras colleagues who surrounded him as they waited to begin. Darren’s Dugout Bar and Grille was a tribute to its namesake, Darren Stryker. A friendly and inviting sports bar and grill where people could come and shoot the shit about sports, preferably baseball, enjoy a drink or five, and eat delicious food from standards like burgers, wings, sandwiches, and wraps, to comfort food favorites like baked potato soup, meatloaf, and macaroni and cheese. Luke’s stomach growled.

  What was taking Abbey so long? What if something happened to her? Or the baby? Did Rocco get into a car accident? Luke’s stomach roiled, and he shook. If something happened to Abbey or their little girl, he’d fucking lose it. His baby boy seemed to sense his unease and whimpered in his arms. He held him tighter.

  Luke was about to hand Evan over to Jake, who was standing next him with Cassie, when he saw his princess’s golden mane in the crowd, along with Rocco making room for her to pass. Thank God. She’s all right, calm down.

  Luke rubbed Evan’s back in small circles, hoping to calm the boy down. “Look Evan, Mommy’s coming.”

  Evan immediately stopped fussing and turned is head slightly to take a peek. “Come on, Evan, smile for us. Just once!” The press gave it a shot but his little boy wasn’t giving an inch. Not yet. He’d bet all the money the restaurant earned on their opening day Abbey could coax a little smile out of Evan for the cameras.

  Yeah, Evan was a bit of a mamma’s boy. So what? Luke and Ethan adored her too. They were a close little family unit. Just like Luke had envisioned.

  “Sorry we’re late. There was an accident on the way,” Rocco apologized.

  “Daddy!”

  Rocco smiled over at his son and went to join him and Hannah.

  Evan, keeping his head turned away from the cameras, stretched out his little arms to Abbey. Abbey happily took him from Luke and held him tight. Luke kissed her as the cameras continued to shutter.

  “I’m so glad you’re here, baby. So, tell me what I already know. Is our little Sheildmaiden on the way?” Luke asked as he was given an oversized pair of scissors for the ribbon cutting.

  Abbey said nothing for a minute then finally shrugged and nodded. “Yes, she is.”

  “I knew it! Hey everyone, we’re having a girl,” Luke shouted to the crowd. “Two boys then a girl, just like I planned it!”

  The crowd cheered. He and Abbey laughed as they got ready to cut the yellow ribbon and officially open Darren’s Dugout.

  “Abbey can you make Evan give us a little smile this afternoon?”

  “Let me see,” Abbey told the press. “Sweetie, can you give everyone a cute little smile?” Evan whimpered, keeping his head turned away from the photogs. “For Mommy? One little smile? We’ll smile together, how about that? Please?” Abbey kissed Evan’s cheek and he sighed, about to give in.

  Evan turned to the photographers with a frown on his face. “Will you smile with Mommy, Evan?” Abbey smiled brightly for the cameras and Evan, being the little stinker he was, flashed the hungry press a cocky little grin for just a few seconds and then turned away again.

  Phil brought Ethan over to join their little family group. Luke laughed at his youngest, hugged Abbey tight, and held on to Ethan’s hand. This is my family. I’m so fucking lucky.

  Luke positioned the large scissor blades over the yellow ribbon being held for him. “Thank you for joining us today. I’m going to keep this short, since so much has already been said about my Uncle Darren, my second father, these last six months since his passing. I would like to dedicate Darren’s Dugout not only to Darren Stryker, but to my folks and the entire Stryker family. May you all find good conversation, a delicious meal, and a great time whenever you stop by.” Luke cut the ribbon to enthusiastic applause, flashing cameras, surrounded by everyone who meant the most to him.

  Just then, the sun peeked through some slow passing clouds. Luke couldn’t explain how he knew, but he felt and recognized the presence of his family members who were no longer with him. Tears sprang to his eyes as they communicated their love to his heart and soul. He felt the words they said that no one else could hear.

  We’re proud of you, Luke. We love you.

  Luke closed his eyes and looked up, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face, basking in his family’s love and praise. His heart and soul spoke back. I love you, too.

  The End

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