by Katie Dowe
*****
Grayson tried to ease up but felt as if his chest was on fire. His groan woke Avia up and had her lifting her head.
“Grayson?” Her voice was husky from sleep as she lifted her head to look at him.
“Avia,” his voice sounded scratchy and his lips felt dry.
“Darling,” she eased off the bed and sat on the edge of his careful not to jostle him.
“What—”
“You're in the hospital. Some very bad people claiming to be God’s messengers tried to get rid of the father of my children.”
“Is that all I am?” he asked softly as he looked at her. His body was on fire but he was so happy to see her that he didn't care.
“My lover as well, and maybe more.” She used her hands to frame his face. He tried to move and gasped as the pain went through him.
“I'm calling the doctor.”
“No wait.” He gripped her hand. “Are you okay? The babies?”
“We are and we want you to be as well. You owe me a date mister.”
“Is that so?” he asked with a crooked smile. “You owe me an answer.”
“You remember that?”
“How could I forget?”
“You have the memory of an elephant.”
“That I do. What is your answer?”
“Can’t it wait until you're not in so much pain?” she asked him in exasperation.
“No. I need to know Avia.”
“You are more stubborn than I am,” she grumbled as she bent and kissed his lips lightly. “The answer is yes.”
He closed his eyes and gripped her hands. “I have the ring.”
“You bought a ring without even hearing if I'm going to marry you? How arrogant can you be?”
“I have hope and I didn't want to hear no. I was going to hound you until you said yes.”
She shook her head. “Where is it?”
“It's at the apartment. How about September?”
“I'm having these babies before I wear a wedding dress mister.” She told him dryly.
“When?”
“December.”
“In the meantime you're moving in with me.”
“Grayson.”
“I'm not negotiating that with you. I don’t want to be without you. I almost died out there and I want to spend the rest of my life with my family.”
“Way to go. Play the almost died card with me.”
“Is it working?” he asked her softly.
“It is.” She placed her forehead against his. “I almost lost it when that gay assistant of yours came and told me about you being missing.”
“How did you know he was gay?”
“Darling I have eyes and I have radar.”
She got off the bed and started to push the button and suddenly yelled, “No! No!”
Chapter 10
“Avia what is it?” he tried to get up but the pain swamped him.
“I'm bleeding!” she gasped as she sat back down on the bed.
He pressed the buzzer next to him, ignoring the raging pain in his chest. Several doctors came running in. “Mr. Whitfield you're—”
“My fiancée's is bleeding. Do something!”
The doctors quickly called for a wheelchair and she was wheeled out. Doctor Mason stayed with him. “I'm going to give you something for the pain.”
“Nothing to knock me out,” he said between gritted teeth. “I want to know about her and my babies.”
“Of course,” the doctor nodded.
He cursed the fact that he wasn't able to get up and be with her. If anything happened to them...
*****
“What is it?” she asked the doctors anxiously as they finished the exam.
“You were in danger of premature delivery.”
“You said were. Does that mean—”
“Your babies are going to be fine. I guess the stress of hearing the news about Mr. Whitfield caused it. We're going to keep you in here for a couple of days.”
“Could you hand me my phone? I need to call and let him know we're okay.”
“Of course.”
She dialed the room number. “Yes?”
“Hi.”
“Avia, you okay?”
“We're fine darling. They caught it just in time. I'm afraid we're both going to be patients.”
“I want you in here with me.”
“I'm not sure they're going to allow that.”
“They will. I need to keep an eye on you.”
*****
“We could get married in here and avoid all the fuss.” He murmured as he held her hand in his. They had put a bed next to his and they'd called both their mothers to let them know what was happening. Avia had also called Morgan to tell her. Neither of them were allowed to move much but as long as she was in the same room with him he was satisfied.
“I am not getting married in these ugly hospital gowns. Really? Look at this color. Grey with this horrible green interspersed over the material. Someone needs to come up with some better designs and colors.”
“You're the only person who would think of fashion at a time like this,” he said with a laugh.
“Well they should! No wonder people get so sick in hospitals and stay sick.”
“You could wear whatever you want. I could get Monique to bring something over.”
“You expect Monique Romano to fly over here with something for me to wear?”
“Why not? She's a friend.”
“You haven't met my mother and her husband,” she protested. He noticed that she didn't say stepfather.
“I could fly them over.”
“You're serious, aren’t you?”
“I am.” His hazel eyes met hers and he squeezed her hand. “I want us to leave this hospital as husband and wife.”
“Okay,” she said suddenly. “You twisted my arm.”
“Thank you.” He lifted her hand and kissed it softly.
*****
If she didn't have an idea how powerful Grayson Whitfield was she got the firsthand knowledge as he stayed right in his hospital bed and organized everything with the help of his very efficient assistant. Claude brought in a brand new phone to replace the one he'd lost and he came equipped with a laptop and a secretary. Avia spoke to her mother and told her what was going on.
“Honey why the hurry?”
“Grayson and I don’t want to wait another minute.”
“All of a sudden you want to get married?”
“Mom please, I don’t have time for twenty questions. He's sending a plane for you. Can you come?”
“A plane? Honey you have gone up in the world. Of course we're coming.”
“We're getting married tomorrow at three.”
“We'll be ready.”
His mother came as well to give a helping hand, delighted with the thought of her son finally settling down. Morgan came straight from the art museum.
“Only you,” she shook her head as she hurried over to kiss her friend. “Hi Grayson.”
“Hi Morgan,” he gave her a brief smile and went back to speaking to Claude.
“You're getting married in a hospital.”
“It's a very nice one,” she said with a grin. “Look I know I've said for years that I would never get married but you were right. He's quite an extraordinary man.” She whispered.
“Really?” Morgan’s green eyes twinkled. “What am I wearing as your maid of honor?”
“You know that green is your color—” they looked up as they heard a commotion out in the hallway.
The head nurse came in with a resigned look on her face. “Mr. Whitfield and Ms. Whyte you're supposed to be recuperating.”
“We are,” Avia said with a charming smile.
“You have some more visitors and within half an hour I'm kicking every one out.”
“Tomorrow is my wedding day so a little consideration would be nice,” she told the woman sweetly.
She moved aside to admit Monique Roma
no and Leesa Wellington. Both women looked larger than life and defined fashion in their chic and expensive outfits. “Someone ordered a wedding dress?” Monique said with a gentle smile.
“Darling, good to see you up.” Leesa said as she went over and kissed Grayson on the cheek.
“I hope you also brought a dress for the maid of honor.” Avia said to the women.
“Darling we thought of everything.” Leesa said with a smile as she came over and introductions were made. “This is the first time one of us are getting married the non-traditional way and we're going to make the best of it.”
The dress was not white but a pale buttercup yellow with folds to cover her bulging stomach. The top was encrusted with tiny pearls that shone iridescently in the light. It was light and floated gently around her when she tried it on. It was cut deep beneath the arms and had thin straps that crisscrossed at the back. It was perfect! Instead of a veil she was going to be wearing a tiara complete with matching pearls. Claude retrieved the rings from the apartment and had them with him. They were being tightlipped about the wedding but they doubted it would remain a secret for long. Morgan’s dress was a deep emerald green with a snug fit.
Very soon all the arrangements had been made and Claude had seen about the licenses and the minister and had even arranged catering before he left.
It was after seven when they were alone after the doctors had checked them out and given them their medication for the night.
“This time tomorrow you'll be Mrs. Grayson Whitfield.” He said softly as he held her hand.
“I did tell you that I'm not very comfortable with titles right?” she asked with a grimace.
“Are you saying you're not taking my name?”
“Can I not?” she asked him hopefully.
“Avia—”
“Okay fine,” she grumbled. “What if you take my name instead?”
“Not a chance,” he told her wryly as he lifted her hand to his mouth. “I wish I could make love to you,” he took one of her fingers and put it into his mouth, sucking on it slowly and erotically. Avia felt the pull deep inside her and felt the frustration that they weren't able to enjoy each other.
“Grayson,” she moaned as she closed her eyes.
“Open your eyes,” he said hoarsely. She did and almost passed out as she saw what he was doing. He'd moved the sheets and raised up his hospital gown to show his full erection. His free hand was clasping it and he moved his fist up and down the shaft. She looked at it mesmerized, her body trembling.
“I want it,” she whispered. “I want you.”
“We can’t baby. We're both unable to.”
“I'm not bleeding anymore,” she pointed out.
“We can't risk it. I'll put it away.”
“Don’t you dare,” she said sharply as she pulled her hand away from his and climbed off the bed.
“What are you doing?”
“I'm coming over.” She went to the door and locked it before climbing onto the bed. She turned her back to him and went down slowly until his stiff penis was inside her. He groaned softly.
“We shouldn’t—”
“We have to.” She sank further down, her eyes closing as he eased deep into her. He gripped her hips to guide her. They did it slowly, careful not to hurt each other but it was a difficult task as their control slipped. She leaned forward and grabbed hold of the sheets and he brought her nearer to him as he entered her deep, his breathing ragged. This was where he belonged, inside her, with her. Their rapid breathing sounded inside the room, their bodies craving each other. The orgasm was quick and explosive and Avia had to dig her fist into her mouth in order to keep quiet as the wave slammed into her at breakneck speed.
She didn't go back to her bed for the night. She couldn't. When they were able to and when the trembling and the insanity of their passion had stopped she lay there close to him with his arms wrapped around her as they both slept the night away.
*****
“The most romantic wedding ever! Forget the wedding on the beach where the bride and the groom walk barefoot in the white sands with the dazzling blue sea in the background or even the one beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris! Billionaire club and restaurant owner Grayson Whitfield insisted that the woman carrying his twins, Avia Whyte a former entertainer in one of his clubs, marry him before they leave the hospital where they're both patients. Grayson Whitfield was the victim of a violent attack by radical religious fanatics who came at him because as they claimed the world was coming to an end and they needed to get rid of the evil. One hospital personnel who wanted to remain nameless said that the couple are staying in the same room because Mr. Whitfield refuses to be away from his fiancée for any period of time. The wedding is set for three p.m. today and we have to say that it's a perfect August day for a wedding!”
“It’s a silly tradition,” Grayson muttered as he put away the newspaper he'd been reading. “She has to go into another room to get dressed because of some outdated tradition.”
“I believe in traditions,” Bradley told him. Neil was going to stand with him as his best man but Bradley and Alessandro and several of the other members of the club he belonged to were there as well. Avia was in another private room with her mother and Morgan and several of the wives getting ready. There was an air of excitement in the huge hospital. They were certainly going on the map after this. In between the patients coming in and their regular duties, the doctors and nurses were certainly caught up in the excitement. A conference room had been assigned for the reception and a huge butterscotch cake had been rolled in along with a dazzling array of food prepared by the Whitfield chef and some others from Grayson’s restaurants.
“It’s stupid,” Grayson repeated as he carefully pulled on his dark blue tux. His ribs were far from healed but nothing was going to stop him from saying ‘I do’ to the woman he loved.
“Relax man you'll get to see her in a few minutes,” Alessandro told him dryly as he handed him the orchid to pin on his lapel.
“I can’t wait,” he murmured.
He was sitting on a chair when she came in. Avia’s eyes met his as he got to his feet slowly. The doctors had told him to take it easy and be careful he didn't undo the work they'd done on him. She was incredibly beautiful, he thought dazedly as he stared at her. The tiara perched on top of her glossy dark hair gave her the look of a queen. Her hair had been done up in an elaborate style with several curls drifting down her face. Her makeup was flawless and her lips widened in a smile as she came towards him holding her bouquet of orchids and wild flowers. The dress drifted over her bulge gracefully as she made her way towards him.
“Hi,” she whispered as he took her arm.
“Hi,” he whispered back.
They turned to face the minister who began by saying that marriage is honorable and ordained by God Almighty.
He looked up at the crowd gathered outside the room. Aside from the guests and the members of the wedding party there were the doctors and nurses and several patients who'd been eager to see the wedding of people they considered to be celebrities.
“Ladies and gentlemen we are gathered here to witness the union between Grayson Theodore Whitfield and Avia Cassandra Whyte. If there is anyone here who doesn't want this union to take place speak now or forever hold your peace.” He waited a beat and then continued. “Face each other please. You are here of your own free will to join together before man and God to become as one. Grayson Theodore Whitfield, do you take Avia Cassandra Whyte to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, in sickness and in health for better or worse until death do you part?”
“I do,” Grayson’s voice rang out clearly as he looked into her eyes.
The minister turned to Avia. “Avia Cassandra Whyte do you take Grayson Theodore Whitfield to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, to respect and honor until death parts you?”
“I do,” his hands squeezed hers and she responded.
“The rings please.”
“Put the ring on her finger please and repeat after me: With this ring I take you as my wife forsaking all others. I will love and respect you until my dying breath.”
Grayson’s hands trembled slightly as he slid the exquisite emerald ring onto her slim finger and repeated the vow.
“Your turn Avia.”
Avia took the ring and slid it on his finger, keeping her finger on his.
“The ring has no beginning and no ending and that signifies what your marriage will be like,” the minister said solemnly. “The Bible tells us to leave mother and father and cleave to your spouse. Arguments and issues will arise but as long as you work them out with each other then you will always find a solution. You may now kiss your bride,” he said looking at Grayson.
Grayson took her into his arms slowly, his eyes on hers as he tipped her chin up. He had made love to her last night and afterwards had paid for it dearly as he'd felt the pain from his cracked ribs but it had been worth it. His lips descended and she lifted her mouth to his, he took her mouth and touched his tongue to hers. Avia curled her fingers into the lapel of his jacket and forgot the others present as she gave in to the passion of his embrace. He had to break away from her forcibly, his harsh breathing affecting his fractured ribs.
“Ladies and gentlemen I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Grayson Whitfield!”
*****
“I'm hoping now that you persuaded my daughter to marry you that you can also persuade her to come and visit us more.” Amanda said to her son-in-law as soon as they'd finished the meal and were mingling. She'd cornered him as he sat on one of the chairs next to the open door. He was going to have to cut the reception short because he was feeling very tired and his ribs felt bruised. The doctors had warned them that they should wrap up in time for meds and to get some rest.