“What if you could have your dream honeymoon?”
“That would be nice, but it’s really not in our budget, Lauren.” I wanted to offer it to her, but I didn’t want Gage to lose his mind.
“One second, before you say no.” I muted my phone and turned to Gage. “This poor girl isn’t even getting a honeymoon, and since we’re postponing ours, couldn’t we please offer her one of our resort packages for free?”
“Sure, I don’t see why not.” Gage shrugged. “Anything if it will get you the cake of your dreams.”
“You’re the best.” He’d help built resorts all over every island imaginable, and a few of them for James Bivens, which he had full access to, but with him not preferring to fly as often since his crash and the fact that we’d been so busy, we hadn’t used them.
I turned my attention back to the phone. “Okay, I’m offering you a deal, and I’ll understand if you want to say no, but I’ll pay you a thousand above your asking price and throw in a free, week-long stay at an island resort of your choice from one of several that my husband has access to.”
“And all I have to do is take that weekend to make your cake?”
“Yes, that’s it. Could you please help me out?”
“You’re paying me an extra grand and throwing in a free honeymoon? You’ve got a deal.”
“Thank you!” I held the phone away and gave a little squeal. “I’m so happy, thank you.” I spent the next half hour on the phone giving her the details of the cake, and then when I got off, Gage pulled me in close.
“See? It’s all going to work out.”
“Thank you for letting me offer the package and the extra money. I’ll get it from my account, but I just really wanted to help them have a nice wedding. We’re so lucky.”
“Lucky?” He felt my temperature. “Let’s wait until we call Edna to see how lucky we are.”
Chapter 12
Gage
I was happy things were working out, and we’d worked through another crisis, but Ollie was still in her room sulking, and I needed to speak with Edna about that.
I hated to beg anyone for anything, unless it was Lauren for sex, which was more of a role-playing game than anything, but, like that, this was a special circumstance. Lauren had left my office to go talk to Ollie, and I had thought it best to give them a little time while I got ready to make the call.
I went to sit behind my desk and then played with my phone a moment while I got my mood straight to talk to the old woman. I knew that things had turned out okay with the cake, Chloe, and even Reed, since she’d agreed not to screw with my life by getting involved with that suit against James, but this was the big problem, the last one that would set the mood for the rest of our lives together.
I took a deep breath and dialed before I let myself get too overtaken by what it could mean if I had to share Ollie back and forth again.
“Hello, Gage. I hope you called me with good news. Please tell me you’ve come to your senses and you’re going to have Ollie come stay with me.”
“Edna. Ollie doesn’t want to do the back and forth thing again. And I know you’ve probably already talked to your lawyers, but I’m calling to ask you to rethink things. We can come to some kind of reasonable solution, and I think us talking is the way to get there.”
“Reasonable solution? I want to see my granddaughter more. I’d like her to come stay with me. Make it happen.” She was in a shitty mood again it seemed, but I was willing to talk to her as long as she could watch her tone and remain calm.
“Tell me something, if you get your way and it hurts Ollie’s feelings, will it be worth it? Especially if she grows up resenting you for it?”
“I’m lonely, and she’s all I have. You don’t know what it is to lose a child. I thought if I got away for a while, that I would heal, but then I realized that Ollie is the only link I have to my daughter, and while I’ll never stop mourning her, I have a lot of life to live and love to give, too. I just want to be able to share what little time I have left on this earth with someone who cares about me. Even if it’s only every other week or every so many months.”
Crap. I hadn’t thought that this had to do with Edna losing Katrina, but I guess it made sense. Ollie had gone to live with her at a time when she was still mourning the loss of her daughter. And although she’d never used Ollie to fill that hole, she thought now she could. Before, she was just escaping her pain, but she finally learned that pain from that kind of loss doesn’t go away so easily for some.
“Edna, I’m not trying to keep her from you. I think it’s important that you are a part of her life. So, I’m willing to offer you a deal.”
“A reasonable solution?” The old woman laughed. “Let’s hear it.”
“Well, you’ve spent some time away from home once already, and you were going to sell that house, so tell me, what if you moved closer back here to Gatlinburg? I could help you find a nice house.”
“And live close to you and your new woman?”
“Yes, and close to our son, too. He’s Ollie’s brother, and while I know he’s not your blood, I think it would help him to have you close, too. You could come and see us on holidays, and this way, Ollie is able to go over after school and stay a few nights here and there. The long commute isn’t going to work for her, Edna.”
“Your wife wouldn’t like it.”
“She’d hate having to send Ollie nearly an hour away for weeks at a time. They are very close. Besides, Lauren is a nice woman, she’d love to get to know you, and since she’s lost her mother, maybe the two of you could get along.”
“I’ll think about it. I’m not sure how much I can get for this old house I’m in.”
“I’ll help you with a reasonable home. Hell, I’ll have you one built. But let’s work together on this for Ollie’s sake.”
“You’ll build me a house?” I could tell that she liked the idea of that, and then she made a sound like she was thinking. “You still have your parents’ house?”
“It’s being rented.” She wasn’t getting my parents’ house that was a good twenty minutes away.
“Then I want a house near you. In your neighborhood, where Ollie could come over anytime she wanted.”
“Fine.” I crossed my fingers hoping that Lauren would be okay with it, and for the first time in a while, I was truly thankful to be wealthy and a contractor.
“If this is how you want it,” said Edna. “I’d like to come down and see the area.”
“How would you like to come down this week and attend my wedding?”
“Do you think it’s okay with your bride-to-be?”
“Sure, she’ll love it. Then you can see Ollie, and we’ll discuss where you’re going to live.” Footsteps brought my head around as Lauren and Ollie walked into the room.
Lauren gave me a suspicious look, but they waited until Edna and I said our goodbyes.
“Was that Edna? Is she coming here?”
“I don’t want to go there, Daddy.”
“You don’t have to, baby. Not ever.”
Lauren gave me a stern look. She’d warned me about making promises. “Gage.” She shook her head.
“No, I’m serious. It’s all worked out now. There will be no courts or judges, and everything will be better than ever.” I put my hands in my pockets and gave my girls a smile.
“What did you do, Gage, and will I like it?”
“I hope you do. I mean, I had to come up with something.” I shrugged, but she gave me a sideward look.
“Tell me.”
“Yeah, Daddy. Tell us.” Ollie walked over and rested her head against my desk.
“Well, I kind of told Edna that since Ollie doesn’t want to go away all the time, but would still love to see her, perhaps it would be better if she lived closer and maybe then she’d see Ollie more.”
“She’s going to sell her house and move to Gatlinburg?” That didn’t seem like such a horrible idea to her. “I think that could work, but I’m st
ill not doing the back and forth. That’s ridiculous.”
“You wouldn’t have to. She wants to live close enough that Ollie could see her anytime she wanted.”
“You didn’t tell her she could move in, did you?” The wary look on her face made me think she’d go for anything but that.
“Nope, even better. Especially for Ollie. I told her that we’d build her a house close by.”
“Close by, as in our backyard close by?” The property was actually Lauren’s, but I didn’t think she’d mind.
“It will increase the value, and if she didn’t need it after a while, we’d have a guest house.”
“You know, it’s not a bad idea. I have to hand it to you, Gage, you sure do know how to use all of that money of yours to an advantage.” She gave a little laugh. “Ollie, do you want Grandma Edna to build a house next to this one?”
Ollie’s eyes lit up. “You mean, she’d stay for always?”
“Yes, and you could run over there any time you wanted.”
“Awesome!” She pumped her little fist and cheered.
“Looks like you’ve got it all figured out, after all.” Lauren came around and gave me a hug and a kiss as Ollie continued to cheer and then ran to the window seat.
“That’s right, baby. I told you it would all come together. And best of all, in another week, I get to be your husband. No more Patrick and Riley. I can’t wait until you have my name.”
“It really means a lot to you, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, of course. All of my life, I wanted to share my name with my wife. I guess you could say that was my one wedding dream. That and carrying you over the threshold.”
“Then now, both of our dreams will be coming true.” She gave a wide smile, but staring into her eyes, I felt mine already had.
Chapter 13
Lauren
The rest of the week went by, and before we knew it, we were waking up to the big day.
I rolled over and snuggled close to Gage, who was still as naked as me from the night before. We’d made love into the wee hours of the morning and then fallen asleep in each other’s arms. It sure beat any bachelor party festivities, though it didn’t stop my brothers from trying to encourage Gage to go out with them for one last hurrah.
He turned and kissed me. “In a few hours, you’ll be my wife, and I will finally and forever be your husband.”
“Yes, and I like the sound of that forever part.” I trailed my hand down his chest, playing with the hair there.
“You know, Chloe is going to come and take you away soon, so I think you should give me a little something to tide me over until I can see you again.”
“Oh, you do, do you?” I let my hand go lower, feeling his erection which I gripped tightly.
“Mhm.”
“And you’ll give me this, I suppose?” I gave it another squeeze and let my thumb rub the tip.
“Oh, I’ll give you more than that.” He gave a short laugh and then turned to stroke my breasts with one hand as his other slipped down between my legs.
“I think you’ll have to show me what else you can give me with this.” Before I could get the words out of my mouth, he got up and positioned himself between my legs.
“Oh, don’t think I won’t, baby. I’m going to show you so much.” He dipped down, his head disappearing as the warmth of his mouth fell against my flesh.
His tongue spread my folds, digging his way deeper into my channel. Then he licked me from my tight little star to my tender clit and gave it a hard suck as his hand rubbed against my slit.
“You feel so ready for me already.” His voice was muffled between my legs.
“I am always ready for you, baby.” My voice squeaked a little as he slipped his fingers deep, stroking my walls and speeding up the motions until I was grinding my hips against his hand.
“I’m going to come.”
“That’s right, baby. There’s what I’m giving you.”
My body trembled as my release quaked through me, sending pulsations through my core.
He looked into my eyes. “Now you’re ready.”
He rose up and stroked his cock a few times as he spread my juices and then pulled his fingers to his lips. “This is the last time I get to taste Ms. Patrick.”
“You’re so bad, Gage. How does she taste?” I felt the sting of my blush as he met my eyes.
“Delicious. Makes me crave more.”
I looked up at him and spread my legs farther as I rubbed my breasts. “Fuck me, Mr. Riley.”
“With pleasure.” He positioned himself against my slit and then nudged his way in, inch by glorious inch, until he filled me completely, his flesh burning inside of mine.
“You feel so good inside of me.” My voice was a whimper, and before I could beg him, he thrusted his hips hard against me, and it felt so amazing on my G-spot.
He lifted my legs and drove into me, working his hips at such a fast pace that the friction built, and after a moment, my pussy was on fire. The next minute, I was coming so hard that I could feel the juices drench me.
“Fuck, yeah, baby.” I rested my ankles on his shoulders and played with my nipples as he ground his hips hard against me, rutting himself deep. Suddenly, he stilled, all but for his cock which swelled at the head and poured inside me.
He let out a growl and pushed a few times, making sure his seed was fully planted. That was when there was a knock at the door.
“Okay, you two lovebirds; it’s time for me to take your bride away.” Chloe banged on the door again, this time, even harder.
Gage looked down and met my eyes as he pulled free of me. “I don’t know about this. I’m not sure I can let you go yet.”
“Oh no, you said this thing is going on as planned.”
“Well, I guess since this is our wedding day, I’ll agree with her terms.”
I swung my feet over the side of the bed and found my slippers.
“Mommy! Daddy! It’s your wedding day!” Ollie’s voice sounded through the door, and then there were two hands pounding against the door, then four.
Once we were both dressed and Gage retreated to the shower, I opened the door. “I need to shower.”
“You can do that in Ollie’s bathroom. We have everything set up for you at the church, and I’m afraid you’ll need to put this on for the ride over.”
I looked down as she presented me with one of Ollie’s crowns. “Oh, thank you.”
“You’re the queen of the house, so I thought you needed a crown.” Ollie gave a shrug as she took my hand and pulled me down the hallway to her room.
We went to the church, where we spent the next few hours sitting in a little room off of the chapel, getting our nails done, makeup on, hair curled and pinned up, and then, finally, we replaced the plastic crown with a smaller tiara that I’d gotten to go with my dress.
“You really look like a queen now, Mama.” Ollie’s smile was ear to ear, and then it was her turn. We fixed her hair up and even gave her a little makeup—not too much, but enough that her daddy would barely notice—and then we placed her own tiara on her head, which was a surprise.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you, Mama.” She looked at herself in the mirror and couldn’t take her eyes off of the crown. “Does Daddy get one, too?”
“No, Daddy doesn’t need one. We know he’s the king.” I gave her a wink and knew Gage would thank me later when I told him about what she asked. He’d spent so many times in her room wearing tiaras and feather boas, and that was enough. “Daddy is going to wear a beautiful suit, and he’s going to be so handsome.”
“Daddy is always handsome.”
“I agree.”
We exchanged a smile as I gave her a little spray of perfume, and then Chloe stepped out in her dress. “How do I look?”
She was all done up in the red dress that we’d chosen together, and she looked like a dream. “You’re beautiful.”
Ollie’s eyes bugged. “You look really pretty, Aunt Chloe, even prettier
than always.”
Chloe put the finishing touches on her hair and sprayed it, and then she helped me into my dress with just fifteen minutes to spare.
“I wish my mother could see me now,” I said, wiping the tear from my eyes. “My father would be proud, too.” He’d wanted me to find love, and I wondered if he’d ever expected the man I was supposed to be with was Gage.
“Ollie and I are going to go take a break in the little girl’s room.” As she opened the door to step out, I heard a familiar voice.
“Is this where you’re holding my sister hostage?” I turned to see Noah standing in the doorway with Reed behind him.
“She’s all yours. Just don’t make her cry off her makeup or wrinkle her dress with any sappy hugs.”
“Got it.” Noah walked in, and Reed stared a little too long at Chloe before closing the door.
“Damn, she’s beautiful.”
“And she’s single.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Reed chuckled.
“Are you two here to wish me luck?” I walked over and gave them each a hug.
“We’re here on behalf of Mom and Dad,” said Reed.
“And we brought you a little something,” Noah added. “Dad left this to me, with the intention that I’d give it to you on your wedding day.” He held out a thin, long box.
“Oh, thank you.” I took it and felt the tears pooling in my eyes.
“Don’t cry; I don’t want Chloe angry with me.” Reed was still glancing at the door now and then, as if hoping she’d return.
“Sorry, it’s just, I wasn’t expecting anything.” I opened the box and inside found a beautiful string of pearls. “These were Mom’s.”
“Yeah, that’s what Dad said. He said that he bought them for her and gave them to her as a wedding gift.”
“I remember her wearing these.” I held them close to my chest, and though I already had a simple necklace on that my father had given me when I was younger, I gestured for Noah to help me put it on.
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