by MJ Masucci
“I think we are. I hope we are. Did I tell you, I spoke to David?”
“No, what did he say?”
“He’s dating someone now and bringing her to the wedding. She sounds nice. He said he couldn't live pining for me because I’ll never love him the way he loves me. I feel shitty about that, but there is nothing I can do. It was always Xander.”
“How are you doing?”
Ava was puzzled, “You mean with the pregnancy?”
“No, with everything that happened.”
“I’m dealing with it. Knowing I was responsible for someone’s death has been hard, but I had no choice. I try to keep that in mind every time I feel guilty.”
“He deserved it. Liam needed help.”
“He did, and prison didn’t give him the rehabilitation he needed. It just gave him the opportunity to become a smarter, more cunning criminal. Can we change the subject? I don’t want to discuss him any longer.”
“Sure.”
They discussed her dress and called Rachel over to join the conversation. When Xander got near, they stopped. Ava didn’t want him to have any inkling of what her dress looked like until he saw it on her as she walked down the aisle.
They enjoyed seeing all their friends and family. By the time everyone left, and the kitchen was cleaned, they were exhausted. Xander wanted to go to bed, but Ava had other things in mind. She locked herself in the bathroom while he dozed in their bed. When she came out, she stood before him calling his name.
His eyes half opened to her dressed in baby doll lingerie, her hair up, and body sweetly perfumed. In seconds, he was wide awake, and he was more than twitching below the waist.
“You’re gorgeous. Have I told you that?”
“I think many times.”
“Join me in bed, Mrs. Wilder.”
She slipped in next to him, and he began to kiss her softly around her face. His lips trailed to her neck, sucking as he went along. Her core clenched tightly as his tongue found the junction at her shoulder and trailed along her collarbone. She moaned loudly as he continued kissing between her breasts. Xander used his teeth to pull at the bow near her neck. The top opened, and he gently pushed it off, exposing her breasts so he could suck her nipples. He never said anything, but he was thrilled that her breasts had gotten bigger with her pregnancy.
Ava ran her fingers through his thick hair as he descended her belly, swirling his tongue in her navel, sending shockwaves to her sex. He kissed over her lace panties and pressed his tongue against the fabric where her swollen nub was just below. A loud feral moan escaped from her as he pressed hard.
His fingers tugged at the thong, and she raised her hips so he could take it off, tossing it to the floor. She was panting, and her heart pounded in her chest with anticipation. His tongue swiped through her slick folds. He was amazed at how easily she became wet.
Xander latched his lips on her clit and used his tongue to stimulate her. She bucked her hips dislodging him, and she moaned her disapproval until he was able to use his fingers. Gently petting her, he thrust his tongue inside her opening to lap as her sweet juices.
She clenched at the sheets, her eyes tightly closed, back slightly arched. He wanted this to last and moved off to her inner thighs, sucking, kissing, kneading with his fingers. Her breathing became heavier and moans more steady so that when he came back to her sex, a few more licks and she was coming apart.
“Yes, yes, please,” Ava panted as she came.
When she finished, he sat up on his knees grinning with satisfaction. Ava, not hearing or feeling him move, opened her eyes.
“Seriously,” she said breathlessly.
“I can be satisfied with myself that I made my wife come. You know I notice that since you’ve gotten pregnant, your orgasms are stronger.”
“I think that’s true. I’m sure it’s hormonal.”
“Oh, I’m not complaining. It’s wonderful to feel you squeeze me when you come.”
“Jerk!”
Xander began laughing.
“I see you have something that needs attention,” she said, gesturing to his erection.
“Do you want to take care of this for me?” He grinned at her expectantly.
That’s exactly what she did by sitting up and pushing him to get on his back. She might have been tired, but she wanted to ride him. She enjoyed this position immensely. Discarding her top onto the floor, she got astride him, positioning his erection at her entrance. She slowly sank onto him, and they both gasped at the feeling of each other.
He smugly put his hands behind his head to watch her ride him, her firm breasts bobbing with each movement. She closed her eyes and began petting herself; seeing her do that was one of the most erotic things he could ever imagine. He was going to lose control soon. Within a minute, she was coming (another thing he noticed about her pregnancy was that she came quicker) and it gave him license to release into her.
He grasped her hips and began thrusting up as they came together. When they had finished, Xander grabbed her hand and pulled her down to his chest, holding her tight against him. He thought it the best time to tell her the idea he had been toying with for awhile.
“Sweetheart, I have something to tell you.”
“Anything.”
“I think we should sleep in separate bedrooms and abstain from sex until next Saturday.”
She wiggled out of his grasp, “Are you insane?”
“Don’t you think we should do it until we get married.”
“Uh, newsflash, we are married.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I can’t last a few hours. You want me to last a week? And the sleeping in separate bedrooms you can forget. I sleep much better with you next to me. The night before our wedding I’ll sleep at Sam’s and Robert’s.”
“I don’t like it any more than you do.”
“You brought it up, silly.”
“I think we should do it. At least part of it. We can sleep together but not sleep together.”
“Fine, then I expect you will service me for the rest of the night and all day tomorrow, or I’ll be resurrecting my vibrator to tide me over.”
“You will not! I’ll hide all the batteries.”
“Fiend!”
He laughed wickedly and began to tickle her. He did make good on her request to make love throughout the night and most of the next day. However, when Monday morning came, she was not too happy with the prospect of not being able to have sex for the next five days.
Ava avoided dressing in the same room with Xander because seeing him naked would be more than she could stand. She got up at the same time as he prepared to go downstairs to workout. While he was gone, she showered, dressed and was sitting at the breakfast bar drinking juice when he returned.
“Why have you dressed already? It’s only six.”
“I’m avoiding the bathroom rush.”
He smirked and went into the bedroom to shower. She watched the news and kept herself distracted while he dressed.
At the office, she was happy to be away from him because her desire was at an all time high. It wasn’t that she couldn’t control herself, but the thought of not being able to be satisfied gnawed at her. The worst part was when Philip came to discuss something about a client they both shared. He sometimes wore the same cologne as Xander and today happened to be that day.
During her lunch hour, she went to visit her husband on eighteen. Unfortunately, she was greeted by him in rolled shirtsleeves and loosened tie. This was when she thought he looked his sexiest. She entered his office and closed the door, giving him her most smoldering look.
He chuckled, “You look all hot and bothered.”
“Do we have to go all week?”
“Are you serious? I made love to you all weekend.”
“I can’t control my hormones; it’s not my fault.” She approached him and ran her fingers through his hair.
“No, Ava. I’m so busy that I’m skipping lunch today.”
“I
didn’t say anything about lunch.”
“I know what you want, and the answer is no. Jacob is supposed to come by in a few minutes. Even if I had the time, it wouldn’t be smart.”
“You’re no fun. Can we at least discuss this at home tonight?”
“We’ll see.”
She pouted as she began to leave his office causing him to laugh, turning, she gave him an obscene finger gesture before she exited.
In the end, they managed to abstain from sex the entire week. The night of their rehearsal dinner Ava was a ball of emotions. Tomorrow they would have their ceremony standing in front of a few hundred people. The weather was predicted to be sunny and warm.
But she would also be away from him overnight, which didn’t make her happy. She had no doubt that sleeping would be impossible. In her mind, she thought it would be harder for her than him.
They had taken the day off for any last minute details that needed to be arranged. Rachel had delivered her dress to Sam’s on Thursday. All her bridesmaids would be getting dressed at the loft while all the groomsmen would be getting dressed at Ava and Xander’s apartment.
Her sister, who was her Matron of Honor, had flown in two days earlier with her family. Michael and his family were flying in that afternoon as were her father, stepmother, and David with his girlfriend. It would be the first time she was seeing him in months, and it made her nervous. They had reconciled over the phone but wasn’t sure how would it be when they were face to face.
After their rehearsal, they all gathered in her Uncle and Aunt’s backyard for a barbecue. David approached her, and as it turned out, their relationship was just like it had been. David joked around with her like they were old friends. Ava felt at ease with him though she noted that his girlfriend, Taylor, looked very much like her except she was taller. It was a fact she decided not to bring up though Xander did.
“Looks like he tried to find a look alike.”
“Xander, please. First, you’re angry at him that he has a crush on me and now you’re mad at him for finding a girlfriend?”
“No, finding a girlfriend that looks like you.”
“Can we drop it? I’m yours, and I always will be.”
“I’ll drop it, but I’m keeping my eye on him.”
Ava threw her hands up in disgust and walked over to talk to Dani. By the end of the night, her anxiety arrived. Tomorrow, they would stand in front of three hundred and fifty guests and renew their wedding vows. It would also be the day they told their loved ones that Ava was pregnant.
She said her goodbyes to Xander, kissing him passionately before Sam tugged at her hand.
“They’ll be plenty of time for that tomorrow.”
“I love you,” she called to him as they got into a cab.
“It’s just one night for Pete’s sake. Can’t you two keep your hands off each other?”
“It’s been almost a week, and I’m dying right now.”
“A week? Seriously?”
“Yes, Xander decided we should abstain for this week.”
“I give you credit because now that I’m pregnant, I want it all the time. I think Robert works late at the gym sometimes to hide from me,” Sam laughed.
“I don’t think Xander needed a rest. I think he did it so our wedding night would mean something. After all, we’ve been through, our ups and down, back and forth, here we are.”
“If you told me ten years ago we would be in this position, me, married to your cousin, and you married to Xander, I would never have believed it. And now we’re going to have babies that are going to play with each other and be best friends.”
That night as predicted, Ava had a hard time sleeping. Robert went to stay with Xander, so she and Sam shared a bed. She tossed and turned until exhaustion claimed her in the early hours of the morning. When Sam woke her at seven, she was groggy and cranky.
“Get up; it’s your wedding day!”
She pulled the sheet over her head, “How can you be so cheery without coffee?”
“Who says I don’t drink coffee?”
Ava peeked out from under the sheet, “You do? The doctor told me to stop drinking caffeine.”
“I drink decaf.”
“I’d rather go without if I have to drink decaf.”
“Come on; you need to get up. Everyone will be here in a couple of hours.”
Sam was right. Her bridesmaids (besides Sam, she had Rachel, Dani, Brooke, Alicia, Suzanne, Lidia, Charlotte, and Sandra) would be at the loft soon. Two makeup artists and three hair stylist from Verona were coming at ten, a gift from Rachel that made it easier, so they didn’t have to travel to the salon.
By 12:30, everyone’s hair and makeup were perfect. Ava felt anxiety and wished she could have a drink to calm her nerves. It was time to get dressed, and Rachel unzipped the garment bag that held her dress.
“Oh my God, that dress is gorgeous,” Brooke exclaimed.
It was gorgeous, and one of the most beautiful that Rachel had fashioned. She had made a tulle over organza satin ball gown with hand-beaded embroidered lace appliqués on the bodice that descended onto the full skirt of the gown with a sweetheart neckline. It included spaghetti straps that could be detached; Ava chose to remove them today. The back was open with Swarovski crystals on the cathedral length train. Rachel had painstakingly sewn on beadwork herself.
After they had helped her dress, they stood back in awe of how radiant she looked. Rachel leaned in and whispered that she had plenty of room in the waist and Ava smiled at her. The only thing to complete the ensemble was the veil. Rachel had created a simple elbow length one. Ava shoes, by contrast, were simple but elegant Badgley Mischka Ivory pumps.
She wore her favorite teardrop diamond earrings and a matching diamond necklace. Ava was the picture of beauty, and her bridesmaids crowded around her to congratulate her. Her sister took her by the hand and pulled her into the bathroom telling everyone she needed a private moment with her.
“I just want to tell you how proud I am of you and all you’ve accomplished. You know that Mom is with us, don’t you?”
Ava began to fan her face to prevent the tears from ruining her perfect makeup.
“I know.”
Brooke looked her in the eyes, “It will happen for you. One day you’ll be a mother.”
“I have something to tell you.”
Brooke looked at her expectantly.
“I’m pregnant.”
“What? How?”
“My fallopian tube was blocked. I had a test that uses dye, and the doctor said it must have cleared enough space so an egg could get fertilized.”
“How far along are you?”
“A little over two months.”
“You knew all this time and said nothing?”
“I wanted to make sure. Don’t be angry.”
She hugged Ava, “I’m not. I’m thrilled.”
“Do you want to know the best part? I’m pregnant with twins.”
“That’s wonderful. When are you going to tell everyone? I’m not sure I can hold this news very long.”
“Family in private and then we will tell everyone else.”
Sam knocked on the door, “We have to go. The limo is here.”
In the limo, Ava bounced her knee until Alicia, who was sitting next to her, stopped it.
“I’m sorry, I’m very nervous.”
“Relax, you’ll do fine. The hard part is over; you’re already married.”
Chapter 40
“I now pronounce you husband and wife, again. You may kiss your bride.”
Xander leaned down and planted a firm kiss on her lips, then picked her up in his arms and twirled her around.
Ava would never forget the look in his hazel eyes when she walked down the aisle. He was so handsome in his gray tuxedo with a lavender bow tie. As she got closer to him, he swiped at the tears that welled in his eyes, the same tears that continued during the ceremony. She, on the other hand, let her tears flow freely. Several times he r
eached over and pushed them off her cheeks with his thumb.
He took her hand, and they walked down the aisle. A gentle breeze blew as it had during their first ceremony. This event was all that she had dreamed, but it didn’t rival the ceremony they shared privately in Key West.
Their reception was a whirlwind. Ava and Xander barely had time to eat as they visited with relatives and friends. She was thankful when dinner was served, and they got to relax for a few minutes outside of the constant glass clinking for them to kiss.
During the toasts by Brooke and Jacob, who was Xander’s best man, she drank sparkling cider. They had decided to keep her pregnancy a secret until it was just family. The rest would find out soon enough for her waistline was going to swell.
After dinner had been served, they danced together. It was one of the few times that they had danced during their relationship over the years. She placed her cheek against his chest as they moved around the floor. She could have guessed based on his movements in bed that he was graceful.
On the limo ride to their apartment, Ava commented on what a beautiful dancer he was and that they should do it more. He promised they would. She was exhausted but in need of him after having abstained for the past few days. He slipped her on his lap and gently kissed her.
“I love you more than you know, Mrs. Wilder.”
“I think I know, Mr. Wilder because it’s the same way I love you.”
He played with the wedding rings on her finger. She had opted for a diamond encrusted knot that incorporated her engagement ring while his was a simple thick gold band.
When the limo arrived at their apartment, he helped her out and scooped her into his arms, carrying her through the lobby, the elevator and finally their front door. He used his foot to kick the door closed before he carefully placed her on her feet.
“We’re finally home.”
Xander took her by the hand and led her into their bedroom. He began kissing her neck, and she closed her eyes, tipping her chin to allow him to kiss underneath it. He stopped and began to remove the many pins that held her hair. Slowly, one by one, he released her thick hair until it cascaded down her back.
Then he began to work on the buttons on the back of her dress. He gently opened them until her back was fully exposed, kissing along her spine as the garment sank towards the floor. She turned to him, tugging at the edge of his tie, opening it and pulling it through his collar. She held it in her hand, smiling at him.