STAY THE NIGHT (The Phillips Family Book 1)

by Vicki Keener

  “Did you tell her how good we are together?”

  “Classified, top secret. Pay attention and get ready to jump up and down and sing. We Lutherans do a lot of that.”

  “I'd rather be jumping up and down on you and I'll sing while I'm doing it.”

  Darja tried to smother a laugh and it came out as a snort. Angelica jabbed her in the ribs.

  Cray leaned in front of the two sisters and said, “Am I going to have to separate you two?”

  “All rise,” the pastor intoned. “Let us pray.”

  After church, Alex and Gwen invited everyone to the Country Club for brunch. Many members stopped by their large table and Alex dutifully introduced the newcomers to their friends.

  Mona said, “Dad, hurry up and eat before the next member descends.”

  “Good idea,” he said scooping a large bite of scrambled eggs. He swallowed and said, “What's on the agenda today?”

  “Dirk and I are going to the Hudson river and rent canoes. Anyone else interested?”

  “I am,” Angelica said, “and so is Cray. He's getting a pot belly from these massive amounts of food we've been consuming and I refuse to marry a man with a pot belly.”

  He laughed. “Guess that means I've got to row, too.”

  “Of course, darling, I don't have a weight problem. I'll sit back, relax and give you encouraging words.”

  Cray didn't have a hint of a pot belly, but he said, “I'm hurt. I thought you liked my soft round belly.”

  “No, I like your soft, round lips.”

  He brushed his lips against hers. “I like yours, too, and the other soft round parts of you.”

  “Let's keep this G-rated,” Mona said and the group laughed.

  Birch and Darja said they'd go canoeing and so did Lake and Ladd. The parents didn't seem interested in strenuous activity.

  Bekka said, “Sounds great, but I'm in surgery tomorrow at seven. Freddie and I are heading back to the city when we finish here.”

  As Freddie drove them towards New York City, he said, “Sweetheart, tell me which option you prefer from our meeting with Lake.”

  “I dislike the idea of being away from you, but it seems that applying for a K-1 Visa makes the most sense. Even if it takes a minimum of four months, I arrive with the intention of marrying a U.S. citizen and once I'm here it sounds like a green card will be forthcoming with no problems.”

  “Yes, I concur. Is there a chance you'll change your mind?”

  “No. Will you?”

  “Sweetheart, five years ago when I turned thirty I decided I wanted to marry and raise a family, but deciding and doing are miles apart. Until I met you, I put that thought on the back burner and didn't consider it.”

  “Do you worry that this is happening too fast?”

  “Do you?”

  “No. I'm sure we'll have our ups and downs while we're learning more about each other, but I'm also sure we'll work through any aggravations. We should probably wait a couple of years before starting a family, but here again, I don't want to wait.”

  “Bekka, I'm an only child. My mother gave birth to a stillborn, but that doesn't count. I'd like to have more than one child, but since you're the one bearing them, it's your choice.”

  “I worked in obstetrics for eighteen months. I recognize the pain of giving birth and sometimes it's terrible for the mother, but think of the reward. I'd like four.”

  “That's the number I thought of, but I don't want to influence you.”

  “I'm thirty-two. We should have them fast. If I have them close together, do you think I could have a baby-sitter until they're at least out of diapers?”

  “We'll hire a nanny for each one of them,” he said.

  “No, absolutely not. Freddie, I'm adamant about that. You and I must raise our children, not hired help.”

  “I'll be a good father, I promise and you take charge of hiring the help you need. If you want us to spend our time raising the kids, then we'll hire a housekeeper and cook.”

  “There's something else.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I'd rather not raise our children in the city. Kids need wide open spaces to run and explore and they need pets and lots of friends their age. I don't want my children sent away to boarding school, either. Can we do that? How does that affect your job?”

  “The moment you're pregnant, we'll find a house you love in a neighborhood you love with kids, grass, dogs, cats and don't forget a swing set and a tree house. I can direct my business from a home office as easily as going to the city. You and our children are my top priority. Oh and no boarding school. We can send them to public school or private school, whichever you think is best, but they come home every night, sit around the table and we'll help them with their homework.”

  She laughed and said, “Let's go to your place and get me pregnant.”

  “Are you serious because there's nothing I'd like better.”

  “You like the idea of bareback,” she said teasing.

  “Never did that, but I understand it gives a whole new meaning to making love.”

  “Are we being impetuous?”

  “I guess. It depends if you want to be showing in your wedding gown.”

  “I don't care about a wedding gown, but I do want to be your wife. Freddie, I love you.”

  He swung the car into a roadside rest, shut off the engine and took her in his arms. “Bekka, I love you. To think you had to travel thousands of miles and if Cray and Mona weren't my friends, I wouldn't have met you. It can't be a coincidence. I will love you until my last breath and then I'll continue to love you and watch over you from afar.”

  He kissed her with so much passion she moaned and when he released her, she said, “Let's go home. I need to have you on me, in me with no barriers.”

  The Phillips and Andersson siblings spent a glorious afternoon on the river canoeing. They held races and Mona cried foul when her brothers Lake and Ladd won each time.

  “It's not fair because you have two strong men rowing while the rest of us are a mixed couple. Everyone knows that men have more brute strength than women, but women are smarter.”

  “More cunning, sneaky and conniving, too,” Ladd said causing an uproar among the women. Mona stood up in the canoe ready to do verbal battle. Dirk saved them from tipping by hauling her down on the seat while he worked hard to keep the balance.

  Dirk said, “You were saying what about women being smarter? That was a dumb ass stunt you pulled, Mona.”

  “My brothers rile me.”

  He laughed. “That's obvious, but hold your temper. I don't relish taking a swim in the Hudson River in May.”

  Freddie dropped off Bekka at the hospital at six the next morning. She kissed him and said, “I'll call you when I'm finished and done checking the kids when they're out of recovery. It should be mid afternoon since there are five scheduled today.”

  “Okay, sweetheart, good luck. I love you. Don't tire yourself. It's my baby too that you're carrying.”

  “You rascal. Do you really think I can get pregnant after one try? Not likely.”

  “Three tries, sweetheart. Three fantastic, wonderful, heart-pounding tries. I love you.”

  Bekka called him at four that afternoon. “Hi. No need to hurry. I took a cab home.”

  “You're at our place?”

  “Yes, I told you I'm home. This is my home, too, isn't it?”

  “It is indeed until we buy a rambling house with lots of yard and fill it with our kids. I believe the first one is on its way. How do you feel?”

  “Tired. Ready to collapse. Exhilarated. Joyful. Madly in love, but I doubt I'm pregnant, so I suggest we keep trying multiple times until I leave for the place of my birth. My real home is with you.”

  “Bekka,
I love you so much. I'm leaving the office now.”

  “I'll be in the shower washing off the hospital grime.”

  “No, wait for me. Will you wait?”

  “I will if you'll give me a massage after we shower.”

  “Done.”

  Freddie walked in the door of his condo and detected her subtle fragrance, realized she showered without him. He rushed to their bedroom and found her stretched out on the bed naked with her arms above her head, her full breasts thrust toward the ceiling and her hips twisted in a seductive pose with one leg bent.

  “Don't be angry that I showered. I'm ready for you, but I do have one request.”

  “Anything, sweetheart.”

  “Take off your clothes and join me.”

  “Is it normal for the masseuse to be naked?”

  “It is when I want you to start the massage from the inside out, darling.”

  His clothes fell in a heap on the floor and he joined her in bed, kissing her with deep passion, his tongue setting a pace that her hips soon followed. He moved to her breasts, laving, nipping, sucking. “Your breasts are so perfect for suckling our children.” His mouth moved lower until he knelt between her legs.

  “As much as I love what you do to me, I can't get pregnant that way. I'm so ready for you.”

  “Yes and delectable, too.” He entered her with slow, sure strokes while he kissed her.

  Afterward, he held her, kissed her and told her of his undying love. She fell asleep with a smile on her face. He eased from the bed, placed the sheet over her body and tiptoed from the room, taking a casual set of clothes from his closet.

  More than an hour later she woke, noted the time, used the bathroom, wrapped a robe around her naked body and wandered to the living room. She found him in the den watching the stock market channel. He rose and embraced her. “Do you feel better, honey?”

  She grinned and kissed him. “I do. It must be the massage that put me to sleep.”

  He chuckled. “They're known to do that. Our dinner should be here any minute, so your timing is great.” The doorbell rang.

  He carried the food to the kitchen, plated it and led her to the dining room. She gazed at the candlelit table with a fresh bouquet of spring flowers and the finest china and silver. She said, “You've been busy. What's the occasion?”

  “You. Me. Us. I'm celebrating our love. Is that okay?”

  They began to eat the full course dinner he ordered. “It's more than okay. You're romantic and it thrills me, sweetheart.”

  “Tell me about your day.”

  “The surgeon I worked with today for the five surgeries offered me a job as his exclusive operating room assistant nurse after I immigrate and pass the state test.”

  “Does that interest you?”

  “Yes, his skills are amazing and he has a calm demeanor. So many surgeons suffer from a God complex, but he doesn't. He'd be good to assist, but,”

  “But what?”

  “I want to be a stay-at-home mother. It's the most important job in the world. Do you want me to work outside the home?”

  They finished their meal and he took her hand. “Bekka, I'm an only child spoiled rich kid, but I never caused my parents heartbreak or worry. I attribute that to my parents and to my innate nature to do the right thing. I waited a long time to find the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with and that's you.” He sank to one knee and said, “I will always respect you, honor you and love you as my wife and the mother of our children. I will never cause you one moment of pain deliberately. I love you with every fiber of my being. Will you marry me?”

  Unable to speak because of the tears pouring down her face she nodded. He slipped a huge square emerald surrounded by diamonds on her left-hand ring finger, rose and held her. “Don't cry, Bekka. We'll have a wonderful life together.” He handed her his handkerchief.

  “Yes, I'm sure we will. Freddie, I've been scared to love you as much as I do for fear you didn't return my love, but your words tell me we're meant to be and I promise I will never abuse your love or your trust and we'll raise a loving family together. I've never seen such a beautiful ring.”

  He led her to the living room and they sat with his arm around her. “That ring has quite a history. My great grandfather Winthrop gave that to my grandmother the day he proposed to her. The ring has passed to the eldest son since then. It came to me ten years ago when my grandmother died. We adored each other. My father didn't give the ring to my mother because she had inherited a diamond ring from her grandmother that she wanted to wear as her engagement and wedding ring. Therefore, Grandma kept it for me. She died eleven years ago and it's been in my safe the entire time. I took it to the jewelers today where they cleaned it and made sure the stones are secure. We can have it sized if it's too big.”

  “It's perfect, sweetheart, and I'll wear it with pride.”

  Cray and Angelica's wedding day dawned clear and warm with an azure sky laced with a few puffy clouds. The families ate breakfast together and then the men were shuffled out of the house to do whatever men do and then dress for the ceremony at Ladd's house. The men kissed their respective girls before leaving and the women relaxed with a second cup of coffee and chatted about the coming events.

  “Are you a wreck, Angie?” Mona asked.

  She laughed and said, “No, should I be?”

  “Your entire life as you've known it is about to change,” Mona said persisting.

  “For the better, Mona. Bekka tell her how wonderful this feeling of marrying the man you adore is.”

  “It's indescribable. I can't put it in words.”

  “Mona, dear,” Gwen said. “When you find a man you want to spend your life with and he wants the same, it's as though your heart and your head are in perfect alignment and agreement. That's the way I describe a love that lasts a lifetime. Celena, do you agree?”

  “I do. Some couples are in love with love or are in lust or marry for lots of reasons and that love doesn't stand the test of time. Everlasting love can come in a flash or take a long time to simmer and grow. I believe that each woman and each man can reflect and know whether it will last. Then and only then should they marry. Angelica and Bekka you've chosen wisely and your love will grow throughout the years. There will be strife and turmoil because that's living. It will be nothing you can't overcome with your husband and you looking further down the path and realizing that your love will conquer any obstacle.”

  “Mamma, that's beautiful,” Darja said. “You never spoke like that.”

  Celena laughed and said, “And in a foreign language, too. Gwen and I want grandchildren. We talked about it. There are nine children between us. Surely, some of you will bless us with babies.”

  “Freddie and I will give you babies, Mamma. We want four and we want them soon and close together.”

  “That's wonderful,” Gwen said.

  “Cray and I don't plan on having children. If we'd met when we were younger....” Her voice drifted away. “We'll be a doting uncle and aunt though and volunteer for babysitting duty.”

  “Mamma,” Bekka said, “Did you and Pappa discuss Freddie's offer to sponsor our family to immigrate here?”

  “We did. We spoke with the entire group after you and Freddie left for the hotel.”

  “What's the consensus?”

  Celena didn't reply and Angelica said, “Bekka, they'd need to sell the store first. They don't relish living in New York City. They'd prefer a small town if they moved here. Darja wants to move here sooner rather than later. She's finally decided she wants to study to be a paralegal and before you wonder why at this late date, Birch assured us that they discussed it and he was surprised to realize she'd done lots of research on line before she met him. It's Dirk who worries them. He remained quiet and offered no input. Mona, did he express himself to
you later?”

  “He told me without an education he didn't think he could get a good job and support himself or a family in the future. The cost of everything here boggles his mind. He did mention going to firefighter school and that is an option open to him. I assured him that the cost of living is exorbitant in the city and doesn't reflect most of the rest of the country. He gave me the impression that family is so important to him and he wouldn't stay behind if the rest immigrated. He said he understood why his parents would want to be closer to his sisters and especially if children are involved. In my opinion, he needs someone to give him options concerning how to earn a living.”

  “Mona,” Celena said, “he confided in you what he'd never tell us.”

  “I didn't get a chance to talk to Cray about this, but I suspect we can find a position for him in our company. We talked about so many things and I'm impressed with his knowledge in so many areas. He told me he's been doing the purchasing for your store and keeps track of inventory control. We buy companies all the time and inventory control is always an issue. He's got a quick intellect and he'd pick it up fast. Right now we send someone from material's management to a new company for a few days, but it's a haphazard way of doing it because we're relying on the current employees to be honest with us and that doesn't happen often because they're afraid of losing their position. Dirk would need to travel to the companies we buy, immerse himself in the knowledge of what it takes to keep the factory running while not overstocking supplies.”

  “Mona, I'll discuss this with Cray,” Angelica said, “and have him call you.”

  Mona laughed. “It's your honeymoon, Angie. It's not my idea of what takes place on a honeymoon.”

  “Our honeymoon is going to last three months. It's not like there won't be time to talk.”

  “He's going to ban you from seeing me,” Mona said laughing.

  “He told me he wants me to be a partner in every aspect of his life. I'll put it to the test. Don't forget the fact that you'll be running the company while we're gone and making a lot of decisions.”

  Chapter 19