Marcus: The M Series, Book Three

by Ryanne Anthony

“Mariah and I decided no attendants. Just her and I at the altar.”

  They immediately froze.

  Matthew scowled at Joshua. “Do you see what you did? Now, it's not either of us!”

  “Me? You're the one who nagged and pleaded!”

  “I do not nag, Twerp!”

  “What the fuck do you think you're doing now, Toad?”

  “Boys! Do I have to go get your mother,” Dad shouted over them.

  “No, sir,” they said in unison, like they were six and nine again.

  “Nice work, Dad,” I grinned.

  He smiled. “Let's get you married before they start up again.”

  Of course, as we went down the stairs they started tagging each other. I turned, tilted my head and glared, giving them the same move I did when Mother would get exasperated with them. The first time I did it, I ended up making Matthew black and blue after he flushed Evelyn's earring down a toilet. Since then, all I had to do was give them that look, and they straightened up. I hadn't done it in fifteen years, at least.

  To my surprise, it worked right away. They moved to either side of the stairs and behaved. I mentally patted myself on the back.

  I greeted our guests with a huge grin on my face, with Matthew at my side. I spotted Ira, who was definitely feeling the aftermath of the party last night. I made him a vodka and Red Bull and laughed at his perplexed and doubting expression when I passed it to him.

  He swallowed the drink fast. “Fuck you, Marcus. What the hell was in that punch?”

  I laughed again. “Something that makes a gay man forget he’s gay with a female stripper!”

  Matthew grinned at me. “That was no female, Cramp. I hired only one stripper and it was that one especially for Ira!”

  “Don't think I didn't appreciate that, either,” Ira grinned. “I appreciated it all fucking night.”

  I laughed again and slapped his back. He winced. “Hurry up and get married, man. I'm sleeping for a week after this.”

  Ethan was sitting with sunglasses on and looking very pale.

  “What's this,” he asked when Matthew gave him a vodka and Red Bull.

  “Hair of the dog with a kick,” I informed. “Give it a couple minutes. At your bachelor party, I hope you do better than last night.”

  “I hope I don't,” he grinned, then swallowed the drink fast. “Matthew will make sure I won’t.”

  “Damn right I will,” Matthew laughed, patting Ethan's back, making him groan.

  Mandy approached and gave me a small box. “This is from Mariah,” she smiled. “Glad you two made it here, Marcus.”

  “Me too.” I grinned and opened my gift. It grew bigger when I saw the platinum cufflinks with our initials and wedding date engraved on them. Mandy helped me remove the old ones.

  “Very nice.” Mandy smiled when she’d finished fastening the new cufflinks. “That must have been some party last night,” she murmured as she looked around the garden.

  “Not really. Poker and too much drinking. Very tame,” I said as Bryan tottered into the garden with his wife, Sarah. She was shooting daggers at me and Matthew. Bryan definitely had a little too much fun, and unfortunately, he took a few pictures.

  I think Dad, Thomas and I were the only ones who didn’t drink last night. Everyone else tied one on hard.

  “Maybe we had too much fun last night,” I said to Matthew after Mandy left us. We watched Russell stagger in and almost trip. He grabbed a seat and put his head in his hands. Matthew and I moved to the bar and made more of the drinks.

  “Russell and Twerp didn't have a real party before they married. We had to make it up to them.”

  I nudged his arm. “Did you go home with that Asian beauty?”

  “Yeah, I did... and her Hispanic friend, too. I almost didn't make it here on time. I haven't slept, yet. Well, I had a little in between rounds, and I had a hell of a wakeup call!”

  I shook my head as he laughed. I walked over to Russell and gave him a drink.

  “All of it,” I advised him. He shushed me.

  “Damn... How the hell is Matthew walking around and laughing like that? He drank more than I did. So did Ethan. Look at him.”

  I glanced over at Ethan, who was laughing and talking with some guests. I tapped Russell's glass.

  “You should have seen him twenty minutes ago. Drink up.”

  “Your sister is pissed at me. She says I can't play with you guys anymore,” he chuckled.

  “She'll get over it,” I laughed. “We’ll be in a park, soon.”

  He laughed. I patted his back then gave Bryan a fixer, too. Sarah's scowl and glare in my direction spoke volumes.

  “Were there strippers at that party, Marcus?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did he touch any of them?”

  “Yes.”

  Bryan glared at me.

  “I knew it,” Sarah pouted, on the verge of tears.

  “He touched one's breasts and told her yours were better. She was very offended and left.”

  She narrowed her eyes at me. Bryan grinned and winced. He downed his drink quickly.

  “You’re lying, Marcus.”

  “Matthew,” I called.

  My brother walked over to us. “Hi, Sarah. You know, you really know how to fuck up a bachelor party, Bryan. I can't believe you insulted that stripper.”

  Sarah glared at Matthew. “How did he insult her?”

  “He told her that her ass needed work and that was after he told that other one her breasts were nowhere near as good as yours.” He stared at her chest. “Mmm, he was right! Damn, Bryan, you are a lucky guy!”

  “Stop leering at his wife, Matthew! Go fix Mike one of those!”

  Sarah sighed. “You still like my breasts, Bryan?”

  “Always, sweetheart. You know that,” Bryan said softly as he passed me his empty glass. He gave me a thumbs up then waved me off.

  Rob approached me as I went back to the bar. “Please tell me she is single,” he said with a groan. “Damn, I meant to meet her at Twerp’s wedding.”

  I looked around. “Who?”

  “That beautiful girl in the blue dress. No over there.”

  I looked where he’s nodding. “Elka?”

  “Elka,” he groaned. “Is she single? Tell me she's single!”

  I laughed. “No idea. Let's go find out.”

  I smiled at Elka as Rob and I walked over. I kissed her cheek.

  “Thanks for coming, Elka. How are your parents?”

  “They're great, Marcus, thank you,” Elka grinned. “Except Mom is ticked she can't be here. She's still raving about Mariah saving Mandy's reception. You guys are getting married fast and they couldn't get a flight back in time. Be aware: Mom’s threatening to bake something for you when she returns,” she laughed. “Did you like our gifts for the babies?”

  I laughed and nodded. “Yes, we did. I think you bought out a toy store. Mariah was excited and very pleased.”

  Elka smiled. “It was the least we could do after she was so giving to Mandy and Joshua.”

  “She was,” I nodded then turned to Rob. “Rob, meet Mandy’s sister, Elka Plummer. Elka, do you remember Dr. Robert Brand?”

  She smiles at Rob. “I do. I saw him at Mandy and Joshua's wedding. He disappeared before I could slip him my number.”

  Rob sat next to her. “I had to leave early; I was paged for a delivery. Is it possible to get that number now?”

  She grinned. “Of course, Dr. Brand. Or I could give it to you over breakfast in the morning.”

  Rob's jaw dropped. He sat back and stared at Elka. “Go away, Frank. Go get married or something.”

  I chuckled as my father approached. “Come, son. Your bride is ready.”

  I grinned as we walked toward the altar. “How did they take it?” I asked Dad.

  “They were surprised and happy. I think they're okay with it.”

  I nodded. Last night, I asked Dad to tell Matthew and Joshua they both were going to be best man but to wait
until the last minute.

  I grinned again as I approached Reverend Andrew Miller, Dad's golfing buddy and lifelong friend, and shook his hand.

  “Congratulations, Marcus. I'm glad to be able to do this for you.”

  “Thank you, Reverend. So are we.”

  I heard a piano begin to play. Nathan walked out of the house with Evelyn then Joshua walked out with Monica. Finally, Matthew walked out with a red and giggly Lisa. No doubt Matthew was saying lewd things to her, as he did with Mandy's friend at Joshua's wedding. He was quite vivid in my ear about how Joshua and Mandy's wedding night was going to go while the Reverend was marrying them.

  Finally, Thomas appeared. Mariah walked up to him and took his arm. They spoke for a moment and Mariah nodded. I smiled as they slowly walked down the stairs. Purple was still a winner. She looked beautiful.

  “Your face is going to hurt later, Cramp,” Matthew whispered at my ear.

  “What? Why?” I replied as I stared at that beautiful woman.

  “That big of a grin is using too many rarely-used muscles in your face.”

  I laughed and he circled my shoulder, patting it.

  When Mariah and Thomas made it down the stairs, she stopped him and patted her thigh. She’d gotten winded, but made it down safely. Smiling, Mariah held up a finger to me.

  “Don't move,” she yelled. “Be with ya in a minute. Whoo!”

  That drew a big laugh and applause.

  Matthew gripped my shoulders. “I got him, Cookie! He ain’t going anywhere!”

  More laughs filled the garden.

  “He’d better not! Rachel has the shotgun loaded and ready,” Mother called out.

  Bigger laughter sounded after Rachel shouted, “Double barreled!”

  Mariah laughed and nodded to Thomas. They started walking again. Finally, they get to me.

  “No exchanges or refunds, Cannon,” Thomas mocked glared at me.

  I shrugged. “I lost the receipt, anyway.”

  He laughed. “Good answer!”

  Thomas smiled at Mariah, kissed her cheek then placed her hand in mine. She watched as he sat next to an emotional Rachel then, smiling, she looked at me.

  She grinned and, a little winded, she whispered, “Yay! I made it!”

  I grinned and caressed her cheek. “You okay?”

  “Better than okay. Let's get married.”

  I squeezed her hand as Reverend Miller began.

  * * *

  “Dr. Alexander! Mariah's asking for you. You better get in here before you miss the next one.”

  “The next one,” I yelled as I scrubbed my hands faster. “She delivered one already?”

  “Oh, yes, Doctor. He's here and screaming up a storm!”

  Damn it! Hold on, baby, I cannot miss both births, I thought as I reached for a towel and entered the delivery room. My son's screams blocked out every other sound in the room. I walked to him and stared. He was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, outside of his mother, of course.

  I looked at the pediatrician on call, happy it was John Brewer. I trust him.

  “John?”

  “Congratulations, Marcus. He's great. It's time for the second Apgar. You want to do it?”

  I grinned. “Yes.” I put on gloves and look over my boy. He was nice and pink, his pulse was excellent, he was moving well and screaming loudly.

  “Nine,” I smiled and continued to stare at my son.

  “Ms. Jones,” John called. “Apgar 9 /9.”

  “Yes, Doctor.”

  “Let's get a fetal monitor going, see if we can figure out when number two wants to make his appearance.”

  Just then, Mariah screamed; the next one was coming soon.

  “Never mind! Mariah, baby number two is still in his sack, so I'm going to puncture it. I need you to keep still, all right?”

  She panted. “Okay. Where's Marcus?”

  “I'm here, baby. I'm just looking over, uh… Which one is he? What's his name, baby?”

  “Donald! Ahhh! What the hell, Rob? I hate you as much as I hate Marcus right now!”

  “You'll get over it in a few minutes, Mariah,” Rob chuckled.

  “Ms. Jones? This is Donald Harvey Cannon.”

  “Yes, doctor.”

  “All right, Mariah. Number two is set, so when you're ready you can push, all right?”

  I moved over to her side and caressed her head. She moaned, tiredly. “Okay. I'm ready!” She clamped her jaw and pushed as the nurses counted slowly.

  “Stop counting,” Mariah screamed, completely irritated. She stopped pushing and fell back, looking like she wanted to give up.

  I glanced down and saw the top of the next baby's head. I took her hand and entwined our fingers.

  “One more and you're done. He's right there, baby, come on. You can do this. One more, let's go.”

  She whimpered as she sat up and pushed with everything left in her. Suddenly, she screamed bloody murder and the baby glided into Rob's hands.

  “And stay out,” she mumbled, falling back on the bed again as the nurses chuckled at her.

  “Congratulations, Marcus and Mariah; another boy,” Rob announced.

  I high-fived John and a few nurses. Rob handed me scissors and I cut the cord. He passed the baby to a waiting John. I turned to Mariah, who looked like she was going to be asleep in less than a minute.

  I kissed her head. “You did it, baby. I love you so much.”

  “Shut up, Marcus. You aren't going back in there, either.”

  I laughed hard, along with John, Rob and the nurses.

  “Dr. Alexander? What's this one's name?” Ms. Jones asked.

  My throat constricted. “Stephen Alexander Cannon,” I croaked out. As she gripped my hand, I kissed Mariah's head again. “Thank you, Mariah. For everything.”

  She smiled and her eyes drooped. “Yeah, you better thank me because I'm never doing this again!”

  The room laughed as Mariah nodded off.

  “All right, Rob, you be careful down there. I have an appointment in six weeks I want to keep and I will sue you if I have to cancel.”

  He smirked at me then shook his head. “She's fine, not even a tear.”

  “Congratulations, Marcus,” Greg said, slapping my back.

  I shook his hand. “Thanks, Greg. What are you doing up here?”

  “Mariah's donating the cord blood. I need to get it harvested.”

  “She is?”

  “Yes, she is, Frank,” Rob said, passing the clamped placenta to a now-gloved Greg. “She signed on her first visit. She didn't tell you?”

  “No, she didn't,” I look at my sleeping wife and fall in love with her all over again.

  * * *

  “Where's Mariah, Marcus? And the babies,” Rachel grinned as the family entered Mariah's room.

  “Rob is checking her out thoroughly. I threatened to sue him, so he's be extra cautious,” I laughed, then nodded my head. “Here come the babies now,” I murmured as Ms. Jones wheeled in my sons. Everyone cooed over the boys as they quietly laid side by side.

  “Oh, look at my grandsons,” Mother cried as Dad gripped her shoulders. I think I saw a tear in his eye, too.

  “Good job, Marcus. Nice looking boys,” Thomas patted my back.

  “Thanks, Thomas,” I grinned.

  Lisa clapped. “So who's Donnie and who's Alex?”

  I smiled as I walked over and lifted a sleeping baby from the bed.

  “This one is Donnie,” I said proudly.

  “How can you tell, Cramp? They look exactly the same.”

  “My secret, Toad. Not sharing.”

  “You can't tell; you're shittin' us,” Nathan laughed.

  I smiled. “Check the band on his ankle, Matthew.”

  Ms. Jones squeezed hand sanitizer in Matthew's palm and he rubs it in sneering at me, looking determined to prove me wrong. He gently tugged a little foot from inside the blanket.

  “I'll be damned. How the hell did you do that? They look exactly a
like!”

  “You're a detective; figure it out,” I murmured, placing Donnie next to his brother, again.

  Matthew stared and stared, even getting right in their faces, which drew laughs all around. He tried a few minutes more but finally gave up.

  “Damn,” he muttered walking away. He froze, came back and stared again. “Shit,” he muttered. “I feel so stupid.”

  I laughed. “You got it, huh?”

  “Yeah, right in my damn face. When did you figure it out?”

  “As soon as they were born.”

  “What,” Nathan frowned, staring.

  Everyone mumbled they couldn't see it either. Matthew and I laughed.

  “Hi, everyone.” Mariah smiled softly as she's wheeled into the room. We watched as Ms. Jones and another nurse helped her in her bed.

  “How do you feel, honey,” Rachel asked.

  “Like I just squeezed two footballs out of my –”

  “Mariah,” Lisa gasped.

  We all laughed; Matthew more than everyone. “Please, please, please let her finish, Lisa!”

  On cue, Mother smacked his head. “Love you, Mommy,” he sung.

  “Oh, okay,” Mariah laughed as she was kissed and hugged by everyone in the room.

  “Are you okay, baby,” I asked after she settled in her bed.

  “I'm fine,” Mariah smiled. “Little tired and sore but for the first time in months, not the least bit hungry.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “Would you like us to leave so you can get some rest,” Mandy asked.

  Mariah smiled. “No, not yet. I would like to see my babies, though.”

  I wheeled the babies to her.

  “Cookie, can you tell them apart,” Evelyn asked.

  “I believe so...” she murmured. She looked for a moment and smiled.

  “That's Alex, that's Donnie,” she pointed, exactly right.

  “What the hell,” Monica exclaimed, baffled.

  Joshua frowned. “I can't tell. Only you, Cramp and Toad have figured it out.”

  Mariah smiled brightly. “Really? Huh. I thought it was obvious. It's the–”

  “No, baby. I want everyone to figure it out on their own,” I stated.

  “See?” Joshua laughed. “Total cramp!”

  Everyone laughed with him as I shook my head.

  “Mom? Katherine? Nothing,” Mariah asked arching her eyebrow.

  “Baby...”