Turbulent Intentions

by Melody Anne

  As Cooper and Stormy embraced, the lobby erupted into applause and the sound of cameras clicking as the crowd of passengers, friends, and family all hugged and congratulated each other and the new couple. Something that could have been a great tragedy was ending so beautifully.

  Sherman looked down from his vantage point, and he caught a glimpse of someone he hadn’t seen for too long. When the man looked up, their eyes connected.

  As the two locked gazes, for a fleeting moment Ace smiled, perhaps out of gladness for seeing his uncle, Sherman hoped. But quickly, his nephew regained his composure, his eyes again became ice, and the lone wolf walked out the doors, to wander and lust after the desires of his soul.

  And Sherman’s heart broke.

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  Cooper stood face-to-face with his reflection, smartly dressed in his uniform. Over the harbor, the frosty January morning had left the world blanketed in a white lace of frozen dew. Cooper’s mother lightly knocked at his door and entered the bedroom.

  “Today is your big day. Your bride looks splendid, absolutely angelic. Your father would be . . . is. Your father is very proud of you. I am proud of you, too, and I love you.” Resting her face against his shoulder while lightly rubbing the small of his back, Evelyn embraced her son.

  “I know. I know he’s proud of me. It’s a funny thing, but I understand now why he chose to do things as he did. I have so much peace inside me, and it’s all because I fell in love.”

  “Yes, love keeps us sane,” his mother said with a sad smile.

  “I’m sorry you’ve been without him for so long,” Cooper told her.

  “Thank you, son. That means more than you could ever imagine.”

  Peering back out the window as he reined his emotions in, he decided he liked the cold and ice. It was clean, crisp, and beautiful.

  “We better go. I don’t want to keep my bride waiting.”

  “Yes, let’s not keep my new daughter waiting.” Evelyn smiled at her son as she took his hand and led him from the room and downstairs to a waiting limousine, where Sherman and his brothers were already sitting.

  “Are you ready to be tied down for time and all eternity?” Nick asked with a punch to his arm.

  “Yeah, I am,” Cooper said, not even embarrassed.

  “What in the world has happened to you?” Maverick asked with a laugh.

  “I fell in love. You should try it sometime,” he told his brother.

  “No thank you. I prefer to hold on to my balls,” Mav said with a wink.

  “Yeah, without a wife, I’m sure you’re doing that a lot,” Cooper told him.

  “Hey!” Mav scowled. “I have no problem finding women to warm my bed.”

  “Yeah, but at the end of it all, you’re still left with an empty bed,” Cooper said.

  “This is a conversation a mother shouldn’t be hearing,” Evelyn told her sons, reminding them she was there.

  “Sorry, Mom,” Mav quickly muttered.

  “Let’s just focus on your brother since this is his day,” Evelyn suggested.

  “I think that sounds like a plan,” Nick said, happy for once not to be the one getting in trouble. “Besides, you’re a national hero who’s marrying a beautiful girl. Plus, I’m going to be an uncle. And since I helped so much in the relationship, I think you should name my nephew after me.”

  “Stormy and I were thinking of naming him William Sherman . . . or Will.” Scanning their faces for reactions to the name of the little boy that would be coming in the spring, Cooper fondly smiled at his mother.

  “That’s a wonderful name, son. Baby Will is a wonderful name and this grandma can’t wait to meet him.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  “Lindsey, my hair is beautiful.” Stormy gazed in the mirror at her best friend, who’d been fussing with the do all morning.

  “I know, but I’m so nervous,” Lindsey replied.

  “Isn’t that supposed to be my line?” Stormy questioned with a laugh. Though, she didn’t feel nervous at all. She just felt excitement.

  “Yes, it is. How are you feeling?”

  “I was sort of afraid that Cooper would snap out of the shock of the crash and run away when he realized he was engaged, but I know he loves me,” Stormy said with a secret smile.

  Placing both hands on Stormy’s arms, Lindsey replied, “Of course he does. I’ve seen the way he looks at you . . . and it’s true love. There’s no mistaking it.”

  Stormy smiled at her best friend as she thanked her for always being there. But soon they were interrupted as a knock sounded at the door.

  The door creaked open and a soft voice broke the silence.

  “Hello, dear. I wanted to see my beautiful daughter-in-law before the big moment.”

  “Please, come in.” Stormy gave her a smile. Evelyn had been so kind to her from the moment they’d first met.

  “You are absolutely stunning, darling,” Evelyn said.

  “Thank you,” Stormy replied quietly.

  She turned and gazed at her image in the mirror. She’d chosen simple and comfortable, but the dress was indeed stunning. It was white, but unique in style. The bodice of the dress was adorned with lacy designs of silky, white, gilded ivy and jasmine flowers. The waist flowed into a billowing gown with ornate accents surrounded by small gems that made it look as if she were walking through a field of flowers.

  At the waist, pure silk encircled the front, ending in a diamond-studded pendant of her own making that was affixed to the dress. Evelyn had been so impressed with Stormy’s designs that she was backing her in a jewelry shop where she could create custom jewelry and finally pursue her dream. Her world kept getting better and bigger each and every day.

  “It’s time.” Sherman stood in the doorway now, tears in his eyes.

  “Oh, Sherman.” She moved to him and kissed his cheek. “Meeting you has changed my entire life. There aren’t words to express how much you mean to me. Thank you for walking me down the aisle. I miss my dad so much, but I know he sent me you. He brought you into my life when I was at my most vulnerable and you’ve lifted me back up when all I wanted to do was lie on the ground and cry.”

  Sherman’s eyes shone as he gazed at her, and that made her cry all the more.

  “I’ve only known a beautiful, strong, confident woman from the moment I met you,” he said. “Yes, you might have thought you were broken, but you never have been. I’m the one who is so grateful our paths crossed, and I do believe it was your father. He gave us to each other when we both needed someone so desperately.”

  “Thank you.” His words meant more to her than she could ever explain.

  And then it was time. Now her stomach tensed just the littlest bit. The ceremony she could do without. But knowing at the end of it that she and Cooper would belong to each other, well, that made her having to be in the spotlight worth it.

  She’d finally found what she wanted from life. It was funny how everything could go from so chaotic to nearly perfect in such a short amount of time. All she’d had to do was stop fretting about the small and big stuff, and then life had managed to come around.

  Now she was walking to the man she loved. And they were going to have a very happy ever after.

  Their family and friends gathered together in a quaint chapel that early January afternoon. Both sides of the aisle were bathed in color from the light that shown through the stained glass windows lining both sides of the sanctuary.

  The room was adorned in sheer white fabric, draped from the ceiling and woven down the pillars that lined the sanctuary. The swaths of fabric swept around large porcelain vases containing brilliant yellow and red roses.

  Stormy, dressed in her wedding gown, appearing like a queen fit for coronation, stealthily peered through a cracked side door at the sanctuary altar. It was all so dreamlike, all too perfect, and yet it was also all for her. A tan and calloused hand reached for hers.

  “It’s time,” Sherman said. “But if you’re having second
thoughts, you know I’ll sneak you out of here right now.”

  “Oh, Sherman, that’s why I want to marry Cooper. Because I know I don’t have to.” Stormy smiled as she took her place next to Sherman, who looked so suave in his black tuxedo.

  Cooper stood silent at the altar. That was all she needed to know.

  In unison, a quartet of violinists and cellists placed their bows on their strings to play the first prolonged note of Pachelbel’s Canon. As the tempo of the soothing rhythm picked up, the wedding procession began their stoic march down the aisle.

  Sherman escorted Stormy in perfect step to the music, preceded by the groomsmen and bridesmaids. The petal-covered aisle glowed in the afternoon sun still beaming brightly through the windows. Each row of guests turned to admire the bride as she passed by.

  As the bridesmaids and groomsmen took their places at the altar, the string quartet ended their piece. Cooper and Stormy exchanged their vows before family and friends. The wedding went without incident, the scene both tender and elegant.

  Upon their final I dos and the ceremonial kissing of the bride, the string quartet once again struck their chords to the tune of the wedding march. Those gathered in witness amongst the pews stood and clapped in praise of the union between two souls destined for each other as the happy couple made their way down the aisle, hand in hand—man and wife. Cinderella had found her prince.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  The wedding reception was well underway in one of the downtown Seattle Crown Plaza’s large ballrooms. The hotel staff was busy catering and tending to the needs of the guests as the jubilant wedding party celebrated with laughter and good spirits.

  Meanwhile, a whole different sort of excitement was taking place in a neighboring janitor’s closet where Ace had taken his latest prize.

  The woman moaned, her legs spread and resting on the shelves holding various cleaning supplies. Ace, almost in boredom, thrust himself to completion inside her. Barely even a hint of sweat showed on him, he’d been so uninvolved with the woman. He gave the unnamed girl one last kiss before pulling out, tossing the condom, and gathering his pants.

  Staggering a bit when he stepped from the closet, he stopped to get his bearings. His head was spinning from the amount of alcohol he’d consumed.

  Stumbling around the corner from the hallway to the entrance of the adjacent ballroom, Ace entered the party with a crash and a calamity of broken dishes and spilled champagne. The music ground to a halt as the partygoers turned in his direction.

  “Ace?” Nick was the first one to recognize the brother he hadn’t spoken to in seven years.

  “What are you doing here?” Maverick asked as he came to stand beside Nick.

  “I invited him,” Cooper said. “I didn’t think he’d show. I wish he wouldn’t have now,” he added, as the three looked at their brother still sprawled on the floor.

  “Hey, the black sheep has returned home for the matrimonial bliss of his eldest brother. I thought that entitled me to some celebrating,” Ace said, not caring if his brothers were looking down on him—literally and figuratively. What was new?

  “Maybe you shouldn’t have returned if you still haven’t grown up,” Nick coldly told him.

  “Come on, help me up,” Ace said.

  With a sigh Nick reached down, and then Ace didn’t look so drunk anymore. He planted a right hook against Nick’s jaw, sending Nick sprawling to the floor, knocked out.

  “Ace!” Cooper shouted, outraged by the unwarranted hit.

  Stepping forward, Cooper grabbed Ace by the collar of his shirt and threw him through the doors and out into the lobby.

  “What the hell is going on? You disappear for years only to show up at my wedding—my freaking wedding, Ace,” Cooper thundered. “I invited you because I’ve missed you. But if you’re going to act like a fool then I can’t do this,” he finished.

  “Sorry, bro. Just wanted to say congrats! Way to go on your sexy bride. Didn’t mean to knock out your butler, but come on, the guy’s a real bummer, man, a killjoy.” The room still spinning, Ace staggered and slurred, turning toward the hotel door to make an exit.

  “Butler? That butler is your brother, Ace. You knocked out Nick, you idiot!”

  “I don’t have any brothers. Piss off.” Ace walked out of the hotel and flipped Cooper the bird as he hailed a taxi.

  “Let him go, brother. He’ll come around someday,” Maverick said, suddenly by Cooper’s side, his hand on his shoulder. “For now you have to forget about him. There’s still a party in there. Plus, if I were you, I might be a little concerned. Uncle Sherm has been dancing with Stormy for quite a while now.”

  “What about Nick?”

  “Nick’s fine. He’s sitting upright and eating solid food already,” Maverick said with a laugh. “All kidding aside, really, Nick’s fine, maybe a little embarrassed, but he’s fine.”

  Reassuringly, Maverick put his arm around Cooper’s shoulder, ushering him back inside. He ached for his brother, but Ace would eventually come around. He had to—he was family.

  EPILOGUE

  Stormy rubbed her rounded belly as she attempted to plant some spring flowers. This was her favorite time of year, but the larger she got, the harder it was for her to garden. She was going to have to do something about that.

  When she heard the back door open, she sat back and turned, smiling. Cooper was home early. But it wasn’t Cooper moving toward her, it was Uncle Sherman.

  “Are you checking up on me again, Sherman?”

  “Not at all,” he lied.

  “It’s okay. I haven’t been alone for more than thirty minutes at a time since I hit my thirtieth week of pregnancy. Cooper has all these worries of me falling down or going into early labor. He’s cut back on so much time at work, pretty soon there’s going to be a hostile takeover,” she said.

  “Okay, you might have busted me. And yes, Cooper has called nonstop this morning wondering if I’ve arrived yet, but I have missed you,” he said as he stopped next to her.

  “It’s only been three days since I saw you last,” she told him.

  “That’s three days too long,” he said with a laugh.

  “Well, since you’re here, you can help me stand. It’s either that or I roll around like a baby seal until I find just the right position to push myself up.”

  She was only partially kidding.

  Sherman reached for both her hands and gave a tug, helping her to her feet.

  “I don’t think there’s much more room in there for my great nephew,” he said as he gently patted her stomach.

  “Yes, I’m hoping he decides to make an early arrival. I don’t think I can last another two weeks. I can barely walk,” she said as she slowly made her way to the house. “Let me get us both a drink and you can visit with me in the shade. The sun is warming up pretty dang quickly.”

  “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll get the drinks. I know where everything is,” he said.

  “Nope. You’re a guest here, and I’m pregnant, not injured.”

  She left him spluttering on the back porch while she went inside and got a tray with iced tea, glasses, and some of her favorite oatmeal cookies.

  They sat and munched on their snacks as Stormy tried to ignore the pains in her stomach. She knew they were nothing more than Braxton-Hicks contractions.

  But when the next one hit, searing pain shot through her stomach, and the ground became wet. Wide-eyed, she looked up.

  “Oh, I think it’s time . . .”

  The hospital waiting room was crowded with friends and family pacing back and forth. Time seemed to drag on and on as Nick impatiently watched the clock hand tick down. With his mind working in overdrive he had to break the silence.

  “What could be taking so long? Is there something wrong with the baby? Did something happen to Stormy?”

  Evelyn chuckled as she rubbed her son’s back. “Not to worry, my son. It just takes time . . . trust me.”

  “That’s true but . .
.”

  Nick was interrupted by the large double doors swinging open and Cooper walking into the room. He removed his mask to reveal a grin that spread from ear to ear, but he was speechless.

  Nick piped up, “So . . .”

  Clasping his hands together, Cooper said, “It’s a healthy baby boy.”

  The family wasted no time rushing down the hall, led by the new father, straight into the hospital room. Stormy sat on the bed with her little bundle of joy enveloped in his powder-blue blanket.

  Cooper sat on the edge of the bed holding Stormy’s hand as the family members fought over who got to hold the baby next. He couldn’t keep the smile from his lips. What a fool he’d been such a short time ago to think this wasn’t the life he wanted to live.

  And what a difference he was seeing in his brothers, who were grumbling at each other, both fighting to hold the baby first. But then they were so gentle as they gazed at their nephew in adoration.

  Mav won the argument and with gentle hands picked up the bundle. He grinned as he looked at the bright eyes before him, and using a soft voice, said, “I’ll definitely be your favorite, little guy.”

  Finally, Mav passed the baby boy to Nick before he had a heart attack. Nick was the most eager of all to be involved. That was something Cooper had never thought he’d see.

  Nick cradled William to his chest as he began speaking. “You really turned out much cuter than I thought you would after having my older brother as your dad,” he said, making several people in the room chuckle.

  Cooper wasn’t one of them.

  “Now, I have a lot of stories to tell you about him. I’ll start with the time your dad was helping me climb a tree and . . .”

  The story continued as Cooper leaned down and kissed his wife.

  “I love you, Mrs. Armstrong,” he whispered.

  “I love you, Green Eyes,” she replied.

  “How about we kick all of these people out and get working on baby number two,” he said with a waggle of his brows.