by April Wilson
* * *
We hang out in the arrival lobby for nearly an hour, everyone chatting and catching up. Shane’s parents regale us with a few tales of their year spent exploring the Italian countryside.
Lia blushes six shades of pink when her mom fawns over Jonah. Calum eyes Jonah from head to toe, taking in his manbun, his lobe piercings and his heavy sleeves of black tribal tattoos. “I hear you’re some kind of rock-n-roll celebrity. Is that right, son?”
Lia rolls her eyes. “Please, Dad, don’t feed his ego.”
Jonah pulls Lia close, then answers Calum. “I guess that depends on who you ask, sir. These days I like to think of myself as a singer-songwriter.”
“Is there good money in that?” Calum says.
“Dad!” Lia says.
Jonah nods. “Yes, sir, there is.”
Calum purses his lips, then nods. “Okay then. Pleased to meet you, son.”
As the crowd starts growing, it’s time for us to leave. The guys collect Calum and Bridget’s luggage from the carousel and load it into the Escalade. Shane and his dad sit in the front seat, and Bridget and I sit in the backseat so we can chat on the way to Kenilworth.
When we arrive at the estate, it’s dark already, but the house is lit up like a Christmas tree. Ellie and George, along with several of the on-site security staff, are on the front porch, awaiting our arrival.
Ellie and Bridget hug like long-lost besties, and George and the security staff collect the luggage and carry it up to Shane’s parents’ suite.
We all reconvene in the great room downstairs, at the seating area in front of the hearth, where a healthy fire is blazing. Beyond the wall of windows, Lake Michigan is dark and liquid for as far as the eye can see. Lights from cruise ships and yachts flicker on the water’s surface like fireflies.
While Shane and Calum pour whiskey for themselves and for George at the bar, Bridget invites me to sit with her on one of the sofas. Ellie brings out a tray with tea, cream and sugar, and cups for Bridget and me, and sets it on the coffee table in front of us.
“Beth and I have an announcement to make,” Shane says, lifting his tumbler. He glances at me with a reassuring smile, then turns to his parents. “You two are going to become grandparents in about six-and-a-half months. Beth and I are expecting, and the baby’s due early summer.”
Bridget sets down her cup of tea and bursts into tears.
Calum sits beside his wife and draws her into his arms, rubbing her back. “Don’t mind her,” he says to us. “She’s just excited. And jet lagged.”
Bridget wipes her cheeks, smiling through her tears. “It’s about time, Shane,” she chides. “I’ve been waiting for grandchildren for years.”
Chapter 41
The rest of the week passes in a blur of activity. Gina calls me at least a half-dozen times as she finalizes the catering plans for the reception that will follow the wedding ceremony Saturday afternoon. Cooper has obtained his ordained minister’s license from an online organization and is now legally able to perform the ceremony. Ellie has fussed over the flowers and the decorations. And Gina arranged for a photographer friend of hers to take our wedding day photos. Everything is set, and now all that’s left for me to do is be nervous.
When Saturday morning comes, I wake early after having spent a restless night filled with fuzzy dreams and feelings of dread. I’m thrilled that I’m about to marry the love of my life, but I absolutely dread standing up in front of all those people – even the smaller crowd of family and close friends. That still amounts to quite a number of people packed into the estate for the weekend.
As soon as my brain comes online, my thoughts start racing and I feel queasy and light-headed.
“Good morning, Miss Jamison,” Shane says, his voice rough from sleep. He rolls toward me and slips his arm beneath the sheet and around my bare waist, drawing me close to his body. “How did you sleep?”
I sigh. “Not very well.”
He leans close and kisses my temple. “You won’t be Miss Jamison for much longer, you know.”
I feel a wave of heat sweep through me, and suddenly my stomach is doing somersaults, and not in a good way. I have barely any warning.
“Oh, crap!” I gasp, shoving Shane’s arm off me and frantically jumping out of bed. I make a beeline for the bathroom and barely make it to the toilet in time to drop to my knees and heave out the hot, meagre contents of my stomach. I scowl at the sour burn in my throat, coughing and spitting.
Shane’s there behind me, pulling back my hair, securing it from danger as my body does a repeat performance, desperately trying to expel the contents of an empty stomach. Oh, how lovely. On the morning of my wedding, my husband-to-be has to bear witness to me being sick.
When the danger seems to have passed, Shane helps me rise from my knees. He puts down the toilet lid and sits me down. I’m butt naked and cold, shivering and miserable.
“Be right back,” he says, stepping briefly out of the toilet room and returning a moment later with a cool, wet washcloth.
“Here. The cool water will feel good.”
He’s right. The cool cloth feels good on my hot face. “I need to go rinse my mouth and brush my teeth.”
“Wait a minute,” he says, squatting in front of me. “Let’s make sure it’s over.”
I laugh at the sight of the two of us hanging out naked in the toilet. “Oh, God, I’m so sorry. This is not a good way to begin our big day.”
He lays his warm hands on my thighs, gripping them gently. “Hey, you have nothing to be sorry about.” One of his hands slides up to cover my belly. “You’re carrying our child. You have nothing to apologize for. If anything, I should apologize to you for putting you in this position.”
Despite how puny I feel, I can’t help laughing. “I’m pretty sure it was a team effort.” I run my fingers through his hair, tugging on the short strands and earning a groan for my efforts.
He smiles at me, the corners of his blue eyes crinkling. “How do you feel?”
“Better. I think it’s over.”
“Do you think you can eat something?”
I laugh shakily, still feeling light-headed. “No.”
“You have to eat something. Maybe some toast will settle your stomach. Come on, let’s give it a try.”
He disappears for just a moment, returning quickly with my favorite robe, which he helps me put on. He waits while I rinse out my mouth and brush my teeth, which goes a long way to helping me feel presentable again.
He pulls on a pair of gray flannel pajama bottoms and nothing else. “Come on, let’s go make you some toast.”
* * *
It’s still pretty early and the penthouse is quiet when we make our way to the kitchen. Shane sits me at the breakfast counter, and then he gets out a loaf of bread and some butter. A few moments later, I have a slice of lightly toasted, lightly buttered wheat bread cut in two triangles – which is exactly how I like it.
Shane discovers fresh scrambled eggs and bacon in the warming dish and helps himself.
As we’re eating, Cooper strolls barefoot into the kitchen wearing only a pair of black sweatpants and carrying two empty plates and an empty coffee mug. “Hey, kiddo, you’re up early,” he says to me. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“I helped myself to breakfast,” Shane says, nodding at the warming tray. “I hope you don’t mind.”
Cooper sets the empty plates and mug in the sink. “Of course not. There’s plenty.” He pours himself a cup of coffee. “Today’s the big day. You guys ready?”
“Please don’t remind me,” I say, putting down the last bite of my toast.
Cooper gives me a sympathetic smile. “Nerves or morning sickness?”
Shane sits on the stool next to mine and strokes the back of my head. “It’s a little bit of both, I think.”
“How’s Sam?” I ask, figuring Cooper has just come from Sam’s room.
“He’s holding up,” Cooper says. “Still refusing pain medication, even
though his leg hurts like a bitch. But what do you expect? He’s stubborn as hell.”
The idea of Cooper calling Sam stubborn makes me smile. That’s a little like the kettle calling the pot black.
I feel a little bit revived after having eaten something, so I hop down from my barstool. “I’m going to say good morning to Sam.”
I head to his room and knock on the door, which is ajar.
“Come in,” he says.
“Hey, you,” I say, walking into the room.
“Hey, yourself. You okay? You look pale.”
I shrug as I climb carefully onto his bed, so as not to disturb his leg. I can’t help noticing that the pillow next to Sam’s has a slight indentation in it where someone must have laid his head in the night. Cooper must have slept in Sam’s bed last night. I also can’t help noticing the fresh hickey on Sam’s right bicep. It looks like Cooper did a tad more than just sleep in Sam’s bed last night.
My expression must have given away my thoughts, because Sam’s practically blushing now.
“Stop it,” he says, covering the love bite with his hand. “I know what you’re thinking.”
I try to suppress a grin and fail miserably. “What? I didn’t say a word!”
“You didn’t have to,” he says. “It’s all over your face.”
My face overheats. I’ve read my fair share of gay romance novels before, and I can’t help wondering how things are with Sam and Cooper in the bedroom department. I mean, usually when there are two guys involved, one of them is the dominant one, right? And one of them… isn’t. One’s usually the top, and one’s the bottom. Or is that just a cliché? Oh, my God. Cooper’s old enough to be Sam’s father, and he’s naturally bossy, so he must be the top.
“What?” Sam says, sighing. He shakes his head. “Go ahead. Ask.”
I strive to keep a straight face. “What are you talking about? Ask what?”
“You want to know about me and Cooper.”
“No, I don’t! Honestly, it’s none of my business. You don’t have to tell me anything. Unless you want to?”
He rolls his eyes. “What do you want to know?”
“Well, I was just wondering… I mean, I assume… I mean, Cooper’s older and bigger than you. He’s a pretty domineering guy, right?”
Sam gives me a duh look.
“Right,” I say, nervously fiddling with the hem of my robe. “Of course, he is.” And now my face is turning all shades of red because no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop picturing them having sex. Oh, my God. Suddenly I feel very flushed.
Sam laughs. “Relax, Beth. It’s okay.”
The sound of Shane’s voice from the doorway startles both of us, and we both jump. “What’s okay?” Shane says.
I hop off the bed. “Nothing! We were just talking. I’d better get showered,” I say, hastening from the room.
As I race down the hallway, I hear both of them laughing.
* * *
“So, what was all that about?” Shane says, stepping naked into the spacious shower stall with me.
I’m in the process of shampooing my hair, and he takes over the job, massaging my scalp with firm fingertips.
“It was nothing,” I say, moaning in pleasure at the feel of his fingers on my scalp.
Shane chuckles. “You were as red as a beet.”
“Well, we were just talking about... well, you know… Sam and Cooper. Together, if you know what I mean.”
I swear I feel the vibration of a silent chuckle at my back. “What about them?” he says, sounding far too innocent.
“Well, the logistics of it, I guess. I’ve read plenty of gay romance books. When there are two guys involved, well usually one of them is… um, on top, right? Or is that a cliché? I’m not sure.”
Now I definitely hear soft laughter. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it,” he says, turning me to rinse my hair under the stream of warm water. “I’m sure they’ve got it all figured out.”
Chapter 42
It’s my wedding day! Oh, my God, I can’t believe it. Even though it’ll be a relatively small, private event, I’m still freaking out. My belly is filled with butterflies, and I’m so antsy I can’t sit still.
I’ve showered and dressed and packed my bag for the weekend. Shane has packed his bag too. Our wedding clothes have already been delivered to the house, so we’re traveling light this morning.
I knock on Sam’s door to see if he’s packed and ready to go. The four of us – Shane and I, and Cooper and Sam – are going to travel together in the Escalade.
“Come in,” he says.
I open Sam’s door and walk in to find him propped up against a stack of pillows in bed, watching one of the Transformer movies on the flatscreen. He’s dressed in a pair of sweats and a rumpled T-shirt, his hair down and uncombed. He looks like a frat boy right after a weekend bender. He hardly looks like someone who’s going anywhere anytime soon.
“Hey,” I say.
He gives me a half-hearted smile. “Hey.”
“What’s wrong?”
He shrugs. “Everything.”
I bite my lip in a futile attempt not to smile. “Care to be more specific? Maybe I can help.”
He points at his crutches, which are propped up against the wall in one corner of the room. “I want to bring those to the wedding, but Cooper won’t let me.” Then Sam’s expression brightens. “Can you sneak them into the Escalade for me? So Cooper doesn’t know?”
“Why doesn’t he want you to bring them?”
“Because he thinks I’m not ready to be upright yet. But I need those crutches, badly.”
“Can’t you use the wheelchair at the house? The house is fully accessible – there’s even an elevator.”
“I want to stand up on my own power, so to speak, during the reception and ask Cooper to dance with me.”
My eyes widen. “Um, are you sure you want to do that? You’ve noticed that Cooper’s sort of tight-lipped about the two of you, right? Do you think asking him to dance in front of a room full of people is a good idea?”
“I know, but what better place for us to come out than a room filled with our friends? These are people we know and trust. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“Sam….”
“I’m doing it. Will you help me?”
“I guess I could ask Shane to put them in the Escalade.”
Sam nods. “Yes, do it. Please. He’ll do it if you ask. Please, Beth.”
I frown. My gut tells me this is a really bad idea… not bringing the crutches to the house, but Sam asking Cooper to dance in front of a room full of people. What could possibly go wrong? A lot!
“Are you sure about this?” I ask him, hoping he’ll change his mind.
He nods, his expression turning serious “I’m tired of hiding us. Yes, I’m sure.”
Despite my misgivings, I gather up Sam’s crutches and take them back to Shane’s office, where I know he’s holed up at the moment. The office door is open, so I walk right in, carrying the crutches.
Shane eyes the crutches and raises an eyebrow. “What are you doing with Sam’s crutches?”
I make a face. “Would you do me a favor and put them in the back of the Escalade, without Cooper seeing? Please?”
Shane takes the crutches from me, his expression highly skeptical. “All right.” He shakes his head. “I’m not even going to ask.”
* * *
Cooper drives Sam, Shane and me to the Kenilworth house later in the morning. Shane assures me that Sam’s crutches are safely packed in the rear of the vehicle, wrapped up in a tarp. I ask him to make sure the crutches make it up to Sam’s suite at the house, without Cooper finding out.
Sam and I are seated in the back of the Escalade, and there’s barely enough legroom for Sam’s cast. He’s sitting at an angle, and his cast is taking up two seats.
The guests – Shane’s family and mine, and our close friends – start arriving late Saturday morning. The ceremony is schedule
d for two o’clock, to be followed by a catered reception at four, followed by dancing. It’s a very casual affair, so everyone makes themselves at home. Still, it’s a bit chaotic with so many people in the house all at once.
Gina Capelli and her catering staff arrive and start to unload the food and the cake. Ellie helps her organize everything in the kitchen until it’s time for the reception.
Lia and Jonah arrive, along with two of Jonah’s guitar cases. He’s providing the music.
Tyler arrives with my mom, who’s very teary eyed when I come outside to greet her.
I’m excited and nervous at the same time as more and more of the people Shane and I love arrive. Gabrielle, Erin, Mack, Peter Capelli, Miguel. Jamie arrives with Molly Ferguson, courtesy of a shared Uber ride. Jake, Liam, Sophie, and even Hannah arrive. Hannah arrived just last night from a flight out of Denver, and she’s staying with Sophie in her condo in Lincoln Park.
“Hey, kid,” Shane says, holding out his arms to Hannah, as she steps out of Jake’s SUV, along with Liam and Sophie. “How was your flight?” he says, hugging her tightly. “We’ve missed you.”
“Good,” she says, eyeing me out of the corner of her eye. Hannah has the same brown hair as Shane and Liam, pulled back in a no-nonsense ponytail, and brown eyes like their father. She’s dressed in jeans, a sweatshirt, and scuffed hiking boots, with a well-loved backpack slung over her shoulder.
“So, congratulations, big brother,” she says to Shane. “If you can find someone willing to marry you, then there’s hope for the rest of us.”
“Funny, Hannah,” Shane says, mussing her hair. He reaches for my hand and pulls me forward. “This is Beth,” he says. “Sweetheart, this is my sister Hannah.”
“I’m happy to finally meet you,” I say as we hug.
“Yeah, I should get home more often,” she says, brushing her bangs out of her eyes. “But once I get up in those mountains, I lose all track of everything.”
* * *
I head upstairs to help my mom settle into her suite. She hangs up her dress, a lovely pale blue dress that suits her blond hair and blue eyes perfectly, and I help her unpack for the weekend.