by Eva Andrews
“I was in Jackson Park, just sitting there thinking about us being over…”
Snapping my head up, “Shayne, we were never over.”
Biting her bottom lip, “I thought when I didn’t hear from you, that it was over.”
“Where is your ring?” I had noticed it was missing when we rescued her, but it wasn’t anywhere near the top of my priority list.
“She took it as soon as they kidnapped me. I assumed she pawned it, I was going to fight for it but I knew you’d be upset if I put myself in unneeded danger,” sighing, “I learned enough the first time, money and possessions aren’t worth my life, or the life of our baby. I let her take it without a fight.”
“Damn right Shayne, I’ll buy you a million rings if it means you live another day.”
Grinning, “I’d figured you’d say something like that.”
Plating her food, I put some toast on her plate and poured her a glass of orange juice, “Come up to the deck, and you can eat.”
Sliding off the counter, she and Max ran upstairs to the open-air table on the fly deck. It was one of Shayne’s favorite spots. She could watch me at the helm, or read a book with the sun in her hair. We ate 90% of our meals here, and I knew my little lady had to be hungry.
Sliding in next to her, I let her eat while I shared things I had worked on over the week, “I fired Lana.”
With a mouthful of egg, “Seriously?” She asked as she paused in eating.
Nodding, “As soon as we had our fight I knew what I had to do, I had been dragging my feet, and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
“I didn’t mean to get her fired.”
“Oh hell no Shayne, you are not to blame. She showed her true colors, and hurt you time and time again. I couldn’t allow that to continue.”
“So what next?” She asked softly.
Scratching my head, I leaned back in my chair, “Well, we’ll need to get your statement handled. After that, you and I are calling your doctor and setting an appointment. Then, I think we should elope.”
Spitting out her orange juice, “Elope? Your mother would kick both our asses.”
“Ah, she’ll be fine. Jud and Addie could give a shit less if we marry before they do. Plus, we have a damn good reason for rushing the wedding now.”
Rolling her eyes, “I knew I’d never get a long engagement out of you, but we aren’t rushing everything Mr. Carmichael.”
“Oh you know there are quite a few things I don’t rush sweetheart, but I’m going to have to press on a wedding within the next week.”
“Ha, not happening Carmichael. No way I can get my shit together in a week.”
“All you have to do is say ‘I Do’ how hard is that?” I teased.
Blinking at me, “You don’t want a big wedding with all of your friends and family? Something with like five hundred guests?”
“Fuck no. That is Addie’s gig, not mine. Okay think of it this way, Addie gets her southern Cinderella wedding to her MLB husband with a ridiculous guest list, and my mom will be on the moon. Justin gets his Gatsby wedding with his semi-large guest list, and again, my mom will on the moon.”
“And what about us?” She asked, leaning over the table she kissed my nose.
“We get whatever we want, that is the point baby. My mom will be over the moon with whatever we decide.”
Chapter 20
Cameron
Riding the dingy back to the ship, I smiled as I looked upon the five other couples who had come out to dinner tonight.
My sister and Ashton were cozied up with a blanket as the stars above us shined bright. Jud and Elijah were laughing over an inside joke as they sat next to my parents who still looked so much in love. Chris and Anna were having a serious thumb-wrestling battle, and my lovely pregnant fiancée was leaned up against me as I drove us closer to our anchored home.
Back at the yacht, Miles and his wife Alisha had stayed behind after she had gotten a headache before dinner. I was sad they didn’t come, but understood. Alisha was my assistant, and Miles’ wife, we both wanted her to feel better. Plus, they were our guests this weekend.
It had been almost a month since Shayne had been kidnapped, and life had gone back to normal.
We had celebrated Jud and Addie’s bachelor/bachelorette parties, and my mom’s birthday. Grinning over the memory of her holding a framed ultrasound of her first grandbaby was something I’ll never forget. It wasn’t only the joy and love I saw radiating through her, but how she treated Shayne.
When my mom opened her gift, the first thing she did was run to Shayne and hug her while they both cried happy tears. I still smiled when I remembered my mom saying ‘I’m going to be a grandma! Oh Lord have mercy, I’m finally getting a grandbaby!’
My beautiful mother was teaching Shayne how a mother should treat a daughter. She was teaching her unconditional love, and all the things my siblings and I took for granted growing up. My mother was loving and supportive, and had plenty of witty advice for Shayne.
Pulling up to the yacht, I saw Miles had turned on the evening lights, and the top deck had Led Zeppelin playing, and Alisha was standing on the swim deck with a giant smile.
“Hi ya’ll! Did you have a good dinner?” She asked, and she and the ladies started chatting. Within seconds of being reunited, the ladies and Alisha were planning to go watch a Disney movie together.
Smiling, I helped Shayne off the boat safety with a soft kiss to her temple, and a smack on her ass. Swatting at me, she took Alisha’s arm.
Seeing that Alisha had obviously shook her headache, “Feeling better?” I asked as I tied up the boat with my dad.
“So much better! Medicine worked within an hour. Miles is up on the deck, he wanted to see all the men. Pretty sure he has a bunch of cigars and bad jokes waiting for you.”
Elijah piped up with a big smile, “Wait, do I go upstairs with the guys, or with the girls?”
Shayne gave him some pretend side-eye, “Really Elijah? Cigars over Disney? Don’t make me disown you!”
Laughing, Elijah gave Jud a quick kiss, “Bye! I’m hanging with the ladies tonight!” Waving, he and the rest of the women went down into the inside living room on the main floor and began bickering about which movie they were going to watch.
Shaking my head, Dad slapped me on the back and nodded upstairs where Justin and Chris had already gone.
“Come on Son, let’s go see what kind of trouble we can get into upstairs before the ladies change their minds and make us play board games again.”
Grinning, I pushed him behind me, “Beat ya up there!” Hitting a dead sprint for the stairs, I heard my dad swear under his breath as he clipped right behind my heels. My dad was in good fucking shape man; he could still hit the gym with Jud and I like he was our age.
Tussling with my old man as we hit the fly deck, I saw the rest of the guys laughing at the bow.
“Come have a drink guys, I brought some fancy whiskey for us.” Miles called, holding out tumblers.
About an hour later, the six of us had played several hands of poker, when Elijah finally came up and joined us for one a drink. Jud stood up and poured the remnants of the whiskey in each of our glasses and held his up for a toast.
Taking a big old breath, he grinned, “Tonight has been wonderful, all of us together in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. This weekend will be one we’ll never forget, and tonight will be one Cam better remember for the rest of his life.”
Looking up at him with a squint, “Why’s that Juddie?”
“Because you’re about to get married.”
My eyes widened and I looked over at my dad who was standing up and heading over to the bow of the boat and picked up a bible.
“Cam, if you’d come stand over here by me.” He had a twinkle in his eye that dared me to defy him.
Standing up, I brushed off my shirt, “You guys, what is going on?”
Chris popped up, gave me a quick hug and headed downstairs without a wor
d.
Standing where groomsmen should stand- Justin, Miles and Ashton all stood up like they knew what the fuck they were doing. Somehow Elijah had magically summoned his professional camera, and was taking photos like he was working a normal wedding.
Nodding to the groom’s spot, my brother waved his hand to the empty position, “Uh Cam, get your ass over here before your pregnant bride walks down the aisle.”
“Shit,” I muttered under my breath and slid into the spot and then turned to my dad, “are you marrying us?”
“Yes, Son, and I couldn’t be happier.”
I didn’t even bother to ask if my dad had become an ordained minister, because I had to figure with the minds aboard this ship, one of those geniuses had figured it out. Just like they had somehow kept me, a fucking military trained spy, in the dark about a secret wedding.
Chuckling, I shook my head, “She planned this all didn’t she?”
Beside me, “Duh, I mean, with our help of course. While you were bitching about not wanting a big wedding, or pouting over her not setting a wedding date- she was planning this. Now, if you will kindly shut up, I need to play a song while my bestie walks down the aisle.”
Winking at me, Jud somehow had gotten his acoustic guitar and started playing a tune I knew well.
The ship’s lights dimmed as he started into Shayne and my favorite Elvis tune- Can’t Stop Falling in Love. Jud’s voice was perfection for the song as I saw Anna and Alisha come up from the main floor. With their arms linked, they smiled at us until they stood where one would expect bridesmaids to stand.
Following closely behind them, my very beautiful sister who was arm in arm with our mother. The two of them were blasting their perfect southern megawatt smiles at us, making us all melt. Those Carmichael women sure had a way directly to our hearts.
As Jud sang the low romantic tune, my heart pounded as I waited for Shayne. The people we loved, our siblings and their future spouses, my parents, and our dear friends gathered here for us and I couldn’t have been more excited.
Giving my mom a wink, I looked up to see Shayne and Chris walking up the stairs to me.
My breath caught in my lungs as I looked upon my bride for the first time tonight with the knowledge we were about to marry. I had been practically begging her to elope with me, or to plan something, anything. She in her pure stubbornness just shrugged it off and said growing our baby and finishing Sophie’s memorial came first.
That minx had one hell of a poker face.
Keeping my eyes on her, and only her I watched as her as her long strawberry blonde hair caught in the soft salty air. Falling to her elbows in soft beachy curls, she looked like an angel. Dressed in an ethereal gown that hugged her perfect tits, and gently gave way to flowing sheer layers that moved with the wind.
My bohemian princess, barefoot and pregnant was without question, the most beautiful thing in the world. And about to become my wife.
Walking to me on her brother’s arm, they were both smiling as her eyes glistened with happy tears. As they reached me, Chris took Shayne’s hand and kissed her knuckles and then her forehead.
Turning to me, he gave me a big bear hug and thumped my back, and quietly said, “There is no one else in this world I’d trust her with but you, take care of her Brother.”
“With my last breath.” I offered immediately, hugging him back.
Stepping away, Chris joined the guys on my side as I reached for my glowing bride.
“Tell me you’re not mad.” She whispered.
“I’m the farthest away from mad a person could ever be.” Kissing her nose, I gave her a wink and centered us before my father.
Beside us, Jud finished the song as I kissed Shayne.
“Son, you’re supposed to wait until after I pronounce you man and wife.” Dad teased.
Lifting my brows, and looking down into Shayne’s soft green eyes, “I’ve been waiting all my life for this.”
Chapter 21
Shayne
Yawning, I covered my mouth as I snuggled into my husband’s lap as Jud and my new mother-in-law danced.
Husband.
Cam and I finally, made it official tonight. After weeks of artfully avoiding his wedding conversations, I had successfully planned a secret wedding behind Cam’s back. He had been after me since he found out I was pregnant.
His one-time idea about doing things out of order quickly changed when he realized he wanted us to be married prior to our child’s arrival. I had been playing it off like it didn’t matter, that I had no intention to rush our wedding.
However, I felt just the same. I wanted to be married prior to giving birth, call it old fashion, call it whatever you wanted- I desperately longed to be made an honest woman.
I think the biggest hurdle we overcame was the prenup, both of us were utterly stubborn. He wanted one, but it was purely to protect me. He wanted to give me everything if he cheated, and money per child.
I rejected the idea immediately. I thought it was fucking stupid.
I didn’t need his money, or his company. I didn’t need his damn safety net. He and I had gone on and on about it. I was more than happy to sign something that said I wouldn’t take any of his wealth or holdings- and of course he wouldn’t hear of it.
We had even gone as far as sitting his parents down and talking to them about it. Both listened to our sides, and promptly burst into laughter. To them, it was obvious what to do- trash the entire prenup idea at all.
Which, by surprising my husband with an impromptu yacht wedding, I skirted the issue entirely. We had been married without signing anything but our marriage license.
“Are you ready to go to bed?” Cam whispered in my ear as he hugged me against him tighter.
Looking up, I knew we could have disappeared hours ago without anyone saying anything, but I had wanted to stay up as long as possible and celebrate our wedding.
Nodding, “I’m about to fall asleep.” I replied, knowing it was well past two in the morning.
Shifting up gently, Cam stood up and cradled me and slipped us away before anyone could delay us. We had spent all night celebrating with them, so they’d forgive us.
Inside our room, he saw the small gift I had left on the bed for him before the wedding.
Sitting me down on my feet, he nodded towards the wrapped gift, “Is that for me?”
Nodding, “It is, go ahead and open it.”
Pondering me, he leaned over the large bed and plucked up the gift. With a corner unwrapped, he stopped and looked at me, “I didn’t get you anything.”
Raising a brow, “You bought me this ship Cameron.”
Laughing, “Oh yeah, forgot about that.”
Shaking my head, “How can you forget about spending ten million dollars you silly man?” I watched as he grinned and shrugged off my question.
Unwrapping his gift, he held it and looked at it for a while before turning to me.
“You kept it, after all these years?”
“Of course, I filed the patent off it.”
In his hands, he held the framed napkin we drew my engineering project on. He and I spent hours talking about the design, and sketched out twenty different ideas before we came up with this one. It would be the design I won, and eventually patented and sold to NASA.
A little nervous, I knew I needed to explain my full gift.
“I knew you would never accept any of the royalties off the patent, so I sat on what I considered your portion of the vast wealth I had created from that one drawing. Then, years later a perfect opportunity came by that I couldn’t pass up.”
Looking down at my new ring, I twirled it on my finger, “You, Cameron Carmichael are a hard man to keep a secret from.”
Chuckling, he sat the frame on his nightstand, “I should hope so love, I am supposed to be one of the top military men out there.” Shrugging, “but my wife has been able to pull a few surprises on me thus far, so tell me, what else does she have up her beautiful sleeve?”
“When your company went public, I bought the only shares of Carmichael Industries to be held outside your family members.”
“Holy shit Shayne! It was you?” He looked astounded.
Nodding, “I bought them as a gift for you. I knew you’d hate the idea of your company going public, so I bought all of them.”
“I have bought them all back, but for the ones you hold.”
“I have never spent a dime of the money your shares have made, I’ve always considered it your money. Hell, the money I bought the shares with was partly your money.”
“Shayne, your design is yours. It was never mine, nor did I ever want or need credit for helping you get your thoughts on paper baby. Leave it to my golden-hearted wife to make a shit ton of money, and then buy a ton of stock in my company and remain a hidden stockholder for years.”
“It was always my intention to return the stocks to you, as a token of appreciation to you for your insight on the project. I always knew you’d refuse to take credit for any of it, or accept any money.” I had remained a hidden stockholder since I purchased them, even years later when Cam’s lawyers were searching for the owner so he could buy them back.
Shaking his head, “You woman, are a bag of surprises all rolled into a beautiful package.”
“Ha, a beautiful package carrying your baby maybe.” I teased.
“I’d rather refer to you as my wife, thank you very much!” Nipping at my neck, “I can’t believe we are married. How long have you been planning this?”
“For weeks. Your mother and sister insisted on a custom gown for me, and new dresses for them. That is what took the longest, besides that, the rest took us about a day to plan. Your dad knew right away he wanted to officiate, so he got ordained within a week of our plan.”
“How did I miss the signs?”
“You have been so preoccupied with me carrying this baby, you haven’t paid attention to much else.”