Sausalito Nights (Montgomery Beauty Book 1)

by Stephanie Salvatore

  I smiled. “Really. I love Lorelai with all of my heart and soul.”

  She pulled her hands from her mouth as she studied my face. I believe she was trying to make sure I wasn’t bluffing. “You’re not joking?”

  I shook my head. “I would never.”

  “Of course, you have my permission! You’re Lorelai’s world now, Christopher…,” she whispered through her tears.

  I smiled. “And she’s mine. Thank you, Marie.”

  She nodded slowly and smiled. “I’m actually glad you came here today. I have something for you to give to Lorelai.”

  I looked at her with a raised brow. “What is it?”

  She stood up. “I have to go get it. Sit tight.”

  She left the room and I sat in silence while she was gone. She walked back in a moment later with a bag and sat down. “There are two cell phones in here. They’re already activated and ready to use. I had a feeling this day was coming soon, and I wanted to make sure she had a way to stay in contact.”

  I nodded. “I’ll be sure to give them to her.”

  “The other one is for you. I’m trusting that you’ll keep her safe.”

  I nodded slowly. “Thank you, Marie. I take that job very serious.”

  She stood up and showed me the way to the door before giving me a tight hug. I looked at her and nodded before I walked out and made my way back to the car placing the bag in the trunk before I made my way out to finish the other half of my errand.

  ***

  Walking into the cabin of the vessel about an hour later, I looked around. “Lor?”

  “In the bathroom!”

  I made my way to the back to find her sitting in the corner in one of my button down collared shirts, tears falling down her cheeks. “I know Marlee suggested that we go out on the town, but I can’t Chris. I’m just…I’m having a really hard time right now. I miss my brother. I hate that I had to divorce my parents just so we could be together. If it’s not their goddamn way, it’s the highway and I…” She broke down in sobs, burying her face into her knees.

  I hated seeing her like this. She hadn’t broke down like this in quite some time. Maybe being back here reminded her of it all, and that was the problem. Kneeling in front of her, enveloping her frail trembling body into my arms, I pulled her close pressing a tender kiss to her temple. I carried her into the bedroom, allowing her to cry against me. “I know, I know sweetie. It’s not easy on you, but I’m going to get you through this. I would never abandon you, nor force you to do anything you didn’t want to do.” I spoke in a quiet breathy tone as I sat on the edge of the bed.

  She inhaled a deep breath a moment later, the shaking of her sobs calming once she was safe in my arms. “I know you wouldn’t…” She looked up at me. “But you had and have every right to, and I would understand if you did.”

  I shook my head. “I would never. Listen to me. I have just what the doctor ordered to take your mind off of this.”

  She stayed quiet for a moment before she looked up at me. “Yeah? What is it?”

  A gentle smile etched across my lips as I carried her to the kitchen and sat her on the counter. I grabbed a box of cereal and poured two bowls of Peanut Butter Captain Crunch, handing her a bowl before I set my own bowl on the floor. Grabbing a few candles, lighting them and set them down. “Come to the floor. Eat with me in the candlelight.” I smiled up at her childishly.

  She took in the scenery, the flame of the candles reflecting in her eyes before she sat in front of me Indian-style. “So what? Is this your new idea of date night?”

  “Hell yes. I managed to steal a bottle of wine from one of the rental houses, too. It’s in the fridge.”

  She gasped as she scooped the bowl up off the floor. “You little rebel.”

  I chuckled. “They don’t refer to me as the wine snob at home for no reason.”

  She giggled softly. “Honestly? When I found out you were raised around a winery, that was the moment I knew you were a keeper.”

  I laughed. “What? It wasn’t my Prince Charming personality?”

  “Well, perhaps. You have saved me, in more than one way.”

  I flashed her a bashful smile and a wink as we dug into the sugary cereal in silence.

  Standing up, I placed our bowls in the sink, reaching my hand out for hers.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see, love.”

  She placed her dainty hand in mine and I pulled her up on her feet, intertwining my fingers into hers. Using my free hand to reach out to the mounted radio under the cupboard, I turned it on before wrapping an arm around her lower back, swaying back and forth with her.

  A smile rose on her lips, and without saying anything, I could tell she was smitten and taken away with the simple gestures.

  I took a few minutes to let the mood settle in as we circled through the kitchen, and I twirled her under my arm before I brought her back in gently. Her chest landed against mine with a gentle thud as our lips collapsed against each other's in a slow, loving lip lock.

  I broke the kiss a moment later, gazing into her eyes through the glow of the candlelight, and inhaled a deep breath.

  “What’s going through that head of yours, Mr. Montgomery?” she whispered.

  I flashed a small smile at her. “Just thinking…” I paused. “About how you’ve managed to turn my world upside down in under a year. No matter how hard it’s been to take what life has thrown at us, having you at my side seems to make our hardships pass with ease.”

  She smiled wide, but stayed quiet.

  I took both of her hands in mine, never breaking the stare into her eyes. “I couldn’t picture having another bright beautiful young women at my side.” I brought her hand up to my lips and planted gentle kisses against her knuckles before I lowered myself down on one knee; and I pulled the black volar box out of my pocket and opened it. “Lorelai Sienna Castillo, will you make me the happiest man in all of Sausalito and beyond? Take this ring and be my wife?”

  Her hands clasped over her mouth and tears sprang to her eyes. “What? Are you serious? Christopher! Yes! Yes! Oh my god! Yes!”

  I chuckled softly, pulled the ring out and placed it over her finger. I looked up at her as I stood slowly, wrapping my arms around her and lifting her off her feet as our lips clashed in one deep passionate kiss after another. Her dainty fingers found my scruffy cheeks as I spun her around slowly and she giggled out in sheer happiness.

  Pulling away, I smiled at her admiring her engagement ring and planted gentle kisses to her jawline. “What do you say we take these candles to the bathroom and take a bubble bath?”

  She smiled up at me. “That sounds perfect, Mr. Montgomery.”

  “Mmm… it does, Future Mrs. Montgomery.”

  She giggled as I pressed a few more kisses to her jawline. I separated myself temporarily to pick up the candles and led the way to the bathroom.

  She started the water and poured way too much bubble bath into the warm water. By the time it was full, we had a floor and a tub full of bubbles. I chuckled at her continuous giggling as I undressed her with care and helped her step into the tub, before I undressed myself and stepped in behind her.

  Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her back and watched as she curled up on her side, placing one arm around my waist, placing her left hand on my chest to continue admiring the diamond ring I placed on her finger.

  After a long moment of silence, she spoke. “Chris?”

  “Yes, princess?”

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Just being you, knowing exactly what I need when I need it.”

  I smiled and ran my sudsy fingers through her hair. “You’re welcome, baby girl. I love you so much.”

  “I love you.” She smiled and leaned up pressing a gentle kiss against my lips.

  The Smell Of Freedom

  Lorelai

  Three months later

  Waking up on the Friday before the wedding, I w
alked out to the kitchen and placed a hand on his back, leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek, Two cups of coffee sat out in front of the coffee pot ready to go. “Is this for me, handsome?”

  “No, it's for the ghost sitting on the couch.” He turned toward me and leaned in to give me a kiss on the lips.

  I scoffed and giggled returning his kiss. “Too bad. Ghost Rider is going to have to fetch his own.”

  He chuckled and kissed my lips once more. “Don’t forget, we’re meeting Luciana and Marie for breakfast today. Do you want me to join you outside for our morning coffee?”

  “Yes. That would be perfect, Mr. Montgomery.”

  He kissed me once more. “I’ll be up in a few minutes, soon to be Mrs. Montgomery.”

  I pecked his lips once more and smiled up at him. “I’ll meet you out there, gorgeous.”

  He winked at me and I blew him a kiss with my lips before I disappeared.

  Sitting down at our table, I thought back on the last three months. Our second summer together was a lot different from the first. We weren’t sneaking around, but our wedding plans had definitely gone into full swing. Marie was at my side helping me make every decision. Luci kept her distance after the result of Santino’s big exit. After telling Chris’s parents about the engagement, Chris and I made the decision together on having our small vintage themed wedding out in Napa at the Montgomery Vineyard. I met with Mrs. Montgomery on Saturdays down at the Clubhouse for breakfast to work on plans for the wedding. Checking off my list from location to catering, entertainment, themes/colors, ceremony styles, meeting with a pastor, my wedding dress, and dresses for Luciana and Marie, and the invitations had all been planned out. I wasn’t able to find it in myself to invite my parents to the wedding. There was so much animosity between us about Christopher in the beginning, and I knew they had their hands full and I wouldn't be surprised if they were trying to keep themselves afloat, dodging bullets with the government.

  With my trust fund being cleared, I tried to tell Mrs. Montgomery, from the first time we met to talk wedding plans, that I could help pay for the wedding. She wouldn’t have it. The following day, Chris told me we had to go to Napa to meet with his parents and Nana and Papa for the “engagement party.” His parents and Nana and Papa were overjoyed to find out I was joining their family and insisted to pay every penny for our wedding. There was no arguing, and Chris seemed to find it adorable that I was trying and picked on me later about trying to question them. Needless to say, I was sitting on the couch, crossing my arms with a frumpy face, and one eyebrow raised at my fiancé as he continuously teased me.

  The time flew, and Chris and I were both working full time jobs; and we used the evenings and weekends to spend quality time together. The cell phones he brought home have also allowed us to stay in touch during the busy work week. Chris is closer to the club and arrives home earlier than I do during the week. He has told me the atmosphere of the club has been eerily quiet. The men in the black suits disappeared and the Black Diamond Club was still present, but the traffic going in and out had slowed down from what he witnessed.

  The cabin door opened and Chris made his way to our table. We sat and drank our morning coffee in silence for a few minutes before I felt him reach for my hand, grasping it gently. “What are you thinking about love?”

  I brushed my thumb over his, examining just how perfect my hand fit into his. “About how much our lives have changed in a year. How my family, aside from Marie, have become like strangers to me, that last night was my last night I had to sleep on Cakes and Pies. Life doesn’t feel the same, but I’m also not sad about it. I’m thrilled and ecstatic and… hopeful for our future as Mr. And Mrs. Montgomery.”

  He squeezed my hand and leaned over, kissing my cheek. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”

  I turned my head and leaned my forehead against his, looking down into his piercing blue eyes. “It is,” I whispered.

  He looked back at me for a moment as we shared a quiet peace-filled moment before he reached over taking the coffee cup from my hand. He stood up before he pulled me to my feet and pulled me down into his lap, sending me into a fit of giggles. I placed my hands on his cheeks and pressed a sweet gentle kiss to his lips. He wrapped me in his arms, groaning softly before he broke the kiss and reached for my coffee. “Almost forgot to give this back to you. I wouldn’t want to be stabbed for holding your coffee hostage.”

  I tried to hold back a laugh and failed miserably. “What makes you think I would stab you?”

  He raised an eyebrow toward me, and shifted his eyebrows back and forth before he grabbed his own coffee. “Do I need to answer that?”

  I laughed, “Not if you know what’s good for you, you don’t,” I teased.

  He chuckled lightheartedly. “So. Is everything ready to go for tomorrow tonight? The rehearsal dinner starts at six?”

  “Yes, all of our bags are packed for the wedding and honeymoon; and all of our boxes are packed for the move, so we will have little to no responsibility after the ceremony.”

  “Besides actually moving…,” he stated.

  I smiled. “Exactly, which won’t be hard since most of our belongings are already moved.”

  He smiles. “True. Perhaps we could take this love fest to the shower…”

  “Mmmm…are you talking dirty to me, Mr. Montgomery?” I spoke above a whisper.

  “Oh, definitely.” He breathed out against my ear.

  I tipped the coffee cup back and drank it down. “I need more of that. Not coffee…the dirty talk,” I rambled out.

  He tipped his head back in laughter, cradling me bridal style into his arms carrying me into the cabin toward the bathroom, where the dirty talk turned the volume up on the steamy shower for a few short minutes. He left me breathless and needing so much more, but we had a schedule to stick to for our big wedding weekend in Napa.

  ***

  After we were showered and dressed, we walked hand in hand down to the boardwalk toward the cafe. We walked in to find Marie and Luci already sitting in a booth and sat down across from each other. I sat next to Luciana, while Chris sat next to Marie. “Hey. Sorry, were you guys waiting long?”

  Marie smiled. “Nope. We sat down about five minutes ago,” she said as the waitress came with four coffees.

  My eyes widened at the glorious coffee sitting in front of me. “And ordered us all coffee? Best soul sisters ever.”

  Marie smiled. “Of course. I knew you’d make a scene if we didn’t.”

  Luci rolled her eyes. “If you plan to have children, that coffee addiction is going to have to be cut down.”

  Lorelai smiled. “Then I guess I better sip this easy.”

  “What?” Marie and Christopher spat off in unison.

  I looked to Luciana, whose face also fell, as I reached into my purse. “Twelve weeks to be exact,” I said, putting the sonogram down.

  “Honey!” Chris gasped. “You didn’t… say… anything!” He choked out and leaned over with Marie to study the sonogram.

  “I wasn’t going to until I knew we were almost out of the danger zone…” I whispered, tears flooding my eyes. “Next week, we’ll be out of the danger zone. The doctor is really happy with mine and the baby’s health, too.”

  Chris stood up and came to my side of the table, placed a hand under my chin and pressed his lips to mine like his life depended on it.

  Not hesitating for a damn second, I returned his kiss and placed a hand on his cheek.

  Marie squealed looking at the photo. “What a cute little peanut!”

  Chris broke the kiss and looked around at everyone staring. “It’s okay! Everything is fine! I just learned that I’m going to be a father!” he announced to the entirety of the cafe.

  I giggled as everyone started clapping and cheering for us. “Christopher! Sit down!” I scolded him playfully.

  He turned to me and scrunched his face in playful disgust. “I’m a proud baby daddy, okay?” he snapped and I shook my head.

/>   “You better be!”

  Luciana shook her head. “The world should be petrified.”

  I looked at her. “Why? Because we’re fun and adventurous?”

  “No, because that kid is going to have Castillo blood in it.”

  I furrowed my eyebrows. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing. I just meant, you can’t push me away now because that child is going to be spoiled by his Aunt Luci.”

  I eyed Chris and Marie. “Right,of course. Well, let’s order.”

  The waitress came by just on time to take our orders, and Luci looked at me. “So, Mom called me a few days ago.”

  “Yeah? How is she doing?”

  “Good. She couldn’t tell me where she and Dad were. She’s leaving me and Marie in charge of the yacht club. We’ve been working closely with Mom and Dad’s assistants to learn the ropes.”

  “What happened to staying in the family business?” I asked.

  “Taking a mandatory break.” She spoke quietly. “To learn the business.”

  I nodded. “Good. This place seems a lot calmer lately.”

  “It has been calm. It’s weird not having Mom and Dad around though.”

  “It’s only for the best though, right?”

  She nodded. “Yeah.” She paused, and looked at Marie. “Anyway, Marie. You said you were taking the dresses and decorations up to Napa? Is that already done?”

  “Yes. I did it yesterday after work. Chris’s parents were at the vineyards and showed me the bridal room. Lor, you’re going to love it. The interior of that place is immaculate, and the views are gorgeous.”

  I smiled. “I can’t wait.”

  “So what’s the plan? Are we heading up there after we leave here?”

  “Well. Chris and I have to finish taking boxes over to his parents' boathouse. They officially moved to the new house and we’re going to rent the boathouse for now.”

  “Rent is a loose term there. My parents aren’t charging us much to stay. They were able to pay it off when they got the loan for their new house up on the hill.”