Hidden

by Ancelli

  His phone buzzed and he picked it up. It was his father. “Where are you? I’ll be in the barn waiting.”

  Ethan slowly got out of the car and loosened his tie. There wasn’t a chance to change out of his business attire. He leaned against the door, and thoughts of the woman he loved dominated his musings. He recounted everything they’d been through to get where they were now. The first time he’d kissed her, he’d known Rayn was the one. And then, there she was, pulling up next to him What is she doing at the farm? He raised his eyebrows in question.

  He walked over to her truck as she lowered the window. “What are you doing here?” Ethan leaned in.

  “My dad mentioned something about insect bites getting infected. I came to check up on him before going to Kaliyah’s baby shower. I thought you were going to start packing up your stuff.”

  “Dad summoned me.” He looked over at the barn. “He needed help with the animals.”

  Ethan stepped back as she opened the door. He took her manicured hand in his and helped her down from the cab. The white mini dress she was sporting was a bit short for his taste. “Wearing white?” He angled his finger at her attire, pointing down to the wrap-around sandals. Rayn was naturally beautiful to begin with; however, the white against her brown complexion made her skin look radiant.

  “It’s an all-white baby shower.” She did a shimmy dance. “Do you like?”

  Ethan chuckled softly, inching closer, and placed his hand over her ass. “I like anything on and off you.”

  “You better stop,” she whispered, looking over at the barn. “After we check on our dads, maybe we can take a roll in the hay.” She gazed at him with a naughty grin. “New memories.”

  They looked at each other heatedly. “Why wait?” He entwined his fingers with Rayn’s. “We have less than seven minutes.” The lights in the kitchen were on. That meant his dad was most likely still in the main house.

  They walked up together, hand in hand, and stopped dead in their tracks when they saw the sign hanging from the wooden doors. The sign read Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Monet in pretty, white calligraphy and draping foliage.

  The doors slowly began to pull open and “Made To Love Ya” by Gerald Levert began playing in the background. Ethan’s jaw dropped, and then, his lips curled up into a huge smile as he spotted his son. So that was why Mrs. Rhonda hadn’t answered the phone; she probably didn’t want Alex to ruin the surprise. His father, and Jarod, Rhonda, and Kaliyah were standing next to the makeshift altar that had been placed in the middle of the barn.

  Rayn gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. “Simply beautiful.”

  “You followed orders.” Clutching a simple but elegant bouquet of flowers, Kaliyah eyed Rayn. “All white to your own wedding.”

  The barn had been transformed to match his mother’s rustic vision. Gone were the animals and hay. The barn was now decorated with soft white mini lights hanging from the ceiling, arching from side to side and wrapping around the pillars. There were sunflower petals leading up to the altar.

  Alex jingled a set of wedding rings in his hand. “Happy wedding day!” he squealed, excited.

  Tears ran down Rayn’s cheeks. “I’m speechless.”

  “That’s a first!” Jarod laughed. “Did you really think we were going to let you get married in a courthouse?”

  “We’ve waited for this day.” Rhonda’s voice cracked. “Get over here.”

  Rayn rushed over to her mother and wrapped her arms around her.

  “Your mother is smiling.” His dad’s voice wavered. “I can hear her…‘I told you they would make it.’” He changed his tone to try and sound like Ethan’s mother. “She had faith.”

  Ethan choked up, gazing at the people in the room. This was something unexpected and magical. He could feel his mother’s presence in the barn.

  “Kaliyah, this is my soon-to-be-husband, Ethan.” Rayn proudly introduced him. “Ethan, my work bestie, Kaliyah.”

  “I can finally put the face with the name,” Rayn’s friend said. “I’m the wedding photographer, planner, and counselor.” She snapped a photo of them.

  Kaliyah looked familiar. “Have we met before?”

  “Could be possible.” Kaliyah smiled. “I used to live a few miles from your old stomping grounds before moving to Texas as a teenager.” She handed the bouquet over to Rayn. “Time to start this celebration. I’m happy to be a part of your day.”

  “Thank you.” Rayn touched Kaliyah’s protruding belly. “So, you’re not having a baby shower?”

  “Nope.” Kaliyah moved back. “Pictures…”

  Ethan grabbed his son and they took their first family pictures together. They posed with their parents. Their laughter was medicine to his soul. He smiled, gazing at a photo of his mother they had hung above a flower arrangement.

  Ethan and Rayn followed the petals on the ground to the altar, positioning themselves next to her father. Apparently Jarod, a jack-of-all-trades, was also a marriage officiant.

  “We are gathered today to celebrate the union of Rayn and Ethan, my daughter’s love,” Jarod announced. “Would you like the traditional vows or will you say your own vows?”

  Without a second thought, Ethan began. “You are my dream come true, my world, and everything I’ll ever need.” Ethan cupped Rayn’s face as he said his words. “When I’m with you, everything fades to the background.” Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks and he wiped them away with his fingertips. “I chose you then and I’m choosing you now and forever. I promise to choose you as my wife every day of my life.” He swallowed as memories of college resurfaced. All the reasons he loved her then, and now. From the corner of his eye, he could see Alex watching them attentively. “You cheered for me from the sidelines, inspiring me to do better for my parents and myself. Now I’m your cheerleader right beside you. You are my motivator and I promise to be yours until the day that I die. With this ring—” He released her and glanced down at their son. “I forgot one thing.”

  “What, Daddy?”

  “Do you give me your mom’s hand in marriage?” He wanted his son to know he was important in this union, too.

  Everyone began laughing.

  “Yes, I do!” his son voiced sternly, giving Ethan the set of rings.

  “Now that I’ve received our son’s blessing, let’s get this done.” Ethan gazed into Rayn’s eyes. “With this ring,” he slipped his mother’s ring, along with a diamond band, on her finger, “I promise you’ll never face the world alone again, Mrs. Monet. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish you. ’Til death do us part.” He turned his head in his father-in-law’s direction. “Was that about right?”

  Jarod cleared his throat, clearly responding with emotion after Ethan’s speech. “Yes, absolutely.”

  Rayn stared silently at the rings on her left hand. Ethan had, somehow, sent the ring to the jeweler to have her birthstone and Alex’s added to his mother’s ring. His father must’ve placed a rush on the order. “How lucky am I to call you mine after all the mistakes I’ve made?” Rayn swallowed. “Ethan, you are the strength I didn’t know I needed, and the happiness I knew I lacked, but was afraid to reach out and take a hold of. And now that I have you, I promise never to let go.” She sniffled. “Today I choose to spend the rest of my life with you. I thank God for all the broken roads that led us back to each other. Because of you, I’ve learned that two people joined together with respect, trust, and communication can be far stronger and happier than each can ever be alone.” Rayn bent down and kissed Alex on his forehead. “I love you, my prince.”

  “I love you too, Mommy.” Alex handed her the ring. “I give you Daddy’s hand too.”

  Rayn chuckled and then took Ethan’s hand in hers. “You love me, and complete me in ways I never knew were possible. With this ring,” she slipped the ring on his finger, “I, Rayn Taylor, take you, Ethan Monet, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward. I promise to be true t
o you in good and bad times, in sickness and in health. I will love you ’til death do us part.”

  “You may kiss your bride,” Jarod finally said.

  Rayn eased up on her tiptoes and Ethan bowed his head and captured her lips. “To forever,” he whispered.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Fluffy white and gray clouds slowly passed by, adding an ethereal touch to the scenery ahead of him. Ethan stepped out on the wrap-around terrace, amazed at the breathtaking view. He stared out at the calm, blue ocean, and the agony, pain, and regret of the past were swept away like the waves crashing against the shore. The sound of the beach was peaceful to his ears. Now, he understood why his mother missed living so close to the ocean. A warm breeze swirled around him, making him shiver, sending his already messy hair in all different directions. He placed his hands on the banister as he looked out. There were people throwing frisbees and playing football, while others were in the ocean swimming and playing around.

  Rayn had gone all out when booking the Hotel San Luis Beachfront Resort and Spa in Galveston, Texas. The property was astounding, and everything they needed was right at their disposal. He’d never stayed at a luxury, inclusive hotel before. Rayn made sure his first time at the beach was extremely special. They’d been there for two days, enjoying all the picturesque features the island had to offer. He’d been jet skiing, parasailing, and snorkeling with Rayn as his guide. The color scheme underwater was marvelous. Ethan admired the fishes, turtles, starfish, and even the coral was beautiful.

  He bent down and dusted off some of the gritty sand on his bare feet. The only thing he didn’t care about was the annoying sand that would stay stuck on his skin even after he rinsed off.

  Rayn wrapped her soft hands around his waist and rested her head against his back. “Isn’t the view amazing?”

  “It is.” He caressed her hands under his. “My mom used to talk about growing up near the ocean, and how much she missed living on an island. Now, I can actually see why.” The glittering sun made the white sand sparkle like a thousand tiny crystals. Why had he waited so long to see one of God’s amazing wonders?

  She moved in front of him and touched his chest. “You’re almost my color.” Ethan’s olive skin had been sun-kissed after spending the entire day at the beach. Rayn brushed the sand on his abs.

  “When I was a kid,” he entwined their fingers, “I used to stay outside in the sun with hopes that my skin would turn like my mother’s.” Ethan chuckled at his childhood antics. “I got close, but then I would suffer the consequences days later, when my skin would peel, like my father’s.” He smiled at his memories. Ethan could actually hear his mother’s laughter as he watched children playing in the sand right below. He could still see the sandcastles Rayn and Alex had built a few hours ago.

  Rayn watched him closely. “Are you having fun?”

  How had he gotten so lucky to be able to fall in love all over again with the same woman? “What do you think? I get to share it with the people who mean the most to me.” It had taken Rayn a few days to get everything together for their mini vacation, and one of the reasons was passed out in the middle of the suite’s California king bed. Ethan turned, facing the room to stare at Alex. He’d played himself in to a deep sleep. “I still can’t grasp that we have a son.”

  “We do.” Her lips lifted up. “I knew you would want to share this experience with him. I apologize for almost being selfish and wanting you all to myself.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be alone with your husband.” He inched forward and grabbed her bare hips. Rayn’s one-piece bathing suit was open on the sides, showcasing her curves. “Have I told you how much I missed you?”

  “Yes.” She began slow dancing to the soft music playing on the terrace. “We’ll make up for all the time we lost.”

  He followed her lead to “Fortunate,” by Maxwell. “Yes, Mrs. Monet.” He stared behind her, looking at nature’s artwork. The sun was starting to set making the skies appear pink and orange.

  “Rayn Monet.” She slowly pronounced her new last name. “Who would’ve thought?”

  “I did.” He caressed her back with his fingertips. “I knew you were my future the moment you said, ‘Ethan got this.’ You believed in me before I believed in myself.”

  She couldn’t stop smiling. “I’ll always be your cheerleader.” Rayn pointed at the earrings he’d gifted her in college.

  “You kept those.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” She chuckled and began singing. “Give me an E, give a T…” She continued her cheer, making him shake his head.

  “You’re something else.” Ethan stared into her beautiful brown eyes. “My something else.”

  Her cell phone rang in the distance. “How many times is she going to call?”

  He assumed she was talking about her mother. “What if it’s the hospital?”

  “The investigation is going to take some time.” Her smile faded.

  Rayn was good at what she did. His father sang her praises. If it didn’t turn out in her favor, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. The last thing he wanted was to mess up Rayn’s or Jenny’s life.

  “This trip is about forgetting and having fun.” She grabbed the waistband of his swim trunks and pulled him closer. “No one is going to interrupt our first family vacation.” She walked backward through the hotel room. “He’s out.” She looked over at their son and winked, making her way to the bathroom with Ethan in tow.

  She stared at her reflection in the floor length mirror. “So, this is what a happy Rayn looks like?” she asked herself. She couldn’t stop smiling.

  “This is what the Monets look like: finally happy.” Ethan wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gazed at their reflections, and then kissed her neck, making her moan.

  She had to remember her world wouldn’t end because she lost a job. She had the love of a good man, and a wonderful little boy. Her heart thumped hard against her chest, and her hands became sweaty. Her suspension gave her time to spend with her family and enjoy her surprise wedding. Her heart skipped a beat every time she witnessed Ethan and Alex having fun together. The things she’d thought she wanted years ago weren’t at all what she needed.

  He traced the bow of her lips. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” Rayn half-smiled. “Just thinking.”

  “You just said this trip is about having fun. I have something that’s going to help you forget about the hospital.” Ethan touched her nipples through the cotton fabric of her shirt. “How long is Alex out for?”

  “What did you have in mind?” She traced the bulge forming in his pants with her fingertips. “He’s out for about another hour.”

  His lips curled into a naughty grin before he lifted her up over his shoulders. “You have to be quiet…” He spanked her ass a couple of times.

  “You know that’s impossible!” Rayn giggled as he headed to the shower.

  “Everything is possible.” Ethan placed her down on her feet, and turned on the faucet. “Shhh…” He placed his index finger against his lips. He twisted her around and took off her bathing suit, then picked her up and put her on the marble counter. “Open up, baby.”

  “Mmmm…” Rayn complied, opening her legs wide.

  “No noise.”

  She pressed her lips tight together.

  He chuckled, getting down on his knees. Ethan held her feet up to his shoulders and began kissing the inside of her right ankle, trailing his kisses up to her inner thigh.

  “I’m trying.” She giggled again. “And you haven’t even started.”

  Ethan licked his lips and instantly, Rayn got wet. Goosebumps covered her body as he began to slowly tongue-kiss her nether lips. Rayn closed her eyes, trying to keep quiet. There was no way she could keep her word on that. She wrapped her legs around his head, locking him in. “E…than,” she mumbled. “I can’t…”

  He smiled against her pussy. Ethan shook his head as he began sucking on her pearl.

/>   “Daddy!” Alex yelled. “Mommy, where are you?”

  “Damn.” Ethan bowed his head in between her thighs. “I thought you said he was out for another hour…”

  “Mommy, your phone is ringing.”

  She gently pushed his head away. “Welcome to marriage and parenthood.” Rayn chuckled, removing her legs from over his shoulders. “Coming.”

  He slipped off his swimming trunks. His dick was giving her a standing ovation. “You were about to,” Ethan whispered, stepping into the shower.

  Rayn twisted her lips. “Whatever.” She walked out of the bathroom, taking her sweet time to get through the room and pick up the call, and then she pointed at the screen from far away.

  “You’re not going to answer?” he asked from the shower.

  “We already know why she’s calling,” she mouthed before pressing the button. “Mom, Alex is okay—”

  “Rayn, you need to come home,” her mother said, out of breath.

  “Mom, what’s wrong?” She began to panic. It sounded like her mom was crying.

  “Your dad was in an accident.”

  “I thought he was in Oklahoma?” Rayn glanced over at Alex playing with his handheld video game.

  “He is.” Her mom inhaled and exhaled. “They both were in the truck.”

  “Both?” Oh my God. Rayn looked over at the bathroom. “Alexandre?”

  “Yes, they were together. Alexandre was the one who called me,” Rhonda babbled. “I’ve been calling you over and over.”

  Rayn’s phone had been off when they were at the beach. “I’m sorry.”

  “I just landed here. He’s at the hospital you work for,” she said, rushing her words. “I have to go.”

  Ethan walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. “Alex, want to go check out the sunset?” He smiled until he saw the expression on Rayn’s face. “What’s wrong?”