Complete Indelible Love Series

by Cee, DW

  “That was seriously scandalous, Max Davis.”

  “That’s what you get for making me wait to bed you, Jane Davis.”

  “Oh my gosh! We’re married! I’m Jane Davis now!” Comically, the twenty-minute ceremony, while the sun was setting in a picturesque Tuscany, went without notice. Jane had worked so hard to have her ideal wedding, and in the end, we flirted through the entire ceremony. It now dawned on her that we were married.

  “We are man and wife, my precious Gem. You’re wedded to me for life.”

  “I’d be wedded to you for several lifetimes if that were possible.”

  “Congratulations!” The horde came at us all at once. We couldn’t get through the well-wishers to take the pictures before the reception began. This, of course, stressed out our wedding coordinator.

  “If you’ll follow me.” Chloe fought through the crowd for us. She was keeping us on a schedule so we could eventually let loose and party with family and friends. All bride and groom obligations needed to be met—to start with, pictures.

  “That was the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever attended.” Chloe didn’t realize that she was the reason why our ceremony fell in line with my bride’s every wish. “You are both too handsome for words. Your pictures will be a marvel. But, let’s hurry while we still have a sunset.”

  Jane and I wanted to thank Chloe for all her hard work, but with time of the essence, we struck as many poses as required.

  “I think my jaw hurts from smiling so much.”

  “My beautiful bride, your smiles light up any dark night.”

  “You’re just saying all that to get in my dress, aren’t you?” This teasing mood continued.

  “A given, no? You promised the entire night.”

  “Let’s go, Loverboy. I believe the crowd wants to get this party started.”

  I followed my wife, and her first stop was to thank the man who made this location possible.

  “Hello, Your Grace. We will forever be indebted to you for allowing us the use of your villa and for sending us Chloe. How did you live without her the past week?”

  “I was fine. It was Michael I worried about,” Harry Bennington answered. “He was like a lost sheep without his shepherdess.” Harry produced a smile and a smirk watching his grandson squirm.

  I put out my hand as a thank you gesture to Michael and said, “I guess you’re the man we need to thank? We apologize for any inconvenience. Chloe was a godsend. If not for her, my wife might not have made it to the altar with her sanity intact.” Everyone enjoyed my comment on Jane’s bridezilla antics.

  “I’m not the one you need to thank.” We saw Michael grab a passing Chloe and bring her into our conversation. “This woman here did all the work.” He placed an affectionate hand on her shoulder.

  Jane hugged our wedding coordinator without hesitation. “We can’t thank you enough for giving us a week of your life to make our wedding dream a reality. Whatever price you ask, we’ll gladly pay.”

  “You better take her up on that offer now, Chloe. No price is too high for the future head of AAP.”

  “I’m only a lowly junior partner. Don’t reveal the full picture at its inception. I’ve a long way to go to even reach Donovan’s status.”

  “Did I hear my name?” Donovan couldn’t contain his wife who gave effusive hugs to both Benningtons and one Darcy—Chloe Darcy.

  “Thank you for being so kind to my cousin, Your Grace. Your villa is breathtaking.”

  “This could have been yours had you picked the right man.” The tone Harry Bennington took explained to all parties involved that he was jesting with my new cousin.

  “I did pick the right man, Your Grace. Very soon, I think your grandson may pick the right woman. Right, Michael?” Laney wasn’t fooling anyone with the back and forth glances from Michael to Chloe. “Don’t you want to fill that big flat of yours with a smart wife and beautiful kids?” Harry, Jane, Donovan, and I couldn’t help laughing at the uncomfortable pair. Laney wasn’t holding back. “Chloe?”

  “Yes?” Chloe’s whisper signaled her fear.

  “Are you seeing anyone?”

  “No…not at the moment.”

  “Would you agree Michael would make a wonderful boyfriend / husband / father?”

  “Um…well…I dunno…I suppose…?”

  “I can tell you for a fact, he was wonderful to me the short time we dated.” That emphasis was to appease the man who held her hand, or possibly squeezed the life out of her hand with displeasure.

  “Do you have any girlfriends you can introduce to Michael? Since you’re childhood friends, I’m sure Michael trusts you implicitly. Perhaps you have a friend who would suit our dashing future duke?”

  Harry Bennington couldn’t contain his pleasure.

  “Princess, I’m sure Michael will be fine on his own with all the pomp and circumstance that’s included in his life.”

  Laney ignored her husband. She was now talking to Michael. “Maybe you have a friend or two you can introduce to Chloe? I know!” Laney’s raised voice made us all jump back half a step. “What about Niles? He’s just as good looking, and not as serious. He’s perfect for Chloe. What do you think?”

  Michael didn’t have a prayer against this determined woman. “First of all, Laney Reid.”

  “Taylor.”

  It was no one’s guess who asserted that name change.

  “Niles is not as good looking as I am, and I am not as serious as you make me out to be. And no, Niles would not be perfect for Chloe.” That was as good an admission of his interest in Chloe as any. Laney went in for the kill.

  “May I speak with you?” With her hand attached to her husband’s, she pushed Michael into a private corner, most likely to further her cause.

  “I knew there was a reason why I liked that girl so much.” Harry was all smiles. Chloe was all forced-smiles.

  “Your cousin is working overtime to push our two English friends together.”

  My wife watched Chloe walk over to talk to Michael, Laney and Donovan. “I do think she’s right. They belong together, but they’re equally reticent about their attraction.”

  I figured theirs was a story for another day.

  “We’ve taken pictures, had dinner, nibbled on cake, talked with family, and danced more than I wished. Can we leave, now?”

  “Our party is still in full swing. We can’t leave until our guests start leaving.” Damn. I was done with the wedding.

  “But a good portion of the guests are not leaving since they’re staying at this villa.”

  My bride placed an innocent kiss on my cheek and whispered, “We have a lifetime of sex and only one night of our wedding. Let’s give this night a little more time.”

  The complaint on the tip of my tongue stopped when Chloe hurried us along for what she called, “The Finale.”

  “What’s going on?” Surprisingly, even my bride had no clue. “How can there be a wedding activity you are unaware of, my precious bride?”

  Before she could answer, we saw Chloe walk up on stage. “His Grace, Harry Bennington, wishes you both a life filled with love and good cheer.”

  As soon as she walked off, music and fireworks blasted in perfect harmony.

  “You had no idea this was happening?”

  “No.” Jane shook her head. “How are we going to possibly thank all these gracious people who’ve made this night a dream for us?” Tears masked my brides’ lovely eyes.

  “We have a lifetime to pay back all these selfless gestures.” I pulled her into my body and we enjoyed the fireworks displayed in our honor.

  Night turned into morning and as guests began their leave, my bride finally consented to begin our journey.

  “I’m ready,” she whispered.

  “Are you sure you want to leave?” I didn't want any regrets later. This was the only wedding we'd ever have.

  “I've married my best friend, danced with him, made out w
ith him while dancing with him, and greeted everyone here. I believe it's time for me to keep a promise I made many months ago.”

  “Thank you, Jesus!”

  We walked over to show our gratitude to our English friend one more time. “I think we are ready to leave now, Chloe. Thank you again and one day soon, Max and I will return the favor.”

  “There’s no favor to return. I was pleased to help and surprised I could make a difference. Enjoy your honeymoon. I hope you'll keep in touch.”

  “Chloe, you are beyond a doubt, a rare find. Some man is sorely missing out on his good fortune.” I added my thanks and whisked my bride through the congratulating crowd.

  “See you all in a month.” Jane hollered above the noise.

  “Ready?”

  “Ready to live a lifetime with you.” My bride answered her sweet sentiment.

  “Good, because I'm ready to love you for the rest of our lives. Let's get the indelible lovin’ started, Mrs. Davis.”

  With those sentiments, we said good-bye to our old lives and welcomed our new life as one.

  Thanks for lovin’ us!

  Max & Jane Davis

  Epilogue: Estelle Cowper Reid Ascot

  “Gigi.” My impatient Elizabeth Reid implored. “The boys are eating all the dessert and Auntie Bee just came down with the new baby. Is your story finished, yet?”

  “Elizabeth!” Her mother was always admonishing this girl, attempting to teach her to slow down and smell the roses.

  Emily didn’t need to say another word. Her daughter knew better. “I’m sorry, Gigi, but we’ve been sitting in the same position for almost two hours listening to your story. While I find your life fascinating, I’ve been dying to meet my newest cousin. Plus, I spent hours making the brownies by myself, and I’ve yet to get a taste. If I don’t go now, the boys will have finished every last piece.”

  My oldest great-granddaughter was one of my greatest joys. Though I had eleven other great-grandchildren, this one spoke to my heart the loudest. She was impetuous to a fault and testing her parents’ limits as a ritual. Initially, I worried for Emily. The tenderhearted woman that she was, I didn’t think she’d be able to stand up to her twelve-year-old daughter once she entered the ugly teenage years. Contrary to my beliefs, Emily stood firm in her beliefs and never wavered in her discipline. I knew Elizabeth would grow up beautifully and take her pride of place in the next generation of Reids.

  “Are you asking to be excused, Young Lady?” I arched my eyebrow in pretend-reproof.

  “May I please be excused, my beautiful great-grandmother? I would love to meet my baby cousin. I promise to return to this very spot once I’m done saying hello. Would that meet your approval, Gigi?” She was never short of words. Even before she turned two, she coined me, Gigi, when the word great-grandmother didn’t work.

  This twelve-year-old had the looks of a beauty queen, patience of a tween, the brilliance of a heart surgeon, and the charm of a diplomat. Heaven help the man who came courting.

  “Gigi. I’ll tell the rest of the story to Ellie. It’s OK if she leaves. I promise I’ll remember what you say.”

  “And do you want to leave with your cousin, Delilah?”

  “No, Gigi. I want to hear your story. You didn’t get to the part when the prince comes and rescues the princess.”

  “Lilah.” Ellie’s bossy tone surfaced. “Did you not hear Gigi talk about the two princes who’ve already come? She married both of them.”

  “But Gigi’s not married. I think you’re wrong, Ellie. Gigi has to end the story with a happily ever after and she hasn’t yet. I promise to remember the story for you if you want to go eat a brownie.”

  Elizabeth stopped talking to Delilah and gave me her beseeching eyes.

  “All right, Elizabeth. You may go.”

  With a quick squeal of joy, my oldest great-granddaughter left.

  I was left with the three granddaughters who lived on the cul-de-sac, and Delilah.

  “Mommy, is Gigi finished with her story? What did Ellie mean when she said Gigi married two princes? Can a princess marry more than one prince?”

  Donovan picked up his daughter and tickled and kissed her until she hollered for him to stop. “You, my baby princess, may never get married. I’m going to lock you up in your tower and keep you with me forever.” He nuzzled her soft blonde hair.

  “Daddy.” This beautiful little girl spoke, “Just because my hair is long and yellow like Rapunzel’s doesn’t mean you can lock me up in the tower. I have to meet my prince and live like a princess.”

  “No. Never.” He adored her some more.

  Delilah Rose Taylor was the apple of all of our eyes at this moment. Born seven years younger than her cousin Ellie, Delilah, or Lilah as we liked to call her, was the only other girl in this generation. As Elizabeth was the only female Reid for the first five years, Lilah was the only female Taylor, ever. Both were adored and cherished by their grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Though eventually, both would feel stifled by the protectiveness of their brothers and male cousins.

  “Why don’t we all go and see how Uncle Nick and Aunt Bee are doing with their newborn,” I suggested.

  “When will you finish your fairytale, Gigi?” Lilah jumped into her mother’s outstretched arms.

  “Baby, Gigi’s not done with her story because there’s more to come. Her fairytale continues with the latest prince coming to make more of her dreams come true.”

  My astute granddaughter was always wiser than her years.

  At the age of ninety-three, I had the good fortune of living with two outstanding men. My life with Jerry was as ideal as any first-time marriage could be. He loved me completely and made me want for nothing. There was not a woman on earth who could say she was more cherished than I. When Jerry passed away, after more than fifty years of marriage, I didn’t know how I’d survive. I was only living physically as he’d taken the emotional part of me with him to the grave.

  But, as I’d learned with life, when one passed away, a new life appeared. I didn’t expect Roland Ascot to reappear and blow a new life into this old body. Though we didn’t quite live a decade with one another, our love was no less sweet. Surprisingly, there was enough love in my heart to start again. My almost-decade with Roland equaled the years I spent with Jerry. I was blessed to have been loved by both men, and I missed both of them dearly.

  “Hello, Gram.” My grandson Nick and his wife Bee came home from the hospital with their newborn baby boy, yesterday. Ten years since their wedding, Nick was now firmly entrenched in the world of research, working on a joint-effort project between the university and a private research company he founded with the help of three of his schoolmates. Bee’s company grew yearly and with the busy lives these two lived, we thought Nicky Jr. would be their only child. Bee greeted her fortieth birthday with a whopping baby surprise and stirred the hopes of all Reid men.

  Bee handed me their bundle of joy.

  “He’s precious.” My newest great-grandson looked like a Reid. He had jet-black hair and sparkling blue eyes like his father before him and laid calmly in my arms. “Where’s Nicky?”

  “He’s already in the pool with his cousins. Donovan had the love of his life and Nicky in a football hold and he threatened to jump in the deep end with them in that position.” Bee explained while watching her nephew attempt the feat.

  “By the sounds of the screaming before and after the splash, I’m sure Donovan will have to do more of that football move.” Every great-grandchild I held, I thanked God above for giving me so many years with my family. The blessings only increased. “How are you feeling, Bee?”

  “Old.” She laughed. “I can’t get up in the middle of the night like I used to with Nicky. At thirty-five I thought I was too old to have a child. At forty, I know I’m too old to have a child.”

  “Where’s my baby nephew?” Jane came out of the pool and greeted her brother and sister-in-law. “Let me pin u
p my hair so I don’t drip water on Nathan.” She did as promised and splayed her hands. “May I, Gram?”

  I handed Nathan to his aunt and sat with the rest of the women in Jane’s backyard.

  “I’m glad you and Max decided to move into the cul-de-sac. Is the house to your liking?”

  “It’s perfect, Gram. I wish Gimpy would’ve lived longer. I wanted you both to live with us.”

  Before Roland passed away in his sleep, he had a house built on the very plot of land where the park and wading pool existed. With the kids growing older, Donovan and Jake built a deeper pool in conjunction with the wading pool and added slides for all the children to enjoy. Roland told everyone that the house he was building was for us, but I knew he wanted to bring Jane and Max and their boys into the fold of Reid Place.

  By the time Jane was pregnant with their second, they knew they couldn’t last in their two-bedroom home. Foreseeing the necessity of a move, Roland started to build without much of an explanation to anybody.

  Roland had always had a weakness for Jane.

  As Jerry gifted his house to Jake, Roland gifted his to his granddaughter.

  The surprised couple insisted we move in with them, but we were content to watch the boys grow up on the cul-de-sac.

  “How’s work?” I asked both granddaughters who juggled two lives.

  “Missy’s holding down the fort again for me, while I’m technically on a maternity leave. The warehouse is fairly self-sufficient so everything is OK, for now.”

  “What about you, Jane?”

  “Every AAP building is profitable and since Donovan decided to become a boutique firm, life is manageable. Except for the occasional traveling, we’re both able to come home for dinner every night. It’s really all thanks to Donovan that I live such a good work life.”

  A few years back before Roland’s passing, Donovan had accomplished what he set out to do since he sold AAP Europe and married my granddaughter. He purchased a building for each AAP and moved them with much fanfare. With a good management company handling their buildings like a foremost Upper West Side high rise, other companies happily paid the high rent to be part of the glamour and prestige.