by Cee, DW
“You always were a horny wench,” Michael kidded. “As much as I’d like to join the mile high club with you—and no, I’ve never done it on a plane.” How did he know I was wondering that same question? “Because it’s written all over your face, Chlo-No,” he answered my silent thought.
“Will there be no secrets between us?”
“I hope not. We’ve spent too many years not knowing each other’s thoughts. From now on, I want to know your every expression, every whim, every fancy—and I want to be able to fulfill your every desire.”
“Wow, Michael Bennington. That was the most romantic, the sexiest, the best words any girl could ever hear. Say it again—exactly the way you said it.”
Michael did as was told. My heart soared. Had he asked me to marry him at the end of all those beautiful words, I would’ve answered, “YES!” Until that question happened again, I’d just enjoy the ride.
“Where were we?” We’d both lost our train of thoughts.
“You were just about to tell me about your theme.”
“Ah, yes.” I saw Michael contemplating how not to tell me.
“Come on, Michael. The suspense is killing me.”
“I suppose it’s better you know so you’ll be more aware of the locations.” What a mystery. “Each location we’ve visited are possible wedding sites.”
“We’ve been scouting locations?”
“Yes, I suppose that’s a fancier way of putting it. First, we started at Reid Place where every family there would love to host our wedding and reception. Laney, Jane, Emily, and Gram are all fighting for the rights to throw you a wedding at their homes.”
I started tearing at their thoughtfulness. “It’s just so much right now, Michael. Everyone is so good to me when I’ve done nothing worthy. It’s like I’ve gained twenty new best friends.”
“You are worthy and you have gained at least twenty new best friends. Let’s not forget all the nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. Those Reids are a big lot.”
“I’d be honored to get married at Reid Place if that’s what you want.”
“It’s not about me, Chlo-No. I want you to have your say. If not Reid place, we can marry in Hawaii. That has to be the number one destination for American weddings and honeymoons.”
“The Big Island was stunning.”
“Then there’s Tokyo or the small islands off mainland Japan where Jake and Emily honeymooned. They also honeymooned on various islands. We could rent out an entire island, bring all our family members, and have the wedding of the year for weeks.”
“Damn. That sounds good, too.” Decisions. Decisions. Michael was giving me too many choices. “What’s next? Where are we off to now?”
“We are about to land on a private island off Thailand.”
“Who will be joining us?”
“Niles, Elaine, and Emma!”
I squealed when I heard who was joining us. “Is this where they married and/or honeymooned?”
“Had you not dropped off the face of this earth, you would have been here to celebrate their wedding.” Michael said with a grim voice. “We missed you.”
“Had you not been engaged to that first woman, I wouldn’t have disappeared. Your first engagement pushed me into a deep depression. Then, your second one almost had me wanting to jump off a cliff. I just wanted to go far, far away and never return.”
“I’m sorry, Chlo-No. Neither engagement should have happened, especially the first one. She only wanted me for my status and wealth. I just wanted to be settled and couldn’t see beyond the façade.”
“Do you keep in touch with either Alexandra or Victoria?”
“Alex, no. Victoria, from time to time. We run in the same circle so you and I will see her at all the events. With her, especially, I feel bad that I led her to believe I was in love. It wasn’t done intentionally or maliciously, but we should have parted long ago—way before we got engaged.”
“If you see Victoria at social events, will she be cursing my presence in your life?”
“Alex, yes. Victoria, no. She’s a sweet girl and in the end, she knew you were the reason why we ended. We parted as amicably as two, once-engaged, people could part.”
“All right. So will you tell me where else we’re headed after this and who’s joining us?”
“Nope. That one will be up to your imagination. All I ask is that you bring out the wedding planner in you and choose a wedding location.”
“I don’t believe I’ve said yes, yet.” Like it was anyone’s guess what my answer would be if he asked again. “I also believe we have a few unfinished words to say to one another?—especially you, Michael Bennington.”
Michael smiled and sat me back in my seat as we began our descent. “Those words are right here,” he placed his hand on his heart, “and right on the tip of my tongue.” I leaned over and sucked on that said tongue. “But, I’m going to wait until our last destination. I think that might be the most apropos place to declare what’s in my heart.”
Oh my gosh! Who was this man? “I’ve waited thirty-five years. I think I can wait a few more weeks. In the meanwhile, I’m going to enjoy all that these trips have to offer. I can’t wait to see what I learn from Niles and Elaine.
Michael: A Celebration Of Cousins
“Chloe and Elaine are getting along fabulously. I always knew Chloe would be a great addition to our family.” Niles spoke while we watched the women laughing in the water.
“As your spouse or mine?” I asked with humor.
“You noticed, huh?” Niles chuckled.
“Uh yeah. Everyone noticed. You followed Chloe around like a lovesick puppy.”
“Well, I was a young puppy when I had a crush on her. That was ages ago, Mikey. Now, I’m a married man with an adorable daughter.” His attempt at serious made us laugh even harder.
“Niles. You were not a pup in college. I wondered why you never asked her out when you obviously wanted to—badly.”
“No matter what I desired, it didn’t seem right to take your girl.”
“Chloe wasn’t my girl for a long time.” That was my bad. Had I matured earlier, she would have been my girl much earlier.
“Even when you weren’t dating, I always knew you two had a fondness for one another. I’d be a fool to think I could break that bond. As it was, I was always the second choice Bennington male. I didn’t want my lady thinking the same thought.”
This talk was a long time coming for the two of us. “You know Grandfather loved us all equally.”
“Perhaps, but he didn’t treat us all equally. You always received the bigger portion of everything.” I couldn’t argue there. “It’s not some anger I’m harboring, Michael; fear not. I understand that His Grace is as old school as they come. Had Dad been the first born, Grandfather would have done the same with me. Truly, I don’t begrudge you your due. I, sure as hell, don’t want the responsibility of a duke. Without lifting a finger, I get all the benefits of being a Bennington.”
“So there are no hard feelings?”
“None at all, Cousin. You and I have been like brothers. I hope after you marry, our families will only become closer—especially since the ladies get on so well.”
“Tell me about your marriage, Niles. I know you and Elaine met thanks to our coffee business, but how do you make it work? The biggest fear I have about getting married this late in life is that Chloe and I will be too set in our ways.”
Niles didn’t think long to come up with an answer. “Elaine was terribly homesick when we first married. Having lived on a coffee plantation for so long, she had her immediate family and the coffee ‘family.’ When I took her away from all that and whisked her off to London, she was lost.”
“So what’d you do?”
“What else could I do but be the entire family she’d lost? I showered her with love and attention. Mum and Dad helped. Your parents, Ruby, and Grandfather did what they could, but it was up to me. I nee
ded to be her all.”
“Wasn’t that difficult?”
“No. I consider that year of adjustment as a true blessing. Elaine clung to me and I reciprocated the attachment. We patiently learned about one another’s likes, dislikes, and foibles. Initially, the honeymoon phase excused anything even remotely annoying. Slowly, we discovered many things about one another we disliked.”
“So what did you do?”
“Patiently, we discussed anything that bothered us. We tried to accommodate one another. But eventually, we learned to accept and move on. It’s hard to change thirty-something years of bad habits. The funny part is, you never thought it was a bad habit until your spouse starts pointing it out.”
“How do you accept someone else’s bad habits without becoming annoyed and eventually getting into arguments?”
“Dad told me something the night before my wedding that I eventually accepted as the absolute truth.”
“What did wise Uncle Welly have to say?”
“He told me whatever faults I found in my spouse, she’d find just as many—if not more—in me. And thus, he said unless it bugs the hell out of me, ignore it and move on. If it’s something I absolutely can’t live with, then tell her gently.”
“I see. Good advice.”
“Advice I use often, Cousin.” Our conversation paused for a while as I thought through all Niles had spoken. “Ultimately, if you love Chloe and treat her as the most precious gift in life, and if Chloe treats you the same way, you’ll both be fine. Marriage is beautiful when there’s that give and take.”
“I think I get it, but if I have issues, I’ll know who to call.”
“What’s the plan after you and Chloe marry? Where will you live?”
That was a good question. I went back and forth many times on that one. “We’ll see what my future bride wants, but I’d like to be near Grandfather. I think Mum and Dad were planning on staying on Reid Place at least half the year. Perhaps, Chloe and I will alternate with my parents.”
“What about all your responsibilities back home?”
“I have a good man taking care of all the properties right now. As soon as I’m married, I’ll find another one to help. But first, I need to snag a bride.”
“By the looks of it, I think you’ll have a wife very soon. The Bennington charm worked its magic.”
“Yeah!” Niles and I gave each other a high-five. “You know it. Once we turn on our charms, how can any woman resist?”
“Damn right, Michael. Not that you’ll need any of it, but I wish you good luck, Cousin. Chloe will make a beautiful bride.”
Niles was correct. Chlo-No would make a stunning bride and I couldn’t wait to get her to the altar.
As great as these resorts had been, deep inside, I knew where we’d end up married. I’d have to make some calls and get the wedding plans rolling. After learning so much from the first three couples, I awaited more life and love lessons from the next three.
Chloe: Celebration—Taylor Made
I couldn’t get over the joys of watching and learning from our family members. This was the best wedding gift Michael could have given me. I’d cherish these days for the rest of my life.
“What’s next on the itinerary and who are our guests?”
Michael got up to open the door. “I think I hear them now.”
“Chloe!” I heard my name being called. As familiar as it sounded, I couldn’t place it. Being out of context, I wondered who was here with us in the Maldives. “Hello, Cousin-in-law!”
That voice was none other than Laney Reid Taylor! I jumped up to greet Laney and her husband. “I can’t believe you’re here. This is going to be so much fun,” I exclaimed.
“Damn right, it’s going to be fun. We’re here to outdo the first three couples.” Who knew Donovan Taylor was also funny on top of drop dead gorgeous.
“You’re staring, Chlo-No.” Michael’s whisper wasn’t that much of a whisper.
“Sorry.” I said to everyone and then turned to Laney to say, “How do you not end up staring at your husband all day?”
Donovan grinned. Michael and Laney rolled their eyes.
“I questioned your taste when I heard you’d chosen Michael as your mate, but now I question it no more. You know what’s up, Chloe Darcy.” Donovan declared to his wife’s groan.
“Please don’t get him started.” Laney spoke and Michael nodded. “The boys have such huge egos, too, because of their father. They think they are all a reincarnation of Adonis.”
“I did think they resembled their father more than you, Laney. But, you have that adorable girl who is the spitting image of you. How did you leave her behind?”
“Let me tell you, Chloe, it wasn’t easy. Delilah insisted she needed to come see Uncle Michael. She said he might have another sparkly trinket for her. You’ve spoiled her, Michael.”
“Can I help it? She’s adorable. I’m sure your husband has already ruined her for any man.”
“Yeah, Michael, but Donovan doesn’t bring home real jewelry for his five-year-old.”
Michael shrugged like it was no big deal. “They look perfect on her.”
“Anyhow,” Laney continued, “it wasn’t our daughter who had separation anxieties. It was more her father!” She pointed to him with her head. “Talk about an obsessed parent. He can’t go anywhere without her. It’s a wonder how he functions during the day.” She rolled her eyes again.
“With this,” Donovan pulled out his giant phone and showed us his lock screen and home screen pictures of his daughter.
“I used to be the one he’d stare at throughout the day. Now, I don’t think I’m in any of his photo galleries. It’s all of his kids.”
“You know you are the ultimate love of my life, Delaney Taylor. Without you, my life is meaningless. I might as well jump off this balcony and drown myself in the Indian Ocean.”
“Groan!” Michael muttered. “Can we get off the topic of Donovan Taylor and go enjoy the resort? There are four lounge chairs and a table full of food awaiting us a few steps away.” He pointed in the direction of the ocean and sure enough, all that he promised was there.
“Is this where you and Donovan married?” I asked Laney.
“No. We married in my parents’ backyard, but this was part of our honeymoon.”
“Why would you leave this place and where else did you go?”
We made ourselves comfortable with food, drinks and a plush chair before Laney continued her story. “Well, it kind of started with me getting pregnant probably the day Donovan popped my cherry.”
Michael and I choked on our drinks when she confessed that bold statement.
“Do tell, Laney Reid.”
“Taylor!” Donovan declared. “Just remember who came up with this brilliant idea, Your Grace.”
Laney and I found this pretend-rivalry and annoyance amusing.
“Tell me what that means,” I asked Michael.
“The men of Reid Place wanted to know how I was planning on wooing you. I told them about these romantic locations I wanted to take you to and this guy,” Michael tipped his head toward the man at the center of this conversation, “thought of this brilliant idea. How wonderful has it been to have every couple join us?”
“That was the perfect idea, Donovan. Thank you. These trips are made all the more special because you all have been here. I don’t think I’ll need a honeymoon after two months of gallivanting through all your wedding and honeymoon locations.”
“You still need that time after you marry. It’s a unique time of togetherness. Donovan and I had some fun times before we married, but the connection was on a whole other level during our honeymoon.”
“So you were pregnant with the twins while on your honeymoon?” I asked, wanting to hear her tale.
“I was. Donovan was my first everything—”
“Except boyfriend,” Michael interrupted with a chuckle. “You’re so handsome when you
frown, Donovan Taylor.” Michael sounded like a teeny-bopper at a Justin Beiber concert. “Too bad I have one up on you.”
“Damn you and damn my pride. I shouldn’t have allowed Delaney out of the country. Stupid me. I thought she’d come right back to me once she realized how much she missed me.” Donovan shook his head. “Instead, she meets some idiot the first day she’s away and begins dating him. Damn. Now, you’ve got me in a bad mood.” True, Donovan was irritated, but his handsome grin told us he was also kidding.
