Complete Indelible Love Series

by Cee, DW

  “What’s happening?” My bride wondered.

  “We’ll find out soon enough.”

  “I don’t know why but I’m usually the one to start off the festivities and to explain our tradition. Recently, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, married for the third time” he added a bit of humor to his speech, “to Harry Bennington.” A loud round of applause broke for the newlyweds. “We told Harry about our tradition of gifting a bride with something that started in his generation. My father, Estelle’s first husband, gave pearls and so his brothers did the same for their brides. I, the generous man that I am, gave a blue garter and my brothers followed in my footsteps.” There was a great big round of boos to counter that statement. “Jake, decided to show me up, and gave his wife diamonds.” Applause erupted again. “Roland and Harry didn’t disappoint with treasure chests full of jewels for all the ladies.” Once again, the appreciative clapping was loud and clear. “We, Reids, Taylors, and Davises, would like to gift you with a few items to keep our tradition alive. Take it away, Laney and company.”

  Not only Laney, but also Emily, Bee, and Jane walked up.

  Laney started with, “To show you how happy we are about your marriage, and to get you to visit more often, the four of us set up a honeymoon suite and a nursery in the new Bennington home on Reid Place.” Suddenly, the lights dimmed and pictures of our new rooms lit up the screen.

  “You will always have a home with us, Michael and Chloe. Bring your family as often as possible so all our kids can grow up as one,” Emily added.

  “This thanks is ten years overdue,” Jane said, “but Max and I are glad we can finally repay kindness for kindness. If you’ll notice in the park on our cul-de-sac, each child has his own special chair with his or her name on it. The Davises worked really hard to build your new child a baby seat in our park. When you decide on a name, the boys will help their dad engrave the back of the seat.”

  “What awesome gifts. Thank you,” Chloe answered. “Thank you for embracing us and completely loving us. Michael and I are overwhelmed by your generosity. We cherish having another, extended, family. We will make sure our children grow up nestled in that love.”

  Dr. Reid came back on stage after the ladies parted and asked, “Michael?” It was my turn to gift my bride.

  “Firstly, I can’t thank you all enough for what you’ve done for us. From everyone who jumped at the idea of throwing Chloe a wedding, to our newfound family, to the family who’ve always been there for us, we love you and can’t wait to show you how happy we will be.” The crowd applauded my intro. “I was told I had to uphold the tradition of something old and something new, and diamonds had to also be included. To fit in with tradition, I had a ring made for my bride.”

  “Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.” The ladies chanted.

  “About ten years ago, I made an error and gave away a family heirloom. Fortunately, I gave it to a family member and this dear cousin was gracious enough to return it to me. This ring has three parts to it and the two outer parts are the old, and the middle part was the one I custom made for my bride.” I walked to my wife and declared, “Just as the three rings hold together, you, me, and our baby have become one from this day forth. I love you. Merry Christmas and happy birthday, Chloe Noel Bennington. I hope this surprise wedding made up for the last eleven birthdays I’ve missed.”

  Finally, love!—that’s what I found in the girl who began as my friend and eventually became my wife.

  Epilogue—Chloe: Life Celebration

  “That had to have been the best wedding I’ve ever attended, Husband. Thank you for all your hard work.”

  “It was an absolute pleasure, Wife. I’m honored you thought that was the best wedding.”

  “How could it not have been? The setting was magnificent—the castle, hundreds of candles at night, the snow, the huge ballroom, the waltzing, the ball gowns—I loved it! It felt like a Regency romance novel come to life.”

  Michael’s lips did an upturn very quickly at my pronouncement. “I told your legion of men that you’ve always wanted to attend a Regency ball. From there, those guys, with Katie at the helm, took off. I can see why you work with them. They’re efficient, creative, and kind.”

  “I really couldn’t have lasted the past ten years without them.”

  “Have you thought about what you want to do with your business once the baby arrives?”

  I had. That was all I had thought about since we arrived at the Paris apartment for our honeymoon. Michael and I decided that since we loved it here when we were younger, and since this was where we reconnected, we should celebrate our marriage in the city of love.

  “It’s been an amazing ten-year run. I’ve planned weddings for princesses, women who thought they were princesses, and for girls who didn’t have the budget of royalty, but their love for their future husbands inspired me to help them with their dream weddings. With that said, I think I’m going to ask Katie to come on as a partner. We’ll share profits, but I will take a huge step back.”

  “Are you sure? You’ve built quite a reputation for yourself.”

  “I’d like to be known as the best mother and wife on this side of the pond. I’ll be fine. I’ll still step in and work a few weddings a year.”

  Michael hugged me tight. “I plan to help you with our children. You are free to work if you like.”

  “Thank you, Michael, but I want to stay home with the kids. I worked hard the past decade. This is the best reason to take a break.”

  “What shall we do about our residences?”

  “Well, first, I think I need to sell or let my flat. What do you think, Michael?”

  “Just sell it. We already have my flat. Then there’s Grandfather’s home that’s pretty much empty now that he’s married and in LA.”

  “Why don’t we move into your place, but live in Los Angeles as much as possible while the duke is alive? It will be a shame not to spend the last few years with him. We’ll travel back and forth as needed.”

  “That was exactly the answer I was hoping for, dear wife.”

  “There’s a question I wanted to ask you, Michael, and please don’t feel bad about answering. I’m just curious, that’s all.”

  “Is it concerning your gimmel ring?”

  He knew. By the look on his face, he also felt bad. “I love the ring. I’m all right with the way it came to me, but I’d like to hear the details if you don’t mind.”

  My husband sighed. “It was stupid on my part,” he declared. “I gave the ring to Laney as a wedding present when she and Donovan married. I didn’t leave a note; I just left the gift at the present table.”

  “OK.” I guess I was only human. It still kind of hurt to know how heartbroken he was when he lost Laney.

  “I shouldn’t have done that. That ring had been in my family for centuries and I should have kept it for my wife.”

  “So how’d you get it back?”

  “Donovan Taylor suggested I take it back. Once Laney figured out the significance of the ring, she stopped wearing it and insisted I give it to my bride. As a compromise, Laney kept the middle portion of the old ring and I created a new one for you to hand down to our children. I’m sorry, Chlo-No. I wish I had thought that through before making a rash decision.”

  “It’s fine, Michael. Does it feel good to know about your state of mind and heart after Laney married? Not really. But, knowing how happy and settled she is, and knowing that we’re headed for the same kind of happiness, I’m good.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely sure.”

  “Then can we talk about what we’re going to name our first daughter?”

  I laughed at his enthusiasm. “What would you like to name her?”

  “How about we take your middle name, but spell it N-o-e-l-l-e?”

  “And what if Noelle is a boy?”

  “She won’t be. We have no worries of that.”

 
“Don’t you worry about carrying on the Bennington name?”

  “No worries there, either. I plan on keeping you barefoot and pregnant for a while. Look at all the ladies on the Reid cul-de-sac having kids again. We can keep at it for a while.”

  “You think so, huh?”

  “I know so!”

  Seven Months Later

  “We are never, ever, ever having any more kids!” I yelled at Michael as the contractions came on even stronger.

  “You’re doing fine, Chlo-No. The baby is crowning. I see lots of dark hair. Our daughter is almost here.”

  “Damn you and your au naturel methods, Michael Bennington. I should have had an epidural. I’m dying here!”

  “Don’t strain, Chlo-No. It’s not good for you or the baby. Listen to the doctor when he says straining will only encourage an episiotomy.”

  “If you don’t stop talking to me like a two-year-old, I’m going to kick you out of the labor room. GET ME MY MUM!”

  “I see our daughter, Chlo-No. She’s here!” Michael yelled excitedly.

  After two hours of intense labor, Noelle Bennington graced our lives healthy and loud. She was the most gorgeous creature we’d ever laid eyes on. Seeing her, holding her, and nursing her, I could see why women forgot about labor pains and repeated this cycle.

  “Isn’t she a beauty?” I asked my husband.

  “She’s as beautiful as her mother. Thank you, Chlo-No.”

  “For what?”

  “For taking a chance on me. For marrying me. For having our daughter. My love for both of you multiplied a thousand-fold today. I can’t begin to explain how much I love you and our daughter.”

  “We love you too, Michael. I’m excited to be a mother to Noelle.”

  “I need to take pictures and send them to our family in America. They’re all waiting for Noelle’s arrival.”

  “Should we give her about three months before we make a visit? She has to meet all her new baby cousins.”

  “Sounds perfect, Chlo-No. That’ll give us enough time to announce our good news in person.”

  “What good news? Are you talking about Noelle?”

  “I’m talking about you being pregnant with our second child. I asked the OB and he says delivery went well. After your six-week postpartum exam, you should be in the clear to have sex again. We’ll try right away.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yep.”

  I guess Michael wasn’t kidding when he said he was going to keep me barefoot and pregnant. Watching him with our newborn daughter, I couldn’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives. Regardless of what I said in the delivery room, I also couldn’t wait to have more kids.

  Finally, love!—that’s what I found with a man who makes my dreams come true every day.

  Authors Note:

  When I was writing Unlikely Attraction – Delaney’s Story, I knew I had to help Michael find his happiness. There was a brief period where I thought I might have him discover it with Bee. However, timing wasn’t right. He was still healing from his break up with Laney. What better way to find love and happiness than with your best friend?

  This is the end of the Indelible Love Series blogs. Next up is Indelible Memories – Estelle’s Story. The Matriarch of the Reid family tells the tale of her whirlwind romances with three very eligible men. She will end the Indelible Love series.

  Thank you for loving the Indelible Love series!

  DW Cee

  dw@dwcee.com

  http://www.dwcee.com

  Indelible Memories – Estelle’s Story

  By

  DW Cee

  Copyright © 2015 by DW Cee

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, transmitted, or downloaded, whether electronic or mechanical, without the written consent of the author.

  This story is a work of fiction. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Ebook Edition

  Chickygirl Publishing

  Books by DW CEE

  Indelible Love Series (ebooks)

  Indelible Love – Emily’s Story

  Indelible Love – Jake’s Story

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Story Vol. 1

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Story Vol. 2

  Unlikely Attraction – Delaney’s Story

  Near Perfect Attraction – Donovan’s Story

  Unyielding Love – Nick & Bee’s Story Vol. 1

  Unyielding Love – Nick & Bee’s Story Vol. 2

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Wedding

  Indelible Love Bundle + Entwined

  Finally, Love! – Michael & Chloe’s Story Vol. 1

  Finally, Love! – Michael & Chloe’s Story Vol. 2

  Indelible Memories – Estelle’s Story

  Harmony Series (ebooks)

  Unfinished Melody

  Perfect Harmony

  Stand-Alone (ebook)

  Entwined

  Paperback Books

  Indelible Love – Emily’s Story

  Indelible Love – Jake’s Story

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Story (combined volume)

  Unlikely Attraction – Delaney’s Story

  Coming Soon…

  10,000 Reasons Serial

  Unknown Reasons (Book 1) – Late Spring 2016

  Elizabeth Reid’s Blog (TBD)

  Delilah Taylor’s Blog (TBD)

  Who else can I dedicate this book to, but the ladies who made Indelible Love a hit? Thank you! You all have made my writing dreams come true.

  Table of Content

  Prologue

  Harry. Estelle. Roland.

  Jerry. Estelle.

  Jerry. Estelle. Roland.

  Jerry.Estelle.

  Estelle. Roland.

  Harry. Estelle.

  Estelle. Harry.

  Epilogue: Emily

  Author’s Note

  Prologue

  Harry

  “Estelle? My love?” At my old age, it shouldn’t make me so damn giddy to be able to call my wife, my love, but it does. To think that stern Duke Harry Bennington had become a giddy old man would make all my cronies laugh their arses off. I’d become a damn fool over a woman.

  “Did you have something to say or did you need to practice my name to keep Alzheimer’s at bay?”

  “You always were a cheeky one.”

  Every time she smiled, she added another day to my life. I fell in love with her smile when I first met her. More than seventy years later, her smile still made my heart beat as if I’d just run the 100-meter dash.

  “Well? Did you have something to say?”

  “Your beauty blinded me for a moment there, my love. I’d forgotten why I called you out.”

  “Harry,” Estelle gave me her no nonsense tone. “At our age, when you say things like that, I don’t know if you’re serious, or seriously ill. Don’t kid.”

  “Where’s your sense of humor, Woman?” That look told me to get on with life. “Do you have it in you to take one last trip to England?”

  “England? Why, what’s wrong?”

  “I think Michael needs us.”

  “Chloe?”

  “Who else?”

  “Of course, Harry. He’s the last of our grandchildren to get married. We need to help him any way we can.”

  “I’ll fuel up the plane?”

  “I’ll get our bags ready.”

  I brought this woman into my arms to make sure this was all real. “I thank God every single day for you. I never thought we would be possible.”

  “I surely wasn’t thinking I’d outlive two husbands and marry for a third time. It was a complete surprise when you showed up in our backyard and demanded that I marry you.”

  I grinned. “That was the best damn decision of my life. I have to thank your family and mine for all the behind the scenes work, but it
was all me where our wedding was concerned. I knew you’d be mine one day before I died.”

  “I cannot concur, Husband. Not to sound cynical, but another marriage was not on the horizon for me. How the hell did our grandchildren come up with this idea?”

  “It appears Michael reached out to Chloe, and then the two reached out to Jake and Emily. From there, it became a Reid-Bennington family project.” I watched my wife pack two small bags for us. “Tell me, Estelle. Why did you refuse my first and second offers of marriage? Was it only because of Jerry or was there something I could have done to change your mind?”