by Delisa Lynn
“The paramedics are here. I want Audrey and Vivian to go to the hospital,” Alton orders.
“Alton, I’m fine. I just want to go home.”
“Oh no, you’re going to the hospital. I’m not taking any chances,” Zander says as he holds onto my waist.
“You are so damn bossy. I’m okay. Well, physically, but I’ll be okay.”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight ever again.”
“Fine, let’s go. I’m tired of looking at the two of them. I can’t believe they set out to ruin my life. Hell, they were almost successful.”
I look at my birth mother’s dead body. I wish she would have been a real mother. She did this to herself.
***
Audrey
“Audrey, pumpkin, I’m so sorry about all of this. Your mom is worried sick. Now Sandy will never be able to hurt you again. I hope they lock Ian up and throw away the keys. Get some rest. We will come see you soon.” Dad hugs me tight.
“Daddy, it isn’t your fault. You have always taken care of me. You knew she wasn’t stable, so never think this was on you. Tell mom I’m fine and I can’t wait to go shopping this weekend. I love you both. You go rest,” I say as I hug him again.
Zander and I are leaving the hospital. I’m fine, but Vivian has to stay for a few more days. Sandy gave her some pretty bad bruises. She and I both are traumatized for fucking life.
I’m so happy to be going home. I need a long, hot bubble bath and a glass of wine. No, scratch that, I need some fucking liquor. I can still feel Ian and Sandy’s hands on me. They took Ian to another hospital. Then I’m sure he’s on his way to big boy jail.
In the back of my mind, I keep wondering what would have happened if he hadn’t jumped ship and turned on my mother. I can still see the lust in his eyes from the attack in New York. I can’t believe my own birth mother wanted me dead. Because of her and Ian, my baby died. Karma has been served. That evil bitch is dead.
My father is going to call and tell my grandparents about my birth mother’s death so I don’t have to. I don’t know if I want them to know how their daughter sabotaged my life and tried to kill me numerous times, all because she was still in love with my fiancé’s father.
My grandparents had to have known she was distraught years ago. I don’t know why they didn’t try to get her help.
***
Audrey
Today is the day of Sandy’s funeral. I know I shouldn’t go, but I feel like I owe it to my grandparents. Everything she has done to me, good or bad, has played over and over in my mind. I can’t shed any tears for her. I should at least cry. She was my mother, after all, but I can’t. There is nothing left for her. My father didn’t want me to attend the service alone, so we went together.
The graveyard is very dark. There are maybe ten people gathered around the casket. My father holds my hand as we approach the others. My grandfather isn’t there, just my grandma. She’s with her siblings. She looks at me with saddened eyes. I can’t think of anything to say. I hold my daddy’s hand as tight as I can.
Listening to the preacher go on and on about what a great person Sandy was makes me ill. How can he say that? He didn’t know her. She didn’t kill his baby or hold him hostage. I look around and notice no one is crying. Everyone’s eyes are dry.
After the service, my dad and I start to walk away. My grandmother stops us.
“Audrey, wait, I would like to speak to you.” She gives a light smile and places her arms around me. I pull her in for a hug. “You know, dear, she wasn’t always like that. I’m not sure what happened, but she was a beautiful, caring woman at one time. I’m sure your father can vouch for that.” She pats his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” is all I can get my voice to say.
“Good lord, child, you have nothing to be sorry about. From what I heard and saw, she did all this to herself. Your granddad loved her, but he hates her too. He hasn’t spoken to her since she pulled that stunt and crashed into that tree with you in the car.
“When your father called, we knew something was wrong. I know we don’t see you much, but we love you. You are our granddaughter and we would do anything for you. Here, this is for you. It wasn’t from her, so please just accept it. I’m so glad you’re okay. Call if you need anything or just want to talk.”
“Thank you. I love you. Give grandfather my love. I’ll be in touch,” I say as I hug her again.
My dad and I walk back to the car. For the first time since my mother was killed, I cry. Not for her, but for who she used to be, the person that Dexter and my father once loved, the lady that would take me to the park, the lady that sang to me at night. I know she said she hated me, but she had to have loved me at one point.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Zander
It’s been six months since the incident that almost took my mom and fiancé away from me. Ian is now behind bars. He was sentenced to twenty years. He was charged for attacking Audrey in New York City. He confessed that he and Sandy had planned it all, that he was supposed to kill Audrey that day. His time was reduced by a few years because he’d informed Alton about the kidnappings. Things are going great between Audrey and me.
We just got back from California. My buddy, Brody, got married there. We’re having a welcome party tomorrow for him and his wife and Evan and Tatum. We also have some news to share with everyone.
Audrey has to go into the office tomorrow. She’s working on more cases than me, Evan, and Brody. She’s one of the best attorneys in the state. Now that she doesn’t have to look over her shoulder all the time, she can focus on our future.
On our way from the airport, we stop at the mall. I pick out a nice suit and she picks out a pretty dress. It’s perfect for her. She stops at the food court and gets pretzels and a blue lemonade, of course, but I still don’t tell her what we’re doing.
When we leave the mall, I start heading to Arcadia.
“Zander, why are we going to Arcadia? I have to work tomorrow,” she says anxiously.
“Baby, I know you do. Just trust me, okay?” I say as I bring her hand up to my mouth and kiss it. Little does she know, while she was in the purse store at the mall, I ran to the jewelry store and picked out the wedding bands that match her engagement ring.
I also made a few phone calls this morning. There’s a small chapel right as you enter Arcadia. I was able to contact the owner, which happened to be the pastor. He agreed to marry us. He was kind of iffy at first, but I won him over after I explained how much my lady loves the town and admires the chapel.
As we pull into the parking lot of the chapel, I look at my soon-to-be wife. By now, she knows exactly what I’m doing. She just nods. I get out of the truck, walk around, and grab her hand. There are tears in her eyes.
“Baby, why are you crying? You want to marry me, right? I couldn’t wait another minute to make you my wife, Audrey.” I wrap my arms around her.
“Fu—I mean, hel—shit! Oh good God, here I am trying not to cuss by this beautiful chapel. I’m making it worse. Yes, I want to marry you. I have wanted to be your wife since the first day I saw you. You were wearing a pair of Panama Jack swimming trunks with your sunglasses on top of your head. You said, ‘Hi, I’m Zander and all the girls love me.’ I just laughed. Then Ta told me you were a conceited fucker.”
“Damn, I said that? I am full of myself, aren’t I? Come on, let’s make you Mrs. Zander Kelley.” I smile when I see Mr. Arnold, the owner and pastor.
“Well, hello Zander. This must be the beautiful Audrey,” he says as he leans in and kisses her cheek.
“Yes, sir, this is my Audrey.” I shake his hand. “Can we change before we get started?”
“Of course you can. My wife is here as well. She can help with whatever you need. I told her about your story and she had to meet the two of you. She even brought some flowers and her camera.” He laughs as he shows Audrey and I to a small room where we can change.
I finish getting ready and walk to the front
of the chapel to wait for my lovely bride. “All of Me” by John Legend starts playing as she walks toward me. She’s breathtaking. Her dress is lilac with white trim and her hair is twisted into a bun. Just the sight of her white stilettos makes me want to take her right here and now. The flowers she’s carrying are beautiful. They match her dress. Our mall trip was a success. She couldn’t have picked out a more perfect dress.
“Hi,” she whispers nervously, then she smiles. “This is our song.”
“Hi, beautiful. It is. I knew it had to be part of this day. It fits us.”
“It does, Zander. I didn’t bring any vows. I’m just going to speak from my heart.”
“I didn’t either. You say what you feel, say what’s in that beautiful heart,” I say as I place my hand on her chest.
“Zander, Audrey, are you ready to become one?” Mr. Arnold asks after the song ends.
“More than ready, sir,” I say.
“Yes, I am,” she says.
“Zander, son, why don’t you start with your vows,” Mr. Arnold says. Audrey hands her flowers to him. I take both of her hands in mine.
“Audrey Renee, I’ve loved you since the first time you cussed me out. I knew, then, that we were meant to be together. There are no words that can express my love for you. I will love you with everything that I am, and I will protect you with everything that I am. I will spend the rest of my life making you happy. I’ll be by your side forever. Our love is fated,” I say as I choke back a tear. I can’t help it. Once they start falling down my cheeks, it’s too late to stop them. She wipes a few of my tears away with her thumb. I kiss her hand before she moves it away.
“Audrey, sweetie, you may proceed with your vows,” Mr. Arnold says.
“Zander, you know I’ve loved you all of my life. I let so many things keep us apart for years. Then I realized that I would never be happy unless I was with you. You make me whole. The way I feel when I’m with you is like no other feeling I’ve ever had. When we were apart, my heart hurt. I was in pain daily. Then you came back in my life. I haven’t felt that pain since then. I will spend my life showing you how much I love you. I will honor, cherish, and even obey you.” She laughs as she squeezes my hands.
“Well, kids, with that said, you can place your rings on.” I pull the rings out of my pocket and she gasps. “I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Zander Kelley,” Mr. Arnold says
“Are you ready to get out of here, Mrs. Kelley?” I kiss her.
“You know I am.” She pulls my head to her mouth. “I’m so fucking wet.”
“Let’s go. But baby, you just cussed in church,” I say as I pick her up.
“Ugh, let’s go.” She smiles. We thank the Arnolds and head to the truck. “I can’t wait ‘til we get home. I need to feel you inside of me now. No way am I waiting.”
“Let’s get away from the chapel first.”
I smile. We drive about five miles before we see a small hotel outside of Arcadia while heading back home. I pull in the parking lot.
“I’ll get us a room. Wait here,” I tell her as I hop out of the truck.
I walk into the hotel. An older lady greets me and asks for my driver’s license and credit card. I hand them both to her. The lady said they only had one room left. I didn’t question what type and just told her I would take it. She hands me a room key and I go back out to get my bride.
Audrey’s smile is so fucking big. She opens the door and jumps into my arms. I try to steady myself so we both don’t fly backward.
“Mmm, I can’t wait to take these clothes off of you, husband.”
“I can’t wait to taste my wife’s sweet pussy,” I say with a wink.
“Jesus, I just came again. Get that door open.” I stick the key in and open the door. I carry her in and gently toss her on the bed.
“Everything off, except those shoes.”
I laugh as I start undressing myself. I kick my shoes off so hard, they hit the wall. When I take everything off but my pants, I lick my lips and look at my beautiful bride lying spread eagle on the bed with nothing on except the white stilettos.
“Take those pants off. I need to see that big cock of yours. I’ve wanted to have it in my mouth all day.” She crawls toward me.
“I love that you have no filter. You say exactly what you mean.”
“Trust me, I’d be boring if I didn’t.” She laughs as she unzips my pants. My dick springs forward, almost touching her mouth. “Yes, fucking commando. I love the fact that you hate underwear.”
She wraps her lips around the head of my dick. She licks the tip before moving down to the base. Once her head moves down, I feel her hum a little to fit it all the way.
I wrap my hands in her hair as she moves her mouth up and down my cock. She grabs my ass, bringing me closer to her. I pull her head back.
“I’m not coming in that pretty mouth of yours tonight. I need to fuck that beautiful pussy,” I say as I lay her back. “First, I need to have you on my lips.” I lean forward and swipe my tongue across her clit. She moans my name.
“Oh God, fuck me now, please,” she begs as I lick her inside out.
“I’ll fuck you, but I want you to come for me first.” I flick my tongue across her clit again. She shakes with each flick. I taste her sweetness as it touches my lips. “Mmm, that’s my girl. You want me to fuck you?” I say as I spread her open with one hand and finger her with the other.
“I’m com—Holy fucking shit…Oh god, Zander. Please fuck me already.”
“Is that what you want?” I say as I sit up. I scoot her body close to me. She’s dripping wet. It’s like a waterfall has erupted. I place my dick at her opening. She pushes her hips forward. In seconds, I’m deep inside of her.
“Fuck, you feel so good wrapped around me,” I say as I lean down and place a hard, pink nipple in my mouth. She wraps her legs around my waist, pushing me deeper inside of her. I can’t hold it any longer. I give her a couple thrusts, then I let my release explode, filling her.
“That was…That was fucking amazing. I just got fucked by my husband.” She laughs.
“I love you, beautiful.” I kiss her forehead. “Let’s shower so we can head home. Someone has to work tomorrow.”
“Damn it. Well, at least I get off early. I get to see my best friend and rub her belly. I can’t believe how pregnant she is. Do you think they noticed when they saw me? I thought for sure Ta was going to ask me.”
“If they did, they didn’t say anything. I can’t believe you, Ta, and Nikki are all pregnant. The guys and I are in trouble. I’m so glad everything worked out for Lila and Liam. I’m glad it wasn’t Evan’s baby.”
“You and me both, although Tatum and Lila have become friends now. I never thought I’d see that. But I’m glad, because I like Lila. She and Nikki seem really nice.”
“I’m happy about the way things worked out too. Let’s shower. I bet Berry is ready to see us.”
***
Zander
Audrey’s at work. I’m getting things ready for the party. We’re going to announce that we are married and having our first child in six months. My sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law are on their way over. They stopped off where their house is being built. It’s almost complete. They’re going to stay with us for a few days until it is finished.
My phone starts ringing just as I start the grill. I look down and see my beautiful wife’s face come across the screen. Before I can even get a ‘Hello’ out, she’s speaking. The sound of her voice makes my heart flutter. Yeah, I’m turning into a mushy man.
“Hey, baby, did you get everything together? I’m on my way, but I wanted to stop and grab some strawberries. Do we need anything else?”
“Hello to you too. How was the meeting? Uh, maybe some extra beer. Not that shit you got the last time. I want some real beer. Can you see if someone there will load it in the car? I don’t want you lifting a lot of shit.”
“Stop it, I can lift the damn beer. Is my best friend there yet?”
“No, she isn’t. She and Evan are on their way over. You may get here before they do, if you hurry.” I laugh, knowing she wants to be here before they get here.
“I’m at the store now, then I’ll be there. I love you, husband.”
“I love you more, wife.”
She giggles, then hangs up. I can’t believe, after all these years, she’s finally mine. After the baby is born, we will go on a real honeymoon. I just hate her traveling while pregnant.
I walk into my kitchen to grab some steaks and I hear a car pulling up out front. I look out the window and see its Evan and Ta. I sit everything down and walk out to greet them.
“There’s my beautiful sister. Here, I’ll get that. You go sit down,” I say as I grab her bags.
“Look, if the two of you don’t quit acting like I’m going to break, I am going to kick both your asses. Brody is doing it too. I am capable of carrying my own bags and everything else. Where is my best friend?”
“Calm down, killer. She will be here soon. She stopped at a store for strawberries and beer.”
“That bitch better not bring anything good. She knows I can’t drink. She will drink it in front of me just to taunt me,” she says as she waddles toward the house. She is huge pregnant.
“Hey, man. Should I put this in the house or are we sleeping in the barn?” Evan chuckles as he carries more bags to the porch.
“In the house, fucker. And no having sex. You can go to the barn for that shit.” I laugh.
“Sex? What the hell, Zander? I have a baby pushing on my uterus. You think I want Evan inside of me? You’re sick.”
“Tatum, that was just gross. I do not want to hear that shit.” I shake my head.
“It’s true. I just need a bath and a nap.” She walks up the stairs.
“She’s been uncomfortable for a few days now. You know she stayed with Lila when Lila had Greyson, so now she is freaked out about everything. She said she doesn’t know if a baby will fit through her vajayjay. Man, I need a beer.”
