by Lisa Shelby
“Of course you can, baby. You know you don’t have to ask, I’m all yours.”
Her face lights up and she puts her arms around my neck as the next slow song begins. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me too, baby. Me too.”
Eventually, my mom heads back to the hotel with Ireland, and Robert, Fiona and Charlotte, Ireland’s old babysitter, leave with them. We may be a small group but the rest of us keep the party going. I can’t keep my hands off of Alex and even if we’re doing a group dance to the classic We Are Family or YMCA I can still find a way to keep my hands on her. When it comes to Alex and that long, lean, sexy ass body of hers there is no way to keep my hands to myself. I’ll always find a way to be connected to her somehow, some way.
The DJ is slowing the music down and I know the night is about to end. In the middle of a slow dance I take Alex by the hand and guide us to the beach where we can be alone. We can still hear the music down here and without words I take her back in my arms and start our slow dance back up again. No words are spoken as we enjoy the sound of the waves and the distant tunes that we dance to.
I know that she knows without me saying it, but I feel like it’s time that I make 100% sure that Alex and I are finally on the same page.
Pulling back from our embrace so that I can see her gorgeous face but still keeping her in my arms I tell her exactly how I feel.
“Alex, your kiss saved me.” I can see the shock that crosses her face at the sudden conversation and the seriousness in my voice. Her eyes light up with love as I continue to speak. “I was faking my way through life but with you I can just be me. And the thing is…I like that me. The me that I am with you. Because I’m better with you.”
She leans forward and places a soft kiss to my cheek and then whispers in my ear. “I like that Mick too, but I like all versions of you. Always have.”
I take her beautiful face in my hands and search deep into the eyes that make me whole. The eyes that don’t judge me and give me clarity when I feel lost. Eyes that see right through me and still want to be with me.
Holding her face in my hands and making sure I have her attention I make it very clear how I want our story to end. “Alex, I want that.” I motion my head in the direction of the reception happening up in the courtyard. “And I want it with you.”
She doesn’t say a word but I feel her nod her head every so lightly. She doesn’t seem able to form words at the moment but I have no problem telling her exactly how I feel. So, I carry on.
“Every word to every love song says how I feel about you, Alex. Every time I see you walk into the room my mind is blown. The fact that somebody as beautiful as you inside and out actually exists, to me, is simply mind blowing. You have stopped my heart every time my eyes have landed on your breathtaking face, since the first time I saw you hanging out in my little sister’s room. You were Em’s friend and therefore off limits, so I never even imagined you would be ‘the one’. If I really think about it though it’s always been you. I told myself that I didn’t do relationships and didn’t want to be tied down, but the truth is I met the love of my life as a kid and nobody has ever really compared to you. You’re my best friend, Alex. The thing is…well, the thing is I am in love with my best friend. I never knew I wanted more but you are my More baby, and I want you by my side for the rest of my life. So, what do you say, Sweet Thing? Will you be my more?”
I try to wipe away the tears that are flowing down her face but there are too many falling and they are falling fast.
“You love me?” She barely whispers on a choked sob.
“With all that I am and I know you love me too. I mean, what’s not to love?”
She needs the giggle and leans forward and puts her head on my shoulder.
“Does this mean you’re my More too?”
I kiss the top of her head and lean back so that I can lift her gaze back to mine when I answer. “Always have been, baby. It just took me awhile to figure that out. I’m yours in this world and the next, if you’ll have me? I don’t have a ring, and I’m not officially asking you to marry me, because I want to do it right, but I will marry you one day, Alexandra Stotts. One day…very soon. I’m going to marry you and make you the happiest woman alive. I want you to be the mother of my children and I want to grow old with you.”
“Well, then I can’t wait to say yes when you do ask. I love you, Mickey Jacobs and I can’t wait to make you the happiest man alive.”
“You already do, baby…you already do. Now kiss me.”
Alex
It’s been an amazing day. I’m so glad that I was able to be here for Emily’s big day. I hate that I couldn’t get here soon enough for the proposal, but I got to stand up with her tonight, and that’s the important part. She and Jonathan couldn’t look happier or more in love, and it warms my heart. They’ve both been through a lot and I’m so glad they’ve found each other.
I’m also glad that I’m here with Mick on this special night. To see his face when I started my walk down the aisle was priceless and something that I’ll never forget. He was taking video for me just like I had asked. As always, taking care of me even when I’m not there. Not only was he surprised that I was here, but I had never seen him look so happy before. If he only knew what his heartfelt smile did to me.
Our eyes were glued to each other for most of the ceremony and then we barely made it back down the aisle after. We danced the night away at the reception and witnessed nothing but love and joy all night long. The love around us came in so many different forms. The love of friends, family we were born into and the family we chose to create as we navigate our way through life. I love my family, but this family…the family that I have chosen and that have chosen me, means just as much to me.
Hearing Mick tell me he loved me and that he wanted to create a family with me made this the absolute best day of my life. Today is better than all my days that have come before it. I know that I will never forget the words that he spoke to me tonight on that beach. Mickey Jacobs loves me. He’s going to marry me, and apparently, I’m going to give him babies. Nothing has ever sounded so good to me. I can’t wait to make all of his predictions come true. If only we were having a surprise wedding today too. He said soon, though. Let’s hope that prediction is right because I don’t want to spend another day away from him.
It’s late and we’re all in the limo that’s taking us back to our hotel. Jonathan had rented a jeep and hired a driver to take him and Emily back to their cottage. He really did think of everything, and I know that the jeep means more to Emily than a limo ever could. We’ll meet up with them again tomorrow for lunch at Duke’s. Duke’s is apparently the home of the best cheeseburger on earth and one of the bars that Emily and Jonathan spent time at the week they met. After that it’s drink’s at Ole’s—where it all began for them. Jonathan has reserved the window seat that Emily loved so much and the bar knows to expect us. I can’t wait to toast our friends and send them on their way to the Irish countryside for their honeymoon. Emily is going to freak out when she finds out where she’s going.
As we ride back to the hotel and recap our day that was full of happy tears and lots of laughter, I notice Mickey is engrossed in his phone and not really engaging in the conversation. He’s usually the life of the party but he seems preoccupied. Liam and Devon are full of wise ass remarks that he would normally one up with one of his own and with Kate, Sam, Steph, Gabby and Cami here to give him all the female attention he usually loves, I’m starting to worry.
Trying not to stress myself out I just ignore him and continue to join in the conversation that fills the limo. A few minutes later he whispers in my ear. “Sweet Thing, come here.”
I turn to look at him and before I can say a word his soft, warm lips are on mine and his arm is out in front of us as he takes a selfie of our kiss.
“Here,” he says as he puts his arm around me and brings his phone up for another picture. This time we smile for the camera. Then he moves
his lips to his spot and takes a picture of him kissing the crook of my neck. This makes me giggle and he brings his kiss to my cheek. “Thanks, baby.”
And just like that, he’s back to obsessing over his phone. The limo has gone quiet and I turn to see that there are seven grinning faces staring back at me.
“What?”
Cami is the only person to reply. “What have you done to him?”
“What do you mean?” But I know what she means.
“Mickey freaking Jacobs has got it bad. I mean, I know we’ve talked about it, but witnessing everything tonight and whatever that was, is like looking at a mythical creature. It’s like we have a living, breathing unicorn among us. It’s a sight to behold.”
“Oh stop, Cami. You’re just being silly.”
“Um, I don’t think she is,” Gabby says holding up her phone. “At least not if Facebook has anything to say about it.”
“What are you talking about, Gabs?”
“Well, I just got a new friend request. Here, check it out yourself,” she replies handing me her phone.
I gasp when I see what’s on her screen. She’s on Mick’s new page and his first picture posted and his new profile picture is the picture of me giggling into the camera while he kisses his spot. Above the picture he has posted ‘She. Is. Everything.’
I hear oohs and aahs around the limo and know that everybody else has their phones out too. I can feel him watching me. I turn to him and he just smiles and says, “Hi.”
I don’t know why but the first thing I say is. “But you don’t have a Facebook page.”
“I didn’t but I wanted the world to know that I’m yours and I figured this was the easiest way to do that. Besides, Ireland is more advanced than I am at all this technology stuff so I guess it’s time to join the world of social media.”
“You are crazy, you know that?”
“No, I’m ‘in a relationship’. I mean if Facebook says it’s true, then it must be.” He takes his finger and swipes the picture up and there it is for the world to see. Mickey Jacobs is in a relationship with Alexandra Stotts.
“You are such a dork.”
“I’m your dork. Now give Gabby back her phone and get over here.”
I do as I’m told and hand Gabs her phone. She gives me a little smile and a wink and I can’t help but grin from ear to ear. I scoot back in my seat but not for long. Mickey grabs me and puts me on his lap and finds his spot in my neck again. His strong arms wrap around my waist and mine go around his neck while my head rests on the top of his. I can feel his voice vibrate against my skin when he hums, “Mine.”
The vibration reaches my heart and I feel all the places that were once dark and cold, secluded and closed off, filling up with light and love. Opening up to new possibilities and a new future. A future I never dreamed of because there was no way it could ever be possible. But it is possible. Because here I am in his arms.
This.
Right Here.
Right Now.
Are what dreams are made of.
Epilogue
10 years later…
It’s Saturday night and here I sit at the bar alone. It’s a nice bar, in a really nice hotel. A classy joint really, but I’m still alone at a bar on a Saturday. It’s not my usual MO, but I was told that if I showed up at 9:00 pm it would be worth my while. Another thing that’s not my MO is the feeling of anxiousness that I can’t seem to hide. It’s evident as my leg bounces up and down due to the pressure I’m putting into the bounce of my foot on the rung of this stool.
It’s 9:10 and I’m starting to wonder if I’m being stood up. I take a look over each shoulder to make sure that I’m in the right spot and just as I turn back around to my rum and Coke I see her. She is easily the most beautiful woman in the place. Her long hair floats past her shoulders and she carries herself with an easy confidence, just like I like in my woman. She has on a simple black dress and it hugs her perfect curves just right. When she rounds the bar and I get a full view of her she takes my breath away. Those legs…in that dress…with those heels…it sure would be nice to have those legs wrapped around me later tonight…with only those heels on.
She is a thing of beauty and I can feel my heart stutter as she saunters in my direction. When she walks past me I can smell her perfume and it’s like an instant high. There are several empty stools on each side of me so it takes me by surprise when she takes the one to my left and perches her fine ass upon it.
“Grey Goose and cranberry, please,” she says to the bartender.
It takes everything I have in me not to turn my body in her direction and work my charm on her but this woman sitting next to me…this woman looks like she wants to be in charge of things tonight.
The bartender brings her the vodka cranberry she ordered and when she reaches for her purse to pay, I step in. “Put it on my tab.” The bartender nods his understanding and walks away.
“You didn’t need to do that, but thank you.”
“No problem.”
She’s quiet after our short interlude and seems preoccupied. I try my best to leave her alone but with her sitting this close to me I’m finding it impossible. She’s just so damn beautiful, smells amazing and I sure would love a taste of her. Let’s see if I’ve still got it?
“So, you having a nice night?”
“We’ll see.”
“Oh, are you meeting somebody here?”
I anxiously await her reply while she takes a leisurely sip of her drink. I can’t help but watch as her tongue slowly cleans up the bit of her drink that was left on her lips. Good god! This woman is lethal! And when she finally answers, her voice is sultry music to my ears.
“I’m supposed to be meeting a date here tonight.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yep.”
“Me too.”
“You don’t say?”
“Scouts honor. What’s your date look like and maybe I can help you find him.”
“Well, he’s ridiculously handsome. Some might even say a bit of a pretty boy.”
“Ugh. He sounds awful already. Please continue, though.”
“Well, he’s got short blond hair and big, beautiful, dark brown eyes. He’s a few inches over six feet tall and a pretty fine specimen as far as his build goes. He’s pretty hot.”
“Really? What more do you know about him?”
“Oh, I don’t think you really want to hear more about my date, do you? What about your date? What’s she like?”
“Nice way to change the subject, but that’s okay, I’ll play along.” I say with a wink. “Let’s see, my date is one of the most beautiful women to walk the planet. Tall, legs for days, dark hair, dark eyes, and flawless skin. She’s the whole package.”
“Wow, she sounds pretty great. You sure she’s meeting you here?”
“Ha! I know, right. It doesn’t make any sense to me either. I’m a pretty lucky guy. I’m hoping my night’s gonna be pretty lucky too.”
“You seem to be feeling pretty sure of yourself.”
“Well, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her and she knows it. That helps my case just a little bit.”
“Ah, so you’re just a softy deep down, is that what you you’re trying to tell me?”
“When it comes to this woman, I am as whipped as they come, and I am not too proud to admit it.”
“So, she’s got you wrapped her little finger then?” She says while holding her little finger up to me and giving it a wiggle.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Interesting…” She crosses her legs and turns on her stool so that she’s facing me. I can’t help but turn as well and I can’t stop the smile that I feel stretch across my face. Seeing her face head on is something else. She. Is. Exquisite.
Her hand starts to slowly glide up my leg while she looks up at me through her thick lashes. “Just how whipped does she have you?” There is confidence oozing out of her. I like it.
“Oh honey, I’m on my knees, bo
und, gagged and whipped for her.”
I hear a hitch in her breath at my confession and her hand stops on my thigh. She lifts it so that she can take a sip of her drink. I can feel myself getting harder by the second as I watch her tongue come out to wrangle her straw into her luscious mouth.
Releasing the straw that I am more than jealous of, she asks, “So, do you think she’ll have you on your knees tonight?”
“If that’s what she wants then that’s what she’ll get.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back. If you could order me another drink that would be great.” She whispers this in my ear and then drags a finger across my shoulders as she walks away. Watching her walk away is something to behold. That is one fine ass!
I need to rein myself in and cool down before she gets back. I order her drink and keep nursing mine while imagining myself on my knees in one of the hotel rooms above us.
The bartender slides her fresh drink in front of her still empty stool. “She’s something else, man. Damn, she is fine.”
“Yes, that she is.”
I know the minute she’s back in the bar. There is a sizzle in the air and when I look up she’s on her way back with that same sexy walk that she had the first time she walked in. She approaches her stool, but instead of sitting she stands next to me and whispers in my ear.
“I like your suit, but you’re missing something.”
“Is that so? And what would that be”
Without answering she brings her hand up to the breast pocket of my suit jacket and puts something inside. “That’s better.” She says once she has arranged it to her liking.
Looking down I see red lace peeking out of my pocket up at me. I lift my fingers and rub the lace between then. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Hmmm…” She lifts her glass to her mouth and goes to work on that straw again.
“Does this mean what I think it does? You missing something under your dress right now?”
