by Jeannie Moon
Jenna’s hand went to her mouth to muffle the happy cries that threatened to escape. This was really happening. Looking into Nate’s sparkling eyes, which were filled with emotion, promise, and love just for her, she reached out and stroked his face. “Marry me, Jenna. I vow to spend every day of my life making you happy.”
Again there was a smattering of cheers, but Jenna kept her eyes focused on the man she loved. The man who’d brought her heart back to life. “Yes,” she whispered and kissed his gorgeous, full mouth. “Yes, I will marry you.”
He reached in his pocket and pulled out a red box that elicited oohs and ahhs from the crowd. Women were dabbing their eyes and men were openly impressed.
Jenna was sure that she let out an audible gasp when he flipped open the top of the box and revealed a large cushion-cut diamond, surrounded by more diamonds and set in a diamond-encrusted band.
It was spectacular, but in truth, he could have put anything on her finger if it meant they were going to be together. Closing her eyes as he slipped the ring on her left hand, Jenna touched her forehead to his, letting her fingers gently caress his face. She kissed him and kissed him again as the crowd cheered. Jenna felt like her life couldn’t be any more perfect.
“Should we call Judge Tony?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “I can’t wait to marry you.”
When his lips brushed hers, again sealing their promise, any last parts of her heart that she’d been holding back broke open and took him in. He touched her in so many ways, mentally, emotionally, and physically—Jenna had no idea she could feel so much. That she could feel so happy.
Jenna felt cared for, cherished. She felt loved. Not manipulated or used, like she had in her relationship with Royce. Nate loved her.
He was smart, sure, and kind, and for the first time in her life, she had no doubts. Jenna loved him with her whole heart.
***
There were so many things Nate wanted to do, but more than anything he wanted to shout from the rooftops that he’d married the woman of his dreams, the woman who made everything right, who made him see his future exactly how it should be.
Their plane was approaching the airport in New York. They’d spent five perfect days in Italy, exploring small towns, planning for their future, and making love. His wife was curled against him, asleep, her long dark hair pulled away from her face. He wished they could have stayed there longer and he could have protected her from what they were about to face. Jenna didn’t know, but he’d heard from pretty much everyone that the information about the pregnancy had slipped out. He wasn’t exactly sure how, but he knew no one was happy about it. His parents didn’t understand, her parents were heartbroken, and their friends were angry and confused. Nate shouldn’t care, neither should Jenna, but everyone who was important to them was looking for answers, and they were going to have to provide them somehow.
He was almost thirty-five years old and she was twenty-nine, but no one seemed to trust that they knew their own minds. And it pissed him off.
The sun was just coming up on the East Coast. They’d go home, get some sleep, and then head out to the Hamptons farm for the big barbecue his parents were hosting the next day. There would be a lot of Reliance people, friends, family . . . it should be nothing but a good time, a celebration with their friends and family, really, but Nate had a feeling it was going to be an inquisition.
“Jenna.” He kissed the top of her head. “We’re going to be landing soon.”
She snuggled in and moaned. “Couldn’t you tell the pilot to turn around? I don’t want to go home.”
He smiled. “I wish, but we have to face the fallout at some point.”
“Fallout? What fallout? We’re both adults. We can support ourselves. It’s not like we’re a couple of teenagers who got knocked up. Why is this everyone’s business?”
“I’m not sure, but there are a lot of people wondering what the hell is going on.”
“Let them wonder,” she snarled. “If they don’t watch what they say, I’m going to tell them all to fuck off and then you and I can go back to Italy and have our baby there.”
Nate had to smile. Pregnant, tired, and hormonal Jenna was not going to take anyone’s shit. This could be very entertaining.
But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t hurt. Some of the strongest messages he’d gotten had been from Owen. His friend had been dealing with his own issues since his return from his last tour and the injury that changed his life. He was more driven, less forgiving. He wasn’t violent or abusive, but he was harder. And he was asking questions about Nate’s relationship with Jenna that no one would have dared asked him when he got involved with Kim.
That would wound Jenna deep. Owen was married to his wife’s best friend, and truthfully, he didn’t know what Kim was going to do.
They readied for landing, and once the plane touched down at JFK, it started taxiing to the private terminal, where they would clear customs before they disembarked. Jenna reached in her bag and turned on her phone. The pings started and kept going. “Holy shit,” she whispered. Her face was frozen in disgust and sadness. “Why can’t they just be happy for me?”
Nate took her phone. One hundred and eight text messages. Fifteen voice mails. Holy shit was right. “I’m sure they’re just worried.”
“They’re worried they won’t be able to control my life. They think I’m impulsive and act without thinking. You heard my mother. God, this is such bullshit.”
She shoved the phone back in her bag and headed toward the restroom. This was what he was worried about. The texts and voice mails weren’t congratulations. More than likely, Jenna was being scolded, questioned, and reprimanded.
Nate promised himself right then and there he would run interference if he had to; he’d stand up for her. He’d make it stop.
She did not deserve this.
***
Jenna considered staying locked in the airplane lavatory indefinitely. Since when did her life become everyone’s business? Over a hundred texts? She didn’t even see who sent them, but she could guess. Her sister Tina, Kim, Joey, her mother and father, to name a few. She did notice a couple from her younger sister, Francesca, and those she’d probably answer. Chessie was just twenty, she’d lost her big brother, and chances were she was confused. Her family was going crazy.
Jenna opened the first text from her mother. It was all in caps, never a good sign. She wrote the thing without any spaces. Something about LYINGANDSHAMINGTHEFAMILY. Christina just asked over and over if she’d gone crazy.
But for the first time in a long time, Jenna didn’t feel crazy. Or lost. Or like she’d done something that could wreck her life. Or that she’d embarrassed her family. No. For the first time in a very long time, she felt like she was doing something right.
Seeing a small travel-size bottle of mouthwash, she took advantage and rinsed out her mouth. The mindless activity helped her think. She was so mad. Why couldn’t people just worry about their own lives? She’d married a great guy. One who loved her. Wasn’t that a good thing?
Stepping back into the cabin, Jenna didn’t know how to answer the messages. How did she defend her happiness? And why weren’t the people closest to her letting her enjoy it?
Nate wrapped her in his arms, and without a word gave her more support than people she’d known her whole life. When she finally picked up her bag and checked her phone again, there were ten new texts. The most recent one was from Kim.
“You’re my best friend and I love you but we need to talk. Will meet you at Nate’s with Starbucks in an hour or so. It will be decaf for the prego. Can’t wait to rub your belly. Xoxo”
Jenna’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, honey.” Nate pulled her in and held on. “What?”
“Nothing bad, for a change. Kim’s trying to be understanding. She said she’ll meet us at your house with Starbucks.”
“Okay. Uh, Jen?” Nate frowned. “I’m guessing she’ll bring Owen?”
“Huh? Oh . . .” Jenna felt the knot in her chest tighten. “Probably.” Rubbing her temple, Jenna felt a headache coming on. “I don’t know if I can take him this early in the morning. I know he was a marine and he’s all lethal weapon and all that, but I might kill him.”
“If he does anything stupid,” Nate replied. “I might help you.”
“By the way, did you tell Kim you were pregnant?”
She frowned. “No, I didn’t.”
“Do you think Harper spilled?”
“More than likely it was my mother. She probably got on the phone and told every relative, all the neighbors and the priests at church. I’m sure she’s lit a dozen votive candles by now. Kim’s going to be hurt, though.”
Coming off the plane, they walked on the tarmac to the private terminal, where the car service would be waiting for them. Nate lived a very low-key lifestyle, but when he pulled out the stops, he didn’t go halfway. Jenna had just married a billionaire in an ancient town hall in Italy. She wore a Grecian-style designer gown that her new husband bought for her and wore a wedding ring that was so encrusted with diamonds it was almost embarrassing.
Judge Tony had invited people he knew to the ceremony to wish them well, and Jenna had been spoiled by the friendly and accepting manner of all the wonderful people she met.
She’d loved everything that had happened the past few days. She loved being spoiled, but mostly, she loved her husband. He was a wonderful man and she’d done the right thing.
No one was going to second-guess her about that.
***
When Jenna walked into the house that was to be her new home, Nate wanted her to have a memory she’d never forget. So before they left Italy, he arranged for dozens of roses to be delivered to the house and left in every room. He didn’t go with one color over another, but mixed it up with pink, white, pale yellow, and red for the bedroom.
The pregnancy, he guessed, was taking its toll, even though she slept in the plane. Thank goodness there hadn’t been any morning sickness, but she did tire easily. When they were in Italy, she’d had to go back to the villa more than once for a nap. She’d slept almost the whole flight home, and on the car ride from the airport to the house. Either it was the pregnancy or he’d married someone with sleeping sickness.
His index finger drifted over her cheek. He loved watching her sleep. She was so at peace, so lovely, with her soft skin and dark hair, containing all that creativity.
Nate felt so lucky. Jenna was this remarkable creature who had trusted her magical heart with him. There was nothing in the world he cherished more and there was nothing that could make him take it for granted.
Jenna opened her eyes, and even without makeup on, she had the longest lashes Nate had ever seen. Lush and full, her eyes looked like they were rimmed with incredibly soft feathers, when there was nothing enhancing them. Just like everything else about her, the beauty was natural, real.
Pulling into his driveway, Owen and Kim were sitting in two deep chairs Nate had placed on the front porch, having coffee and eating what looked to be breakfast sandwiches. He nudged Jenna and she popped her head off his shoulder and looked around. She spotted Owen’s Range Rover first, then she saw her friend and her husband. Even with the doubts she knew everyone had about them, or might have, tomorrow or the next day, Jenna looked incredibly happy.
Kim rose from her seat and bounded down the porch steps. As soon as the car stopped and was in gear, Jenna was out the door. The two friends embraced long and hard, and Nate hoped Kim would be the extra support Jenna needed when she faced her family. Owen didn’t look as happy, but he wasn’t scowling, so that was a start.
He grabbed his carry-on and went to his bride, who was still in her friend’s death grip.
“You didn’t have to run off to get married. We would have been there for you.”
“That wasn’t why we left. We went to spend some time together so we could make a plan. Once we were there, everything fell into place. I thought my family would be happy for me.”
“They will be,” Kim said. “I’m sure it’s the shock. You know how your mother is.”
“My mother,” Jenna said, cringing. “You should have heard her on the phone when I told her we’d gotten married. You would have thought I’d died. Then the text messages. I lied, I shamed the family . . . I thought she would have been happy for me.”
Kim cupped Jenna’s cheek. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think for one second that we don’t care and that you aren’t supported, but it happened so fast. I’ll see if I can get my mom to calm your parents down? That might work.”
Kim and Jenna’s parents had been friends for twenty-five years. Nate figured if anyone could get Jenna’s mother to stand down, it was Mrs. Torres.
“Now, tell me about this baby. You’re having a baby?”
“I am. I can’t believe it.” Seeing Jenna touch her belly with her left hand, the one that wore his ring, drove it all home.
Leaning against the porch rail, reality swamped him. He was going to be a father. He was a husband and a father. It was no longer about his company and his horses. He had real family to look after. Damn.
A large hand dropped on his shoulder. Owen had been quiet so far, and he hoped he held on to the rule from kindergarten. If his friend didn’t have anything nice to say, he wouldn’t say anything.
“Jenna looks happy. Kinda. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Once the shit with her family calms down, she’ll be fine. In some ways I wish we could have stayed in Europe longer.”
“You could have stayed. We would have covered for you at work. But that wouldn’t have settled anything here.”
“You’re right,” Nate agreed. “The Albaneses are going to be a problem.”
“Yeah, I got that.” Owen was next to him now. “Kim must have gotten fifty calls from them this since you’ve been gone. Jenna’s older sister? The doctor? Man, she’s tough. Gave Kim a really hard time.”
“I’ve heard.” Nate was not looking forward to his first encounter with Dr. Christina Albanese. “Wait. Why did she give Kim a hard time?”
Owen folded his arms and smirked. “You didn’t know? You and Jenna? It’s all Kim’s fault because she introduced the two of you. The pregnancy? Kim’s fault. Apparently she forced you two into bed together. Apparently Dr. Tina is smart as a whip but lacks common sense.”
“What the hell? Are you shittin’ me? She was happy Jenna was going to see me when we first went out.”
“Nope. I started to feel bad for Jenna when I realized what she was up against.” Owen sipped his coffee. “I still think you rushed getting married and that this could be a mistake, but I’m here if you need me.”
“Wow.” Nate said. “Is this a kinder and gentler Owen?”
“Bite me.”
That was a relief, Owen was still in there somewhere. He guessed the marine had been threatened by his wife, but it was nice to know he had Nate’s back if needed. Jenna’s family was going to be a trip.
“Why don’t we go inside?” Nate grabbed their suitcase and Owen took Jenna’s bag and followed him into the house.
“Holy shit,” Owen said. “Did you buy out the florist? You’re going to make me look bad.”
Nate could barely hear him when Jenna walked into the house and squealed. “Oh, my God!” Clutching her hands to her chest, his new wife examined the dozens of roses and threw herself into his arms.
“You did not have to do this, but thank you. It’s so beautiful.”
“I know it’s over the top, but it seems like every time I do something for you, it never seems like enough. I always want to do more.” Nate held her, this woman—the love of his life—and uttered a hundred prayers of thanks.
“I hope you don’t thin
k I expect more. I have you. That’s all I care about.”
“I know.” Her scent, even after traveling all night, was intoxicating and all he wanted to do was get her into bed so they could sleep.
“So,” Kim said as she walked around the room looking at the roses. “Do you know anything about this pregnancy? Or just that you are?”
“Three tests over two days. All three were positive. I’m going to the doctor in a couple of weeks.” Jenna hadn’t even told Nate all the details. He never questioned her, he probably should have.
“Let me know when your appointment is,” Nate said. “I’ll go with you.”
“How do you feel?” Kim had switched into nurse mode. “Sick at all?”
“No morning sickness, but I’ve been really tired. Anything else, Doc?”
“No. It’s just early, that’s all. No drinking, acetaminophen only. Eat right. Your doctor will prescribe vitamins.”
“Got it.” Kim and Jenna hugged and Nate was happy there hadn’t been a scene. That was the last thing anyone needed. Jenna smiled at her friend. “See you in the Hamptons later? We can talk?”
Kim nodded. “You bet. I need to hear the entire wedding story and you’d better have pictures to show me.”
“We’ll be there about four,” Owen replied. “I’ll be glad to get there before the party. It’s nice of your folks to put us all up.”
“It should be a good time.” Nate shook Owen’s hand. “Thanks, buddy. I appreciate the support. Especially before eight in the morning.”
When Owen and Kim left, Jenna sipped her Starbucks and looked out the front window as Owen and Kim’s car pulled out. “Was that weird, or is it me?”
She was so damn sharp. Nothing got past her. “It was a little weird. Do you think they’re reporting back to your family?”
“She might call my sister, if only to tell her to stay off my back, but I don’t know. Maybe I’m just sensitive.”
“Maybe. I think she’s happy for you,” he said.
“I just wonder what other people might think. You know . . .”
