by Lindsey Gray
“I know we haven’t done any of this the normal traditional way, but there was one thing I didn’t want to miss.”
Lucy let out a small breath as a few tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Outside of my family, you have been the most important person in my life since the day we met. Even though we were apart for so many years, you were never far from my heart. I never imagined you would ever forgive me, let alone let me back in your heart.”
“You never left it.”
Finn ducked his head, licking his lips before curling them into a smile. “I know we have a long way to go before reaching our happily ever after. I do promise to love you forever.”
He lifted the lid of the box to reveal what had to be the most beautiful square diamond that ever existed. That brought even more tears to her eyes. She wiped them away so she could see every detail of his face.
“Lucy, make my world complete by accepting this ring and agreeing to become my wife.”
“Of course, I will.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger where he hoped it would stay for the rest of her life.
“It was my grandmother’s ring. My mother thought it would be perfect for you, and I would have to agree. I think it was always meant for your finger.”
“She was right.” Lucy brought him up off his knee, capturing his lips in needy kiss. She tangled her fingers through the hair at the back of his neck, deepening their connection.
Reluctantly, they came up for air, resting their foreheads together.
“You are incredible.”
He laughed. “You think?”
“You are to me.” She kissed him softly. “The only one for me. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He kissed her again but abruptly pulled back to look over her shoulder. “We’re not alone.”
Lucy turned to see both of their families standing outside in the garden. Rylan came to Lucy’s side and hugged her.
“See, I told you that you’d like it.” She pulled back to look at Finn. “He looks good, right? The hair, the clothes?”
“It couldn’t be more right, Rylan. I’m sure you deserve all the credit.”
“He’d be lost without me, you know.” She wrapped her arms around Finn’s neck as he rolled his eyes.
“We all would,” Jack said as he slipped his arm around Lucy’s waist.
“You did good, Jack. I’m sure you strung all these lights.”
“Yep, at least they’ll be ready for the wedding, so that will be one less thing we’ll have to worry about.”
“I guess you know it’s a garden wedding then?” Lucy asked as Rylan pulled her from Finn’s side.
“Only if that’s what you want?” Rylan said nonchalantly. Lucy knew the truth though. Rylan was just as excited as Claire was.
“It’ll be amazing. Just like everything else.”
Claire turned the night into an impromptu engagement party. She pulled several strings and catered a huge meal for everyone. When they walked into the dining room, Finn wasn’t sure he was in the right house. Food filled the buffet beside the dining room wall. Pictures of Finn and Lucy at various stages of their lives were on display throughout the room. His favorite photo was an old faded one of him in all his gawky awkwardness with Lucy’s arms slung around his shoulders.
“I think we need a few more though,” Aiden spoke up as they were about to start on dessert.
“More? How many more?” Finn couldn’t imagine needing anymore pictures. He was sure his mother had twenty albums of them compiled already.
“I think it would be a good idea to put some up on the website. Everyone wants to see that the two of you are alright.”
Finn turned to Lucy and kissed her hand. “What do you think? Let the world know how much we love each other?”
“And that we’re not going to let what happened stop us from being blissfully happy.” She leaned over and gave him the softest kiss. Her lips were driving him crazy. He tried to tear himself away, but he couldn’t stop his hand from going to her cheek, his thumb caressing the soft skin.
Around eleven o’clock, Claire finally excused the almost newlyweds go to bed.
“I thought this day would never end.” Lucy stood in front of the mirror taking out her earrings, having removed her sandals already.
“I’m glad we’re finally alone. I wished we would’ve had a little more alone time in the garden.” Finn came up behind her and began placing gentle kisses across her shoulder.
“What would you have done?” She ran her hand through his hair as he worked his way to her ear.
“I would have stolen you away before they could find us, brought you up here to see if we could explore each other a little further.” After what had happened the night before and what she had said in Dr. Styles’ office, he didn’t see that this was out of line at all.
She turned around to face him. “Why, Mr. O’Malley. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to seduce me.”
“Just a little. I think,” he said, his lips gently brushing hers, “it’s time to concentrate on you for a little bit.”
“What did you have in mind?”
He wrapped his arms around her and slid the zipper of her dress down slowly, and slipped the straps off her shoulders. The dress fell from her body, pooling at her feet. She kicked it away as his eyes took in her flushed skin. She stood in a black strapless bra and black underwear. Her eyes met his as his fingertips ran up her spine to find the hooks of her bra.
For a man who had almost no experience with women, Finn seemed to get her bra undone with little difficulty. His fingertips ached to touch her bare breasts, just as she longed to be touched. She made quick work of the buttons of his shirt. Her nipples were hard by the time she pulled his shirt off her shoulders. He scooped her up and carried her over to the bed before his shirt hit the floor.
His lips went straight to her breast as she let out a soft moan. He lay down next to her, still wearing his dress pants. Her hands went to work on his belt as his tongue circled her nipple. She unzipped his pants and slid her hand inside, finding he was already more than a little excited.
Finn stood up and removed the rest of his clothing. His fingertips ran down her body, removing the last remaining barrier between them.
She reached for him to lie down next to her. His hand glided across her ribcage until it settled on her hip, caressing her. He gathered his courage, letting his fingers dip lower.
He tried to control his breathing and give himself over to the task of bringing Lucy pleasure. She was soft and warm, a delicate flower, his to cherish. Nothing about the way he touched her felt wrong. He knew showing Lucy his love through his touch was beautiful and could never be tarnished by his past.
Her answering gasp sent shock waves of pleasure throughout his body and let him know he’d found the right spot. Her body arched and writhed beneath his hand, and the look of awe on her face with her eyes shut and that glorious smile gave him the courage needed.
He kissed her breast as he brought her closer to him. Caught up in a wave of pleasure, they whispered words of love, their breath fast and uneven. He could feel her shudder under him as he brought her higher. Until last night, he’d never known a pleasure quite like this.
“Finn. Oh. I think…I think…”
He watched with enraptured fascination as she came apart before him. He had done that.
She looked at him and brought his head to her lips, her arms firmly wrapped around his neck.
“That.” Kiss. “Was.” Kiss. “Amazing.”
“You have no idea.”
“Enough exploring for one night?” she asked.
“Just for tonight.”
They reluctantly dragged themselves downstairs the next morning. A barrage of color schemes, china patterns, flowers, and cake selections covered the breakfast table.
“Mom, there will only be like twenty people. Do we really need all this?” Finn flipped through another bridal magazine. He’d lo
st count of the number of books she had made him examine.
“Yes. You have to register. People will want to give you gifts even if they don’t come to the wedding.”
Lucy rolled her eyes as Claire try to decide between ivory and cream for the color of her dress. She had been on the phone with a designer for the better part of the morning.
By lunchtime, they had actually made a little progress. Lucy and Finn had decided to go with midnight blue and silver for their colors. Lucy had insisted on the blue. They had worked out the design of her dress that she was actually happy with it. The designer would have his assistant deliver it as soon as he was finished and make sure no alterations were needed. They decided to go simple with the flowers and use traditional white roses. They were certain Claire would sneak something else in later though. The cake was minimalistic—white with two tiers. Finn asked Aiden to be his best man and Jack to be his groomsman. Lucy asked Rylan to be the maid of honor. Chloe and Olivia would serve as flower girls and ring bearers. The only thing left was the music. That, Finn thought, would actually prove to be the most difficult.
Lucy thought things were finally coming together. She and Finn made decisions all morning—the cake, the flowers, her beautiful dress. However, the music had to be special. Finn wanted so much to do something unique, but she thought getting married while playing his guitar was a bit much. They compromised by recording some of his original compositions to play during the ceremony. While he searched his music with Aiden, Lucy slipped away for some alone time, curling up on the living room couch.
She hadn’t realized how tired she was until she curled up on the massive couch. Soon her eyes became heavy.
Lucy’s dream started innocently enough—cooking in the O’Malley kitchen while the girls ran around her feet. Finn grabbed Olivia and scooped her up before walking over to request a kiss.
“Kiss for the cook?” Finn asked before pecking her lips. “I’ll get them out of your hair for awhile.”
“No, it’s fine really.”
Finn put his nose to little Olivia’s. “Let’s fill up some water balloons, then find Jack and Aiden?”
“Yeah!”
“Me too! Me too!” Chloe yelled as she jumped up and down.
“We’ll be back for dinner. Maybe not dry, but we’ll be back.”
“Okay, have fun!”
They rushed out the kitchen door and into the back yard.
Lucy returned to chopping ingredients for a salad—tomatoes, green peppers, and cucumbers. She felt a pair of hands on her hips and smiled, thinking of Finn. Then she felt them come up to her stomach and go under her t-shirt.
She turned to give Finn a kiss, but it was Viktor.
Her whole body went stiff as his arms started squeezing her tighter and his lips traveled down the column her neck.
“I’ve been waiting for you, my beautiful Lucy—waiting for just the right moment to make you mine.”
His hand pawed her breast. She tried, but she couldn’t move. She could barely breathe through her silent sobs. He started rubbing himself against her backside, digging into her.
“Please, stop.”
“Oh, Lucy. I’m just getting started.”
He turned Lucy around and shoved her up on the counter. She pushed against his shoulders, but he gripped her waist even harder. He reached for the zipper on her shorts. She brought her knee up and shoved it against his chest, sending him flying back to hit the stove.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and pushed the button.
Lucy fell back onto the counter as the shock traveled through her body. Her brain pounded against her skull as everything went dark, but she didn’t pass out. Her body was stiff and continued to shake for what seemed like an eternity. She couldn’t hear anything except the pounding of her brain against her skull.
“Call an ambulance, Rylan!” Murphy shouted as he knelt down beside the couch.
Finn rushed in and saw Murphy holding Lucy as she convulsed on the couch. His heart fell into his stomach as he dropped to his knees beside his father.
“Help me get her onto the floor,” Murphy ordered.
Finn grabbed her legs as Aiden came in with Murphy’s medical bag. Lucy’s arms were so rigid and stiff. Finn felt helpless. Aiden sat at Lucy’s head and Finn was stroking her leg as his father pulled a vial and syringe from his bag. He filled it and plunged it into her thigh. She slowly started to calm down until she finally stopped moving all together.
“What did you give her?” Finn asked, tears spilling over as he felt her legs go limp under his hands.
“Some medication.” Murphy stroked Lucy’s forehead. “She had a seizure.”
“They said since it was only a few minutes long and that it was probably her first one, they hope there will be no permanent damage.”
Finn sighed as his father gave him a hug. Rylan, Aiden, and Jack had kept Finn company in the ICU waiting room as Murphy consulted with the neurologist taking care of Lucy.
“After everything…I can’t lose her now.”
“I know. I know.” Murphy held onto his son. Finn heard his name and turned in response. His picture flashed across the television screen.
“Rylan, turn it up.”
Rylan went over and turned up the volume as the pretty reporter with brown hair came on screen.
“This tragic story has taken another turn for the worse as Lucy Butler was rushed to the emergency room in Clarkstown, New York after an apparent seizure earlier today. She is listed in critical condition. We expect the family to make a statement. When we have it, we will break in.”
The screen returned to the news anchor who continued to report the story. “This all comes on the day that the alleged kidnappers, Viktor and Camille Karpov, were formally charged in Montana Federal Court. The charges included kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse. There is speculation that addition charges will be added as the prosecution continues to gather evidence.”
Finn shut off the television before picking up a magazine and throwing it across the room. He started pacing, raking his fingers wildly through his hair.
The others stood stunned. They had no idea what to do for him. He hadn’t the faintest idea himself.
Lane walked in with Lucy’s doctor, and they all turned to him. “We’re finished with the EEG. She’s still unconscious, but she’s stable.”
“Can I go in?” Finn knew he had to be near her, protect her, no matter what.
“If it’s approved by her father.” The doctor looked to Lane, and Lane nodded his approval. “Go ahead.”
Finn entered the ICU, leaving the others behind. No one tried to stop him or come with him. They knew better than to get in Finn’s way when he wanted to get to Lucy.
Soon enough, he was at her bedside, looking at all the monitors hooked up to her and the IV giving her fluids and medication. He took her hand and sat down beside her, pressing his lips to her skin.
“Not now. Not now. Not now. God, please. Don’t take her away from me. Haven’t we been through enough? Please give us a chance. Give us a chance to be happy.”
“You promised a happily ever after.”
Finn looked up to see those sparkling gray-blue eyes flutter open. She squeezed his hand as he got up and kissed her forehead before pressing the button to alert the nurse’s station.
“Don’t ever do that again,” he warned. “I can’t lose you.”
“Believe me; I didn’t enjoy one minute of it. What happened?” Her words were soft and slightly slurred.
“Rylan found you on the couch. She thought you were sleeping, but then you started to seize.”
“A seizure?” She asked as he sat back down next to her. “I’ve never had one before, but maybe the nightmare or…”
“You were having a nightmare?”
“Sort of. It was kind of a memory, but it didn’t happen exactly like it did the first time.” She drowsily recounted what she could remember of her dream.
“It actually happened like that a couple of times, but it was always when he knew you weren’t around. He’d fight me, then shock me, and I’d pass out.”
“He could’ve…He might of…”
“He didn’t,” she assured him as he tried to blink away the tears in his eyes. “The doctors in Billings did a rape kit. They said I hadn’t been…I’m still…intact…not broken yet. So, I don’t see that he could’ve.”
Finn felt some relief.
“Glad to see those big blue eyes.” Murphy walked in and stood at the opposite side of Lucy’s bed. He caressed her forehead, brushing her hair away from her eyes. “How are you feeling?”
“Really tired.”
“You need your rest.”
“What happened though? Do they know why I had a seizure?”
“At first, we thought it might have been the drugs that they had given you. Then Finn told us that you said he only drugged you that one time when you rode to Montana, so that wasn’t likely the cause.”
“She was having a nightmare she was being shocked when it happened? Could that have triggered it?”
Murphy nodded his head. “Possibly. The nightmare might have been your mind dealing with the seizure. They’re going to continue monitoring you and do a few more tests. We’ll have a clearer picture in the morning. Right now, Lucy, you need your rest.”
“Don’t look at me. I’m not moving.” He was sure they’d have to drag him kicking and screaming if they wanted him out of the room.
“Fine, but promise me you’ll let her rest and you won’t get in the way.”
“He promises.” Lucy gave his hand another squeeze as he kissed it. “Thank you, Murphy.”
“You know, you can start calling me Dad. Only a few more weeks, and I kind of will be.”
Finn saw the corners of Lucy’s mouth turn up as her cheeks turned a beautiful shade of pink.
“I don’t think I could call you Dad. I think I’ll stick with Murphy if that’s alright.”
“Okay, rest then.”
