Love, Hate & Us

by S. P. West

  He looks so devastatingly handsome in his tux that I have to fight the urge to pick up the hem of my dress and run the last few feet toward him.

  “Hey.” He grins.

  “Hey, yourself, handsome.”

  “You look…beautiful, baby.” His voice is choked with emotion as he takes a stray strand of my hair and tucks it behind my ear.

  “You don’t look so bad yourself.” I beam, bouncing excitedly on my heels.

  “I love you,” he whispers, bending down to place a sweet kiss on my lips.

  “I love you, too,” I whisper back. “I can’t believe you did all this…for dinner.” I tease.

  “Well…uh…there is something I wanted to ask you before we eat,” he says, getting down on one knee.

  “Brody.” I gasp, placing both hands over my mouth, tears welling up in my eyes as he holds out a ring box.

  “Brooke Elderhouse. I have loved you since I was old enough to know what love is. You make me smile, you make me laugh, you make me so happy, and I don’t want to spend one minute more without you beside me as my wife. So, Brooke Susanna Elderhouse, will you do me the great honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?”

  “Yes.” I sob, flinging my arms around him so that we both collapse into the sand, and I pepper his face with kisses. “Yes…yes…yes.”

  He starts to laugh, holding me close.

  “I have one condition.”

  “Hmmmm?”

  “You have to marry me right here, right now.”

  “How are…but…”

  Brody places two fingers to his mouth and whistles.

  I look around dazed as seemingly from nowhere, people appear from all directions, walking toward us, clapping.

  My sister, Brody’s mom and dad, Caden, Lola, Jake, and all the boys from MOS surround us, smiling and offering congratulations as Brody pulls me to my feet.

  “How did you all…when did you all get here?” I ask as we brush the sand off our clothes.

  “Magic.” Jake grins.

  “I can’t believe you’re all here.”

  “You think that they’d want to miss our wedding day?” Brody laughs, placing a kiss in my hair. “Once I told them…”

  “Nothing on this earth would’ve stopped us.” Judy beams next to Caden, who subtly separates his parents by standing in-between them. I follow his gaze to where Hope is standing, amused as Louis steps up and puts his arm around her, causing a frown to form on that famous face of his. Good.

  “How did you do all this without me knowing?” I turn my attention back to my fiancé.

  “I had help,” he answers, nodding his head toward Jake. “He’s a good guy and a good friend.”

  “So, you’ll be up for a threesome then?” Jake chuckles as he claps Brody on the shoulder.

  “No way, man. She’s mine and mine alone.” Brody takes my hand in his, his gaze not leaving mine. “Now, Miss Elderhouse, I think that you and I have a wedding to attend.”

  “Yeah,” I say so that only Brody can hear me. “I believe we do, Mr. McAllister.”

  A loud cough draws our attention to a beautiful, tanned, gray-haired woman in long flowing purple robes, standing in front of us.

  “Are we ready to start?” She smiles as she looks between us.

  “Are you ready?” Brody asks me.

  “Yes.” I smile back at her.

  “Excellent, then we shall begin.” She raises her voice so that it can be heard above the sounds of the ocean. “If everyone could take their positions, please.”

  Caden comes to stand next to Brody, giving his brother’s shoulder a nudge as he adjusts his suit sleeves. Hope stands to my side, taking my hand in hers, giving me a reassuring squeeze. She gives Caden a tight smile when he catches her eye.

  “We are gathered here today,” the celebrant’s lilting voice dances around us as she says the words that will finally make us husband and wife, “to witness the union of Brody and Brooke. Before I start, is there any reason why these two should not lawfully wed. Speak now or forever hold your peace.” You could hear a pin drop, but I still hold my breath in case someone says something. “No? Good.” She laughs as Brody and I let out sighs of relief. “Marriage is hard work. It’s give and take, it’s working together as one to achieve your goals. It is love and it is laughter, but most of all, it is a partnership. If you can achieve that in your marriage, even when times are hard, if you can lean on one another, then you will be successful. Now, Brody told me that he has written his own vows, but,” she says, smiling at me, “I am aware that this has kind of…been sprung on you.” A ripple of laughter comes from the people watching. “I’ll understand if you want to do your vows the traditional way, Brooke.”

  I nod my head, still in a state of shock that I’m on a tropical beach, surrounded by friends and family, about to marry the love of my life. Very discretely I give my arms a little pinch just to make sure that this isn’t a dream. Yep, this is definitely happening.

  “Brody. If you would like to face Brooke and say your vows.”

  Brody turns to face me, taking my hands in his. His eyes are awash with emotion as he clears his throat.

  “Brooke. I can’t believe that we’re finally here. You’ll never know how grateful I am that you agreed to give us a second chance.” He pauses before continuing. “You’ve always been the one for me. From the day we were born, it was only ever you. And now, I’m standing in front of our friends and family as we are bound together for life. This ring,” he says, taking a simple gold wedding band from Caden’s outstretched hand, “belonged to your mom, and if you don’t mind, I’ll wear the one that belonged to your dad.” I shake my head, unable to say anything for the lump that’s formed in my throat. “I know how much you miss them, and I know how important it is that they be a part of our day. I’d like to think that your parents are here with us today. They’d be so proud of you, baby.”

  “Brody.” I start to sob.

  “Hey, can’t have you crying on your wedding day,” he says, wiping away my tears.

  “I love you,” I whisper. “Thank you so much.”

  “You are my sun, my moon, and my stars; and now you are my wife. I love you, Brooke Elderhouse, and I will until the day I die. You and me, forever.” He smiles as he places my mom’s ring on my finger. A light gust of wind blows my hair around me. I’d like to think that was my parents’ way of saying they approve.

  “Brooke. Would you like to say something?” the celebrant asks.

  “Yeah.” I smile up at Brody. “Brody. You are the only boy I’ve ever loved, you’re the only man I’ve ever loved. You are my best friend, my lover, and now you will be my husband. You’ve been there for me through the good times and the bad. We’ve had our troubles, but that’s in the past; we can only look forward to our future, and I can’t wait to go on that journey with you. I love you with all that I am and all that I’ll ever be,” I say, taking my father’s band and placing it on Brody’s finger, before giving a nod to let the celebrant know that I’ve finished.

  “Brody and Brooke, you have declared before all here present your love for one another. Although you have already said your vows, Brody did ask if we could repeat the more traditional ones just in case.” She beams. “So, Brooke, if you could repeat after me. I, Brooke Susanna Elderhouse.”

  “I, Brooke Susanna Elderhouse.”

  “Take you, Brody Duncan McAllister.”

  “Take you, Brody Duncan McAllister.”

  “To be my lawfully wedded husband. To love, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

  “To be my lawfully wedded husband. To love, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.

  “Now, Brody, it’s your turn. If you could please repeat after me. I, Brody Duncan McAllister.”

  “I, Brody Duncan McAllister,” Brody’s deep voice repeats, his eyes not once leaving mine.

  “Take you, Brooke Susanna Elderhouse, to be my lawfully wedded wife.”r />
  “Take you, Brooke Susanna Elderhouse, to be my lawfully wedded wife.”

  “To love, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

  “To love, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

  “Excellent.” She smiles. “Then it gives me the greatest of pleasure to say that by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

  All else fades away as Brody takes me in his arms and kisses me. In the background, I’m aware of hollers, whistling, and applause from our friends and family. I wrap my arms around Brody’s neck as he picks me up, leaning me backward to deepen the kiss. We’re both panting by the time we come up for air.

  “I love you.” Brody grins against my lips.

  “I love you.” I grin back.

  “Come on, guys, we have a party to get to. Free booze!” Jake yells to much laughter.

  “I guess that’s our cue.”

  “Guess so.” I smile as he rights me and takes my hand in his.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. McAllister.” Cade beams, stepping forward and giving me a tight hug. “Welcome to the family, officially, Brooke.”

  “Thanks, Caden.” I laugh as we separate.

  “Mrs. McAllister?” I turn to see the celebrant walking toward me, a beaming smile on her face.

  “Hi.” I smile back. “Ceremony was beautiful, thank you.”

  “I try my best.” Her eyes alight with amusement. “However, I have to deliver the unromantic request of asking you both to sign the official paperwork, and then you are free to go party with your friends and family.”

  “Of course,” I say, turning to Caden. “Could you go and tell my husband that he is needed.” I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of saying that.

  “We’ll need the witnesses as well.”

  “And we need you and Hope as well!” I yell to his retreating back. He stops, looks over his shoulder, and gives me a shit-eating grin. I narrow my eyes, shaking my head.

  “I could see there being another wedding soon, between him and your…sister? They couldn’t take their eyes off each other during the whole ceremony,” the celebrant says, gesturing toward a flower laden table.

  “Oh no, no, no,” I answer, shaking my head as I take a seat.

  “Hmmm.” She cocks her head to the side. “In all my years of doing this, I’ve never been wrong over my predictions.”

  “Believe me, that is one prediction that will not happen.”

  She smiles blissfully. “Just wait.”

  “Just wait for what?” My husband asks as he sits next to me at a torch-lit table.

  “Never you mind.” I giggle, leaning in for a kiss as Caden and Hope join us.

  After signing the register, Brody and I thank the celebrant, whose name was Jillani, then head toward the hotel hand in hand.

  “You know we could skip this?” he says, putting his arm around my shoulder. “Head back to the villa and make love under the stars.”

  “And miss all the food? No way. I’m starved.”

  “Did you just turn down a night of off the charts sex for food? Seriously?”

  “No.” I tease. “I’m building the anticipation for later when my husband and I retire after celebrating our wedding with our family and friends because I want to see him beg.”

  “Uh-huh, you want me to beg?”

  “I want you to be so turned on that when you come, they’ll hear you all over the island.”

  “That so?” He bends down, and nibbles at my neck.

  “Yes.”

  “You sure you don’t want to consummate our marriage now?” He pushes me backward, until my back hits the trunk of a tree. “Have my cum running down your thighs and your scent on my fingers while we do the whole ‘thank you for coming’ thing? Because just the thought of knowing that I fucked you and no one else knowing is making me harder than hell.” Slowly, he lifts the hem of my wedding dress, his fingers dancing up my thigh, until they reach the edge of my soaked panties. “I want you so fucking much, Mrs. McAllister.”

  “Brody.” I gasp as he suddenly rips my panties away, leaving me bare.

  “Fuck.” He growls in my ear, and undoes his zipper before lifting me up as I wrap my legs around him. “I’ve been thinking about this all day.”

  “Oh God.” I groan as he thrusts into me. “Harder, baby. I need it harder.”

  “As…you…wish.” He pants, increasing speed.

  The moan that escapes my lips can probably be heard above the sound of the rolling waves, but I don’t care. I don’t care that we could get caught at any moment. I don’t care that we could be heard. I’m making love with my husband, the man I adore, under a moonlit sky after possibly the best day of my life, and I’m happy.

  “I’m going to come, baby.” He hisses in my ear. “Can’t hold on much longer.”

  With one final thrust, he comes hard, spilling himself into me as I spiral into the bliss of my own orgasm, as we collapse together onto the sand. If I died right now, then I’d die a very happy woman. We stay entwined like this, our foreheads pressed together…happy…at peace.

  “Well, you’re stuck with me now.” Brody chuckles against my hair.

  “Huh?”

  “Marriage has been officially consummated, no annulment for you.”

  “Oh my God.” I laugh, swatting his ass. “We just got married, had the most amazing sex, and the first thing you think of is that I can’t annul the marriage.”

  He shrugs before his face turns serious.

  “Are you happy?” he asks.

  “Happier than I think I’ve ever been.”

  “Good.” He smiles, zipping up his pants as he stands before helping me up. “Me too.”

  “I can’t believe that you arranged all this. How did you…”

  “I have my ways and I had some help,” he says, pressing a gentle kiss to the end of my nose. “But if we don’t get a move on, they’ll send out a search party soon.”

  “Do we have to go?” I sigh.

  “I thought you wanted food?”

  “Good point, Mr. McAllister.”

  “I know, Mrs. McAllister.”

  I let out a loud snort. “We better go rescue your mom.”

  “Why,” he asks, looking adorably confused.

  “Because Jake’s heard she’s single.”

  “What?”

  “He said he thought Judy was a fox.”

  “You are kidding…right?” he says disgustedly.

  “Nope.” I grin.

  “He so wouldn’t tap that. She’s my mom. I mean come on.”

  “Jake will tap anything given a chance. Where are you going?” I call as he practically starts to sprint along the beach. “Hold up.”

  “You might want to hurry because you’ll need to save Hope from Cade.” He laughs, jogging backward.

  “What did that fucker do?”

  “It’s not what he’s done, it’s what he’s planning to do.”

  “If he wants to live, then he better not fucking touch her.”

  “Better get a move on then, Mrs. McAllister.” He laughs, running toward me.

  “This is going to be a mess.”

  “No, it’s going to be fun. Lots and lots of fun,” he says, taking my hand in his as he leads me toward the light of the hotel and our friends and family, and toward our future.

  Brooke

  “Once upon a time, many years ago, a little boy and a little girl were born on the same day, in the same hospital. Placed together in the same crib, their mothers looked on fondly, and from that day on, a firm friendship was formed.

  As the years passed, those two children became the best of friends, as did their mothers. Indeed, it was their mothers’ greatest wish that they marry and find true happiness with each other. Much to everyone’s delight, they fell in love.

  We leave them now, walking beneath a starry sk
y, hands linked together. They stop only to kiss underneath the moonlight as the light glints off their newly placed rings.

  Sometimes, just sometimes, dreams do come true.”

  “Mom?”

  “Yes, sweetie.”

  “Was that about you and Dad?”

  “It was, baby.”

  “Did you bone?”

  “What?”

  “Uncle Jake said he had to go find you because you were missing and that you were totally boning.”

  “Did he now? I think I’ll be having a word with Uncle Jake.”

  “Mom?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How do fairy tales end?”

  “They always end the same, baby…now go to sleep.”

  “Can I say it?”

  “Sure.”

  “And they lived happily ever after.”

  “Yes, they did.”

  * * *

  THE END

  Well, who thought I would write another book? Not me that’s for sure! I have so many people to thank - so, if I miss you out, I’m really sorry.

  To my husband, Matt, and my baby girl, for your love, support and patience.

  Kerri – my sister from another mista.

  Janet (my actual sister <3)

  Mum and Neil.

  Nadine, for her awesome editing!

  Krispy for a beautiful book cover (she’s talented is that one).

  Lucia Franco for her encouragement and help. Thank you so much.

  Katie and Lydia – my cheerleaders.

  Elaine, my beta.

  To my FB crew – love you all.

  Deigh – for writing to me at a time when I wanted to pack it all in. You’ll never know what your email meant to me.

  Finally, to all you lovely readers.

  S.P. West lives in a house by the sea with her husband, daughter, her two cats and a seagull called Neville that visits for food everyday.

  * * *