by Jillian Neal
“Not a chance in hell. I grew up with you all. You’d show up there.”
“We could help him out,” Garrett guffawed.
“Em, where am I supposed to stick this?” Patrick chimed in immediately.
Dan felt genuinely sorry for Rainer as they continued. He was thrust back in time as he sat there. The clinks of mugs on the tables and the bellowing laughter coupled with derision faded away for just a moment. “Taking Governor Haydenshire’s baby girl to the beach for vacation? Very gutsy, Lawson.”
“I suppose.”
“Relax, you’ll be fine; just take everything nice and slow, really slow.” Dan had used every ounce of ample muscle in his body to keep from laughing at Rainer’s wide-eyed terror over what he was about to do.
With another glance down the table, he let the memories flip through his mind. Training Rainer to shoot, to cast, trying to teach him a little bit about life. Trying to take that wide-eyed kid and turn him into man. Dan would take not credit, but the guy seated across the table from him prepared to marry the love of his life the next day had come so very far so very fast. Dan couldn’t have been more pleased to call Rainer Lawson his friend and a hell of a man. His father, Governor Haydenshire, Sam, everyone that had a hand in raising him should be proud. Dan certainly was.
“She’s been asking to touch it since she was four so.” Levi guffawed as the story of Emily’s childhood curiosity was retold much to Rainer’s chagrin.
“No, Rainer. You don’t pull that hair!” Garrett upped the ante to groans from the table.
“You know,” Connor goaded, “All this time you’ve been buying her ring pops, you should’ve been getting her Blowpops.”
Will chuckled. “Trust me you don’t walk around grinning like he does unless you’re getting blow pops.”
Garrett guffawed. “Hey, he’s Elite Iodex. He knows how to search it out, cover it up, bury it deep, and get the job done.”
Pitchers of beer and platters of food were consumed. Logan and Dan refrained from harassing Rainer although he took it in heavy doses from everyone else.
By midnight, only Logan, Garrett, Dan, and Rainer remained. None of them were looking forward to returning home to a cold, empty bed. The press had been swarming around the farm earlier and had located the bachelor party, but had been refused entry into the pub by Les.
They’d seemed to have given up and gone home. Everyone was well aware that they would be out in force the next day.
“We could go by Mom and Dad’s and check on the girls.” Logan urged hopefully.
Dan felt his face pull into a hopeful smile. “Yeah, that’d be good. Fionna was hurting some earlier, and Aida’s so convinced I’m going to forget her.”
“That orphanage is rough, man. Give her some time. Not a lot of people have kept their promises to her.” Garrett looked pained.
“You sure your parents won’t mind?” Dan felt the sudden need to move. He had to make certain Fionna and Aida knew that he would always be there and how much he loved them.
“Nah,” Logan scoffed.
“Let’s go,” Dan commanded.
“Yeah, but Em was big on the whole me not seeing her before the wedding thing.” Rainer hesitated.
Logan rolled his eyes. “As your best man, I volunteer to go in and make certain that she doesn’t mind you feeling her up before she goes to sleep.”
They drove back to the farmhouse and Dan followed Logan and Garrett silently through the kitchen door. Rainer waited on the porch until Logan returned with a knowing grin and gestured him inside.
Emily blinked heavily, but then smiled as Rainer eased out of his shoes and slid in behind her on her pallet.
“Hey there,” he whispered.
“Hey,” she took his hand and pulled it over her and snuggled into his chest.
Dan tiptoed over to Fionna and Aida. Fionna’s arm was around Aida’s waist tenderly. They were sound asleep on their sides. Leaning down, he brushed a kiss across Fionna's cheek and then one across Aida's.
Her eyes blinked open hesitantly.
“Dan?”
“I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you, sweetheart.”
A broad smile stretched across her face. “Is it time to put my dress on?” She yawned deeply.
Smiling, Dan shook his head. “Not yet. I just wanted to come check on you and Fi.”
“I took care of her.” She whispered.
Panic set in his gut as he studied Fionna’s abdomen looking for any sign of distress.
“You did?”
“Yes, I held her hand while she fell asleep because she said she missed you.”
Dan felt his heart skip a beat. “Thank you, sweetheart.” He brushed another kiss on Aida’s sweet face.
“Can you stay here with us?”
“Uh,” Dan turned to Logan who was already tucked in next to Adeline and Garrett who was kissing Chloe’s cheek.
“Sure, they won’t care.” Logan scoffed.
“Okay.” Dan smiled at Aida as he kicked off his boots and moved behind Fionna. She sighed contentedly in her sleep and wiggled her body into Dan’s embrace.
“Thank you,” Aida laid back down still holding Fionna's hand in both of her own.
Just as everyone was beginning to doze off, came one of the sweetest things Dan thought he had ever heard.
“Hey, Dan?” Aida whispered.
“Yeah, Aida.” He leaned up. “Are you okay?”
Nodding, she smiled. “I just wanted to say I love you.”
Emotion cinched his throat. The last two months assaulted his mind. Wretchkinsides, the baby, the gunshot, the miscarriage. Blinking back tears, Dan nodded, “I love you too, sweetheart, so much.”
Garrett raised his head off of Chloe’s pillow. He gave Dan a knowing grin. “Just makes everything seem like it just might've been worth it, doesn't it?”
“Yeah it definitely does.”
The End of an Era
~Rainer Lawson~
“Oh, good grief.” Rainer heard Governor Haydenshire huff as he took in all of the late night additions to Emily’s slumber party.
Everyone that had been sleeping in the Governor’s vast livingroom sat up and yawned while rubbing their eyes.
Nerves twisting uncomfortably in his stomach, Rainer wondered if he was the only one that noticed Emily’s absence from their pallet.
Mrs. Haydenshire followed in behind her husband. Rolling her eyes she began navigating her way through the pallets carrying a crying baby Abigail.
“And now I suppose you would all like breakfast.” She chuckled as she handed the baby and her bottle to the Governor. She seemed very pleased that they’d all ended up there in the middle of the night.
Aida promptly stood and straightened her new frog pajamas as Dan and Fionna participated in what Rainer assumed was their customary morning routine of cuddling, kissing, and whispering to one another softly. They seemed momentarily unaware that anyone else was in the room at all.
She carefully stepped over Chloe to get to Governor Haydenshire. He was settling into one of the recliners gazing adoringly at Abigail.
“I’m sorry.” Aida apologized.
“What are you sorry for, sweetheart?” Concern furrowing his brow, the Governor gave her his full attention.
“I don’t want you to be upset with Dan because I asked him to stay. It’s my fault he’s here.”
“Oh, Aida, sweetie, no.” Governor Haydenshire insisted kindly. “I’m not upset at all. I can’t think of any other place that Dan should be other than with you and Fionna, but,” he winked at her, “these other boys are nothing but trouble.”
She giggled and seemed pleased that the Haydenshires weren’t upset with Dan. She returned to Fionna’s pallet and was immediately tucked between Dan and Fionna in what Rainer was certain was going to be a very happy family.
Everyone headed into the kitchen to help with breakfast.
“You going or you want me to?” Garrett asked Rainer.
Smilin
g, he waved Garrett off. “I’ve got her.”
“You always have.” Garrett slapped him on the back in a gesture of confidence and belief that Rainer would always take care of his baby sister.
The heavy spring dew gathered on the legs of his jeans as his body propelled him towards Emily. He tried to will away his nerves so he could calm her. Whatever had driven her to her childhood loft early in the morning, he wanted her to know that he understood.
Easing the door to the barn open, Rainer drew a deep breath. A lifetime of memories wafted in the air. So much had happened in the last twenty years up in her loft. Their playroom as kids, a hideaway in their youth, a refuge when life was too much to deal with, and a secluded haven of explorative sensuality in the last year.
Rainer checked the watch his father had willed to him. In six hours, she’d be walking down the aisle. His heart sped as he climbed the rungs of the ladder.
“Hey there,” he soothed softly as he crawled into her loft.
She smiled, but she’d been crying. His heart ached for her. He knew how hard this all must be. Seating himself beside her, he was careful not to touch her, not certain she wanted him up there.
“You okay, baby?”
She nodded but still hadn’t spoken. She was holding a doll in her hands tying a ribbon on the outfit the doll was wearing.
“I just wanted to come up here one more time, you know?” She confessed in a strangled whisper.
Rainer felt his heart prick as he lightly brushed her hand with his own. “I’m sure your Dad will let you come up here whenever you want.”
She nodded but continued staring down at the doll. “I know.”
Rainer brushed her hair behind her shoulder as he studied her. “You gonna give her to Aida?”
“Yeah, she doesn’t have any toys.” Emily picked up a package of Abigail’s baby wipes that Rainer assumed she must have brought up from the house. She carefully scrubbed the doll’s plastic face and hands.
“Give Dan and Fi a little time. I’m sure they’ll take care of that.”
“Remember when I used to carry her around everywhere and make you say that you were her daddy?” Emily laughed at the memory.
“Yeah, and I remember you throwing her at me when I wouldn’t hold her.”
She laughed harder causing more tears to escape giving haunting imagery to all she was gaining and all she was losing on their wedding day.
“I don’t remember what you named her.” Rainer confessed.
“Sophie.” She tried to draw steadying breaths.
“Right, from Inspector Gadget.” He recalled as soon as she said the name.
Emily seemed pleased that he’d remembered. “I hid her up here because Connor and Cal kept taking her and doing horrible things to her.”
Rainer reached and laced his fingers through hers. “Yeah, I remember that too.”
“I just miss him so much. I really wish he was here for today.” The fissure in her heart, unable to be healed, gave way to sobs she’d tried futilely to dam back.
Rainer ached for all of the people that weren’t going to be there with them today. “Me too, baby. I just kind of keep thinking that maybe he and my Dad will have the best seat in the house.”
They sat in silence for several long minutes. “Hey, Em, do you want me to go? I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“No.” Emily shook her head frantically.
“Good. I don’t want to go.” Rainer wrapped his arm around her.
“It’s just,” she stared down at Sophie, “whenever I think about hundreds and hundreds of people sitting out there watching me, or of all of the press, or of not living here anymore, I just want to stay up here. I know that’s stupid.” She blinked back another round of tears.
“Well, if you want, I could probably get the minister to come up here, but I do really want to marry you today.” He brushed a kiss on her cheek in the approximate location of the kiss she’d dared him to give her when she was seven years old.
Taking one long last look around, Emily drew a deep steadying breath. She clung to Rainer’s hand and drew deeply from his energy reserves. He let his eyes close supplying her with calm in heavy quantity. Everything he had was always for her. She was all that would ever matter. As their energy combined, he was overcome with the love that flowed between them.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Let’s go get married.”
He nodded and helped her down the ladder.
They headed back into the kitchen with Emily carrying Sophie behind her back.
Governor Haydenshire gazed longingly at Emily. He blinked back the tears that threatened his eyes and then gave Rainer a slight, wistful smile.
Everyone was gathered in the kitchen with Mrs. Haydenshire preparing pancakes by the dozen and Fionna frying bacon and eggs. They were having an involved conversation. Fionna listening intently to whatever Mrs. Haydenshire was sharing, advice about being a mother, Rainer assumed.
When the last batch came off the griddle, everyone took a seat and dug in. Emily moved to Aida who’d seated herself on the window bench between Garrett and Dan. “I wanted to give you a present since you’re being so nice to be our flower girl.”
Surprise lit Aida’s face as she offered Emily a sweet smile. “You don’t have to get me a present. I already got a dress, and a flower princess crown, and purple pajamas.”
Dan’s eyes closed momentarily as Fionna laced her fingers through his, both of them on the verge of tears.
“Well, I really want you to have this, but you have to promise to take really good care of her.”
Aida bit her lip and nodded.
Emily pulled Sophie from behind her back, and Aida’s mouth hung open in shock. Her eyes danced in elation.
“She was my favorite.” Emily gently laid Sophie in Aida’s arms. “But I think she needs you to take care of her now.”
Aida gazed at the doll like she’d never seen anything more beautiful. “Thank you! She’s so beautiful! What is her name?”
“Her name is Sophie.” Emily wrapped Aida and Sophie up in a hug.
Aida began to rock Sophie and run her fingers tenderly over her hair.
“I bet Fionna could make Sophie some more dresses,” Emily offered.
Fionna nodded adamantly. “Sure! We could make her some dresses and maybe even a blanket or two.”
“You know,” Mrs. Haydenshire stood from her seat at the kitchen island. “Wait just a second.”
She returned several minutes later with a doll bottle and a Sophie’s blanket.
“Oh wow!” Aida gasped as Mrs. Haydenshire handed her the accessories. She immediately wrapped Sophie tenderly in the blanket and began feeding her the bottle.
“Hey remember that time Cal and Connor…” Logan began.
“Logan!” shouted from Rainer, Emily, Adeline, Garrett, and both of his parents.
“Geez! I’m sorry. Never mind.” Logan huffed.
Dan and Fionna urged Aida to finish her pancakes. She agreed as long as Dan would hold Sophie and give her the bottle.
Rainer, Logan, and Garrett all guffawed as they watched all six-foot-four, two hundred and fifty pounds of solid muscle that was Dan Vindico, former chief of Elite Iodex, feed a baby doll a fake bottle.
He leveled a glare at all of them. “I may not be your boss anymore, but I can still kick your ass.” He huffed making certain that Aida couldn’t hear him.
The threat coupled with him cradling the doll only served to make them laugh harder as Emily and Fionna giggled hysterically.
After the breakfast dishes were done, all of the men were shooed away to the guesthouse so everyone could get ready.
Rainer felt his nerves set in again as he noted the press vans lining up outside of the Haydenshires’ gates.
“You okay?” Logan elbowed him as they entered the kitchen.
“Yeah, I just kind of can’t believe it’s here.”
“Hey, you’ve been getting ready for this since you were five. If I were ordaine
d, you and Em would’ve been married dozens of times by now.”
Rainer drew a deep breath trying to ignore the plaguing twists in his stomach and the gnawing ache in his heart. He just wanted to talk to his dad.
“Aww, sweet!” Garrett chanted as everyone entered.
Emily had arranged a large stack of dozens of Dr. Peppers to look like two four tiered cakes that she’d chill casted. A huge platter of Adeline’s nachos were on the table set to stay warm. There were bottles of beer lined up on the table as well along with bowls of nuts and platters of Big Mickey’s subs.
Though they’d just consumed masses of pancakes, Garrett grabbed chips and dug into Adeline’s dip. Rainer grabbed a Dr. Pepper. He hoped the beverage would settle his stomach.
Logan joined Garrett at the nachos. He studied Rainer sipping the Dr. Pepper. “You’re really nervous?” He sounded shocked.
“Yeah, a little. I guess.” Not really appreciating being called out, Rainer shrugged. “I’m not sure why though.”
Garrett laughed. “Well my baby sister can be quite frightening, especially if you piss her off.”
Over the next hour, Will, Levi, Patrick, and Connor joined the assembly. Will sank down on the sofa beside Rainer studying him knowingly. “You know, as soon as you see her, you won’t be nervous anymore.”
Smiling, Rainer was certain that he was right.
“Since girls take ages to get ready for their wedding. She probably has six of them over there working on her hair, and it will really only take you like five minutes to shower and two minutes to put on the tux, there’s really no reason why we couldn’t let the footballs fly for a little while.”
Feeling like Will had thrown him a lifeline, Rainer nodded his adamant agreement. He was desperate for a distraction. He just needed to be able to forget momentarily that neither of his parents would be there to watch him marry the love of his life, or to reconsider for the thousandth time moving Emily off of the farm, or to worry that he wasn’t good enough for her and didn’t deserve her.
“Let’s go,” Will called to everyone as he tossed a football in the air.
“Hey, Rainer.” Logan walked beside him as they made their way to the back fields. “You remember how freaked I was, don’t you? I was a disaster before Ad and I got married, but I have to tell you everything is so much better after you’re married. Everything!”
