by Jillian Neal
“Let’s go see who’s here first.”
She laid her head on his shoulder. Fionna relieved her of her book but she wouldn’t relent Sophie.
~Rainer Lawson~
Answering his phone on the first ring as he paced in the villa, Rainer braced for what Garrett had discovered. “What’d you find out?”
“Aldus’s last name is Clarke. I found him on the website you gave me, but that’s about all. He’s worked for the company for a couple of years, no record here in the States. You’d have to get Portwood to check the International records to see if he has anything going on in Jamaica. But the woman, Ximena,” he sighed. Rainer’s stomach clenched. “She’s worked for other rental chains and she’s been fired three times.”
“For what?”
“Things apparently went missing from a few patrons rooms, and she was blamed. She was indicted twice but let off for lack of evidence. If I had to guess, I’m betting if she’s up to anything, she’s after Em’s ring. Just tell her to keep it on and you should be fine. Unless you’ve got other stuff down there that’s priceless.”
“No,” Rainer felt relief wash through him. His imagination had run away with him in the time that he’d waited on Garrett to call back. “Well, Emily is absolutely priceless, but nothing else.”
He could hear Garrett’s smile from a thousand miles away.
“I think she’s just a petty crook, Rainer. She might know the legends about how the ring was made, but I’m thinking she saw those big huge diamond bands and her fingers started feeling sticky.”
“As long as Em’s wearing it, then it shouldn’t be a problem. You’ve seen the casts she can throw with it. I haven’t seen her take it off yet.” Rainer’s entire body eased.
“You two relax and do all those wild, kinky, crazy things people do on their honeymoon. Just keep an eye on your phones, wallets, and jewelry. I think you’re fine.”
“We will,” Rainer assured him. “Thanks, man. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. That’s what brothers do. You know that.”
~Dan Vindico~
As it turned out Aida was wiggling out of Dan’s arms almost immediately. Meredith and Tim arrived with Olivia and Oliver. Meredith and Olivia were loaded down with dolls and every available accessory to play with them.
“Oh wow.” Aida gasped as she took in all of the toys.
“Olivia came prepared.” Meredith sighed.
Dan tried very hard not to scowl at his brother-in-law who was carrying nothing while his sister was barely visible over the load of doll clothes, blankets, and a toy high chair.
Olivia was beaming as she showed Aida her baby whose name was Christina.
“May I touch her?” Aida asked timidly while the adults looked on.
“Yes, and you can play with her, but Oliver is not allowed to touch her or play with her because he’s a boy and he puts hair bows in his mouth.” Olivia informed Aida with an air of disdain for her little brother.
Aida giggled and shook her head. “Boys are very silly. Do you want to see my new fairy princess bed?”
The girls took off for Aida’s room as Dan relieved his sister of her burdens. After he’d made the toy delivery, he led the everyone into the kitchen.
“That smells delicious.” Meredith gave Fionna a hug.
“I hope everyone likes it.” Fionna had lost a little of her confidence in light of his mother coming over. That always made Dan regret having to expose her to his family.
Oliver followed his parents into the kitchen with his lip poked out as he gazed up the stairs after Aida and Olivia.
As soon as Fionna, who’d cooked the potatoes in her hands, heat casted them on the counter, she scooped Oliver up. “You got left behind, didn’t you?” She kissed his cheek. “Can he have an animal cracker?”
Meredith nodded her agreement. Fionna supplied Oliver with a few crackers they’d picked up at the store. He promptly shoved an elephant in his mouth.
Kara and Zach arrived next. Zach was carrying the cake plate, a motion Dan appreciated immensely.
“This is probably super lame, but I made a coconut cake. I couldn’t think of anything else. I have horrible pregnancy brain.” Kara uncovered the cake after Zach set it on the counter. “And I shouldn’t have said that either. I’m so sorry. I’m going to stop talking.” Kara covered her face with her hands.
Fionna hugged her. “Coconut cake will be delicious, and it is very tropical. And I’m okay.”
But a moment later, Fionna’s chin trembled. Dan pulled her close and wrapped her up in the sanctuary of his massive arms. She buried her face in his chest.
She certainly didn’t begrudge Kara any pregnancy related issue, but she wanted so badly to be pregnant again. “I love you so much.” Dan whispered in her ear while Zach and Meredith tried to loudly discuss foods they thought were Hawaiian. Everyone pretended not to see Fionna’s tears.
She drew a deep steadying breath. Dan set his fierce shield around her, not caring that his siblings were devastated that she was so upset.
He supplied her strength and calm while keeping her cradled closely to him.
“We’ll get there, baby. I promise.”
“I think maybe a bath tonight would be good.” She whispered so quietly Dan barely heard.
Kissing the top of her head, he smiled. “I know, baby doll, and I’ll take care of you. Otherwise, Tutu might fly out here and come after me.” He earned a slight giggle.
The doorbell rang again just as Fionna seemed to be perking back up.
“Oh, good. Mom and Dad are here.” Dan sneered to chuckles from Zach and Kara.
He pulled open the door to welcome in his parents. His mother hoisted a leaded glass tray into his tightly clenched stomach.
“Thanks, Mom,” he huffed as she forced her way inside. Dan tried to hide his chuckle. The Governor, in effort to show his support, had worn a bright red Hawaiian shirt that had white hibiscus flowers all over it.
Studying that tray, Dan rolled his eyes. In juxtaposition to his dad, his mother had to show her disdain. She’d halved olives, placed them on top of precut cheese cubes, and had speared the horrendous creation with pretzel sticks.
“Gee, Mom, you shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.” Dan lifted the tray slightly before he placed it on the island in the middle of everyone.
Ignoring him thoroughly, Mrs. Vindico turned to Fionna. “Now, dear, I’m not certain what you might be making for this luau event, but I’ve just gone on a very special diet.”
“Of course you have,” Dan huffed under his breath. Marion Vindico dieted with regularity. Whenever a diet would inconvenience someone she was irritated with, gain her attention, or help her regain control of a situation that had shifted away from her.
Fionna was the consummate hostess. “Oh, well, I didn’t know you were on a special diet since yesterday, but if there’s anything you can’t have I’d be happy to prepare something special just for you.” There was a heavy note of irritation in her tone. Dan started to panic.
“I wouldn’t want to put you out in any way. I’ll just have water.” She lifted a large bottle of some kind of electrolyte infused water.
“Mother that water for Gifted people who work out constantly.” Dan rolled his eyes.
“Well, this diet was featured in Women of the Realm this month,” his mother announced proudly. “Didn’t you see it Fionna?”
“No, I’m sorry Mrs. Vindico I must’ve missed that issue.” She feigned sorrow. “You know with being in the hospital and all,” she huffed under her breath.
Dan cracked up at her remark earning him his smile from Fionna.
Mrs. Vindico forged onward. She always did. “It’s a kind of rotation diet where you only eat one protein each week along with raw greens and you drink eight bottles of this special water each day. It’s to help with stress and weight gain in your midsection. Maybe you should consider it, dear.”
Fionna’s mouth hung open, and Dan was prepared to m
urder. He highly suspected that there was a very good reason that his beautiful wife had thickened just a little in her midsection, but he sure as hell didn’t need his mother pointing it out.
He jerked the water bottle from his mother’s hands and checked the manufacturing information. “Uh huh, it’s made by Jaredon, is also the publishing company of Women of the Realm, Mother. It’s a racket!”
“Unfortunately, I’ve decided to go with poultry this week.” Mrs. Vindico feigned the half-apology.
Dan bit his lips together to keep from guffawing.
“Well that’s perfect.” Fionna stifled a giggle. “I’ve been working on this Huli Huli chicken all afternoon.” She lifted the aluminum foil off of the chicken pieces that she’d marinated and cooked. They smelled heavenly.
Mrs. Vindico’s face fell as Dan moved in. “Fi’s just amazing, Mom. I’m so glad that you’ll be able to eat with us. It’s delicious.”
His mother, the queen of the cliché, had clearly been under the impression that for the luau Fionna would be serving pork.
“My best friend Malani made it for our picnic after the wedding.” Thoughts of Malani and the wedding seemed to ease Fionna. “And I made a spinach salad with papaya and strawberry, so you could have the greens in that as well.” She continued to irritate Mrs. Vindico a sight Dan was thoroughly enjoying.
“You had a wedding picnic?” Mrs. Vindico snipped.
Tired of her going after Fionna, Dan narrowed his eyes. “Why don’t we go into the living room and have these appetizer-like things. Grab a beer or I can pour up some wine. There are POG’s in there as well.” He gestured to the cooler where he’d chilled the beer, wine coolers, and Hawaiian POG.
Pulling beers out of a cooler was something Mrs. Vindico considered to be barbaric which was the main reason Dan had set the drinks up this way.
Everyone fixed themselves a drink and settled in the living room. Oliver began pulling the pretzel sticks out of the appetizers, dispensing with the olive, and eating the pretzels and cheese which he seemed to enjoy.
“Can we see the pictures of the wedding?” Kara pled sweetly.
“Oh, sure.” Fionna handed her a small four by six album that contained the printed snapshots Kai had taken of the wedding and reception.
“We didn’t have a photographer or anything. It’s sort of more about being in the experience with the island.” Fionna tried to explain without giving too much of herself away.
Dan rubbed his hand up and down her back. “It was perfect.” He dared anyone to argue.
“Fionna, you look so beautiful!” Kara flipped to the photo of Fionna walking down the sand aisle.
“Thank you!” Fionna’s entire face beamed over the assessment.
“You don’t have on shoes.” Mrs. Vindico gasped as she noted Fionna’s feet. She was taking a step when the photo had been snapped.
“Nope, just the dress.” Fionna gave Dan a mischievous grin.
He winked at her feeling once again that he could never love anything more.
“Mom, it was on the beach. See, Dan doesn’t have shoes on either.” Meredith pointed out as they landed on the shot of Fionna’s papa placing her hand in Dan’s.
“Now, what is the floral crown called?” Kara was genuinely interested in learning all about Fionna and where she’d come from.
“It’s a haku.” Fionna was still grinning broadly as she explained the pictures. Dan felt her energy soothe and begin to roll in replete happiness.
I feel like the sunshine is in my tummy he recalled Aida’s earlier description of how Fionna made their entire family feel. He couldn’t think of a better way to describe her all-encompassing loving powers. He gazed at her adoringly.
“Did you make yours?” was Kara’s next question.
Mrs. Vindico scoffed. “Of course not, Kara. Certainly she had a florist.” She slapped her hand on a photo of the Hawaiian blooms that formed a circle around Dan and Fionna in the photos.
Fionna shook her head. “We didn’t have a florist, but my Tutu made my crown, and Malani made my lei.” She pointed out the photo of Dan laying the white ginger lei around her neck. “And I made Dan’s lei.”
“That is just so cool and so perfect for you two. After everything….” Meredith blinked back tears.
“It was perfect.” Fionna laced her fingers in Dan’s hand.
Mrs. Vindico huffed audibly as she rolled her eyes. Dan knew his mother felt she’d been sorely wronged. He tried to remind himself of that lest he begin shouting and ruin the family gathering.
She’d planned he and Amelia’s wedding down to picking out Amelia’s gown. After she’d been killed, it hadn’t taken Mrs. Vindico long to re-strategize. Once Crown Governor Lawson had gotten Dan cleaned up and named him Chief of Iodex, her plans had vastly expanded. He was to have a huge wedding, a full Senate affair so she could show off the Vindico money and the status she felt she was owed being married to a Governor and with her son having a high ranking title in the Senate.
She’d given up hope for several long years when Dan did nothing more than talk with a woman just long enough to get her into bed and then he quickly moved on. When Fionna had come into the picture, she’d been elated and the plan had expanded yet again.
Her eldest son, Chief of Elite Iodex was now going to marry the Senior Receiver of the Arlington Angels. It would have been an extremely high profile wedding. She couldn’t quite compete with Joseph Lawson’s son marrying the current Crown’s daughter, but she would have given it a shot had she been allowed.
Dan shuddered to think of the exhaustive fights that would certainly have ensued.
“What is a tutu?” Mrs. Vindico brought Dan back to the present.
“Oh,” Fionna chuckled. “Well Tutu is grandmother in Hawaiian, but actually everyone on the whole island calls my grandmother Tutu. She sort of takes care of everyone.”
Lost again, Dan let his mind reel back to Kauai and to her Grandparents’ large farm. Fionna’s grandparents could be millionaires. The lubricating ointment Tutu created would make her famous for the overwhelming sensations it added to love making. But fame and fortune weren’t at all what Tutu wanted. She wanted to take care of the people in her corner of the world. She wanted to grow and care for each plant or flower that she used in her creations. Her hands, her energy, her spirit went into every brown bottle that she created. Every screw top jelly jar she filled was a labor of love, a passion that filled her soul.
Dan was overwhelmed that he got to be a small part of such an amazing family that had created the woman that he’d fallen completely, inexorably, and irrevocably in love with.
Kara turned to the last few pages of the album. There was a shot of Dan leaning Fionna back and kissing her heatedly. Laughing, Kara and Meredith looked delighted with his exuberance.
“Very nice,” Zach complimented.
“Hey, she’d just made me the happiest guy on the planet.”
The pictures of the reception picnic on the beach had Mrs. Vindico’s lips pursed in fury.
There was a shot of Dan slipping the hibiscus bloom over Fionna’s ear giving her a lust-filled, hungry grin.
“You put it over your left ear because that means you’re taken.” Fionna explained.
Dan felt pride and contentment swirl through her energy as she shared a reminiscent glance with him.
“You look quite pleased to be taken.” Kara teased.
“Well Dan doesn’t look like he minds being the one doing the taking.” Zach slapped Dan on the shoulder. Governor Vindico gave Dan a pride-filled smile.
Kara revealed the pictures from the picnic. “Oh, that looks so much more relaxed than our wedding.” She pointed out Fionna reclined on the beach with her head in Dan’s lap, and to the one of Dan stealing another kiss as the sun set. Kai had snapped a shot of Dan cradling Fionna’s face in one hand and slipping his other under the slit of her dress.
There was a shot of the Styrofoam coolers that contained numerous beer bottles and of th
e very few guests eating off of white Styrofoam plates.
Fionna’s Papa had taken a shot of the mountain top chalet overlooking the ocean where Dan and Fionna had spent their wedding night. It was the last photo in the album.
“Is that your grandparent’s home?” Mrs. Vindico demanded.
“No, ma’am. That’s where Dan took me for our wedding night.”
The rustic chalet didn’t meet Mrs. Vindico’s standards. That was evident by the scowl on her face.
Fionna bristled. She’d taken Mrs. Vindico’s lack of approval as a direct assault on Dan’s ability to plan their wedding night. “It was so romantic. There was this huge bathtub, and hammocks on the porch where we laid and watched the sunset. The bed was in this sweet little nook. It was perfect. I hope we get to stay there again.” She glared at her mother-in-law.
Dan put his arm around Fionna trying to soothe her and prevent her from lunging at his mother.
Noting the heated stand off ensuing between the two women the Governor stepped in. “Why don’t we eat?”
“Yes! What can we do to help, Fionna?” Kara leapt. Fionna drew a deep breath and allowed Dan to push calm into her rhythms in heavy doses.
“Why don’t you get the girls?” She finally sighed. “I’ll put the food on the table.”
The Demon Inside
Dan convinced the girls to put the dolls down for naps while they ate. Soon everyone was seated in the dining room devouring chicken, sweet potatoes, long rice, poi, and a delectable salad.
Aida was thrilled with the POG. “I’ve never had anything to drink that was pink!” Dan and Fionna shared an amused grin as they watched her inhale the strawberry and papaya in her salad and avoid the spinach.
“This chicken is amazing, Fionna.” Zach helped himself to another thigh.
“Zachary I never took you for a big eater,” Mrs. Vindico huffed. There was a reason no one ever ate with any exuberance at the Vindico’s. His mother was a horrible cook.
Coughing to hide his chuckle, Dan awaited Zach’s response. “Oh just hungry tonight I guess, Mrs. Vindico.”
