Ares moved in with us in February. Once with us on a permanent basis my paranoia regarding Ares as an absentee father evaporated. He had missed so many months of the pregnancy, he seemed to want to make it all up to me and the baby. My favorite thing he did was to sing to the baby. The baby liked it and would squirm and kick whenever Ares’s deep voice would croon. Ares hadn’t relocated to Nashville permanently, we weren’t going to stay. He was with us until we could figure out where we were going to live. The girls and I were going to move across country. Just not quite certain if it was to Seattle or to LA. Also I was in no shape to move, and I wasn’t going anywhere away from my OB/GYN. She delivered both Cassidy and Bree, so she was catcher of choice for this third one.
Ares flew back and forth to LA a few times, and began making plans to start working on the soundtrack project Craig had begun. Music was still his work, but he also took on other projects. A fan noticed he lost some weight, and was looking fit. No longer doing illicit drugs, and not drinking, gave his skin a healthy clear appearance. Working out and running more further toned his exceptional physique.
He was contacted to model in a special editorial for a bridal magazine. The fan, Ariel, was one of the feature editors for the magazine and thought Ares, his tour buddy Lonnie, and that blonde actor from Tails from the Urban Jungle would make great fantasy grooms. She used her position with the magazine to be able to work with people she had always wanted to meet. I didn’t blame her one bit.
The Spring issue of New Bride featuring fantasy weddings hit the newsstands in February. Ares was cast perfectly in my opinion. He had a three image spreads. The first one was based on A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. Ares was dressed as Oberon. I always thought he looked like a mighty fae prince. The image they printed was straight out of my imagination. The designers went with a very earth-fairy, Robin Hood, medieval look. They dressed Ares in green leaves and leather, with his powerful arms and chest exposed. They even used his hair to maximum effect, and gave him antlers in a wreath crown. He and another male model with pointy ears, who I assume was the Puck character, were really just background to show off the bride in her elaborate cream and gold brocade designer gown. Assorted props and the setting created a complete fairy tale fantasy in one image.
They used him for the vampire spread. It was beautiful and dark. The stylist used a Victorian theme, so clearly influenced by the Dracula and Mina love story. They put Ares in a silver suit to match the bride. The front of the jacket and shirt were open to his skin, and he lounged seductively in a large wood armchair, toying with a top hat, and a walking stick. The dress they featured was silver and lavender and had a bustle. The photos were elaborate stage productions captured in a single image.
The other musician was featured as a pirate, and in an Arabian Nights Middle Eastern fantasy. I thought Ares would have been better as the pirate, with the flowing open shirt and tight leather pants, and knee high books. Then again, I thought they should have ditched the other two men all together and given all the spreads to Ares, but I am biased. The blonde actor was featured in a couple of spreads including a Phantom of the Opera style one. Complete with face mask, a red lined cape, and a tuxedo with tails. All three men were included in a Musketeers style presentation with big boots, big hats, swords, and ruffled shirts open to the navel. They were really there as fancy props, and as a marketing maneuver to get their fans to buy the magazine. No matter the reason, the pictures were great, and a lot of fun.
Alexander Craig Martin was born mid-March, chubby and long and loud with a head of thick black hair. Ares was with me the entire delivery. Nothing too difficult, but it was still a long process that made me anxious. My nerves resounded in Ares, and they multiplied exponentially. Ares was in shock, I could tell he was worried, but he was great, and so attentive. He held my hand. He fed me ice chips. He rubbed my back. During the final push, he held my leg and coaxed me along.
As soon as his son was born, Ares didn’t leave his side. He wasn’t sure if he should stay with me during my clean up or with the baby for weighing. I told him not to be silly and stay with his son. I’d see them back in our room when they were done. Ares stayed with the baby and me in the hospital the entire time.
Miss Angie kept the girls for us. She seemed a bit hesitant in meeting the baby when she brought the girls to meet their brother.
“He’s beautiful, Elizabeth.” That meant quite a bit coming from her. Richard was no longer part of my family, but she would always be.
Bree climbed into bed with me and demanded to hold her brother. Ares and I surrounded her as we lay the bundle of Alexander on her lap. She was in love with him instantly.
“You want to hold him?” I asked Cassidy.
She took a step back and shook her head.
Ares picked the baby up from Bree and sat with him in the side chair.
“You can get close and look at him,” I coaxed.
Cassidy hovered by Ares’s shoulder.
“It’s okay. He’s so tiny, it’s kind of scary, isn’t it?” Ares asked her.
Ares was so in love with his son. I was almost a little jealous. But I couldn’t be. I was in love with him too. So were the girls. They thought he was amazing, better than a doll, a real life baby. They thought he was the best, unless he cried. Then they either wanted to be the one to soothe him, he needed them. That, or they were done with him. “Will Alex never stop crying?”
Twenty-Three
Throwing up in general is no fun. Throwing up in a public restroom stall is pretty dismal. Throwing up in a cream lace dress in a public restroom stall is probably the worst.
I really didn’t think I was that nervous, yesterday I felt off all day too. Lydia stood behind me, with a damp towel so I could wipe my mouth. I washed my hands then tried to rinse my mouth out.
I splashed cool water on my face. I didn’t care if it caused my make-up to run— I was going to have to redo it all anyway. The retching had already caused my eye makeup to smear.
Fortunately, I had fed Alexander before I felt sick. Ares’s sister, Eva, had taken Alex so I could finish getting ready. I expected that she, or her mother would take care of him during the ceremony. He wasn’t the first grandchild, or even the first male grandchild but they certainly seemed to love him as if he were. They doted on him. I also appreciated how much they doted on the girls. They enfolded the girls into their family as if they were their own blood.
All three of my babies would be staying with Mama tonight, so that Ares and I could be alone on our first night as man and wife. I appreciated this greatly as our “honeymoon” was going to be spent house hunting in LA, with all three kids in tow. Any real honeymoon with just the two of us was indefinitely delayed.
“You’re not pregnant again already?” Lydia helped me to clean my makeup, and reapply. So my face was clean, and I didn’t appear tired.
“No I’m nervous, this is just nerves.” I assured her.
“Lizzie, I’ve been your friend through three pregnancies. Are you sure you’re not knocked up again? You don’t usually have a nervous stomach.”
“Maybe it’s bad sushi. I felt off yesterday too. And no, I’m not pregnant. Certain biological things need to happen. And they haven’t.”
“You and Ares okay? You’re not having sexy-time?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Not for a few weeks. We’ve been distracted. It’s okay cause we’ll make up for lost time tonight.” I smirked. “No baby for an entire night.”
Lydia laughed. “You’ll both just pass out and sleep all night.”
“Right now that sounds better than sex,” I admitted. It really did. Sex wasn’t particularly interesting right now. I had just had a baby. Even so, Ares still loved me and still wanted to marry me. He said so often, claiming he was happy to hold me, never any pressure. He proved to be the most amazing, supportive partner and I couldn’t wait to call him husband.
She finished spot checking the dress, and made sure I didn’t get any sick on it. The
dress was fine.
She followed me out of the restroom and down the hall to the classroom I was using to get ready. The girls sat swinging their legs back and forth. They were doing their best to behave, but it wasn’t easy, they were too excited.
Ariel, the editor from the bridal magazine, a sweet young lady, when she found out Ares was getting married, offered with event planning. I will say having a bridal professional working with us was fantastic. Her assistance meshed perfectly with the work Maria and Eva did. With her help we had a beautiful style that worked seamlessly with the location. Her suggestions for dress styles that worked with my figure resulted in a beautiful dress. I was in cream lace. Simple, with long sleeves in just the lace, and the rest of the dress lined in the same cream color. The dress did feature a plunging neckline, a little function with easy access for feeding Alexander, and it showed off the boobs for a little glam. The empire waist flowed, allowing my post-baby shape some fashion leeway. No need to worry about if I didn’t drop post baby weight. I wasn’t as young, and he was number three. The body wasn’t springing back quite as fast.
Ares’s sisters had taken care of the location, the Washington Park Arboretum. With the location and all of the plants, we needed very little in the way of floral arrangements and decorations.
I think people expected Ares to have a rock or goth style wedding, but we were going with a classic, simple, and more laidback style. Everything was in cream and off white.
The girl’s dresses were white, with short cap sleeves and long tulle skirts, and a cream band that tied into a bow in the back. The bows were obnoxiously large and looked like butterfly fairy wings. We all agreed, they were the best bows ever.
“Are we ready?” The site coordinator popped her head in to check on us. I had just pushed us back a few minutes when I dashed down the hall to throw up.
“Yeah.” I nodded.
Lydia handed the girls their bouquets, and then handed mine to me.
Lydia led the way, the girls bounced and danced their way behind her. I focused on the ground in front of my feet. I was doing it. I was getting married. I kept focusing on my feet. Carpeting gave way to tiles as we stepped outside. The processional music, Bach’s unaccompanied cello suites, started. It was beautiful. Ares selected all the music for the ceremony. I didn’t look up until I was up the two steps to the patio.
I looked up. Ares stood there waiting for me. He wore natural linen slacks, and a loose white silk shirt. His black hair hung long and straight down his back. He slowly swayed back and forth. The most beautiful and serene grin on his face. In his arms, our cherub Alexander was slumped asleep, with his perfect pink bow lips, curly black hair, and pudgy cheeks. Of course, Ares would have ended up holding Alex. I should have expected that. I gazed at them both, then took a step toward my future.
Epilogue
I was married. We had a beautiful hotel room for the night, with a view of Puget Sound. But that didn’t matter, we weren’t going to be admiring the view tonight. My husband, the most gorgeous man on the planet lounged in bed while I hid in the bathroom.
I wasn’t sure what view would be getting admired. I wasn’t pleased with the one I saw in the mirror. I had purchased a white, semi-sheer peignoir for tonight, hoping that wearing something sexy would make me feel sexy.
I should have felt beautiful. I was a bride. This was my honeymoon. I felt like a hot mess. My industrial looking nursing bra killed the look. I just couldn’t go without it while I still breast fed. The boobs were a no play zone for a few more months at least, and they got very uncomfortable when they weren’t fully supported. Whatever I did feel, it wasn’t sexy. I hadn’t felt sexy for a while. I was squishy and I leaked. Alexander was five months old, and I was still shaped like I was several months pregnant. And I was so tired.
If I tried to go out there and be a sexy vixen, I would be a fraud. I sat on the edge of the tub and cried. I barely heard Ares’s soft knock before he opened the bathroom door. I wiped my eyes, no use trying to hide the fact I was crying.
He crouched down in front of me, so he could look me in the eye. “Hey now, it’s not that bad being married to me, is it?” He gently brushed the hair back from my face. He was dressed for bed, in the sleep pants he had gotten used to wearing in a house full of little girls.
“No.” I sniffed. “You’ve been so perfect, and I’m failing my first day as a wife.”
He smiled. “I like that word, wife. I’m going to enjoy calling you that. Wife.”
I sniffed.
“You know what I think I would also enjoy?”
I tilted my head to the side, in question.
“I want to hear you call me husband.”
I traced my finger through the hairs on his chest, still sniffing back tears. “Husband.”
“Yeah, that sounds amazing. Wife, why are you crying in here?”
“I wanted to be sexy for you tonight. And I’m not. I look stupid,” I pouted through my tears.
“Come here.” He stood, pulling me up with him. Wordlessly, he led me into the other room. He turned down the blankets and put me into bed. He waved his hands at me indicating I needed to skootch over. He followed me into the bed. Strong arms pulled me into his warm embrace. He kissed the top of my head, as I rested it against his chest.
“Lizzie, you are so incredibly sexy to me. You looked so beautiful today. You do every day. But today, in that dress. Hmm.” He hummed his happy noise and stroked my hair. “You don’t have to wear sheer and filmy things for me to want you.”
“But, I…”
“Shh, I love you. You gave me a son, and did me the honor of becoming my wife today. I am the luckiest man alive, and if all I do tonight is hold you then I need you to know that’s enough.”
I tilted my head up to look at him. He stared at me with his amazing blue eyes. I leaned up on my elbow and kissed him. It was a light warm kiss. I snuggled back down.
“I am so tired, you won’t mind if we don’t do anything tonight?”
He answered by reaching up and switching the light switch off. “This is plenty for tonight.”
I fell asleep in my husband’s arms.
I woke with Ares stroking his fingers up and down my arm softly. I was tucked into the curl of his body. I could feel his large hard erection against my backside. He hummed.
“Husband?” I let the word form slowly. Remembering from the night before how much he liked hearing it.
“Good morning, wife,” he purred. “I was thinking…”
I turned into his embrace, kissing him.
“Uh-hum?” I left my lips against his so their movement as he talked tickled my mouth.
“No kids.” He kissed me between words. “No interruptions.” His kisses deepened with each new one. “Morning sex.”
I giggled, “That sounds good.”
And it was. It was very good.
Thank you for reading Ballad Ares.
Thorne, lead singer for Landslide will be showing up in Encore Thorne soon.
While you wait check out the more paranormal half of their world with Dead Sexy.
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Also by Lulu M Sylvian
Legatum
Protective
Driven
Dangerous
Longing
Complete
Redemption
Second Endings
Dead Sexy
BrightPhantoms
Fallen Star
The Twelve Strippers of Christmas
Wolves of Wet Waterfalls
Stealing Joy
Finding Home
Ending Torment
About the Author
Bio-engineered to be the only redhead in a generation of blonds, Lulu feels that “aliens” may actually be the best answer for a life-time of being asked, “Where did
you get that red hair from?”
She did not come into writing from years of scribbling words on paper. Her background is rooted in visual arts and making pictures. Encouraged to make those pictures out of words Lulu began writing just to see what would happen. What happened was two full-length manuscripts in three months.
Lulu cannot ride a horse, a motorcycle, spin a hula hoop, or play roller derby. Yes, she has attempted all of those, even if it has been decades since she’s been on a horse or a motorcycle. She embraces the crazy that comes with that one little genetic mutation, and attempts to live up to the reputation that proceeds her. Lulu would like to apologize for her contribution to the hole on the ozone layer from her use of hairspray in the 1980s.
For more information, visit:
www.LuluMSylvian.com
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