Zipper maintained his job at his own law firm, but increased his visibility and contributions to Pentagon. All the acquisitions required detailed care and attention. Because of the transition of leadership, we needed to ensure all the contracts were perfectly executed. Zipper did a great job assembling a bigger legal team, which handled the increased demands. We created new offices in the major cities, and ensured to fully staff them for our executives, legal, and support staff.
Lark stepped up to the plate as President of Pentagon. His active role required his permanent move to Boston. His jet setting ways were reduced, and he seemed to thrive with the pressure to excel and produce in his role. We weren’t oblivious to his allegiance to Brady. They meet often to keep Brady informed of Pentagon activity, even though he can’t vote on anything. Brady, being like a big brother to Lark, ultimately supported Lark as President. It took a while for Brady to accept his indefinite ouster. After many unsuccessful threats from the legal team he assembled to return him to power and resume voting on Pentagon affairs, Brady accepted the conditions the four of us set. Within a couple of months, Brady started seeing a therapist to resolve his feelings for me and the control issues around my life choices. He had accepted me and Matt as a couple, who were having a baby. As part of Brady’s recovery, Matt and I separately attended therapy sessions with Brady.
I attended a few times until it was determined by the therapist that I could no longer attend. The reality of my moving on with his good friend made Brady clinically depressed and angry toward us. My swollen belly made him uncomfortable. I became scared when he stated that my baby should have been his. The therapist told us Brady needed time to deal with the impossibility of he and I being in a relationship. There were no more Pentagon Board member dinner meetings and meals. Each friend went out in smaller groups or individual dinners. Not having Brady attend dinners with all of us felt wrong. However, we planned to have a future event where all of us and our partners could be together to reminisce, putting our past differences behind us.
As a couple, we attended dinners with Zipper and Jenna. Zipper proposed to Jenna, and they were in the planning phase of their engagement. We were genuinely thrilled for them. Not having had a traditional wedding, I didn’t offer any help, but extended my support for their union.
After filing our license, with a day to spare, Matt and I decided to have a small, second ceremony for family and friends. Gill and Magnus took over the planning and execution of our ceremony. They were an amazing team. Gill wouldn’t tell me what’s been happening with Magnus, but they seemed to have a great working relationship together. Gill’s boyfriend remained in the picture, and the relationships appeared to be appropriate and supportive.
Our ceremony was held at our home up North. My father walked me down the aisle with his two new knees. Being unable to deny the other’s importance in my life, Chelsea was my matron of honor and Carson was my man of honor. Zipper was the best man. Stella was the best woman. I invited all of the Pentagon men, but didn’t invite Brady or his family. It hurt to exclude him, but for the sake of his recovery, it was best to have a small gathering.
The entire backyard was tented for the wedding and reception. Due to a passing rain shower, we were married inside the house. We took it as a good omen that our marriage was being blessed. I refused to let it ruin my day. I only wanted to marry Matt while our loved ones shared in our special day. We spent the night dancing and talking to our friends in the cool night air. I felt my mother’s presence around me as I danced with the love of my life. Even the horrible ‘morning sickness’ which plagued me subsided for the day. Even with the party ending in the wee hours of the night, we lazily made love in our bedroom on our bed. I no longer delineated each possession. We were finally equals.
We spent our honeymoon traveling through Spain and Ireland, visiting both sides of Matt’s family. We also took a couple of four day weekends to travel back to the Caribbean to meet my side of the family. After a weekend in Puerto Rico where my father was born, we decided to buy several houses by the beach, tear them down, and create our own estate to share with our children during long weekends throughout the year, especially to get away from Boston’s harsh winters.
Carson and Turner married in Rhode Island on the grounds of an amazing country club by The Sound. It was amazing to see two of my three favorite people finally marry and commit themselves legally. I was honored to stand beside Carson while he said his vows to Turner. I felt an immense amount of love. It may have been the hormones, but I went through three handkerchiefs that night. I knew I looked a mess but everyone assured me I was beautiful. I got my third dance with Carson. Our dance was filled with love and hope for our futures with our beloveds. When our dance was over, Matt whispered, “I’m glad he married a man because I can’t believe you two aren’t in love.” He looked slightly miffed. I laughed and explained, “We love each other, but never that way.” I kissed him to reassure him of my love. I pulled him to dance where we spent the night until my feet and the first flutter of our baby’s movement made me pause in place, feeling the wonder of creating life within my body. Matt said the baby was ready to call it a night. We slept with him holding my belly for the rest of the night. I figured he wanted to feel the movement which wouldn’t present for several more weeks.
*****
Another spasm, lasting several minutes, shocked through me. I got out of bed, naked and waddled into the bathroom. I felt like I needed to relieve my bladder. Once I stood up, a rush of fluids continued trickling from my folds. I wondered if I could no longer sense if my bladder was truly empty when I realized my sac may have ruptured.
“Mathias!” I yelled out. I continued calling him by his full name until he rushed into the bathroom.
“Babe?” He called out, rushing to my side. He instinctively put his hand on my belly. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s time.” I said. “My water broke.”
“Are you sure?
“Yes. I need to go to the hospital.” I said.
Matt tried to calculate the timing of my contractions. He claimed I didn’t need to go so soon if my contractions were too far apart. My scowl changed his position because he readied himself while I dressed in sweats and tugged on boots.
Matt said many reassuring words, holding my hand as he drove the Range Rover to the local hospital. The Rover would finally be used as a family vehicle and I designated it as my car. The baby’s infant car seat was already attached, having taken Matt two hours to read instructions, watch online videos, attach, assess, and confirm the seat was well latched. I may or may not have gone to the Fire Department to ensure he did it right. We were immediately admitted, and I could see a change in Matt’s face from doctor mode to concerned husband and expectant father.
The whole experience of having our baby was surreal. It felt like it was going too fast. I wanted to remember every moment: each painful contraction; each kiss on my forehead which Matt planted; and my determination to deliver a healthy baby. And when our baby was finally born, Matt’s face expressed his torn feelings; wanting to be by my side, but wanting to ensure the baby’s health and safety. I pushed him to take care of the baby as I rested while the doctors finished working on me.
We had finally created what we’d been searching for—family. We found love with each other. I created a family with Matt. Matt found a woman who gave him what he needed. The best reflection of our love and new family was the birth of Patrick Marcello Keene. We debated giving him more names to honor our loved ones, but we were sure we’d have more babies in the future. We called everyone to inform them of the new arrival. Chelsea accepted the ‘godmother’ title and Zipper claimed his as ‘godfather’.
There was a waiting list for all of the people who wanted access to see us at the hospital. It was the first time in a long time I felt unconditional love from my family and friends. I no longer remembered what it felt like to be lonely and isolated. I said a silent prayer for Patrick to always feel this kind of love.<
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My husband, standing beside our son at the baby warmer, confirmed Patrick would always be loved.
THE END
Bound: The Pentagon Group, Book 3 Page 35
