by Mae Martini
The first afternoon they had free on Oahu, Gia had taken him to Pearl Harbor and he was so moved by the experience, that he, along with everyone else on the ferry ride back from the USS Arizona Memorial, was quiet and in a somber mood. Gia sensed it, as she always felt that sadness when she left the memorial. She placed her hand in his and he squeezed it as they locked eyes in understanding.
Right before going to Duke’s that night, the two of them enjoyed an exhilarating horseback ride along the beach. Jake opted to go bareback like Gia. As soon as they returned the horses, they went to the house they were sharing and because they were still on a high from the ride, shared some mind blowing sex.
She had also presented him with a hand signed Martin acoustic guitar. Jake was surprised. His guitar was beat up, and he wouldn’t part with it because it was a gift from his father back when he was sixteen. But this, and with the signature of his favorite country singer on it was one of the most thoughtful gifts he had ever received. He knew she paid a pretty penny for it. He also knew he’d cherish it the rest of his life, like he would cherish her.
The next day, she showed him the North Shore and he watched in awe as she took to the water and surfed in and out of the tubes on Waimea Bay. She just got right into the lineup with the other surfers, not caring and not knowing any of them.
He knew riding those waves was way over his head so he didn’t even try.
They met up with their parents and shared shaved ices and chatted with some locals Gia and her father knew. They all went to Sunset Beach, and Gia and Luke rode the waves while mother and son were content to watch from the shore while soaking up the sunshine. Jake loved watching Gia in her element, carefree and easygoing. No worries.
It blew his mind when he saw a large fin come out of the water about fifty yards away from Gia and her father, and a moment later the whale’s head popped up. Father and daughter didn’t even try to paddle to shore. They just sat there, astride their boards in the lineup with other surfers, and watched.
Family and friends had been pouring in since the afternoon. The both of them had been getting texts from them wanting to know where they were. After all, Jake’s buddies were taking him out to a strip club later and the girls along with Jamie were taking Gia out to an all-male revue. Jamie’s new husband, Tyler, opted to go with the boys.
But, neither of them would tell anyone where they were. It was their time together, hoping to catch the green flash just as the sun set.
“It’s more crowded in here tonight than the last two nights,” Jake said to Gia as he put her hand in his and rested it on her thigh.
“Yeah, it’s Friday night. Oh, did the laundry service deliver your shirt?”
“Yes.”
“Did you check that it’s pressed?”
“Yes.”
“Did you speak with Josie about the champagne change?”
“Gia?”
“What?” she asked as she picked up her second Mai Tai cocktail Alex, the bartender, had just made for her. She took a sip.
“Stop worrying. Everything is taken care of.” He took a sip of his Mai Tai.
She took in a large breath and let it out slowly and nodded. “You’re right. Let’s just enjoy this time together.
Jake brought his lips to hers and kissed her gently. “I can’t wait,” he said when he broke the kiss.
Gia gave him a wide smile.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you, too.”
“I hate that we won’t be sleeping together tonight.”
“Me too. I hope you don’t get too wasted tonight and not make the ceremony tomorrow.” She softly laughed.
“Not a chance in hell. I don’t even want to go out tonight. I’d rather spend our last single night, together.”
“Jake, you always say the right thing.” She leaned in and kissed him.
The noise around the bar grew a bit louder and Gia and Jake turned their attention toward the setting sun. They watched as it went below the water line and collectively, the patrons went, “awww!”
No green flash.
When the musician started playing the ukulele, the guests rose. Jake and Cord looked up to see Calista and Rory walk down the aisle, she in a diamond strapped black dress and he in a pair of black slacks with a black button down shirt, un-tucked, and a black cowboy hat that matched Cord’s attire. The both of them were barefoot. Jake tipped his head to the side. Something was not right with them. Rory did get drunk the night before and he took a lap dance, but he couldn’t imagine his sister being angry with him. Maybe it was just his imagination.
Jake looked behind them to see if he could see Gia. He couldn’t. He nervously looked around his surroundings, staring at and not even seeing Diamond Head in the near-distance. He didn’t even feel the gentle breeze coming off the water.
He looked back to see if Gia was there yet. Instead, he saw Jamie, wearing the same thing as Cord and Rory, walk down the aisle, and chuckled at seeing a cowboy hat on him.
Cord sensed him fidgeting. “Relax, man, married life is not as bad as you think.”
“I’m not edgy about marriage. I can’t wait to marry Gia. To be honest, I’m a little worried she might have fled.” He chuckled, nervously.
“She’s not going anywhere.”
Jake nodded his head. Yes, that was in the back of his mind, but he knew she loved him and was excited about marrying him. He’d never seen her so eager before, throwing herself into the wedding plans like she did. He thought back on the past months, from the time she rode up to him on Bella in a sexy bikini to now. He smiled to himself. God, she was one sexy woman and she didn’t even try.
Jake looked to the guests on either side of the aisle. He lovingly looked at his mom and she smiled at him. He was happy for her that she found love again. She had this healthy glow about her, courtesy of her new husband who had eased her work schedule by hiring a proficient labor force for the Shady Brook as well as the Shady Elm. Nowadays, they were leisurely traveling the globe or taking in a new art show when in town.
When their parents announced they were going to marry, Jake fully expected Gia to run. He was relieved that she didn’t. Yes, she had reservations, but she didn’t run. She trusted him enough to talk to him about her anxieties and not flee.
He looked to the other side of the aisle and locked eyes with Annie. She was gently rocking her and Cord’s three month old baby boy, Jacob, his and Gia’s godson, and they shared a smile.
All eyes turned to the back of the chairs when the musician started singing the Israel Kamakawiwo’ ole version of ‘Over the Rainbow’. Jake’s eyes quickly shot to Gia, who was being escorted to him by Luke.
She mesmerized him. Looking dazzling in a white strapless chiffon sheath gown with a sweetheart neckline. Beaded lace motifs wound their way down the front. On her ears dangled sparkling diamond pendants, a wedding present from her father and Joan. A diamond bangle bracelet adorned her wrist and when she got close, Jake’s eyes shot to the necklace around her neck. It was the ankle bracelet he had given her many months before.
As they drew near, Jake respectfully removed his white cowboy hat.
When they reached Jake, her father turned to her and kissed her cheek, then shook Jake’s hand before placing her hand in his. Then his father took a seat next to Joan and the rest of his family. Everyone laughed when Neal Jr. yelled, “Grandpa!”
“You leave me speechless, Gia. You look stunning,” Jake whispered.
“Thank you. You look amazing yourself, Jake.” And he did, in a white tuxedo.
After the ceremony, Cord walked to Annie. On the chair next to her was the guitar Gia had given Jake. He took it and walked back to Jake and handed it to him.
Jake played and sang, ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ to her. She had heard him play it before, but every time she caught him playing it, he would change up the song. She had realized then, that he had been practicing for this very moment.
When the song was over, she br
ought her hands up to his face and ravaged his lips with hers. “I love you, Jake Warner, with all my heart.” she said after they broke the kiss.
“I love you, Mrs. Warner, with all my heart.”
At that point, they turned to their family and friends who offered their congratulations before all of them headed to the three tiered wedding cake on the table under the tree.
Early that evening, they all had dinner at a romantic restaurant overlooking Waikiki Beach. After dinner, Jake and Gia made a hasty retreat. No one was going to stop them. They changed into casual attire and went to Duke’s. Once again, they sat at their usual seat at the bar, sipping Mai Tais. While only having eyes for each other, they laughed and touched each other, a caress here a stroke there, nothing promiscuous, just loving touches. They kept an eye on the sun and just when it went below the water line, they and the other patrons let out a collective oooohhh, as a green flash appeared.
Epilogue
3 months later……..
Gia had quit her job with the steel company two months before, and started working at the Elm for their parents.
It had killed Jake when she told him that she had been sexually harassed for years, at work. He should have known, too often she had mentioned, it’s a man’s world, when it came to business travel. She handled it well, managing to ignore it and still be on top of her game.
Every now and then, an old boss or peer would call her, seeking advice and asking if she would come back. Ha! His little Gia a powerhouse in the business world. It was no wonder her marketing job for the Elm and the Brook had shown positive results with guest traffic.
Since she had taken over the website and immersing herself in the community, the two Bed and Breakfasts were always booked and they had to turn away a lot of business. Her father was looking into buying another Bed and Breakfast in town that had gone up for sale recently.
Jake’s horse training business got off to a grand start. He hired a hand, Emillio, recommended by Cord’s hand, Miguel, and he turned out to be a huge asset.
Jennie took a plea bargain and was serving twelve years in prison. Her father still kept trying to get Jake to go see her, citing how poorly she was doing, and that she had lost a lot of weight. Jake, however, did not budge. He said he was through with her and he meant it.
It was late by the time Jake got home.
“How was the ride back?” Gia asked him as soon as he got into bed and slipped under the covers.
He sighed, “Long.” He placed his arms around her naked body and pulled her into his naked body.
Cookie jumped onto the bed and made herself comfortable at the foot of the bed on Jake’s side.
“Oh, now you want to come and hang out here,” Gia said. “I caught her sleeping in Bella’s stall again.”
“Hah! I caught Bella licking her again, yesterday.”
After they both chuckled, they lay there in companionable silence for a few minutes.
Gia had planned it out. She was going to tell him earlier that night, over dinner, but he had to take a run to San Antonio to drop off two horses. He normally didn’t do the runs. The customers always picked up their horses, but he was being paid handsomely and couldn’t refuse.
He planted little kisses along her jaw and neck.
“Jake?”
In between kisses he said, “Yeah, baby?”
“I think you’re going to make a wonderful father.”
“Yeah?” He slipped his hand between her legs and spread her labia and worked all around, massaging her clitoris.
She reached out and wrapped her hand around his erection and he let out a guttural sound.
“Wait. What?” He paused his fingers, but she kept stroking him, eyes closed and bliss on her face.
“Gia!”
“We’re going to have a baby, don’t stop,” she whimpered.
He continued to move his fingers and then he pushed them inside of her, wanting to give her the pleasure she sought.
She moved back and raised up, making his fingers slip out of her. He questioned her with his eyes before he realized she was mounting him. She came down slowly on him, then began to rock and grind back and forth. He had the impulse to thrust, but he knew she felt the most pleasure with the grind, so he placed his hands at her waist and helped her.
Before long, she threw her head back and came, moaning, uncontrollably as he felt her tighten around him. That was his cue, and good thing, too, he couldn’t hold out. He quickly flipped her and pounded her like a jack hammer, she got him so worked up. When he came, he removed himself from inside her and slid down so that his head rested on her belly.
She, absently, ran her fingers through his hair.
“Tell me again.”
“We’re going to have a baby.”
“Oh, Gia! I can’t wait. You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
“Me too.”
“You’re going to make a wonderful mother.”
“And our baby’s going to have the most loving father one can have.”
He kissed her belly and held her tight.
~The End~
This is the ankle bracelet that Jake gave Gia. If you are/were from Brooklyn, NY, you may recognize it. Back in the 70s, it was what boys gave their girlfriends to signify they were going steady.
Thank you, Nadine, for allowing me to use your picture.
A note from the Author:
Thank you for reading my story. If you enjoyed it, please tell others, and please take a moment and review it on Amazon. Thank you.
To connect with Mae Martini, visit her facebook page:
www.facebook.com/pages/Mae-Martini/328199560650666
Other books by Mae Martini:
Loving You
The Mobster and the Cowboy
