The Art of Love
Page 25
“I know, baby. I got a plan. But first we got to get them talking. There’s a room near the ladies’ room labeled supplies; go in there and we’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“You want us to wait in a supply closet? Are you mad?”
“No, baby. You’re going to have to trust me.”
“You know I do. I’ll see you in ten minutes.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later Brendan would have throttled both Bailey and Elijah if Peri hadn’t been in the room. Talk about stubborn, these two wrote the book! First they wouldn’t talk to each other, now they had been constantly arguing for the last ten minutes.
“Enough!” Brendan took a deep breath. His temper had gotten the best of him. “I’ve listened to you two whine about this and that. None of that matters. You should be asking each other what’s really important to you as a married couple and as a family. None of this other rubbish amounts to a hill of beans.”
Bailey gasped. “Brendan, I don’t like your tone.”
“Too bad. You’re going to hear a lot more of it. You say that Elijah is working too much, why don’t you tell him that? I mean you tell everyone else, tell him!”
“He should know that,” Bailey countered. “I’m his wife, not his mother.”
“But you’re not communicating with him, and that’s part of being a wife. Peri and I communicate with each other. If something is bothering either of us, we let the other know. And that will never change. Even after we get married.”
Bailey smiled. “I guess you told me, didn’t you?” She rose from the leather chair and hugged Brendan. “I knew you’d propose to Peri, I just didn’t think we’d witness it.” She sat next to Elijah.
Brendan had meant to propose when he and Peri were alone, but it was too late now. Peri was smiling at him, so she didn’t seem upset. “Well?”
She walked to him and wrapped her arms around him. “Well what?” She kissed him softly.
He pulled her closer to him, caressing her hair and moving her closer for another kiss. When they finally came up for air, he asked, “Will you marry me?”
Her beautiful brown eyes sparkled. “Yes.”
He moved in for another kiss, but Peri moved away. “But first we need to take care of the Browns.” She glanced at her sister and brother-in-law.
Elijah cleared his throat and turned to his wife. “Bailey, I only wanted the best for you and Dakota. I now realize that money is not always what we need. We need to be together as a family. I promise no more missed evenings. I love you, Bailey, but you’ve got to tell me when something is bothering you.”
“I will.” Then never out of control Bailey Reed-Brown threw her arms around her husband and kissed him like the ship was going down.
Brendan laughed. “Okay, I guess that means that’s that.”
Peri moved closer to him. “Yes, I think it does.”
“What do you say we leave early, so we can celebrate?”
Peri looked up at him and smiled. “Dante will kill you.”
“No, he won’t. Besides, things are going fine.” He had already cleared it with Dante earlier in the week. “I have it under control.”
“You always do.”
* * *
“So when do you want to get married?” Brendan asked, hovering over Peri, zooming in for another kiss. They’d just made love for the second time.
Peri laughed. “You’re serious?”
“Always, baby.” He kissed her again.
Peri tried to think clearly, but it was hard when Brendan and his magic tongue were sucking out all her brain cells. “You choose.”
“How about in a month?”
Okay, she wasn’t expecting that, but then again, she should have. Brendan was an impatient man. “Brendan, I can’t plan a wedding in four weeks.”
“Sure we can. You have access to the best planner in the universe,” he said, running his fingers through her hair and gently massaging her scalp.
“You know I can’t think when you do that.”
“All part of my plan.” He continued the gentle rubbing, and then his body got into the act. Peri didn’t have a chance.
* * *
Exactly four weeks later
“Quit pacing. You’re making me nervous,” Kyla said as Peri walked in front of her for what had to be the hundredth time. She’d actually done it. She planned a small wedding in less than four weeks. Due to holidays, they were having it at Brendan’s home. She and Kyla were sequestered in the master bedroom.
Peri, dressed in a white wedding gown, with pearls, walked in front of her and stopped. “I can’t. I have to do something.” She hadn’t been this nervous in a long time.
“Okay. Come sit here and talk to me.” Kyla rubbed her belly. She had a few misgivings about being a pregnant matron of honor, but it was Brendan who convinced her to do it. Peri finally sat down. She watched as Chelsey and her niece played together in their flower girl dresses.
“Talk about what?” Peri toyed with her five-carat engagement ring. She couldn’t believe how things came together so well for them. Brendan helped her as much as he could, but it was starting to be the busy art season. Luckily, he didn’t have to go out of town. Chelsey even helped with some of the plans.
“Where is the honeymoon?” Kyla applied finishing touches to her make-up.
Peri sighed. This proved to be the most difficult part to plan. They were also scheduling around Brendan’s art schedule. “We are going to Hawaii for two weeks. I just found out this morning, mom let it slip. Big surprise! Brendan kept telling me it was a secret, and I would be shocked. It was and I am. It sounds awesome. We’re staying in a villa on some remote island. No phones, no televisions, no computers. It sounds so serene. I can’t wait to see the beach,” Peri said.
Kyla smiled a knowing smile at her friend. “Somehow, I don’t think you will be seeing much of the beach. Especially now that his hand has completely healed, but I’m sure that didn’t slow him down.” She teased Peri.
“Kyla!” Peri nodded to the children playing in the floor, they weren’t paying the adults any attention.
Kyla couldn’t help laughing at her. “You know, you’re already sounding like a parent. A protective one at that.”
Peri jumped as her cell phone rang. It was Brendan. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just wanted to make sure my two favorite women weren’t nervous. I love you.”
Peri smiled, just hearing his voice calmed her nerves. “I love you, too.” She pushed the end button on her phone and put it in her purse.
Kyla watched her friend. “Okay, you guys are making me sick. I didn’t think I would ever say this to you, but being in love has certainly changed you. For the better, I might add.” Kyla arranged Peri’s veil.
Peri couldn’t stop grinning. The day was perfect. Her family was there for support. Most of Brendan’s family flew over from Ireland. His parents didn’t make the trip. He hadn’t expected them to come. “They never leave Dublin for anything,” he explained to her.
Her father was waiting to walk her down the stairs. He had already had his father-daughter talk with her. Now he played with his granddaughter and step-granddaughter. It brought tears to her eyes. Hopefully, he would have at least one more to play with in the future. Soon the music started and things began to happen. The girls went out the door and soon the other bridesmaids left. Finally, it was time for Kyla to leave.
Kyla hugged her friend. “Peri, I watched you grow from an insecure woman to the confidant woman I see before me now. Love looks good on you, girl. I am so happy that I pushed you on him, aren’t you?” Kyla left before Peri could answer.
Peri’s father had taken her hand and mistaken her tears. “Is everything all right, dear?”
Peri nodded and held his hand tighter. “Yes, everything is great.”
“You know honey, if you feel, for whatever reason something isn’t right and want to call it off, we understand. We only want your happiness.”
“I know, Dad. Thank you.” They headed down the aisle to Brendan, she knew this was where she was supposed to be.
Brendan’s blue eyes glistened as he watched her walk down the stairs with her father. Chelsey was standing in front of her father, instead of where she was supposed to stand, with Peri’s niece. They were both dressed in white. Chelsey’s curly brown hair was up in a French roll, as was Peri’s; both had baby’s breath threaded in. Brendan placed her hand in his, and they listened to the minister. After exchanging vows and rings, they started their kiss. The minister had to interrupt them. They laughed at themselves. “We’re like teenagers,” Brendan whispered in her ear.
“I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Brendan Patrick Donovan.”
EPILOGUE
Six months later
Peri stood in front of the mirror in the master bedroom, closely checking out her form. No matter what blouse she put on, it hugged her midsection, announcing her pregnancy.
“Baby, we’re going to be late,” Brendan called from downstairs.
“I’m almost dressed,” she said back. “Why don’t you gather up Chelsey’s birthday presents and put them in the SUV?”
“Already did that.”
She took off another blouse and tried on another one. She was in the process of taking that one off when she heard his footsteps coming up the stairs.
“Peri, you look fine. I prefer what you have on now, but Chelsey, Claire, and Oliver might not approve.”
Peri looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was topless. “Thank you, Brendan. You’re right. I think they would cast a frown.” She walked to the closet and picked out another blouse. After she put it on, they left for Chelsey’s birthday party.
When they arrived at the party, it was already in full force. The children were running around and the adults were sitting at the table. Peri joined the women while Brendan got the presents out of the SUV.
Never in a thousand years would she have imagined being friends with Brendan’s ex-wife, but here they were chums. She, Claire, and Kyla normally met up on Saturdays to have lunch and drool over Kyla’s infant daughter, Cassidy. Kyla adapted to motherhood very quickly, and decided she was ready to be a stay-at-home mom for a while. Ryan was totally on board with the idea.
“Peri, you look great. Pregnancy is definitely agreeing with you,” Claire said, breaking into her thoughts. “Chelsey is ecstatic that she’s getting a little brother.”
Peri nodded. “Yes, she’s already picked a name for him. She thinks it should be something Irish, so she wants his name to be Kieran.”
“Sounds like her. She’s so much like her father.”
“Tell me about it,” Peri said. “Lately, between the two of them, I can’t move a muscle around the house. You should see her trying to fix me a meal if Brendan isn’t there.”
Claire laughed. “Enjoy it while you can.”
“It’s taking a little getting used to. I’m used to doing for myself, but you know Brendan and my family is no better.” Peri rubbed her stomach.
Brendan soon joined the table and sat next to Peri. “Do you need to lie down?”
Claire and Peri exchanged glances and then laughed.
Brendan stared at them. “What?”
“Let her breathe, Brendan,” Claire said. She rose from the table and called for Oliver. “You have to give her some air.”
“I know.”
“I better check on the kids. I know you’re in good hands, Peri. Be right back.” Claire left them at the table.
Peri leaned against Brendan and let out a very contented sigh. Brendan kissed her neck. “You feel warm. Maybe we should go home.”
Peri shook her head. “I’m fine, honey. Promise. Besides I can’t miss Chelsey opening her presents. Kyla will want to know if Chelsey liked her gift or not.”
“As heavy as that thing was, I’d say she’ll love it. What was in it, anyway?”
“I don’t know. Kyla wouldn’t tell me. She said that I wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret from you.”
“True. I would have seduced you to get the information out of you.”
“That would have been fun. Too bad I didn’t have any information to give. I have something better.” She picked up his hand and laid it on her stomach, letting him feel the baby kick.
“Next to our wedding, this is the happiest day of my life.” Brendan rubbed her stomach. “I love you, Peri Donovan, with all my heart.”
“I love you, Brendan. I would never have dreamed my life would have taken such an unpredictable turn, but I’m glad it did. I can’t imagine my life without you and Chelsey in it.”
2012 eBook Titles
January
Blow by Blow
Keith Thomas Walker
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-626-5
ISBN-10: 1-58571-626-X
$6.99
The Art of Love
Celya Bowers
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-463-6
ISBN-10: 1-58571-463-1
$6.99
February
A First Class Act
Mildred Riley
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-464-3
ISBN-10: 1-58571-464-X
6.99
So Different
Ruthie Robinson
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-466-7
ISBN-10: 1-58571-466-6
6.99
March
Believe in Me
Regena Bryant
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-465-0
ISBN-10: 1-58571-465-8
6.99
Straight from the Heart
Sean Young
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-469-8
ISBN-10: 1-58571-469-0
6.99
April
Mind Games
Bernice Layton
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-468-1
ISBN-10: 1-58571-468-2
6.99
Mama Said
Wendy Byrne
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-474-2
ISBN-10: 1-58571-474-7
$6.99
May
Liar’s Web
Sandra Bell Calhoune
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-475-9
ISBN-10: 1-58571-475-5
$6.99
Shadows of the Past
Alysha Adams
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-476-6
ISBN-10: 1-58571-476-3
$6.99
June
Harlot
Keith Thomas Walker
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-477-3
ISBN-10: 1-58571-477-1
$6.99
Three Chords, One Song
Beatrice Hogg
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-478-0
ISBN-10: 1-58571-478-X
$6.99
July
Painted Passion
Latisha Brandon
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-479-7
ISBN-10: 1-58571-479-8
$6.99
Seasoned Just Right
Renee Wynn
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-480-3
ISBN-10: 1-58571-480-1
$6.99
August
Mulligan’s Math
Chamein Canton
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-467-4
ISBN-10: 1-58571-467-4
$6.99
September
October
November
December
Other Genesis Press eBooks*
*Starred titles are coming soon…
2 Good*
Celya Bowers
$6.99
A Dangerous Woman*
J.M. Jeffries
$6.99
A Dead Man Speaks
Lisa Jones Johnson
$6.99
A Good Dude
Keith Thomas Walker
$6.99
A Love Built to Last
L.S. Childers
$6.99
A Lover’s Legacy
Veronica Parker
$6.99
A Perfect Place to Pray
I.L. Goodwin
$6.99
A Place Like Home*
Alicia Wiggins
$6.99
A Taste of Temptation*
Reneé Alexis
$6.99
A Voice Behind Thunder
Carrie Elizabeth Greene
$6.99
Against the Wind
Gwynne Forster
$6.99
All I’ll Ever Need
Mildred Riley
$6.99
Allegro
Bennett, Adora
$6.99
Always You
Crystal Hubbard
$6.99
An Unfinished Love Affair
Barbara Keaton
$6.99
Another Memory*
Pamela Ridley
$6.99
Anything but Love*
Celya Bowers
$6.99
Best Foot Forward
Michele Sudler
$6.99
Best Friends Better Lovers*
Celya Bowers
$6.99
Best of Luck Elsewhere*
Trisha Haddad
$6.99
Between Tears
Pamela Ridley
$6.99
Blame It on Paradise*
Crystal Hubbard
$6.99
Blindsided
Tammy Williams
$6.99
Bliss, Inc.*
Chamein Canton
$6.99
Blood Seduction
J.M. Jeffries
$6.99
Blue Interlude*
Keisha Mennefee
$6.99
Burn
Crystal Hubbard
$6.99
Caress
Grayson Cole