His Sister's Return

by Mary Goldberger

  “Alina,” Marla cried running down the stairs as Samuel yelled, “Marla!”

  She glanced back at him with a ‘oh hush’ before turning back to Alina and gathering her into a hug.

  Trystan smiled watching them and as Marla pulled away, he noticed the glow in her eyes and the worried look in Samuel’s as he hurried over to them.

  “Sam, son,” Trace said his eyes dancing with merriment. “Leave her alone. She will be fine.”

  Samuel scowled but did as his father said although he kept watchful eyes on Marla as she chatted animatedly with Alina.

  Alina seeing the alertness of her brother wondered if something had happened while they were gone when suddenly she gasped her eyes wide as she breathed out, “You’re pregnant.”

  Everyone froze until Samuel laughed started laughing holding at his hand to his father and said, “You owe me a ten. I told you Alina would figure it out before we told her.”

  Trace pulled out his wallet as he muttered under his breath, “She wouldn’t have if you hadn’t acted all weird.”

  Both Alina and Samuel laughed as Trystan asked with delight running through his voice, “Are you sure? How pregnant are you?”

  Alina chuckled shaking her head at him as Marla said dryly, “I’m sure, Tryst, and I’m about six weeks if you want to know how far along I am.”

  Trystan gave her a narrowed look but a smile lurked around his hard mouth as he said giving Alina a speaking glance, “I love children, you know that Marla.”

  Marla gave Alina a sly glance as she tinted slightly at his words before Samuel said on a hard note, “I hope you wait until after you’re married before you knock up my baby sister.”

  “Sam,” Alina and Marla cried out together at his tone while Trace laughed although he gave Trystan a steady and stern look.

  Trystan didn’t admit that the chances of Alina being pregnant were high and as they walked inside the house, Alina whispered to him, “We didn’t think about protection.”

  “I know, but if you are pregnant then I say we got lucky again although I would like to wait away before we have children,” he whispered back kissing her briefly but hard. “I would like you to myself for a while before I have to share you.”

  Alina laughed as her eyes shined up at him and Trystan stayed for a little longer before he reluctantly said, “I have to go. I need to make sure that nothing needs my immediate attention at the moment because there is no way I’m missing tomorrow.”

  He gave Alina a hooded look that was loaded with so much emotion that Samuel and Trace looked away while Marla smiled with happiness that her brother was finally found a woman who elicited the entire male within him.

  “Marla,” he said pulling his gaze away from her to glance at his sister.

  “Don’t worry, Trystan,” she told him a provocative curve to her lips as Alina gazed switched between the two of them. “The dress I’ve picked out for Alina will bring you to your knees, Trystan.”

  Trystan’s eyes flared with jealousy although all he said was, “Just so that other men realize that she is my women, I have no problem. In fact,” he threw Alina a heated glance her cheeks flushing at the unbridle heat in his eyes, “I’m counting on it.”

  Trace cleared his throat his eyes narrowed at Trystan as he said in fatherly disgruntle tone, “She is still my daughter, Trystan, and even though I understand, try to be a little more discreet.”

  “I’ll try, Trace,” Trystan said respectively, “but I will admit that it will be damn hard. Can Alina walk me out?”

  Trace didn’t even have time to say ‘no’ if he wanted to as Alina took the hand he reached out to her and walked out with him.

  Trace ran a hand through his hair as he said sadly, “She just came back in my life and she will be leaving just as fast.”

  Marla laughed as Samuel winking at her told him, “Just think, dad, this time she’s not leaving the state, and addition, you may have another grandchild on the way in a few months.”

  Trace’s eyes lit up with excitement as he said with happiness, “So true and I get to spend much more time with them then I was able to with you and Alina. Maybe,” he said mumbling to himself as he walked out of the living room as Alina came back in her cheeks rosy and her mouth swollen.

  She glanced at their father in confusion as he continued mumbling as he walked past giving her an absent kiss on the cheek. “What’s on his mind?”

  “Grandchildren,” Samuel and Marla said together as Alina’s face tinted red although her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

  Marla laughed giving her husband a kiss before walking over and linking arms with Alina as she said, “I need you try on the dress that I chose for tomorrow and if you don’t like it, then…”

  “Why do I think it won’t matter?” Alina said on a groan.

  Marla snickered as she said, “I have others that will do the same thing to my dear brother.”

  Samuel shook his head as they walked out laughing and he smiled thinking how glad he was his sister and his wife liked each other such much as the cell in his pocket rung, and he answered it glancing once at the doorway the two went through before he turned his attention to work.

  Chapter 32

  The next day flew by Alina thought later that evening looking in the full length mirror that Marla had in her room at Trystan’s house and she gasped at her reflection.

  “Marla, I don’t think,” she began nibbling on her bottom as she stared at herself seeing the smug smile on Marla’s lips.

  “Like I said, you will knock Trystan off his feet,” Marla purred with absolute delight, but Alina only glanced at her with worried eyes.

  The dress was gorgeous the green bringing out Alina’s eyes making them look more vibrant than she thought possible. The dress hugged her curves from her average breasts to the nice flare of her hips and ending about mid-thigh. The dress was covered in lace although the body of the dress had a sheath underneath but the arms were pure lace and there was a fringe of lace that decorated the end of the dress a few inches longer than the sheath.

  “It’s called a casual lace pencil dress,” Marla told her seeing the look in her eyes. “I knew that out of all the dresses you would’ve liked this more as it is sexy but a hint of conservative that you still possess.”

  Alina felt as if it was an insult as she ran a hand down the dress, and Marla saw the shadow in her eyes.

  “Alina, it’s not an insult,” she told her quietly surprising Alina at her observation. “You are very wary about showing yourself and I think that has to do with your mother, but I promise you showing a little of what you have won’t harm you. Besides,” she smirked as Alina pulled a brush through her hair hands shaking slightly, “any men tries to lay a hand on you, my dear brother will end up bashing someone’s face in.”

  Alina laughed her eyes bright as she thought about Trystan although Marla remarked checking out her own appearance, “I’m sure that you can handle yourself if the need calls for it.”

  Alina chuckled as she put down her brush liking the way her hair shined as if getting into the spirit of the evening her engagement ring winking as she pushed back a strand.

  Marla stared at the ring when she said with awe, “I’m jealous.”

  Alina laughed as she shifted her eyes to the ring on Marla’s left-hand above her wedding band and Marla shrugged her eyes glowing. “So I lied but it’s a beautiful ring.”

  Marla busted out laughing as she looked over her appearance one more time wishing she was a little better at make-up like Marla, but she liked what she saw so she moved away to sit at the edge of the bed putting on the shoes that Marla had included with the dress.

  She grimaced as she slipped on the heels not so high that she couldn’t walk around, but she was nervous about them as she hooked the ankle strap before standing back up smoothing down the dress.

  “Ready,” Marla asked taking one last look in the mirror before turning to Alina.

  Alina straightened her shoulders pushing
her nervousness down as this was Trystan and her night her engagement ring glimmering on her hand.

  “Let’s get this party started,” she said in lilting tone, and Marla laughed as they headed for the door.

  Bea glanced around with piercing blue eyes her red lips curved in a sultry smile as she sipped the champagne that flowed freely around the room.

  She scanned the room for Trystan her eyebrows lifting briefly as she hadn’t seen him since her arrival ten minutes ago and when she asked, she was told that he was busy but would be arriving in a while.

  She didn’t know that Trystan was in the study with Samuel and Trace as they talked about their projects waiting for Marla and Alina to come down as his mother was already circling the room.

  “Bea, what a surprise,” Bea heard and she flinched slightly as she turned her head watching Harold come toward her.

  “Harold,” she said in a soft seductive voice, “what a surprise. I didn’t think you would be here tonight.”

  He noticed her eyes flared briefly with anger as she glanced around the room and he hid his smile by taking a sip of his drink. He had a feeling Bea was upset that although the party was well crowded, even he could tell that many of the people here were family and friends of Trystan and his mother. Not a reporter in sight, Harold surmised, and his eyes gleamed with respect at what Trystan had done.

  “So I hear there will be an engagement announcement soon,” he muttered as he glanced around the room before he returned his attention to Bea seeing the look of anticipation that danced in her eyes.

  “Are you having a good time, Harold?” Delilah said as she approached them as he had asked her to call him when he first arrived.

  “Yes, I am,” he said honestly glancing round the room, and Delilah laughed following his gaze.

  “We will, shortly, be moving to the backyard as I have a buffet laid out along with some music,” she told him reading the question in his eyes.

  “I should’ve been included in the preparations,” Bea said smartly a look of disgust on her face at the idea of a buffet outside.

  “Why?” Delilah asked bluntly giving her a direct look which caused Bea to frown at her questioningly.

  Harold decided to intervene as he saw the fury flare in Bea’s eyes starting up a conversation with Trystan’s mother before she was called away.

  “Wait until I’m the mistress of this house,” Bea muttered as Delilah walked away, and Harold didn’t say a word as his eyes flared with unmistakable laughter.

  Trystan and Samuel came out of the room a few minutes after Trace who decided he was going to join his friends instead of being cooped up with them in the office.

  “Samuel,” Marla called, and they both glanced up the stairs at her voice.

  Trystan froze at the sight of Alina as she and Marla came down the stairs laughter on their faces and reflected in their eyes.

  Samuel whistled giving Marla a wolfish grin pulling her close to him to whisper in her ear although Trystan, for once, was unaware of what his sister was doing.

  “You are beautiful,” Trystan said huskily as Alina came to stand in front of him.

  “You don’t think it’s a little too much,” she said nervously her hands smoothing it down as if by doing so she could make it longer.

  “Just right,” Trystan murmured huskily his head dipping to take her lips with a heat that neither could deny.

  Samuel cleared his throat getting their attention as Marla giggled at them and Trystan tucking Alina against him merely said, “I don’t think I’m the only one.”

  Samuel didn’t bother to comment but his eyes spoke for himself as Marla blushed catching the heat in his eyes.

  “I think this party is going to be a strain on all of us,” Alina remarked in a breathless tone, and they all glanced at her before they started laughing.

  Trystan tightened his arm around her seeing her hazel eyes darken with her own passion as he said a little harshly, “Let’s go greet our guests.”

  Marla giggled as Samuel kissed her briefly turning to the living room as Trystan glanced down at Alina noting that the heels gave her an extra height and he growled kissing her neck as he whispered, “I’m starting to think this party was a mistake.”

  Alina giggled as she said, “You don’t like my dress?”

  Trystan scowled at her as he admitted, “I like it too much and that’s the problem.”

  Alina’s laughter made him smile hearing it because he heard no shadows or sadness reflected in that sound, and it convinced him she was ready for the next part of their lives.

  “I’m going to be by you,” he voiced in her ear as they reached the doorway to the living room and she turned a bewildered look to him as his mother seeing them suddenly clapped her hands getting everyone’s attention.

  Trystan tightened the arm he had around Alina’s waist as she turned her attention to his mother and he let his eyes scan the crowd finding Bea with Harold immediately, and his lips thinned briefly until Alina shifted slightly getting his attention.

  “As you all know,” his mother was saying as he focused his attention on her, “I’ve been waiting years to see my son settle down and give me grandchildren.” Laughter filled the room at her words and from the corner of her eye, Delilah saw Bea’s grimace and she allowed a smile to grace her face.

  “Tonight, finally, I get my wish,” she called out with happiness. “Let me introduce,” she was aware of Bea heading for her with enticing stride, “my son and his fiancée.”

  She waved her hand to the entrance of the room and all eyes turned to them as Bea froze her eyes widening as she followed Delilah’s wave.

  “Trystan and his fiancée, Alina,” she called out with enthusiasm, and after a brief second of astonishment clapping and whistles started around the room.

  Trystan grinned with male satisfaction observing the eyes that went over Alina and although he knew that the appraisals made her uncomfortable, she smiled allowing her body to nestle against him as they joined his mother.

  “Thank you,” he told his mother leaning down to kiss her.

  “No thank you,” she said laughing as she turned and gave Alina a hug. “Make each other happy, my dears.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Alina said a beautiful smile on her face.

  Samuel, Marla, and their father joined them next as Samuel and Marla smiled with unbridle joy before Delilah decided to take the party outside where food was located.

  Trystan kept Alina close to him the rest of the night as others came over to congratulate them and within an hour, Alina had met and shaken hands with everyone Trystan deemed important in his life.

  She was sipped on champagne as Trystan walked away to talk with a friend he hadn’t seen in some time as Bea walked over to her.

  “You think you won,” Bea said with cold tone tossing her head. “He only wants you in his bed and when he gets you, he won’t hesitate to drop you like the easy lay you are.”

  Trystan turning around to glance at Alina noticed Bea, and saying an hurry ‘excuse me’, he headed towards them his eyes narrowed.

  Marla nudged Samuel when she noticed Bea talking to Sam and he frowned about to head in his sister’s direction when he saw Trystan striding over to her with a single-minded purpose.

  “Alina’s protector is on the way,” he said a little dryly although his eyes flashed with anticipation at the showdown they were about to witness.

  Harold had followed Bea and as he stared at the young woman Bea was insulting, he wondered if Bea saw the look that flashed in those hazel eyes or the confidence her body posture reflected as she shifted slightly on her heels.

  Bea glanced down at the ring on Alina’s hand and sneered telling her, “You can keep the ring as I won’t wear something that cheap.”

  Alina’s hand lifted as she stared at the ring a soft smile gracing her lips not noticing how the others around them began to quiet down noticing that something was about to happen.

  “To be honest, Bea, I doubt Delila
h would’ve given Trystan this ring to give to you anyway,” Alina stated honestly lifting her eyes up from the ring.

  Bea’s hand was swinging through the air a second later and Alina didn’t move her eyes fixed on the woman in front of her.

  Trystan caught the hand a second before it reached Alina’s face and he said in a cold as ice voice, “Don’t raise a hand to my fiancée.”

  Bea stared at him with angry eyes as she yanked her wrist away from him, and she sneered giving Alina a raking look, “Your fiancée? Please, Trystan, just be honest and tell everyone that you want to have sex with her.”

  “Oh that’s a given,” Trystan said in a low tone passion vibrating through every syllable that the men’s eyes narrowed and the women drew in deep breathes even the older ones.

  Bea flashed Alina a triumphant look before she said in a soft alluring tone, “Is she holding out until you are married, Trystan?”

  She shook her head sadly as she put a manicured hand on his arm allowing tears to come to her eyes as she asked a catch in her voice, “What about me then?”

  Trystan gave her a hard smile as he stepped back away from her clinging hand sliding an arm around Alina’s waist as he asked, “What about you, Bea?”

  Her eyes widened at the cold tone and she licked her lips enticingly as a hint of unease flickered through her.

  “You told me that you wanted to marry me,” she said allowing a sob to enter the low tones.

  “I never mentioned marriage to you,” Trystan denied without a thought and Bea clenched her teeth in anger.

  “You told me that we would have a nice, quiet weekend to discuss our future,” she said a shade sharper than she attended.

  “No, I told you that I would take you away for a weekend,” Trystan corrected. “You were the one who mentioned discussing our future.”

  He didn’t add that they never had their weekend which he realized that Bea was remembering now.

  Trystan leaned forward briefly although Alina was still pressed to his side and said very softly, “Just so you know, Bea, the passion between Alina and I has been explored many times within the past week.”