by MK Schiller
He crushed his mouth against mine. I ran my fingers through his hair. His hand roamed up my waist and over my breast. I pulled away. “What are you doing?”
“I was just—”
“We’re outside, for God’s sake!”
He grinned. “As usual, you’re throwing me off my game.”
“I think you should meet my family now…officially. Brace yourself, we aren’t the most traditional people.”
He laughed. “Baby, that doesn’t surprise me at all.”
He stood then helped me up. I led him inside. Damien looked around the room. “What holiday are you celebrating?”
“All of them.”
Everyone in the room froze in mid-conversation, staring at us.
“Marley, why don’t you get the dessert,” Stevie said, crossing her arms. “I think we need to dish.”
I made the introductions and Damien shook everyone’s hand. My heart leapt again when I watched him shaking little Bobby’s hand. Damien repeated Rick’s name. “Rick Randy—really? Are you a porn star?” he asked.
“Naw, he just plays one in the bedroom. Right, Marley?” Adam said, patting Marley on the back.
“Adam, stop talking. You sound more intelligent that way, and we need to make a good impression here,” she replied, rolling her eyes.
“I think he’s going to fit in just fine,” Billie said, with her hand on her hips.
They insisted we sit on the couch. A plate of German chocolate cake was shoved in my lap. They all sat on the floor, except for Adam Senior and Kate, who decided they were going to retire for the night.
I stared at all their expectant faces then back at Damien.
“Why do I feel like I’m in a hostile takeover?” he whispered.
“More like a cautious merger and acquisition.”
“Dish… What are your intentions with our mother?” Dillon asked, setting the stage for what I was sure was going to be an awkward interrogation. Payback was a bitch.
I held up my hand to quiet them. “I will answer that question. Dish… Damien is an amazing man. You will all find that out on your own soon enough. We are getting married.”
Some of them shrieked with joy, some did a passionate sigh, some smiled, but every reaction was positive.
“We’re going to have children, too. This family will grow as all families do. Little Bobby’s going to have aunts and uncles that are younger than him, which will be weird, but hey, whoever said we were normal.”
“I think that’s perfect,” Stevie said.
“Me too,” Billie agreed.
“So are you going to move in with Damien now and live in sin until you’re married? Or are you going to lease the apartment still?” Dillon asked.
“Not funny, kid,” I said, shaking my finger at him. “We haven’t talked that out yet, but we will.”
“Well you’d better get started, because we’re moving you tomorrow and we need to know where,” Adam said.
“I’ll let you know by the time the moving truck gets here. So I think we’re all done with the dish session unless anyone else has anything.”
Damien squeezed my hand. “Actually, do you mind if I say something?”
“Of course, anything.”
“How does this game work? I just say dish and then whatever I want?”
I nodded. “We should have explained it to you. Sorry.”
“I’m a quick study. So here it goes, dish…I bought your house.”
My jaw dropped to the ground. “No you didn’t. Wolgar LLC bought the house.”
He grinned, taking out a paper from his jacket pocket. “I am Wolgar—actually, we are. I put the house back in your name.”
“Us?” I stared with confusion at the paperwork he handed me.
He pointed out my name on it. He leaned closer to me, dropping his voice, causing everyone else to lean in closer to us. “Wolf and Cougar…Wolgar.”
“I don’t understand. Why?”
“You love this house. That’s very apparent. No matter what happened between us, you belonged here. I signed it back over to you.”
“It’s a nice gesture, but it seems sort of silly, since you’ll be getting married now,” Dillon said.
Damien looked around the room. “I don’t know. I really like this house. It has good bones.” He turned back to me, tucking a piece of loose hair behind my ear. “It’s perfect for say…raising a family?”
I nodded, feeling the tears invade my face again. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“It’ll be odd being the only billionaire on the block,” Rick said.
“Eh, we’re already the block weirdos. This just makes us more authentic,” Stevie added. “I think it’s perfect.”
“Thanks for setting the bar so high for the rest of the men in this family, Wolfe,” Adam said, but he was smiling. “Most men would have just bought flowers.”
“I’ll remember that next time.”
“I guess we’re done with dish,” I said, wondering if it would be rude to ask everyone to leave, so I could get this man up in my bedroom again.
“Oh, but we have more,” Dillon said. Then they went down the line one by one as if they’d rehearsed this. I think they had.
Rick—“Belonging to this family is an honour.”
Dillon—“But membership is not extended lightly.”
Stevie—“You have to take care of our mother.”
Marley—“She is the most special person in the world to us.”
Adam—“And if you screw this up.”
Billie—“We will all come after you.”
Damien grinned. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He pulled me into his embrace and whispered in my ear, “I finally found something more fierce than a cougar.”
“What’s that?”
“A cougar pack.”
We laughed.
“I love you, Jessie,” he said.
“I love you too.”
“You’re getting married and the man doesn’t even know you name?” Stevie quipped.
I was too busy kissing Damien to explain.
Epilogue
I wanted a small wedding, but Damien’s mother wanted something grand. In the end, I was happy we were getting married at the Wilston where my daughter had said her vows to Rick. It was perfect.
I stared at myself in the full-length mirror, not believing the image that greeted me. I stood in an antique lace gown with modern floral appliqués and a funky pink rose in my hair. It was a little bit Jackie Kennedy and a little bit Janis Joplin. It was me.
“I think I managed to salvage your make-up quite well, if I do say so myself,” Dillon said, inspecting my face.
I smiled, remembering the break down I’d had when I’d walked into the living room of my house…our house and saw the long wooden dining table there. It was new and familiar too.
“He made it for you,” Marley had explained.
“It’s made from the slats of our old one,” Billie had said, leading me to it.
Stevie had pointed out the long, jagged gouge I was so familiar with. “It’s his wedding present to you.”
Then I’d pretty much ruined all of Dillon’s hard work on my meticulous make-up job. They’d had to pull me away to get me into the limo because my legs hadn’t been moving. I hadn’t been scared. On the contrary, I’d felt full…so full, I couldn’t move.
“Thank you, Dillon,” I said, embracing him.
“Sure thing, Mom.”
The sounds of Hey Mama filled the air as my girls came bouncing into the room with their flouncy green gowns. Suddenly, my hands were clasped and we were all spinning around.
“I love this song,” Billie said.
“Me too.”
“Well, you might be living in a middle class home, but you sure are taking a first class honeymoon. Three months seems like a long time,” Stevie said.
“It is, but Damien hasn’t had a vacation since he was a kid and there are so many places we both wan
ted to see. Besides, my future husband’s mixing business with pleasure. He’s visiting some of his overseas properties too.”
“That’s a drag,” Stevie said.
“I don’t mind. It’s the last part of our trip that I’m looking the most forward to.”
“India is what you’re excited about? Not Rome, France or England?” Dillon asked.
“Yes, because hopefully we’ll bring someone very special back with us—our own bundle of joy.”
Damien and I had spent a great deal of time talking about our family. We’d both agreed we should get started right away, and after much debate, we’d concluded adoption was the best option for us. The paperwork was already signed and in place. The prospect of having another baby had been something I’d written off a long time ago, but now I could barely contain myself. I was going to be a mother again. It was the best job in the world. Sometimes, life threw curveballs, and Damien Wolfe was just that. He’d come into my life and changed my perceptions. I’d thought I was happy before. I realised now that I hadn’t fully understood the meaning of the word happy.
“We’re all excited about that,” Billie said, putting her arm around my shoulder.
A clearing throat interrupted us. Rick stood at the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt.”
“It’s no problem, Rick.”
“You look beautiful, Emmie.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s someone here to see you. Do you mind?”
“As long as it’s not the groom.”
“No, it’s not him.” He stepped aside, helping an elderly lady dressed in a pink suit into the room. Despite her icy blonde locks, which didn’t have a hint of grey, she was all Jacqueline Kennedy.
I swallowed hard, feeling my girls embrace me. “Hello, Mom,” I greeted the woman. I could tell by the reactions of my children that they had already met her.
“Hello, Emmie, I hope this is all right.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I think we’ll go downstairs and wait for you,” Marley said. “Come on, guys.”
Rick clasped Marley’s arm just before they walked out. “I can’t believe I married into this gene pool. Do any of the women in your family age?”
“Guess you’ll have to stick around and find out, cowboy,” she said, then kissed his cheek.
“There is no other option,” he said, following behind her.
Smart man.
Looking at my mother, I could understand the question. Despite the wrinkles in the corners of her eyes, she looked beautiful. Perhaps even regal.
They all walked out of the room before closing the door. My mom stared after them, as if she was trying to study them. She turned back to me with a sad smile.
“Stevie looks just like your father, and you.”
“She has his personality too at times. She’s very stubborn and bossy.”
She chuckled nervously. “Billie takes after my side of the family. Marley is somewhere in between, I think.”
“I’d have to agree. I don’t understand why you’re here, Mom.”
She walked towards me in trepidation. “You’re marrying an amazing man.”
“I know that.”
“Did you know he came to see me? He’s pretty stubborn himself. I was a stupid woman, exiling myself from your life.” She choked on a sob. “And my grandchildrens’, but he convinced me it’s not too late. He invited me. I didn’t want you to see me among the wedding guests when you were walking down the aisle, so I thought it was better to ask you if I should be here.”
I felt the first tear and wiped it away quickly. I had no intention of letting Dillon do my make-up a third time.
“I’m happy you’re here. You can never have enough family.”
I wrapped my arms around her, wondering what I had done to deserve a man like Damien Wolfe.
She sobbed in my arms. “Damien tells me you’re going to adopt a baby.”
I handed her a tissue. “Yes, it’s something I never thought I’d be doing at this age.”
“If anyone can do this, you can.”
“Mom, would you like to walk me down the aisle?”
A stunned expression formed on her delicate features. “I would be honoured, but are you sure about this?”
“Yes, a daughter needs her mother. And I’m very grateful to have you here.”
The procession was long—everyone was in the wedding. Derek was the best man. Dillon, Adam and Rick were groomsmen. My girls and Kate were all bridesmaids. Bobby was the ring bearer, and he looked so adorable in his little tux. I held onto my mother’s arm, walking slowly to the tune of Here Comes the Sun. I smiled as we passed all our family and friends, all smiling, excited to bear witness on our special day.
But when I glanced at him, I couldn’t look away. I gasped. It was mutual. His eyes were inviting pools of golden green. It was the colour of happiness…at least for me. He wore a Gatsby-inspired tuxedo. He arched his eyebrow and moved the lapel of his jacket, showing off…suspenders. I laughed so hard people joined in, not understanding the secret joke between us.
Damn. I was ready for this honeymoon to start already.
My mother put my hand in his and we faced each other. We’d written our own vows, and I was seriously worried I’d forgotten them all staring into his handsome face.
“You look beautiful, Jessie.”
“You brought my mom here,” I whispered.
“I thought you’d want all your family here.”
“Thank you.” I wrapped my arms around him, unable to express how much it meant in any other way. I was close to crying so I tried to lighten the situation. “I like your suspenders.”
“I figured. That’s why I wore them.”
“I’m sorry for interrupting, but I’m trying to officiate a wedding, if you don’t mind,” the pastor said.
“Sorry.” I cringed, realising this was not the best time to talk.
“It’s all right. Don’t worry, you’ll have the rest of your lives to finish your conversation,” she said.
“Yes, we have the rest of our lives to…extrapolate,” Damien said, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.
I lifted an eyebrow in warning, which only made him laugh.
When it was time to say our vows, I was glad Damien was going first. He was calm and collected as usual.
“Jessie, I didn’t think it was possible for me to find happiness again, but you’ve proven me wrong. I know you didn’t count on me either. But fate had other plans for us. When I look at you, I see the woman I’m meant to be with. The one who cheers me up when I’m feeling down, the one who makes me laugh when I need it the most, the one I want to take care of for the rest of my life and the one who wants to take care of me. I see my future when I look at you. My heart belongs to you. I love you.”
He wiped away a tear from my eyes. He cleared his throat, as if he was trying to hold his own emotion back. The men in this family always played the strong protector. Damien was no different.
I swallowed, taking a deep breath. “Damien, sometimes you don’t realise what you’re missing until you find it. You didn’t just find me. You saved me. You make me a better person by being in my life. You make me whole. You were my family even before you asked me to marry you. I will protect your heart and heal your scars just as you’ve done for me. I love you.”
It was simple and perfect. It was us.
* * * *
My face was flushed and my hair was a mess, but I didn’t care. I was dancing with my man. We’d sneaked off to have a piece of German chocolate cake. He winced as we did our version of a samba to the sounds of Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira. I rubbed his back, knowing the marks from his suspenders had to be painful.
“Sorry.”
“It was worth it,” he said, pulling me in for a kiss. Damien and I had planned the wedding together, but I’d made sure the band was capable of playing our songs…all of our songs.
Then the song was over and it was time. Time to throw t
he bouquet of white and red roses.
The cast of single characters was shrinking, but both Dillon and Billie stood prominently in front.
“Who am I supposed to throw this to?” I asked them.
“Me!” they both exclaimed at the same time. They both looked at each other in some type of stand-off.
“It’s my turn,” Dillon said.
“Maybe, but nothing’s fair in love and war. We both know the bouquets in this family are magic, and I’m ready for some magic.”
“You guys could share it,” I suggested.
“It doesn’t work that way,” Dillon replied. He stared down at Billie in what I assumed was supposed to be intimidation, but she did the same thing to him. “Fine, may the best contender win, but I’ll warn you, I’ve got experience catching these.”
“Three years of varsity volley ball says I’ll catch it.”
“Unless you’re planning to spike it across a net, I doubt that’ll help you.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” I interjected.
“Just throw it, Mom, let fate fall where it wants to,” Billie said.
Dillon nodded.
I shook my head when they both stretched. I bit my lip when they bent at the knees in a sort of athletic stance. But when they stared each other down that one last time, I almost insisted we cancel this tradition.
“Those flowers belong to me, curly boy,” Billie said in an assured voice.
“Bring it, Barbie,” he challenged in his own scary, seething voice.
This wasn’t going to turn out well. I just knew it. A mother always knows. I made my way up to the stage as Beyoncé’s Single Ladies played. I said a silent prayer that they both found magic. I turned around tossing it over my shoulder. Surely, nothing could go wrong on this day.
* * * *
“I can’t believe I broke your nose!” Dillon cried, stroking Billie’s hair. We were all in the office area of the hotel.
Derek was examining Billie. Dillon was freaking out. Damien put his arm around me, trying to comfort me. Adam was trying hard not to laugh.
“It’s not broken. The swelling will go down,” Derek said. “Everyone give her space. The girl can’t breathe with you all hovering around her.”
We backed up. It was true—there were too many people in this room.
