by Riley, Alexa
“I told you I would,” she responds instantly not questioning that we are already married so it shouldn't matter. “I want wedding vows that I remember with you.”
“Go,” I tell the judge. My mom stands there, eyes wide, watching everything happen. I’ve never seen her this quiet before. She really must be in shock. Probably because I’ve hated being around people since I returned home and now I’m pledging to spend my life with someone.
The judge starts. I stare down at my little one and repeat the words. She does the same, making possession pound down on me. She’s mine and there is nothing anyone can do it about it. When Barnes says we are now man and wife, I grab her and kiss her hard and deep, staking my claim on her. I can hear the sirens coming, but I ignore them.
“I love you,” I tell her, not letting her go. “No one will take you from me,” I vow. She wraps her arm around mine, holding me tight.
My parents come to stand by us. “I’m Claire, and this is my husband, Hank,” she tells Lucy in a whisper.
“I’m Lucy,” she tells them.
“Oh, we know. We’ve heard a lot about you.” My mom shoots me a glare because it wasn't from me she heard about Lucy. Even though I wanted to tell my parents about her, I had many other things going on. I needed more time because I knew my mom would be all over her. I wasn't ready to share. Hell, I’m not sure I’ll ever be, but I’ll learn to because I know Lucy lost her parents when she was very young. My mom and dad would be more than willing to fill some of that void for her if she lets them. That's just how they are.
“Don’t get yourself thrown in jail,” my dad says, and Lucy’s hold on my arm tightens.
“Orlando,” she pleads with me. “Promise you won’t do that.” I look down at her, and like always I give her what she asks for.
“I promise.” She gives a stiff nod.
Movement outside catches my eye, and I see two police cruisers come up the drive and park outside. They’ve barely come to a stop and Kurt Lockwood is jumping out the passenger side of one of them.
“That’s my granddaughter!” he shouts. Lucy doesn't move.
“You better cool your tone when talking to her,” I bark.
Kurt stills for a moment before he pulls it together. “Get over here, Lucy,” he commands, but again she doesn't move.
“No,” is all she says. She doesn’t let go of me. I lean down and kiss the top of her head.
“Judge,” one of the police officers says, standing a little taller at the sight of Barnes.
Barnes nods at the cop. “Lockwood,” he says, directing his attention back to Lucy’s grandfather. “Your granddaughter isn't missing, and I don’t think she wants to leave with you either.” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“She doesn't know what she wants. She’s unstable. Look what she did to my arm.” He holds up his arm—it’s in a bulky cast.
“I was running from you after you beat me!” Lucy screams. My body goes rock solid. I knew why she was running, but hearing the words come from her sweet mouth hits hard. I fight myself from lunging at the man.
“See, she’s crazy! I need to take her back to Center Mental Care. She attacked me and I was defending myself.”
“Kicking someone in their stomach while they are on the floor isn't defending yourself,” I growl. The cops are unsure what to do. Now I’m starting to wonder how much she’s remembered.
“You have no idea what you're talking about. Trust me, I have the records that say she’s crazy. I’ll take her back and they will hand over conservatorship to me.”
“No,” I correct. “As her husband, that power would go to me.” I look down at Lucy. “I’d never do that to you,” I tell her.
“I know,” she replies. Her voice is stronger now.
“Her what?” Kurt yells. His face is turning red. “She’s mine.”
I go to take a step towards him, but Lucy pulls on my arm, reminding me of my promise to her to not get my ass thrown in jail.
“Listen, you sick fuck. She’s nothing to you, and by the time I’m done with you, all the shit I’ve been finding on you you’ll be nothing to anyone but whoever your cellmate is.”
“You don’t have shit.”
“On the contrary, Mr. Lockwood. If I were you, I’d go home and get my affairs in order. Your clock is ticking.”
“I’ll testify. Tell you all he’s done over the years.” Lucy releases her hold on me and steps towards her grandfather, her back straight. “Did you think I wasn't paying attention? I know all your dirty little secrets.” I can hear the smile in her voice as she delivers that blow to him.
I take my own, realizing that she remembers everything. When did it come back to her?
“You little—” Kurt lunges for her, but I’m on him first, my hand connecting with his jaw, and he goes flying back, hitting the floor hard. I hear a loud crack. He doesn't move to get up.
One of the cops rushes towards me to hold me back. I don’t fight him.
“Let him go. He was defending his wife,” the judge says. The cop does as he says. “Take him to the hospital and have him held. He obviously meant to harm the girl when he lunged for her. Hold him on that for now.”
The cops peel Lockwood from the floor. “Let the media know that Lucy is no longer missing. That she is fine and was only away with her husband. They don’t need to know anything.”
“Sure thing, Judge,” one of the cops says as they all leave.
I look to Lucy, who is staring at the floor. “How long have you remembered?” I ask, not caring that we still have a small audience.
“Can we talk about this later?” She glances around at Judge Barnes and my parents.
“Of course.” I reach for her. Thankfully she doesn't pull away from my touch. I wrap my arm around her.
“Thank you, Judge. I’ll send everything over when I get the rest of the information I’m collecting.”
“Good. I want to put that man away where he belongs.” He stops in front of Lucy. “I’m sorry for all that you’ve gone through. I should have kept a better eye on your grandfather. I knew he was a bastard I just didn't know he had a young girl living with him.”
“It’s okay. Thank you for everything,” Lucy tells him. With that, the judge leaves.
“Mom, Dad, I know you’re dying to know everything, but right now I need to be alone with my wife.”
“Of course,” my dad says. My mom clamps her mouth shut, only nodding, probably because if she opens it she won’t be able to stop the barrage of questions I know she wants to ask.
“We’ll see you later son,” my dad says. My mom breaks away from Dad and gives me a hug. Next, she goes for Lucy, holding her tight and whispering in her ear. Then she kisses her on the cheek and she and my dad head out.
Leaving Lucy and me all alone.
“Orlando. I—”
I cut her off, crashing my mouth down onto hers, kissing her with everything I have, scared that this might be the last kiss I ever have with her. No, fuck that. I won’t let it be. I’ll do whatever it takes so she doesn't leave me.
I scoop her up into my arms and carry her up the stairs and into our bedroom, slamming the door behind us. It’s then I realize that she is kissing me back just as intensely as I’m kissing her. When she pulls away, we are both out of breath.
“You really wanted to marry me, didn't you? You didn't do it just to protect me, did you?” Her words take me by surprise.
“I wanted to marry you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my whole life,” I rumble. I don’t like her thinking I married her for any other reason than because I needed her more than I need air.
Chapter Twelve
Lucy
My heart pounds in my chest. His words fill me with so much relief. After everything came flooding back to me, I started putting things together. Like the fact that Orlando is a wonderful man and would do anything to protect me. Including marrying me, if that’s what it took to keep me safe.
It’s just the kind o
f man he is. Joining the Army to protect our country, running into a burning building to save others, almost losing his own life in the process, rushing to save me and tying his life to mine in order to keep me safe from my grandfather… But I wanted him to want to marry me.
“I wanted to marry you that much, too. I hated that I thought I couldn't remember our wedding,” I admit. “But there wasn't one, was there? Not really.”
I watch guilt wash over his face. “You remember.”
“Yes.” I nod. “When the judge said my grandfather was coming, everything came flooding back.” I swallow. “He’s a horrible man.” He is, and he likes to run his mouth right in front of me. Before, I wasn't sure who to trust. Who was in his pocket, but now, now I know Orlando will protect me. He won’t let anything hurt me.
“He’ll get what’s coming to him,” Orlando vows.
“You lied to me.” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“I did.” He keeps his eyes locked with mine. “When you woke you looked so scared I wanted to put you at ease. Then…” He looks bashful for a moment. “I loved having you as my wife. I thought maybe if I could get you to fall in love with me, when you finally remembered you might stay.”
I throw myself at him, wrapping my body around him. He catches me easily as I pepper kisses all over his handsome face. “I told you I knew you were my person the second I woke up in that bed. I’d never felt so safe. I didn't question you because I knew I was home.” My eyes fill with tears. “I think I crashed into your gate for a reason. It was fate.”
“God, I love you, little one.” He kisses me, taking my breath away. “I was so scared you’d try to leave me when you found out.” I want to laugh at the word try, because I have a feeling while Orlando might give me anything I ask for, the one thing he’d never accept is him and me being separated. Not that I would ever ask for that. It might be crazy, but something about that fills me with even more happiness.
“I hate how you had to get to me, but I’m so fucking thankful you’re here. I wasn't living. You brought me back to life. Made life worth living again.”
God, I love him so much. Now I understand what he meant when he said he’s glad he got hurt as it led him to me. I, too, would take what my grandfather gave me if it led me to Orlando.
“Make love to me,” I say against his mouth.
He groans. “I’ve been dying to make love to you,” he admits. I know now why he’s been holding back. He didn't want to make love to me until I knew the truth. Now I do.
“I’m yours now. You can have me whenever you want.” I watch his eyes darken at my words. This time when he leans down and kisses me, it’s so soft and sweet that I want to cry.
“I’m going to be the best husband to you. I promise I’ll make the rest of your life so sweet it will take away any pain you ever had before me.”
He kisses me again. I wrap myself around him, never wanting to let go. When he pulls away from my mouth, he trails kisses down my neck and shoulder. One hand slips up under my dress. He lets out a growl when he finds I have no panties on.
I’d not wanted anything slowing us down once the ceremony was over. I felt like I’d waited long enough and nothing else was going to get in the way.
“You’re going to be the death of me, little one.”
“I will be if you don’t start removing some clothes.” I start pulling at his shirt, wanting us to be skin to skin. He lets out a deep chuckle and helps me get him undressed. Soon he’s completely naked and back on top of me, pulling at my dress.
“You look beautiful in this, but it has to go.” I gasp when he gives a hard tug and pulls it from me. I hear a loud rip, but I don’t even care.
He stares down at me, his eyes taking me in. “I want you so bad, but I need to go slow with you,” he says. I’m not sure if he’s talking to me or himself.
“We don’t have to go slow.” I wiggle against him, the ache between my thighs building to a throb like I’ve never felt before. “I ache.”
His eyes fly up to mine. I watch a war battle behind them. “You’re a virgin. I have to get you ready, little one.” He slips a finger inside me, filling me. I moan.
“See how tight you are? That’s only one finger.” He moves it in and out of me, his thumb circling my clit.
I raise my hips, wanting more. He gives it to me, slipping another finger inside of me. I moan his name. I’m unable to take my eyes off his face. His jaw is tight as he watches himself slide his fingers in and out of me.
He licks his lips as if wanting to taste me. Then he does, taking what he wants. The pure primal need within him is my undoing as I cum against his tongue, screaming out his name. He doesn't stop, though. He keeps licking and sucking, pushing another orgasm on top of the last.
My back bows off the bed, my whole body feeling as if it’s tingling. I fall back onto the bed and close my eyes as Orlando trails kisses back up my body, not missing one spot on me.
When his breath brushes against my mouth, my eyes flutter open. His cock pushes a little inside of me. I gasp. Orlando’s mouth falls onto mine, kissing me slowly as he pushes further inside of me. I wrap my legs and arms around him.
“I’m sorry, little one,” he tells me. A sharp pain hits as he stills, fully sheathed. He rests his forehead against mine, words of love pouring from his lips. I can feel the strain of his body under my hands. I swear I think he might be shaking.
After a moment the pain falls away and all there is is Orlando and his sweet words. Him deep inside of me, his body caging mine, I’ve never felt closer to someone in my life. Whole and safe. A tear slips down my face.
Orlando kisses it. “Little one.”
His voice sounds so pained. His eyes search my face. He starts to pull out of me, but I hold on tighter to him. “Before now I never understood how people cried when there were happy. I get it now.” His face softens.
“Make love to me,” I tell him, lifting my hips. He growls at my movement and like always does as I ask, moving in and out of me, the pleasure mounting all over again.
“I didn't think I’d fit inside your little body, but you were made for me. I should have known I’d fit into you perfectly.”
“Yes,” I moan. It is perfect. He slides his hand between us, his fingers going for my clit.
“Going to make you cum again. I want to feel it when I’m inside of you,” he growls.
“Together. We cum together. Make me yours.”
“Say it. Say you want me forever. Nothing will ever tear us apart.”
“Forever. You and me,” I say instantly. No hesitation.
“Mine,” he growls. The single word of possession sends me over the edge and makes me cum. I cry out his name, feeling his warm releases inside of me. He jerks on top of me and fills me deeply.
We lie there, his body pressing down on mine, our breathing heavy, the smell of our lovemaking filling the room.
Orlando rolls so I’m on top of him. His cock is still hard inside of me. If I didn't feel his cum inside me, I would think maybe he hadn’t climaxed.
“I want more,” I tell him, sitting up all the way. He stares up at me and grabs my hips in a tight hold, his fingers digging into me.
“Maybe we should—” He’s cut off when I start to rock back and forth on him. His words turn into moans in pleasure. I know what he was going to say. Like always, he is worried about me.
“I want more,” I say again, smiling down at my handsome husband. And like always he gives me what I want.
Epilogue
Orlando
“You got him?” I ask my parents as I stand from my chair. I want to go check on my wife. She’s taking too long for my liking. She said she’d be right back, and that was ten minutes ago. People will be arriving any moment now.
“Of course,” my mom says, her eyes trained on my four-year-old son who is splashing away in the shallow end of the pool. He looks over at me, giving me that same dimple his mama has. He’s even got her dark hair, but that’s where it ends.
The rest of him is the spitting image of me. My chest still gets tight when I think about how my wife gave me a son. How she keeps filling my life with so much joy when I thought I’d live out a lonely existence before she came crashing into my life and jolted me back to life. “Taking your time. I’d love another grand baby.”
“Mom!” I yell, making my dad throw back his head and laugh. Jesus, my own mother is practically making me blush. I shake my head. Laughter follows behind me as I head in pursuit of my wife.
It’s Labor Day weekend, and since finding each other on that weekend, we’ve made a big deal out of the weekend every year. We always host a barbecue in the backyard. Lucy even talked me into getting a swimming pool. Not that she had to really talk me into it. More she asked and I made it happen.
She goes all out every year now. Even though the barbecue is small with just my parents and some of my old army buddies and their wives and kids, she still overdoes it. I head up the stairs. She’s likely in our room. She said she needed to slip on a bathing suit. Maybe I’ll catch her changing and will take my time like my mom suggested. She’s been doing a lot of that lately. With the hint of us having more kids.
It’s not for lack of trying that Lucy has not gotten pregnant again. We’ve never used protection. Never even talked about it. We have just always gone with it. Lucy believes fate will take care of everything, but it’s been four years since we had our son. I’d love another one—a little girl who looks just like her mama, but I’m good with what we have, too.
When I open the bedroom door I hear her humming in the closet. I stroll over and lean up against the door. She moves about the closet, putting a few things away then searching for a swimsuit. Fuck. I don’t know how I ever got so lucky. Fate had given her to me and I’ll spend every moment of our lives together making sure my girl is happy.
I want to ensure the shit from her past doesn't taint her. There’s no more darkness in our lives, and we both make sure it stays that way. Thankfully, we don't have to do much about her grandfather. Fucker got off easy if you ask me. Heart attack in jail before he was even tried for his crimes. It was bittersweet. I knew the asshole was out of her life, but I felt like he should have suffered more. At least she didn't have to spend one more day thinking about him. I’d hated the idea of her having to testify against him and all his dirty dealings. My little one didn't need that shit in her life anymore. She left that life behind the day she came running into mine, and she’s not going back.
