by M. Clarke
I smiled to agree. “Did you check us in?”
“Yup. Just waiting for you. Let’s get pampered up.”
After we got a facial, we had a manicure and pedicure. Then we went out to early dinner and headed home. Since Matthew had dropped Becky off at the spa, I drove both of us home.
“Tonight is your last night here,” Becky said when we walked in. Her tone was somber, producing an ache and emptiness in my heart. “I can’t believe this day has come.”
Becky tossed her purse on the dining table and I did the same, and we both plopped on the sofa. Then she extended her hand to show me a pair of pearl earrings.
“They’re beautiful. Did you buy it?”
“It was a gift from my sister. I thought it would be perfect with your wedding dress. I overheard you saying that you needed something borrowed.”
“Oh, Becky. I would be honored to borrow them. Thank you so much.” I closed them in my hand.
“You know you can borrow anything of mine. We practically share everything anyway.”
“I know.” I didn’t want to admit it, but my heart was breaking. Becky had been the sister I always wanted and now I was leaving her. “Do you remember the first time we met?”
“How could I forget? I knew the minute you walked into my life that we would be best friends.”
I leaned back and rested my feet on the coffee table. “I had that feeling, too, but I have to admit I was sort of worried.”
“Why?” Becky leaned back, too. We were both facing the kitchen.
“I figured you would either be a good or a bad influence on me.”
Becky laughed. “Well...you were right. Lucky for me, you were a good influence on me so I felt like I had to act proper. Which got me out of many troubles. So, thank you.”
“Proper?” I squealed and moved my legs to where I was now facing her. “Ugh. I sound so boring.”
“Boring is not what you are, or you wouldn’t have attracted the boss’s son, one of the most eligible bachelors. You stole his heart. You’ll have your forever with him and a baby coming soon.”
I rubbed my belly, which seemed to have pooched out somewhat. Though people couldn’t tell by looking, I felt it. I could see the growth. I changed the attention to Becky. “Look at you. You’re changing into a responsible adult with the man of your dreams. We are going to have what we’ve always wanted, but never imagined that we could.”
“Sometimes I think this is all a dream,” Becky sighed. “And if it is, I don’t ever want to wake up from it, Jenna. I’m afraid that everything good will disappear. I’m sorry, but I’m so sad that you’re leaving me.”
Tears blinded my vision. I felt the same way, but I didn’t have the courage to tell her out loud. It would only make it too real, too painful. “I’m not leaving you, okay?” My lips trembled. Oh God! I was going to lose it. “But I’m going to miss you like crazy.” I quickly wiped my tears, but they fell so fast that I couldn’t hide them.
“We’ve been through so much together,” Becky sobbed. “I know you’re not that far away, but this place will never be the same without you. Every time I step inside this apartment and glance toward your room, I’m going to be really sad. I’m sorry to make you feel bad, but I can’t help the way I feel. You’ve been my mentor, my strength, and my hope. I just want you to know that.”
I embraced Becky, but words wouldn’t come right now. I needed to comfort her and me. “Oh, Becky,” I said, still holding on to her as I rubbed her back. “Don’t be sorry. I feel the same way. I just couldn’t say it. You were always the one that could express your feelings better than I ever could. You made me see the goodness in me. And you’ve always helped me through all of my problems as if they were yours. You are my forever sister, Becky. No one could ever replace you, and no one could ever take away what we had, and will still have. Our babies will be friends. They are going to be cousins. We are going to be married into the same family. We’re going to see each other a lot.”
We both pulled away to wipe our tears. “You’re right. There is so much to look forward to.”
“Let’s not make this a sad occasion, but a happy one instead. When one door closes, another one opens, right?”
Becky nodded to agree. “To new beginnings.”
I hugged Becky again and released her when her cell phone rang.
“Shoot. What time is it?” Becky stood up and pulled her phone out of her purse. “Matthew asked me to meet him at Long Beach pier.” Her fingers moved speedily as she texted. “I’m letting him know I’m on my way.”
“It’s so late. Don’t forget we’re picking up my parents at their hotel first before we head to San Diego.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make this quick. I’m not sure why he wants me there. He wouldn’t say, only that it’s important.” Becky grabbed her sweater and her purse, and turned the doorknob.
“Don’t worry about anything. Drive carefully. If you need to stay late, then it’s fine. You can always sleep in the car since I’ll be driving us there.”
“Okay. Love ya. Bye.” The doorknob jiggled from the other side as Becky made sure she locked the door. Little did she know that she was going to a have a huge surprise.
Chapter 27
Becky
Why Matthew needed me at this late hour was beyond me. He knew I had a long day tomorrow and so did he. What is so urgent? I texted. I walked down the familiar boardwalk to his parent’s yacht. I had only walked several feet when I spotted a man leaning on the lamppost. He was tall with a muscular build. When he turned around, he stole my breath away, and at the very same time I realized it was Matthew. He was sucking on a lollipop, gazing at me with a wicked grin.
“Want a taste, Becca?” he mumbled with the lollipop in his mouth.
“I want to taste something else,” I teased, placing my hand inside his jeans pocket. I angled my index finger just right to where I could almost touch his balls.
Matthew jerked back and wrapped his arms around me. “If you’re good, I might even let you taste what you’re trying to touch.”
“Sweet.” I twitched my brows.
“It’ll be more than sweet.”
I laughed lightly, loving his playfulness. “Why am I here? I’ll see you tomorrow in San Diego.”
Matthew placed his arms around my shoulders and started walking down the boardwalk. “We’ll be surrounded by people when we’re in San Diego. I wanted you by yourself. I actually have a question to ask you.”
“You could’ve texted me or called me. You made me drive all the way to Long Beach just to ask a question? Where is the common sense in that?” I scolded. “You...Matthew!” Matthew dropped his hands and something soft suddenly covered my eyes. “What are you doing? I can’t see.” Then I realize it was a blindfold.
Matthew pressed his body next to mine and led me to our destination. “I’ve got you. Don’t be stubborn.”
Even though I knew there was nothing in the way in front of me and Matthew was holding me, I was still a bit hesitant. Walking in the complete darkness at night was not my idea of fun, but I played along. Whatever it was, it was important to him. When the blindfold came off, I saw many blurry bright spots. I blinked rapidly and rubbed my eyes. It was strange to see so many of them. When my vision cleared, I was blown away.
“Matthew.” His name flowed out of my mouth in a whisper as I slipped my hand into his. Countless fake candles were everywhere on the top and second level deck of the yacht, where we were standing. “It’s amazing, Matthew. You did this all by yourself?”
“Surprise, Becca. Well...I had a little help.” He kissed my forehead tenderly and brought me up to the third level deck. He took my purse and placed it down. “You don’t need this right now.” Then he pulled the finished lollipop from his mouth and put the stick in his front pocket. Matthew shrugged sheepishly. “I don’t want to litter, even on my own boat.”
I laughed at his words because that was exactly what I would have done. “Is Carlos around?�
� I asked, thinking about the things we had done the last time I was there.
“No. It’s just you, me, and the universe.” When he looked up at the sky, I did the same. The full moon glistened and splashed the color of yellow against the ocean. The tiny countless stars were much more apparent tonight. It was as if Matthew and I were in our own universe. It was so beautiful up here that my whole body quivered with happiness and the soft cool breeze that brushed against my face.
“You’re amazing,” I said, gazing into his eyes, which sparkled against the candlelight that completely surrounded us.
“I know.” He gave me a mischievous smirk, and then placed his hands inside the back of my jeans pocket.
“You’re also arrogant.”
“I know, but you’re worse. You’re very stubborn.” Matthew pressed his cheek on mine.
“That I am. However, you can also be very sweet and romantic.”
“Very true. And you are a big tease, but I love that you are.”
I gave him a kiss on the lips. “You make it easy for me to be that way. And yes, I do love to tease you.”
“Don’t ever stop.” He leaned his forehead on mine.
“I won’t.”
“I need you to promise me that if you think your life is in danger, you come first. I can’t lose you, Becca.” Matthew tangled his fingers through mine. “Promise me,” he asked when I didn’t answer.
“I promise.”
“You can be stubborn about anything, but not this. You are my firecracker. I wouldn’t change anything about you, but this is one thing I’m asking from you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life, and if there is eternity, I want you right next to me.”
Tears were coming, and I tried to keep them at bay. I was already an emotional wreck from the conversation with Jenna, my pregnancy hormones acting up, and now this.
“I feel the same, Matthew.” I hadn’t realized we were inside the circle of candles until I pressed my head against Matthew’s chest. “You’re not a witch or a demon are you?” I laughed.
“You read too many paranormal books. They are corrupting your mind.”
“No, they’re not.” I took offense to that. With a light slap across his arms, I turned to walk away.
Matthew flung his arms around my waist before I could escape and pulled me to him. “Not so fast. Okay. Okay. I’m sorry. I can be whatever you want me to be. I want to be the hot naughty demon that gets to do all sort of wicked things to you. But before we play make believe with your fictional characters, I need to ask you a very important question, the reason why I asked you to come here in the first place.”
Next thing I knew, Matthew was down on his knees. He’d already asked me to marry him, so what the heck was he doing?
“Becky Miller. You are the stars that shine upon my darkness. You are the moon that glowed into my heart to show me that I could love again. Whatever the universe has in store for us, I know that we can get through it together because our love is strong. I want forever with you. I’ve already asked you this question, but I wanted to do it the right way. The way you deserved to be asked. Will you be my wife, Becky, and marry me when you are ready? But don’t wait too long.”
Tears had started streaming down my face the moment Matthew began speaking. I couldn’t believe the beautiful words that were pouring out of his mouth. It wasn’t that I didn’t think he could ever say something like that, it was that the words he was saying were meant for me. “Yes,” I nodded.
Matthew swooped in and gave me a long, passionate kiss, then he ran to the edge of the deck and yelled, “She said yes!” He came back to me.
“What was that for?” I laughed.
Matthew didn’t answer. He went to the side of the deck, opened a storage compartment, and placed a box in front of me. When he opened a box that read Cartier, the ring sparkled brilliantly against the candlelight. That thing looked so big. Oh my God! I knew he would get me one someday, but I never expected today. It was an overwhelming surprise. I gasped lightly with my hands covering my mouth. “It’s beautiful, Matthew.” He slipped it on my finger, and it fit perfectly. “How did you know my size?”
“Jenna, of course. It’s a princess cut. Three karats. I wanted you to have this before Max and Jenna’s wedding. My parents already know that I’m proposing tonight, and so do Max and Jenna. The only important people that don’t know are your parents and your sister, Rachel.”
“Jenna knew?” I laughed. “They will know when we visit them. They already love you. I’ve told them so much about you, and they can’t wait to meet you.”
“How could anyone not?” Matthew winked.
“Arrogant,” I laughed lightly, enjoying the humor between us.
“Stubborn.”
“Jerk.”
“Crazy.”
“Ass.”
Matthew puffed his bottom lip out into a frown. “Not liking where this is headed.”
I curled my lips into a huge smile. He was cracking me up. “Adorable. Absolutely amazing. Hot. Sexy. Gorgeous. Edible. Juicy.”
Matthew’s eyes grew with lust and want while his body was still pressed to mine. “Don’t forget...drool worthy and deliciously fuckable.”
Holy fuck. “Yes!” I said out loud.
“Shit! I almost forgot.”
“What are you doing?” I asked. He went back to the edge of the deck. “Carlos, she said yes!”
“Carlos? You said we were alone.” I watched him run back to the storage compartment. He pulled out a gadget and spoke into it.
“Now, Carlos.”
The second Matthew came back to me, the sky lit up with fireworks. They weren’t massive like the kind you would see at Disneyland, but they were grand enough. Assorted colors splashed against the dark sky. No matter how many times I had seen them, it always seemed to take me away from reality and into their beauty.
“This is how you make me feel, Becca. You bring color and excitement into my life.” We turned face to face when the show was over.
“I can’t believe you did this for me,” I sobbed, and tried to wipe my tears. “No man has ever made me cry so many happy tears. How?”
“My parents have connections, which are my connections, too. I had to ask Carlos to come with me. Who was going to push the buttons?”
I snorted. Oh God! I thought some snot flew out. “Oh, Matthew. You’re too much.”
Matthew rewarded me with a loving, warm smile. He slipped down to his knees again with his arms wrapped around my waist and unexpectedly kissed my stomach. “My little one, you make me feel this way, too. Please be strong for Mommy and Daddy. Don’t let anything happen to you or your mommy, okay?” Matthew caressed my stomach, as if he was touching the baby. “I promise to do whatever I can to make sure you are healthy and make sure nothing bad happens to you, but I need your help. I can’t do this alone. You need to fight and grow big and strong. We don’t even have a name for you, and I haven’t even held you in my arms, but know that I love you with all of my heart, and my love will grow as you grow. You have a family waiting for you. You even have a cousin that will be born around the same time, so please don’t let anything bad happen.”
I inhaled a deep breath. I felt the depth of Matthew’s love and his worries for our unborn child for the first time. It meant the world to me to know how much he already loved our baby. He’d never expressed how he felt, so a part of me had doubts. Whatever the reasons before, it was clear now. I felt it at that very moment. Matthew was just as scared as I was. He wanted our child as much as I did.
There was a big possibility that there would be dangers ahead, but Mathew and I would get through this. We’d be each other’s strength. We’d hold on to hope. We’d ride out the storm. As long as we had each other, come what may. Matthew and I would make it. We had to.
Chapter 28
Jenna
We walked inside Grand Del Mar after our luggage was secured with the bellman. The first thing I saw was a wooden table in the center of the l
obby with a huge bouquet of colorful flowers. Past the lobby was where the sun shone through the glass doors. I could also see the black grand piano and the elegant yet modern furniture. The decor all around was exquisite and very much to my taste. I knew I would love it there.
“This place is amazing,” Mom exclaimed.
“We should check in,” I said, clicking my heels across the marble floor to the receptionist, who was smiling at me.
After we checked in, a nice gentleman walked us to our villas. Max had told me that he had reserved all of them; not just for us, but for our guests as well. Though we didn’t need to rent all of them, he didn’t want strangers near us.
“This is our room,” I said to my parents. Max and I agreed that we wouldn’t spend the night together until after we got married. “Becky, you’re right next door. Let’s get unpacked. Either I’ll stop by or you stop by in half an hour. Sound good? I also need to check in with the wedding coordinator.”
“Sounds good to me. We can do our own thing before we meet up with the rest of the party. Dinner is at six, right?”
“Yes,” I replied. “Max will fly in since we need the plane to get to Paris.”
“And Matthew will be driving with his parents,” Becky added.
“Perfect. See you in a bit.”
The bellman placed our luggage in our rooms. After I tipped him, he left.
“This place is too big for the three of us. It must cost a fortune,” my dad commented. “I can’t believe the Knight family reserved all of the villas.”
“It’s for a wedding after all,” my mom said, smiling at me. “They’re very generous.”
I nodded and smiled to agree.
The Brisa Villas were about 4,500 square feet with three bedrooms. What I liked the most about the place was that it felt like home, yet it provided the conveniences and amenities of a world-class hotel. These charming Mediterranean-inspired estates were adorned with European antiques. It even had an expansive gourmet kitchen, media room, and state-of-the-art audio systems.
