by Ward, Alice
“Yeah well, what Mom doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”
I hope…
CHAPTER 9
“Kids, it’s so good to see you!” Mom gushed as she and Jack boarded the jet. She gave Jackson a quick hug and turned to me. “Kennedy, you look fantastic! I take it your brother took you shopping like I asked?”
I cringed when she called Jackson my brother, but Mom didn’t notice. “Yes,” I said, fiddling with the hem of my sundress. “We went shopping. I actually didn’t mind, none of my old stuff fit.”
“Son, you look well,” Jack said as he buckled in to one of the overstuffed armchairs. “I guess your lady troubles have resolved themselves?”
“Yes, Dad,” Jackson sighed. “I have a feeling I won’t be burdening you with ‘lady troubles’ for quite some time.”
“It’s just as well,” Jack advised him. “After everything you went through with that Meredith, dating should be the last thing on your mind. Take a page out of your new sister’s book and focus on your studies.”
Oh my god, they’re going to do this all weekend. ‘Your brother’ this and ‘your sister’ that. I don’t think I can take it.
Jackson straightened his back and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll keep my grades up next year.”
“Oh Jackson, your father’s just giving you a hard time,” Mom told him with a smile. “We’re incredibly proud of both of your grades.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I grinned.
I wanted to melt into my seat. Jackson and I had already had a frustrating day. I’d assumed that we’d have plenty of time to get the touchy feely stuff out of our systems during our flight to L.A. But the flight attendant on board the jet had been with the Montgomery’s since Jackson was little and she kept popping in to the cabin to see if we needed anything. We’d barely had a chance to talk, much less anything else. That, combined with our parents’ sudden need to refer to us as brother and sister, was almost more than I could take.
“I can’t wait to see what you chose for the wedding!” Mom beamed. “Don’t tell me any details, I want to be completely surprised. The ceremony will mean so much more to us, knowing that the two of you planned it.”
“I would like to know what you picked for our family activities though,” Jack added. “I might need some time to psych myself up for them. I’m not as young as I use to be,” he joked.
“We took it easy on you, Dad,” Jackson told him. “We’re doing the glass bottom boat tour and swimming with dolphins.”
“Perfect!” Mom exclaimed. “You know, I drug Kennedy all around the world when she was growing up, but we never took an actual vacation. I’m sorry about that, sweetheart. But better late than never I guess.”
Rose, the flight attendant, stepped out of the galley. “Mr. Montgomery, Ms. Nightingale, it’s so nice to see you again. Can I bring you a drink or something to eat?”
“Bring us a bottle of champagne,” Jack insisted. “I know it’s a bit early, but we’re celebrating. This is the start of our first official family vacation.”
“Yes sir,” Rose nodded. “Congratulations. I’ll be right back.”
Rose disappeared again and Mom turned to me. “Did you have a late night Kennedy? You look tired.”
Jackson tried to hide his smile while I blushed involuntarily. We’d had a late night all right, but it was nothing we’d tell our parents about.
“I didn’t sleep well,” I told her. “I guess I was too excited about the trip.”
Rose returned to the cabin with a bottle of champagne and four crystal flutes. Jack popped the cork and poured us each a sip.
“To the start of our family,” he said, raising his glass. We raised our glasses in return and then I tossed back my champagne.
Yes, the start of our family. First comes the wedding, then comes the baby, and then comes the shock that big bro and big sis are hooking up with each other.
I’d never felt so guilty, scared, or frustrated. I felt horrible for lying to my Mom and Jack. And hiding my feelings for Jackson was one of the hardest things I’d ever had to do. But I was convinced if I came clean and told the truth, my mother would lose her happy ending.
“Kennedy, would you like some more?” Jack asked, holding up the champagne bottle.
“No thank you. I think what I really need is a nap.”
“Of course dear. You’re more than welcome to stretch out on the bed,” Jack offered. He gestured to the bedroom in the rear of the cabin. I’d eyed the king size bed when Jackson and I had first boarded the plane, and I’d been looking forward to rolling around on it with him. Lying in there alone would feel like torture.
“That’s all right, I think I’ll just recline the seat,” I told him. I pulled up my footrest, curled into a ball, and rested my head against the cold, stiff leather. I spent the rest of the flight pretending to be asleep.
***
When my mother stepped out of the dressing room in her wedding gown, she took my breath away. I’d never seen her look so beautiful, so radiant and at peace. A single tear rolled down my cheek.
“Don’t cry, darling,” Mom insisted. “You’ll ruin your makeup.”
I laughed uncontrollably. “Do you know how ridiculous you sound? Since when have you ever cared about makeup?”
Mom smiled. “I know, it’s crazy the things I worry about these days. You know I don’t care about your makeup. I’d be perfectly happy if you didn’t wear any. But you have it on now, and I’d rather you not have mascara running down your face during the ceremony.”
We only had fifteen minutes until it was time to leave for the beach. “Mom, can I ask you something?” I needed to satisfy one last nagging question before I walked her down the aisle.
“You can ask me anything, darling. What’s going on? Is this about the mood you’ve been in lately?”
We’d been on the island for two days. Fiji was by far the most beautiful place I’d ever seen, but not even the amazing landscape had been enough to snap me out of my stupor. I went along on the family activities and played my role as the sweet sister, but I couldn’t enjoy anything. Every time I started to have fun, I immediately thought of how much more fun I’d be having if Jackson and I could be honest and enjoy the island as a couple.
Before we arrived at the resort, I’d hoped that Jackson and I would be able to at least sneak away at night to see each other. But that hope disappeared when Mom explained that she’d be staying in my suite until the wedding night. Jack was bunking with Jackson. We hadn’t had thirty seconds alone together since we’d left Boston. I thought I’d done a good job of hiding my frustration, but I guess Mom had picked up on it.
“Mom, I haven’t been in a mood,” I argued. “I just wanted to ask you… are you really happy?”
She was surprised by the question. “Of course I am, darling. Aside from the day you were born, I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy. Why do you ask? What are you worried about?”
I took a deep breath and hunted for the right words. “I’ve just noticed that sometimes, with Jack… you don’t act like yourself. Like at the engagement party… the clothes and the pearls… that’s not you, Mom.”
Mom sat down on a padded bench and motioned for me to join her. “Sit down Kennedy. Let me explain something to you.”
The skirt of my gown rustled as I walked across the room. I sat down and Mom wrapped her arm through mine.
“What you’re seeing, the times that I don’t exactly seem like myself. That’s compromise, darling. You’ve never seen it before because I’ve never loved anyone enough to actually do it.”
“I don’t know if I understand…”
“Take the engagement party, for example,” Mom continued. “My wardrobe was the least of Jack’s concerns. He’d have been just as happy if I’d worn one of my tribal wraps and walked around barefoot. But his family wouldn’t have appreciated that in the slightest. And they’d have given him a terrible time for it. And then Jack would have stood up
for me, everyone would take sides, and the whole thing would have snowballed. I dressed to make them happy, not because I care what they think, but because it makes life easier for Jack… for everyone, really. Does that make sense?”
I nodded. “I’m sorry. I thought you were changing yourself to make him happy,” I confessed. “And that was confusing, because you’ve always taught me not to do that.”
“You don’t have to apologize, Kennedy,” she assured me. “How could you be expected to understand something you’ve never seen before? I’m afraid I haven’t been much of a role model for you when it comes to relationships. I just hope that one day, you’ll find the person you belong with and you’ll be as happy as I am now.”
She started crying, which triggered my tears again. I could feel how much she wanted me to be happy.
“I think… I think maybe I’ve found him, Mom,” I confessed.
“What? When did this happen? Why haven’t you told me? Who is he?” Mom rattled off questions as she wiped her eyes with a tissue.
Damn it, I shouldn’t have said anything. How could I have slipped like that?
“It’s still new, Mom, and I’m not really ready to talk about it. But if things keep going as well as they have been…”
“Oh, Kennedy. I’m so happy for you!” She narrowed her eyes. “Though I still don’t like the idea of you getting married before you finish law school…”
“Mom, the only one getting married anytime soon is you,” I laughed. I stood up and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s get to the beach before your groom starts getting nervous.”
Mom gave me a quick hug and then we walked hand in hand to the ceremony.
***
“Jackson Forrest Montgomery, do you take this woman to be your constant companion from this day forward? To love, honor, and cherish as your equal in this life and for eternity?” the minister asked. I smiled to myself.
Mom put her own spin on the vows. And I bet the female minister was her idea too.
Jack said, “I do.” The minister asked Mom the same question. I stood by her side as she promised to cherish Jack. Jackson and I couldn’t help ourselves. We stared at each other through the entire ceremony. Fortunately, Mom and Jack only had eyes for each other and they didn’t notice us.
The sun set over the ocean as the minister pronounced Mom and Jack man and wife. The Beatles “All You Need is Love” flowed out of the altar side speaker while they shared their first married kiss. They glided arm in arm down the aisle with Jackson and me close behind. We walked barefoot across the beach to our private reception tent.
The white tent was big enough to hold a full-size dance floor and a single, linen draped table. Mom and Jack stepped out onto the dance floor and an eight piece string band launched into their rendition of The Way You Look Tonight. Jackson and I took our seats while our parents shared their first dance. I reached for him instinctively, caught myself, and pulled away just as a waitress approached cradling a bottle of champagne in her arms.
“Mr. Montgomery, Ms. Nightingale, my name is Rene and I’ll be taking care of you tonight. Your meals will be out shortly. Would you like a glass of champagne while you wait?” she asked.
“That would be great, thank you,” Jackson accepted. She popped the cork, filled the crystal flutes in front of us, and left the bottle on the table. Jackson and I drank in silence until the song was over and our parents joined us at the table.
“You two did a wonderful job planning everything.” Mom’s voice was filled with gratitude. “From the location to the flowers… everything has been just perfect.”
“It means so much to Gloria and I that you are both here with us,” Jack added.
Rene returned to the tent with a large tray of covered dishes. “It’s our first meal together as a real, official family,” Mom gushed as the waitress passed out our food. She pulled the metal dome off of my plate, revealing steamed vegetables, fingerling potatoes, and a giant lobster tail. My mouth watered.
None of us had eaten since brunch and we dug in to our food. Mom and Jack cleaned their plates quickly and stepped back out onto the dance floor. Rene returned with a small vanilla cake, which went unnoticed in the corner.
I finished my last bite of lobster and pushed my plate away. Jackson tossed his napkin over his lobster shell, stood up, and offered me his hand. “Would you like to dance, Kennedy?”
Why not? Mom and Jack won’t think anything of it. It might be stranger if we don’t dance.
I accepted his hand and we walked out onto the dance floor. Jackson wrapped one hand in mine and placed the other around my shoulder. I wrapped my free arm around his back and we swayed to What a Wonderful World. Mom pulled away from Jack and spotted us on the dance floor. Happy tears filled her eyes.
“Look Jack, they’re dancing,” she said with a smile. They danced over to us. “I’m so happy that you two are already getting along like brother and sister. I think Jack and I are going to go upstairs. I know it’s early, will you be all right without us?”
Will we ever.
Jack laughed. “I’m sure they’ll be fine, Gloria. They are adults, after all. You two should check out the resort’s dance club,” he suggested. “That’s where everyone your age hangs out. But keep an eye on your sister, Jackson. You know how guys can be when they’re on vacation.”
“We might check that out,” Jackson told him, still holding me at a respectable distance. The song ended and Jack stepped away to tip and dismiss the band. Jackson and I released each other and waited for everyone to leave. When we were finally alone, Jackson took me by the hand and led me out of the tent. We moved towards the beach instead of the resort.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“I want to dance with you under the stars,” he replied. “And to do that, we have to go somewhere private. I know the perfect place.”
When he said “private”, I looked around and realized just how many people were still out on the beach. I dropped Jackson’s hand and walked a few feet behind him. The wet sand squished between my toes and the wispy train of my bridesmaid’s gown trailed behind me, wet with saltwater. The terrain around us became rough and rocky. I paused for a moment, contemplating the best way to proceed on my bare feet. Jackson turned back to me and smiled.
“We should have stopped for your shoes.” He held up a foot and I saw that he had on sandals. He turned away from me again and dropped to his knees. “Climb on,” he instructed, looking over his shoulder.
I cautiously looked around. We were at least half a mile away from the resort and there was no one in site. I tossed the skirt of my gown over my arm and crawled on to Jackson’s back. I held on tight as he climbed over a short, rocky ledge. My mouth dropped when I saw what was waiting on the other side.
The ledge gradually increased in height as it moved inland. Nearly identical rock formations sat ten feet away. A small, secluded area of beach separated the rock formations.
Dozens of candles glowed from tall, glass jars. They were half melted and I realized that Jackson must have set everything up before the wedding. A large cooler, iPod speakers, and a giant quilt completed the surprise.
Jackson walked to the speakers and attached his phone. He swiped the screen and Stay with Me filled the silence. Jackson turned to me and I fell into his arms. It had been days since we touched and I was desperate to feel his lips against mine. He planted a soft kiss on my lips and then pulled my head to his shoulder.
“I thought they were never going to leave us alone,” he told me. “And for God’s sake, if I heard ‘your brother’ or ‘your sister’ one more time tonight, I would have snapped.”
“I know, right?” I agreed. “I get that they don’t know about us, but that would be weird even if we weren’t together.”
“This adoption can’t happen fast enough,” he continued as we danced in the moonlight. “I can’t wait to tell the whole world that your mine.”
I held his face in my hands and stopped moving. I stood
on my tip toes to kiss him, but my feet sank in the damp sand. Jackson released me with a smile and walked over to the quilt.
“When did you set all of this up?” I asked as he spread the blanket across the sand.
“This afternoon,” he told me. “I thought we could use the privacy after all the family bonding time. I know we could have just gone to one of the suites… but that didn’t seem special.”
He pulled a bottle of wine from the cooler, grabbed a small duffle bag, and settled down on the quilt. I lay down next to him and looked up at the stars as the song changed and to a beautiful Ed Sheeran song.
He went through the trouble of making a romantic playlist.
“Do you want some wine?” Jackson asked as he pulled the cork.
I shook my head as he took a sip straight from the bottle. “There’s only one thing I need to make this perfect,” I told him. “And that’s you.”
Jackson set the wine bottle down in the sand and I pulled him on top of me. Days’ worth of longing turned to gratification as Jackson’s mouth found my neck and his hand slid up my leg. I tugged urgently at his belt buckle, desperate to rid him of his tuxedo pants. He broke out in a wide grin when he discovered I wasn’t wearing any panties. He teased my sweet spot while I struggled with his pants button.
“Let me,” he said, rising to his knees. He stripped off his tuxedo jacket and tossed it to the side, careful not to hit any of the candles. Then he dropped his pants to his knees and fell back on top of me. He pushed the straps of my gown down my shoulders and greeted my naked breasts with his tongue. I cried out in passion when he gently bit my nipple.
“I need you,” I begged. I pulled the skirt of my gown over my hips and angled my pelvis towards him. Instead of giving me what I wanted, he pulled away and dove between my legs.
He teased me for a moment, kissing the tops of my inner thighs before moving on to my clit. He licked and sucked gently and the sand shifted beneath me as I squirmed on the quilt. I wanted to watch him, but when I opened my eyes, I realized that he was buried beneath my skirt. I looked up to the sky and watched the stars twinkle while Jackson probed me with his tongue. I longed for more, but I also didn’t want him to change a thing. I was hovering just on the edge of release, where satisfaction and anticipation combine, and I never wanted it to end.
