“Zac, I want you inside me.”
“Faith, I got carried away just now but I want our first time to be special.”
“Special or not at all?”
Faith started to get up from the floor but Zac pulled her back down.
“Special…but if I need to prove to you how I feel, then here and now will have to do.”
Zac laid Faith down, climbed between her legs and kissed her as he made love to her.
Miles and Miguel were standing in the courtroom waiting for Eden and Alex to arrive. Miles began to pace.
“You that nervous?”
“Nah, I’m excited. Migs, I’ve loved her for so long and now she’s finally going to be my wife.”
“I know that it was because of me that you two had such a rough time of it for so long and I’m sorry.”
“Hey, we’re together now and that’s all that matters.”
“And I couldn’t be any happier that my best friend is going to my new brother and the father of my nephew.”
Miles hugged Miguel. “I love you, Bro.”
“I love you too.”
Alex smoothed out the bottom of Eden’s silk gown and then she stood up and handed her the beautiful bouquet of red roses she chose at the florist.
“Eden, you look stunning.”
“I love Miles so much; I still can’t believe this is really happening.”
“It’s happening. In fact, it’s time.”
Alex kissed Eden on the cheek and then opened the door. Eden could see Miles standing there and her heart filled with joy. She couldn’t help but smile.
Miguel tapped Miles on the shoulder when the door opened. Eden and Alex walked in and Miles couldn’t take his eyes off Eden.
When Eden reached the front of the courtroom Miguel kissed her on the cheek and shook Miles’ hand.
Miguel whispered. “I love you both.”
Alex stood next to Eden and held her flowers while Miguel stood beside Miles.
The judge opened his book and began to read.
“Eden, Miles, you have chosen today to unite in matrimony. Have you come freely and by your own admission?”
“Yes.”
“I have.” Eden smiled at Miles.
“With Alex and Miguel as your witnesses would you like to recite your vows?”
“Vows?”
“I didn’t write anything but I can speak from my heart.” Miles took both of Eden’s hands in his. “Eden, I almost don’t remember a life without you in it and I never want to think about one without you. I love you more than life itself and I will be faithful and cherish you for the rest of my days. Eden, I love you.”
Miles slipped a white gold diamond band covered in diamonds and rubies onto Eden’s finger. Eden stood there with happy tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Miles, I’ve always loved you and only you. You were my first love and you will be my last. I promise you that I will be faithful and I will cherish you for the rest of my days. I love you, Miles.”
Eden placed a white gold band onto Miles’ finger.
The judge looked between Miguel and Alex. “Do either of you object to this union?”
“No, Sir.”
Alex shook her head. “No objection.”
“Well then Eden and Miles by the power vested in me I now proclaim that you are husband and wife. Miles you may kiss your bride.”
Miles placed one hand on each cheek and he looked into Eden’s eyes before he kissed her and he whispered, “I love you.”
Miguel walked over to Alex and kissed her.
“That’s going to be us soon.”
“It could be us five minutes from now?”
“Alex, your parents would be very upset if they missed your wedding.”
“You’re right.”
“What do you say we get married six months from today?”
“I say yes.” Alex kissed Miguel.
ALEX AND MIGUEL PULLED into her parent’s driveway and Ryan was sitting up on the wall adjacent to the driveway. He waved and then went back to drinking his beer.
“Alex, you need to talk to him. All he ever does is drink.”
“I know. I’ve tried but talking to Ryan is like talking to a wall lately.”
“Do you want me to try to talk to him?”
“I don’t think it will help but it’s worth a try.”
Alex looked up and saw her mother waving from the porch.
“Oh look, there’s Mom.”
“Great.” Miguel exhaled.
“You know she loves you.”
“Like maybe…but love, I don’t think so and your father, well he can barely tolerate me.”
“He is just being overprotective with me like you are with Eden.”
“Maybe.”
“I love you and in time they will both love you too.”
“Hope so.”
“I know so, now let’s go before my mom waves her hand off.” Alex laughed.
Faith and Zac were on the patio with Alex and Ryan’s father when Ryan came walking outside. Ryan stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Zac holding Faith’s hand.
“Ryan, it’s so good to see you.”
Faith turned around and Ryan looked away from her. Then he walked over to his father without saying a word to her.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Zac was just telling me about the big case you’ve been working on.”
Ryan looked at Zac for a moment and then back at his father.
“It’s been very time consuming.”
“Zac said you have been practically living at the office.”
Ryan looked briefly at Faith and then back over to his father.
“It’s not like I have anyone waiting for me at home.”
“Maybe it’s time you thought about settling down, Son.”
Before Ryan had a chance to reply Faith jumped into the conversation.
“I wouldn’t hold your breath Mr. D; I can’t imagine Ryan ever settling down with just one woman.”
“Faith!” Zac rolled his eyes at her.
“No, she’s right. The last time I spent more than two nights with a girl she fell in love with me and I broke her heart when I couldn’t make a commitment.”
Faith was stung by that comment. She placed her glass down and then she leaned over and kissed Zac on his cheek.
“I’ll be right back.”
Faith turned around and walked out. Ryan regretted what he said but Faith being there with Zac made him so jealous…he just couldn’t help himself.
Alex and Miguel were on their way to the patio when Faith came running through.
“Faith, are you alright?”
“Your brother is a jerk.”
Alex gave Miguel the nod and he knew it was time for him to head out to the patio alone.
“I’ll meet you out back.” Miguel kissed Alex on the cheek and walked off.
“Faith, do you want to talk about it?”
“It’s like Ryan doesn’t want me but he’s angry that I moved on.”
“Do you want me to talk to him?”
“I don’t know what I want. I’m hurt and even though I still have feelings for him…I’m trying to be happy with Zac.”
“Are you sure that you’re not using him to…”
“No, I’m not. He’s a really nice guy and I enjoy spending time with him.”
“Ok, then you need to just ignore my big, dumb brother.” Alex laughed.
Faith grabbed Alex and hugged her. “You always know how to make me feel better.”
“Alex, Faith, what are you doing in here?”
“Faith and I just needed to have a quick girl talk, Mom.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes, Mrs. D, I was just having a mini breakdown but Alex made me feel better.”
“Good then let’s go get these wedding plans started.”
Alex smiled at her mother and then winked at Faith and they all headed to the patio.
“Alex!”
/> Alex hadn’t stepped two feet onto the patio before her father grabbed her and hugged her.
“Hey, Daddy.”
“Come sit over here with your old man.”
Alex looked over at Miguel who looked absolutely annoyed as her father dragged her across the patio to sit down.
Faith sat down next to Zac. She looked around and didn’t see Ryan at first but then spotted him out in the garden drinking vodka straight from the bottle.
“Ryan, your sister is here. Come back to the patio so that we can begin discussing the wedding plans.”
Ryan chugged some more of the vodka and then put the bottle down behind a shrub.
“Hey, Sis.”
Alex reached out her hand for her brother’s hand. She wanted him to sit with her so that he didn’t have to sit alone.
“Sorry we’re late!”
Miguel stood up and kissed Eden on her cheek and shook Miles’ hand. Then they all sat down.
“It’s ok, we were just getting started.”
Alex heard Ryan as he mumbled under his breath, “I need a drink.” Alex leaned in and whispered, “Do you need to go?”
Ryan wanted to say yes and run but he loved his sister and if he couldn’t be happy at least knowing Alex was happy made him feel a bit better.
“Nope, I’m good.”
“Alex and I would like to thank you all for coming and Mr. & Mrs. DiPietro, thank you for allowing us to all meet at your home.”
Alex’s mother smiled at Miguel. She was about to speak when Alex’s father did.
“This is Alex’s home and she will always be welcome here.”
Miguel bit his tongue and sat back down. The last thing he wanted to do was upset Alex.
Alex looked at Miguel and she could tell he was upset. Her father’s comment was uncalled for and as much as she wanted to speak up she knew it would just make matters worse.
Alex’s mother stood up and walked over to Miguel and rubbed her hand on his back. She knew what her husband said upset him. She could see the expression on his face change.
“Of course you know that you are always welcome here too, Miguel. We are your family now.”
Miguel smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Di…”
“Sarah. Call me Sarah.”
“Thank you, Sarah.”
Alex smiled at her mother and her mother smiled back.
“Eden, I’d like to know…”
“Yes.” Eden chuckled.
“I didn’t even ask yet.”
“I know but I also know that I would say yes to anything that you asked me.”
“Phew! Well that was easy.” Alex laughed.
“You’re my family now.” Eden smiled.
“Speaking of family…Ryan, I’d be honored if you’d be one of my groomsmen?”
Ryan nodded to Miguel and mustered up a smile. “Sure thing.”
“Ok, now that we know who all is in this wedding party, how about we choose a venue?” Alex’s mother looked between Alex and Miguel.
“I told Alex the choice is hers. All she has to do is name the place and I’ll write the check.”
“Over my dead body you will! Alex is my daughter and I will pay for her wedding.”
“Daddy!”
“Alex, I understand that Miguel is a wealthy man but you are my daughter and I won’t have him paying for your wedding.”
Miguel balled his fists. He was about to explode. Alex walked over and reached for Miguel’s hand. She could feel the tension radiating from him.
“Mr. DiPietro, I apologize. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just want Alex to have the wedding of her dreams…”
Alex’s father crossed the room and was in Miguel’s face. “And you don’t think that I am capable of giving her that? Just because you are filthy rich doesn’t mean that you have to throw it in my face and accuse me of not being able to take care of my daughter.”
Miguel stepped back and let go of Alex’s hand. Alex quickly stepped between Miguel and her father.
“Daddy, you need to apologize. Miguel is a good man and…”
“But I’m not?”
“Daddy, I love you…both. If you want to pay for the wedding that’s fine but I can assure you that neither Miguel nor I have ever thought that you couldn’t take care of me.”
“Fine. I’m sorry, Miguel.”
Miguel looked Alex’s father in the eyes as he extended his hand to shake his. “Just as long as we both agree that Alex being happy is all that matters.”
Alex’s father shook Miguel’s hand. “Agreed.”
Alex knew that they both still had a mutual dislike for one another but were willing to put it aside for her sake. She hoped that in time her father would learn to adapt to Miguel.
The rest of the night was uneventful. Before Alex and Miguel headed home she wanted to talk to her brother. She looked all over but couldn’t seem to find him.
Faith and Zac were in the front hall putting on their coats when Alex passed through.
“Have either of you seen Ryan?”
“No.”
“I’ll go look outside while you two say goodbye.”
Zac walked off.
“He seems like a really nice guy.”
“He is.”
“But he’s not Ryan.”
“No, but maybe that’s a good thing.” Faith shrugged her shoulders.
Alex grabbed Faith and hugged her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I better go and make sure my father and Miguel aren’t killing each other.” Alex laughed.
“Ok. I will call you tomorrow.”
Alex walked off and Faith went to go look for Zac so that they could leave.
Ryan was outside standing in the garden. He had the bottle of vodka in his hand and he was groaning. His back was facing the house so at first Zac didn’t realize what was really going on. As he walked closer he saw Ryan’s other hand clutching a fist full of blonde hair and by then it was too late…Zac witnessed Ryan getting head, something he wished he could unsee.
Faith was so busy trying to sneak up on Zac that she didn’t see Ryan until she grabbed Zac and he turned and was not blocking Faith’s view of Ryan. Faith turned around and ran back into the house with Zac following behind.
“Oh God.”
“Yeah, you can say that again. The guy is a pig.”
“He’s drunk.”
“Even drunk I would never disrespect a woman like that, especially not in public at my parent’s home.”
“True.”
“He is a brilliant lawyer and has become a good friend but his behavior at times is borderline sickening.”
“He certainly does have a reputation.”
“What kind of woman would even be willing to touch that knowing it’s been used and abused?”
Faith knew but she wasn’t about to say a word.
“Let’s go home and snuggle.”
“Now that sounds good to me.” Zac grabbed Faith’s hand and opened the front door.
MILES HANDED EDEN A glass of orange juice and then sat down at the table for breakfast.
“I can’t believe that in a few months we will have a third person for breakfast.”
Eden rubbed her ever growing belly and smiled. “At least then number three won’t be sitting on my bladder.”
Miles laughed. “That’s right because my son will be sitting right here on his Daddy’s lap.”
“Oh really. I have a feeling that you are not going to share our baby boy.”
“The way I see it is that if you get to hold him for the first nine months then it is only fair that I get nine months too.” Miles laughed.
“Hell no.” Eden threw her bacon at Miles.
Miles picked up the bacon and popped it into his mouth. “Yup!”
“I love you even when you’re being greedy.”
“I love you too and I’m not being greedy.”
“Are too.”
“Am not.”
“So wha
t are we going to name this little man of ours?”
“I thought of a name if you’re willing?”
“Let me guess, is it Miles, because I would be totally ok with that.”
“No, it isn’t Miles. I’m Miles and I want my son to have his own identity.”
“I can understand that. So tell me then?”
“Originally I thought of naming him Miguel but if Migs has a son of his own one day he may want to name him Miguel. So I was thinking maybe we could name our son Michael. It’s not the same name but the sentiment is there.”
Eden’s eyes filled with tears. Knowing that Miles loved her brother as much as she did and the thoughtfulness to want to name their son after her brother just overwhelmed her.
“That is so sweet.”
“Don’t cry, Baby.”
“It’s just hormones.”
“So is he Michael then or did you have a name you were thinking about?”
“I was going to suggest that we name him Cruz.”
Miles smiled. “Cruz Dawson. I like that. It represents us together as one.”
“Forever and ever.”
Miles stood up and then knelt down next to Eden and kissed her belly. “Your mommy and I can’t wait to meet you, Cruz.”
Eden leaned down and kissed Miles on his head. She had never been so happy in all her life.
“Ahhh, finally!”
Ryan looked up from his desk and Alex was leaning in his doorway.
“Hey.”
“I looked for you last night before I left Mom and Dad’s but then Faith texted me and said you were in the garden getting a blow job so I left.”
Ryan looked shocked. He hadn’t any clue that anyone had seen him out there.
“Oh God. Who else saw us?”
Alex walked in and closed the door.
“Zac.”
“I will explain to him later.”
“Explain! What, that you’re a drunk who is addicted to sex?”
“I just couldn’t handle being there with Faith.”
“With Faith or with Faith and Zac?”
“Both.”
“I asked you if you needed to leave.”
“I know but that would have been real shitty of me.”
Secrets & Lies Page 9
