Amplify (28 page)

"Gah. Brain scrub. STAT!" I shout and everyone laughs. "That is
not
a visual I wanted in my brain."

"Ugh, me either," Lucy says.

I walk to the side of the divider. I’m only wearing a robe but my hair and makeup are done to perfection. I lose my breath when I see him standing there in the same clothes as the others, but for some reason, on him, it looks sexier, manlier. Whether it’s the slight beard or the deep tan of his skin, I don’t know. But he looks hot.

"Holy smokes you look so hot."

He chuckles. "You look beautiful, Fee."

I blush. I can’t help it. "I’ll never get used to that."

"I hope not," he says and kisses me softly.

"This is for you," I tell him, handing him a small black box.

He lifts the lid and just stares. He doesn’t say anything. Oh, God, he hates it.

"If you don’t like it, I can get you something—"

"Fee," he says softly, his voice cracking a bit. "It’s the perfect gift."

I smile and take his hand, then remove the watch from the box. "It was my father’s... I hope that’s okay. I know he’s a Manzini—"

"Serafina," he says and I know he’s irritated. "He was only in name as you are only in name. He and your mother were good people."

I sniffle when tears spill over. I didn’t even feel them well up. They were just there. I hear murmurs on the other side of the divider but I don’t pay attention.

I put the watch around his wrist. "So, this was my father’s watch. He received it from my mother on their wedding day. She received it from her father on her wedding day to give to the man she loved like no other, completely, unconditionally, and forever. Lucy brought it, knowing I would want you to have it as that’s how I love you: completely, unconditionally, and forever—like no other."

"Sera," he murmurs, pulling me to him. "It’s perfect. You humble me."

There are hushed whispers and I know they’re listening but I don’t care.

"This is for you, for the woman who will be my forever. There are three pieces, two new and one old. They all have blue, so all you need is something borrowed." He hands me the box and I open it with a gasp.

"Oh my God." I shake my head. "It’s—incredible," I tell him, tears blurring my vision.

"The necklace was my mother’s."

"Oh Cage," I whisper and a silent sob slips out.

"She told me she wanted me to give her one treasure to the woman who would be my forever. She knew I’d find you and she told me we would come together in an unconventional way," he smirks and puts the necklace on for me. My hand holds it to my chest—the fragile heart of white diamonds and blue sapphires.

"This is also yours," he says, handing me a long thin box. I look up at him from beneath my lashes and he smiles. "Go on."

I open it and nestled inside is a bracelet of diamonds and sapphires in the shape of hearts, matching the necklace.

I gasp. "This is gorgeous. Did you have this made?" I ask, thinking I’ve never seen anything like it. He nods.

"And these as well," he tells me, opening a small box containing a pair of diamond and sapphire heart earrings.

"This is too much," I say, trying so hard not to cry.

"It’ll never be enough," he answers, helping me with the bracelet while a sniffling Spenser steps up to switch out my earrings. Spenser quickly steps away.

"You’re all I need," I tell him. "You’re enough."

He pulls me to him and holds me tight. "You’re everything."

"Damn, Cage, dude, you’ve got me crying like a fucking girl out here," Xander says with a sniffle.

Cage chuckles and kisses my forehead. "Always and forever yours Fee."

"Only ever you." I reach out and grab the handkerchief in the pocket of his shirt. "Something borrowed," I tell him, then blow my nose.

"That’s so hot," Xander says when I blow again. "None of that dainty blowing for our Sera. Just get all that snot out of there girl. No matter if you sound like a foghorn doing it. Who gives a fuck so long as you can breathe, right?"

"Damn straight," I answer, then look at Cage.

He smiles. "I’ll see you in about twenty minutes."

My eyes go wide. "Twenty minutes? Oh God, Spenser!" Cage chuckles and I run behind the divider.

"Please, Serafina, I used waterproof. It’s your wedding day and that man of yours is amazing. I just knew you’d need the safety of waterproof."

I sniffle and nod then hug him. "Thank you so much, Spenser. I adore you."

"And I you, sugar."

"Dude, she’s already loving on other men," Xander chides.

Cage chuckles. "I’m not even worried about it."

I ignore the rest of what’s being said until I hear Jesse come in. Lucy stands from her chair.

Xander groans. "I’m already feeling like a girl but now I know you’re going to turn me into a total pussy," Xander tells Jesse. Mama cuffs him one.

"Xander."

"Sorry, but it’s true."

"Join the rest of us," Meggie tells him with a sniffle.

"Megs?"

"Yeah, babes."

"I’m so glad you’re here."

"Me too."

"You could get married, too, you know," Jace encourages and Meggie starts choking.

Trace laughs. "You alright there, Megs?"

"Yeah, just went down wrong," she answers.

"Which part? The drink or the thought of marriage?"

"Both," she says and everyone chuckles.

"Shh," Spenser chides. "It’s Jucy time."

"It’s what?" Kennedy asks.

Spenser rolls his eyes. "Jucy time. You know, Jesse and Lucy abbreviated like Brangelina and Bennifer."

"Wow, they nicknamed them?" Kennedy asks.

"Duh. A long time ago," Spenser tells everyone.

"You realize we never pay attention to the tabloids, right?" Jesse asks.

"Well you should," Spenser scolds. "If you did, you’d know that Lucy’s having Ben’s triplets and you’re having an affair with Sera. You all are one kinky family, that’s all I’m saying," Spenser says with a wave of his hand.

I snicker.

"Lucy," Jesse begins, and I sit on the vanity stool along the opposite wall behind the divider, and watch as he fidgets, "nothing will ever be as beautiful and perfect as you are so I had a hell of a time trying to find you a worthy wedding gift."

"Worthy of what?" she asks confused.

"You, Cupcake. You."

"Oh," she whispers, her hand covering her mouth. She steals his handkerchief, following my lead. "Something borrowed
and
blue," she says with a wink at me.

I give her a thumbs up.

"This is for you, Lucy," Jesse tells her and hands her a rectangular flat box.

When she lifts the lid she gasps loudly. "Jesse."

"I went back to Bart, the man who sold us your ring, and he told me about this older lady. Her husband had passed on a couple years ago and her health was failing her, but she had no children to pass her possessions on to. She knew Bart. He grew up next door to her and he told her he’d help her find just the person for each piece of jewelry."

"When I told him I was looking for the perfect wedding gift for you, classic and elegant, something that would look right with your ring, he told me he had just the thing. He came out of the back with this antique pearl set and with the pinkish hue, I knew it was perfect for you. Mrs. Pepperdine had only one request of the couple who purchased her pearls: that they love one another fiercely, passionately, and eternally. I told Bart that was definitely us."

"Oh Jesse. They’re so lovely, beautiful," she sniffles as Jesse clasps the pearl choker around Lucy’s neck. She puts the earrings in and Jesse puts on a three-strand bracelet, a smaller replica of the choker. "I wish I got to meet her."

"You still can when we get home. I invited her along but she wasn’t well enough," Jesse tells her.

"I’d love that. Thank you, Jesse."

"Anything for you."

She smiles softly and reaches to the table, picking up a flat, rectangular box.

"This is for you," she tells him, holding the box between them. She lifts the lid and Jesse’s gaze flies up to meet hers. He swallows hard.

"Luce."

"This is the photo Sera took of us that day in the Chicago airport. Our connection, even back then, was obvious. The look you gave me that day stopped my heart. It was like it was filled with promises, unsaid promises. I wanted you to see and have a piece of the memory I hold from that day," she tells him.

He pulls her in for a hug and I wipe a tear. Spenser pulls my dress over my head behind the privacy curtain while Lucy and Jesse finish with their gift giving.

"She picked the perfect dress," I tell Spenser. Spaghetti straps hold up a stunning backless white chiffon and lace dress with intricate beadwork. So lovely.

I smile when Spenser begins pinning the tiara of diamonds and sapphires to my up-do. He outdid himself styling my hair in an upswept half twist with strands and curls falling down my back.

Lucy comes behind the curtain and smiles. "You look gorgeous, Sera."

I press a hand to my belly, then I feel the scar.

"Sera," she whispers.

I meet her gaze. "I’m okay."

She tilts her head. "Well, I’m getting there. It wasn’t meant to be and baby Lilyana is with her nanas and her grampy up there somewhere where they can be happy and love."

Lucy nods. "I’m so sorry."

I shake my head. "Don’t be. Cage taught me not to regret what we can’t change, but to try to understand it, then to accept it. I’m almost there. I love her. I will always love her, but they need her more than we do, I think."

"I think you’re right," Lucy agrees, wiping a tear from her cheek.

Xander sniffles. "Damn it." He blows his nose like I blow mine.

"Let it all out, Xander."

"I am. You all are some seriously emotional fuckers," he says. I wait for the slap but it doesn’t happen.

"Mama?" I call out.

"Don’t you worry about your mother," daddy tells me. "Simone and Carmen are fixing the makeup she just cried off."

"Aww, mama," Lucy says sympathetically.

"She’s not nearly as big of a mess as Xander over here," Jace teases.

"Fuck you, dude. Do you not have a heart? Or is it made of stone?" he asks.

"I’ve got a heart, alright," Jace says, sarcasm and bitterness evident in the tone. "It’s just been shattered into a million pieces and even after six years I haven’t been able to put it back together."

A chair scrapes back and someone walks out of the building, the door closing loudly behind them.

Ethan whistles. "Damn."

"That bitch," I say to Lucy and Lucy nods.

"Throat punching... it’s not just for breakfast anymore."

I snicker and she grins.

"Arms up Luciana." I help Spenser put the dress on Lucy and gasp. It’s classically elegant, just as Lucy is.

"You picked this for her, didn’t you, Spense?" I ask.

"Damn sure did. Do I know our girl, or what?"

"It’s perfect. And the hair, the way it’s styled along the front and sides, also classic with the rolled curls. Reminds me of flappers."

"Dude, slappers are sluts," Xander informs us.

"Good to know," I tell him. "I said
fl
appers."

"Oh. I was wondering why rolled curls remind you of sluts and I had a thought but with mama who just snuck in here, I’m not going to say."

I laugh. "That’s probably for the best."

"I’d say so," mama tells him with a laugh.

Spenser puts the finishing touch on Lucy when he pins the pearl and diamond tiara into her hair.

"You knew," I accuse and Spenser smirks.

"I know all."

"Doesn’t surprise me one bit," I say.

"Are you two ready to get married?" Spenser asks.

Lucy and I look at each other and nod. I give her a wink and she winks back. Jesse and Cage aren’t the only ones who can come up with surprises.

Spenser smiles. "Then let’s go get you hitched."

––––––––

A
ll of Me by Jason Chen and Madilyn Bailey

Because of You by 98 Degrees

––––––––

I
STAND UP AT THE ALTAR
with Damian, who keeps fidgeting.

"What’s the problem?" I ask.

"I’m wearing white," he says as if he’s committed a Cardinal sin.

"You can change as soon as the ceremonies are over," I remind him.

"Uh uh, no way man. After
this
ceremony is done I’m changing."

I chuckle. "You’re really going to show up at Lucy’s wedding wearing your signature black? Regina will have your hide."

He curses under his breath and I’m grateful we’re not in a church.

"Do you have the rings?" the officiant asks.

Damian nods and pats his pocket. "Damian Black, best man, at your service."

Regina walks up the aisle with Xander and she frowns. She points to Damian. "You will smile and enjoy this wedding for our Serafina and Cage."

He shuffles his feet. "Yes, ma’am."

I nearly laugh, nearly, but I’m afraid he’ll pull his gun on me if I do. It’s ridiculous how uncomfortable he is in white.

"Why isn’t Joan here?" Damian asks.

"One of the kids is sick," I tell him and Damian nods grimly.