Ending with Forever (31 page)

W
hatever Lil’s cooking in the kitchen smells delightful. I sniff hungrily as I go over wedding details with Nik on the phone. She flew to the island of Sidena a few days ago to check out the castle where we’ll be having the wedding and to meet an old friend who happens to be the eligible prince of that island. She was able to pull some favors for me so I can fly my guests into their private tarmac. Nik pretty much has everything arranged from flowers and food, to transportation and accommodations and even a hot air balloon for Lil and me. I don’t know what I’d do without my most favorite cousin in the world.

“You owe me big time, Carson,” she stresses. “We’re talking about “name one of your babies after me” big,” she laughs.

“I know. How about I name a charity in your honor instead?” I offer.

“No. That’s not big enough,” she argues.

“Alright. Let me try to convince Lil and see where that gets me,” I kid. “All joking aside, I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Those dark times would’ve been impossible without you.” I layer the sentiments on thick, but it’s not exaggerated. She’s been such a blessing to me.

“You know how I feel about you. There’s not much I wouldn’t do for you,” she tells me firmly, abandoning her playful tone.

“I do.”

“Good. Now stop all that syrupiness. I get it,” she chuckles. “I need to get going. Prince Aless is having me over for lunch at his countryside estate.”

“Fancy. Rubbing elbows with royalty. Enjoy, and thanks for getting everything together for me. I owe you my right kidney.”

“Who are you talking to?” Lil inquires from the entrance of my office. “Why would you offer someone your kidney??

“Nik,” I answer, holding my hand over the phone.

“Tell her hello for me and that I miss having her here,” she hollers loudly so Nik can hear her.

“Nik, did you hear Lil?” I speak into the phone.

“Yes,” she replies. “Give her a French kiss for me,” she insists rottenly. “Tongue and all,” she adds with a snicker.

“I can’t. We’re holding off until our wedding night,” I grumble with volume, so it’s audible for Lil.

“Really? Who does that anymore?” she questions.

“Lily,” I grunt.

Yanking the phone out of my hand, Lil tells Nik “It’ll be like our first time all over again.” I don’t know what Nik is saying to Lil, but she’s laughing hysterically and then they disconnect.

“What were you two talking about?” I pry, disliking the fact that I was left out.

“Girlie things,” she answers tight-lipped and changes the topic. “Are you ready for dinner? I grilled pork chops for you and roasted veggies for me.”

“It smells delicious,” I compliment as my stomach urges me out of the office.

~~~~

Abstinence is overrated. I struggled through another restless night. Lil placed a pillow barricade between us because she didn’t trust me or herself. Why does she want to torture us like that? I’m damn close to throwing her into my jet and flying her to Vegas to get hitched, so I can fuck her until I fall over from pleasure overload. I can’t hold out for another two weeks. It’s impossible. Something’s got to give. How does she expect me to focus on anything else?

“Mr. Bradley, Mr. Montgomery is here to see you,” Evelyn informs over the speakerphone, reminding me of my meeting with my
brother
.

“Send him in please.”

Wesley struts past Evelyn as she props the door open for him and takes a seat in front of my desk like we’re having a formal business meeting. He’s even wearing a suit and tie.

“Thanks for coming. For the record, I’m no good at this sentimental stuff,” I admit off the bat, letting him know that I have no intention of getting all soppy and tearful.

“Good. That makes two of us,” he tells me with relief. “I don’t need a hug or a shoulder to cry on either,” he adds humorously.

“Same here. If it’s okay with you, we can move forward from here and agree that we have some kind of understanding,” I suggest.

“Fine with me,” he accepts, taking a load of pressure off my chest. “Let’s talk about Francine then.” He gets straight to the point like I would.
Imagine that
.

“What does she know about me?” I ask. My parents were told she was a greedy woman. I don’t believe it, but I want to hear the truth for myself.

“Nothing really until about six or seven months ago,” he answers, appearing very at ease.

“Why didn’t she approach me after discovering her own son?” I demand, feeling a twinge in my chest.

“Because you’re rich and your life’s perfect. She didn’t want to ruin your happiness. This is also the same reason she doesn’t want to tell you about her cancer,” he explains.

“Are you telling me she’d rather suffer or die than interfere with my life?” I question him, struggling to believe that anyone could be that self-sacrificing.

“Yep,” he replies and nods like he can’t believe it either. “She made me swear to her I wouldn’t tell you. Technically, I’m not telling you. You found out yourself—if she asks.”

“Sure,” I smile. “The Oss-Meta drug is ready to be tested on humans. I’m going to offer it to her, Gabriel and a few others. How should I go about telling her?”

“We can go together,” he suggests. “We’ll have a better chance of convincing her as brothers.”
Brother. There’s that word again
. It sounds so foreign and yet, I’m not opposed to it.

~~~~

I spot Lil rushing down the hallway with Luke. I called to let her know that I was leaving with Wes to go to the hospital. She insisted on joining me for support, whether I needed it or not. I meet her half way and circle my arms around her little waist.

“Thanks for coming, babe. I love you,” I tell her and press my lips into hers, not caring who’s watching us. When Lil’s around, no challenge ever seems impossible for me—not even confronting a birth mother I never knew I had.

“Everything will work out,” she encourages. “I’ll be outside the door if you need me,” she offers, stroking her hand tenderly along my face. “Go on. It looks like Wes is waiting for you.”

I turn to face Wes, who appears on edge. “Are you ready?” I ask.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” he sighs and we both enter room 444.

My heart goes out to Carson and Wes. I can’t imagine what an emotional reunion it’ll be for the three of them. Carson, who normally always appears composed and confident, was vulnerable like a table with rickety legs. His hands were trembling by his sides and his heart galloped faster than a race horse. He was really nervous when he entered room 444.

While Carson visits Francine, I sneak to Gabby’s room to surprise her. I have yet to catch her awake. The drugs they have her on make her very drowsy. I’m in luck this time. She’s up and singing with her bird when Jane opens the door for me to enter.

“Miss Lucy,” she yells excitedly, clapping her hands.
Argh! It’s that name again
.

“Hi, sweetie.” I wave at her. “You’re up, finally. I almost called you Sleeping Beauty instead of Elsa,” I kid. “How are you feeling today?”

“I feel good,” she answers in her tiny baby voice. “Mommy told me I could go on an elevator ride today.”

“Really? If it’s okay with your mommy, maybe I can take you right now,” I volunteer, glancing back at Jane for her approval. She nods.

“Mommy, can we go see Miss Franny?” Gabby asks. “She likes it when we visit her.”

“We’ll have to call her to see if she’s up for visitors, baby,” Jane explains, stroking Gabby’s smiling face.

“Carson and Wes are in her room right now,” I murmur under my breath. Jane shoots me a hopeful look, folding her hands together in front of her like she’s praying.

“Let’s go on the elevator ride first and then we’ll see how you’re feeling after that, Gabby,” I propose.

“Okay,” she agrees and reaches her hand out to me.

With her IV pole, we saunter down a corridor and into an elevator. Down it goes and then I find us in the main lobby of the building. I recognize the vibrant glass ceiling. She grasps my hand and leads me to an indoor garden of metal flowers, mushroom caps, butterflies, and birds.

“Isn’t it pretty?” she looks up at me with her grinning blue eyes, asking as she points her little finger over to the copper and silver blossoms.

“Yes,” I agree. “Why did you bring me here, Gabby?” I crouch down to her level to acquire an answer.

“It’s Miss Franny’s most favorite place in the hospital. She finds peace here,” she tells me sadly like she understands much more than I give her tender mind credit for.

“It’s very lovely here. I can understand why she likes this place a lot.”

“Will Miss Franny be okay?” she whimpers, splitting my heart in half with her thoughtful concern.

“Don’t be sad, little angel. We’re going to pray that she’ll get better, so she can enjoy a real garden like this one,” I soothe, framing her innocent, angelic face in my hands.
Don’t cry, Lil
. “Do you want to get her some flowers at the gift shop?” I suggest. Excitedly, she nods.

~~~~

“Gabby, hold on, sweetie,” I holler out to her as she storms into room 444 with a bouquet of red carnations and her IV pole. But it’s too late. She couldn’t wait to give Francine her flowers. I chase after her to find three tearful sets of eyes staring back at us. “I’m sorry,” I mouth to Carson, biting down on my lower lip as I try to excuse the awkwardness of our intrusion.

“Gabby, are those for me?” Francine asks as she wipes away the wetness under her eyes. “Hello, Lillian,” she winks at me with a meandering smile, intentionally offsetting my embarrassment.

“Yes. I picked them out for you.” Gabby nods and hands them to her. “I showed Miss Lucy your favorite place,” she tells her breathlessly and then pants. The excitement is catching up with her, exhausting her little lungs.

“What did she think of it?”

“She told me we’re going to pray for you to get better, so you can enjoy a real garden.” Gabby’s voice softens as she watches Francine’s face wince unbearably. “Miss Franny, it’ll pass,” she consoles with her tiny hand over Francine’s. Sadly, she knows that pain all too well, having also been subjected to it.

Carson’s eyes stream with inconsolable tears and so do Wesley’s. We’re all an emotional wreck as we watch Gabby offer Francine her strength and encouragement. What a brave child she is. I turn to Carson to weep into his chest, hiding my weakness.

“Gabby, we’re going to enjoy that garden together,” Francine heartens. “We’ll plant all kinds of flowers, just you and me.”

“Yay!” she celebrates. “Can we grow pink tulips?” she asks. “I know how to draw them really good.”

“Yes, of course,” Francine answers. “I love my card you made me,” she praises, pointing over to the shelf by the TV. Gabby grins ridiculously big, warming our hearts with her hopefulness.

“Gabby, we should probably take you back to your room before your mother worries about you,” Carson suggests after settling his emotions and clearing his throat. She walks over to me and holds onto my hand.

“Miss Lucy only took me on two elevator rides. Can we go on another one before I go back?”

Carson stoops down to her eye level to speak to her. “For you, Gabby—anything.”

She wraps her little limbs around his neck to demand his attention and whispers, “Can I come to your wedding when you marry Miss Lucy?”

Carson glances up to me and then back to Gabby. “Yes. Most definitely,” he assures her and then kisses her forehead.

~~~~

Together, Carson and I rode the elevator up and down twice before we took Gabby back to her room. She was drained, but completely satisfied. We tucked her fragile little body back into her hospital bed and met with Jane in private to discuss an alternate drug regimen. Our hopeful news for her daughter was the miracle she’d been praying for. It was as if she had an elixir of life poured back into her depleted frame, rejuvenating her to her former glory. This was the Jane before she sacrificed her youth and happiness for the sake of her daughter’s life.

Carson explained the process in detail to her. He stressed there are no guarantees on the success of the drug so that Jane will not be disillusioned, but he feels very confident about it. Gabby and Francine, along with three others, will be monitored and cared for by physicians employed by him. All five candidates are required to stay at BPC lab for two consecutive weeks for observation. Jane eagerly agreed to everything. This was Gabby’s last fighting chance. I’m going to pray really hard for her.

M
y two painful weeks of abstinence are finally over. I’m damn close to being a born-again-virgin. Lil and I have slept with a body pillow between us every single night. Only once did she cave in and give me a deserving blowjob for playing her foolish game. I had to squander one of my valuable Christmas coupons for that favor. It wasn’t a freebie. She wouldn’t allow me to redeem the ‘Fuck Me Hard’ coupon. It is only good for use after we are married. That is the stipulation written in bold type so there would be no confusion on my part. Unfortunately, since I had been so deprived, it only took me a few minutes before I came violently in a burst of hot cum. Frustrated, I swore off abstinence forever. Once she declares me her husband, her body will be mine to own and never will I agree to no sex again.

Lil, Isabella, Emma, Bridgette, Nik, Andrew, and Remée just landed into the Massimo private tarmac. Captain Franco radioed to confirm their safe arrival. The ladies and Andrew threw her a supposedly tame bachelorette party last night, while the boys—Hayden, Owen, Wes, Stuart, Devan and I—parachuted out of an airplane into the wine countryside. It was exhilarating and fucking terrifying at the same time. We topped our reckless venture with a speed race. Wes and I chose Bugattis while the others selected Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The winner was me, but I’m sure it was rigged. We ended my last bachelor night with bottomless shots of scotch and shit talk. I stressed there would be no strippers at my party. I have no interest in looking at or touching other women. Lil is the only one my heart wants.

After getting over my hangover, I spent part of this morning finalizing the small details I know will be most significant to Lil. She’s more partial to sentimental things rather than expensive things. I have no doubt my surprises will be received with happy tears. I hope to make this the most blissful and unforgettable day of her life. On pins and needles, I wait for the driver to pick her up from the tarmac and then drop her off at the villa where I’m residing.

~~~~

“Carson, where are you taking me with a picnic basket?” Lil pries with enthusiasm. She’s belted in securely as we drive up a rolling, verdant hillside. I’ve seen many picturesque places in my lifetime but this country has to be the most remarkable. There are stretches of vineyards as far as the eye can reach with scattered historical buildings and farmhouses intermingled in the landscape of cypress trees, sunflowers, and lavender. For any artist in search of inspiration, this would be the perfect location for a masterpiece.

“Do you not understand what a surprise is, Lil?” I ask, reaching for her hand and brushing my lips along her knuckles.

She shakes her head. “Can’t you just give me a little hint?” she persuades with the angelic smile, only she can pull off. “Pretty please?”

“Nice try, babe, but the answer is still no. You’ll find out soon,” I reply. “Be a good bride and enjoy the incredible view.”

“Fine,” she surrenders and tosses her eyes out the window. “This place reminds me of that beautiful mural at your penthouse,” she notes. “I can’t believe this slice of paradise really exists on earth,” Lil praises as her glowing face basks appreciatively in the brilliant sun filtering through the tinted glass.

“You mean our penthouse,” I remind her. “It is indeed a magical place. Why else would I bring you here?”

“Because you’re wonderful and you always make me happy,” she gushes.

“Keep talking, angel. My ego’s loving it,” I encourage with a growing smirk.

“Omgeez! That’s a very big tree,” she exclaims as we curve around the hillside to reach its summit. Lil isn’t exaggerating either. It is an enormous tree. If I had to guess, it looks more than a hundred feet tall and about four feet wide.

“It’s actually two elm trees fused together. It’s at least three hundred years old with a legendary fable,” I tell her, putting the car in park.

“Really? Do you know it?” she asks excitedly. Her eyes double in size with eagerness.

“Yes. Do you want to hear it?” I tantalize, drawing my brows mischievously together.

“Well, yeah,” she answers.

“About three hundred years ago, there was a prince who fell in love with a peasant girl. He stumbled upon her in the woods while she was foraging for herbs and roots for her father, who was a shaman. After months of a secret courtship, the prince told the king and queen he wanted to marry this peasant girl. They denied his requests of course. ‘A prince cannot marry a common peasant girl,’ they declared. He argued that he would only marry for love.” I stall to read her expression. She’s completely mesmerized and engrossed in the story like I thought she would be.

“Don’t stop,” she urges.

“Okay,” I tell her. “They kept the prince confined in the palace and accused the peasant girl of sorcery because her father knew how to heal people. They ordered their guards to capture the helpless girl. Somehow she managed to escape to the top of this hill, but when they surrounded her, she refused to go with them. She had carved the everlasting love symbol on this very elm tree before the guards arrived.” I point to the mystical giant trunk. “The peasant girl wanted the prince to know that she would love him forever. She jumped off the hilltop and fell to her death.”

“Oh my gosh!” she cries. “That’s so sad. What happened after that?”

“The prince was released after news of the peasant girl’s death was confirmed. He rode his horse to this hilltop and mourned her for days, staring at the symbol she had left him, but his heart would not heal. He planted another elm tree beside this one and then jumped to his death to meet her.”

“What a horrible ending,” she complains. “They both died.”

“They did, but they’re together forever. People have claimed they’ve seen their spirits here, guarding over this tree of love. Couples engrave their names and whatever’s significant to them on the trunk to declare their love is true and eternal,” I explain, taking her hand and helping her out of the car with the picnic basket.

“Is their symbol still on there?” she asks, ambling by my side with her arm looped around mine.

“Let’s go see,” I suggest.

For minutes, Lil studies all the markings and engravings on the massive base while I set our picnic lunch on the ground nearby. Moving toward her, I pull out a pocket knife. “Did you find a place for us?” I ask. She nods and points to a spot where it appears the two trees had merged into one. “It’s perfect,” I tell her and jab into the tough bark with the point of my pocket knife.

“What are you going to carve?”

“A circle with our initials in it,” I answer, making her smile grow ridiculously large.

“It’s perfectly us.” She wraps her arms around my waist from behind and squeezes her body against mine.

“It certainly is,” I agree. “Are my babies hungry yet?” I turn my head to face her with a grin. “I packed us an authentic Italian pizza.”

“Yes. Why go through all this trouble, Carson?”

Reversing my arm so she’s under my wing, I drown in her alluring brown eyes. “Because you wanted this day to be about us and no one else,” I remind.  

“Carson, that hot air balloon is landing here,” I holler, pointing to the pink heart-shaped thing.

“Don’t you recognize it? It’s like the one you surprised me with at the penthouse, but slightly bigger,” he understates.

“You mean we’re getting in that thing?” I ask nervously as my heart riots inside my pounding chest.

“Yes. It’ll be magical. I promise.”

“Are you sure it’s safe?” I fret, feeling my palms sweat profusely.

“Positive. We have a captain with more than twenty years of experience,” I assure her.

The large wicker basket lowers as the captain reduces the intensity of the burner. He waves his free hand to greet us with a cordial smile. The balloon is partially deflated for us to climb aboard. As soon as Carson helps me inside, the captain, who appears to be middle-aged with a Greek-Italian accent, increases the blazing flames above our heads. To me, the sounds roar like a blast from a fire-breathing dragon. After he introduces himself as Captain Rocco, he goes over the safety instructions and then leaves us to situate ourselves in a constraint spot of our choice. Carson stands astride me with his arms caging my body and his chin resting on my shoulder. Up, up and away we go. The dragon carries us above the tree tops and across the hills and valleys. Just like Carson promised, it’s magical as the wind blows us through the clear blue sky. Like birds, we soar boundlessly.

“What do you think?” he murmurs into my ear and then nips at the delicate skin along my neck, sending goosebumps down that entire side of my body.

“I think you’re the most wonderful man on this planet,” I tell him, releasing my death grip of the railing to cup his face.

“If you keep flattering me like this, my ego might grow too big to pass through any doors,” he teases. “Even the ones in there.” He points down to an ivory castle with terracotta rooftops in the distance, situated on the side of a mountain with waterfalls streaming below it.

“Holy laughing Buddha!” I scream, turning to face him. “Are you really taking me there? It looks like an enchanted castle from a storybook.”

“You deserve nothing but the happiest of endings, angel. I promise you and our babies I’ll never stop finding ways to keep our love alive,” he vows, pressing his lips gently on top of mine, allowing the fervor of his promise to flow into my heart, swelling it.

“So this is the fairytale you wanted us to write about?” I sniffle, gazing up into his gleaming hazel eyes where there’s only admiration and tenderness for me.

“It’s a good start. Wouldn’t you say?” I nod because I’m too choked up to speak. This man makes me happier than I could ever imagine.