Stolen Fate (30 page)

The next two weeks fly by in the blink of an eye. The doctor confirmed I’m three months along, something which is an utter shock to me, since I thought I would have had some symptoms long before I actually did. But Dr. Higgins informs me each pregnancy is different; I can’t expect the same exact things to happen as last time. Just the mere mention of Ethan causes a few hidden tears to escape but I wipe them away quickly, knowing he’s looking down over his new brother or sister.

Drayden’s family is all over the wedding plans, too. He told me he wanted to marry me as soon as humanly possible and by his terms, that means in two weeks. I think he’s nuts. I mean, I don’t know the first thing about planning a wedding or how long stuff like this takes, but I know enough to know two weeks is impossible. But as soon as he enlists the help of his mother, Dela and Bridgette, I know it’s definitely going to take place as planned.

All three of them go with me to pick out the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. The bodice is fitted then flared out at the waist, layers of white lace flowing all around me. His mother Vivian lends me the same pair of pearl earrings she wore, as well as Dela and Bridgette at their own weddings. It’s a tradition and one I’m only too happy to keep up.

We are to be married at Drayden’s house. His grounds are expansive, and they’re transformed into what I can only describe as a dream. There are tents set up to accommodate a very intimate guest list. I have no family or friends other than the Warners; they’re my new family, even before I’m officially welcomed in. Dela and Bridgette have really become like the sisters I’ve never had, and Vivian has taken on the role of not only my future mother-in-law, but my mother, in every sense of the word. She’s embracing and loving, showing me compassion and strength when I need it most. I really couldn’t have asked for a better family to marry into.

Drayden is only involved in the wedding plans when asked his opinion, which he gives readily. He knows better than to interfere with the likes of his mother and two sisters-in-law, so he keeps his mouth shut and offers a choice when asked. He knows I don’t have a clue about any of this stuff, but he wholeheartedly trusts his family, as do I.

~~~~

It’s turning out to be a beautiful Saturday, the glorious California day people always talk about. The sun is shining and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. The temperature is only supposed to reach a high of eighty-five, so it isn’t going to be too hot. It’s going to be perfect.

A perfect day for our wedding.

I’m in the back bedroom, the one I used when I stayed here originally, putting on the finishing touches when Vivian comes strolling into the room. She stops a few feet away and locks eyes with me, a look of love and concern plastered on her face. She’s making me a little nervous so I turn away from her as Dela finishes my hair. I decided to go with a classic up-do style, my chestnut hair wrapped up in all curls. Once my veil is adjusted, I’m ready to go, which is great since the ceremony starts in like twenty minutes.

My nerves were already misfiring all over the place, and Vivian is only making it worse by just standing there and not saying anything. As I’m about to ask her what’s wrong, she speaks up.

“Dela, Bridgette, can you please give me a moment alone with Essie?” They nod in her direction and immediately leave the room, leaving us alone together.

I turn, my hands folded in front of me, and stare back at her. For some reason, I feel like I’m about to get scolded or something.

“When were you going to tell me?” she asks as she moves toward me.

“Tell you what?” There is no way Drayden would break my trust and tell his mother about the baby. He promised we could wait until I feel more comfortable. When that will be, I’m not quite sure yet.

“Honey,” she says as she finally reaches me, placing her hand on my belly. “When were you going to tell me about my newest grandchild?”

I’m shocked. How does she know? Surprisingly, I’m not showing but for the faintest bump, but in this dress there is no way anyone will notice. The look on my face is what clinches it for me, telling all my secrets.

“How did you know?”

“A mother’s intuition. Trust me; you’ll have it, as well,” she says as she smiles, causing me to relax some.

“We weren’t going to tell anyone until…well, I’m not sure exactly when. I’m just so terrified something will happen again.” There are tears building behind my eyes as I speak to her, and I’m doing my best to hold them at bay. I don’t think it will ever become easier for me to talk about what happened with Ethan, without me getting all emotional and upset.

“Essie, you have to have faith that you and Drayden deserve this happiness. You cannot live in fear because if you do, you’ll miss out on all of life’s little treasures.” She gives me a quick hug but before she releases me, she says, “I won’t tell anyone. It’s not my place. But please know you are not alone in this, neither one of you.” And with that, she breaks our embrace and walks back out the door.

So much for my makeup staying in place.

Dela comes rushing into the room, knowing whatever conversation Vivian had with me was an emotional one. Little does she know it had nothing to do with my wedding jitters or being welcomed into their wonderful family.

“That woman sure knows how to make a girl cry, doesn’t she?” she asks as she reaches for a tissue from a nearby table, wiping the remnants of my emotions away. Thankfully, she fixes my makeup for me just in time.

“Essie, you ready?” Bridgette calls from outside the bedroom.

“Well, it’s now or never. How do you feel? Because you look like you are about to toss your cookies. Trust me, as soon as you get up there with him, everything will fade away and you’ll feel right at home.”

For once, I know my nausea isn’t being caused from the life growing inside me.

I’m soon standing at the edge of the pathway, looking ahead at my future husband. Eli stands next to me, extending his arm for me to take. We both agreed it would be touching if Eli walked me down the aisle. He offered as soon as he heard, and even though it took a bit of convincing, Drayden relented and gave in. He’s still crazy possessive over me, but he knows his brother only cares for me as he does for Dela and Bridgette. And I’ve come to call him a good friend over the time I’ve gotten to know him. I wish he would find someone of his own, and do it soon; he’s too great of a guy to be all alone. Although, he’ll argue he’s hardly alone, something to which I’ll reply endless one-night stands don’t count.

“If you want to run, just let me know and we can high-tail it out of here, sweetheart.” He smiles at me as I turn toward him, trying to decide if he’s serious or just pulling my leg. He gives me a wink before tightening his hold on my hand.

“I think I’ll go ahead with marrying your brother,” I say as I smile back at him.

“Well, he’s one lucky bastard; I’ll tell you that much.”

We both chuckle, and it only intensifies when we glance at Drayden’s face which is now set in a grim expression. He’s watching the interaction going back and forth between us, and it’s clearly bothering him. If it wasn’t our wedding day, I would encourage Eli to continue with the banter, if only for the sole reason to drive home how ridiculous Dray’s reaction is to us. There is nothing for him to be jealous of, ever. He’s the only man who holds my attention.

He’s the only man who holds my heart.

Once we reach our destination, Drayden quickly takes my hand, pulling me away from his older brother. “Don’t make me regret this, man,” he says to Eli, shaking his head, all the while having a half-smirk on his face. Maybe he is getting better with his cave-man attitude.

We turn toward each other as the minister begins the ceremony, but I don’t hear anything he spews out. Instead, I’m all too consumed with the beautiful, intoxicating man who is standing directly in front of me. He’s quite the sight in his crisp, black tux, his hair styled in a sexy, tousled but controlled way. He’s clean-shaven for the occasion, a look which makes him seem a couple years younger than he actually is. And even though I’m getting used to him having a bit of scruff, this look is just as sexy.

His voice cuts into my thoughts as he reaches out and grabs my hands, his touch already setting me on fire. “Baby, the day I met you was the day I started to live again. I didn’t know it right then, but you were destined to be mine. Your feistiness and cunning were something I wasn’t used to, but I’ll be damned, you sucked me right in. Mind, body and soul. We’ve been through a lot in the time we’ve known each other, but we’ve weathered the storm, only to come out the other side stronger and better people. I love you more than words can express and I’m only too ecstatic to be the man who gets to spend the rest of his life with you, loving you and cherishing you.”

I’m incredibly nervous and excited, the two emotions waging battle to outdo the other.  I squeeze his hands as I recite my own vows to him.  “I never imagined my life would lead me to you, and although it was kind of a rocky start, we pulled through, got to know each other, good and bad, and fell deeply in love.” I inch closer to him, staring up into his loving eyes, and say, “Drayden Warner, you are the love of my life. I cannot wait to start our journey together. In sickness and in health, our love will cure all. For richer or poorer, our love will gift us treasures beyond imagination. Until death do us part, even in the afterlife we will be joined as one, forever and ever.”

As I’m looking up at him, his eyes have become glassy. He’s trying his hardest to remain the stoic, strong man I know him to be. Now, me on the other hand, my tears are free to make a public appearance, and I’m only too happy to welcome them with open arms. These are happy tears, something I’m sure will grace me time and time again during my long life together with my new husband.

After we vow our love and devotion to one another, it’s time for the best part, the announcing that we’re officially husband and wife. That, plus it’s time for us to kiss. We make sure to keep it clean because it’s in front of family and friends, but there is no mistaking the passion which lies just underneath, begging for release.

~~~~

We’re halfway through the celebration when all the conversation is brought to an immediate halt. I glance to my left and notice Drayden has risen from his chair, drink in hand, and asks for everyone’s attention. Reaching down, he encourages me to stand up next to him.

“First, I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate this glorious day with my wife and me. Boy, I like the sound of that,” he says as he leans over and gives me a quick kiss. I’m startled by all the cheers which erupt from his little display of love. “Anyway, as I was saying before my wife distracted me with her beauty, we’re both so grateful you could be here to celebrate this day with us. Not a lot of people know how Essie and I first met,” he taunts, which causes me to instantly tense up, “and I’m not going to tell you, either.” The statement is met with a lot of groans, which we both ignore. “All you need to know is the universe and fate were having some sort of wager. And it just so happens, we were the result of that bet. And I couldn’t be happier.”

He turns fully toward me, circles his arm around my waist and pulls me in closer.

He brings his mouth down on top of mine, subtly running his tongue oh-so-lightly over my bottom lip. He does it in such a way it looks like he is simply giving his wife a kiss, but in reality I know what he’s doing. He’s relentlessly teasing me, in a subtle way, but in a way which is nonetheless driving me crazy with desire.

His friends and family applaud, interrupting our little display of affection. He draws back a little bit, knowing if he keeps it up we’re going to be giving everyone quite the show. And while I want to ravish my new husband, I don’t want to do it with an audience.

I have something I want to do but I need to make sure he’s okay with it first.  I lean into his ear and whisper something to him. He simply nods and kisses my temple, tugging me closer into his body once again.

“Isn’t there something you wish to say, baby?” He nudges his hip into mine, causing me to sway a bit before returning back to his side. I love this playful side of Drayden, and I hope he shows it more and more. “Something you want to share with everyone?”

I play along right with him. “Well, now that you mention it. Yes…yes, there is something I want to tell everyone. But now, if I could only remember what that something is,” I tease as I tap my finger on my lips, pretending to have forgotten. “Ah, yes, I remember now,” I chuckle as I face everyone who has come today to witness our love being joined. “Drayden and I would like to share the wonderful news that we are expecting a baby.”

We’re so happy, the grin on both our faces will be plastered there for months to come. As we look out among the sea of friendly faces, all of whom are now mirroring our look, we know we’re truly blessed in every sense of the word.

I have the love of a great man, a new family whom I adore and soon…soon I will have a child who I will cherish beyond the stars and back.

I’m truly the luckiest woman in the world.

“Come on, babe; hurry up. Everyone is going to be here any minute!” Drayden yells to me from the bottom of the stairs.

“All right, all right. We’re almost finished!” I yell back, even though I’m not quite sure if he even hears me. As I’m about to say something else, I hear the front door open and then a barrage of voices, excitement filling the air.

Today is our twins’ third birthday party. That’s right, we had twins. Twin girls, to be exact. Turns out the doctor who told Drayden the chances of him having children were one in a million was way off. In fact, Dr. Higgins told him there was nothing wrong with him at all. He could have as many children as he wants.

But, let’s not get carried away here.

When we found out, we were both thrilled beyond words but then reality set in for us, in different ways. I was a little nervous about carrying two babies this time, especially when a lot of twin pregnancies don’t make it to full-term. With everything that happened with our son, I was always worrying about my precious bundles of life. But thankfully, our prayers were answered, and we were gifted with two beautiful, healthy baby girls.

Isla and Emma Warner.

Isla is the older twin by two minutes. She was quiet and reserved right from the start. She hardly cried, only making a noise when it was time for her to eat or be changed. Now Emma, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. She was always making a fuss, more for attention than anything, I believe. She is the more outgoing one of the two but they are both loving and precious, the apples of their parents’ eyes.

They physically take after me with their dark hair and similar facial features. But the one thing they got from their father is his piercing blue eyes. We’re forever getting compliments on what beautiful children they are.

And they are. We’re truly blessed.

Once the excitement wore off for Drayden, he did nothing but worry about having to raise girls. Two girls. He told me as soon as he held each of them in his arms, no boy was ever going to enter the picture. He would protect them from guys like him.

I just rolled my eyes, thanking my lucky stars that kind of craziness is many years into the future.

I’m just about done putting on their birthday outfits when Drayden comes into the bedroom, searching for us to see what is taking so long. Before I can secure her buttons, Isla runs out of my arms and flings herself at her father.

“Daddy, look at my dress!” she yells as she hugs her father tight and kisses his face. “Isn’t it pretty?”

“You look beautiful, baby girl.” He kisses her cheek and looks over at Emma. “You both look like princesses.”

“Daddy, we’re not real princesses,” Emma whispers as she stands still, allowing me to finish dressing her.              

“Well, you’re
our
princesses,” he says, as he walks over and grabs Emma from my hold. He picks her up while still holding Isla and blows against their cheeks, making them giggle and squirm in his strong arms.

“Daddy!” they shout in unison. “Your hairs are tickling us.” They’re laughing so hard I think they’re going to start hyperventilating.

“Well, your mommy likes them, so I’m gonna keep ‘em.” He winks over at me with a sexy grin on his face. He can still make me breathless with a single glance.

“Okay, okay. Drayden, put them down so I can finish getting them ready.” I look over at the girls and say, “Who is ready for a party?”

“Me, me!” they yell as they wrestle for Drayden to put them on their feet.

Once they hit the ground they take off running, but we quickly catch them before they escape our sight. With a quick button here and there, we’re all ready to greet our guests and celebrate the day these two miracles graced our lives.

~~~~

After all the festivities have wound down for the night and the girls are tucked safely in bed, I decide I need some alone time with my dear husband.

My dear, sexy-as-sin, loving husband.

He’s tucked away in his office, working on some last-minute bid he’s just about to write up, when he sees me enter the room.

“Hey, babe,” he says as his eyes quickly rake over my body, my white silk robe loosening with every step I take toward him.

“Hi,” I manage to respond in what I hope is a come-hither voice.

His eyes light up.

Jackpot.

He knows what my intentions are, and he backs up a few inches from the lip of his desk. No sooner am I standing directly beside him does his arm jut out and grab hold of my hip, pulling me so I’m standing directly in front of him. He pushes me back so I have no choice but to lean against the edge of his desk.

“Did you miss me, sweetheart? Is that why you’re down here tormenting me?”

“Whatever do you mean?” I bat my eyelashes at the same time I undo my belt the rest of the way, allowing him to feast on my naked form.

“You are such a tease, Essie. You know I’m working on a tight deadline here.” He growls and grips the sides of my waist, raising me up and setting me back down on top of his papers.

“I’m not a tease if I’m offering myself to you, now am I?” I ask, cocking my head to the side as if that is one of the most serious questions I have ever asked him.

He stands up abruptly, knocking me backward so I have no choice but to spread my legs wider to balance the rest of my body.

When his fingertips trace my skin, drawing goose bumps to the surface, I know my wish is going to be granted. Work be damned; I need my husband and I need him now.

Bringing his face close to mine, he whispers, “And words cannot remotely express how truly grateful I am you’ve offered yourself to me. For life.”

But what he doesn’t understand is he offered me my salvation. He offered me a new way of life, something I had only dreamed of.

He’s made all my dreams come true, and I’m the one who will be forever grateful.

THE END