Struggling Free (Hidden Secrets Book 5) (24 page)

“Can
we do the first dance?” Jane asked. “I’m sure Vicky would love to change into something more comfortable.”

Without
giving us an option, music started playing. The song brought tears to my eyes and I forgot about the fact that Jake failed to mention the awards next week.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jake

When
I saw Vicky’s reaction to the song, I knew I had picked well. Alison Krauss’s
When You Say Nothing At All
played as I danced with my beautiful bride in the sand. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she never looked more beautiful.

“God
truly blessed me with you,” I whispered as I kissed her forehead.

“Jake,”
she breathed. “How is it that I deserve you?”

Shaking
my head, “No, that’s me. Every day I promise you, I was striving harder than the day before to make myself worthy of your love and commitment.”

“Like
telling me about award benefits,” she smirked.

“I
was going to tell you,” she gave me a ‘really’ look. “Really, I was, but we both got caught up in the wedding and then the problems with the pregnancy. I just didn’t want to overwhelm you. I would have told you tonight.”

“You’re
my husband. I’ll always be here to support you no matter what, but you have to treat me as a partner not a side ornament. We have to be fifty/fifty in this or it won’t work.”

Her
statement almost made me stop in step. “I’d never treat you that way. If that’s the way I’ve come across… God, I’m so sorry.”

“You
haven’t yet, Jake, but you aren’t treating me as an equal either.”

“Fair
enough, that will change. I promise. Vicky, my beautiful, sexy, I can’t wait to get my hands and mouth on you, wife will you go to the awards benefit with me. We could recreate our first date,” I wiggled my brows at her.

She
laughed. “Yes, my dear husband, who I can’t wait to get my mouth and hands on, I will go with you. But I’ll need a tent at the rate these kids are growing.”

Laughing,
I leaned down and kissed her. It grew more and more intense as it went on. When clapping sounded, we broke apart. The song had finished. Our first dance as husband and wife was over. Leaning down, I scooped her up in my arms.

“Going
to take Vicky up to get changed into something more comfortable, we’ll be back in a bit.”

Laughter
followed behind me as I practically ran up the hill with Vicky in my arms. I didn’t stop or set her down until I was in the bedroom. She stood there looking up at me with the most seductive look on her face. Vicky was absolutely glowing. Cupping her face in my hands, I leaned down and kissed her. She held onto my hips as the kiss deepened and intensified. It has been a long week. I’ve slept next to her all week, but she wouldn’t let me make love to her. She wanted to wait until the wedding night.

Lowering
my hands, I found the zipper to her dress. Slowly, I began to lower it down. When I reached the end, I broke the kiss and stepped back. Watching it slide down her beautiful body, sent my already hard cock to rigid. I still took my time, though. You only got one first time as husband and wife. I planned to make it the best first time.

Reaching
out, I held her breasts in my hands, running my thumbs over her hardening buds. Her head fell back on a moan as I lowered my head, tasting first one then the other. Her hands cupped my head as she breathed my name.

My
hands moved to her hips and hooked into the sides of her panties. As I slowly lowered them down, I trailed my lips over every inch of her body on the way down to my knees. Vicky placed her hands on my shoulders to steady herself as I removed her shoes and panties.

When
I stood, Vicky moved her hands up to my clothes, pushed my jacket off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. Next she slowly unbuttoned my shirt, kissing every inch she exposed as she worked the buttons. Before long my shirt had joined my jacket and tie. Her hands ran over my bare chest, she leaned in, tongued and teased my nipples. I moaned in pleasure and my body shook with need. Vicky’s hands moved to my pants and painstakingly slowly she removed my belt and started to lower with my pants as I had done for her.

“Baby,
I love your mouth around me, but you’ve had me waiting for a week with no contact and wouldn’t even let me take care of it myself. So I’d like to make love to you please.”

She
nodded her head and I helped her up on the bed. Unable to keep my mouth off her, I trailed kisses up her body as I crawled over her. Kneeling between her legs, I grabbed her hips and pulled her down closer to me. As I slowly pushed into her, she wrapped her legs around my hips and sighed.

My
thrusts were slow. Leaning back over her, I claimed her mouth. Our tongues danced together as our hips met in slow deep thrusts. She moaned and gasped with each movement our bodies made. I was right there with her.

Who
knew that when I made the decision to get clean, it would not only be to wipe my addiction out, but change my life as well? Vicky was my focus and I guess you could say my new obsession, but what an obsession to have.

She
began to tighten around me. She was close and I was right behind her. We were both calling out each other’s name in unison. It was an intense orgasm and it seemed to only grow with intensity the longer it went on.

“I
love you, my wife.”

“I
love you, my husband.”

After
kissing her again, I suggested we get dressed and back to the party. She smiled. Climbing off the bed, I went to the closet and grabbed clothes for us and came back out. When I looked at Vicky, I laughed. She was asleep. Covering her up, I kissed her forehead, dressed and headed down to the party.

When
I walked back down to the party, everyone looked at me and then laughed.

“Vicky’s
asleep, but I’m sure she’ll be back down in a little bit.”

As
I walked over to grab some food, that’s when I saw him. Cautiously I walked over to Nate and cleared my throat. When he turned around, he didn’t look angry.

“Hey
man,” I said, holding out my hand.

“Hey
brother,” Nate said as he pulled me into a hug. “Congratulations on getting married and the triplets. She’s a smart woman. She definitely picked right.”

“Thanks.
That means a lot to me.”

“Sorry
about getting angry at you. That was selfish of me. Y’all are my family and I thought for a moment you didn’t see me the same.”

“Man,
you’re just as much my brother as Jack is. It really wasn’t intentional. I wasn’t in a good place.”

“I
heard,” Nate said sadly. “You’re okay now?”

“Yeah,
I’m clean and the happiest I’ve ever been.”

“You
look it. That emptiness I’m used to seeing from you is gone.”

“You
look happy too. What’s going on? How was the vacation?”

“Vicky
is a brilliant woman. Going on that vacation was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he beamed.

“No
shit! You met someone!” I exclaimed.

“I
did, but unless I plan on moving over there… I’ll never see her again,” he said sadly.

“
Man, that sucks. What’s she look like?”

“The
most beautiful girl in the world. She’s got this almost black hair, kind of curly. These bright blue eyes and a body that would tempt even a saint. She walked into my life and nothing will be the same again… I’m not sure she felt the same for me though.”

“Why
do you think that?”

“Because
I figured if she thought of me the same way, she’d have begged me to stay. But she didn’t,” he shrugged. “The trip was a success, though. I realized that the love that I felt for Mary was different than what I thought…” he trailed off.

“Than
what you feel for this chick? Do you love her man?”

“Yes
and I don’t know. I might.”

“Wow,”
I breathed.

“Yeah,
I’m officially an idiot.”

I
laughed. “Why in the world would you think that?”

“Because
I loved a girl that didn’t see me beyond a friend and now I may be in love with a woman that I can’t have. That makes me a major idiot of epic proportions.”

“It’s
an ocean not a black hole. Don’t give up hope is all I’m saying.”

“Yeah,
thanks man.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Vicky

When
I woke, Jake wasn’t in the room. Stretching, I sat up and saw that he’d gotten my clothes. Smiling at his thoughtfulness, I went about the daunting task of getting dressed. Finally getting my shorts up, I pulled my shirt over my head and slipped into my clogs and began to make the trek down to the cove.

“Holy
Moly,” I muttered as I leaned against a tree taking some deep breaths. “You guys need to let your Mama breathe.”

Walked
a little more down the path, stopped taking another break. Then I walked the rest of the way down to the cove. I had just stepped onto the sand of the cove when a long, sharp contraction took over me. It was the best way to describe it. It caused me to fall to my knees and fall over on my hands.

“Fuck,
damn it, shit!” I hissed.

Everyone
was still a bit away and the music was playing loud. Breathing through the pain, I welled up all the strength I had left and I screamed Jake’s name as loud as I could manage. It did the trick. The chattering stopped and I heard Jake yell my name.

“What’s
wrong? Did you fall? Shit!” Jake asked panicked.

“Walking
down here… pain… bad… hurting…” I said through tears and panted breath.

He
gathered me in his arms and was running back up the hill I just came down. Just as he reached the top the pain had subsided.

“Jake,
it’s gone. The pain is gone.”

“I’m
taking you to the hospital.”

“I
don’t think it’s necessary. The pain is gone.”

He
stopped and looked down at me. “What if it comes back?”

“Then
you can take me. I think it was because I walked all the way down there and I really haven’t eaten much to speak of today. Please, Jake, I really want to enjoy our reception.”

He
sagged in defeat. “Fine, but the slightest twinge and I’m taking you.”

“Agreed,”
I smiled at him.

We
continued on with the party. Kylee apologized a lot throughout the night for saying the things she did and how sorry she was to even think she had the right to say them. Again, I told her that I understood and she didn’t need to apologize to me, constantly. I grew tired long before anyone else. Well, except for Shannon, who was asleep in Jack’s lap. It was a sweet sight and I made Jake take a picture of them. Personally, I loved seeing all the kids on the beach. They made me think of what it would be like when ours were born. Watching Jake, I could tell he was thinking the same thing too.

When
the cool night ocean breeze started coming in, the party was finally called. I was both relieved and sad. We had one hell of a day and it would only get better from here. I just know it.

The week flew by in a blissful state though. Again, I got to pick a dress out of a catalogue and Paco took it in and picked it up. Jake’s promised me that after tonight, when he announced our marriage and the pregnancy that I won’t have to hide so much. Though, he said he needs to beef up on the protection on me.

Here
I sit in our bedroom, dressed in the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. It was navy blue and shimmered like it was covered in glitter. The front was held in place by a piece that wrapped around my neck. It was backless, which I have noticed is Jake’s favorite. Even with feeling like a blimp with legs and arms, I still felt sexy in this dress. Jake’s reaction when I walked out into the living made me feel even sexier.

“You
are a vision in blue. We’re covering colors here. Last week you were a vision with white,” he sighed. “Now here you are a vision in blue.”

“Aww,
so I wasn’t a vision in blue on our first date,” I faux pouted.

“Oh,
I nearly forgot about that,” he sauntered toward me.

“Oh
, no, no, no. You’re not messing up my makeup or hair,” but I still wrapped my arms around his neck.

He
groaned when he felt my bare back. It made me laugh. “Oh tonight will be torture.”

With
a knock on the door, Jake pulled away from me. We walked out to the awaiting limo. Before I could stop it, I sighed.

“What’s
wrong?”

“More
low vehicles.”

“I
know. It’s a good thing that’s for Casey, Paco, and Dean.”

“What?
Then what are we riding in?”

“That,”
he said, pointing to an SUV limo.

“Can’t
we all just ride in that?” I said, unable to take my eyes off it.

“If
it was that easy,” he laughed. Just then Danger stepped out of the SUV. “Danger agreed to come with us tonight. Apparently he’s protective over you because of Shannon.”

We
climbed into the SUV and headed out. We were on the road for a little while and I could feel a sense of unease just radiating off Jake. His knee bounced and he kept lacing our fingers together and unlacing them to cuddling me against him before ending back to holding my hand.

“Jake?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re
making me nervous here. What’s going on?”

“I’m
sorry baby. It’s just this is the first time since we’ve been out in public since you’ve been pregnant. It’s going to be a lot of cameras and moving and…” he sighed. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you guys.”

“I
know, baby. We’ve got four of the scariest men on the planet with us. Nothing’s going to happen. So are you actually winning an award or what?”

“I…”

Just as he was about to answer Danger turned around from the front and hollered back to Jake.

“We’re
up next. Once the guys are at your door you climb out first, and then help Vicky out. Casey and I will stand next to and behind Vicky. Paco and Dean with you. If you want to stop and talk to anyone, let us know in advance so we can prepare for that. Do you understand?”

“This
isn’t my first rodeo Danger. I know what I’m doing.”

“It
is with your pregnant wife,” he hissed.

Jake
turned serious. “Point made and heard. Let’s get this done and over with.”

Just
then Paco opened the door and the flashing lights commenced. It was almost blinding. I wasn’t sure how Jake could stand it. Once Jake stepped out of the car, I saw Casey step closer to the other side of the door. Scooting cautiously to the edge of the seat, my hands were shaking as I placed one in Jake’s hand.

He
leaned in, “Everything is fine, beautiful. It’s just a precaution okay? I’ve got to keep my precious treasures safe. I’m not stopping to talk to anyone. We’ll just get right inside. Okay?”

I
nodded my head and he helped me stand. Casey made sure my dress was down in the back and Jake stood in front of me for a moment. When he turned, I had Casey behind me and Danger to the side of me. Jake had Paco to his back and Dean to his side. As we moved down the red carpet, Jake’s waving and saying hello to people. People are screaming his name, wanting an interview, but he just kept moving toward the building.

True
to his word we went right inside. We were quickly ushered to our seats. The six of us were in the third row from the front. I felt bad for the people that I almost smacked in the head in front of us with my stomach. Casey was laughing and even Danger cracked a smile. It made the tension ease just a smidgen. As we took our seats, Jake’s talking to someone behind us. The voice sounded so familiar, but I couldn’t place where I’ve heard it from.

“This
is my beautiful wife, Vicky,” I heard Jake say. “Vicky, I’m sure you’ve heard of
Johnny Depp
.”

“Holy
Shit,” I breathed and they both laughed. “Hi,” I said after a moment of staring at him.

Soon
the lights were dimmed and I took that as my cue to stop embarrassing myself and face forward. Jake wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I leaned into him. There were performances by some amazingly talented singers. I believe I heard Danger whistling a time or two at some of the women on the stage. Then the moment came,
Best Actor of the Year
award was announced with Jake’s name listed in the category as nominees. I gripped his arm excitedly and he smiled at me kissing my forehead.

“The
winner is…” the woman takes her time opening the envelope and I was practically bouncing in my seat with anticipation.

“Calm
down babe. This isn’t one I will win. I’m always nominated for this one, but never win,” he whispered.

Sagging
back into the chair, “Why not? You’re amazing!”

“I’m
glad you think so,” he winked.

“…
Jacob Williams!”

I
screamed. “That’s you baby!”

“What?
What’s me?”

“You
won! You won!” If I could have stood at that moment I would have been jumping up and down.

“Well
, holy shit,” he whispered. As he stood, pulling me up with him, then kissed me before scooting past me and walking up to the stage. Paco and Dean scooted down next to me while Jake was on stage.

He
kissed the woman on the cheek and shook the man’s hand before walking up to the podium, looking at the award in his hand. Our eyes met and I knew he was speechless. I blew him a kiss. Jake smiled bigger.

“Wow,
uh, I’ve been nominated for this award so many times that I’ve become accustomed to not winning,” he laughed and everyone joined in. “This year has been one for the books for me. A lot of changes and additions to my family, but none more important to me than my wife Vicky,” he looked in my direction again and I blew him another kiss. “She has shown me the life I’ve always wanted, but was afraid to reach for. We are expecting triplets in about five more months. I love you, baby. This is just the cherry on top of the cake for me. A symbol of all the changes and the positive direction my life is going. Thank you so much for this honor and surprise.”

He
was then led off stage and my heart began to beat frantically at not being able to see him and that he was unprotected. Paco leaned in to me and whispered that he’d be back out in a few minutes. I tried to calm myself down, but that wasn’t going to happen until he was sitting back next to me.

Sure
enough a few minutes later, Jake was back sitting next to me. The ceremony continued and Jake won three more awards:
Best Lead Actor, Best comedy,
and
Best Inspirational Actor
. It was as he received the last award that I saw his happiness crack. He didn’t think he was an inspiration. Jake walked slowly to the stage.

“Guys,
I need to do something. I know him. He’s cracking. Please don’t stop me.”

“As
long as we are next to you, fine.” Danger countered.

“Deal.”

I watched as Jake took to the podium for the fourth time. He kept his head down and stared at the award. He was so focused on that, he didn’t see me stand up and start walking toward the stage.

“Wow,
if there was one award I was afraid of winning, it would be this one. I don’t know that I’m the best candidate for this one,” he looked up then and saw me. “Baby, what are you doing?” He whispered to the side of the mic.

“You
are the exact person to win this award,” I stepped next to him and pushed him back a little. “I need a little more room than that, carrying three kids here,” I smirked at him and the room laughed. “My husband feels that he doesn’t deserve this award because he had a weak moment in his life. A moment that led to a struggle to break free from, but,” I turned and looked at my amazing husband, “he overcame that moment. He made it through the loss of his brother. He made it back to me. Everyone has moments that we feel like failures, but the only time we fail are the moments we stop trying. You never did that. You pulled yourself together and helped your family through the loss of Eli. You helped Eli’s wife and kids function without him there. You helped a man that was drowning in sorrow find a light again. And… And you helped me realize that life is full of surprises and sadness, but those moments that we cherish are usually the unexpected ones. I definitely never expected someone like you falling for a girl like me, but by some miracle you did and now three new people will see exactly how inspirational you are. You
are
inspirational. Everyone sees it… but you.”

When
I finished my speech, I looked and realized the spectacle that I’d just made of my husband and quickly apologized and stepped back. Jake cleared his throat and stepped forward.

“As
my wife just mentioned, I lost my brother a few months ago. He was my inspiration. Eli was the man that I went to if I had a problem and he always knew if something was up with one of us siblings. When he passed, I was really mean to Vicky and ended up overdosing on drugs. At that moment, I just didn’t want to carry on. My brother was gone and not much older than myself. But as I woke in the hospital there was a picture, my favorite picture, in my hand with a note on the back. ‘
Never forget how amazing you are. I won’t.’
It was that message that pushed me through the hardest moments of my life. I don’t feel inspirational, but damn if I’m not inspired because of this beautiful woman next to me.”