BRANDON“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride…”My wife selected a garden house by the beach in East Hampton for our wedding. Her dream wedding. She looked exceptionally royal in her white long trail wedding dress today. Omar did a remarkable job, as usual. I honestly can’t wait for this celebration to end, so I can finally have my wife for myself.
Alayna wanted an intimate celebration with our families, but some press always find a way to invite themselves. At least a hundred people are present today to witness our most awaited union compared to the five hundred who attended our engagement party. She likes it better this way, and whatever makes her happy, I am in an agreement with her.
My beautiful wife is now in my arms, having our first dance as a married couple.
“Hello, husband. You look very handsome.” She traces the line of my suit with her fingertips, and the diamond wrap around her finger flickers.
“You look like I’m ready to eat you.”
She giggles, and I always love the sound of it. “Behave,” she says, but her smile says otherwise.
I raise an eyebrow. “Aha. But you’ve got to give me that look, huh?” I lower my hand right above her buttocks. I would’ve bent her over if we were alone.
She bites her lips, grinning. “I have a lot of things in mind right now.”
I lean close to her ears as we continue to sway our bodies in accord with the music’s rhythm. “Care to tell me?”
“You’d let me go down on you tonight,” she whispers, then nips my ear.
Her mischievousness traces down my crotch. “Oh, don’t tempt me to chase the guests away. What if I don’t want to?”
“Take it. It’s a reward.” She moves away to search for my eyes.
“Why would you give me a reward?” I pull her tighter against me.
“Just so…”
“I should give you the reward.”
“There’s something I need to tell you—”
“My dears.” Elizabeth appears next to us too, dancing with the eldest Valentine. Right behind them are some cousins and friends, then I spot Cassius and Arianna talking at the side.
“Elizabeth. Enjoying the party?” I grin.
“This is wonderful. So sweet and so romantic, Brandon. Thank you for doing this for Alayna. My kids are enjoying it too.”
I glance over the buffet, by the candy bar where Jason is surrounded by the kids, and he’s feeding them. I chuckle. “Believe me, Elizabeth. This is all your daughter’s idea.”
“You are right with what you said, Mom,” Alayna says. “It really is magical. You wouldn’t really know the feeling until you’re actually there.”
“I told you, honey. But it gets better.”
“It does.”
“You look lovely, Alayna,” Chris praises. “And congratulations to you too, Brandon.”
“Thank you, Chris,” I respond. Maybe I was wrong about him. Perhaps it’s just my jealous tendencies, but this guy is actually decent.
I divert my attention back to my lovely“What does that mean? What is magical?” I ask.
“The moment I walked down the aisle and exchanged vows with you, I let myself get lost in the moment. All I could see was your face, and all I could hear was your voice. There was no one else around us. It was all magical.”
She’s right. I’ve already even memorized her vows in my mind, especially her last sentence.
“I may not be the perfect wife, but I promise to take care of you, love you faithfully and unconditionally through difficult and easy times. Every second, and every day, forever…”That’s the sweetest thing she’s ever said to me. It even made me cry. She cried too.
And she doesn’t have any idea she’s already perfect. Well, I have a lifetime to prove and show that to her.
“But like I said,” she goes on. “There’s something else I want to tell you—”
“Brandon?” Someone suddenly interrupted her. Again.
It’s Sebastianos and Pauline. I invited them, yes.
We stop dancing. My wife turns around to face them. She didn’t want Pauline to come, and I can understand her. I love the way she claims me—it’s overpowering, but Pauline’s father is here. They’re already in New York, so it would be impolite not to send them an invitation. Besides, the Stavros are family—it is impossible not to run into them.
“Brandon, Alayna. Congratulations,” Pauline says, smiling, but there’s a tad of sadness in her eyes.
“Thank you, Pauline,” Alayna murmurs.
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Lucien.” Sebastianos extends a hand to me.
I shake his hand. “Thank you, Sebastianos. I’m surprised you came. And Pauline.”
“Brandon,” Pauline acknowledges.
“I never thought this day would finally come for you after all that happened. I’m sorry about what happened at the engagement. We never had a chance to talk.” Sebastianos is one of the harmless people in our circle. He’s like me who doesn’t always socialize with family occasions, so it surprises me that he’s here.
“All is well, Sebastianos.”
He grimaces slightly. “Well, not exactly for me.”
I frown. Sebastianos isn’t the type to show even a bit of distress. “What is it?”
“This isn’t the right time and place to tell you this, but this is the only time I get to tell this.” He steps forward and inclines close to my ears. “Silvanus has fled from prison.”
A beat passes. “What?”
He steps back again. “Don’t tell anyone yet, but that’s my problem now, I guess,” he claims. “Hey, Petros isn’t here?” He looks around, completely changing the subject.
“Grandfather never attended any weddings.”
“Ah, I see. That’s another surprising fact. I have never attended one before either, but I had to see yours. Pauline is coming here too, anyway. Oh, by the way, I only came to greet you and your lovely wife—” he glances at Alayna “—but I’m afraid we have to leave. Personal matters.”
“No, it’s okay, Sebastianos. Thank you for coming.”
“But I expect that you’d come to ours too,” he says and pulls Pauline closer. “Isn’t that right, Pee?”
“Of course,” Pauline mumbles, hiding her eyes.
“I’ll save the date,” I confirm.
“Very well. Brandon. Mrs. Lucien.” Sebastianos possessively lowers his arm to Pauline’s waist, and they march away.
“Is it just me, or I think Sebastianos guy likes her? Really“Really? What do you mean?” All I know is he accepted the arranged marriage for personal reasons—and when Sebastianos says ‘personal,’ it always means business. He’s a workaholic and always dedicated to his ambition.
“I know it’s only arranged like everyone does in your family, but didn’t you see how he looked at her?”
“How did he look at her?”
“It’s how you looked at me. You’re blind if you didn’t notice.”
I shrug. “I didn’t know that I should care. Sebastianos is a good man, but a little secretive, I think. I hope you’re right, though. You might don’t like Pauline, but she’s been through a lot. She deserves someone who’ll take care of her.”
“I know that, of course. Her ex-fiancée made her his own punching bag. I couldn’t even imagine how it felt like to be betrothed to three men already and always end up getting hurt. I know that, of course. I’m a woman too. But that Sebastianos guy is handsome,” she says forthrightly.
“Ah, is he?”
“Stop that.” She chuckles, patting my arm. “We can hope for the best for everyone.”
“This is why I love you. You always see the best in people. I always wondered if I’m worthy of that.”
“I should say the same.” She cups my face between her palms. “And I love you very, very much.” She reaches for my height and kisses my mouth.
“Mm.” I greedily wrap my arms around her petite frame and fondly squeeze her against me. “So, Mrs. Lucien, what is it you want to say—”
“Alayna! Oh my God!” And another one interjects again. It’s her friends from the restaurant.
I whistle. “Ooh. Here we go.”
“Brandon,” she scolds. “Hey, Rexy, Dennis! You came. I’m so glad you came!”
The woman in a floral dress must be Rexy. She almost jumps at my wife. “You look so beautiful! I’m so happy for you. Thanks for inviting us.” She glances at me too. “Congratulations, Mr. Lucien.”
“Thank you,” I reply.
“Congrats, boss!” The other guy briefly exchanges a hug with Alayna, then greets me as well. “Mr. Lucien.”
“Brandon. This is Rexy and Dennis. They’ve been my friends since Venice, and now they manage my branch in Seattle. I know I should be visiting soon,” Alayna says.
“Oh, don’t worry about that. This is once in a lifetime, Alayna. You should enjoy every moment,” Rexy says.
“She’s right,” Dennis agrees. “You deserve this.”
Casey suddenly appears next to me while my wife and her friends catch up. “Excuse me, Brandon?”
“Case? What is it?”
“Can we talk for a sec?”
“Why, what is it?”
“There’s someone here who’d like to see us.”
“Us?” I frown. “Who?”
“You know who.”
“He came?”
She nods, then points a finger at the back of the venue. “He’s waiting for us right there.”
“All right. I’ll just tell Alayna. Darling?”She grins eagerly. “Sure. Who is it?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Oh, okay. Hold a sec. Rexy, Dennis…”I nod, then shift my attention back to Casey. “Are you sure it’s him?”
“Yes. I haven’t met him before, but I’m positive. Cary and Stan are talking to him now. And you showed me his picture.”
“Well.” My chest suddenly pounds abnormally. I thought I was prepared for this, but I’m nervous as hell. “He’s a little late, don’t you think?”
Casey giggles. “No, he’s actually very late, but you know why.”
“Okay.” I heave a sigh. “We can do this. Right, Case?”
“We can. You’re making me nervous, too. Just so you know, I have no memories of him, but I’m thrilled.”
I kiss my sister’s forehead. “Fine, I’m okay. You’re okay.”
“No, you’re not. You’re anxious as hell.”
“Brandon, Casey?” Alayna prompts. Her friends are already gone.
“Yes, yes. Shall we?” I offer both my arms to the girls, and then two small, firm hands grasp around my biceps.
I walk them to the end of the venue, greeting the guests as we pass. Then I meet up with Cary and Stan by the garden’s exit. The twins step aside to introduce me to a man of nearly sixty—who did his best to appear formal with the suit I sent him. I immediately recognize the features of his face.
The man opens his arms. “Brandon, my favorite boy…”
I approach him immediately and briefly drape my arm around his shoulder. “Uncle Basil, you came.”
“Of course. I won’t miss your special day.”
“Um, hello?” Casey steps forward and joins in.
“Ah, it must be you now. You’re Elysia,” Uncle Basil says. I step back, giving them space.
Casey blushes. “I go with a different name now, um… but…”
“No, you are Elysia. Elga’s younger sister. I held you as a baby.” He smiles in awe. “You look so much like your brother and your father—Oh!”
Casey instantly embraces him. “Brandon said you look like him too.”
Our uncle nods, stroking her back. “I’m sorry for what happened to you, child.”
She snivels. “I already knew everything a long time ago, so it’s okay. I’m so glad to finally meet you, Uncle Basil.”
Right, of course, she knows. I won’t forget the day I decided to tell her about her real identity and her real family. It was in Athens when I sent Alfio and Silvanus to jail. I didn’t know which was more surprising. The fact that she knew and kept it, or her unperturbed expression when she told me Aegeus had already told her a long time ago.
She is always stronger than I am.
Alayna clears her throat. “Um, Brandon? I hate to interrupt, but what’s going on?”
“Oh, of course. I’m sorry. Uncle, this is my wife, Alayna, and Alayna, this is my uncle. Basil Lucien. My father’s brother.”
“It’s him? He’s been freed out of jail?” she whispers. “Oh, I’m being rude. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Lucien.” My wife extends her hand.
My uncle shakes her hand and grins at me with approval. “The pleasure’s mine, Alayna. And to answer your question, I’m not supposed to go out until next week because I have one more trial left, but I guess the court allowed me.”
“Uncle, I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt if you came inside, right?” I offer. I don’t want our reunion to end here yet.
“Well, I wanted to, but I don’t think so, Brandon. Not yet anyway. It’s your wedding day. We don’t want your guests talking about you having a convict family member. Your grandfather is there?”
“He’s not here. But please, don’t say it like that. Like they said it’s our wedding day.”
“The wardens are waiting for me in the car anyway. I just didn’t want to miss your big day and might as well put this suit on, so I came.” He winks, then chuckles. “Thank you, it’s my style.”
I laugh and promptly hug him again. “I’ve missed you, Uncle. I’ll come to the final trial and watch your guaranteed victory. I’ll take my wife and Casey.”
“I’d like that very much.” He pats my shoulder.
After that moment of reunion, my uncle leaves, and a part of me feels regret. I should have searched for him a long time ago, but I chose to be a coward rather than face my fears. I wanted him to witness this too. I wondered if he watched the ceremony.
Damn. This is totally not the right time to reflect on the past. It’s all done. I’ve succeeded; that’s why I’m here at my own wedding with the woman I love.
“Well, that’s a lot of surprises for a day,” Alayna says with a giggle as we stride back to the dancefloor. I clasp her hand again and press her against me. “It’s making me dizzy.”
“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you, but I wasn’t sure he’d actually come.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m just really surprised. I didn’t know weddings could be this vigorous. But I mean it in a good way. Like everyone says, many things can happen at a wedding. This is one of those times when family and friends are together, right? Even though it is crazy. I once attended a college friend’s wedding, and she didn’t tell her father because he was against it. But her dad found out and went to the venue anyway, but he was too late. His daughter was officially married. God. He was yelling there. It was so embarrassing. I was so embarrassed for my friend. Do you know what I mean? Crazy.”
“Yes, I do.” I laugh though I didn’t really“But I swear, Brandon, if someone interrupts me again, forget about the surprise. The last one for today, I hope.”
“Yes, please just tell me because I’m already losing patience too. Thank you.”
“Okay.” She takes a deep breath and grins sweetly. “I’m pregnant. Yeah, so… that’s… my surprise to you.”
I gape at her. Okay, that takes me by surprise.
Unnecessary questions flood my head.
When? How many days? Weeks? Was she already pregnant when she was kidnapped? But the doctor didn’t mention anything. Why didn’t she tell me? Or did she only find out today? Should I name my kid after my sister Elga? But what if she is a boy?“Brandon?”
I gently lift my wife off her feet, wrapping her in a fierce embrace instead of saying anything. I realize it doesn’t really matter.
I’m going to be a father…“Yes!” I shout in victory, ignoring the curious eyes around us.
EPILOGUE They said nothing lasts forever, but in my case, that phrase might not be entirely true.
Yes, I’ve lived a wretched life in the past. I was driven by guilt, anger, and revenge for as long as I could remember. I couldn’t do anything because I thought I was weak. I thought it was how I was going to die. Hopeless and a failure.
Until she came into my life and changed everything. Alayna turned my world upside down, showed me a different side of reality I hadn’t yet seen. She made me realize it wasn’t too late to hope or to win—the exact opposite of what I had been living all along.
For when I was hopeless, she showed me hope.
I felt despair; she granted me peace.
I thought I had more guilt than anyone else in the world, but she gave me her love.
With her, my journey truly begins.
Our marriage.
My forever.
Well, we should enjoy every second of it now in a summer townhouse resort in Varkiza, one of the estates we owned in Athens. I am now tangling my wife’s hair as she devours my shaft by the beachfront. She is easing her tongue around my tip while her fingers massage my length.
“Easy, my little exhibitionist,” I say gruffly. Our resort is a private one, but a few staff members are lingering around. However, she insisted on doing it anyway. I have no choice but to chase them away.
I grunt when she takes my cock entirely in her mouth. Fuck. She feels hot inside.
She looks too damn tempting in her red two-piece that barely covers her growing breasts.
Then she bobs her head. Up and down, in and out.
In the last three days, I made love and fucked her relentlessly, but I made sure she was comfortable. Her lower back hurts at some time of the day, so there are some positions we cannot do because of her pregnancy. Her OB said they’re both healthy, but I can’t be too careless.
As she takes me deeper and deeper into her mouth, pleasure starts to course through me.
“Hey, love… If you continue like this, I’m going to come in your mouth.”
She looks at me hungrily but ignores me. She sucks my cock faster through the back of her throat. I give her more warning to move away, but her lips remain wrapped around my length. My cum spurts into her mouth, and she swallows every last drop.
Finally pulling away, she licks her bottom lip, tasting my milk with her fingers without breaking eye contact.
She’s never done this before.
Damn. She never ceases to amaze me.
“Well, that’s a first for me. I didn’t know I could take all that until I tried.”
Okay, maybe not. I’m still the luckiest man in the world—not that she can swallow my cum—but she’s incredible at everything she does.
“Come here.” I extend a hand to her, and she takes it. I pull her to my lap and help her clean her mouth. I brush my thumb on her lips.
“You’re going to be the death of me, do you know that?”
She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me instead, boldly exploring my mouth with her tongue that I can still taste my own flavor. She doesn’t really give me a chance to breathe.
“Wait, darling.” I cut off the kiss. “You’ve been very naughty today.”
“That’s my way of asking you if we can stay longer.” She giggles. I just love hearing her laugh. “And since you already chased the staff away, maybe I can cook lunch for you. It’s almost noon.”
“Yet we are here fucking outside under the sun.”
She looks at her arms. “I like the tan.”
I grip her waist. She still hasn’t grown a belly, but I can already see a change in the shapes of her hips. “You look stunning.”
She grins. “I like the color on you too, so will you help me?”
“With the cooking?”
“Mm.”
“But I haven’t yet returned the favor,” I tease, grinning.
She blushes. “What? Here?”
“Are you really worried about that after you just blew me with your mouth and attempted to display my cock?”
She giggles again. “But no one saw us.”
“And you think if I fuck you here now, no one would see us?”
Her eyes dilate. “But you said—”
“It’s an open sea.” I put her on the bench then sit on my knees in front of her. “What do you expect?”
“You’re not serious.”
I hook a finger under her bikini strap and peel it off her legs, then I run my fingers through her slit. Fuck. She’s so wet.“I am serious. I want to taste you here now and then fuck you until you scream my name. Is that what you want? For everyone to hear you scream?”
She swallows hard. She looks around, but she’d be too busy to care about that; now I bury my face between her legs, devouring her sweet pussy…
Alayna Nine Months Later“She’s beautiful.” I grin as the doctor places my baby girl on my chest.
“She is. She looks like her mother.” Brandon kisses my head. He’s been at my side from the hours I was laboring until my delivery. I thought I was going to die, but he held my hand, never letting go.
Our“Mr. and Mrs. Lucien. She’s a very beautiful girl indeed. Congratulations,” our doctor says. “If you need something, our nurses will attend to you.”
“Of course. Thank you, doctor,” Brandon replies.
“You’re welcome.” The doctor then excuses herself and exits the room.
“Darling, what do you feel?”
“It’s like I’ve been torn in half.”
“You’ve been very brave.” He kisses my head again. “You’ve just brought this wonderful human into the world. Thank you, darling. You’ve made me a very happy man.”
“No, thank you too. I’ve always imagined this moment—that you’re going to give me beautiful babies with your genes. I mean, hey, look at our baby. She obviously got your genes. We’re so lucky.”
My husband smiles. “We are.”
I lift her chin a little so I can examine my baby’s face. Cuddling her closer so I can whisper. “Hello, honey. Hi. You’re so pretty. Can you hear me?”
He chuckles. “I think she can hear you. She’s responding to our voice.”
He’s right because she’s moving her tiny feet and her tiny hands.
“Hey, your uncle Basil knew I gave birth today. We better tell him right away. He’s been worried since two days ago. He’s been calling from time to time to check about my labor. He’s like… He’s more like a father to us now. Also, I already had the nurse call Mom, so she’s on her way here now with everyone.”
Brandon’s uncle has been spoiling us with gifts for the baby since he got out on parole last month. He now lives in his house in Brooklyn, but he often visits the mansion. I’m not sure if he’s only using my pregnancy or his nephew as an excuse, but he seemed close to my mother lately. Not that I oppose that, but I just find it a little weird for Mom to date someone again.
“Right. I’ll send him a text. But should we talk about our baby’s name?”
“What? I already told the hospital the name you want. You said you wanted to name her Elga. Elga means sacredBrandon pauses for a moment, thinking intently. “You said you wanted Sky?”
I shrug. “I like Sky.”
“How about we name her Elga Angeline Sky?”
“Elga Angeline Sky Lucien. That’s long, but…” I look at my baby’s face, and my heart melts. “It’s perfect.”
“She’s perfect.” Brandon kisses his daughter’s tiny hand and wraps his arms around us. “Oh, I love you both. My beautiful, sweet girls…”
End