Tender kisses, p.20
Tender Kisses,
p.20
“You’d better believe I will,” she said, smiling so hard her cheeks hurt. He pulled a small ring box from his pocket, revealed a heart-shaped diamond solitaire with a pear-shaped sapphire on either side and slid the ring on her finger. “It’s absolutely beautiful. I love you.”
“I love you, too, baby.” He leaned up to kiss her, and the table erupted in cheers.
“Hallelujah, grandchildren!” Siobhan’s mother cheered.
“Amen!” the other woman agreed.
Siobhan snapped her head around at the woman who, like her husband and two daughters, was smiling as if she knew something Siobhan didn’t. She turned back to Justin.
He rose and pulled her to her feet. Draping an arm around her waist, he said, “Siobhan, I’d like you to meet my parents, Jessie and Ruby Cartwright, and my sisters, Yvonne and Jocelyn.”
Her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, my God! You planned all this?”
Justin smiled and nodded.
She glared at her brothers. “All that...that talk earlier was just an act?”
Khalil nodded. “We got to know Justin Friday night. He’s a good man, sis.”
They all nodded in agreement. Tears sprang to her eyes. Siobhan glanced around the table and met each of her family member’s faces. “I love you guys so much.” To Justin’s family, she said, “I am so happy to meet you all, and I thank you for your wonderful son. He has enriched my life in ways I can’t begin to explain, and...” She paused to gain control of her emotions. “And I want to assure you that I will always take good care of his heart.”
Justin’s family came around the table, expressed their delight and welcomed her to their family. Her relatives joined them, and another round of hugs, back slaps and handshakes ensued.
Finally, her father signaled for quiet. He waited until everyone settled down and reclaimed their seats. “I’d like to propose a toast to the newly engaged couple. First, I want to thank Jessie, Ruby, Yvonne and Jocelyn for coming to share in this milestone event. You have raised an outstanding young man, and it gives us great pleasure to welcome you all to our family. Siobhan, your mother and I have had the privilege and honor to be your parents for thirty-three years, and we are so proud of the woman you’ve become. With Justin at your side, and the love you two so obviously share, nothing will be impossible.” He raised his glass. “May the love you share now endure and grow forevermore. To Justin and Siobhan.”
Siobhan sipped from her glass and smiled over at her future husband. “Thank you for all this.” Her emotions bubbled up once more. She put a hand on her chest and closed her eyes briefly. “And your family is here, too.”
Justin took his napkin, gently dabbed at her tears and kissed her softly. “Sweetheart, you are my life and I’d give you the world if I could.”
He kissed her again, and she forgot they were sitting at a table full of people until Malcolm’s voice interrupted.
“Yo, man. She’s still my sister.”
Justin smiled. “She may be your sister, but she’s going to be my wife, and that trumps your brother card all day, every day.”
Everyone laughed, and Malcolm held up his hands in mock surrender. The remainder of the evening was filled with both families learning more about each other. Siobhan found Justin’s family to be just as wonderful as their son and brother.
She had never been happier.
* * *
Justin and Siobhan sat cuddled in his oversize recliner late Sunday evening listening to music and talking about their whirlwind day. Seeing her interact with his family had filled his heart with joy.
“I can’t believe you tricked me like that,” Siobhan said. “And you got my brothers to go along with it, too.”
“I like your brothers. They’re good guys, and they love you. Khalil offered me a membership at his gym, and Malcolm’s giving me season tickets to all his home games.”
She angled her head. “Really? That’s a first. The only thing they offered any of my other boyfriends was a threat.”
He chuckled. “That’s because none of them passed the test.”
“And what test would that be?”
“Loving you,” he said simply. He had never been concerned about her brothers because everything about his love for Siobhan was real. “So, when do you want to get married?”
“July of this year at the beach.”
That was his baby—always ready with a frank answer. “Not that I’m complaining or anything, but isn’t that a little soon? That’s, like, only six weeks away.”
“I know.”
Justin pulled her closer and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Whatever you want, sweetheart.”
He’d told her earlier that he would give her the world if he could, and he meant every word. If she wanted a beach wedding, he’d make sure she had one beyond her wildest imagination. She was his heart, his dream and his greatest success.
Epilogue
Six weeks later
Siobhan locked her arm in her father’s and made her way down the aisle to where Justin stood waiting. She had asked for a beach wedding, and he’d surpassed her deepest fantasies. A warm breeze blew across her face, the moon illuminated the clear night sky surrounded by a million stars, and torches provided light for her path and for the crowd of guests who had come to witness this special evening. She couldn’t have asked for more.
“You take my breath away,” Justin whispered when she reached him.
“And you, mine.” They shared a smile and faced the minister. Twenty minutes later, she heard the words she had been waiting for since the day he proposed.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Justin, you may kiss your bride.”
Justin touched his mouth to hers, intending for it to be brief, but Siobhan had other ideas. She had waited her entire life for this man, and she wanted him to know the depths of her love. She wound her arms around his neck and took over the kiss, sliding her tongue between his lips and twining it with his. When she eventually ended the kiss, both were gasping for breath. “That ought to hold you until later,” Siobhan whispered.
He shook his head. “You are something else.”
After hundreds of photos, they entered the reception area under a hail of whistles and applause. She waved at her family. Her grandparents on both sides had come, and her mother’s twin brothers, together with their families, had traveled from Sacramento. Siobhan glanced over at the head table where Kendra and Cynthia sat and shook her head. Those two hadn’t stopped crying yet.
Later, Siobhan had an opportunity to meet Justin’s maternal grandmother, and just like grandparents often did, the woman slipped some money into Siobhan’s hand and said, “Here’s a little something for you, baby.” It wasn’t until Siobhan was steps away that she opened her hand and saw the crisp one-hundred-dollar bill. She turned her surprised gaze back, and the woman smiled.
She caught Justin’s gaze and met him halfway. “It’s time for our first dance as husband and wife.” They had chosen one of her favorite songs by Eric Benet, “Real Love,” because she felt it described their love now and forever. Justin rested his forehead against hers, and they swayed to the slow love song, their smiles communicating the words of their hearts. When the song ended, someone brought a chair and placed it at the edge of the dance floor.
Justin led her to the chair. “Have a seat. And enjoy the show.” He tossed her a bold wink and strolled off.
“What is this man up to now?” she mumbled. She followed his movements, and her confusion increased when her three brothers joined him on the dance floor.
They all shed their tuxedo jackets, donned fedoras and stood poised for whatever came next. The music started, and her hand flew to her mouth. She sat transfixed as her husband and brothers broke out in a choreographed dance step to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” They executed the moves flawlessly, that circular moonwalk included. She was up on her feet clapping and rocking to the beat. He danced his way over to her and dipped her in a flourish to finish the dance.
“This has been the best day ever!” she squealed. “Wow! That was so good. You guys ought to take this show on the road.” She laughed. “You don’t do anything by half, do you, Justin Cartwright?”
“Not when it comes to you, sweetheart.”
She hugged him tightly and whispered, “How long do we have to stay here?”
“Hopefully not long because I can’t wait to get you upstairs.” They were staying overnight at the hotel adjacent to the beach and flying out in the morning for two weeks of fun and sun in Barbados.
“Me, either.”
“I’ve got a bottle of honey in my bag,” they said at the same time, then burst out laughing.
“No more condoms.”
Justin stared into her eyes. “Seriously?”
She nodded. “I want babies and more than one, so we need to get started.”
A look of tenderness swept over his face. “Nothing would make me happier.” He leaned in and feathered kisses all over her face.
She could hardly believe she had finally found unconditional love and acceptance—control freak and all—with someone who would protect and cherish her. Someone with whom she could share her dreams and fears. She had found someone to share her life, and it had all started with one tender kiss.
Siobhan closed her eyes and smiled, anticipating the amazing life that awaited them.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781488003509
Tender Kisses
Copyright © 2016 by Sheryl Lister
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Sheryl Lister, Tender Kisses
