The beautiful, island day serves as the backdrop for Celeste’s and my twisty tale. My download is complete as the clerk rings us up for the ice cream and the cart full of stuff Axel distractedly placed in the cart.
“I don’t know if I should be worried, punch you, or congratulate you. Over five months pregnant!”
I reserve my chuckle until I find out the urgency he’s placing on that punch. I know I kept a lot from him but he was heavy in his own shit when mine started.
“In my defense, I didn’t know until about ten days ago.” I point out as I pick up the bags.
Frustrated, Axel tugs at his braids since he can't run his fingers over his hair. “Still, you’ve been in this long enough to get her into her second trimester of pregnancy. You’re in love, and you two have been doing this shit alone. She could have hidden out on the West Coast with us or in Texas. I could’ve helped,” he complains.
Axel claps his hands as he gets a new idea. “I know! We’ll come back with you two. I’ll beat her ex’s ass, and Heaven can bail me out.”
This time I laugh because Axel is serious. “No. I don’t want you having legal trouble for that piece of shit. I have plans in place to start shutting him down legally then he’ll blow himself up. I can feel it.”
I stop walking since we’re about a block from the villa, and I have one last big thing to discuss. Noticing, Axel relieves me of some of the bags.
“My dad suggested that I should marry her because it’ll give that asshole pause with messing with her since she’d be my wife, and there are greater consequences messing with a Scott.”
Axel nods his understanding. “Makes sense.”
“The crazy thing is I agree.” I shake my head. “It’s fucking insane. I was just mourning Sara. I’d never thought I’d marry again or have kids; yet, I didn’t cringe when he suggested it. Worse, I feel deep in my bones that I’d marry Celeste today with no regrets. What the fuck is that, Ax?”
He grins because he knows I only call him ‘Ax’ when I’m flustered.
“You’re in love,” he says like it explains everything.
“I know…”
Axel shakes his head and cuts me off. “No. I’d never disrespect Sara’s memory, but you weren’t in this kind of love with her. You two were great companions and comfortable. Tell me this doesn’t feel different.”
He’s right. It does feel different. I adored Sara. I loved her fighting spirit, her willingness to fight bullies, her big heart, and her outlook on life. But I didn’t feel an incessant urge to be near her. We had a healthy sex life, but I didn’t claw at her clothes or grab her because I couldn’t stand going one more second without being buried inside of her. Sara was my first love and almost everything else. We got married because it was the next logical step. I was happy to do it. With Celeste, I almost feel capable of throwing her over my shoulder and marching down the aisle because the notion of her belonging to anyone else is fucking unacceptable.
My best friend chuckles and nudges me with his shoulder. “See? Let’s go get married.”
“Let’s?” I question him.
Axel’s grin stretches into a full smile. “Why the hell not? Our schedule is wide open. Let’s pop into Vegas or something.”
I snort at his lack of knowledge of marital waiting periods. “Vegas isn’t the only place where you can get married in a day. There are several states that extend that courtesy. We could go to New Orleans if we wanted. Hawaii of course—”
Axel flinched. “We’re never getting married in Hawaii.”
Axel’s declaration tickles me more than it should but I understand their reluctance. I wouldn’t want to do anything like Heaven’s ex either.
Beau
Our dinner went well.I’m happy that my best friend and girlfriend like each other. Brett even relaxed around us and told us some tales about his time as a police officer in LA. He and Axel got nostalgic about their home state for a bit but agreed the shellfish was delicious. We feasted, then moved on to dessert, since Axel purchased half the store. We’d gathered around the pool and conversed until Celeste’s eyes began to droop.
We walked them out, and Axel waved after giving me a look to silently remind me to look into where our elopements would take place. I think I’m leaning toward a beach wedding but have to double-check the laws. Hand in hand, Celeste and I made our way to our room. I’m glad we’re on the opposite side of the villa from Brett and my parents because I crave her.
After my shower, I find her lying in bed with nothing but my t-shirt. My dick instantly hardens. I’m taken back to when we were sequestered in the house with nothing to do during a hurricane but talk and fuck. Knowing my mind had gone south, Celeste stretches out on the bed, silently goading me to do my worst. Her eyes eat up my body when I drop my towel. I love being naked with her. Celeste often looks at me like I’m the sexiest man ever born.
Her pout is adorable and confusing. “What? You don’t like what you see?”
“It’s not that. I distinctly remember telling you not to change. You, Sir, have lost weight.”
I’d lost about twenty pounds but it wasn’t on purpose. I was worried about her and channeled my nervous energy at the gym.
“Only a little.” I try to placate her. “I’m still….what did you say? Ah, ‘thick and fuzzy.’”
