Easter's Lilly (33 page)

“
How self-sacrificing of you, Mrs. Montiago,” the judge responded in a sarcastic tone. “Go on…”

“
The marriage began under false pretenses. Lilly was pregnant with John Malone’s baby.”

“
Is that you?” the judge asked, looking at Johnny.

“
Yes, Your Honor,” he answered.

“
Diego told Lilly that Mr. Malone had been killed in a car crash and threatened Mr. Malone with harm to Lilly and the baby if he ever made it known that he was still alive. Once he married Lilly, he used her as leverage against the police chief in Sedona, to continue his drug trafficking.”

“
Michael O’Hara?” she asked.

“
Yes, Your Honor, her father,” he answered. “I have here the paternity test for Johnny’s baby, ironically named Diego.” He put the papers on the judge’s desk. She looked it over.

“
Max?” she asked. “The newborn?” He smiled at her. “Yours?”

“
Yes, Your Honor.” Mark put the test on her desk along with the other.

“
As far as Diego being faithful throughout the marriage, this is a paternity test for the baby Olivia Montiago was carrying. She was murdered outside the O’Hara’s household, pregnant with Diego Montiago’s baby. Olivia was Diego’s brother, Jorge’s wife.”

She began to look through the evidence. “Well Max,” she said. “Apparently you and your brother have been busy boys.”

“
Yes, Your Honor, it looks that way.” His dimples seemed to melt her icy façade.

“
Diego pretty much ignored Mrs. Montiago for the first two years of the marriage. Although Max will admit to falling hopelessly in love with his brother’s wife, he did not initiate an affair until after four years had gone by,” Mark explained.

“
If you don’t mind my asking,” she continued, “what changed your mind?”

“
May I?” I asked.

“
We are not formal here… please Lilly, I would
like
to hear from you.”

“
Diego discovered that Max and I were in love and decided to
mark his territory
, so to speak. He announced that he wanted to
win my heart
. He told Max to leave me alone so that he could make me fall in love with him. Max was feeling like we missed our opportunity. So we finally gave in. Diego and I had a sexual relation ship for two years. I never wanted it.” I could see her face, hungry with interest. “After two years of forced sex, something happened to Diego. He promised to stop forcing himself on me and he wanted to have a baby.” I took a deep breath and tried to fight the tears welling in my eyes. “I begged Max to make love to me and father my child. He was reluctant at first but I finally convinced him that if I had Diego’s baby he would have a permanent claim on me.”

“
Okay,” she continued. “So, he obliged and here we are today.”

“
Yes, Your Honor, that’s the whole story.”

“
Ms. Hernandez, do you have anything further?”

“
I would like to see the tests,” she stated.

“
I will make them available to you after the hearing,” she responded. “I assure you that they are authentic.”

“
Yes, You’re Honor, thank you.”

“
Anything further, from either side?”

“
No Your Honor,” Vanessa squeaked out.

“
No Your Honor,” Mark stated.

“
I am going to allow this divorce and dissolve this marriage,” she announced. “It is not because I am partial to Mrs. Montiago’s boyfriend but because Diego Montiago is a criminal who has kept this poor girl prisoner in his house for too long.” She slammed the gavel against the desk. “And besides,” she added. “The baby isn’t even his. Lilly, you’re free.”

“
With all due respect,” Vanessa continued. “Diego really believes that this baby
is
his.”

“
Well, it is very clearly not,” she continued. Then she peered over at Max. “Maxwell, are you going to marry her?” she asked.

“
Yes, ma’am,” he answered. “As soon as the ink dries.”

“
Give the papers a few days to get filed and then…” she paused, “congratulations.”

“
Thank you, Your Honor.”

“
Lilly?” she asked. “I see here that you are asking for nothing monetary.”

“
That is correct, Your Honor.”

“
Would you like to reconsider?”

“
All I want is full custody of my children…” I paused, “and his brother.” I laughed.

“
Granted!” She said and slammed the gavel back down against the desk. “Case closed. Thank you, counselors, for your service today. Max…” she gave him a flirty smile. “I will see you around, I’m sure.”

“
Yes, Your Honor,” he said and she left the room.

He got up from his chair and jumped over the wall that separated us. “I love you so much, baby girl!” I was so happy that I was sobbing uncontrollably.

“
Diego will not be happy.” Vanessa walked over to us and grabbed Max by the arm. “There will be repercussions for this decision.”

“
Are you threatening my client?” Mark passed a glare to her that would have killed if it were loaded.

“
Diego might kill me over this, you know.” She was so angry that her hands were shaking. “How could you betray me like this?” She slapped Max across the face with full force.

He fell back a little and put his hand over his cheek.“That is so not my problem anymore,” he said, trying to regain his balance.

“
He might come after you, her or the judge, you know.” She was simply not ready to go.

“
I’ll make a note of it,” Mark told her. “I’ll also be pressing charges for assault.”

“
That won’t be necessary,” Max responded. “She’s scared. It’s okay.”

“
I will make sure you pay, Max,” she said. “You and your little whore!”

“
What am I missing?” I asked. “Why did she slap you?”

“
He’ll probably put out a hit on her. She and I have known each other a long time. I’ve saved her butt a time or two. She’s scared and rightfully so.”

I was not convinced that there wasn’t something more. An affair possibly, I wasn’t sure. But I was in no position to demand answers.

We all walked out of court that day with hope and excitement. I hugged Mark and Max thanked him over and over. “We still have to get Diego locked up, Max,” Mark reminded him. “Let’s not get too excited yet. He may get off. It’s been known to happen.”

Chapter 26

You Really Should Have Stayed Away From Their Wives

Mark delivered the divorce papers to us personally. We stayed at Max and Diego’s house until the papers were officially filed. It was creepy. When the papers arrived Mark said, “Free at last, free at last!” I grabbed the papers and ripped open the envelope. I jumped up and down and threw my arms around Max. “Are we still getting married?” I asked.

“
Are you kidding?” Max said. “I’m going to call Hector and have him fly out here; unless you want to get married in Arizona. Maybe in a little church in the rocks? Baby, I want you to have what you want.”

“
Fly Hector and Dieguito out here and let’s get married!” I was so excited.

“
I do have one condition.” Max looked serious and it scared me.

“
Anything,” I said. “What is it?”

“
I want to get married on Easter Sunday.” He looked at me with the sweetest eyes.

“
Are you serious?” I asked. “If we get married on Easter, someone will interrupt the wedding with a machine gun or something. No way!”

“
I want Easter to be turned around for you. I want you to remember Easter as being a good day.”

“
Max, I lost Johnny on Easter. I married Diego a week
after
Easter. My dad was shot on Easter. My mother’s funeral was on Easter and you were shot, almost to death on
Easter
.” I thought about all the sadness I had experienced on such a holy day. “Do you want to have our anniversary so close to my anniversary with Diego?”

“
Yes,” he answered. “Because you will remember it with love and joy.” I thought about his suggestion for a while. Although, I really did think he was crazy, I went along with it.

We decided to hold the ceremony at the Flamingo with Hector as Max’s best man and my little son who would stand up for me. I looked at myself in the mirror in my dressing room, thinking about how I hadn’t lost all the weight from the pregnancy. John knocked on the door. I opened it and said, “You can only come in if you promise not to kiss me.” He laughed, and came inside. “I just wanted to give you one more chance to change your mind.”

“
I love Maxwell,” I told him. I took his hands and kissed his cheek. “I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for me. But Maxwell is all I think about. I’m sorry I didn’t kiss you back, but I didn’t want to lead you on.”

“
I came on too strong,” he admitted. “But I don’t regret it.”

“
Oh and thanks for placing doubt in his head. I needed that,” I said sarcastically.

“
On some level, you
do
love me,” he said. “And you
did
kiss me back.” He smiled like he knew something I didn’t. I shook my head in disapproval.

Just then Hector walked in unannounced. “Get the hell out of here,” he said to John.

“
I was just wishing the bride a good life,” he said and he walked out.

“
Any kissing?” Hector asked sarcastically.

“
Oh my gosh, no…” I answered. “I love Max, Hector. Only Max.”

“
Keep that guy at bay,” he warned. “I’m not kidding, Lilly. Max won’t put up with this.”

“
I’ll tell him he was here,” I offered.

“
Not today,” Hector said. “He is
so
excited.”

“
I do
not
want Johnny,” I continued. “I can’t help if he still wants me. It’s not my fault.”

“
Be meaner to him,” he said laughing. “So, you and Max.” He paused. “It’s the real deal?”

“
Hector, I hope you find it someday.” I kissed his cheek. “Yes, it’s the real deal.”

“
That’s if you can get over
me
,” he said. I rolled my eyes.“If I’m going to give you away, we’d better get moving.” He started straightening his tie in the mirror. “You know I love you, Lilly. You’re like the sister I never had.”

“
You have Elena,” I said laughing.

“
You’re like the sister I always wished I had,” he corrected himself.

I took his arm and he walked me down the isle. Hector delivered me to Max and took his place beside him. Johnny was an involuntary witness. Our baby was five months old now and Diego was finally five. So much time had gone by and Max and I had never lived a
normal
life. The preacher looked at Max and said, “You have your own vows you said you would like to recite.” I was shocked. He never said anything about it to me.

“
Yes, I do.” He grabbed my hands and looked into my eyes. I could feel my heart slip into my stomach. My legs got weak and I had to remind myself to remain standing. He kissed my hands, one at a time and searched my eyes for longing. I could tell they were beginning to fill with tears before his musical voice even began to speak.

“
Querida,” he started. “You are my reason for drawing breath in the morning.” His glance never left my eyes. “The first time I saw you, you were like a wounded bird looking for hope. I fell in love with you instantly. My heart aches for you when we are apart and my soul feels incomplete. You make me whole. Together, we can face anything and we will passionately enjoy the journey. Thank you for being my baby girl.”

I had no idea how to follow that. He did not warn me, so I had not time to write anything down. “Since you didn’t tell me you were going to do this, I am not prepared.”

He smiled and said, “Just reach inside your heart.”

I took a deep breath and thought about it for a minute. “You are everything to me,” I started. You rescued me from my first scary pregnancy and then you rescued me from what had become my life. You are my best friend, an incredible lover and the only part of me that makes any sense.” I could hear John snicker a little. “I have never been happier and I pray that you will stay by my side forever. Without you there is no reason for me to go on. I love you so much!” I wanted so desperately to jump into his arms. The preacher continued the ceremony and we exchanged rings. I was crying so hard, I could barely see clearly enough to slip the ring on his finger. When he got to the “kiss the bride,” Max pulled me close and kissed me deeply. I was so swept away; he had to hold me up a little.