Interception (Finnegan Brothers Book 4) (3 page)

5

The next morning I climbed into bed with Mackenzie early and we snuggled together for a while before it was time to get up. Hair dressers and makeup artists were coming to the house to prepare us for the big day. The ceremony was in a church, but the reception was outside and Charity wanted to be sure our hair would be perfect for pictures. I knew that meant one thing, lots of hair spray.

I looked out the window and saw the sun shining. The storm from the other day long forgotten. But the drama in my life wasn’t, neither were the broken pieces of my heart. But I tried to ignore that, I would have to go at it alone. Blake had made his choice and I had made mine. I would be happy regardless of what happened between us. Even though it hurt to breathe, I thought that time would make things easier for me. I told Mackenzie to wake up but I gave her a few more minutes and went downstairs to make myself some coffee. My dad was sitting at the kitchen table. I realized that we hadn't really spoken very much since my arrival, and that was probably partially my fault.

“Hi Dad.”

He set down his paper and held up his coffee mug to me, “Just made a fresh pot. You're welcome to it.”

“Hazelnut? My favorite.”

I filled up the mug and sat down at the kitchen table across from him. He hadn't brought any of the furniture from the old house here so we were sitting on barstools and modern table that didn't quite fit the rest of the house. “This table is weird. It doesn’t fit with the rest of the house.” I commented.

He laughed, “It's the one piece of furniture I got to pick out.”

I smiled at him, “I should've known. You always did like darker furniture. But really it's the only thing that you got to pick out?”

“Well this and all my office furniture. There is a Lazy Boy in there, but don’t tell Charity. Her designer wouldn't really like the faux leather.”

I nodded, “I bet she wouldn't.”

He looked around, “But I think this house has really come together. It feels like home.” He paused for a moment, “To me at least. I know that this will never be home to you and your sister.”

I sat down my mug. “That's okay though dad. It's not our home. It's yours and Charity’s and the baby’s.” I put emphasis on the last word and I watched as his face went pale.

“Charity told you to?”

“Kenz spilled it to me.”

He shook his head, “I didn't think we were telling anyone until she was further along, and definitely not before the wedding. Her family is pretty religious.”

“Yeah but Dad she’s in her thirties, and you've been living together for like two years. They have to have known something was going on. I mean really who cares? We all make our own choices.”

I didn't know when I had suddenly become so nonchalant but it was like it didn't matter to me that Charity was pregnant. I didn't feel replaced anymore, this wasn't my home. And Charity’s little bundle of joy would grow up here and live their life. And she would be my stepmother and Dad would still be my dad. Things weren’t changing as much as I made them out to be, and yes I had a bit of flair for the dramatic. He didn't say anything for a while but took another sip from his hot coffee. I could see the steam still rising from the mug. Finally he set it down and held it between his hands. “You know I never meant to hurt you girls. Or your mother either. And as much as she blames me for the divorce, she was ready to get out too.”

“I don't think she was. Mom didn't get out of bed for months after we moved to Florida. She mourned your marriage. She didn’t know what to do without you.”

The shock was written all over his face. “I didn't know! I thought she wanted out as much as I did.”

I shook my head, “No I don't think she did. She's different now though, and in a sense maybe she is happier. She's definitely doing things never thought she'd do. And I think that's good for her.” I didn't mention the fact that she might have a boyfriend. It wasn't my place.

He nodded, “Good for her. We both got a fresh start. I think Florida was good for all of you.”

“Yet we like it there. It's far from here though.”

He picked up his newspaper again, “Sometimes distance gives you the space you need from your problems.”

“Yeah I guess you're right.”

I grabbed my mug of coffee and walked upstairs to wake Mackenzie. It only took another ten minutes before I wrangled her into the shower. It was steamy in our connecting bathroom while she was blaring some Taylor Swift song from her phone. I had left mine on my side table, everybody knew about the wedding today so nobody would call. And I would only use it to take pictures later.

“So what do you think it be like when we go home?”

Mackenzie popped her head out from behind the shower curtain, her blonde hair dripping wet. “What do you mean?”

I leaned against the granite countertop. “About mom's boyfriend. I mean it's weird isn't it?”

“Not really. People are allowed to move on Lena.”

I knew that, all too well.

6

As the hairdressers and makeup artists worked their magic on the two of us we sat in silence perhaps both contemplating the fact that our father was moving on today. He was making it official. And in some ways I was proud of him, it was the right thing for him to do. I needed to start a value people's happiness above all else, even my own. I considered checking my phone to see if Blake had called me but I knew if he hadn’t I would just be more upset and today wasn't my day. Charity’s sister was already being a bitch she didn't need me to be an emotional wreck too.

“I don't really think my hair works like this. Can we try something different?”

The hairdresser look frustrated and sighed for the fourth time since starting Charity sister's hair.

“Leslie I think it looks fine. And I mean really it doesn't matter what we look like, it's all about Charity.” Mackenzie was just trying to help, she didn't realize that her phrasing would only make it worse.

“Start over. I want to lower on my head, this isn’t a nineteen eighty five prom you know.”

The stylist started to unpin her hair and Mackenzie gave me a look that said, “let's not talk to her anymore.”

I nodded. Crazy cat lady had struck again. It took over two hours for all of us to get ready but when we stood side-by-side in front of my bathroom mirror I realized that Charity really had done a great job picking out those black dresses. We looked beautiful. Mackenzie's long blonde hair was pinned up in tendrils at the nape of her neck, my typical brunette mess had been made into a sleek bun on top of my head and Leslie had gotten her way with a small braided bun sitting just above her neck. We all looked unique, but the dresses tied us together. Charity was sitting in the hairdressers chair and when we walked in the look on her face was priceless. I may not of like her very much but it was clear that she loved my father and that this was the happiest day of her life. Her gown with simple with plunging neckline in the front and a stark dip in the back. It had a lace band going around the waist and down the back. But the rest was a simple satin, it made her look elegant. I could just barely see her baby bump but only because I was looking for it. Her family wouldn’t notice, and that was probably for the best.

We took a limo to the church, very Charity style and the church was beautifully decorated in huge bouquets of baby pink roses. There was white fabric draped from each pew, and a long white carpet that ran down the aisle.

Mackenzie and I walked down the aisle together. Hand-in-hand. We supported each other, and as we arrived at the front of the church I even saw Leslie tear up. As I stood at the altar and saw the smile on my dad’s face when he saw Charity for the first time in her dress I knew that he had made the right decision. I realized that it probably been over a decade since I'd seen him that happy looking at my mother, and while that broke my heart I was glad to know that he had finally found someone that he was truly happy with. He loved Charity even though she was crazy and high strung. But we all have our faults, it's what makes us human.

The reception was amazing. There was a giant white tent out behind the church in the Rose Garden. Charity hardly had to decorate because all the beautiful natural flowers but of course she went over the top. All the tables were draped in white linen with beautiful light pink roses in the middle of each table. She only used roses, and many of them she had inserted dazzling gems into the centers of. It was like a magical forest. Each chair was draped in white linens as well with a light pink bow tied to each one. And they had a sweet heart table which was nice for Kenz and I so we wouldn't have to sit with them. There were about a hundred guests and everyone was milling around and drinking and listening to the live band as they played some slower tunes before dinner started. My dad had asked me to give a toast, he said it only had to be short and sweet but I wanted to make sure it was genuine. I held a small folded piece of paper in my hands and turned it over and over as I waited for the toasts began.

“What did you write about?”

“Whatever I could think of about Dad. I mean I don't really know much about Charity so I figured I’d just write about him.”

Mackenzie smiled, “That make sense. You probably know him better than most people.”

“You could say that. But I mean I haven't really been around him the past few years, I think he's changed.”

Mackenzie raised her eyebrows, “We all have. We've grown up these past three years. A lot is changed.”

I thought about it all, a lot had changed and not so much. The way I felt about Blake hadn't changed even though all day I had been thinking about letting go I still hold onto some hope. I heard the clicking of glasses behind me and saw Charity and my dad kissing at their table. There were servers starting to fill up the buffet trays and I knew that my moment would be soon.

“The toast to the bride and groom!” Charity’s father said as he raised his glass.

Leslie spoke next. It was a nice speech and short, highlighting some of their best memories together as sisters. I looked at Mackenzie, thinking that one day I would be giving the same speech for her. But as she twirled her hair and her finger I was glad I had at least another ten years before that happened.

It was my turn next. After the clapping subsided from Leslie's toast I stood up with my glass and my crumpled piece of paper that had all my feelings about my dad on it. I took a deep breath, “My dad is a wonderful man. He always taught us girls how a woman should be treated. With respect and kindness but the best thing about my dad is that he also thinks women should be treated with gifts.” There were a couple giggles from the crowd. “And Charity is lucky to have him and all the gifts that he will bring to her. But I know that right now my dad thinks that his biggest gift is a present to him. And that present is Charity.” I looked directly at her. “He loves you, and I hope that you spend the next hundred years giving each other gifts every day. To my father and new stepmother, cheers!” I heard a resounding cheers from the crowd and some people clinking their glasses together, then the silence as everyone drank the champagne. The music had just begun to play when I heard someone say “I have a toast.”

I recognized the voice. My head spun around to see Blake standing next to the band in a perfectly crisp black suit and tie. He had a glass in his hand and a smile on his face. “I know this is unorthodox because I wasn't invited to toast, however I have some feelings that I think are appropriate. I practically grew up in that house with Lena and her family and I saw what real love looked like. So I wrote down a few things that I think you should remember when trying to love someone.” My breath caught in my chest. I struggled for air as he crossed the dance floor and walked to my table. Mackenzie hit my arm and jumpstarted my heart.

He eyes met mine. “You should always run in the rain. You should always lay on the beach and look at the stars and dream about being among them. You should hold hands and run through fields in the breeze of spring. You should swim in the ocean whenever you want to. You should try new things, meet new people, and go new places. But you should always come home too, where people know you best.” He turned away from me and looked at my dad and Charity. “You should love one another so fiercely that it hurts to breathe without the other one close to you.” He looked back at me once more, “And you should play. Because it fills your heart and makes you feel right inside.” At that moment the keyboard player from the band stood up and extended his hands to his seat. Blake reached for my hand and I fearfully gave it to him. He led me over to the stage and as I walked on it I felt completely overwhelmed by all the people watching me. When I looked at my dad he just smiled. I flattened the bottom of my dress and sat down allowing my fingers to find their place in the plastic keys. I had to think of the right song, something that would show Blake that I knew he was talking to me. Luckily the answer was right in front of me. Sitting on the stand was the sheet music for John Legend’s All of Me. I nodded to Blake as he took my seat next to Mackenzie. Slowly I started to play the ballad and I moved with the music as it flowed out of the keyboard. I put every emotion I had into that song. I closed my eyes when I knew the notes and just let it happen. Blake had come to tell me that he loved me and I was dying inside trying not to let my heart jump straight out of my chest into his lap. But the music calmed me and said everything that I didn't know if I could. It said how much I needed him and loved him and how I would make up for every wrongdoing that I had done to us. I had missed him so much. As the song came to a close and the audience interrupted with applause I could only see one person in the crowd, Blake. He remained seated with a smug smile on his face. Charity and my father came up to me and hugged me tightly, clearly thinking the whole event had been planned. The band started playing again and servers began ushering people to the buffet. I walked back to my table but Blake was gone.

“Kenz, where did he go?”

She nodded her head toward the garden. “Gazebo.”

As I turned to go there she stopped me. “Lena!” I turned back around. “Tell him. Tell him you love him. Because he’s clearly crazy about you.”

I walked on the grass and my heels sunk just a little bit as I made my way to the gazebo. Blake stood with his back to me looking out into the night over the garden. There were twinkling lights dangling from the top that gave the whole place a nice little glow. “You came.”

He had his hands in his pockets and he turned around to greet me.

“Of course I came. A girl doesn't just tell you that she wants to try again and you let her go.”

I shook my head, “But you did let me go last night. You went home with Harli.”

He took his hands out of his pockets and put them around my waist, “No I took Harli home. To her home. She was cute but she wasn’t you. Why didn’t you tell me before that there was a chance for us?”

I snuggled in closer to him, “I didn't think there was. I never expected to come back here and feel this way. I knew I missed you but I thought I had buried those feelings, I didn't realize… Until I saw you at the beach when Slade was talking about all that crap. The look on your face told me that there may be had still been a chance.”

“There was always a chance. It was always me and you.” He took his right hand from behind my waist and placed it on my cheek pulling me close to him and laying a soft kiss on my lips. I flung my arms around his neck and he picked me up with his left arm so that my feet no longer touched the ground. When he set me back down I was breathless. “What are we going to do?”

He smiled at me devilishly, “There’s something I've wanted to do for a long time.”

He backed away from me and I saw the old blanket from the theater folded on a bench in the gazebo. He picked it up and laid it down on the ground and sat down on it. “Care to join me?”

I smiled, “But there's no music.”

“There doesn’t have to be.”

He laid down on the blanket and I pulled my dress up so I could straddle him. He pulled my face down to his and our lips locked, our tongues intertwining. As I took a breath he took advantage of my exposed neck and sweetly kissed the flesh. I slowly sat back and he pulled himself up to that our chests were touching. He continued to kiss the front of my body as I unzipped my dress. I stood up and gradually removed the dress revealing a set of black bra and panties. He stood and pushed me back against one of the poles of the gazebo.

“I missed you. Your taste, your scent,” he said as he cupped my breasts in his hands. He kissed me again, more forcefully this time, and moved his mouth down my body. As he reached his knees he pulled down my underwear. He teased me with them, stopping at few times over my legs and kissing the tops of my thighs. Once they were finally off he took my right leg and put it over his shoulder, my heel just hitting his back. He licked my mound slowly. Then he kissed it, sucking on my juices. I moaned as I felt my pussy start to tremble from the pleasure. I put my hand in his hair and ran my fingers back and forth. My other arm supported me on the pole. He slipped two fingers in to my wet pussy and began pounding me while sucking on my clit. My whole body started to shake as the orgasm flowed over me.

“Fuck, yes!”

It was a fast build and I could hardly breathe when he stopped. Blake had the effect on me. My whole body was left unsteady and trembling.

He kissed the inside of my thigh again before putting my leg down. He stood and held out his hand. I took it and we walked back over to the blanket where he laid me down. He removed his jacket and slowly undid each button of his shirt. As he pulled off his tie he threw it at me. “Cover your eyes.”

I gave him a side smile and obliged. I tied the fabric around my head so I couldn’t see anything. I felt him spread my legs apart and slip a finger between my folds again. Then I felt him turn my body so that I was lying on my right side. The roughness of the blanket rubbed against my skin. He pulled his finger out and drug it along my curves. He kissed my neck and sucked on my ear lobe. My skin tingled under his touch. I wanted more of him.

“I missed you,” he whispered. “You have no idea how much.” He came in behind me and lifted my leg. I felt him slide his dick into my pussy and he let out a breath onto my back. He slowly thrusted in and out. When he pulled out he swirled his member in circles on my clit. I hated not being able to see what he would do next. I felt him push his dick back into me, but this time faster and stronger.

“Fuck me Blake, please,” I begged.