Take it Deep (Take 2) (35 page)

Dad was getting himself
in a mess before the wedding.  He wanted to make sure everything was perfect for Ana.  For the honeymoon they’re going to use some cruise ship tickets that Ana won at an auction.  What she doesn’t know quite yet, is that my dad is also taking her to Italy after.  They’re going to stay in Rome, Florence, Venice and Positano.  He’s going all out for her, but she more than deserves it after all that’s she has been through.  Dad better not fuck this up again or I’ll personally see to it that he never gets to have any more children again.  I’ve told him that much.  He just laughed at me and said that if he ever did—which he won’t—he will give me the permission to go ahead.

Ana want
ed her wedding at home, as she said that this is where it all started.  Dad was more than happy to give that to her.  It’s been hard trying to get everything ready in time.  We also had to hire a huge gazebo just in case the weather was really bad.  Luckily for Ana it was a beautiful day.  She was glad about that when I saw her first thing this morning.  She said, “Happy is the bride that the sun shines on,” and walked away whistling.  I had to chuckle at her.  She always was silly in a cute way like that.

Ana
was very adamant that my dad couldn’t see her, so she sent him away to stay with Mike.  He wasn’t happy about that, but she insisted.  She said she wouldn’t marry him if he was going to go all caveman on her about it.  That had me laughing so hard hearing that.  I think caveman is a very good word to describe my father.

I had to join him at Mike’s this morning so we
could get ready together.  He was as nervous as hell and being a complete jackass about it to be honest.  He doesn’t like being away from Ana too long.  I think he thinks some other man is going to come along, snatch her up, and take her away from him.  I told him that Ana was right when she called him ridiculous.  That’s another good word to describe him at times.

Before the wedding,
Cindy was with Ana, along with Jessie and Mandy.  I must admit, I couldn’t wait to see her.  I knew she would look beautiful, she always does.  She could wear a trash bag and she’d still look sexy.  Her parents were there, too.  I always felt a bit nervous about having her dad around.  It’s been difficult with him ever since he found out about the baby, but he’s coming round a bit now.  Ana keeps telling them how great I am.  I think that’s been helping.  She seems determined to see everyone happy, not only in themselves, but with each other.  I think Cindy’s mom and dad realize now that I’m not going anywhere, so they  have to put up with me whether they like it or not.  It’s always better that they like it of course, but I’m not letting anyone stand in our way.  Cindy means everything to me.  She always has.

I had liked her from the moment we met at school.  I never seem to be nervous around girls, but I was around her.  It took ages for me to gain the courage to a
sk her out.  When I did, she told me that she’d really liked me, too and wanted me to approach her from the day we’d first met.  I felt stupid that I hadn’t acted sooner.  Now we’ve had our first Thanksgiving together and our first Christmas.  Christmas was a lot better as Ana was finally back, so everyone was happy.  Dad bought her lots of gifts, but the biggest one was a brand new Range Rover.  Ana shouted at him for spending so much money, but he had argued that she was carrying his child and wanted them both to be safe.  She got all mushy with him then.  That was definitely my cue to leave and collect Cindy.  I didn’t want to stick around much longer after that.  She probably thought it was time to get the ice cream out.  I was certainly not going to stay if that were happening.

It was safe to say that my dad wasn’t happy until we got back home.  Jessie did her best to tell him to stay the hell out of his bedroom until she was ready to meet him outside.  I heard Ana shout “I love you
, caveman Bennett,” and that nearly had my dad sprinting up the stairs.  Jessie blocked him though—which had my dad grumbling his annoyance all the way out to the garden.

We stood and waited for Ana a while before she came down.  Dad wouldn’t stop fidgeting and asking me if I had the rings.
I really hope I’m not like that on my wedding day.  It’s supposed to be the best day of your life, not leaving you close to being sick.  I was starting to worry he was going to pass out, he was so bad.

It all stopped though when he saw her.  The dramatic change from nervous as hell to completely taken in by her was obvious for anyone to see.  Ana looked beautiful though
, and you could hardly tell she looked pregnant.  Just the tiniest hint of a bump was showing.  I could see them both staring, their eyes were locked on each other like no one else existed.  I had no doubt that they were each other’s forever. 

Cindy was behind her and my breath caught when I saw her.  She looked beautiful in her bridesmaids dress.
  She smiled at me sweetly and the vision I had hit me like lightening—a vision of our wedding day.  Something I never thought I would see so young.

At the Reception my dad and Ana danced to one of Ri
hanna’s songs called “Russian Roulette.”  I thought it was a bit of a strange song to dance to on their wedding day, but they looked as though it meant something to them.  Hey, who was I to judge?

The whole day and evening has gone by
without a hitch so far.  My dad seemed happier than I had ever known him to be and Ana was right along with him.  I squeezed Cindy tightly to me at the Reception.  My speech was loved by all and she made sure she showed me just how proud she was of me.  It made my heart explode.

I looked across at my dad and Ana quite a lot during the course of the evening.  I never thought I would ever s
ee a look like that on my dad.  Ever.  It makes me happy to see, and I hope for both of them that I never witness the looks they had when they were apart, ever again.  It’s never nice seeing two people you love dearly look so miserable. 

I must admit things have been pretty shitty these past few months, but now that Ana is back and I have Cindy, it’s pretty fucking awesome.

Acknowledgements

I don’t think my family would ever forgive me if I didn’t thank them first.  My husband and children have been very patient with me as I locked myself away and just kept typing.  Thank you, as always.

I would not like to thank my dinosaur computer.  The amount of times that thing let me down
was unreal.  I felt like screaming and throwing it over the hedge.  It didn’t help the fact that my cockatiel took my ‘Y’ away.  Why oh why he had to go and do that I don’t know… the dozy bird!  What makes it even worse is the fact he’s gone and flown off now, never to be seen again.  You look after a pet and then they go and leave you.  That’s gratitude for you.

I would seriously like to thank my Beta Readers, Jodie Stipetich, TJ and Kim Rinaldi for being there for my first book, Take a Breath.  I didn’t really get a chance to thank you first time round. 

I would also like to thank Becca Booksreview and Leta Fisher for being my Beta readers for Take it
Deep.  Without people like you in the world it would be so hard for Indie authors to ever catch a break.  You all do a wonderful job.

I would like to
say a BIG thank you to Summer Daniels from the ‘What to read after Fifty (50) Shades of Grey,’ Facebook page.  You do an absolute belter of a job helping to promote all the great books that are out there.  Well done!

Serena, from Compare our Men Book Whores.  Thank you for all your support
my lovely.

Cara Ross
, from Brit Nanny Reads, thank you for being there for me when I wanted to vent my frustration.  You’ve been a great friend to me on Facebook.

I would also like to thank Crystal Meyer and Twanisha Franklin for making me laugh out loud at times with their witty banter!

I would also like to thank all of the many Book Bloggers/Reviewers on Facebook who also do a fantastic job getting as many Indie Authors out there as possible.  They are:  Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews, Sassy Girls’ Book Club, Morning After a Good Book, Swoon Worthy Books, Book Boyfriend Reviews, Free Romance Books and News, Erotica Book Club, Fictional Men’s Page For Book Ho’s, Can’t Read Just One, Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews, Crystal’s Many Reviewers, A Book Whores Obsession, The Book Enthusiast, EBook Korner Kafé, Three Chicks and Their Books, Island Lovelies Book Club, K & T Book Reviews, Panty dropping Book Blog, 50 Shades of Gabriel’s Crossfire Unscripted Destiny – Book Club, Crazy Book Reviewer, Read and Share Book Reviews and Fictional Boyfriends. 

Last, but not least, I wish to thank all
the readers who have waited very patiently for Take it Deep.  Thank you all for your kind comments.  Without them it would be hard to keep on going with the writing.  All the blood, sweat and tears that go into making a story come alive are all worth it when I receive all the wonderful comments from you all.  Thank you so much.  I have so much more to give and I hope that you will take a seat and ride the rest of the journey with me.xx