Edge of Desire

Epilogue

Preston

Three Months Later

The weather was perfect as it was August in Seattle. Initially, we were going to run away and just get hitched, as Avery liked to call it. But then I didn’t think it would be fair to her father. After all, she was the only girl of four children and wasn’t it a father’s dream to walk their daughter down the aisle?

After multiple conversations with Justin and Caroline, we developed the perfect plan to present to Avery. They invited us out for a visit in June, and when we arrived, we laid out the plans to her.

We’d been there a day, and the second night, they summoned us out back to their brand-new terrace they’d built. It was spectacular.

“Y’all, this is amazing. When did you do this?”

Caroline grinned and said it was only completed a few weeks ago. “The rain—you know how it rains here all the time—set us back a bit but we love it out here.”

They had created a haven where the views of the water were stunning. They’d even added another exit from the main living area to make it easier to access rather than having to wander through the entire house.

“Hey, wait. This door didn’t exist before, did it?” Avery asked.

Justin chuckled. “Not when you were here last. That was Caroline’s idea.”

“Yeah, I remembered when you walked around the entire wing searching for an exit, which was why I suggested it. I figured if we were going to use it, we needed to make it more accessible,” she added.

I scooted my chair closer to Avery to tell her the real reason behind this. “So, you know how we said we were just going to run away and tie the knot?”

“Yeah.”

“I have a better idea.”

“I have a feeling it has something to do with this terrace.”

I gave her a brow waggle. “So, and please hear me out before you say anything.”

“Okay.”

Justin and Caroline gave me their nods of approval, so I began. “I got to thinking about how fathers feel about walking their daughters down the aisle and how your dad would miss out. I’m pretty sure it would crush him.”

Avery nodded. Her eyes brightened which gave me hope that this was something she’d agree to.

“So, Justin and Caroline offered the terrace. We’d have something very small—family only. And your grandmother could also attend. I understand you’re not feeling it with your mom, but I’d be here to protect you from any of her harsh comments.”

Avery waved her hand. “Oh, I’m not worried about her anymore.”

“You’re not?”

“No. I called Grams one day and Mom answered. I asked her what her deal was, not calling me. She said it went both ways and I guess she was right. I hadn’t reached out to her at all. Anyway, we pretty much buried the hatchet.”

I straightened in my chair, hurt that she hadn’t shared this with me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She shrugged. “Honestly, it happened when I was in the middle of working up a contract for Vail and I just forgot.”

“Avery! How could you forget that?”

“Guess I’ve been a little preoccupied lately.”

“Preoccupied?” What was so important that had her preoccupied.

“Well, dammit. I wasn’t planning on telling you like this, but I’ve sort of backed myself into a corner.”

The three of us just stared, waiting for her to say something.

“Avery, what is it?”

She looked over at Justin and Caroline and said, “Could you two excuse us for a minute?”

They both nodded and she took my hand and pulled me inside.

“What’s going on?”

“Um, I know this will be a shock, but we’re going to have a baby.”

“What do you mean we’re having a baby?”

“Preston, I’m pregnant.”

“You’re pregnant? How did that happen?”

“There’s this thing called sex which we happen to have a lot of, and I mean a lot. So that’s how.” Then she made a circle with her thumb and forefinger and pushed her other index finger in and out of it.

I didn’t understand. She was on the pill. How could it have happened. So I threw that at her.

“Yeah, about that. When I moved to Vail, my prescription ran out and I was supposed to find a doctor to get another one, but I sort of forgot. Are you upset?”

How could I be upset with the woman who was carrying my child. “Come here.”

She stepped closer to me, and I wrapped my arms around her and swung her around. “I am thrilled and couldn’t be happier. So, I guess we really do have to tie the knot.”

Her hand took mine and pulled me back outside. “Do you want to tell them or should I?”

“Let’s do it together.” We looked at our respective siblings and both said, “We’re having a baby!”

They both jumped out of their chairs and ran over to us. We had a big circle hug. And now that I thought about it, she hadn’t been drinking at all.

Justin looked at Caroline and said, “We need to put our plans into hyper speed now.”

Avery gave me one of her looks as in what have you done now? “Okay, let me hear it all,” she said.

They gave her all the juicy details, and I listened with half an ear. My mind spun with everything we had to accomplish.

Caroline finished with, “Small, family and close friends, a lovely catered dinner or heavy appetizers. A small band for dancing under the stars. This way your dad can walk you down the aisle.”

She clapped her hands. “We need a date. Preston, what do you think?”

I grinned. “I’m ready now.”

She punched my arm. “I have to find a dress and we need to get invitations and stuff.”

“Right. You work on that, while I’ll work on getting a nanny and decorating the nursery. Oh, and I prefer heavy appetizers.”

“So do I,” Avery said.

And so it went. We flew home a few days later, after the girls had secured a caterer. Justin and Caroline would handle the rest as in decorations, flowers, and so on.

Avery invited her mom and grandmother out to Vail to wedding dress hunt. The date was set for two months from now, so they had to scramble. Her mom and grandmother arrived the following week and Big Avery lived up to everything my Avery said about her.

The first thing she said to me after Avery introduced us was, “Little Avery, I knew my girl would pick a man who was hot.” That woman had more sass in her than anyone I’d ever met in my life.

Susan nearly fell when Avery showed her the engagement ring. Big Avery said, “Not only is he hot, he has great taste in jewelry.”

Avery or Justin must’ve warned Susan to be on her best behavior around me because she never said one negative thing about my wife-to-be. It was a good thing too.

The Wedding—Avery

Sweat streamed between my breasts. I was burning up. These hormones drove me crazy. Lexi laughed. Her baby was six weeks old now and she claimed she was still sweating.

“It’s because you’re breastfeeding,” Mom said. “Your hormones won’t return to normal until after you quit.”

“Urrgh. I wish you hadn’t said that.”

“Me too,” Melissa piped in. “I’m taking myself off the man plan forever. I’m hot enough as it is. I don’t need any more hormones creating extra heat.” But then she squished her boobs together and said, “Pretty sure these puppies would produce gallons though.”

Mom didn’t know how to take Melissa. She couldn’t tell if she was serious or joking.

“Melissa, you look great.” I’d never seen her looking this fantastic. Her bridesmaid dress was pale blue, and she’d quit getting the perms. Her hair was now shorter, and it appeared she’d lost some weight. “Have you given up Ben and Jerry’s?” I asked.

“I’ve given up sumo wrestling for good. I’m still lifting weights because I don’t want to be a wimp and look like a toothpick like you, but I’m getting too old for it.” Mom gaped at her. “Hey, Susan, I could take you to the gym and get you pumped up.”

“Uh, oh, thanks but I’ll pass. I’m a wimp like Avery.”

“You Middletons. It must be a family trait.”

Mom buttoned the last button on my dress. I bought it off the rack and it was gorgeous. It was plain satin, without any adornments or lace. The dress was sleeveless with a deep-V plunging neckline, but it was the back I loved so much. I’d always wanted a dress that had a ton of those satin-covered buttons running down the back and this one had it. When Mom was finished, I spun around and asked, “Well? What do y’all think?”

“Darling, you look …” She stopped and dabbed her eyes. My mom, who’d never shown much emotion towards me was crying. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” Melissa shoved a wad of tissues in her hand.

“Oh, Mom, thanks. But please don’t cry. I don’t want to ruin my makeup.”

Melissa asked me to spin around again. “I gotta say, you really dress up well. I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride. But you would’ve looked better if you had put on those extra pounds. Your arms could use a bit of added volume.”

Mom gasped and I elbowed her in the side. I didn’t want her to get into a verbal sparring match with Melissa. It would probably end with Melissa putting her in a choke hold which wouldn’t be good.

Lexi came up and hugged me. “Preston is going to flip when he sees you.”

“You think?”

“I know.”

The door to the room opened and Grams walked in. “Grams, you look beautiful.” I ran over and hugged her.

“Oh, no. You’re not going to compliment me when you’re the stunning bride. I am so happy for you and that man of yours is going to be chomping at the bit to scurry you off and do the dirty when he sees you.”

“Grams! I can’t believe you said that.”

“Humph. You know it’s true. He drools whenever he looks at you, so today he’s going to save the drool and use the tool.”

I sputtered a laugh and then bent in half, roaring. “Grams, I can always leave it to you to make me laugh.”

“Here, child, I have something for you.” She held out her hand and in it was her diamond earrings and a diamond necklace. “A bride needs something old on her wedding day. I want you to have these.”

My hand covered my mouth as I gasped. These weren’t just any diamond earrings and necklace. My grandad gave them to Grams on their wedding day and she’d worn them every day as long as I could remember. “I can’t possibly accept these. I’ll wear them today but they’re going back to you tomorrow.”

“I won’t take them. They’re yours, Little Avery. Ever since you were born, I planned on passing these to you. What better time than on your wedding day?”

I didn’t know what to say. When I was a child, I used to climb onto her lap and play with those earrings. I’d always loved them but didn’t expect them to be mine one day. And the necklace too? It was extra special for the reasons she said before. I threw my arms around her and squeezed. “Grams, I will cherish them forever, and maybe someday, if I have a daughter, she’ll wear them on her wedding day.”

Grams patted my cheek. “That sounds wonderful. Now you get ready to walk down that aisle. The natives out there are getting restless.” She walked out of the room and Caroline stuck her head in.

“Is everyone ready? We’re sending Big Avery down the aisle now. Susan, you’re next, then Lexi, and finally Melissa.”

We filed out and went to stand in the living area. I watched Grams walk as Pearce escorted her. I’d wanted Caroline to be a bridesmaid, but she insisted she would rather be the wedding director. She’d done a marvelous job with everything, so I agreed.

Andrew escorted Mom, and then it was Lexi’s turn. I peeked as she met Pearce at the arbor we were getting married under. Finally, it was Melissa’s turn to join Pete Kowalski, as he was Preston’s best man. Then Caroline nodded, letting me know it was time.

I walked out and Dad stood there, with tears in his eyes. “I said it before, and I’ll tell you again. I’m so thrilled you decided to have a wedding. This was something I would’ve regretted not doing for the rest of my life. You are more beautiful than any words I could possibly come up with. I love you, honey.”

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I love you too, Dad.”

“You ready to go meet your man?”

“I am.” Then we took the first steps down the aisle. I glanced up to see Preston staring. His eyes glistened, and when I reached him, I swiped the tears away. Dad passed me over and he took my arm.

“Avery.” That one word made my body hum. “You’re so beautiful I’m afraid this isn’t real and I’m dreaming.”

“I’m real, and you’re not dreaming. This is our day to begin life together as Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell.”

“God, I want to kiss you.”

“You will. Now let’s get married.”

And that’s what we did. After Preston got the okay to kiss the bride, he dipped me over his arm and kissed me like it was his last breath. The crowd clapped and I laughed against his mouth. When he straightened up, I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “I love you, Mr. Mitchell.”

“I love you more, Mrs. Mitchell.”

We turned to face the crowd and they applauded. Then Preston shouted, “I love this woman.”

I raised my bouquet in the air and laughed along with everyone else. We left the arbor and the photographer wanted to snap some photos. We had forgone the first-look thing. Preston decided he wanted to be surprised. And he was.

“I never imagined how stunning you’d be. Now I can’t wait to see what’s hiding under that dress.”

“You can probably figure whatever it is, it has polka dots.”

After our photography session ended, Preston wanted to pull me into our bedroom and do the dirty, like Grams predicted. “Um, we have guests we need to attend to.”

“They can wait.”

“Preston!”

“Okay, how about the bathroom for a quickie?”

“When have we ever been quick?”

“I promise I’ll be fast.”

His persistence had me caving. “You’d better not mess up my dress.”

He took my hand and pulled me into the closest bathroom. “Can you lift your dress?”

I did, praying it didn’t get wrinkled. He bent me over the vanity, found the string of my thong, and pulled it aside. Then his fingers found me. We went at it like two rabbits and managed to do it in record time. I only hoped no one was outside, waiting to use the bathroom.

He pulled out and spun me around, finding my lips. “That was faster than a speeding bullet,” I said against his mouth.

“I told you I’d be quick.” He laughed and then helped me tidy up.

“How’s the dress?”

“A slight wrinkle here and there, but nothing to worry about.”

I grabbed his hand and said, “Good. Let’s go.”

I leaned closer to him and said, “I have to tell you what Grams said. Oh, and did you notice my earrings and necklace?”

“Babe, the only thing I noticed was how beautiful you are.”

I stopped and turned to show him the earrings and necklace. “Wow, those are really something.”

Then I explained the story behind them.

As we walked, the first person to approach us was my brother Andrew.

“Ava, Preston. Congrats, you two.” He hugged me. “Sorry I missed the rehearsal party, but I didn’t get in until eleven. I had to work yesterday.”

“I’m just happy you’re here now.”

“Your friend Melissa is a blast. She’s had me laughing since I met her.”

Preston piped in and said, “Whatever you do, don’t let her put you in a choke hold.”

“What?” Andrew’s brows shot up.

“Oh, yeah. Man, it’s deadly.”

“Did she do that to you?”

Preston sighed. “Back when she thought I was an asshole and saw me with Avery, she grabbed me, put her arm around my neck, and I dropped like a stone.”

Andrew died laughing. “Oh my God. That’s fantastic.”

“It really wasn’t.”

“Andrew, that’s back when she was training to be a sumo wrestler.” My brother had just taken a sip of his wine and almost spit it out all over my dress.

“Wait. A sumo wrestler? I have got to find out more. I’m gonna go ask her about it.”

He wandered off. “Did you see a sparkle in his eyes when he was talking about Melissa?”

“No, but that’s not something I’d pick up on. Why, do you think he has a thing for her?”

I shrugged. “She’s not his type. He usually goes for women that are your sister’s size.”

“Wouldn’t that be funny if he did?”

I thought about it for a minute. “You know, it’s not my business and whoever he wants to spend his time with is fine by me. I’ll say this though. If he does see her that way, I hope it doesn’t end in a broken heart. Melissa is my friend, and I don’t want her hurt in any way.”

“Andrew seems like a stand-up guy. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

The rest of the evening and into the night, we enjoyed our reception. Preston came up to me when the time was getting late. “Dance with me, gorgeous.”

He pulled me onto the floor that had been set up on the grass and we danced to a slow song. “When would it be appropriate to leave?” he asked.

“Any time. I thought you’d never ask.”

When the song ended, we found Caroline. I didn’t want one of those major send-offs, so we only planned on saying goodbye. Caroline took the microphone and made the announcement.

Mom and Dad waited in the living room. “We’ll see you both tomorrow here for brunch.” I hugged them and we walked to the waiting limo out front. Then we were off to our hotel for the night.

When we got to our hotel room, there was a bottle of non-alcohol champagne waiting on us. “Here’s to many, many years of being together. I am so excited to see what the future holds for us, Mrs. Mitchell.”

“I am too, Mr. Mitchell. And I want to ask you again. Are you sure you don’t want to know the sex of our baby?”

“I’m sure. Let’s do it the old-fashioned way.”

It was fine with me. We had already picked out names. If we had a boy, his name would be Samuel Preston Mitchell, named for Preston’s father. If we had a girl, her name would be Sammi Avery Mitchell. Since I was only sixteen weeks pregnant, we’d have to wait a while.

“Now it’s my turn to give you something.” He went to his duffle bag and pulled out a small box. “Happy wedding day, love.”

I opened it to find a massive sapphire ring. The stone was large, round, and had diamonds running around it. It was gorgeous. “Oh, God, Preston. This is dazzling.”

“I thought it appropriate because I read that sapphires symbolize honesty, loyalty, sincerity, and integrity. This represents that from me to you. I made you a promise that I would be all those things and I wanted to seal it with this ring.”

“That’s beautiful. Thank you.”

That night, we consummated our marriage over and over and over, until we fell asleep from exhaustion. Before I drifted off to sleep, I thought about how we’d been through hell and finally reached heaven. Had it been worth all the pain and suffering? Hell, yeah, and one would think I was crazy, but I’d do it all over again to get here.

The End