27. A Royal Wedding
BAY
Eight months later, Montebello Cathedral, bridal suite
“ O h my goodness, Lake,” Tasha gasps. “You look like a princess.”
I have to agree with my sister’s old roommate. “She looks incredible. And by the end of the ceremony that’s about to start, she’ll be a legit princess.” I beam, meeting Lakyn’s eye in the mirror in front of her chair.
“Royal titles are overrated,” Heloise sighs. “I wish the parliament had never reinstated the monarchy. I mean, we really are just figureheads, but my papà is a complete pain in the ass. He’s been raised being told how this was his birthright, but I think he’s overdoing it a little with the royal protocol. I haven’t been called Heloise by anyone since we moved into the palace. If I hear anyone else call me Her Royal Highness, I’m going to scream.”
Tasha giggles. “I can think of worse problems than being addressed by a title. I find all this royal stuff fascinating.”
Heloise rolls her eyes. “Wait until you’ve been standing in that chapel for four hours. This ceremony will be endless. You guys should have eloped.”
Lakyn turns around. “Right. The King would have had a stroke if we did. Besides, we owe him for allowing us to register as a family unit according to Montebello’s law. Luca might be the one standing at the altar, but I’m marrying Blaze and Cash too today. He even allowed us to amend the traditional ceremony, so I can exchange vows with each of my men.”
“ Papà loves you, Lake.” Heloise sighs. “I just wish he wasn’t so strict with me.”
Lakyn takes her new sister-in-law’s hand. “He’s strict because he loves you and he wants the best for you. He even let you take a gap year before you start college.”
“That would be true if he hadn’t gotten two bodyguards to follow me everywhere. They aren’t even young and hot, I could be their daughter.” She complains.
“You have to understand his point of view,” Lakyn tries to appease her. “You’re a public figure, your safety is his priority. And by the way, I wanted to say thank you for putting your travels on hold to be here today.”
Heloise’s expression softens. “Are you kidding? I would have never missed Luca’s wedding. He’s my favorite person in the entire world and I’m so happy he chose you. I can’t wait to be able to call you my sister officially.”
Tears well in my eyes as Heloise and Lakyn hug one another. The way Luca’s family has embraced my sister warms my heart.
“What are you doing? You’re going to crease the dress and ruin her hair and makeup! Non toccare la sposa! (Don’t touch the bride!)” A woman with a tablet in hand and a headset screams.
I recognize her from a few FaceTime sessions with Lakyn that were mandatory to bring me—the maid of honor—up to speed with royal protocol.
Claudia, the royal wedding planner, is scary on a good day. Today though? Her intensity is to the max, and she’s positively terrifying.
At least for me.
Heloise, must not hate the burden of being born with a royal tiara on her head after all. “Excuse me? Are you saying that I need your permission to congratulate my new sister?” she glares at the newcomer.
A satisfied little grin appears on Luca’s little sister when the wedding planner courtesies. “Of course not, Your Highness. I was just—my apologies, Your Highness.”
I stifle a smile when Heloise winks at me, as Claudia continues to justify her presence in the bridal suite.
“We’re right on schedule, Your Highness,” she says to Lakyn. “King Gilberto and Queen Isabelle are just making their entrance, and Prince Luca and his two royal… friends have just pulled up in front of the Cathedral. So if there are any final touches you need, this is the time. We should be on our way inside the main chapel in T-five. The bridesmaids need to preceded you in T-two.”
Lakyn nods. “Thank you, Claudia. Would you mind showing the way to Princess Heloise and to Tasha? I would like to have a few minutes alone with my sister.”
Claudia consults her tablet. “I’m afraid we have no time. O saremo in ritardo (we’ll be late) .”
Lake’s tone remains kind. “I’m going to try my best to keep on schedule, Claudia. But this is my wedding day and I want to speak to my sister before I walk down the aisle. I’m sure they won’t begin without me.”
Claudia stiffens. “As you wish, Your Highness. Once Princess Heloise and Miss Tasha are situated, I’ll be right outside with your father.”
“How are you, Bay?” Lakyn asks, giving my hand an affectionate squeeze. “I’m sorry we didn’t have a second to be alone since you and the guys landed yesterday morning.”
She’s right. The second the royal jet touched down in Montebello, Cole, Ryker, Jagger and I were caught in the whirlwind of the final rehearsal, here at the chapel. That included a final bridesmaid dress fitting for me and an intimate but endless rehearsal dinner; if an affair with fifty guests can be called intimate. By the time dinner was over, between the long flight and the jet-lag, I passed out the second my head touched the pillow in the luxurious suite I was assigned.
This morning of course things were even more hectic.
I know Lakyn isn’t asking about our journey to Europe from California, though.
“I’m good, Lakey-Lake,” I smile. “Sorry we couldn’t make it here until yesterday, but this past week has been crazy.”
My sister nods. “I understand. The Warriors released the guys from summer training a week early, but I get how your men’s coaches were more reluctant to release them early.”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “Cash, Blaze and Luca had an amazing season in Bridgeport. Their Coach couldn’t deny the new Stanley Cup champions one week of extra leave to get married.”
Lake chuckles. “Yeah, I think getting invitations to a royal wedding helped a great deal with persuading them. Last year it would have been a different story.”
I’m glad Lakyn isn’t mad at us for getting here a mere twenty-four hours before her big day. “The guys didn’t want to rock the boat. Especially since they were lucky enough to all go to the same team and to be put straight on the roster, rather than a farm team. Especially after the Cove Knights missed the playoffs this year.”
She understands. “So are you settled in your new home?”
“We are,” I smile. “I can’t believe that Keith Connelly gave us a brand new Connelly Tech house just fifteen minutes away from the arena. And he’s helping me look for office and factory space as close as possible. He’s investing in Woods Cosmetics.”
Lakyn’s eyes shine with pride. “He’s a smart man. Your company is going to kill it. You’ll make him even richer than he already is.”
“That’s exactly what he said,” I laugh.
Lake plays with my engagement ring, tracing the row of little diamonds that surround the huge center stone. “And did you guys set a wedding date?” she asks.
I sigh. “Not yet. Between graduation and the inauguration of the new Zeta house, the move to Connecticut and Topher and Bianca’s trial looming, the past few weeks have been hectic. Besides, Jagger and Ryker’s parents want to have a big party in Hartford, but Cole’s parents would like to host the wedding on their ranch in Montana.”
“Where do you want to get married?” my sister asks.
I shrug. “To be honest, all I care about is to get married.”
“Would you like to do it here?” she offers. “That would mean you guys could have the same kind of legal wedding we’re having and register as a family unit.”
That sounds really good, but I’m not sure it would work from a legal standpoint. “Don’t we need to be citizens of Montebello to do that?”
Lakyn laughs. “Yes, but I’m pretty tight with the King and I’m pretty sure he’s going to agree to grant citizenship to my big sister and her fiances.”
My heart is about to burst with love for my sweet Lakey-Lake. “I’m glad you finally admit that those seven minutes make me your elder.”
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever. But seriously, talk to your men and let me know. You can have a small, intimate wedding, or you can borrow Claudia.”
I fake a shudder. “I don’t know about that. But then again, I think Jagger’s Mom and Claudia are going to hit it off. If I say I want a small wedding, I hope we can keep it under three hundred people.”
We both laugh.
“Yeah,” Lake says. “With three fiances a small wedding is virtually impossible. I’m glad Jagger and Cole’s parents love you. What about Ryker’s family? I heard they’re big time bankers.”
I smile. “Did you google them?”
Lakyn doesn’t look repentant. “You can bet your ass, I did. Bay, are they nice? If they’re snooty assholes like the Mumfords, Luca can send his secret service and make them disappear.”
I laugh so hard, it comes out like a snort. “Goofball,” I tease her. “Thanks for the offer, but Janet and Timothy Moore are lovely. They welcomed me with open arms. And when we told them about our relationship, they weren’t surprised that Jagger and Ryker would fall for the same woman. It helps that Tim is an alumnus at Star Cove and he played defense. He thinks Cole is the best D-man of this generation, so he treated him like one of his own kids from the get go.”
“Talking about the Mumfords,” my sister says. “I’ve been watching the local news and searching online, but there was nothing about a trial. Please tell me that creep and his bully of a girlfriend got what they deserved?”
I sigh. “I didn’t want to ruin your day talking about them, Lake.”
My sister takes a sip from the bottle of water she’s been drinking from since we started getting ready. “You’ll ruin my day only if they got away with their crimes scot free.”
“No,” I offer. “They didn’t. The trial was supposed to start last week, and we were all supposed to testify, but they ended up taking a plea deal. Topher got one year in jail plus five years probation. He was expelled from Star Cove University and all his college credits were declared null and void. He was also kicked out from Gamma Delta Tau.”
Lake nods. “Good. He can’t become a lawyer now, right?”
“In theory he could,” I shrug. “But he’ll have to start college from scratch and go to law school. I doubt any reputable institution will accept him. He also would have to show good moral character and rehabilitation to be allowed to sit the bar exam and I doubt that’s going to happen. He won’t even have his father’s help. Rupert Mumford has been disbarred for his involvement in the corruption scandal. His law firm voted for his dismissal, despite him being a name partner.”
“What about Bianca?” my sister asks.
“Her situation was much worse. She got expelled from the university and Zeta Theta Beta. She was given a five-year jail sentence for both the arson and the cyber bullying. Without the plea deal, she would have looked at more than ten years. The Dean was fired, and he’s also going to jail for three years. I heard from Keith that he filed for bankruptcy after the university decided to sue him for damages in civil court.”
There’s a beat of silence before Lakyn asks me another question.
“I’m happy they all got what they deserve. Does that make me a bad person?”
I shake my head. “Not at all.”
“Good. I think Topher deserved more jail time after what he tried to do to you.”
I don’t disagree. “I know. But I’m just glad this is all over. It would have been very difficult to prove what happened five years ago and?—”
“I know,” Lakyn interrupts me. “You couldn’t prove those drugs belonged to him and that he slipped those roofies in that Champagne bottle at the alumni dinner. It’s bullshit, if you ask me, but whatever. I need to go to the bathroom before we walk out there. The archbishop is known for his lengthy sermons and all the water I’ve been drinking will have to come out at some point. Keep me company, like when we were kids?”
I giggle, following her into the en-suite bathroom.
“You haven’t changed at all since we were five. Remember? You refused to go to the bathroom without me. Especially at night.”
Lakyn chuckles. “True. But you insisted on telling me all those ghost stories before bed. I was scared. Besides, I’ve been drinking sparkling water, and that always seems to make me pee more. I think it’s the bubbles.”
I roll my eyes. “Nonsense. Talking about bubbles,” I say. “I was expecting you to drink Champagne before the big day.”
She opens a drawer in the vanity under the sink. “Nah, it’s going to be a long day. Besides, I can’t really drink.”
“Why can’t you—Lakyn Veronica Woods!” I squeal. “Don’t tell me you’re?—”
“No one knows except the guys, the King and Queen and the royal family doctor. I’m going to be out of the first trimester in one week. Then we’re going to tell Cash and Blaze’s families and Mom and Dad, before we announce it to the world. We can tell Mom and Dad together, actually.”
I laugh. “If you need moral support to tell our parents, I can be there. But what are you worried about? It’s not like you got knocked up on a one-night stand. You’re about to get married to the best guys in the world. And Mom and Dad would be happy for you regardless, you know that.”
“I know,” Lake smiles. “Come on, go pee. We don’t have all day.”
“Me?” I ask, confused. “I thought you had to pee. And what are you giving me? Is that a pregnancy test? Why are you giving me a pregnancy test?”
Lakyn’s expression becomes serious. “I had this really intense dream,” she explains. “Right before I found out. We were both pregnant with twins.”
I know I’ve been talking about our twin connection for years, but this time I have to laugh. “Twins having twins at the same time? Isn’t that a little cliché?”
She shakes her head. “Believe me, I thought so too. Until my first scan and the doctor confirmed that I’m having twins.”
I take the stick with trembling hands. “That’s crazy. Your dream was probably just fifty percent accurate. I’m on the pill, it’s impossible.”
Did I ever say that my sister is the most stubborn creature in the world?
“No birth control is one hundred percent effective, Bay. I shouldn’t be the one to tell you that. Just pee on that stick, will you?”
I roll my eyes, but sit on the toilet. “I’m only indulging you because it’s your wedding day and I don’t want to upset my pregnant sister. But this is ridiculous. Your twin sixth sense is off its rocker. Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones that interfere with our connection?”
Lakyn insists. “Less talking, more peeing. If we don’t hurry up, Claudia will send the Royal guard.”
Neither of us says anything while we wait for the timer Lakyn set to go off. I’ve been feeling tired and a little bloated, but with graduation, the Zeta house inauguration, the move to Connecticut and everything else, it’s to be expected. “It’s going to be negative,” I say as the timer goes off. “I haven’t even been nauseous.”
“Not every pregnant woman experiences nausea,” she says. “I haven’t either.”
She snatches the plastic stick before I can. “Oh my God, Bay,” her blue eyes shine with barely contained tears.
“Oh come on Lakey,” I comfort her. “It’s ok, we don’t have to be pregnant at the same time. Please don’t cry. If you ruin your makeup, Claudia will blow a gasket.”
She shakes her head, handing me the stick. “But we are going to have a baby at the same time. Or babies. I bet you every dime in the Royal coffers that you’re having twins too.”
I can’t believe it. This is impossible. “But I?—”
She pulls me into a tight hug. “I love you, Bay. I can’t wait to do this together. Even if I’ll be in Bridgeport and you’ll be in Hartford. I can’t wait to see Cole and Jagger’s faces when you tell them. I think Ryker will be the most excited though.”
“I can’t tell them. Not until tomorrow. Today’s your wedding day and I’m not going to steal your thunder.”
“I don’t care.” She shrugs. “You should just go and tell them right now.”
I can’t help but laugh through my tears of joy and excitement. “If I do, they’re going to give us away and you’re keeping it secret for another week. I’m going to tell them tonight, after the party is over.”
Lakyn claps her hands, more excited than I am. “Awesome. Can I be there when you tell them? Or wait. If you’re too nervous, we can trade places, like we used to do at school when I had to do a presentation and I was too nervous to speak in public.”
I laugh at my sister’s crazy idea. “Oh, really? Does that mean that I also get to be you during your wedding night?”
“Hey!” Lakyn snorts through the tears. “There’s no way you’re going to get to be in bed with my husbands. Even though on second thought,” she giggles. “Cole, Jagger and Ryker are hot. Maybe we could?—”
“Shut up, Your Highness.” I laugh, circling her waist with my arm and looking at our reflections in the bathroom mirror. “You know what’s mine is yours. It applies to everything except my men.”
She nods. “I was just messing with you. I couldn’t agree more. Tell them tonight but tomorrow morning I want to hear everything about how they reacted. Ok?”
“Why?” she asks. “Oh, our twin connection?”
We both laugh, looking at each other in the mirror. “You can’t doubt it anymore, Lakey-Lake.”
There’s a beat of silence as we turn to stare into each other’s eyes.
“I love you.” We say at the same time.
“Come on Lake,” I guide her out of the bathroom. “Let’s go and get you married.”
I hope you loved reading about Lakyn and Bay and their men just as much as I loved writing them.
The new year will see a brand new hockey series set in Star Cove, look out for the cover reveal and preorder announcement of The Six-Six-Six Rule.
But until then, if you want more spicy sport romance with a darker twist, why not meet Ausra and her men? She’s escaped her father’s cult and they’re four hot windsurfing champions looking for the right girl to play a sexy game with them.