Chapter 14
Emery
The bespoke suit fit like a glove as it should. The tailor had done an outstanding job. I didn’t need it, but it was what Demi wanted as I stood beside her at her wedding, so that’s what she got. The expense aside, I really did look good.
“Come on, pokey. I want to see!” My twin called out, frustration clear. “I’m already dressed and it should have taken me longer.”
“Calm your tits,” I responded, my tone much more reasonable. “You got started first. I need another minute.”
I fastened one button on the jacket and put on the bolo tie. One more glance in the mirror to make sure everything was laying as it should, then I stepped out of the room. Demi’s glare as she took me in was epic, but I was speechless at my sister in her dress.
“Fuck you, Emery James,” she bit out. “No way you should look better than me on my wedding day.”
I laughed, my breath gusting out. “First of all, that’s simply not possible. Demi. You look absolutely stunning.”
Her expression softened and she turned toward the mirror. It was one of those that had three mirrors set next to each other, so you could really see the whole picture.
“I do look good, huh?”
“Understatement.” I stepped up beside her, taking her in again.
The only time I’d seen the dress was on her computer screen as she’d been contemplating which dress to order.
It had come in a couple of months ago, and she’d found a tailor and seamstress in Denver who could not only do the alterations on her dress but also make my suit.
We’d had to make the trip separately for the fittings, but Demi insisted we go together for final fittings and to pick them up.
Which is why we’d made the trek on my one day off, with the wedding only two weeks away.
“This is so very you,” I whispered, taking her hand and spinning her so that the skirt flared out.
The gown was tea-length, so it hit just below her knees, winter white with lace details on the edge of the skirt and the top of the bodice.
The cap sleeves were a nice touch too. It was understated yet still clearly festive for the occasion, and she looked stunning.
“Mom wanted the whole princess gown with the big, floor length skirt but I just couldn’t see myself in that.”
I shook my head. “No, you’re right. This is perfect and you look gorgeous. Are you going to wear a veil?”
“No. I have Gigi Fern’s headpiece.” She nudged me out of the way and opened a box she’d set on the chair.
As soon as Demi pulled it out, I remembered seeing it as a child.
Not on Gigi Fern, but in a picture at some point and later in the attic when we used to go exploring up there.
It looked like a huge silver brooch, honestly, but with hair combs on the back instead of a pin.
I knew the “diamonds” in it were probably cubic zirconia, but Demi had polished it and it shone.
Gigi Fern had never gotten married so we weren’t sure why she had it. “I think maybe if I…wait, hold this.”
I took it from her and watched as she twisted up her curls, then arranged them a little so that some framed her face and some cascaded over the twist. Then she held it with one hand and held out her other. I handed over the headpiece and she held it up to one side of her head.
My eyes filled and I sniffed hard. “Even more perfect.”
Demi started crying then, just a few tears leaking out. “Mom’s giving me her garter too, even though we’re not doing that stupid tradition. It has a blue ribbon on it. And I think the headpiece counts as old.”
I chuckled. “Now you just need something borrowed. I’ve got the new.”
I’d planned for this and reached into my pocket for the box I’d stashed there when I’d put on the jacket.
Demi’s eyes went wide, then narrowed as I held it out.
She stood there, both hands in her hair, for another second before excitement took over.
She practically shoved the headpiece at me and her curls fell around her shoulders again.
We switched and Demi popped open the box.
I’d found the earrings during a late night online search about six months ago, right after she showed me the dress.
I knew she’d pick this one, and the pearl drop earrings went perfectly.
Demi wasn’t big on jewelry on the day to day, but she liked to add accessories when she dressed up.
“Fuck you,” she whispered, but I knew it was to hide the tears.
Her smile was watery indeed as she softly touched one earring.
Then she turned quickly and threw her arms around me, squeezing me tightly.
“You’re the best twin brother in the whole entire world, and I’m so glad you’re standing beside me as my man of honor.
I couldn’t do this without you. Hell, I couldn’t do life without you. ”
“From womb to tomb,” I murmured, hugging her hard. We always used to say that as kids because our connection went that deep. We’d never had our own language like Judson and Kee, but we’d been just as close.
But Demi’s sentimentality was a little over the top, even taking into account the occasion. I gently eased back and studied her face. A second later, it dawned. I grinned. She scowled.
“When’s this one due?”
“How do you always…. Never mind. Not sure yet. I’ve only had one period since the boys were born. I have an appointment with the OB next week.”
There was a tightness around her eyes that, even though she was acting like it was no big deal, showed that it was.
Wanting to lighten the mood, I waggled my eyebrows.
“You know, statistically speaking, once you’ve had one set of twins, and if you’re a twin yourself, you’re more likely to have twins again. ”
Demi let out a whimper. “I know. And yeah, I can do it again, if that’s the case. But Luke already said he’s getting snipped before I have this one. Whether we’re a family of six or seven, that’s enough. I’m not Mom.”
I nodded, approving of this. I swiped a thumb under her eyes. “Mom and Dad did a really good job of not parentifying us older kids, and making sure we all had individualized attention. And I wouldn’t give up any of our siblings for anything. But ten kids is too many.”
Demi nodded fervently in response. “Yep. We’re happy with what we’ve got. Now let’s get out there so Roman can see the fit. But I think we’re both good.”
I was sure the tailor wouldn’t want to make any changes. He was an older man with a Slavic accent of some kind, and he had very firm opinions on things. But he was also exceedingly good at what he did, and the alterations, as well as my custom suit, fit perfectly.
“We’re getting lunch after, right?”
“Hell yes,” Demi agreed, frantically nodding. Then her face fell and she looked devastated. “Ah dammit. We can’t go to Nozomi!”
I hid the smile because I knew she wouldn’t appreciate it.
“You can eat sushi if you stick to the cooked kind.” The look she gave me, as though I was a fucking idiot for even suggesting it, had me holding up my hands and chuckling.
“You’re right. That was dumb. We’ll plan a postpartum trip instead, okay? ”
“I suppose,” she grumbled. Then a second later, her eyes lit up. “Stueben’s?”
I was a fan of the diner so I readily agreed. With my sister happy again, we headed out to get our final fit check so we could get on with our day.
Nick’s cooking was amazing. Not better than Mom’s—I would never be so stupid as to think that, let alone say it out loud—but different.
It made sense. He was a Michelin starred chef.
Why he was temporarily cooking at a ranch in nowhere Colorado was a mystery.
I sensed there was a story there but I certainly wasn’t going to go digging.
Carter and his PA had vetted the man and that was good enough for me.
Tonight’s fare was family-style Italian.
Two different kinds of lasagna, antipasto, manicotti and chicken alfredo, along with garlic knots and green salad.
I’d always been a fan of Mom’s lasagna, but Nick’s was otherworldly.
Instead of thick layers of cheese, it had a different sauce and a depth of flavor I hadn’t expected.
I wasn’t the only one enjoying it, but I noticed that at least my siblings had made sure to pile on Mom’s version as well.
The table was fuller than ever. It seemed like everyone and their significant others had made it to the evening meal, including Wyanne, her wife, and their boyfriend. Russ sat next to Dad at the head of the table, Aria was covered in sauce, and Payton had more than his share on his shirt as well.
Talk leaned toward the upcoming wedding week festivities.
Not only were all the Harringtons together, but Luke’s family was coming in as well.
Not only his parents, but his brother who was the best man, his wife, and their three kids.
Luke’s uncle and his family would also be in attendance since he was performing the ceremony.
Apparently Uncle John was a Montrose County judge and loved to do weddings.
Then there was Wren and whatever entourage he was bringing.
Demi’s closest friends from college and their families and Luke’s best buddies from high school.
It was going to be a packed house for sure, especially after all the folks from town who’d been invited showed up.
But the week leading up to the ceremony was going to be filled with activities as family and close friends filtered in.
Ville was going to get plenty of time to put his expertise to good use. I could practically hear the gears working in his mind as all this information came at him. I knew a lot had already been discussed with him, but things were ramping up now with the big day getting closer.
My phone rang and I jostled Judson as I pulled it out of my pocket. He socked me in the arm as retaliation and I shoved his head as I stood up and stepped away from the table.
“Excuse me a moment,” I said to the table at large as I beelined for the front door. I answered as I stepped onto the porch. “Hi, Luz. What’s up?”
“Dr. Harrington,” she said warmly. “Sorry to bother you on your day off.”
“No problem. How can I help?”
“I have a patient of yours here at Urgent Care” the nurse practitioner said. “Andrea Fuller. Break through migraine q 2 days. Pain at an eight. Vitals stable but heart rate is only fifty-eight. You prescribed propranolol two months ago for prevention.”
“Which explains the low heart rate, so we can’t up her dose,” I murmured as I searched my brain.
This particular beta blocker was also effective in migraine prevention and reducing anxiety.
I saw enough patients that I couldn’t remember all the details for every one, but I remembered this.
“She already failed at topiramate, right?”
“Yes,” Luz agreed. “I discussed with the patient either going to Nurtec or an injectable, but she very kindly asked to consult with you before deciding.”
That was surprising, but it pleased me. It was taking a while, but I was building a rapport with my patients. I could tell by Luz’s tone that she actually meant the patient had been kind, rather than using it as sarcasm.
“My gut says to go with the injectable. What’s your take?” I didn’t have the patient in front of me, so I wanted her opinion.
“I agree,” she said. “I discussed the benefits with the patient as well, and she’s amenable to that. She just wanted your opinion as well.”
I hummed. “All right. We’ll have to get prior auth, but considering she’s failed two other migraine medications, let’s hope it’s not too hard.
Given the severity of her migraines, and the number of breakthroughs she’s had, let’s do Aimovig 140 migs.
Send me the chart when you’re done and I’ll add my note and sign off. ”
“Excellent, thanks. I’ll get the PA started online now and hopefully it approves automatically.”
“Let me know if I have to do a letter of med necessity. And if we have any samples of Aimovig, make sure she gets some until she can fill the new script.”
“Already on it. It won’t help her today, but I’ve already got her on an IV and gave her the migraine cocktail.”
“You’re the best, Luz. Reach out if you need anything else.”
We said goodbye and I leaned against the house, taking it all in.
Maybe it was the newbie doctor in me, but I was pleased down to my bones that a patient trusted me enough that she’d asked for my opinion before making a decision.
It was a rewarding feeling. And validating as well because it proved I was doing something right.
The door creaked open and Bodhi stuck his head out. “You good?”
I nodded. “Call about a patient. I was just taking a second to breathe. It’s loud in there tonight.”
Bodhi wrinkled his nose. “Yeah. And your boyfriend is looking a bit overwhelmed. He probably thinks we should run every guest by him too.”
I tried to jab Bodhi in the arm but he was too quick. I scowled. “Don’t be an asshole. He’s doing his job. Security is important. Besides,” I shot him a look, “you were the one pushing for securing the property.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Bodhi seemed to realize he was acting like a child instead of a whole ass adult, and he straightened up. “I don’t know what his problem is with me.”
I had an inkling but I knew better than to mention it. Instead, I gave him a look. “You could, I don’t know, actually talk to him about it. What happened to see the hill, take the hill?”
A dark cloud passed over his face. “I left the Corps. Get back inside and finish dinner before your mother comes looking for you.”
With that, he turned away, the door nearly slamming behind him.
Worry pooled in my gut. Bodhi had been out of sorts since he came back, and I knew something had happened.
He still wasn’t talking to anyone about it, except maybe Dad.
But it was clear I touched a nerve, and it hurt my heart to see him change that way.
I wanted my brother back, and I wanted to help heal whatever part of him was hurting.
But I couldn’t help him if he didn’t want to be helped.
At least not yet. So instead, I had to focus on the people I could help.
Like my patients, who wanted my opinion before choosing a course of treatment.
And Ville, who needed to be squished as hard as I did, even if he didn’t know it. He’d at least let me do the squishing.
In fact, that sounded like a great idea. I’d go back in, finish dinner, and then escape with Ville. I’m sure we could find all sorts of things to get up to that would put us both back together.