Chapter 16 #2
"I think we can safely say that 'we' did this." Lincoln squeezed her hands and forced her to meet his eyes. "We handled the entire thing badly. He was my best friend, and I didn't think about his feelings when I saw you." He sighed heavily.
"He held a gun to our daughter-in-law's head! I don't think Landry is going to forgive us just now."
"No," her husband concurred quietly. "I don't think he will.
" Bringing her hands to his lips, he kissed the knuckles.
"At least, we don't have to keep looking over our shoulders or be afraid that he's going to hurt one of our children or the people connected to them.
" He paused a few seconds. "Did you know about Kathy and Kady's brother? "
"No." She shook her head with a sigh. "I suppose we should say something to her?"
"And alienate her further? No. I think they're serious. Everything is happening at once; I cannot process any of it fast enough." He leaned in to kiss her. "Let's just see how it plays out."
***
"What's wrong?" As tiny as it had been, he caught the grimace.
"Nothing." She felt it again and this time, pressed a hand to her stomach. "I think it's the garlic on the shrimp. I need to sit."
"Or we need to go home." Guiding her off the dance floor, he led her over to a comfortable sofa in the corner of the room.
Three months had passed since the horrible incident at their wedding.
During that time, she had been to therapy on his insistence, and she had discovered that she was pregnant.
It was no surprise to anyone that she was carrying twins.
He had also insisted on them spending two weeks at his aunt and uncle's ranch, which had done more than the hours of therapy.
The couple hadn't changed a bit; they were still as wholesomely nice as the day she had met them over fifteen years ago.
Now they were at her brother's and his sister's wedding.
"It's just indigestion, and if I leave before Kyle's speech, he's going to kill me."
"Your brother knows you're pregnant and you need your rest." Landry studied her face closely. "Are you certain it's nothing more than that? Your ankles are swollen."
"Part and parcel of the carrying of twins." She did not object when he removed her strappy sandals and started to massage her ankles. "Ah, that feels wonderful."
"As soon as we get home, you're going straight to bed," he told her firmly.
They had celebrated their three-month anniversary at the ranch, and his aunt had baked them a cake to commemorate the occasion.
Three months as her husband and he was starting to wonder if he would ever stop falling in love with her.
He suspected he was going to spend the next fifty years discovering that.
"What?"
"I love you."
She melted; she simply went to goo inside. The man had a way about him that turned her knees to jelly. She never thought it possible to love someone so much, with this much intensity. And now she was carrying his seeds deep inside her. She was going to have his babies.
"You're just saying that to get me to agree to leave the party early."
He grinned at her. "Is it working?"
"Partially. As soon as Kyle's speech is over, we leave.
" She glanced over at the beautiful couple and shook her head.
"Did we start all of this? Fifteen-odd years ago, you came walking into my school and changed my life.
Now I'm married to you, and my brother is married to your sister. It seems a little bizarre."
He had transferred to the other foot and was rubbing rhythmically.
"Fortunately for him, I discovered he had good intentions towards Kathy." He lifted a brow at her. "Brother-in-law or not, if that had not been the case, he would have heard from me."
She poked her big toe at his stomach. "You're happy for them, admit it."
"Of course I am." Slipping the shoes back on, he patted her knees before rising. "Let me see about getting you some tea from the kitchen."
"Landry-"
"That's the deal, darling. You've been rubbing your stomach, and I know what that means. Some ginger tea and you stay right there until I get back."
"I love it when you're bossy," she told him as she leaned her head back. He only grunted and went off to get the attention of one of the hotel staff. The wedding had taken place at the chapel where her mother was a member. Merva had insisted on it.
"I had no control over where my daughter was getting married, so I deserve to have a say in this one.
" They had humored her, of course. Opening her eyes, Kady glanced around the crowded hotel ballroom.
She had been Kathy's only attendant. When Kady had asked about her friends, the younger woman had simply told her that she had hundreds of acquaintances, but none she could qualify as being friends.
"Besides, you're my sister and you're the only one I want standing with me."
The couple had wanted something small, but with the network of people Kyle worked with at the hospital and the people from the Crenshaw's society, the number had grown. The couple were going off on their honeymoon to Aruba right after the ceremony.
"I hear someone's not feeling well."
"My husband and his big mouth." She smiled and leaned her head on her brother's shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. "You look happy."
"I am happy." He said it in a kind of wonder that had her smiling even more.
"I love her, sis. Honest to God, I love that woman so much that I can hardly breathe when she's near or even when I think of her.
" His eyes tracked over to where his bride was holding court with a number of women.
She had chosen to wear green, a color that almost matched her eyes, and she looked radiant.
"We fight. Christ! She's stubborn as hell and willful. We fight, but she would come around and be the first one to try and make it right. We never go to bed angry with each other." He rubbed her shoulder absently.
"Welcome to the club," she murmured softly.
He turned to kiss the top of her head. "Yeah. Now, you're going to drink the tea your husband is bringing you and then go straight home. Doctor's orders."
"Yes, sir." Grabbing his face between her hands, she kissed him soundly. "Now go and be with your bride. I'll be fine."
He kissed her. "Go home."
"I will. Enjoy your honeymoon."
He grinned. "Oh, absolutely. I told her that clothing is optional."
"Too much information, honey. Go away."
"Mint tea with a hint of ginger and then we're leaving," her husband said as he handed her the cup. "How're you feeling?"
"Not too bad and yes, I want to go home."
***
"They're so beautiful." The hospital nursery was crowded with family members, vying to get a look at the twins. One of each and thankfully, the birth had been natural. Kyle had popped in during his rounds to keep an eye on his sister and had been there for the beautiful occasion.
"You were a trooper. Only eight hours." Landry beamed at his wife, who looked as if she had spent the day shopping instead of just giving birth to twins.
Love for her overwhelmed him. Their babies were healthy and just over the normal birth rate, which meant that they would be discharged this afternoon.
He could not wait to take his family home.
Levi and Lilly-Ann Crenshaw, the newest members of the family, stared at the people gazing at them with matching hazel eyes and looked so much like their father already.
"Since we have you all here and I'm going to have to run back to do my rounds-" Kyle caught his wife's arm and pulled her towards him, kissing her on the lips. "We have an announcement-"
"You're pregnant!" Ignoring the dark look she received from her brother, Kady rushed forward to hug the couple. "I knew it. How far along?"
"You couldn't give me the chance to finish?"
"Oh, shut up." Grabbing his face, she kissed him on the lips. "How far along?"
"Three months." Abandoning irritation, Kyle put one arm around her waist and continued to hold his wife. "And no surprise here, we're having twins."
A cheer went up around the room, which had the babies jolting. Merva rushed forward, tears streaming down her face. "Four grandchildren! This is indeed a blessing."
"It sure is." Jessica came forward to hug them. "You've made us so happy."
"This calls for a celebration," Merva said.
"Later. My husband has to go." Turning in his arms, Kathy kissed him, her eyes moist with tears. "I love you."
"I think I love you more." He held her for a moment and simply breathed in her scent. "See you later." He turned to his sister. "You did great. Now get some rest."
***
"We're going to have to hire a nanny," Landry murmured as he stood with his wife and watched the babies sleep.
"Hmm. Eventually." Kady leaned back in his arms, in utter contentment. "I'm a mother and I intend to take advantage of it. They're perfect."
"Like their mother." He turned her to face him, hands lifting to cup her face. "Have I told you how much I adore you?"
"Let me think." She smiled at him, the love shining in her eyes. "Not since we came home from the hospital."
"How remiss of me." His jade green eyes darkened. "I adore you, darling." Taking her hand, he placed it over where his heart was beating a little unsteadily. "You're my heart, my everything, and you've given me so much."
"Don't talk as if it's one-sided." She leaned up to rub her lips on his.
"It's completely mutual." Melting against him, she wrapped her arms around his waist. Landry simply held her, and only then, with just her and his babies, allowed the tears to fall.
There was no shame here, nothing except full transparency.
The end…