Persephone blotted out every aspect of their surroundings but for the man who kissed and handled her then with such sweet potency. It was the sound of tiny giggles that succeeded in breaking them apart minutes later. Hill and Persephone looked down into two pairs of bright, amused gazes.
“Where the heck did you two come from?!” Phony amazement illuminated Hill’s face.
The girls giggled helplessly over their father’s surprise. “Kiss Mommy some more!” Leeya encouraged.
“I plan to,” Hill leaned down to his daughters, rubbed noses with each of them. “Soon as our spies go away.”
“And they’re giggling spies, too,” Persephone pointed out.
“Ah...giggling spies,” Hill shook his head as if that were disappointing news. “I’m afraid there’s only one way to deal with a giggling spy.”
Hill launched a tickle attack which had the girls’ giggles elevating to wild laughter. Persephone laughed along at the sight of the twins writhing amidst the covers. Each, clutched her tiny hands to Hill’s wrists as if to embrace her exhilaration.
Persephone enjoyed the sight, though deeper emotion had intervened. Hill noticed her expression and eased off tickling the twins. Tugging the breathless girls against his chest, he studied their mother with fixed concern.
“You okay?” He asked her.
She nodded, reached over to tickle the bottom of the girls’ feet until they squirmed happily. “Just wondering...what could’ve been if they...could’ve had this.”
Hill knew the ‘they’ she spoke of. His features tensed dangerously, but eased almost instantly when he nuzzled the tops of Leeya’s and Layah’s heads. The gesture seemed to set him to rights once more.
“We all had a part to play, remember?” He noted. “They played the part they were supposed to and now we get to play the part we’re supposed to. Does that sound good?”
Persephone scooted closer. “You have no idea how good that sounds.”
The girls covered their mouths to muffle the
giggles that emerged when their parents engaged in another
kiss.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-NINE
The guest list for Hill and Persephone was almost a replica of the one on hand for Caiphus and SyBilla. Almost. Given the suddenness of the event, there wouldn’t have been enough time to get everyone out to Hawaii anyway, Hill reasoned.
Of course, everyone knew the groom, nor his bride, had an interest in a big to-do. Given that, the couple had reached out to the people who mattered most. Caiphus and Bill were first to arrive. Many of the other couples arrived together as they were all travelling from Seattle.
Among that group Kraven and Darby who had extended their stay given their concern over the outcome of the Shelanon confrontation. Pike; after numerous checks with Sabella's doctor, had decided they could make the trip. Of course everyone knew the expectant dad would have had hell to pay if he'd decided otherwise. They flew into Vegas and travelled the rest of the way with Smoak and Sabra.
Representing the elders; in addition to Roman and Imani, were Pitch and Candace. The newlyweds were already in Hawaii enjoying the first leg of their honeymoon. Ty’s mother, Roberta Lowery was on babysitting duty. The woman had been outfitted with a crew of hired assistants put in place at the insistence of her son-in-law. Therefore, Damon and Catrina were able to join Quay, Ty, Quest and Mick for the trip.
Catrina had arranged for a gift the bride and groom were sure to enjoy. VIP treatment packages to the most exclusive restaurants in Europe and the Caribbean.
Catrina Ramsey’s reputation in the catering world had earned her an array of influential contacts. The treatment packages were only offered among the most exclusive circles. Catrina was among the few who could secure the kind of packages to offer complimentary dining. With such a gift, the newlyweds would be able to walk into most any upscale restaurant without a reservation or a wallet.
Aaron Tesano had opted to stay behind. He’d had little choice once his doctor had been informed-by Aaron’s housekeeper Rena- of his recent excursion out of town. Aaron’s doctor had threatened to affix a house arrest bracelet to his ankle if he gave any argument.
Aaron wasn’t overtly upset as remaining close to home gave him the chance to witness the reunion between his brother and nephew. Aaron was certain that Gabriel was heading towards the end when the man had called to share the astounding news of his son’s return.
Finding Brogue Tesano alive, well and sharing a hospital dinner with his dad, had filled Aaron with equal parts devastation and joy.
Being the good uncle that he was, Aaron didn’t forget the excitement taking place in the lives of his other nephews. As he’d done for Caiphus and SyBilla, Aaron had arranged an all-expense paid trip for Hill and Persephone when they decided to embark upon their honeymoon.
The couples would have their choice of a number of private resorts worldwide. They were all places vetted by Aaron himself who had enjoyed each of them during his varied and adventurous travels.
Rounding out the elders in attendance was
the mother of the bride. Tamara James was set to arrive in time for
the evening ceremony. After the festivities, she would return to
Maeva who was still recovering from the damage to her shoulder and
collarbone. It was believed she would make a full recovery.
***
Calm was the order of things on the eve of the wedding. Given all the theatrics that had placed Caiphus’ last night of bachelorhood under a storm cloud, Hill had decided to give the men a night they weren’t soon to forget.
In the end, no one had been in much of a mood to prepare for another unforgettable night. Everyone had agreed there had been more than enough of those as of late. When the suggestion was made to enjoy time together at home, no one complained. The suggestion was put into effect by the bride and her group as well.
Everyone with the exception of Pike and
Sabella; who were also staying with Hill and Persephone, took the
brief drives from their respective hotels for the couple’s night
in. The elders got a big laugh out of the younger crowds’ boring
outlooks, but it was all in fun. Roman, Imani, Pitch, Candace,
Damon and Catrina had gone out themselves. The group spent much of
the night celebrating the happiness and contentment that had
finally found its place among them.
***
Guests arrived decked in their loveliest whites, off whites and pastels for the sunset wedding. Footwear was optional. The venue; beyond the main house, was a gorgeous and private strip along the beach. The sun hung low against a vibrant red gold sky while the couples made their way down the path where an array of loveseats and armchairs had been arranged.
The seating had been covered with flowing white linens that billowed against a soothing breeze off the Pacific. Torchlights danced in a vivaciously alluring manner that seemed to mimic the fierce emotion between the man and woman who would soon devote their lives to one another.
As their wives took their seats, Pike, Smoak and Caiphus went to stand near the front of the aisle fashioned between the seating. Their brother had asked them to stand alongside him and they had happily accepted.
Everyone left footwear back at the house and enjoyed the sensation of sand between their toes. The men were outfitted in lightweight linen trousers and shirts of varying colors. The women held to similar styles though their linen was represented in the form of more fetching dresses with ankle-length hemlines.
No one, however, proved
more fetching than the bride herself. Persephone had been stunned
to learn that Hill had commissioned his sister-in-law to conjure
something captivating for the wedding. It wasn’t a tall order to
fill. The romantic in Belle had her sketching possible wedding
attire for Persephone when SyBilla had clued her in on the
lingering emotion she’d observed between Hill and Persephone during
their time in California. Despite how trying circumstances had seemed back
then, Belle had no doubt that another wedding would be in the
future.
~~~
The strains of K-Ci and JoJo’s ‘This Very Moment’ drifted in as Persephone walked the long aisle to the man she loved. She was unquestionably captivating in a non-traditional work of champagne lace and chiffon. The chic, retro-styled jumpsuit was as unique as the bride herself.
The garment’s V-cut bodice had a halter neck that left Persephone’s back beautifully bare to her waist. Wide-leg pants gave the illusion of a flowing chiffon skirt that trailed the sand and offered modest glimpses of bare pink polished toes. Persephone’s thick, clipped locks were styled in their usual gorgeous disarray and accented the plumeria lei upon her head. The lei; a staple in most Hawaiian weddings, was a handmade gift from the staff who had also been invited to enjoy the festivities. A similar gift had been fashioned for Hill. A maile lei hung from his neck.
