“Mama...am I gonna be any good at this wife and mother thing?”
Tammy’s delicate features crumpled with emotion. “Oh, my beauty,” she cupped Persephone’s face and squeezed her cheeks. “You’re already the most incredible mother. I know you’ll bring the same care and devotion to your husband that you’ve given to your babies.”
“I want to.”
“Then focus on that want and only that,” Tammy squeezed Persephone’s chin then and graced her with a sly wink. “Don’t forget to share the load with that husband of yours too.” She turned and found her son-in-law in an enthusiastic conversation with his brothers.
“Oh yes,” Tammy gave an appraising nod. “He looks like he’s built...very well for the task.”
Persephone’s eyes widened and she laughed
again before pulling her mother into another long hug.
***
The reception went strong until dawn’s glow began to nudge aside the dark. The event had turned into an overnight affair. Guests took advantage of the numerous spaces across the airy house to grab a few hours of sleep before they headed back to their respective hotels.
No one complained about the sleeping arrangements following the night...and morning they’d enjoyed.
Complaints were a foreign concept for the bride and groom, as was sleep. They’d had none of that since disappearing to their bedroom suite a couple of hours before their guests began to trickle indoors. Soft words of seductive approval filled the room as the couple consummated their marriage. They made love over every inch of the suite, even taking advantage of the privacy afforded by the terrace and outdoor tub.
When weak beams of sunlight grazed their skin, Persephone was being put on her back following another vivacious and satisfying ride she’d given her husband. The sturdy headboard balked at the brutality it was then suffering beneath Hill’s touch. As his wife’s breast generously filled his palm, Hill imprisoned the headboard with his free hand and thrust with a more enthusiastic fervor.
He smiled, burying his bronzed face deep into Persephone’s neck when he heard her delighted whispers meld into wavery moans and other sounds of pure, feminine enjoyment. He winced as pleasure ricocheted through his body in reaction to the next climax that seized her. He was sensitive enough to feel her coating his sex with renewed streams of her moisture. He reciprocated her generosity moments later, kissing her languidly as he gave her his seed.
“Mmmm...great idea,” Persephone filled her lungs with deep gulps of air once Hill rolled onto his back. “Suggesting we ditch our own reception? Nice.”
“Hey, we’re a non-traditional couple,” Eyes closed, Hill chuckled lazily, “gotta own that shit.”
“No argument from me but I hope you won’t mind me playing the role of the docile housewife letting my husband make all the decisions?”
Hill snorted laughter then. “You? Docile? You’ve never been able to pull that off-not even when you probably should’ve tried.”
“Okay then…” Persephone pushed off her back. “How about the role of the exhausted wife, tired of making all the decisions?” She kissed her way up his bicep until she met the forearm tucked beneath his head.
Hill tugged her over to straddle his waist. “You know that means you’d have to admit you need me.”
“Mmmm…” she bit down on her lip as he firmed against her. “I need you. I always have.”
“Well then, Goddess, that makes two of us. I love you,” he propped his finger beneath her chin and positioned her to receive his kiss.
“I love you,” she allowed her kiss to epitomize the endless emotion she felt for him. He was and had always been the only man who could absorb her fears and replace them with hope, contentment and the sweetest desire.
Knocking gave the couple pause just as Hill was preparing to ease Persephone down over a new and demanding erection. They moaned in woe instead of want. The knocking showed no signs of easing, although hope did flutter in ninety seconds later when the knocking stopped. It was only to give the visitors time to verbalize their arrival.
“Mommyyyyy? Daddyyyyy? Is it time for the honeymooooon?” Leeya’s and Layah’s voices crooned through the door.
Persephone had gotten the girls rescheduled for their lessons only to have them luck out on another break when she discovered their teacher would be taking her spring vacation along with the local school district’s planned break. She would be away for two weeks.
The newlyweds decided it’d be a perfect time to take their wedding trip. They had yet to share the trip’s time frame with the girls, but did tell them they’d all be going together.
“Think we’re the first couple in history to take our kids on the honeymoon?” Persephone wiggled off Hill to reclaim her side of the bed.
“Like I said, Goddess, we’re a non-traditional couple.” Hill pushed up against the headboard. “Come on in, Babes!” He called while straightening the covers and stacking a mountain of pillows behind his back.
Leeya and Layah raced in to be swung high by
their parents and bounced simultaneously to the center of the bed.
As the girls’ trademark giggles filled the air, Hill and Persephone
knew they wouldn’t have it any other way.
~~~~~~~~
~EPILOGUE~
Near Invernesshire Scotland~ Six Months
Later…
Any reason to travel was a good reason to travel but only if it meant spending time with friends and family. Such was the case when the Ramsey, Tesano and McPhereson parties descended on Scotland. The occasion- a baby shower. A big one.
Darby was too far along to travel given the unexpected extent of her condition. No matter, for the other couples were happy to oblige the DeBurghs with a visit.
Caiphus and SyBilla stopped over in the midst of their whirlwind and seemingly never ending honeymoon to celebrate with their family. No one begrudged the couple for the lengthy getaway. Not only had they earned it, but chances were strong they’d get little rest once the Vestige crew was back to work on its next case. The same was true for Moses and Johari who figured they were certainly overdue for a second honeymoon. The couple was spending time in Ireland and easily worked the jaunt into their travel plans. Quay and Ty were especially thrilled about the trip as it offered them the first chance to travel with their brood once they’d seen Bobbie Lowery off on her own much needed exotic getaway to Turks and Caicos. Always in the mood for travel were the newest among the newlyweds Hill and Persephone. The couple had found special joy returning to places they were now enjoying together as a family. It went without saying that Leeya and Layah were elated to have their newfound friends/cousins to play with.
The kids weren’t the only ones being attacked by elation. Such was the case all over as the celebration of new life filled the crowd. Also travelling as a new family were Pike and Belle who stunned everyone when they arrived with, the newest addition to the Tesano and Ramsey clans, Isabel Carmani Tesano.
Upon their arrival with Quincee, Quest and Mick shared the news that they would soon be bringing a boy into the fold. The same was true for Fernando and Contessa and Smoak and Sabra. Yohan and Melina announced that they would be adding more boys to the brood with their surprise news that they were expecting twins. Dinari and Dakari almost lost their little voices with gleeful cries. They cheered long and hard over the news of more boys to replenish their small numbers.
Hill and Persephone decided there was no time like the present to announce they were six weeks pregnant as well. When everyone speculated on more twins, Hill was delighted by the possibility. Persephone prayed for strength.
It was fitting however that the...biggest
news came from the guests of honor themselves. Kraven; all too
familiar with the story, sat bouncing Quincee on his knee. He
smiled earnestly while Darby regaled their guests with the story of
her husband’s near fainting episode when they received word that
they would soon be the parents of triplets. The ultrasound had
reported three heartbeats belonging to two boys and one girl.
~~~
“Are you sure?” Nile whispered the question while eyeing the two vials lying against Dena’s palm.
